A happy ending, all things considered

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20229472,00.html

According to the above story, Heath Ledger's parents have decided to leave his entire estate to his daughter Matilda. It seems like Hollywood families are constantly torn apart due to messy issues, usually revolving around finances, so it really made me smile that this didn't happen here. It was unfortunate to learn that Ledger hadn't updated his will since his daughter had been born, and the possibility that there could be some sort of war over his money would have made his death even more tragic.

It's really nice to see the right thing done here. Cheers to everybody involved.

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A Case of the.... Smallville - Episode 8-2

So what I assume will be Smallville’s final season continues with its second episode. Much like last week, where the overall theme was about character growth and moving past the, well, past, this week’s installment continued the idea of the characters becoming adults.

http://primetimepulse.com/2008/09/27/a-case-of-the-smallville-episode-8-2/

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Ryan's birth announcement on CNBC

Unfortunately, at the moment I cannot seem to figure out how to transfer the entire segment from a DVD onto my computer, so for the moment this will have to do. Here is a short clip of my nephew Ryan's birth being announced on CNBC:

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Top Ten Cases: Hottest women on TV

I promised that this would be a very special edition of Top Ten Cases, and I don't think this will disappoint. For the first time ever, Top Ten Cases will be presented in video format. Please view here:



While we're at it, feel free to visit the new A Case of the Blog Youtube Channel at:

http://www.youtube.com/acaseoftheblog

Please bear with me as I get used to the video making process. I know the volume, in general, is low, and that it's made even worse by the background static. I'll work on fixing those issues in the future.

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FINALLY AN UNCLE!!!!

So after MUCH anticipation, I'm finally a very proud uncle and godfather to my sister's first baby. And while my initial prediction was wrong -- that the baby would be born last week -- my second was spot on: It's a boy!

My sister was induced this morning, and the doctors expected her to give birth sometime around 4:00. I decided to go in for half a day, figuring I'd leave work around 1:00 or 2:00. Well, my dad calls me about noon telling me that the baby could come at any moment and that I should head to the hospital. Despite working about an hour a way, I somehow managed to get to the hospital in about 40 minutes. I arrived seconds after my brother-in-law came out and gave us the incredible news. Amazingly, my sister was only in labor for about 2 hours, and only had to "push" for about 30 minutes. Thank goodness, because she was VERY nervous about the whole labor process.

It was an absolute thrill seeing him for the first time, and holding him, and everything. He's so extremely well behaved, too! We were all there for about 6 hours, and we were passing him from person to person, and he never once cried. Even when he was in the nursery, he spent almost the entire time sleeping, while all of the other babies were crying their eyes out. Knock on wood, but I daresay my sister really lucked out on this baby.

Oh, and the coolest part of all? My sister works for CNBC, so they actually announced his birth on the air! Here's a screencapture:

Provided I find the time (it's going to be tight tomorrow), there is going to be a VERY special edition of Top Ten Cases. It's something different, and I've put a lot of effort into it, so if I can devote the appropriate time into it, I'll be sure to post it.

But to say the least, I'm in quite the good mood.

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A Case of the.... Prison Break - Episode 4-5

I thought this was a really good episode of Prison Break, perhaps the best of the season. There were quite a few things that I enjoyed: They cooled it with the Michael/Sara stuff (and by extension, Sara wasn’t so much Miss Doom and Gloom), Bellick wasn’t a useless background character that only appears to whine and complain, and they separated some of the characters, allowing them to maintain separate, individual story arcs.

http://primetimepulse.com/2008/09/24/a-case-of-the-prison-break-episode-4-4-2/

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And the award for least surprising closet exit goes to....

And the red ribbon goes to....

You may now go on with your day.

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Heroes ga-F'N-lore!

So tonight is the two hour season premiere of Heroes. I was fortunate enough to get a review "screener" of the first hour, and it's absolutely fantastic. And this is coming from a guy who was highly critical (in hindsight, anyway) of the second season.

Quite simply, the first hour of the premiere was everything that the second season was not. You find out some details about the previous generation of heroes (including the ability of Angela Petrelli), you discover who shot Nathan (and trust me, you won't expect who it is), and there's an absolutely phenomenal scene including Claire and Sylar.

Anyway, here's a review of the episode:

http://primetimepulse.com/2008/09/22/a-case-of-heroes-episode-3-1/

Please heed my advice and watch the episode -- even if you were turned off by season two. Perhaps ESPECIALLY if you were turned off by what last year had to offer.

Also, here's a review of the recent NBC conference call, where fans received some answers from Zachary Quinto (Sylar) and Heroes creator Tim Kring:

http://primetimepulse.com/2008/09/22/a-case-of-the-heroes-interview-with-tim-kring-and-zachary-quinto/

UPDATE: Here's my review of the second hour of the two-part premiere:

http://primetimepulse.com/2008/09/23/a-case-of-the-heroes-episode-3-2/

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My prediction skills.....not so much the great

So today (September 21st) is my sister's actual due date. And with about ten minutes officially left in the day, I'm still not an uncle.

At the beginning of last week I made two bold predictions: That the baby would come that week, and that it would be a boy. Clearly one of those guesses didn't come to fruition. The second remains to be seen.

So where do we go from here? Basically, I hope the baby comes any day other than Wednesday (when I have to go to a dinner event hosted by my father) or Friday (when I am having a birthday celebration in the city). Unfortunately, if she doesn't have the baby Friday they're inducing her, which could jeopardize my plans.

So lets hope that this baby -- who clearly is in no rush to make his or her grand debut -- comes at the beginning of this week. Hopefully as early as Monday.

Still think it'll be a boy, though.

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A Case of the.... Smallville - Episode 8-1

I will say this: Smallville always does a phenomenal job with their “Previously on…” video montages. It has felt like a long time since this show has been on, so I really enjoyed the long reminder not only about what happened last season, but what occurred that led up to those moments as well.

I will also admit that it was quite surreal seeing the opening credits without Kristin Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum, and John Glover. While I have long said that Lana desperately needed to be written, and I understand how killing Lionel was a necessity to advance Lex’s character, the credits really did seem empty without them. It was weird.

http://primetimepulse.com/2008/09/19/a-case-of-the-smallville-episode-8-1/

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Top Ten Cases: Favorite beers

Please notice that I said "favorite" beers and not "best" beers. Obviously, people have different tastes, and as such this list may differ GREATLY from what you enjoy. Nevertheless, being a "beer man" (I really don't enjoy hard alcohol), I feel that I may be as good a reference as anybody when it comes to a tasty lager (or ale or what-have-you). I will say this, though: I greatly dislike Heineken. I sometimes wonder how anybody can drink it (although I did get it once while in Austria, and found it much tastier there).

Also, please note that while I will differentiate between a "light" beer and its regular counterpart, I'm not doing separate rankings for different seasonal brews. For example, Samuel Adams will be listed as one general beer, as its 74,031 different flavors were a contributing factor for where it ultimately ranked.

The good news for everybody, though, is that this list won't have multi-paragraph long explanations! Basically, it'll just be a brief description of why I like the beer. Short read for all! Anyway, click the "Read More" link for the list.

10. Miller High Life - How could you exclude any beer that considers itself the Champagne of Beers? From its bottle to its gold label to its bubbly flavor, you gotta appreciate this beer for its distinctiveness, if nothing else.

