PTR's Best Episodes Continues! Plus an 'Ugly' Timeslot and Another Person Found with a 'Trace'

Pass the Remote's

Best Episodes of the Season

We are only one week away from cracking the Top 10 in the summer-long countdown of PTR's Best Episodes of the Season! For those who are new to the countdown, here is a refresher of the rules that I employed to determine the 31 episodes that compose this summer-long countdown. All of the shows and their episodes are from NETWORK television only, meaning that I did not take any cable series into consideration (since I only watch a few and felt that it would be unfair). All episodes aired between September 2005 and June 2006. Each episode that made the final list moved me in some way; either by making me laugh out loud, cry my eyes out or just left me with that "wow" feeling that stays with you for a few days. So basically, it's completely subjective! This is a summer-long countdown, so I will reveal a few episodes each week all summer until we reach the #1 episode of the past season. Be sure to tune in each Wednesday to see the next set of episodes to make the list. Here’s a closer look at numbers 13-11.


13: "Tomorrow" - The West Wing
When a critically acclaimed and Emmy-winning series like this comes to an end, we expect it to go out with the same bang it came in with years earlier, so the excellent series finale should have come as no surprise, right? Well, that would have been the case if the show had maintained through its run the same integrity it brought to the table when it premiered 7 years ago, but the quality suffered after loss of its creator/executive producer Aaron Sorkin halfway through its run. It's true that The West Wing was never the same after Sorkin's exit, but it did regain most of its dignity during its final 2 seasons. The final episode was the cap on the improvement, and a poignant and celebratory way to end this much-lauded series. The Presidency traded hands from Jed Bartlet to Matt Santos, and we were all left with a sense of hope for the future and sadness for the past knowing that it would no longer carry on. And of course, the most poignant moment took us back to before Bartlet ever assumed the White House and a paper napkin with a dream for the future. It was a fitting end to a landmark series. Written by John Wells and directed by Christopher Misiano.


12: "Getting to Know You" - Everwood
This wonderful episode marks Everwood's first appearance on the list. There are many "list-worthy" moments in this one, but the main reason for this episode's inclusion is a single scene between Bright and Hannah. Bright decides to help Hannah deal with her self-esteem issues by locking her in the bathroom. He talks to her through the door to try to get her to look into the mirror and see what he sees when he looks at her. Hannah struggles with the assignment, but Bright's encouraging and loving words get her to finally understand that she has a lot to offer. When it's all over, she opens the door and the two finally allow themselves to get a lot closer. In other happenings, Ephram realizes that he is still in love with Amy and the two spend the night together, but Amy views it as a mistake. She then finds all of the postcards that Ephram never sent her while he was off in Europe. Sleeping together doesn't make Amy reconsider her relationship with Ephram, but reading the postcards does, proving that this show is all about deeper, emotional connections rather than the usual physical teen dramas. Written by Tom Garrigus and directed by Joe Pennella.


11: "Gum Drops" - CSI
The usually light show hit a grand slam with this emotional hour, perhaps its heaviest thus far. This episode moved me more than most heavier dramas this season. It was the first time that an episode of CSI brought tears to my eyes, and it was one that stayed with me for days after it aired. Nick gets emotional wrapped up in a case after an entire family is found murdered, save for their young daughter who is missing. Nick is convinced that the little girl is out there somewhere alive, and he is determined to find her safe. The rest of the team assumes that she is dead, and decides to focus their energy on finding the individual(s) responsible for the heinous murders. The audience is pulled in both directions as the hour moves along, and we all breathe a huge sigh of relief when the little girl is found bruised and broken, but alive. The relief is short-lived, however, because it quickly turns to sadness as we watch Nick tell the little girl that her entire family is dead. It's an emotional moment that this show tends to avoid, but it is one of the series' best ever. Written by Sarah Goldfinger and directed by Richard J. Lewis. (Screencap courtesy CSI-Caps.com).

So, there's a closer look at #13-11. What did you think about them? Do you agree? Disagree? Drop me a comment with your thoughts. If you missed #31-14 or just want to revisit them, click HERE. Be sure to tune in next week as we crack the Top 10 with the next three episodes on the list including a triple tragedy set to a poignant song by The Fray, an intense season finale with shocking revelations and a character who comes to terms with the truth.


QUICK CUTS

*ABC is moving its new critically acclaimed Ugly Betty to a better timeslot before it premieres next month. The series will now serve as the lead-in for the popular Grey's Anatomy on Thursday nights, instead of its original Friday night slot. The move pushes the network's new comedies Big Day and Notes From the Underbelly to midseason after Dancing With the Stars completes its run. ABC kicks off its Thursday night line-up with Betty on September 28th and Grey's the week before on the 21st.

*TNT is dipping into the world of broadband with a brand new streaming video channel. The online channel, dubbed DramaVision, will start off by streaming the network's hit miniseries Into The West August 15th. The critically acclaimed western received 16 Emmy nominations last month. The on-demand channel will also feature original movies, "ripped from the headlines" webisodes promoted through Law & Order, live events and inspirational profiles. You will be able to access the new broadband on-demand channel beginning August 15th at TNT's official Web site.

*And finally, CBS' Without a Trace is getting credit for helping find another real life missing person. An anonymous tip led to the discovery of an 18-year old missing fugitive from New Hampshire in St. Augustine, Florida. She had been missing for 5 months. The hit crime drama featured the missing teen in a PSA during its June 1st episode.

To get more of today's biggest TV news and headlines, visit the TV News section at PassTheRemote.Net.

That's all for today. Be sure to tune in tomorrow for another Cold Case flashback edition featuring an episode that introduced us to "No Drugs Today," more Lilly hang-ups and the personal side to Lt. Stillman. Plus, all the latest television news!



To get more television coverage, including the network's new fall schedules and a complete archive of the best of Pass the Remote with a photo gallery featuring pictures from the set of Veronica Mars, click on over to PassTheRemote.net.