Postcards for Amy to Ponder! And a Double Dose of Emotion on 'Trace'

We were treated to two powerful hours of television last night. First, there was an excellent episode of Everwood, followed by a moving Without a Trace. So many developments on last night's Everwood that it's hard to know where to begin! Let's start with Harold and Rose. After taking a trip to Africa and witnessing all of the famine first hand, Rose wanted to sponsor a child, which seemed like a good idea to everyone but Harold. I loved how Irv explained Rose's need to help to Harold. It made perfect sense and it's how we all react after witnessing a tragedy. He's absolutely right about how we react at first and then life takes over as time passes and we go back to living our own life. I wasn't prepared for Rose's shocker, though, at the end. I wonder if she will follow though with this adoption idea? Next, we have Jake and Nina. So, we finally know the truth about Jake and his past pain killer addictions and now, so does Nina. She really didn't take it too well. I'm still predicting that she and Andy end up together, especially after we saw her go running to him after she found out about Jake. It's just a matter of time, people. Speaking of people running to others, how about Amy and Ephram??! Sure, they slept together, but more importantly, Amy now knows that Ephram still loves her! How sweet was that moment when he told her and gave her the postcards that he wrote in Europe and never sent? This is why I will not rest until these two realize that they are made-for-each-other and finally get together for good! And finally, this brings us to Bright and Hannah who shared one of the most amazing scenes I've ever seen on television. How beautiful was that scene where he locked her in the bathroom? I know it doesn't sound that way to those of you who didn't see it, but trust me, it was amazing. He didn't let her out until she finally saw herself the way that he does. I love these two! Such an amazing hour of television, and I'm so sad that it's not returning until March (last night was its "Winter Finale" to make room for an eight-week showing of Beauty and the Geek)! Boo WB!

The second fantastic hour goes to Without a Trace, which managed to blend two very consuming storylines without sacrificing either of them. Tackling the amnesiac woman first, I really liked the way this show mixed it up a bit with this storyline. The agents weren't searching for a missing person because they had her, they were searching for her identity, and as we later found out, why she had blood all over her coat. The agents quickly concluded that she was blocking out whatever tragic event took place, and therefore, lost her memory. They only had a few pieces of the puzzle, but it was enough to slowly unravel the mystery of this young woman. I thought all of the agents were utilized well, and it was nice to see a Sam-centric episode. I love how she and Elena work together so well because the writers could have gone the more cliche route and had these characters have the cat-fight type of relationship. My concern for Martin is growing, especially after I saw him down the remainder of the bottle of pills. Someone is going to have to intervene here and fast! The second well done story was Jack's struggle with his father's failing health. Now, I'm not a huge Jack fan, although, the writers do a nice job presenting us with a very realistically flawed character. But, this storyline was very well done. I found myself struggling on the inside right along with Jack on whether or not to force his father to receive the kidney work that would save his life. Complicating everything was his rapidly deteriorating Alzheimers condition. Just when Jack thought everything was going to be okay because his father finally agreed to the treatment, he went back to his father's room and found that he had passed on. The thing that got me was that he went back to tell his father that he loved him. Yeah, the tears were flowing when he took his father's hand. It's difficult for a show like Without A Trace to tackle two emotional storylines, but they sure pulled it off last night.

About Last Night... CBS claimed the first hour of the night with Survivor, followed by NBC comedies Joey and Will & Grace and ABC's movie Head of State. At 9, CBS's CSI got one of its biggest audiences of the season and managed to beat all five other networks combined for the hour, followed by The Apprentice on NBC and ABC's movie. The WB's Everwood landed in fourth. The final hour of the night went to CBS's Without a Trace, followed by ER on NBC and ABC's Primetime. For more on last night's ratings, visit Zap2it.

~Primetime Pass~
@8 p.m. - Melinda helps a deceased mother (guest star Sonia Braga) reunite her husband and son on CBS's Ghost Whisperer.

