The Buoy Club

My apologies for being gone so long from this blog. I've been hard at work trying to launch my new movie review site, www.reeltalkraymer.com, and writing entertainment pieces for the State Journal. But never fear- part of my job with the SJ involves recommending TV shows that I think Frankfort should be watching.

Below are the links to my work at the paper. Thus far, I've recommended three shows. They are:

Breaking Bad: http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4858828
The Next Food Network Star: http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4863451
Louie: http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/4865935

I'll be posting links to all of my work, and once my beloved shows start back in the fall, you can rest assured I'll be reviewing at least the premiere of each program. In the meantime, make sure to check out my new site for all your movie review needs.

It's going to be a great season for TV and a good year for the Buoy Club!

Lost: The End Has Come at Last

Wow. Where to begin? This is one of those landmarks in not only television history, but in millions of lives, including mine. Tonight, Lost joined the pantheon of mythic series finales that includes Seinfeld and M*A*S*H. It's a show that's become ingrained in the American pop culture psyche. The numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23 and 42 can never be used in conjunction again without conjuring images of the island drama. Any time you hear "brotha," you're going to think of a certain button-mashing Scotsman. See Mathew Fox in his next blockbuster and you're going to think it's weird his name isn't "Jack." I could go on for hours, but the point is, this finale was bigger than all of us. I feel almost foolish attempting a review of it, but I need to get my thoughts down so that 20 years from now, I can look back and remember how the ending of Lost made me feel. Because in the end, that's hugely important, and something Lost nailed on the head tonight. I have my gripes with the finale, but for the most part, Lost went out on a high note.

Let's start out with the episode's biggest strength- the flash sideways. I was truly shocked at how much the alternate timeline stole the spotlight in the show's final hours. In a way, I'm a bit perturbed that a plot device got more attention than the reality we'd been invested in for six whole seasons, but it was so well done, I'm willing to forgive the showrunners to a point. And if you don't believe that the flash sideways ruled the finale, let me ask you this: two weeks from now, when I mention this finale, what's the first thing you'll likely remember? For me, it's the flashes we were treated to all night. I think more than a few people got choked up watching them, and there's no doubt Cuse and Lindelof (C&L) packed a ton of them into the two-and-a-half hours due to their impact. I'd been debating about the relevance of the flash sideways all season and I can honestly say I think it was explained beautifully. Basically, we were being shown the journey of our characters after their deaths as they learned to "let go." Apparently, the universe they inhabited was the place they designated as their meeting spot in the afterlife. In a way, I guess that makes Eloise Hawking's church the equivalent of being outside Heaven's gates. The survivors all met there before they moved on to whatever fate you wanted them to have. To put it simply, the island was real life, the sideways world was purgatory and the light at the end was "Heaven."

I can dig that. In fact, the flash sideways reminded us of one big reason we fell in love with Lost in the first place- the amazing characters. Each flash was so powerful, and watching who sparked the character's memories was quite an emotional whirlwind. Some highlights for me include Sun and Jin (2nd best couple behind Desmond and Penny) and Charlie and Claire. I wasn't sure about the choice for Jack's and Sayid's revelations, but they fit well enough. All in all, I'm happy to know that all our characters got to be together after their lives were over. In that regard, the flash sideways a big success. On the other hand, I firmly believe the device was introduced as a way to distract us from other important Lost mysteries this season. I got into this discussion with a friend on facebook, but there's no denying that Lost succeeded early on for more reasons than just stellar characters. This was a show about a crazy island that made Lost a unique and trippy experience, and by the end, we were so busy checking out the sideways world that we forgot about a resolution for the island storyline. We'll get to this more in a second, but if I have one gripe about the alternate storyline, it's that it seemed too distracting at points this season from the on-island drama.

