Lifestyles of the Rich & Psychic

When a famous billionaire's plane goes down and you can't find the wreckage or the billionaire, who you gonna call? Shawn and Gus, of course! And they did find the wreckage and the billionaire, but things only got complicated from there, so let's discuss in this week's edition of "The Funny, The Funnier and OK, For Real, My Side Just Split."

THE FUNNY
After getting hired by the billionaire's family (the Claytons) to psychically figure out why Mr. Clayton's plane went down, Shawn and Gus headed to the family's mansion for dinner. When they weren't spitting out chunks of bread and putting them in the soup over dinner or breaking valuable decorations before dinner, the duo was causing a stir of a different kind. Shawn was able to ascertain that Mrs. Clayton was sleeping with her tennis instructor (which prompted her son to declare, "No wonder why you have so many sexy tennis outfits!"), the son was angry because his wealthy father had forced him to get a job and start being responsible (oh, the humanity!), and Mr. Clayton was having an affair with the housekeeper. Oy! When they left the home (with doggie bags in hand and actual doggies nipping at their heels as they sprinted across the Clayton's expensive lawn), they had a plethora of suspects and enough antics to leave me laughing into the commercial.

THE FUNNIER
Later in the episode, the two visited the Clayton's country club (after the family fired them, but good news! Lassie and co. decided that the plane crash might have been deliberate, so the country club visit was "official police business"). If you thought dinner was funny, well, that was just the appetizer. Shawn got an idea, but not just any idea. According to Gus, this was one of Shawn's "loosely formed ideas that shouldn't work on paper, but ultimately proves to be reasonably successful." Cue the idea. These two took to the links with some of Warren's golfing buddies. And these gentleman don't fool around. They were playing a thousand bucks a hole and one golfer admitted that he had lost his plane to Warren in a previous game of skins (the very same plane that crashed and killed Warren... dum, dum, dum!). Between the over-the-top fake laugh from both Shawn and Gus and Shawn describing how well he does as a psychic ("This here is just a trial membership. We only belong to the most exclusive clubs"), these two were a long way from the country club crowd. But hey, they did learn about the hanger, so yeah, "reasonably successful."

OK, FOR REAL, MY SIDE JUST SPLIT
This week it wasn't a moment or a scene or even a theme that had me laughing the loudest; it was several little things. It started with Twitter. Shawn described a "status transmission" that he was receiving psychically as something like a "Twitter." Gus quickly corrected him by saying, "a tweet." And Shawn responded that there was no way he was going to say it that way. Later, Shawn (knowing absolutely nothing about anything financial including referring to sub-prime as "sub prime-time"), thought that a suspect was implicating Henry Winkler's Happy Days character "The Fonz" in Warren's murder. He was, of course, talking about a Ponzi scheme. I'm not sure that Shawn ever learned the truth. Throughout the episode, he kept making "notes to self" that he wanted Gus to remember rendering them no longer notes to self and driving Gus crazy. Thankfully, Gus was there to correct the Twitter faux pas, handle the financial stuff and remember all of the notes to self.

Psych airs Friday nights on USA Network. Catch up on this episode ("He Dead") and others at hulu.com. And learn more about the awesome-ness that is Shawn and Gus at USA's official site.

How Will 'Grace' Wrap it Up

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

In light of the recent news that this third season will be the last for Grace Hanadarko, I have to say I'm looking at this past week's episode a little differently.

We recall I've continued to talk about the maturing of the character, and her subsequent embracing of her new role alongside Earl as his co-pilot in the do-good-for-others department. We now have about nine episodes left to figure out what that really all is going to mean.

And what legacy Grace Hanadarko will leave behind on the television landscape.

But more immediately, what exactly is Neely going to do - or not do - to this partnership between Grace and Earl? And what is Neely going to become to Grace?

What - if anything - is Johnny going to contribute as the go-between for both Grace and Neely (all the while still not realizing he's actually met Earl, which I think is one of the best B-storylines going on the show at the moment - next to Rhetta's personal troubles with her soon-to-be-ex husband)?

And what about Ham seeming to start living a life outside of the mind-numbing, energy sucking, codependent mess of a relationship he obsesses over with Grace?

The fact the case this week was an odd role reversal of an abusive relationship - that is, a lesbian couple, where one partner beats the other and/or takes things a little too personally when someone else might get close to her - kind of paled in comparison for me as I now start to wonder how this series is set to wrap up.

We recall back during season one, we posed the question is Grace really worth saving? And if so, once she's "saved," would that be the end of the show?

I now think the answer to both those questions is yes.

She's proven she is worth saving.

And she's moved more into the "saved" direction than not.

Next week's episode is set up as the summer series finale; it teases us with the idea that Grace could die trying to save a jumper. We obviously know she won't, but give it nine episodes and maybe we'll be singing a different tune.

One thing's for sure, the Saving Grace folks will keep it interesting until the very end.

New episodes of Saving Grace air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can watch full episodes of the show anytime over on the show’s official Web site. You can also visit EmbraceYourGrace.com to share your stories of how you embrace your inner-Grace.

Roundup: 'Closer' Mails It In; 'Bar' Cops a Bad Feel

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

Check, Please

So can we just start with Charlie almost being shipped back to Atlanta after ONE week ...?

Sorry, but did I miss something ...?

I did predict the innocent-goody-two-shoes-misundertsood-teen routine could possibly go out the window this week (and it did). And I also get that a "scenario" needed to be set-up so that BJ and Fritzy would find the compelling reason to keep her.

Still, the timing seemed ... well, weird.

And I'm not sure I could really get past it. Her baking marijuana into brownies (which BJ sniffs out like a bloodhound and, naturally, becomes higher than a kite) is bad - really bad. But IMHO, there didn't seem to be enough getting-to-know-her episodes as yet to justify that kind of an abrupt change in behavior. And having BJ's mom "talk" about how bad Charlie is back home isn't the same as seeing it play out over the course of episodes.

Then again, this is TV. And sometimes they just have to cram it in.

Oh well.

As for the case ... hmmm ... a dead body gets mailed in an ice chest to Major Crimes, which leads BJ and Co. to encounter quite the interesting variety of suspects: a scripture-thumping stepfather, a disgruntled ex-girfriend, a buddy who was constantly being hit up for money and a landlord who simply hated the victim’s guts. Meanwhile, Gabriel is studying for the detective exam, so BJ uses the case as a teaching tool.

'kay. Funny. Weird. Unique.

And yet, I'm still feeling a little underwhelmed with this season's offerings of The Closer.

Dunno.

Maybe I've just watched too long that I can start to piece together aspects of the episode quicker than I have in the past. And when that happens, shows tend to lose a little bit of umph for me.

Still love BJ and Co., though.

New episodes of The Closer air Mondays at 9 p.m. on TNT. For the scoop on the series, head on over to the show's official site.



Don't Let the Door Hit You on the Way Out

Yay!

Evil-creepy-arsehole-bad-guy-cop Tim is gone.

Definitely hated this guy.

And the sad part is we know there are cops out there in the ol' real world who are even WORSE than his character portrayed.

Ouch.

But can I just ask how blind, deaf and dumb was Michelle Ernhardt over this guy?

Seriously?

For a woman portrayed as doing anything to get the upper-hand in her job, I get her fraternizing with the cop to get what she wants. BUT, she is also fiercely protective of her job, so getting involved with someone who seemed so slimey just out of character for her.

And yet, we all have flaws, eh?

And Ernhardt is by no means perfect.

So it worked.

In an annoying sort of way.

But I think what struck me most about this episode was: 1) Bobbi is becoming my second favorite character; and 2) Nick Balco can actually do something good for a change.