@9 p.m. - Annabeth prosecutes a murder-for-hire case involving a drug lord on CBS's Close to Home. Over on NBC, it's the final episode of Three Wishes and the team arranges for a boy to meet his idol Bill Gates.

@10 p.m. - Don investigates the murder of a researcher who found a controversial skull on Native American land on CBS's Numb3rs.

SUNDAY EDITION
@8 p.m. - CBS's Survivor wraps up another edition with a two-hour finale that whittles the competition down to the final two. Over on NBC, President Bartlett manages to bring peace between China and Russia and his daughter gets married at the White House on The West Wing.

@10 p.m. - Jordan works to close an old case and a mob hit man is suspected of murdering his brother's wife on NBC's Crossing Jordan. Over on CBS, Survivor hosts its reunion show and the winner is revealed.




Prancer - A young girl finds a wounded reindeer that she believes is part of Santa's sleigh in this 1989 feature film. Friday 8 p.m. ABC Family

I Want a Dog for Christmas Charlie Brown - This holiday special tells the tale of ReRun (the younger brother of Linus and Lucy) and his quest for a dog for Christmas. Snoopy's brother shows up and the trouble begins. Friday 8 p.m. ABC

Dear Santa - This one-hour special features Clay Aiken and Raven Simone as the U.S. Postal Service helps answer some children's letters to Santa. Friday 8 p.m. Fox

It's a Wonderful Life - This 1946 holiday classic follows the story of George Bailey who is visited by an angel on Christmas Eve. Through the angel, he learns what life would have been like if he had never been born. Saturday 8 p.m. NBC

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - This live action film featuring Jim Carey brings to life the story of Whoville and the Grinch who tries to ruin Christmas for the Christmas-loving town. Saturday 8:30 p.m. ABC

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - Back-to-back episodes feature families from past episodes trying to reach out to others in their communities in an effort to "Pay it Forward." Look for appearances by First Lady Laura Bush, James Denton, Wayne Newton and Brian Wilson. Sunday 8 p.m. ABC

Grey's Anatomy - A young boy needs a heart transplant, but doesn't seem to want one and Alex needs help as he prepares to re-take his exam. Meredith works to remind Izzie of the true spirit of Christmas. Sunday 10 p.m. ABC



QUICK CUTS

*Fox is closing the doors on Kitchen Confidential. The comedy aired its last episode last week and will be replaced with a double dose of Arrested Development on Monday nights. A measly 3.38 million viewers tuned in for the show's return last Monday. In total, the show only aired 4 of its original 13 order. Look for reruns of Development to follow new episodes starting next week.

*Survivor host Jeff Probst will continue extinguishing the torches of the reality show's contestants for at least a couple more years. He signed a deal with CBS to remain as host of the show until the 16th season, which takes him through 2008. Prior to the announcement of the deal, Probst had considered hanging up his torch. Survivor airs Thursday nights on CBS.

*Actress Justine Bateman will make an appearance on brother Jason Bateman's show later this season. The older sibling will guest star on an upcoming episode of Fox's Arrested Development. In the episode Michael (Jason Bateman) believes that he may have a long lost older sister (Justine Bateman) and decides to track her down. The episode is scheduled to air January 9th on Fox.

*And finally, ABC is releasing the identity of the next crop of ballroom baulkers for its upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars. Actress Tia Carrere, journalist Giselle Fernandez, actor George Hamilton, WWE diva Stacy Kiebler, singer Drew Lachey, ESPN personality Kenny Mayne, actress Tatum O'Neal, former NFLer Jerry Rice, actress Lisa Rinna, and singer Romeo are all the latest entertainers to pair up with professional dancers and compete for viewers' votes. The new season starts January 5th with the results show premiering the following night, January 6th, on ABC.

That's all for today. Be sure to tune in Monday for my picks for the best holiday movies and specials. Plus, all the latest television news!