9. Molson Canadian - Molson Canadian h

olds a special place in my heart because we usually pick up cases of this beer when me and the men in my family go camping in the Adirondaks. In fact, Molson Canadian was the first beer that I ever saw that sold their case in one of those cooler bags. I bought one several years ago, and still have it to this day! I love that thing.

8. Labatt Blue - Call me a simple man (you won't be the first one....), but I just love how cans of Labatt Blue have a bright blue tab. Incidentally, Labatt Blue is another beer we usually purchase while camping in the Adirondaks. And it's treated us well. And it's always fun when you find Labatt Bleu (note the spelling) in unexpected areas of the United States.

7. Pabst Blue Ribbon - C'mon, how could you not respect a beer that is served IN ITS CAN at a bar? I don't think I've ever seen any beer other than PBR get served in such a fashion.

6. Corona Extra - In my opinion, one of the finest beers somebody can enjoy while sitting out on a nice summer day. Honestly, it just feels like summer when you're downing one of these. The only downside is that it's pretty acidic, meaning I personally can't continuously drink it all night without feeling like it's burning a hole through my stomach.

5. Samuel Adams - One thing you can always count on when it comes to Samuel Adams is a whole lotta options. One of my sister's friends, who has a one-year-old, sent my sister about 5,000 bibs as a baby shower present. The very cute, very creative gift was a way of saying "you're going to want to remember every single occasion, whether it's Christmas or Canadian Flag Day." I almost feel like Sam Adams shares that mentality. Is there any season, occasion, or what have you that isn't commemorated with a special brew? Not that there's anything wrong with that. Sam Adams has a distinct rich taste, and as you can tell from their commercials, these guys are devoted to their craft. The one downside is that Samuel Adams, for the most part, tends to be a little heavy for my tastes. So, unless I'm really motivated, it's typically not something I'm drinking a lot of all night.

4. Miller Lite - Yes, most people are probably shouting at their computer screens for ranking Miller Lite higher than Samuel Adams, but c'mon, is there a more reliable and consistent light beer? If I ever have to buckle up for a full night of drinking, this is always a go-to beer that I can count on. It's so smooth, and unlike Coors Light, it actually tastes like beer. And how could you not love those Man Law commercials? A bunch of rugged male celebrities, and the guy who cut his own arm off because he got stuck between a rock and a hard place.



Oh, and for what it's worth: In my opinion, clinking beer tops IS okay, but it's kinda rude to do at a bar (where somebody else has to clean the mess).

3. Honey Brown - Throughout college -- and even a year or two after -- this was actually my #1. For my birthday celebrations, I'd actually get a keg of Honey Brown. And when it was served on tap at a bar (a huge rarity), it'd always be my beer of choice. Ultimately, though, I began to grow apart from its distinct sweet taste. Nevertheless, since it served me so solidly through my college years, it definitely belongs in the top three.

2. Yuengling - Yuengling is like that old friend you know that you can always count on. If you ever need to pick up some beer, and you're not sure what everybody likes, is there any bet safer than a case of Yuengling? Rich, smooth, tasty....doesn't get much better. Yuengling also brings back some fond college memories, as our favorite watering hole used to serve $1 mugs all day, every Tuesday. An absolute staple for my last two years at Rutgers.

1. Blue Moon - I forget what initially prompted me to order a Blue Moon -- perhaps it was simply the allure of drinking it with an orange opposed to a lemon or lime, like most beers -- but once I started, I haven't looked back. Whenever I need to buy some six packs for the house -- whether it's for a family party or my own collection -- you better bet that at least one sixer will be a variant of Blue Moon. I'm yet to try the newly-released Pale Moon, but that's certainly on my "to-do" list.

Best of all, in my experience, it's more readily available than Honey Brown, and more affordable than Yuengling. So whether you're settling in at the bar or making a quick stop at the liquor store, Blue Moon is always a reliable buy.


In fact, my preference for Blue Moon sparked my creative juices, as I created a collage of the various seasonal brews (pictured above), which I have hanging on a wall in my bedroom.

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TV thoughts galore!

Well, in addition to my regular Prison Break discussion, I thought I'd provide some up-to-date thoughts on some other programs I've been watching. Unfortunately I did not catch House night because my TiVo taped something else (isn't it odd how the original TV, despite only coming out a few years ago and completely reinventing the entire television industry, already feels exceptionally antiquated?), so I'll have to wait until the show airs on Fox.com before I can comment on it.

And away we go....

Prison Break - Do me a solid and just read the column:

http://primetimepulse.com/2008/09/17/a-case-of-the-prison-break-episode-4-4/

True Blood - I enjoyed the second week of True Blood, and before I proceed I should make it clear that I have no knowledge whatever about the book series that this show is based on (I do believe that it's based on some books). As such, I respectfully request that people keep their comments to what we've already seen on the television program. Otherwise, you'll be ruining the fun for me and anybody else who is unaware of what is going to happen next.

Anyway, I thought the second episode did a nice job of continuing to flesh out the central characters. We learned that the grandmother is a tolerant, old fashioned woman. Meanwhile, Jason is an intolerant, sleazy moron.

I enjoyed the interaction and courting process between Sookie and Bill. I like how these two behave around each other. And I liked how he came to her rescue. It was also sweet how honest he is with her (admitting that he fed on the trashy folk who tried to kill them).

I know that we've heard Sookie read Sam's mind, but I can't help but feel like he's the dog that keeps coming to her aid. It always seems like the dog appears when he conceivably should. It seemed odd that he didn't follow her when he knew she was going after a vampire. But instead of him showing up, the dog does. Ditto for when she was getting attacked. And, of course, Bill did say that some vampires can shape shift.

90210 - The original Beverly Hills is like the original ECW: People seem to remember it with exceptionally rose-colored glasses. Everybody is comparing this series to the original -- which is expected -- but most people forget that the first season of Beverly Hills wasn't all that great. It didn't become that series that we all remember so fondly until a couple years later. I just hope that this version, which is by no means perfect, has that same opportunity.

One thing that strikes me about this series is this odd, heavy handed desire to remind everybody of what time period this all takes place in. You know....PRESENT DAY. Normally, when a show awkwardly reminds people of the time period, it's when it takes place in the past or future. There's really no need to constantly mention blogs, The Hills, or any other pop culture reference. We're well aware of the time period.

Anyway, Jessica Stroup (Silver) continues to be exceptionally hot. She's probably 30% of the reason why I watch (40% is because of the original series, and 30% is because I do, for the most part, enjoy it), although I do agree that she should put some meat on those bones.

I do find it ironic -- unfortunately, I believe it's unintentionally so -- that Naomi so condemns her dad for cheating on her mom, and chastises her mom for staying with him, only to turn around and get back together with the guy who had cheated on her.

The big news, of course, is that we found out whose Kelly's baby daddy is, and it's Dylan. While it makes sense in the context of the show (I refuse to believe that Brandon, for any reason, would be an absentee father), I can't help but be disappointed. In my eyes, Kelly and Dylan was always about passion. They wanted each other. They never seemed to be in love with each other the way Dylan and Brenda or Brandon and Kelly were. In an ideal world, I always envisioned Dylan ending up with Brenda and Kelly ending up with Brandon. So I was a bit disappointed.