The expression on his face once he realizes how fraked up the case was after Tim had tampered with jury, fabricated evidence AND slept with Ernhardt was priceless. And, his stepping in to clean up the mess whilst still seeming sympathetic to Michelle was a nice twist on his hardline character.

New episodes of Raising the Bar air Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT. For the scoop on the series, head on over to the show's official site

'Saving Grace' Done After Three Seasons

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

It looks like Grace won't be saved after all.

Darn.

Just when it was starting to get really good, too.

TNT announced this week that the Saving Grace will end its three season run next summer (2010).

While TNT wanted to continue with the adventures of all-things Grace Hanadarko, Fox (which actually produces the show) decided to end production after disappointing overseas and DVD sales.

As part of the decision, TNT will not air the winter run of the remaining six episodes on tap for the third season until next summer; and, Fox will film an extra three episodes to tie up all loose end so as to give the series a proper send off.

So look for the final nine episodes of the series' third installment to all air next summer.

Guess Angel Earl is going to have to find another assignment, eh?

Sources: TNT Publicity; LA Times.

The Countdown Dips into the Top 15

The summer-long countdown is moving right along with three more episodes that shone brightly this season. But before we get to them, we have to go over the rules for the countdown. LillyKat and I ended up with 33 incredible episodes that demonstrate the diversity and quality of the current television state. The shows and their episodes are from both NETWORK and CABLE television. All episodes aired between June 2008 and June 2009. Each episode that made the final list moved us in some way; either by making us laugh out loud, cry our eyes out or just left us with that "wow" feeling that stays with you for a few days. So basically, it's completely subjective! Since this is a summer-long countdown to the number 1 episode, we will reveal a few each week all summer. So, be sure to tune in every Friday to find out which episodes are on the countdown! Today, we're going to take a look at numbers 15-13.

15: "Mortal Men" - Deadliest Catch
I know we referenced Captain Phil's memorable survival of a blod clot passing through his lungs in last week's countdown, but THIS is the episode that started it all - and left us all wondering what the heck was the matter with him. As a result of an Arctic hurricane, the Cornelia Marie took one of those 90 degree rolls, which threw Phil out of bed, across his room and smack dab into the sharp corner of his dresser. Being the tough guy that he is, he thought he could just Ace bandage himself back together and keep on fishin'. Not so much. Slowly but surely, it gets worse. Way worse - to the point where Phil's coughing up blood, the crew is freaked, and he's thinking the haunting dream he's always had of dying on the Bering Sea is actually going to come true. Now, I love Captain Phil, and the Cornelia Marie is my favorite ship (though the Hillstrand brothers on the Time Bandit run a very close second). But I just wanted to throw Phil overboard given he just would not call it a day and get himself to a freakin' hospital - even when everyone was telling him to do so, including his crew and the other captains. Thankfully, Phil does come to his senses. But interestingly, what he thought was the cause of the problem (cracked rib, punctured lung from being thrown out of bed) ended up NOT to be the case (as we now know). And that made this episode quite compelling to watch. - LillyKat, PTR Senior Staff Writer

14: "Unleashed" - Fringe
This episode centered around a seemingly impossible concept and managed to make it seem pretty possible all in the course of a 1-hour story. It's a hallmark of this series, but it was done to perfection with this outing. Scientists successfully created a new species by using the DNA of several existing species. It sounds crazy, but Walter presented his research, addressed all of the difficulties that one would have to overcome in order to accomplish such a feat, and then pointed out that if the scientist built on Walter's research from 20 years ago, he/she would be able to create a hybrid creature (in theory anyway). Apparently, the "monster" contained bat DNA, which is important because bat DNA gives the creature a unique immune system that would allow it to fight off the effects of different DNA coming together (much like the way the body will reject an organ transplant unless the recipient takes specific drugs to stop the process). It was all very clever. This stellar episode also included a life or death situation with Charlie (who had been attacked by the hybrid creature) and had Walter putting his own life in danger for the greater good. What more can you ask for from this delightful freshman series? Written by Zack Whedon and J.R. Orci and directed by Brad Anderson.

13: "Heart of a Cop" - Saving Grace
Two words: Christina Ricci. When I heard she was joining the cast of Saving Grace for a three episode arc, I was beyond thrilled. When she debuted in this episode - late to a crime scene after she and her son were teary-eyed and heartbroken over the death of their pet goldfish - it ended up being Best.Character.Introduction.Ever. Unexpected, yet cute and charming at the same time. We were all being set up to have Grace rip her a new one given her. Yet, when she finally does arrive and breaks into tears, even Grace is thrown off her game. Brilliant! As was the episode. It counts as one of my all time favorites. Everything gelled - some suspense, lots of humor, great personal interactions amongst the characters, nothing was over the top, good pacing. It all just worked. But it was Christina Ricci who made this episode so much fun - and so memorable. She was a perfect addition to the cast. As Holly Hunter told us, the role of Abbey Charles was written specifically for her by Creator Nancy Miller. As such, it definitely fit her like a glove. Christina is good in EVERYTHING she does, and I still wish she would become a regular cast member (or at least recurring). She balanced out the testosterone, gave us the young cop v. old schooler angle and slowed Grace down a bit to give us a more mentoring, elder detective woman look at the usually wild-child-hellraiser character that is Grace. Written by Denitria Harris-Lawrence and directed by Artie Mandelberg. - LillyKat, PTR Senior Staff Writer

So, there's a look at numbers 15-13 on the countdown. What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Leave us a comment with your thoughts. And be sure to tune in next Friday for #12-10 on the list.

Northern Exposure

I can't even tell you how excited I am to have my Shawn and Gus back! I have been looking forward to this premiere all summer, so it pains me that I was out of town when it aired and haven't been able to do this write-up. And, to make matters worse, I have a new format for PTR's Psych write-ups this season and I haven't been able to roll it out yet. It's called "The Funny, The Funnier, & OK, for Real, My Side Just Split," and it showcases the episode's best moments. So, without further adieu, here's the inaugural edition of The Funny, The Funnier and OK, for Real, My Side Just Split.

THE FUNNY

When I first heard that Psych was starting off its season with a little visit to our neighbors to the north, I thought, "Hey, what's this all aboot?" But this hilarious hour had something better (and possibly more Canadian) than an "aboot" here and there -- MOUNTIES (or, more formally, the RCMP)!! I was sad that they weren't actually mounted, but it was good to have them all the same. And, as it turns out, they thought that Shawn was in charge of Lassie and that instantly made things about 10x funnier. So many jokes, so well executed. Setting the episode in Canada was made even funnier by the fact that the show is actually filmed in Vancouver (which doubles for Santa Barbara), so really, it was a story that took place in a different place, but was shot on location in the show's home city. Only Psych could take a vacation to the place they're already shooting in!

THE FUNNIER

As funny as the Canada setting was, Lassie in Canada was even funnier. And the fact that he wasn't allowed to carry a weapon was hilarious. It was a common theme throughout the hour and it just worked so well. Even at the end when they apprehended the faux "international art thief," Lassie took his gun for himself before the mounties caught him. And then there was the cat and mouse game between aforementioned faux international art thief and Shawn & Gus. LOVED the part when Despereaux wrote down everything he was going to do and Shawn countered with his own "To Do" list (including, but not limited to, trying some of that maple sugar candy everyone is so crazy about) and wrote his on the expensive restaurant's cloth napkin. Classic!

