TV shows (Part 2)

This post is the second installment of my original "TV shows" post.

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Show: Burn Notice
Original network: USA Network

Description: Michael Weston is a secret agent who gets a "burn notice," which is a bulletin sent out to disown an agent deemed to be compromised or corrupt. Knowing for sure that he didn't do anything wrong, Michael has to find out who burned him without any legal resources (which were cut off after he was disowned). The only people he has to help him are his annoying mother Sharon, his seemingly alcoholic best friend Sam and his violent ex-girlfriend Fiona.

My take: This is a wonderfully written show that somehow finds a way to stay entertaining long beyond my expectations. It has excellent tongue-in-cheek humor that avoids the common cliches found in spy stories, allowing the show to remain intelligent throughout the seasons. Recently, the show was renewed for another two seasons; I can't be happier about that.

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Show: Caprica
Original network: Syfy

Description: Created as a sort of prequel to Battlestar Galactica, this show tells the story of a group of best friends ripped apart after a terrorist explosion on a train. However, one of the girls killed named Zoe had created a virtual avatar of herself before she died, and the surviving best friend, Lacey, finds it. However, she is caught by Zoe's father, who owns a major defense technology company, and he takes the avatar. He uses the avatar to cope with his daughter's death, but eventually uses it to develop military super-machines. Even though the avatar is still technically a robot, it still has the same human feelings as Zoe. As a result, one of the main debates on the show is about whether robots with feelings should be considered human.

My take: Filmed in my hometown of Vancouver, this is one of the best shows to debut in the past year. The question of robot morality is enough to make this series interesting, but it also mixes in with other pressing issues like morality in personal lives and racism. The acting is extremely strong and complements the writing very well; I found myself cringing during some scenes because they were done so brilliantly. I've never seen Battlestar Galactica, nor am I normally a big fan of science fiction, but this series really blew me away.

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Show: The Cleveland Show
Original network: FOX

Description: A spin-off of Family Guy, this show follows Cleveland Brown as he moves back to his stomping grounds of Stoolbend, Virginia. He brings his son along with him and moves in with his new wife.

My take: This show has its moments, but they are filled in between by absolutely pathetic episodes. I watch it out of pure curiosity, but I don't see this show lasting for much longer.

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Show: Curb Your Enthusiasm
Original network: HBO

Description: The series is about a fictional version of Larry David, one of the writers and creators of Seinfeld. Larry is depicted as a misanthropist and bitter man who finds fault with everything in life, whether it be tipping at restaurants or something small that someone does. Things are blown out of proportion to the point of ridiculousness and often results in people just screaming obscenities at each other.

My take: This show is based on one of the simplest concepts out there -- what happens when you speak your mind without filtering your thoughts. I'm sure most of us have considered doing this at one point or another, and this series shows exactly what would happen if we were to act on our impulses. It's not afraid to hold anything back and some of the stuff on the show will make you go, "Are they really allowed to air this?"

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Show: Family Guy
Original network: FOX

Description: Everyone knows this show already.

My take: This show's quality has waned in recent years, but it still has classic moments. It has long passed its prime but I think it's still relevant. It reminds me of The Simpsons; nobody really expects anything original or new from them anymore, but people still find reasons to follow it as a casual spectator. It's not that its shtick is getting old though. I think it's just the writers' inability to come up with situations and jokes that match the older episodes'.

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Next time: Glee, Heroes, In Plain Sight, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kyle XY