Another thing that made this finale so powerful was the use of symmetry. It was hard not to get nostalgic with all the references to previous seasons that we got in this episode. There's the obvious ones, like the show beginning with Jack's eye opening and ending with his eye closing. There's the ones that were sprinkled throughout, like Jack and Locke staring down into an abyss with Desmond at the bottom and Jack telling Desmond, "See ya in another life, brotha." Then there were the more subtle ones, like the frantic airplane scene with Lapidus (a throwback to the season 4 scene with the helicopter) and the vending machine reunion between Sawyer and Juliet (reminiscent of Jacob's season 5 scene with Jack). These nods to the fans and odes to the glory days of Lost were greatly appreciated and helped add weight to the finale. By revisiting familiar scenes, lines and motifs, you could see the great deal of respect C&L had for the viewers and the show. They wanted everything to come full circle, and a healthy dose of symmetry is a great way to do just that.

All that being said, I feel that Lost fans were handed only 1/2 the ending they deserved last night. Granted, the half we got was spellbinding, but that doesn't make up for what was left out. I began to worry when I kept hearing C&L say that Lost was a character drama and the resolution they were crafting would deal with giving Jack & Co. the ending they deserved. Without sounding arrogant, the producers couldn't be more wrong. Lost is indeed a character drama, but it's much, MUCH more than just that. It's a character drama wrapped around a core of sci-fi mysteries. Lost is about an island capable of healing people, creating smoke monsters, jumping through time and generating huge amounts of electromagnetism. Like Michael Emerson said, the island is a character in and of itself. And as such, it did not get the resolution it deserved last night. C&L pulled the "character drama" card out as an excuse to shy away from answering the big questions once the expectations started to crush them. In a way, that's a huge disservice to the fans and an insult to their intelligence. They've basically said for five seasons "Look at what this crazy island can do, isn't it a weird place?" only to bail on offering an explanation for it all. If that was their plan all along, why not place these characters in Los Angeles and let this drama play out there? After all, this is a "character drama," right? Wouldn't all the viewers tune in regardless of where these amazing characters played out their story? I don't think so.

That emphasis on character resolution is the reason the flash sideways took center stage in the finale. Whether C&L thought no answer could meet fan expectations, or because they simply never knew themselves, Lost fans will never get an answer to the question posed in the second half of the pilot: "Guys, where are we?" Sure, we found out more about this crazy island over the next six seasons, but we never found out WHY the island was so significant. In fact, by not explaining the island to viewers, it cheapens Hurley and Ben's decision to stay and protect it. Why do they need to protect the island? The Man In Black is dead and only the protectors of the island can find the light that we're told is the heart of the island. Hell, they could sail on back to America and never worry about anything happening to the place they've sworn to protect. I can understand C&L being afraid to fall short of fan expectations, but any explanation is better than none. Tell us it's a spaceship, a time machine, a heavenly testing ground...tell us anything! Don't leave us hanging! "Open to interpretation" is fine. "Leaving you completely in the dark" is not. Just of the reviews I've read, the viewers who loved the finale said the ambiguity kept the show from having much punch. Sure, the ending we got was warm and fuzzy and made us all feel good, but it lacked balls, and that's sad considering how gutsy this show's always been.

Some people have said I'm focusing on the wrong thing by bemoaning the answers we didn't get. I say if you were watching Lost all along for Jack & Co., then I'm happy you got the ending you wanted. But along with millions of others, I watched the show because it spun this vast web of mystery and intrigue. Remember when the electromagnetic burst in season 2 gave Desmond ESP or when the island moved in season 4 or when the smoke monster wasn't some whiny, homesick dude? THAT was "Lost." Seeing all these sci-fi elements being embodied by a mysterious island was fascinating. I had no idea how they'd wrap it up. All along, I trusted the producers when they said they had a plan. Then the sixth season came along and every episode was an exercise in frustration and futility. That's when I started getting a little worried. It seemed the showrunners might not be as in control as they claimed to be. There were a couple episodes that helped me keep the faith, but for the most part, the sixth season was a disappointment and it made it pretty clear we might be headed for a lackluster resolution. While I wouldn't call "The End" lackluster, it did fail to deliver the answer many of us have clamored for since the pilot, and that's where it falls short.