On top of that, how often can we watch the "Dylan becomes a screw up" story arc?


Overall, I still enjoy both True Blood and 90210, and I'll continue watching them.

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Why must you tease me so?

So those of you who watched Raw last night saw that Kane did indeed put the mask back on. And it looked pretty damn cool. He even cut a pretty kick ass promo explaining how he was forced to remove his mask, and he hoped that it would make people treat him like a normal people. But instead people just stared. Meanwhile, Rey continues to wear his mask, and people love him for it.

It was seemingly setting up Kane returning to his masked ways, but under his terms.

But instead, after about 30 seconds of wearing the mask, he removed it. And he wasn't seen with it again. Sigh....

As I've said before, there aren't many Superstars out there as bland and stale as Kane. Something as simple as putting his mask back on would have REALLY freshened up his character. This was the perfect opportunity to do that, and I think they made a huge mistake not taking advantage of it. Just listen to the crowd's reaction when they saw the classic red mask.

They could even have some fun with it, like having Kane walk to the ring without the mask, and then putting it on for his matches. Slightly less cool, but still acceptable, would be for him to wear it during his promos. It would have been SOMETHING new.

Anyway, enjoy it while you can. Here's the promo:

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An uncle by week's end?

For those of you that know me, you're likely well aware that my sister is pregnant. Very pregnant. While her due date isn't until September 21st (one week before my birthday!), I'm going to make the bold prediction that by the end of the week, I'll be an uncle. For the first time!

You know what? I'll go one step further and make an additional prediction and say it'll be a boy.

Will either -- or both -- of my guesses be correct? I suppose we'll find out by the end of the week!

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Competition can bring out a guy's dark side

It'a been a while since I've posted a "Just for Fun" video clip, so here's an utterly hilarious enactment showing what might happen if you were to play golf with Darth Vader:

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Top Ten Cases: Best television deaths

My main criteria for this list were how emotionally powerful the actual scene was, and how much the character's death impacted the overall series and remaining characters. And one of my big rules was that this has to be a REAL, permanent death. No coming back from the dead or pulling a "Surprise! I didn't REALLY die!" Otherwise, I would have included two utterly fantastic television deaths (both from Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Spike's sacrificial death in "Chosen," and when Buffy killed her love Angel in "Becoming." Both of those are phenomenally well written and acted. I do suggest you try to view them.

It's also important that I note that I have limited this list to scripted deaths, and have opted not to include character deaths that occurred as a result of the real life death of the actor portraying them. It goes without saying that the passing of actors like John Ritter, Phil Hartman, and David Strickland (to name three) is far more tragic than any of the deaths on this list. For that reason, it would be unfair -- and likely disrespectful -- to include them here.

Click the "Read More" link for my list of the best television deaths.

10. Joyce Summers (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

While the death of Buffy's mother certainly played a crucial part in the growth of the show's heroine -- effectively changing the tone of the entire series to something far darker and more brooding -- I included this death simply because it was such a beautiful, artistic episode. It was so realistic -- almost to the point of uncomfortableness -- right down to Joyce's ribs breaking as Buffy applied CPR.

And it was unlike any episode we had seen before. Aside from a quick vampire scene at the way end, the episode was completely devoid of any of the fantastical elements the series is known for. The hour kicked off with Buffy walking into her home like any other day, and finding her mother lying lifelessly on the couch. She called 911, and the paramedics arrived, but they were unable to save her (in the interest of fairness, I will note the one part I found abhorrently unrealistic, which is the paramedics leaving the dead body in her home). And unlike virtually any of the other losses on this show, Joyce's death lacked any supernatural involvement. It was just one of those tragic, unexpected events that occur in life.

Of course, the most glaring virtue of "The Body" (the episode's title) was the absence of any background music whatsoever. Aside from the dialogue, which was sparse, awkward, and uncomfortable (as it tends to be in situations such as these), the episode was practically silent. Yet it was wonderfully written, directed, and acted. "The Body" most definitely illustrates the talent and value of the cast and crew of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Was this the most earth shattering death in all of television? No. But it was the story point of one of the most powerful and unique episodes of modern television, with many memorable scenes, such as Buffy's transformation into something child-like in her moment of shock, Buffy silently (for us) telling Dawn that their mother has passed away, Anya's breakdown as she begs somebody to explain to her how somebody could die and never come back, and Tara and Buffy's touching discussion -- a first for them, really -- where Tara reveals that her mother had passed away as well.

View this video, where the cast and crew discuss this wonderful episode:




9. Mark Greene (ER)

Sure, this one is a bit of a stretch. After all, it wasn't particularly memorable, and it didn't really have a long-lasting impact on the series or the characters as a whole. So if it doesn't satisfy those pretty reasonable and natural standards, how did it end up ranking on this list? Truth be told, I just thought the entire thing was done so beautifully. Incidentally, this was probably the ONLY ER death scene handled well.

While virtually every other major death on ER has been done in a sensationalist -- or even cartoonish -- manner, Mark Greene's death was written so tastefully and touchingly, in my opinion. Everything from the dialogue to the direction makes me longingly recall when the NBC medical drama was in its prime, where you were guaranteed a handful of powerful episodes every season (and they were rarely advertised as such, like they are now).

The one thing that I think hindered this otherwise great scene was the fact that so many of the people who would be most impacted by his death weren't present. As I relived that scene while scanning through some YouTube clips, I got a very transparent sense of "Oh, it's Carter, Susan, and a bunch of people that barely knew him."

Watch the ER staff receiving the news of his death (wonderfully performed by Noah Wyle and Sherry Stringfield, particularly when Carter discovers the last page):




Now, watch his actual death:




For what it's worth, I'm glad they didn't go over the top with his actual death scene, by having Elizabeth drop her coffee mug upon discovering his body. Instead, it was done very tastefully and beautifully. Another instance of less being more.

I also loved the funeral scene, with characters from Mark's past making brief, unadvertised appearances (Peter!!) But the lack of Doug and Carol stuck out like a sore thumb.

8. Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (Angel)

When he first appeared on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a Watcher so stuffy that he made GILES seem cool and exciting, few people probably predicted that Wesley Wyndam-Pryce would develop into one of the most complex, and yeah, kinda awesome, characters in the Buffy/Angel universe.

In fact, by Angel's last season, Wesley had done a complete 180 character turn. He was volatile, aggressive, and often turned to the bottle. It was because of his potential downfall that Wes fans couldn't help but rejoice when, after years of pining for the beauty, he finally got together with Fred. Of course, the honeymoon didn't last TOO long. An episode or so later, a pure demon from the Primordiam Age known as Illyria took over Fred's body, liquefying Fred's organs, hardening her skin, and burning her soul. The point they're hammering over your head: Fred is gone and she ain't coming back.

Once again, Wesley was completely distraught. He initially did everything in his power to try to kill Illyria -- as well as those responsible for Fred's death. However, slowly but surely, these two began to care for one another. It was actually a pretty twisted relationship. There Illyria was, essentially an emotionless, blue (literally) version of the woman he had always loved (and may I add that actress Amy Acker did a remarkable job playing such an unusual character). And shortly before the series finale, Wes comes to discover that Illyria has the ability to shape shift, and can actually take the physical form of ordinary old Fred. This actually drives him even further into madness, feeling that his heart is being played with. Nevertheless, it is obvious that he does care about her, evident when he finds her beaten and bruised following a particularly tough fight.