OK, FOR REAL, MY SIDE JUST SPLIT

For the night's most hilarious moment, we have to go back to the beginning of the episode when Shawn and Gus went skiing down the slope after Despereaux (after one ski lesson) ala James Bond in For Your Eyes Only. I'm not sure which part was funnier: the "pizza" versus the "french fry" bit about skis and their faster/slower positions or the end when they stopped abruptly after hitting the pavement and Shawn declared that finding Despereaux meant that his cup of hot chocolate was now a write-off. The entire sequence was, simply put, AWESOMELY HYSTERICAL!! I instantly thought, "So. Worth. The. Wait!"

Psych airs Friday nights on USA Network. Catch up on this episode ("Extradition: British Columbia") and others at hulu.com. And learn more about the awesome-ness that is Shawn and Gus at USA's official site.

Remote Rewind: Peace on the Mountain

We're going to take a little break from Sully and Michaela this week to focus on a stand out episode from the third season that pushed Michaela both physically and emotionally. At this point in the Sully/Michaela arc, they were reunited after being faced with the possibility of losing each other at the hands of Cheyenne dog soldiers and now, engaged (after Sully dreamt about losing Michaela, he asked her to marry him right after he woke up in a sweat lodge where he was trying to recover from a nasty migraine). But before these two could walk down the aisle, Michaela needed to complete a challenging journey: climbing Pike's Peak.

It all started when an eccentric, but aspiring former teacher found her way to Colorado Springs. Never one to shy away from a challenge (or an opportunity to raise a few eye brows), Sam came to Colorado Springs to climb Pike's Peak. She had lived a life of excitement and scandal (having an affair with a married man back east), but she hadn't climbed the tall peak. Michaela wants to climb it with her, but Sam tells her that she needs to do it alone. Michaela protests, but Sam assures her that she has hired a guide and will be fine. Michaela finally drops it and decides to spend the time she has with Sam before she starts her climb to get to know her better. Sam shares her love of Emerson with Micheala and the two become fast friends.

Sam says her goodbyes and takes off for her journey up Pike's Peak. Michaela worries, but lets her go. Things change when she spots the guide Sam hired back in town without Sam. When she asks him what happened, he tells her that he took Sam to the trailhead and she told him to leave. Michaela packs her things and gets the guide to take her to the spot where he left Sam. He, of course, thinks that she and Sam are crazy, but does it anyway. Michaela begins her hike and eventually catches up with a very weak Sam. It turns out, Sam is dying and has very little time left. Michaela being a doctor, wants to get her back down the mountain and into treatment, but Sam refuses. She has been through the treatments and she simply wants to enjoy her time left, accomplish something grand and die in peace.

Michaela once again protests Sam's decision, so when she wakes up the next morning, she's alone on the mountain side. She grabs her things and goes looking for Sam. She finds her, but she is even weaker and having trouble breathing. Michaela tries to help her, but Sam refuses. She wants to be left alone and she gives Michaela a choice: either leave her to die in peace or stay with her as her friend (NOT her doctor). Michaela feels torn between her duty as a doctor and her obligation as a friend. She settles on the latter. She looks up at the night sky with Sam as Sam quietly passes away. Michaela is devastated when she loses her friend, but finds one last message from Sam telling her to live life to its fullest. The words comfort her as she makes her way to the top of Pike's Peak and then back down and into town. She leaves that mountain a new person thanks to Sam, a little Emerson and her own physical and emotional strength. Little did she know that that emotional strength would be tested even further in the coming weeks, but we'll delve into the show's most tragic episode next week.

Feeling nostalgic for Dr. Mike, Sully and the rest of the residents of Colorado Springs? Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Complete Series is now available on DVD.

In-'Sight'-ful Season Ender

According to In Plain Sight's outgoing showrunner David Maples, this week's episode of the hit series was not intended to be the finale. He told E! Online's Watch with Kristin that he had intended for last night's outing to be the second to last episode and the conclusion to be the finale, but creative differences with the network led to his departure and a bit of a re-work for the end of the season leaving all of us in the lurch until spring. Of course, I'm not worried about Mary (Cold Case already played this trick on me with Lilly), but I am curious to see how the show writes itself out of Mary being unconscious and facing the possibility of some brain damage and how they're going to proceed with the Marshall/Mary/Raph/Brandi love situation (square?). And with the departure of Maples, means the show is transferring to someone else's hands. This makes me a little nervous, especially since I think the show is coming off of it's strongest season. But, as How I Met Your Mother's Marshall would say, that's a problem for Future TVFan to worry about because it isn't happening until next year. Let's just stick to the episode that was and how it worked as the second season finale. As much as I dislike cliffhangers, I have to agree with the network in that they work better for a finale. I'm not sure, however, how I feel about using this device when the show is off the air for 8-10 months in between seasons. My life is jam-packed and I'm not going to be as invested in Mary and co. next spring as I am right now, which may make the conclusion feel a little heavy-handed. We'll just have to see.

I kinda knew what was coming with this story line -- I just didn't know how it was going to go down. Even though I knew, I still thought the actual shooting was pretty shocking. Maybe it has to do with what Marshall and Stan said: you never worry about Mary because she always seems like she's the stronger contender, like she always has the upper hand even when she shouldn't. And the truth is, she did this time too. Someone sucker-punched her while she was making sure Det. Dershowitz wasn't ambushed and also maintaining a safety net for her witness. It's hard to imagine the mighty Mary being felled by something as small as a single bullet, but then again, nobody is a match for gun powder and lead.

There were more allusions to Marshall's feelings for Mary this week. His full-fledged waterworks when he saw her on that stretcher and his "primal instincts" to find the person responsible and make them pay (as well as his "loved ones" discussion with Raph) drove it home. Both of which could easily be interpreted as friendship and his close relationship with his partner until you take a few weeks ago into consideration. As I said, I'm not worried about Mary -- I know she'll pull through. The real cliffhanger is whether or not Marshall will if Mary ultimately ends up with Raph. Next season suddenly began to feel a little further away.

In Plain Sight will return next spring on USA Network. If you missed this week's finale, check it out for free at Hulu.com. And for more on the show, visit USANetwork.com.

Breakdown, It's (Not) Alright

Murphy's Law was in play this week on Ice Road Truckers -- BIG TIME! And, strangely enough, it wasn't just one driver suffering: it was all of them. Lisa was heading south to Fairbanks when she and her passenger Anita (a stranded safety instructor whose flight from the North Slope was canceled when Mt. Redoubt started erupting a thousand miles south right outside Anchorage grounding flights across the state) encountered a breakdown. Lisa began to smell diesel fuel inside her cab. She stopped and discovered that her truck was leaking diesel. After laying out a hazard mat to catch the pollutant and turning off her truck, she tried reaching other truckers on her radio. Unfortunately, no one was within radio contact and she and Anita were stranded on the side of the road with no heat and a cab that was getting colder and colder by the second. After an hour, another truck finally crossed their path and stopped to help. He found the source of the leak, and luckily, had the needed part to mend it and get Lisa back on the road to Fairbanks. Of course, Lisa being female, blonde, attractive and stranded, several other trucks stopped to try to help her a well. She got back on the road and traveled the remainder of the 500 miles with strong diesel fumes in her cab leaving both her and Anita with headaches and unsettled stomachs. Fairbanks and the Carlile lot never looked so good.

Meanwhile, Alex was set to leave Deadhorse for Fairbanks with an out-of-service truck on his trailer when his truck suddenly took itself out of service courtesy of a flat tire. Unfortunately for Alex, this has been a common theme for him this season. He was temporarily sidelined until they patched his flat. He was on his way for the second time when he realized that the broken down truck he was hauling was leaking toxic anti-freeze. So, he had to drain the radiator so there would be no anti-freeze left in it to leak. Luckily, the third time was the charm and he and his convoy partner were finally southbound on the Dalton. Things went smoothly (he even managed to master his achilles heel: chaining up) until he got close to Fairbanks. His engine started to falter as he tried to ascend a hill. He pulled over and discovered that his air filter was clogged causing the engine to stall out. His convoy partner was able to rig a quick fix that carried them the rest of the way to Fairbanks.

