Friday Morning Quarterback...

Every Friday morning I do a brief writeup and review of shows I watched the night before, including FlashForward, Fringe, the Office, 30 Rock, Survivor, and Parks and Recreation.  There will be spoilers about what happened, so consider yourself forewarned.

FLASHFORWARD: A solid episode that showed what this show is at its best -- 24 with a sci-fi twist.  As I suspected, Simcoe and the Hobbit's experiment was probably not the cause of the blackout.  As I also suspected, the towers in Somalia had something to do with plasma. Tesla's dream was to transmit energy between massive towers  like Wardenclyffe using plasma as a conductor.  I just hope this installment was compelling enough to tide viewers over until March, when FlashfForward returns from hiatus

FRINGE: A solid episode that cemented John Noble as the best actor, and Walter Bishop as the most compelling character, on the show.  I was briefly worried they would try to shoehorn some kind of romantic relationship between him and Astrid.  But they played it perfectly -- I completely bought Walter's tenderness and regret over her assault.  On a tangential note, how much you want to bet Walter's GPS chip becomes a plot point later this season?  As with FlashForward, I just hope the break doesn't kill this show...

THE OFFICE: Meh.  Scott's Tots was too over the top for me.  I just didn't buy Michael actually showing up at the ceremony.  I was pleased to see Dwight regain some of the momentum his character has lost this season.  But the notion that Jim would trust Dwight to put together the blind tally was totally unbelievable.  I also thought David Wallace forgiving Jim, besides being a copout, was a missed opportunity.  It would make more sense to me if Jim fell out of favor with management, then redeemed himself by somehow saving the company.

30 ROCK: A passable entry that did nothing to undermine 30 Rock's reputation as the most consistently funny show on network television.  The HD gag was probably my favorite part, particularly Kenneth as a muppet.  Frank's transformation into Liz induced some chuckles -- I'm pleased when they showcase him, rather than the overexposed Kenneth.  Speaking of Liz, ladies take note, bangs are not hot.

SURVIVOR: In retrospect, John's decision to vote with Russell and Co. was a big mistake.  But even that massive blunder was completely eclipsed by Foa Foa's decision to leave Shambo hanging.  This was the first major strategic miscalculation that Russell has made.  I think Jaison is absolutely correct that taking Shambo's vote for granted will alienate her, as it did with Galu.

PARKS AND RECREATION: Review forthcoming...

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