In the finale, before the climatic battle, everybody spends their last night as if it's their last. Spike performs his poetry at an open mic bar (awesome), Angel reconnects with the son he was forced to give up, and Gunn returns to his roots. Illyria, who has decided to spend her final night alongside Wesley, asks him if he'd like her to become Fred, in a strange desire to make him happy. Wesley refuses, telling her that he doesn't plan on dying tomorrow, and therefore doesn't want to be lied to.

Well, in the final battle, Wesley receives a fatal stab wound. Illyria burst into the scene, having already dominated her epic challenge, just as Wesley is about to drop to the ground. She tells him that he'll be dead in moments. He softly tells her that it was kind of her to come check on him. She then gently asks "would you like me to lie to you now?" And, as he begins fading away, he says "yes. Thank you, yes." She then transforms into Fred, and the two soul mates share a very tender moment as they proclaim their love to each other. They kiss, as Wesley passes away. A teary eyed Fred (or Illyria, as I believe the case to be) then quickly avenges Wes' death with one solid punch.

I really am disappointed that I couldn't find a video clip of the entire death scene, it really was great.

Watch this video, which summarizes the last few episodes of Angel, with a focus on the Wesley/Illyria relationship:

7. Tara Maclay (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

It's perhaps unsurprising that the other best death on Buffy was also by human means. Perhaps it wasn't a "natural" death like Joyce's, but it wasn't supernatural either. There were no mystical forces here. On the contrary, a typical human being with a bruised ego came barging into Buffy's backyard and just began shooting. One hit his intended target, Buffy -- who had thrown friend Xander out of the way -- while the other went through an upstairs window, directly hitting Tara, who had recently very happily reunited with her love, Willow. The two had just embraced and were staring lovingly at each other when a splatter of blood suddenly sprayed onto Willow's white blouse. Tara confusedly asked "your blouse?" before dropping to the floor, dead.

It was just such a tragic and real scene. And the final moments, with Willow's eyes turning that oh-so-familiar fiery black, was such a significant and powerful image. For the entirety of the season, Willow had become "addicted" to magic. To her, it really had become a drug. In fact, Tara had left her for this very reason, and it wasn't until she became rehabilitated that the two reconciled.

For this reason, the fact that she once again turns to magic -- her drug -- in a fit of rage and emotion is even more significant.

What's more, Tara's death most certainly had a long-lasting impact on the series. First and foremost, it turned mousy little WILLOW into the big bad of the season. Who would have ever predicted that? Most surprising of all, she probably came closer than anybody else at actually defeating the Slayer. And while she naturally returned to her sweet, red headed self, her actions in the final couple episodes of season six stuck with her for the remainder of the series.

Watch Tara's death, and the impact of the loss:




6. Teri Bauer (24)

It's been said before, but it's worth repeating: Teri Bauer's death truly did set the tone that anybody can die on 24. Had the character been saved, I honestly believe that the show would not have been nearly as successful. There would be this lingering feeling of "oh, Jack will rescue _____ in the end...." However, at the end of 24's inaugural season, when Jack discovered that his wife -- who was pregnant with his unborn child, by the way -- had been murdered, viewers came to the grim realization that the end of the day may not bring a happy ending.

In life, Teri Bauer may not have been the most significant character in the world. Hell, even in death, the character is rarely mentioned anymore (with the show now going into its seventh season).

Watch Jack discover that his wife is dead:




5. Lionel Luthor (Smallville)

When it comes to Smallville, certain things are inevitable, like that Clark becomes Superman and ends up with Lois Lane. We also know some other things, like that Lex eventually usurps his father as Superman/Clark's arch nemesis.

In order for that to happen, one must assume, Lionel has to die and Lex has to do something dastardly. As a result, Lex killing his father wasn't anything particularly shocking. But the fun wasn't in the surprise, it was seeing how they handled it. And, in my opinion, it was done perfectly.

I absolutely loved how the episode kicked off with the death scene. Again, this wasn't supposed to be some mega shocking twist. Everybody had pretty much deduced that Lionel would be the character that gets killed. So instead of having the episode lead up to this moment, they wisely decided to have the episode revolve around the aftermath of the murder.

I LOVE Lex's closing remarks: "I lived in your shadow. Now you're going to die in mine. No one will even remember your name." It's just such a poetic thing to say. Whether he's been good or bad, Lionel has always had this grandiose vision. When he's bad, he seemingly wants to control the world. When he's good, he has to align himself with the most powerful entity on earth. Yet, at the end of the day, in the Superman mythos, it's all about Superman and Lex Luthor. Despite his visions of grandeur, in the end, nobody even remembers that Lionel had once existed.

Watch Lionel's death scene:




4. Isabelle Tyler (The 4400)

Part of the reason why I consider shows like Lost, Smallville, 24, and Heroes my favorite is their amazing ability to develop some of their central characters. The 4400 more than belongs on that list. And next to the super awesome Jordan Collier, perhaps no character has been better developed than Isabelle Tyler.

It's tough to say what impact Isabelle's death would have had on the series as a whole, because she died in what ended up being the series finale. That being said, the wonderful progression of her character, and the selflessness of her death, warrants its high ranking on this list.

When Isabelle was introduced to us, as a baby, in season two, not much was known about her. All we were aware of is that she's SOMETHING special. There was also something peculiarly sinister about her. Was she downright bad? It wasn't particularly clear, however her actions DID ultimately lead to the salvation of the 4400, who were dying due to the promicin inhibitor they were being injected with. Nevertheless, in that season's finale, she was suddenly, and inexplicably, an adult female.

As a teenage girl, she most definitely began exhibiting some dastardly behavior. She threatened people. She hurt people. She even killed somebody. Then she coerced Shawn into marrying her. She was a real bitch. At the end of the year, her own father was forced to inject her with a vaccine, which left her without any abilities.

The final season is when Isabelle really began to shine. As she was being transferred to a prison (I believe), she was rescued by Kyle, who was blindly obeying the commands of some sort of prophetic book. From there, she was brought to Promise City, where she was united with the very man she had tried to kill: Jordan Collier.

Throughout the season, Isabelle was a real question mark. People -- and by that I mean the viewers as well as the characters -- were unsure what to make of her. She truly seemed like she wanted to make up for all the evil things she had done, but at the same time she still seemed so impulsive and impressionable. It seemed like she could easily be convinced to turn on somebody. Nevertheless, Kyle continued to stand by her side. He was, in a way, her beacon of hope.

Near the finale, Isabelle's powers were restored by "The Marked" -- a group of people from the future who wanted to ensure that THEIR future came to fruition. They also coerced her into turning on Jordan by threatening her father's safety. She ultimately did turn Jordan over to the Marked -- in a great moment, when Jordan calmly said to her "I was wondering when this would happen" (paraphrasing, can't remember the exact line).

However, it was the love and hope of Kyle that eventually led to her coming to her sensing. She gave him a soft, gentle kiss on the lips, and then made an assault on the Marked. Incidentally, this same group of people also had the ability to kill her. So in her last breath, she manages to save Jordan and Tom, and instructs them to save the future. Honestly, it's probably the best send off anybody on this show had ever received. An excellent example of somebody redeeming themselves.

