The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

I finally saw the final episode of "Mad Men". I am really sad this show is over. For now, it is definitely my all-time favorite TV show, and I hardly can imagine another show taking its place. A lot of people have complained about "Mad Men" over the years and have constantly compared the episodes they were watching to earlier ones, but I have always enjoyed the show. Some seasons were funnier than others, and that was way okay by me. It is probably the smartest show I have ever watched, and the one that rings true the most.

Debout

I watched the final episode of "19-2" the day after it aired. The third season was particularly sad. The director of the series also did another series for TV, "Minuit, le soir", and it is also depressing. It is, however, one of my favorite series of all time. In the third season of "19-2", there were some fun cameos from actors who have starred with the two main actors of "19-2" in "Dans une galaxie près de chez vous". The main story was a bit hard to follow, especially since I saw the two other seasons over a year ago. The director relied a bit too much on showing scenes previously shown. Usually, I don't like it too much when a director makes his character speak over a scene where we don't actually see him talk, but it didn't annoy me as much in the case of "19-2".

I Don't Blame You

I have finished the third season of "House of Cards". I liked it better than the second season. I found the second season a bit hard to follow, what with all the deals with China going around. In the third season, Russia is the bad guy: a classic conflict which is easier to understand. My complaint about "House of Cards" is the same season after season: I feel cheated because they make it look like Frank Underwood has a master plan, when in fact the show is really about showing him getting around, improvising and using his political skills. It still makes for a pretty good show, though. F and I were both leaning closer to the screen when we watched the episode with the debate, as if we were watching a real political debate. I still find Doug Stamper to be one of the most interesting characters, even though some people don't like his storyline that much. The end of the season inevitably leaves us wanting more. I have to say, however, that "House of Cards" is not a subtle show the way "Mad Men" or "The Wire" are subtle shows. "House of Cards" and "Game of Thrones" are more "in-your-face" kind of shows.

Projects

I recently finished watching the entirety of "The Wire" and I feel like I just have to write a blog post about that. "The Wire" is known for being one of the smartest TV series ever made, and it certainly is the smartest TV series I've ever watched, followed more or less closely by "Mad Men" and "Veronica Mars". (They're smart too, but a different kind of smart.) It is mainly about Baltimore's drug scene, and it could be considered a crime drama, but it is also about the various institutions that are part of a city. We're talking the media, the education system, the government, etc. We also get to realize that it isn't enough to know who the bad guys are: you need solid proof. But first and foremost, it's about every single person trying to fulfill his own particular needs, and the conflicts that can ensue. Since the series is about Baltimore's drug scene, the street lingo is very much present in every episode. At first, I didn't understand a word of what the characters were saying to each other, even with the subtitles, but I got used to it. I loved seasons one, three and four, and I only had a few problems with seasons two and five. Season two drew away from the black gangsters and focused on the people working at the port, and those people are mainly white. Seriously, I didn't care for the white folks, I wanted the black gangstas back. Season five was a bit too much, but it still broke my heart to think that it was the last season of "The Wire" I could ever get my hands on.

I loved many of the characters, and many of them infuriated me. There are a lot of characters, but if one were to point out one particular character on whom the series seemed to focus on, it would be Jimmy McNulty. McNulty is a cop and a rebel, and those two things don't necessarily fit together. I loved him as a rebel. In season four, he calmed down a little, and I loved watching that too. In season five, he went back to being the rebel I loved, but it wrenched my heart to see him drift away from his tranquil state, in which he was so happy. Bunk was always a great character, but I especially loved him in season five. Cedric Daniels is HOT. I liked Lester Freamon in season one, but he got more and more cocky as the seasons went on. I loved Bubbles, of course. Amongst the gangsters, I particularly loved Bodie, and Snoop was pretty scary. I loved the tension between Avon Barksdale and Stringer Bell. I know that all this talk about the characters doesn't mean anything to you, but see, I was so invested in "The Wire" that I don't care.

I saw one critic's quote in the back of the DVD sets that says it all: "Either you love 'The Wire' or you haven't seen it."