Elsewhere, Hugh encountered problems before he even picked up his load in Fairbanks. His exhaust system was on the fritz, so he was stranded while he waited for the mechanics to fix it. They patched it up and had him on the road (with Phil Billy) about 5 hours later than he had anticipated. Later, he struggled with chaining up as he prepared to cross Atigun Pass. Dalton Ace Jack was hauling a crucial load of diesel fuel to Prudhoe. The eruption of Mt. Redoubt meant that the only supply line to the oil fields was the Dalton, so the generators needed to provide power to the buildings and rigs were running desperately low on fuel. Jack's load of 9,200 gallons of diesel would be a welcome site in Deadhorse. Most of his trip was uneventful, but he did have a close call with a southbound truck on one of the inclines. The truck was supposed to yield right-of-way, but continued to navigate the hairpin turn just as Jack was approaching it. A collision seemed imminent, but both trucks were able to pass through the curve without slamming into each other. The only other close call of the episode occurred when Hugh descended Atigun Pass and his "J brake" refused to engage. He couldn't use his regular brakes because they could cause him to jackknife and slide off the slope and downshifting was only slowing him down a bit. He was barreling down the hill when his J brake finally engaged and slowed down his rig. Somehow, no matter how many episodes I see of this show, it still manages to put me on the edge of my seat.

Ice Road Truckers airs Sunday nights on History Channel. To catch up on this season, click on over to HistoryChannel.com where you'll also get show info, driver bios, and an IRT app for your iPhone.

The Countdown Keeps Rolling

The summer-long countdown is moving right along with three more episodes that shone brightly this season. But before we get to them, we have to go over the rules for the countdown. LillyKat and I ended up with 33 incredible episodes that demonstrate the diversity and quality of the current television state. The shows and their episodes are from both NETWORK and CABLE television. All episodes aired between June 2008 and June 2009. Each episode that made the final list moved us in some way; either by making us laugh out loud, cry our eyes out or just left us with that "wow" feeling that stays with you for a few days. So basically, it's completely subjective! Since this is a summer-long countdown to the number 1 episode, we will reveal a few each week all summer. So, be sure to tune in every Friday to find out which episodes are on the countdown! Today, we're going to take a look at numbers 18-16.

18: "The Final Hour" - Deadliest Catch
The fourth season finale of Deadliest Catch is remembered - at least by me - for the Cornelia Marie crew's resilience in light of Captain Phil's troubled health. As we recall, their season got off on the wrong foot - they couldn't even find the crab at first, then they encountered engine troubles that forced them to return to port. When they finally limped back out the crab grounds and started to rake in the payload, they were hit with Phil's near-death blood clot health issue, which saw him have to be removed from the helm and take up residence in a hospital. Credit should be given to relief Captain Murray Gamrath for pulling the crew together and doing one heck of a pinch hit job. As we now know, Captain Phil's health remained an issue for the first part of the fifth season, and it is still something he must keep a close eye on as he continues to fish today. However, considering only 2 out of 10 people survive a blood clot passing through one's heart and onto one's lung, Phil has already beat the odds. And that is definitely worthy of a place on our countdown.LillyKat, PTR Senior Staff Writer.

17: "Zebras" - Law & Order: SVU
This season finale incorporated one of my favorite devices: suspect the most unlikely suspect even if he is right under your nose. Cold Case did it to perfection with the George Marks character, The Closer shocked me with the Stroh character and now Law & Order: SVU has managed to do it with a weaselly lab rat who seemed to get in the way of solving the crime more than he helped. In fact, I thought Stabler was going to deck him several times. Turns out, he wasn't incompetent and he wasn't bumbling the case -- he was covering his tracks. Stuckey was the man that Stabler and Benson were hunting, and he had a bit of an ax to grind with Elliot. Apparently, Elliot should have been more patient with Stuckey and not discounted his intelligence (or psychotic-ness!). First, he kills CSI tech O'Halloran and then waits for Elliot. He gets Elliot and ties him up, but he makes a mistake when he answers Elliot's phone and his ensuing conversation with Olivia tips her off. When she arrives, the showdown to end all showdowns occurs between Liv and Stuckey with Liv pretending that she hates Elliot and sides with Stuckey. Her deception works, and she manages to save her life and Elliot's. Stuckey isn't so lucky. This was one awesome way to end a season! Written by Amanda Green and Daniel Truly and directed by Peter Leto.

16: "Tomorrow Blues" - Friday Night Lights
With the end of senior year comes many difficult decisions, and this year's season-ender centered on those decisions and their repercussions for the future. Lyla thought that going to San Antonio State with Riggins was the right decision even though she had gotten into Vanderbilt. Thankfully Riggins, in a very selfless act, convinced her that she belongs at Vanderbilt. Matt was torn between his dream of art school (in Chicago) and his grandmother and her declining health. In the end, he chose his grandmother. And then there was this outing's most moving story line: Tyra's emotional rollercoaster as she waited to find out if she would be moved from the waiting list to the accepted list at the University of Texas. She made a desperate visit to the school's admission office, but it was that beautiful, moving essay that made the difference. I rejoiced along with Tyra and felt so proud for her when she received that acceptance letter. What a moving moment and such a perfect reflection on why this show is one of television's best. Written by Jason Katims and directed by Jeffrey Reiner

So, there's a look at numbers 18-16 on the countdown. What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Leave us a comment with your thoughts. And be sure to tune in next Friday for #15-13 on the list.

Remote Rewind: Sully's Heart Song

When we last left off, Sully and Michaela had finally thrown caution to the wind, run into each other's arms and professed their love for each other after a fateful trip to Boston. It was TV romance at its best, but things did not stay quite so rosy once they settled back into normal life in Colorado Springs. First, they struggled with their different lifestyles and expectations, but soon discovered that all they needed was each other -- everything else would fall into place. Later in the season, Sully developed a close (but innocent) relationship with a white woman raised by Native Americans. She kissed him, Michaela found out, and she and Sully broke up shortly after. Next, Michaela briefly "courted" the reverend when they bonded over a group of orphaned children (he asked her to marry him, but she declined). All the while, she and Sully remained separate. They slowly began to build their friendship again, but nothing materialized on the relationship front. It seemed, once again, that their intense, overwhelming feelings for each other had created a fear so strong that it kept them apart. All of that changed in this episode when renegade Cheyenne kidnapped Michaela, and Sully found himself risking his own life to spare hers.

After Sully and Michaela witness an incident between a group of renegade Cheyenne (dog soldiers) and the army, they're thrust into the middle of the conflict. Michaela tells Sully that if the army asks, she will not be able to lie about what she saw. The army asks, she tells the truth and the dog soldiers go on the attack. They set fire to houses on the outskirts of town and when their path crosses with Michaela's, they take her while Sully watches helplessly. The dog soldiers, led by One Eye, go on the run and keep Michaela as a prisoner. Cloud Dancing's son takes pity on Michaela and decides to risk his own life to save his father's friend. He frees Michaela and when One Eye finds out, he kills him. She doesn't get very far and One Eye takes her shoes so she cannot run again. Sully finally catches up to them and sends a voice signal to her. She pretends to have to go to the bathroom, so One Eye takes her to the woods where he tries to rape her. She fights back and Sully seizes the moment to jump in, grab Michaela and get out of there. The two escape after crossing a river in the dark. When Michaela wakes up the next morning, they are safely atop a ledge and Sully brings her some honey and berries. Faced with almost losing her, he decides to go for it one more time. Michaela realizes how devoted Sully is to her and how much she truly cares for him.