Watch this great compilation, summarizing the events of The 4400 series finale (including Isabelle's redemption and death):




3. Michael Dawson (Lost)

Harold Perrineau may not have been thrilled with how his character was killed off, but I thought it was absolutely fantastic.

This is what it comes down to: Would it have been nice if Michael shared his final scene with his son Walt? Sure, but not at the expense of Michael's character and redemption. Yes, his actions disappointed and hurt his son, but Walt wasn't the one he betrayed. Walt wasn't the one that he needed to redeem himself to (not directly, anyway).

With that in mind, some people may bring up the point that none of the characters he interacted with during his return -- Sayid, Desmond, Jin, and Sun -- were ones he had turned against. However, in an odd way, I think that helped ease the viewers into the idea that Michael is trying to fix what he had done. If he had immediately shared some scenes with Sawyer or Kate or Jack, there'd obviously be a great deal of hostility and anger. As such, the viewers would constantly be reminded about what Michael had done, making forgiveness very difficult. But by pairing him with Desmond for the most part -- a person who did not even know Michael -- viewers were able to focus on his current efforts instead of harping on his past sins.

And I'm sure there are those out there who feel like he should have eventually shared a scene with one of the people he explicitly betrayed, but I'm not sure I agree. Ultimately, his strongest bond was with Jin and Sun, so I think it was more important for those characters to make peace before Michael's death. Besides which, Michael's actions DID save everybody, so I believe that he did effectively redeem himself in their eyes. Hell, even in the flash forward, Hurley speaks somewhat warmly about Michael with Walt.

In fact, it was the repeated interaction with Jin that I feel made this death scene so strong. The look of genuine happiness on his face when he found out that Sun is pregnant showed more than anything else that this man, at his core, can be good and selfless. It was also quite touching that despite all that he had done, at the end of the day, Jin didn't want to leave his friend to die alone. It was only until Michael reminded him that he's going to be a father and that he needs to be there for his wife that he finally left. Again, it was a selfless act. He realized that there was no hope left for him, but that he could still save others.

The final scene, with Christian appearing out of nowhere and telling Michael, "you can go now" -- effectively releasing him from the island's hold that was preventing him from dying -- right before the freighter blows up was a fantastic moment. It was touching, memorable, and added to the mythology of the series. In my opinion, it was the best ending the character -- and actor, for that matter -- could have possibly asked for.

Watch Michael's death scene:




2. George Mason (24)

24 has always done a wonderful job of developing its characters. Countless times they've taken a character that has been deemed villainous and/or unlikable and effectively transformed him into somebody noble and virtuous. In my opinion, 24 provides us with some of the most human characters. Most people aren't simply good or completely bad. These characters, for the most part, are very real.

George Mason is perhaps the prime example of this character development. Throughout season one, he was a shadowy character that everybody had assumed would turn bad. Hell, most of the CHARACTERS figured he was up to no good. And even as season two hit the small screen, Mason continued his sketchy ways. When it became clear that a nuclear weapon might detonate in Los Angeles, it seemed as if the CTU director was going to try to flee (although this is never explicitly made clear). However, as fate would have it, he instead got roped into an operation, which resulted in a shootout, ultimately leading to him getting radiation poisoning and receiving the news that he would only have a few days to live.

Once Mason came to terms with his certain demise, he returned to work and made it his priority to ensure that the nuclear threat never comes to fruition. During this time, we got a glimpse at George Mason the person, not the ambitious and morally questionable boss. He revealed to Michelle that he always had dreams of becoming a teacher. He also took it upon himself to reunite with his estrange son, who he bequeathed all of his money to. It was a genuinely touching moment, where this man attempts to fix the things he had damaged throughout the years. In another sweet moment, when he does eventually step down, he names the hardworking Tony Almeida the acting Special Agent in Charge.

Of course, it was the final moments of his life that everybody will remember. When Jack Bauer does eventually track down the nuclear weapon, he comes to the grim realization that it cannot be deactivated. As such, it is decided that somebody must sacrifice himself and crash land the bomb into the desert to prevent damage to populated areas. Naturally, Jack volunteers himself for the job. Following a very touching and emotional good bye to Kim (via telephone), Mason emerges from his hiding place, and tells Jack that he needs to get out of the plane, saying that he'll crash the plane himself. Jack refuses, of course, only for Mason to make some powerful points. He tells Jack that he's had a death wish since Teri died, and that it'd be easy for him to die a heroic death. But if he wants to be brave and heroic, the best thing he can do is parachute out of the plane, reconnect with his daughter, and continue serving his country.

With that, Jack thanks Mason for making this sacrifice, gently placing his hand on Mason's shoulder. Jack then parachutes out of the plane, and moments later Mason successfully -- and heroically -- crashes the plane into the desert, receiving perhaps the most noble death in 24 history.

1. Charlie Pace (Lost)

Arguably, Lost is notorious for trying to shock us with certain deaths. So it's somewhat ironic that their most emotionally powerful death scene was one that had been telegraphed practically all season. Indeed, nobody was particularly shocked that Charlie died. In fact, I think they may have even openly stated that he would meet his demise in the finale.

I've fawned over this scene so many times that it probably doesn't require a long explanation. Simply, I loved everything about it, including everything that happened in "Greatest Hits," the episode that aired before the finale. I thought Charlie's final scene with Hurley was touching, especially since Charlie knew -- and we knew -- that this would be the last time they saw each other, while Hurley was completely clueless. I also consider Charlie secretly leaving Aaron his ring -- a family heirloom -- was one of the show's most genuinely sweet moments.

As for the scene itself, I loved how the normally passive Charlie was the personification of heroism. The reason for him even being in the underwater hatch is because he believes that it'll ultimately save Claire, Aaron, and everybody else he cares for. And even his final moments are heroic. He shuts the door closed to ensure Desmond's safety, and he uses his final moments to leave a message that would ultimately save the lives of many of his friends. I thought it was wonderfully written and fantastically shot. The image of Charlie accepting his fate and bravely staring at Desmond as the two touch hands through the small, circular glass window, just before he loses control and runs out of air is etched into my memories. And my absolute favorite part of the scene is, just before Charlie's body begins to float lifelessly, he does the sign of the cross, a beautiful allusion to his religious upbringing.

This is an excellent example of a monumental moment that still holds up, despite being "spoiled."

Watch Charlie's death scene:

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A Case of the.... Prison Break - Episode 4-3

So can anybody answer this for me? Why does Dominic Purcell’s name appear first in the opening credits, when the show clearly centers around the character of Michael, played by Wentworth Miller? It’s clearly not an alphabetical thing, because “M” appears before “P.” And if it’s done by first name, well, that’s just ridiculous. I get that Dominic Purcell was better known when the show kicked off, but we’re not talking about Tom Cruise here. Does anybody know?

http://primetimepulse.com/2008/09/10/a-case-of-the-prison-break-episode-4-3/

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Earlier than expected and better late than never

From my Top Ten Cases: Best current WWE performers blog entry (9/4/08):

If WWE has any sense, they'll make Chris Jericho the #1 heel on Raw. He brings FAR more to the table than Randy Orton ever will. Ideally, CM Punk will retain his title at Unforgiven, only to drop it to Jericho at the next Pay-Per-View or even Survivor Series.