Don't Stop Believing

Yay, TV is back amongst the subjects discussed on this blog! And yes, I'm on the "Glee" bandwagon. Who doesn't love to watch other people indulging in the joys of show choir? The dialogs are also often hilarious. I am presently waiting for it to start. After a so-so third episode, last week's episode was very strong. The scene between the poster gay character and his dad was pretty powerful, and the Quinn pregnancy thing is seriously messed up. Also, there was a pretty great moment in the episode, which starts a bit after 1:32 in the video embedded below:

I might comment on tonight's episode later. On another note, the soundtrack to Where The Wild Things Are is now streaming online, and I'm loving it. Of course I do: it is, after all, Karen O! The movie looks like a real tearjerker... I'll be waiting for it!

No No No

It broke my heart when she said "no".

I Hear The Bells

"There was this one girl. She was blonde, petite... smelled of marshmallows and promises."

"Promises? That's the name of my perfume!"

53rd & 3rd

"I'm eating and ignoring you."

"Look at you! Eating apple pie..."

Sway

I love the Dirty Dancing reference.

Then She Appeared

"The things you find amusing astound me sometimes."

Exit Music (For A Film)

"Do you want me to have you committed or would you prefer to check yourself in?"

Never Get Old

"Finish your homework!"

I'm Set Free

Let's set the record straight. Which TV series do I actually listen to these days? I used to watch a lot more TV series. This year I have given up on "Prison Break", "House", "Grey's Anatomy" and "One Tree Hill". Seasons 1 and 2 of "Prison Break" were great, season 3 was okay, but this season has just gotten messy. "House" has gotten formulaic. "Grey's Anatomy" is okay-written sometimes, but watching surgeons behave like high school kids no longer amuses me. "One Tree Hill" was a really bad habit of mine, but I missed the French premiere, and so I was discouraged to catch up on what I had missed. 

These days I am watching "Heroes", "Desperate Housewives" and "Dollhouse". I remain faithful to "Heroes" no matter what. My geeky side needs to express itself. "Desperate Housewives" is a family thing. My dad enjoys it so much, it's pretty funny. 

Some TV shows I started watching when they weren't on air anymore. They are otherwise known as the TV shows which helped me get through school. They are: "Daria", "Freaks and Geeks", "Veronica Mars", and "Opposite Sex". They are all THE SHIT. "Opposite Sex" is a really funny show that only lasted eight episodes, starring a young Milo Ventimiglia and a young Chris Evans.

I never really watched "Gilmore Girls" in its entirety. Weirdly enough, I gave up on it when Jess appeared, because he didn't appeal to me then. At that time, perfect boyfriend Dean worked for me. I then started watching again when Jess disappeared, but not because I liked Logan, just because. Then I found clips on YouTube, and you know the rest.

Death Sex

Like Someone In Love

"Jess... ma'am."

"I'm dancing on the inside."

"Oooh, zing, I've been snapped!"

"It's just a saying."

"Now say, 'And get in there and make me my supper!'"

I love this scene 11

I love it when they just show her the fender.

Kids

I thought I wouldn't be able to write as often as before, but I find myself blogging more than ever. I really should study. This morning we went on a tour of the gothic quarter, and we found ourselves in the middle of an elementary school recess. I guess the school's location had a rich history. Anyway, it was really funny, because there was a little girl who started translating the guide's explanations to her friend. 

I have finally figured out where our rented apartment is situated. There is a twenty-minute walk from our apartment to Plaça Catalunya, which is the commercial centre of Barcelona. There is also the University of Barcelona that is near to us. All in all, our apartment is located in a pretty quiet place, but it is still pretty central.

My pop culture two cents: I have watched the third episode of "Dollhouse" and found it pretty great. The moment when the singer says "I just want to be free" while she is ascending in a cage is good TV. Also, at the end (I won't spoil it for you), Eliza Dushku's character does something I would never have expected. This show seems like it will take a while before becoming interesting, because the main character cannot be awakened so soon (if you are interested at all in pop culture, you know what I mean, because the premise of this show has been everywhere over the web). I hope it doesn't get axed before things have a chance to get going on.

I love this scene 10

Best line ever.

I love this scene 9

I love this scene 8

"You're studying, I'm prying into your personal life."

"Oh, oh, Guns of Brixton!"

"You've tried to explain to me how on earth Coldplay could be considered an alternative band..."