By the end of the episode, the pair make it back to town just in time to stop General Custer from executing innocent women, children and elders of the Cheyenne nation. Custer being Custer, wants to continue with the execution anyway, but Sully is able to stop it. Cloud Dancing is safe, but Michaela and Sully's future is still a bit up in the air. At least they're back on the right track.

Feeling nostalgic for Dr. Mike, Sully and the rest of the residents of Colorado Springs? Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Complete Series is now available on DVD.

'Grace' Goes for One Big Psych Out

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

WTF was that?

Like, the lamest episode of Saving Grace this season?

Seriously.

The first half was one big practical joke on Bobby and Butch.

The second half was one big copycat of the Norman Bates character and case in Psycho.

Did the writers get so preoccupied planning the practical joke part - which seems to me to be something the actual cast took to their own level, which then served as inspiration to make its way IN to A script - and just throw in the Norman Bates knock-off suspect/story for the second half because they couldn't stretch the practical joke out for 50 minutes?

Whatever.

This is the first ep that fell seriously short for me this season.

It wasn't funny.

It wasn't interesting.

The neighbor living next door to Grace's fireman brother being obsessed with his mother, having killed her, yet still thinking she's alive and coming home for dinner was just way too lazy of a storyline. All that was missing was filming this episode on the Universal back lot in the actual Psycho house (which I think is still there; if not, my bad).

Come on, folks.

And yet ... there were a few good tidbits: Rhetta is still completely irked with Ronny's infidelities even though he's trying to convince her otherwise. As in, takes a lie detector test but of which finds the results inconclusive. I have to say I'm thrilled she is NOT caving in to his I'm Sorry routine, and that she still believes Grace OVER Ronny. Go ahead and throw him out on his arse, Rhetta.

And how about Grace's other brother, Father John, having a dream whereby Grace tells him its time to meet Earl - and he WANTS to try?

Very interesting.

More interesting is Rhetta's continued coaching of John on the particulars of Earl - the "evidence" she's kept of his dealing with Grace, which sort of "proves" his existence (in a Rhetta/science kind of way); her explanations that one cannot ever remember what Earl looks like or how to describe him, so IF one actually does meet him, one can't really remember that one did.

That is a clever take on Touched By An Angel's throughline that human assignments COULD remember the angels - even though they would always re-approach a previously held assignment cautiously in case said human could only remember the EXPERIENCE, not the ANGEL.

That seems to be Grace's MO.

But a Catholic priest believing his wild-child sister's angel invasion? Maybe serving to reinvigorate his own faith?

I like it.

But this episode ... not so much.

New episodes of Saving Grace air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can watch full episodes of the show anytime over on the show’s official Web site. You can also visit EmbraceYourGrace.com to share your stories of how you embrace your inner-Grace.

Roundup: 'Closer' Family Affair; 'Bar' Gets Petty

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

The Apple Didn't Fall Far From the Tree

So let's just skip to the good stuff in this week's episode of The Closer - which just so happens to be the personal, not the professional.

At least for me.

BJ's niece Charlene (make that Charley), played by none other than Kyra Sedgwick's real-life daughter, Sosie Bacon, which began the first of a four-episode arc for the Charley character.

Can I just say: AWESOME.

And this is coming from someone NOT generally a fan of the whole I'm-related-to-my-costar thing.

But the personal has, is and always will be one of my favorite things about this show. For five seasons, they've managed NOT to sacrifice personal character storylines for the procedure of crime solving. They balance the two, mix it together and deliver forward progress to us, the viewer, right at that pitch-perfect moment.

And they did so again this week. I absolutely dug the fact that Charley responded to her aunt's hands-off, yet still controlled, approach to keeping tabs on her. This reminded me quite a bit of my own favorite aunt who, usually against the advice of just about everyone except my own mom, treated me like an adult and didn't necessarily punish me for being a teenager when she couldn't figure out all the nuances of teen life. I SO loved her for that. Moreover, I SO respected her for that. It helped shaped who I am today as compared to the rule-with-an-iron-fist approach of ... wait for it ... my grandparents.

Admittedly, I wasn't a troublemaker.

And from the looks of things, neither is Charley. Sure, she's a teen. But that in and of itself doesn't constitute life in grandparent jail without the possibility of parole.

I also enjoyed watching BJ still manage to escape the when-are-we-going-to-have-our-own-kids discussion with Fritzy once again. Even if she doesn't necessarily want kids and doubts her own ability to have Charley stay with her for the remaining part of the summer, she seemed awfully apt handling her own niece.

Now, it could all blow up in the next set of episodes. Charley could completely violate Brenda's choice in treating her more like an adult than a teen. But can I just say I'd love for Charley to end up being some sort of Clay-like character (from Saving Grace), where she becomes an extension of the squad, and more importantly, serves as an important rock and/or anchor-like character for Brenda just as Clay does for Grace.

Crossover ep, anyone?

Kidding.

And note to self: Kevin Bacon is back directing one of the next three episodes. Yay! We just love it when KB helms an ep.

New episodes of The Closer air Mondays at 9 p.m. on TNT. For the scoop on the series, head on over to the show's official site.



Petty is as Petty Does

File this week's episode of Raising the Bar under: ultimate pissing contest.

Between Judge Kessler and Judge Farnsworth.

Yowza, folks.

Seriously.

And Farnsworth punishes one of Jerry's clients for no other reason than to make his point with Kessler? Do we really have judges like this?!?!?!?

Deep breath.

Again, what I've learned of our legal system in the last two years watching this show is starting to scare me - even WITH a healthy dose of creative license.

But let's talk about Currie Graham's Nick Balco for a moment.

The man is a slime ball. Creepy. True misogynist.

And yet, I have to say some of that womanizing/wandering eye/inappropriate behavior has been toned down a bit this season. His relationship with star prosecutor Michelle Ernhardt has gotten to be almost ... well, dare I say mentor-ish?

But all good things must come to an end.

And this week we got a hybrid version of Nick - seeming to want to give Michelle a fantastic professional opportunity, but really just used her to finish off a stall of a case gone bad for him several years back whereby he got one-upped by the defense attorney who ... let's just say had certain ways of persusasion Nick is not capable of resisting.

And still isn't.

Kinda interesting.

Except for his grudge.

And using Michelle.

And banging the defense attorney.

Then again, this is Nick Balco.

Note to Charlie: 100 points for your loyalty to Kessler, but seriously ... GO WORK FOR FARNSWORTH. He clearly showed he was the better man this week - especially with his apology.

Note to producers: Please keep John Michael Higgins around in a recurring role. He.Is.Too.Good

New episodes of Raising the Bar air Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT. For the scoop on the series, head on over to the show's official site

Spot Check: 'Pains' Still On Track (Even If I'm Not)

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

Regular readers may have noticed I've not reviewed the past two weeks worth of episodes of Royal Pains.

Now, before anyone assumes I've gone off the show, let me state for the record that I haven't. Not even close. In fact, I look forward to all-things Hank Med every Thursday at 10 p.m. on USA Network. And, seeing as the series was just renewed for a second season, I'm completely thrilled its found its audience, averaging anywhere in the 6-7 million viewers.

And yet, that's my problem: it's humming along so nicely that I'm not finding anything overly compelling to write-up; instead, I'm finding that it's become the show that lets me take a vacation during the week.