Well, not three days later the WWE shockingly put the World Championship on Chris Jericho. At Unforgiven, CM Punk (then-World Heavyweight Champion) was removed from the Championship Scramble match after being sidelined by Randy Orton and his second generation cronies. He was replaced by surprise entrant Chris Jericho, who had earlier lost -- via referee decision -- in a hellacious battle with arch nemesis Shawn Michaels.




While it's disappointing that CM Punk's title reign must come to an end, how could you not be excited about Chris Jericho getting what he so richly deserves? He has been absolutely phenomenal the past several months, completely reinventing his character. I know I ranked him as #3 in the latest Top Ten Cases, but I'm totally willing to re-examine that decision. This title reign came much earlier than expected -- and that's when I was optimistic and figured that WWE would grant him a reign at all -- but I'm thrilled that it's happening.


I truly hope that they give Jericho a lengthy title reign. Even if they allow him to hold the championship until, say, No Way Out, he can have some memorable World Championship feuds with CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Batista, Shawn Michaels, and John Cena.


From my "....what's in Kane's bag?" blog entry (7/23/08):

I foresee Kane opening the bag, revealing the mask, and grimacing sinisterly before putting it back on. It would actually be kinda neat seeing a hybrid of the two Kane characters, with the Big Red Monster wearing the mask, but remaining bald and shirtless.

Well, I was wrong about that. Turns out there was a mask inside his bag, but it belonged to Rey Mysterio (?!?!?) I was really disappointed, because more than anything else, Kane's character has become so incredibly stale. I mean, hell, he hasn't changed his appearance AT ALL in the past six years. He's been wearing the same exact pair of tights since 2002. I mean, hell, reverse the colors. Or change the stitches from red to white. Do SOMETHING different. I will grant him this, though. He did at least return to a variation of his original theme music.




Anyway, this past Monday on Raw, Kane began taunting Rey Mysterio on the Titantron. Near the end of his spiel, he alluded to next week and then revealed his classic red mask. Could this perhaps mean that we will see that "hybrid Kane" after all? It may be two somewhat months after my initial prediction, but I sure hope so.


Actually, a bald Kane, with full red mask, and black, shirtless tights could look pretty cool. I sure as hell hope he dons that mask next week.

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Initial True Blood thoughts

So I decided to give True Blood a shot (yeah, yeah, pun not intended). HBO tends to provide awesome programming, plus I tend to enjoy vampire shows and Anna Paquin fascinates me. I mean, she's not hot by traditional standards. Sometimes she's not even pretty. But I can't help but find something about her physically attractive. I don't know what it is.

Oh, and not even a week after talking about how hot Jessica Stroup is, she appears in the first five minutes of this episode. That's gotta be a promising sign, right?

Anyway, this new series is about vampires attempting to integrate into society following the invention of a blood synthetic that quells their urge to feed. The first episode didn't get too much into the whole "equal rights," minority/sexual orientation allusions that I expect it to approach, but I did enjoy the realistic approach the show decided to take. Instead of doing another series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel, the writers seemingly asked themselves, "What would happen if vampires really existed, and if they lived in our neighborhood and went to our stores?"

Oh, and Anna Paquin's character, Sookie, can apparently read people's thoughts. Not sure what to make of that. Anyway, I enjoyed the first episode, and plan on tuning in next week.

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24 problems and the script is one

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/09/exclusive-24.html?xid=partner-cnn-todayslatest-20080905-%2724%27+to+shut+down+for+rewrites

Man, is this show cursed or what?

It seemed as if the popular series was getting back on track following a less-than-stellar season six, only for the WGA strike to delay the show for an entire year. Now, the show is going to halt production for an additional month to ensure that the final act is as good as possible.

That being said, I actually admire that decision. The powers that be must realize that the stakes are high for this season, as for the first time ever people have actually soured on 24. While I highly doubt that the show would be canceled should this upcoming season not be a resounding success, I can easily see it being the "turning point" should the series ever end under terms other than their own.

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Top Ten Cases: Best current WWE performers

This is definitely going to be a subjective list. And, I'll admit, the logic may be inconsistent at times (I may say one person isn't ranked higher because of his spot on the roster, while I may rank another person high because he overcomes his status). Nevertheless, here you go.

I'll warn you right off the bat that there are two notable names that won't be on this list: Triple H and Randy Orton. No, I'm not a Triple H hater. To be honest, I just don't think he's all that good. Actually, I think the greatest contribution he can make to the wrestling business is when he retires and takes an office job. I can easily see him being the next Pat Paterson: Somebody who has an incredible mind for the business, who has great ideas and knows the mechanics of a great match. As far as Randy Orton goes, while I like him and all, I find both his promos and his matches to be terribly choreographed and robotic.

Click the "Read More" link to view the top ten current performers in World Wrestling Entertainment.

10. Santino Marella

Yeah, it may be a bit of a stretch putting this guy on the list, but honestly, he's unlike anybody else on any of the three brands. I daresay that his comedic timing is unmatched, and his broken English routine gets me laughing each and every time. He's also one of the few heels who is willing to make a complete ass of himself, and really never, EVER gets the upper hand in any situation. When he loses, it's usually within minutes. When he wins, it's through VERY dastardly conditions, and he still usually ends up getting his ass kicked afterwards. The fact that they've given him the #2 title on Raw -- their flagship program -- despite the fact that he's portrayed as such a loser is a testament to his abilities. His latest shenanigans with Beth Phoenix has reinvigorated both characters. He's truly one of the main reasons to watch Raw.

Oh, and the Honk-A-Meter is pure comedy gold. Nuff said.

9. JBL

Yeah, this guy barely made the list. Nevertheless, I think he deserves this spot. Unlike virtually everybody else on this list, JBL won't receive a long winded explanation as to why I included him. The fact is, JBL serves a very crucial role in the company, that of a team player. He's absolutely phenomenal on the mic, and he's adequate -- if a bit rough around the edges -- in the ring. At this point in his career, he's a believable champion, so he's always an option should they decide to give him the strap. But more than anything else, he's pretty much the ONLY person on the Raw roster that has helped establish CM Punk as a credible champion.

Think of it this way: Jericho is on such a roll that losing could slow him momentum. Kane is supposed to be a monster, so getting pinned could potentially hurt his character. Randy Orton, in general, needs to continuously win in order to remain credible. It sounds harsh, but I'm actually paying him a compliment: JBL is the top heel that can be repeatedly beaten but still remain at the top. To me, that's an asset.

8. The Undertaker

The Undertaker is truly a marvel. Somehow, some way, he's gotten better with age. And not just a little better, either. I remember when I was younger and I'd watch his various encounters against big (Kamala, Yokozuna, Giant Gonzales, etc) and small (ummmm, Jake the Snake and Superfly Jimmy Snuka?) competitors, and his matches would always be slow and plodding. Admittedly, you're not watching Rey Mysterio when you see Undertaker in the ring now, but the pacing and psychology of his matches have changed astronomically. Somewhere along the way, seeing an Undertaker match on the card guaranteed at least one good, solid match. Not bad for a guy who's in his mid-40's. It still impresses me whenever he whips out that plancha over the top rope.