From the first season to the sixth, Lost has always been a show divided. With flashbacks, flash forwards and flash sideways, we've come to view this show in halves. It also hasn't helped that along the way, the writers have done their best to keep the Oceanic survivors split up. Saying that, the finale was set up as a tale of two stories- on the island and flash sideways. One half delivered, the other sputtered. Both left fans emotional. The flash sideways inspired tears of joy and happiness. The island inspired yells of frustration and betrayal. Along the way we've had dark and light, Jacob and Man in Black. Last night light triumphed over dark and the Man in Black was slain. How appropriate then that one side of the story came out the winner and the other got tossed aside? I say we were destined for this conclusion all along and just didn't know it.

But hey, it wouldn't be Lost if they didn't leave us confused and frustrated, right?

BUOY CLUB GRADE: 80 out of 100.

Dexter: Now We're Talkin!

For a season that's been simmering during its first half, "Morning Comes" finally blew the lid off Dexter's sophomore year. Multiple plot lines reached a climax, characters showed their true colors and some just rocked the cradle. The first big development was the investigation into Miami's own officers as Lundy suspects the Butcher has law enforcement background. Just when Angel and Debra seemed on the verge of proving Lundy wrong, their fears were confirmed. Having Lundy know for certain that the Butcher is in law enforcement really amps up the pressure on Dexter. Judging from how Dexter nearly wilted under Lundy's interrogation concerning his cases, this can't bode well for our black-gloved vigilante. (Interesting side note: it might not have an "S" or a bat symbol, but Dexter has a crime-fighting costume. Notice, he wears the same shirt, pants and gloves when he makes his kills. Interesting, right?)

Speaking of Lundy, I was totally caught off guard by his burgeoning relationship with Deb. My girlfriend and I were arguing about this yesterday; I thought Lundy was acting as a father figure to Deb and she thought their connection was more romantic. Lesson I learned: don't doubt the opposite sex when it comes to their predictions on TV romances. Just don't. They live for this stuff. Getting back to the review, I found the dinner scene at Lundy's apartment even creepier. It wasn't so much watching a senior citizen hit on someone in their twenties that bothered me, either, as it was Lundy's behavior toward Deb. He was bossy, firm and in control of the situation- like they were still in the office. Now, as much as I like Deb as a character, I feel like the writers may be wasting her character here by constantly one-upping her odd relationships. First The Ice Truck Killer and now Lundy. Who's next? Doakes? Oh wait, maybe...

And with that mention of Doakes, let's talk about his big discovery in this episode- finding Dexter's blood slides. I've been saying all along that was a terrible place for Dexter to hide definitive proof linking him to his murders. After Brian routinely broke into his apartment last season, you'd think Dexter would think twice before stashing his collection behind an AC cover. But then, where would be the drama in that logical decision? And if anyone had to find it, I'm glad it was Doakes. His character has been dumbed down so much this season, I don't really fear for Dexter's secret with the blood in Doakes' hands. One thing that I would like to see come out of this discovery: a kick-ass fight between Doakes and Dexter. We got a glimpse at in "Born Free," but I'm itching for some full blown fisticuffs between these two. But even if that doesn't pan out, I'm anxious to see how Dexter decides to handle this situation. Will he kill Doakes? We shall see.

Finally, what review would be complete without a mention of Dexter's love life? This episode finally showed us the depth of Lila's craziness. To recap, she burns down her apartment, calls the killer of Dexter's mother and then breaks into Rita's house. This girl is definitely cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. In a way, though, she presents the same opportunity that Brian did last year for Dexter- a chance to be himself and not have to live a lie. But if Dexter proved anything with his brother, it's that he likes living a lie. Even after Harry's code unraveled around him, Dexter thrives best when he's killing and cleaning up his tracks. Whether or not he realizes it, leading a double life is how he prefers to do things. For that reason, I'm glad to have seen Lila serve her purpose.

These last four episodes of the season are going to be crazy. Here's to hoping they live up to the hype.

BUOY CLUB GRADE: 97 out of 100.