I know that sounds like an "ouch," but it's not meant to be.

Honest. Swear. Promise.

It's just that the show has become somewhat of diversion for me - that is, it's the one I want to watch for no other reason than because it's fun.

It's not pushing my buttons like Raising the Bar.

It's not making me wonder how BJ is going to get herself out of said scenario on The Closer.

It's not simultaneously making me proud and driving me nuts like Saving Grace.

It's just ... well, fun. And rather than repeating the same thoughts again and again (Hank rescues client/Diveya does her thing/Evan is still annoying/Life is good in the Hamptons), I think I'd like to switch to more of a spot-check write-up.

When it wows me, I'm here.

When it's just fun, I'm on vacation.

And when it's somewhere in between ... well, I'll figure that out before the second season begins.

My biggest question as it stands right now: what is up with Boris? When is he coming back? What is with his supposed perfect-health-illness?

New episodes of Royal Pains air Thursdays at 10 p.m. on USA Network. You can join other fans on Facebook; follow Royal Pains on Twitter, or visit the official Royal Pains Web site for the scoop on the series!

A Not So 'Plain' Witness

"Well that's a new one. We gave a fake identity to a man who already had one!" Marshall Mann

That pretty much sums up this week's intriguing episode. When Phillip (a.k.a. Roy) said that he and his good friend looked "so much alike," I had that sinking feeling that Phillip was really Roy, but I waited for it to play out. This explains why Roy, a lowly commoner from West Virginia, was so concerned about ripping people off and why that concern motivated him to turn against his associates and go into WITSEC. The real Phillip Ashmore may not have been as sympathetic to the common man. If nothing else, Roy did give Phillip a nice legacy and he certainly mastered that British accent! Of course, you have to wonder about a family that has one brother who's pretending to be a member of an important British family and another brother who is holding his brother's wife for ransom! The whole "pretending to be an Ashmore" thing doesn't sound as wrong all of a sudden. That train scene at the end was pretty intense. There was one shot that showed Marshall and Mary's car with the approaching train from the right and whoa! When Marshall says he can't make it, he can't make it.

This week we started to get some of the residual effects of Marshall's reaction to Mary's engagement. Only, I thought it would be Mary who started acting weird. Marshall was very bent out of shape that Mary told Raph what she does for a living. He made up some mumbo-jumbo about her telling Raph what she does is the same as her telling Raph what Marshall does and he isn't comfortable with Raph knowing what he does. While I see his point, I think that this was just scratching the surface and his over-blown reaction to it was some misplaced anger. He's upset that Mary is marrying Raph because he has feelings for her and that emotion manifested itself as anger this week. No matter what Mary said, it wasn't going to help. Maybe these two need to have a serious heart-to-heart and lay it all out on the table to see where they stand. Maybe then, Marshall could either get what he wants or get the closure he needs to move forward. Either way, some of that tension might finally disappear. And speaking of tension, I feel some brewing back at the Shannon household. I'm just not sure how this Raph/Brandi/Mary thing is going to play out and with next week's finale looming, it may be a while before we know for sure. But seriously, how awesome does next week's season ender look??? Can't wait.

In Plain Sight airs Sunday nights on USA Network. If you missed this week's episode, check it out for free at Hulu.com

The 'Ice' Begins to Thaw

After they told us that Lisa would be hauling her load over the frozen Arctic Ocean, I waited the entire episode for those nerve wracking 36 miles. When the clock showed 9:59 and Lisa still wasn't on that ice, I thought they were going to end the episode without showing us my favorite part, but thankfully, I was wrong. They saved the best for last -- as in, the very last minute of the episode. And just to be sure that we were good and nervous enough, they were sure to throw in the line about the climbing temperatures beginning to melt the thick ice (cue video of sudden death when falling through the ice into the freezing cold Arctic Ocean just for fun) and the shots of the already cracking ice below her 40,000+ pound load. Yup, it's April in Alaska and the ice road is about to become the waterway road in 3 weeks (give or take). But just because it's April doesn't mean that the temps aren't still subzero or that blinding wind storms don't pop up without notice. Just ask Lisa, George and Tim. They faced one over the bluffs and it was INTENSE! Visibility was less than 50 feet and trucks were coming at them with little to no notice. For some reason, these three were convoying together. Lisa "It just seems like I'm fast because the other drivers are slow" Kelly was stuck behind George (a.k.a Mr. Slow and Steady) and Tim until they switched and gave her the lead. This worked well at first, but she missed a gear on 2 1/2 Mile (a steep incline) and spun out causing her to hold up traffic while she backed down and started again. Luckily, she made it up the second time. So, it was a slow start for Lisa this week, but she finished strong.

Meanwhile, Jack was hauling a load of DRA (the substance that helps the oil flow through the Trans Alaska Pipeline) to a station outside of Coldfoot. Seems like an easy enough load until you learn that the tank was only 3/4 of the way full giving Jack what's known as a "live load." The load is constantly moving -- sloshing back and forth in the tank -- depending on the speed, brake pressure and incline/decline of the road. Things took a scary turn when Jack descended the Rollercoaster and the DRA sloshed to the front of the tank. The movement can propel the truck down the hill at a faster rate of speed causing a very dangerous situation for Jack. When he started up the next incline, it sloshed to the rear of the tank causing the truck to struggle to make it up the hill. He eventually made it to the station with the "live load" intact.

Straps and wildlife posed the other obstacles on the Dalton this week. Alex was hauling an oversized load back to Fairbanks when he and his convoy leader encountered a patch of bad frost heaves. The violent bumping knocked a strap loose and the sharp edge of his load cut the loose strap off. It was flapping in the wind dangling dangerously close to the tires while the load started to sway back and forth. Alex finally pulled over and made the proper adjustments before continuing on to Fairbanks. Further up the Dalton, Hugh and Phil encountered a lone caribou running up the road. She seemed content to stay in the road instead of moving to the snow-filled sides. Phil tried to steer her toward the side by closing in on her a bit and she finally made her way off the road. I tell you, if it's not moose than it's caribou! So many hazards for one road.

Ice Road Truckers airs Sunday nights on History Channel. To catch up on this season, click on over to HistoryChannel.com where you'll also get show info, driver bios, and an IRT app for your iPhone.

Weekend Watch: Hallmark Sends Cybill Shepherd to 'Smith'

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

It's that time of year again, eh, kids?

And Hallmark Channel has several movies running this weekend that focus on those three words most of you students don't want to hear: back to school.

(I'm not a student anymore, but can it already be the end of July? Where did the summer go?)

It went to Smith.

Er, make that Cybill Shepherd is heading to Smith College as she stars in the Hallmark Channel original movie, Mrs. Washington Goes to Smith, which premieres Saturday, August 1 at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central) and repeats again Sunday at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central). In the film, she portrays a middle-aged divorcee who returns to college to finish the degree she never earned, disrupting stately Smith College in the process. It’s a role that she calls “just a huge boost to me as an artist and a person. It was just amazing on so many levels.”

Which levels would those be?

“Well, first off, it was just thrilling to get to play the lead in something that wasn’t just another ensemble,” Cybill says. “This was truly one of the most wonderful stories I’d ever read. It was just such a cool part I couldn’t believe they’d even offer it to me. Really. I don’t get thrown this kind of stuff every day anymore."

How about the offer to play some b-ball?

Turns out she can still throw around a basketball.

Pretty darn well, actually.

And in the film, her alter ego, Alice Washington, makes the Smith College team, which meant Cybill had to get in game shape and sink actual baskets for the camera.