I'm sure people will credit Undertaker's opponents for the vast improvement in his matches, but I'm not sure that's entirely fair. I mean, this guy had some really good to great matches with Batista. While Batista is certainly competent in the ring, I wouldn't put his abilities any higher than the Dead Man's. Hell, he's gotten some surprisingly passable matches out of Mark Henry. Combined with his great matches with Edge, and the Undertaker has been a stellar performer for the past few years. It's just too bad that they won't grant him a lengthy title reign and let him spread his wings with who he feuds with.

On top of that, he's majorly over. And they've handled his role as a "special attraction" exceptionally well. Virtually every encounter he's attached to has a "big match" feel.

7. John Morrison & The Miz

It's incredible. These two were seemingly put together by accident -- and, once again I assume, their pairing was supposed to be temporary -- yet they managed to find the proper chemistry to become the best tag team we've seen not only in the ring, but behind the mic, in quite some time. Their in-ring work is exemplary, as they're one of the few teams that actually utilize tag team maneuvers.

This team has also been mutually beneficial for both competitors. Before they began teaming, The Miz was nothing more than a comic foil, of sorts. He'd appear, say something obnoxious, and then some face would beat the snot out of him. Yes, they were beginning to make him a little tougher when he initially moved to ECW, but he still hadn't found his niche. I daresay that had he never been paired with Morrison, few people would consider The Miz a threat in the ring. Meanwhile, Morrison was being removed from the ECW Championship picture, and without a secondary title -- or a vast roster of credible faces -- the former Johnny Nitro could have easily wandered around aimlessly.

Instead, they won the tag team championship -- which was really more about the MVP/Matt Hardy storyline than anything else -- and went on to carry the titles for longer than anybody else in recent history. They'd defend the championship virtually every week, oftentimes appeared on both ECW and Smackdown, exhibiting their unique styles while putting on some damn fine matches.

And, of course, there's The Dirt Sheet. Not only is this without a doubt the finest program WWE.com has ever broadcast, but it's actually one of the funniest shows I've seen, period. These two have great on-air chemistry, that's undeniable. In my opinion, these two are THE reason to watch ECW (especially after CM Punk was removed from the show), and to trade them to another program would be a huge hindrance to the Land of the Extreme. And while Morrison has a huge upside, I think these two are far better together than they are apart. As such, I hope they resist the temptation to split them up.

Click here for The Dirt Sheet episodes (really, you should watch...)

6. CM Punk

This guy is money. For the life of me, I don't know why they're so reluctant to get behind him fully, because this guy can easily hold his own as the champion of the flagship program. He's versatile: exciting in the ring and more than competent on the mic. While he's not Jericho, Edge, Shawn Michaels, or JBL when it comes to mic skills, he's solid. He speaks with confidence, and he never comes off like he's reciting memorized lines. On top of that, he appears very natural -- he doesn't act like he's playing a character (unlike, say, Randy Orton). This makes him somebody your audience can relate to, and, as such, an easy person to rally behind.

While he's toned down his ring style, he still provides us with something different. While Triple H, Randy Orton, Batista, John Cena, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, and Edge all fight the same style -- to varying degrees, of course -- CM Punk's knees and kicks is a refreshing change, reminiscent of RVD.

I do hope that they don't pull the plug on his title reign this Sunday. While it hasn't been ideal, seeing him with the belt over his should on Raw has been a breath of fresh air. Basically, since the creation of two distinct World titles, the Raw title scene has been dominated by Triple H and Cena, with brief detours with Randy Orton and Edge. In a perfect world, CM Punk will retain Sunday and eventually drop the gold to Jericho, perhaps at Survivor Series.

5. MVP

While I will attest to the fact that Edge IS Smackdown, MVP's contribution to the blue show should not be overlooked. Indeed, it was MVP who kept the entire midcard division alive. His feuds with you-know-who and Matt Hardy were long-lasting and surprisingly complex. I loved how he repeatedly came up short against Benoit, only to defeat him in two straight falls in a 2/3 falls match, leading some to believe that he didn't continually lose because he wasn't as good. Instead, he was simply studying his opponent to best determine how to beat him. He went on to hold the United States Championship for nearly a year, having a memorable feud -- and brief alliance -- with Matt Hardy. Actually, I think the nuances of their tag team title reign went unnoticed by the announcers. Early on, if you recall, MVP would grab both titles and act as if he was the sole champion. However, through time, the two actually started working well together. In fact, there were instances in which MVP would actually come to Hardy's rescue. During this period, MVP would actually hand Matt Hardy one of the titles at the conclusion of the match. I thought that was a great, subtle action -- so subtle that the announcers seemingly ignored it. But, of course, all the while, people were left wondering: Is he just befriending Matt Hardy to protect his United States Championship?

Unfortunately, MVP's greatest feud was cut short due to Matt Hardy nearly dying a few times in succession. But nevertheless, he's persevered as one of the true highlights of Smackdown, which says a lot considering that he was brought in with much fanfare, only to disappoint most people. He's pulled a complete 180, and I can easily see him capturing the WWE Championship within the next year or so. He's teased a face turn and possible feud with Vickie Guerrero and La Familia, showing that he's able to play both roles.

4. John Cena

I have absolutely no problem whatsoever admitting that I'm a John Cena fan. Ever since his uprising on Smackdown as a freestyling bad ass, I knew he was going to be the next big thing. Yes, his character was neutered -- terribly so -- but nevertheless, I still find him entertaining behind the mic and in the ring. No, he's not the best wrestler in the world, but he's one of the VERY few top guys who actively tries to improve his game (compare him to The Rock, who greatly diminished his moveset once he realized a catch phrase is all he needs to be over).

And honestly, how can you not consider this guy one of the most valuable assets WWE currently has? He's exceptionally well spoken (which helped them a lot during the Chris Benoit backlash), he appears to be very likable and genuine, and he works his ass off to keep WWE in the public's eye. Under the WWE banner, he's released a CD and he's starred in a movie. He also appears at virtually every WWE oriented press conference or event, no matter how big or small. More than anybody else, this man is THE face of World Wrestling Entertainment.

Cena will be out of action for the next four months or so due to a broken neck. Upon his return, I don't think WWE should waste any time making him their top star again. The guy returned to a HUGE ovation at Royal Rumble 2008 (January). While he did win the big event, he went on to lose every other major match until his injury at SummerSlam (August). That's eight solid months of doing the J-O-B, and I still fail to see who it benefited, exactly.

3. Chris Jericho

For a while, I felt bad for Chris Jericho. He disappears for two years and gets people salivating for his return after the release of his extraordinary autobiography. He finally makes a really thrilling return -- after a great deal of hype using viral marketing -- only to be used as a stepping stone to add credibility to Randy Orton's WWE Championship reign. Then he gets thrown into a pretty lackluster feud with a returning JBL. Then he gets saddled with the Intercontinental Championship (yep, I'm sure THAT'S what he envisioned when he imagined his long-awaited return). What's worse is that during this Intercontinental title reign, he was left off of a Pay-Per-View or two.

Meanwhile, guys he was more or less on par with when he left, like Edge and Randy Orton, are receiving main event pushes and are defending World Championships at WrestleMania. Most people were saying, "you returned for THIS???"

Then came along the Shawn Michaels/Batista feud. Batista, who considered Ric Flair his mentor and friend, was more than a little sour about the fact that Shawn Michaels had retired the wrestling legend. And these two, despite both being babyfaces, managed to carry on a very complex and entertaining feud. Chris Jericho just added icing onto the cake.