Dexter: Trouble in a Scary Part of Paradise

We have a new Buoy Club member on our hands! Marcum got me started on Dexter at the beginning of December after he bought the first season on DVD at a Black Friday sale. (It might not have been on Black Friday, but for comedy's sake, let's assume he was shopping the day after Thanksgiving.) He lent me the series after he was finished and said it was "Lost good." I had my doubts, but after burning through the first 15 episodes, I must agree with me friend on this one. Not only is Dexter an amazing show, but once again having the luxury of watching the show on DVD (like I did with Lost) has allowed to catch on much quicker than I would have otherwise. The show is well-written, all of the characters are likable and round (meaning they change) and the plot, while sometimes predictable, is always engaging.

Now, after a stellar first season that featured an Ice Truck killer, hookers and more brotherly love than you could shake a stick at, I had my doubts about season 2 living up to the high standards set by its predecessor. And while I'm not completely convinced after "An Inconvenient Lie," some nice pieces have been put into place for this season. The introduction of Frank Lundy adds a nice sense of mounting danger for Dexter as he tries to murder right under the FBI's nose. I appreciate the writers making Lundy more human than your typical "super badass" FBI agents that we see all too often. Giving him little quirks, like a fondness for tea and a hatred for the "Bay Harbor Butcher" moniker, make him seem more human, and therefore, easier to relate to. I think Dexter's met his match with Lundy, and I'm excited to see how that storyline plays out.

Another element introduced in this episode was a blooming love triangle between Dexter, Rita and Lila. Now, I've never been a big fan of romantic storylines, but I like the wrinkle in this one. Having Dexter torn between Rita, the girl who makes him feel normal, and Lila, the girl who seemingly understood him at first glance, will make for an interesting back-and-forth. Besides, Rita has turned into a total b***h so far this season, and I honestly can't see why Dexter doesn't take Lila and run. It would give Rita some more time to mourn over Paul's death...

Finally, I'm glad we've moved on from the preposterous "Doakes following Dexter every night" storyline. As well as Doakes knows Dexter, he should know he's wasting his time tailing him like a lovesick ex-girlfriend. I think of the way Doakes handled the situation with Dexter's wannabe apprentice last season and it makes his decision to tail Dexter even more laughable. I'm glad they finally resolved it and simmered down on the hostility between those two. Although I'm not sure we've seen the last of it.

Overall, it was a good episode that I feel is building to something pretty cool. Can't wait to watch some more. Thanks again, Marcum.

BUOY CLUB GRADE: 83 out of 100.

Supernatural: Is God in the House?

With the intense pacing of last week's premiere, I was afraid this week's episode would feel slow and murder the momentum season five had already built. I was wrong on both counts. Good God, Y'all saw the return of several beloved characters from the show's mythology: Rufus, Jo and Ellen. But before we get into that, I have to acknowledge some key moments from the first act. I loved the usually passive and sympathetic Castiel telling Dean to shove his opinions where the sun don't shine. I usually agree with Dean's scathing remarks but he deserved an attitude adjustment this time. As far as the amulet goes- I always thought there was something special about it. Just didn't know it could help find God.

Once the call came from Rufus and the brothers arrived in Colorado, this episode reminded me a lot of season two's Croatoan. Same sense of isolation and claustrophobia. Although the demons remain hidden for the first half of the episode, you can almost feel their presence pressing in on the townspeople like an unseen menace. A very Supernatural-esque way to ratchet up the tension and very well done. And the twist was very well done; I was totally confused up until Dean's discovery and especially after Jo's comment to her mother. The introduction of War, the first horseman of the Apocalypse, and his integration into a demon storyline was really cool. I'm glad they also decided to portray War the way they did. A dude riding a horse just would have been lame.

If that weren't enough, we also got a crucial ending that went somewhere I thought it could go but didn't think it would. Having the brothers split, especially without any disagreement, shocked me. I know it's part of rebuilding their fractured relationship, but four seasons of the Winchesters together definitely puts us into unfamiliar territory from here on out. Do I think they can close the chasm that's opened between them? Yes. Do I think we'll see a return to the Dean/Sam relationship we saw in earlier seasons? No. Too much has happened. And since we're dealing with the Apocalypse this season, I'm sure there's much more dysfunction to come.