“I’d played a lot of basketball in high school, so it wasn’t entirely foreign to me,” says the 5-foot-8, Memphis-born actress. “It was a huge amount of fun. But beyond that, this role kind of fulfilled a dream in a way. As actors, one of the great things is to be able to live your life sideways and experience something through playing it. That happened for me in pretending to be a college basketball player - and finishing college.”

Cybill took a lot of college classes part-time during her modeling and early years as an actress. But like Alice, she never got that degree.

“It was a major vicarious thrill to finally get it,” she stresses, “even just as make-believe.”

The other thrill was reuniting with Jeffrey Nordling, with whom Shepherd had co-starred in a made-for-TV movie entitled Baby Brokers some 15 years before. In Mrs. Washington, Nordling portrays a poetry professor upon whom both Alice and her pink-haired rebel roommate (Corri English) have a crush.

“Jeffrey and I have great chemistry, so working with him again was a real treat,” she says.

Being a mid-life college girl dovetailed nicely with Cybill's real life in that 21-year-old twins Zach and Ariel Oppenheim, her kids with second husband Bruce Oppenheim, are both still in college themselves. Her daughter Clementine Ford, 30, produced with first husband David Ford, is a successful actress who played Shepherd’s daughter on The L Word and currently is starring on the daytime soap The Young and the Restless.

Having enjoyed a lengthy and successful (some would even say legendary) career and a life lived very much on her own terms, Cybill is winding up her fourth decade as an actress and all-around celebrity.

And it doesn't look to be ending any time soon.

“I don’t feel old yet," she says. "I still feel like I’m right in my prime. I’ve been around long enough that this is, like, my fifth comeback or something. Whatever they want to call it is fine by me."

Mrs. Washington Goes to Smith, which premieres Saturday, August 1 at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central) on Hallmark Channel. It repeats again Sunday at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Central). For the inside scoop on the film, head on over HallmarkChannel.com


Source: Hallmark Crown Syndicate

The Countdown Cracks the Top 20

This week, the summer-long countdown breaks into the Top 20! But before we get to that, we have to go over the rules for the countdown. LillyKat and I ended up with 33 incredible episodes that demonstrate the diversity and quality of the current television state. The shows and their episodes are from both NETWORK and CABLE television. All episodes aired between June 2008 and June 2009. Each episode that made the final list moved us in some way; either by making us laugh out loud, cry our eyes out or just left us with that "wow" feeling that stays with you for a few days. So basically, it's completely subjective! Since this is a summer-long countdown to the number 1 episode, we will reveal a few each week all summer. So, be sure to tune in every Friday to find out which episodes are on the countdown! Today, we're going to take a look at numbers 21-19.

21: "Hey! Mr. Pibb" - Damages
Payback is a b*tch. Patty Hewes know this. She's normally giving it, not receiving it. But in "Hey! Mr. Pibb," Daniel Purcell, on the stand, totally frakes up Patty's attempt at filing a motion against UNR (read: evil energy company killing everyone with their polluted water in West Virginia) to start a class-action lawsuit AFTER he told her a) he'd run the test on the water that was snuck out of town by his on-the-down-low reporter, compliments of the Ellen and Tom Traveling Road Show; and, b) go on the record UNR doctored his original toxicity reports. Patty's seething, silent rage just came blazing through the screen at the moment Purcell screwed her. There is nothing like Glenn Close and THAT look. You know the old saying: If looks could kill, we'd all have been dead a long time ago (at about the time Fatal Attraction came out). It is seriously rare to one-up Patty Hewes. et, Purcell's screwing over of Patty's case wasn't the only OMFG moment: it was followed shortly thereafter (er, kinda simultaneously) by the reveal that he was IN on the murder of his wife. Solid episode. Written by Aaron Zelman and directed by Mario Van Peebles. LillyKat - PTR Senior Staff Writer.

20: "The Deadliest Ice Road" - Ice Road Truckers
This third season premiere (and the only episode from this season to air in time to make this year's countdown) started me on a journey that I now look forward to continuing each Sunday night. This time the drivers are taking on Alaska's Dalton Highway, a 400-mile plus harrowing stretch of ice-covered highway that winds through steep passes and dangerous downhills while connecting Fairbanks to the oil-rich Prudhoe Bay, and they packed a few new drivers including the show's first female: 28-year old Lisa Kelly. From the moment this episode started and we were introduced to The Dalton and its stomach-dropping stretches such as The Rollercoaster, The Beaver Slide, and Atigun Pass, I was on the edge of my seat. Even ice road veterans Hugh "The Polar Bear" Rowland and Alex Debogorski struggled at first and found themselves displaced to the passenger seat when their years of experience on Canadian ice was no match for the treacherous Dalton. And then we watched Dalton veteran Jack Jessee make it look so easy as he moved his oversized load along the 400-mile journey. Throw in a little humor from my girl Lisa and you have the makings of the start to one awesome season of IRT. Produced by Thom Beers and Dawn Fitzgerald.

19: "I Lied, Too" - Damages
This episode was Damages second season premiere. And when it finally arrived, it didn't feel as if it had been over a year since the last time we checked in; they brilliantly recapped key points of the first season for everyone WITHOUT running the flashback-this-is-what-we-did routine into the ground; and, they set the table once again for an even more complex web of manipulation and betrayal, with Ellen set to take down Patty once and for all if she could get past her own revenge issues. And that was all laid out for us in just ONE hour. Vengeful Ellen working for the Feds was just a brilliant storyline. She was SO different from the wide-eyed, fresh-out-of-law-school Bambi that was presented to us in the first season. Hardened by Patty's betrayal (uh, you know ... the whole tried to kill her thing), grieving over the murder of fiancé doc David that had her simultaneously wanting to disembowel Arthur Frobisher (can we blame her?), and having this veil of icy calm whilst seething on the inside as she agrees to play nice with Patty only to eventually be able to destroy her in the end ... GENIUS. I was glad to have Ted Danson back in the fold given he was just SO good at being the man everyone loves to hate in season one. Glenn Close was still fabulous. I swear, it's like an honor to get to watch her week in, week out. And I just loved the introduction of William Hurt's character, Daniel Purcell. Even if the storyline did seem a little tobacco industry-esque given he supposedly had smoking gun data to bring down an entire "industry," he was mysterious in a sympathetic way. The history between he and Patty was alluded to just enough to make you want to know more. And that, my friends, is great writing. Hard to believe we h ad to wait a couple of eps to SEE Marcia Gay Harden work her magic, too. Written by Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler, and Daniel Zelman and directed by Todd A. Kessler. LillyKat - PTR Senior Staff Writer.

So, there's a look at numbers 21-19 on the countdown. What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Leave us a comment with your thoughts. And be sure to tune in next Friday for #18-16 on the list.

'Grace's' New Promise

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

Thank you, Laura San Giacomo, for reminding me once again why I love you.

And Rhetta.

You saved the first season of Saving Grace for me.

You got me through the second season.

And you are now poised to become an even more critical role to the continued character development of Grace Hanadarko that it makes me just want to ... well, buy you a beer.

Seriously.

This week's episode of Saving Grace was all about Rhetta for me.

I didn't care about the case (some old fogey who died after some woman he was involved with lost his money in gambling or something? Sorry, but I wasn't even paying attention given the Rhetta's-husband-is-cheating-on-her bombshell that was dropped before opening titles even rolled. I will say, though, Grace seemingly moving into the old timer's place and going through EVERY piece of anything the man owned was ... weird. Like, wearing his old bomber jacket? Having Captain Perry over for dinner? Go home, Grace. It's not your house, eh?)