BUOY CLUB GRADE: 93 out of 100.

Supernatural: The Beginning of the End

I would like to welcome everyone back to the Buoy Club's triumphant return! I'll be the first to admit I got lazy at the end of last season. I really let my readers down when they need me most- finale week. So please accept my apology for being so lame. I promise, it won't happen again. We've got a fresh slate of new episodes to review this fall season, and we're starting off with a real gem: Supernatural.

I'm running out of accolades to describe this show. I could sit here and try to heap some artificial descriptors on top of this remarkable premiere, but I like to keep these blog posts under 500 words. This show continues to be the most consistently written show on television, and Sympathy for the Devil is no exception. I love how this episode picks up right where the finale left off...literally. They ran straight from a kick-ass recap into the opening of season five. Talk about not wasting a single second.

Once again, my wordiness could allow me to write 5,000 words about this episode. Instead, here are some highlights:

- Any and every scene Chuck was in. His "this sucks ass" line and the webcam scene with his biggest fan had me cracking up. I hope we see A LOT of him this season.
- The return of Meg. Supernatural has one of the richest mythologies on TV and the continuity has always been excellent. Bringing back a character like Meg is just proof that the Supernatural brass love their fans.
- Castiel coming back badder than ever. I knew Castiel was coming back since Misha Collins had been added as a series regular this season, but the way they brought him back was B-A-D-A-S-S. Stabbing the Men In Black bouncer angels and threatening Zacharias? That even tops his black wings spreading out in last season's premiere.
- Mark Pellegrino. The guy made the most seamless transition into an established show I've ever seen when he played Jacob in the Lost finale. Seeing his character, Nick, tortured by visions of his murdered family made his decision completely understandable. I've got high hopes for him this season.
- The ending. This is what Supernatural does best. I'll be interested to see how they patch up the brother's relationship this season. If it can still be patched up, that is.

I've never been more excited for a season of Supernatural. Between the Apocalypse, Chuck, Castiel and Lucifer, I have no doubt this show's going out with a bang.

BUOY CLUB GRADE: 98 out of 100.

The Amazing Race: Fluent Chinese and Elbow Checks!

I bet the closed captioning guys were dead tired after this episode. Our teams finally land in China, and much to no one's surprise, team Harvard speaks fluent Chinese. What strikes me as funny is it seems like it took a return to their homeland for this team to remember they spoke Chinese. If I knew another language on a race where withholding information could mean winning a million bucks, you best believe my team's conversation would have to be translated. After all, if it weren't for their lack of running skills, team Harvard would've finished first because of their ability to communicate at the Detour. Don't be surprised if you see more Chinese as the race gets tighter.

After last week's previews, I expected the brawl between the Sistahs and Luke to be truly epic. Much to my delight, it lived up to the hype. After Luke elbows Jen's attempted grab at the clue box, the episode's first "bitch" flies out. What's funny is that Jen drops this bomb right as Margie runs past. Great timing. After lecturing Luke about staying level-headed, Margie then proceeds to lag behind as her son races toward another clash with Jen at the very next clue box! Once again, the two collide and Jen is sent reeling into the poor, defenseless clue box. Despite the animosity, I don't think the blame really lies with either racer. Nobody pushed anybody and Luke's elbow didn't connect with any part of Jen's body.

Making this confrontation even more awkward is the fact that these teams were forced to race side-by-side for the rest of the leg. I was just waiting for Luke to nudge Jen's elbow during the calligraphy writing. But that tension paled in comparison to the showdown we got on the finish mat. While I think Margie might've overreacted just a bit, Kisha and Jen did nothing but make total asses out of themselves. You don't laugh in the face of someone hurling accusations at you. I don't care if that's your personality. But since they're such big believers in karma, I'm sure they'll appreciate a big helping of it next week at the swimming challenge!

Overall, this episode featured a memorable clash between an unlikely pair of teams, but ultimately lacked any real drama since the midgets were so far behind.

BUOY CLUB GRADE: 86 out of 100.