But in all seriousness, this week was all about Grace catching Rhetta's husband having an affair - or the beginnings of an affair - with the woman who is selling their farm.

As in, Rhetta's family farm.

The one owned by multiple generations.

The one that holds her blood, sweat, tears, memories, legacy and everything else that has ever meant anything to her.

Yup, that would be the one.

Laura San Giacomo's performance in this ep was just phenomenal. She portrayed the shock of the revelation in a way that was so stunningly real. Her subsequent calm, methodical questioning of every male officer on the squad as to their thoughts on cheating, infidelity and affairs was painful yet brilliant to watch. And her scientific examination of her husband's clothes - to which she could identify perfume that was NOT hers on three different shirts - was equally as poignant given it was her only way to cope with the bombshell that had just exploded unto her life.

But the kicker was her confrontation with Grace.

The anger at Grace's out-of-control sexual escapades that has lead her to be - on a bazillion different occasions - "the other woman" to so many married men, and the source of the pain for all those married women; threatening to forfeit their friendship unless Grace promises to abandon that behavior given she could no longer love Grace if she selfishly causes so many women the same pain Rhetta is now enduring.

Just.Freakin'.Brilliant.

Powerful.

So Rhetta.

From Day 1, Rhetta has always been the moral compass of the show, and specifically, to Grace. She has quietly comforted, cleverly cajoled, secretly investigated and unconditionally supported Grace's development - especially as it pertains to Earl, and even more especially as it pertained to Leon Cooley.

To see her deliver this ultimatum to Grace once again proved that the show is doing some of its best work this season.

Now we wait to see if Grace actually KEEPS that promise.

New episodes of Saving Grace air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can watch full episodes of the show anytime over on the show’s official Web site. You can also visit EmbraceYourGrace.com to share your stories of how you embrace your inner-Grace.

Remote Rewind: Boston Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

This is my absolute, hands-down, no contest favorite episode of Dr. Quinn EVER!! And it might possibly be my favorite episode of any show ever, but nostalgia is coming into play so I'll just say that it's on my all-time faves list. Up until this point, Sully and Michaela has resisted (and even, at times, fought) their feelings for one another. It was painful for us to watch and we were sitting at home hanging on their every word waiting for the inevitable to finally happen. And when it did in this stellar episode, the payoff was well worth the wait. But before we get to the awesomeness that is "that moment," we need to discuss the build-up that comprised 99% of this second season outing. After Dr. Mike gets a troubling telegram from her sister, she and the kids rush back to Boston to be at her ailing mother's side. She recognizes that her mother has been misdiagnosed, but the attending doctor refuses to listen to her opinion or use any of her "Indian medicine" to treat her mother. A kinder, more open Dr. Burke agrees to take Michaela's diagnosis into consideration and agrees to treat Mrs. Quinn with the Cheyenne cure. Of course, he might have agreed simply because he was a bit smitten with her, but that is neither here nor there at this point. The cure works, and Mrs. Quinn is back home and feeling almost 100% in no time. Time to pack it up and head back to Colorado Springs, right? Nope. Michaela decides to stay in Boston for her mother's upcoming birthday bash much to Matthew's dismay (he's feeling a bit like a fish out of water and he's missing Ingrid).

The extended stay also gives Dr. Burke the opportunity to spend more time with Michaela. He brings her down to the poor houses to help those who cannot afford to get the medical care they need. The two quickly bond over their shared desire to use their skills to help the less fortunate. He takes her out to a fancy Boston dinner and he gets her a speaking engagement at a professional medical conference. Things seem to be moving along quickly between the two, but everything changes when Sully arrives in Boston (after seeking guidance from Cloud Dancing). He shows up at the Quinn residence in his buckskins and tomahawk and creates quite a stir on the streets of Boston and within the halls of the Quinn household. Michaela doesn't seem too excited to see Sully and quickly begins to give him the cold shoulder. He confronts her when she tells him that she'll have a housekeeper make him a fire, but he doesn't seem to get through to her. The kids tell Sully that he needs to take Dr. Mike to the opera and Mrs. Quinn suggests that he start looking and acting like he's in Boston ("When in Rome..."). Sully does both and things seem to being moving back into his favor. He even almost scores a goodnight kiss after the opera, but his success is short-lived.

Michaela gives her lecture at the professional medical conference, but the fact that she's a woman and her lecture is on Cheyenne medicine, causes many of the all-male attendees to walk out in the middle of her speech. Sully stays until the end and decides to go back stage to congratulate her. As she steps off the stage, Dr. Burke meets and congratulates her first. He tells her that he loves her and wants to be her partner in both medicine and life and asks her if she wants the same. She hesitates saying that there were moments when she thought it and moments when she was unsure of anything at all. He asks if Sully has asked for her hand and then proclaims that he's asking for it now. Sully witnesses the interaction and confronts Michaela about it outside the lecture hall. She can't give him the answers he desires and he storms off. When she returns to her mother's house, she learns that Sully has left. She rushes to the train station to find him and this angst-ridden scene unfolds:


At this point, I was losing it. We had waited all of this time and she freakin' walked off the train!! Sully put everything on the line and finally told her how he felt and she freakin WALKED OFF THE TRAIN!!! Luckily, Mrs. Quinn, the kids and her own soul-searching made her realize what she truly wanted. After letting Dr. Burke down easy, she and the kids bid adieu and boarded the train and then the stagecoach to Colorado Springs. When the stage finally pulled into town, my absolute favorite TV moment happened. I can in no way do the moment justice, so I will just post the scene in all of its awesomeness for you to enjoy:


Sigh. I'm pretty sure I can trace my hopeless romantic side back to this very scene. But if you thought that it was all smooth sailing from here for these two, you would be mistaken. Several obstacles abound in their path to happiness, but we'll cover some of that next week. For now, let's just enjoy the moment that was.

Feeling nostalgic for Dr. Mike, Sully and the rest of the residents of Colorado Springs? Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Complete Series is now available on DVD.

The Final 'Catch' Is Done ... And I'm Relieved

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

Am I the only one ... uh, glad that Deadliest Catch is done for the season?

I don't mean that in a bad way.

Rather, as a viewer, I'm just not sure I could take one more United States Coast Guard rescue ride-a-long. One more sinking vessel. One more pon-pon distress call. One more empty survival suit. One more rogue wave over the bow of the Wizard. One more lost crewman. One more ship rolled 90 degrees. One more Arctic hurricane

Sheesh.

This season was one big Debbie Downer.

And I say that in the nicest - and most serious - of ways.

True, I'm a late bloomer to the world of Deadliest Catch. As we recall, I caught up on the show during a marathon viewing session LAST year, which was just in time to bring LAST season's trials and tribulations to PTR. However, I cannot recall - in all that viewing - ever feeling as relieved as I do now that it's over.

I felt like we watched more rescues this season than fishing.

Listened to more distress calls over the radio than crew fights.

Watched more weather strangle the boats than the setting of pots.

And studied ice flow more than the crab count.

I'm hoping the Bering Sea decides to have an off season next year. That is, she'll be nice.

Doubt it.

In the meantime, I can now go back to breathing again on Tuesday nights from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Sheesh.

You can catch episodes of Deadliest Catch on Discovery Channel. Visit the official Deadliest Catch Web site for the latest on the captains and crews of the Northwestern, Cornelia Marie, Time Bandit, Wizard, Early Dawn and North American and the new boat, the Incentive. You can also catch up with Deadliest Catch folks on Twitter: fvnw_erin / CaptPhilHarris / northwesternpat / NorthwesternPR / captjohnathan / northwesternsig / DeadliestCatch (which is actually the Cornelia Marie) / DiscoveryChPR.