And despite his admirable efforts, Batista just couldn't hang with Michaels and Jericho. As such, it wasn't long before these two were the ones feuding with each other. And Jericho's progression during this period was amazing. He started off as a simple pot stirrer. Then he was simply calling things the way he saw it. Yeah, he was accusing Shawn Michaels of faking his knee injury, but he wasn't really doing it in any particular heelish way. Then he was briefly apologetic, when he came to the realization that Michaels might actually be hurt. When he found out that wasn't the case, Jericho became increasingly bitter. And, again, his development was absolutely brilliant.

The past few months have shown us one thing: While Jericho has always been great (perhaps even one of the best), he's just SO MUCH better now. For one reason or another, he was never able to escape that sarcastic, snarky, colorful character. And most would argue that that's why he was never considered a legitimate main eventer to the powers that be. Well, I've say he's shaken that character, exchanging his flamboyant, sparkly shirts with designer suits, his smirk with a frown, and his tights with short trunks.

And whether it's been the acting experience he acquired during his absence or the overall storytelling ability he picked up while writing his book, Jericho's promos have been arguably incomparable. He's actually quite reminiscent of Jake "The Snake" Roberts, who used to speak in a whisper in order to make everybody truly pay attention to what he's saying.

One thing I've admired about Chris Jericho is his willingness to give up aspects of his character that will garner an easy reaction, if it means his character will be developed (a la Triple H ditching the DX stuff in the late 90's). He ditched the Highlight Reel, all of his catchphrases, and even the highly marketable Y2J nickname.

If WWE has any sense, they'll make Chris Jericho the #1 heel on Raw. He brings FAR more to the table than Randy Orton ever will. Ideally, CM Punk will retain his title at Unforgiven, only to drop it to Jericho at the next Pay-Per-View or even Survivor Series.

2. Shawn Michaels

Yeah, I know that a few weeks I said that Shawn Michaels is the best -- even better than Edge -- that WWE has right now. So why am I ranking Shawn as #2, and Edge as #1 on this list? It's an important distinction: Without a doubt, Shawn Michaels is the best thing happening on Raw. On the other hand, Edge IS Smackdown. I'll discuss that more when I talk about the Rated R Superstar himself.

While Shawn Michaels' tremendous mic skills is pretty much undeniable, one thing that separates him from the other great talkers is his natural behavior in the ring. I'll never forget one time when he was on Carlito's Cabana, and during a down period, he seated himself on one of the lounge chairs and started drinking from one of the pineapples. How many people would have thought to do that? The only person I can think of off the top of my head is Eddie Guerrero. Regardless, Michaels just has an innate ring presence that is unmatched by anybody else in the company.

And, of course, there's his in-ring abilities. Much like the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels has gotten better with age. Perhaps it's because he wrestles "smarter," due in large part to his age and the numerous, career threatening injuries he's sustained. His psychological battle with Randy Orton last year, where Michaels was unable to use the Superkick, shows how versatile the Heartbreak Kid can be. That being said, he's not afraid to whip out his arsenal of high flying maneuvers. However, he's smart enough to reserve those moments for special occasions.

It should also be noted that more than anybody else, Shawn Michaels has the fans eating out of the palm of his hands. How many other babyfaces -- relatively virtuous ones, at that -- can get away with faking a knee injury in order to defeat two other faces, offering no explanation other than "I'm Shawn Michaels...." and still have the fans loving him more than ever?

1. Edge

Yeah, I'm biased. But still, how could you deny that this man has been the absolute MVP of WWE? In my opinion, the Rated R Superstar rescued Smackdown from that dreadful "B-Show" label. Once he moved over to the blue show, he became the absolute center of attention. It was either about his war with Batista, or his war with The Undertaker, or his war with both. After that, it was about his romance with General Manager Vickie Guerrero. Even when the almighty Triple H was traded to the show -- with his WWE Championship -- Edge was still the star. Hell, for a short time he was arguably the top heel on ECW, too.

And lets not forget about that romance with Vickie Guerrero. When the angle was first proposed, people were disgusted with the idea of Edge -- the man who had REALLY slept with his best friend's long-time girlfriend -- making out with the beloved Eddie Guerrero's widow. Yet, they somehow both excelled to such a degree that fans couldn't help but get lost in the angle.

I'm really intrigued by the idea of Edge returning as a face. If there's one thing that's hindered him, it's the lack of variety of opponents. Since moving to Smackdown, he really hasn't feuded with anybody other than Batista and Undertaker. While the blue show is definitely face-heavy, Edge returning as a heel will definitely have that "same old, same old" feeling to it. I'm more interested in seeing him actually TEAMING with Undertaker to take down La Familia. From there, why not move on to a feud with the up and rising MVP (tension was teased between these two a few weeks ago)?

Back when Smackdown was created, it was dubbed "The Rock's Show," due to the program bearing the name of the Great One's catchphrase. Well, in 2008, people can't argue that it's Edge's Show now.

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A Case of the.... Prison Break - Episodes 4-1 & 4-2

This is nothing new. I was sitting on the edge of my seat throughout this week’s premiere episode of Prison Break. I was completely enthralled throughout the two hour episode, and I couldn’t wait to read the rave reviews for what I considered to be a stellar season opener.

But, of course, that’s not what I came across. Instead, I read comments upon comments asking “what happened to this show?” and “how many times this episode did Prison Break jump the shark (an expression that drives me crazy)?” Geez, what a downer.

http://primetimepulse.com/2008/09/03/a-case-of-the-prison-break-episodes-4-1-4-2/

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Initial 90210 thoughts

Yeah yeah, I know, I'm a 26 year old guy. Get over it.

Considering how big this series was during my childhood, I just HAD to at least give this show a chance. Overall I found it pretty inoffensive, and certainly no worse than any of the other teen dramas out there. I thought they went a little too unnecessarily heavy with the pop culture references (with gems like "You can see Britney's house!" "It's like everybody is Scarlett Johansson!" and mentioning blogs every other sentence), but I'll wait until the show gets a little more comfortable with itself before I judge that too harshly.

I did appreciate the throwbacks to the original series, like the quick appearance of Andrea Zuckerman's daughter. One thing that didn't really get touched upon, though: If Andrea's daughter goes to school at West Beverly, it's pretty safe to assume that Andrea lives in the area as well. So where was she during the whole Brenda/Kelly reunion? And will this ever be mentioned once for the entirety of this series?

Speaking of Brenda, is it me, or did she not used to have that gap in between her front teeth?

Oh, and I'm sure we're supposed to assume that Kelly's son is either Brandon or Dylan's. They sent us a little hint that it's Brandon's (with Kelly presumably on the phone with the father, and then later telling Brenda she had a phone conversation with Brandon), which probably means it's not his. Too bad, I always thought they should have ended up together.

It was great seeing Nat (and bravo to the Willie reference), but given how devoted he was to his diner, it seems somewhat hard to believe that he would he turn his classic diner into a trendy coffee shop.

If nothing else, I'm going to keep watching for one simple reason: Jessica Stroup, who plays Silver. Holy hell, how did this girl escape my radar for all of these years? She's positively stunning.

So anyway, if you liked the original series, it's probably worth checking out, if only for the nostalgic feeling. Whether it's worth watching for the next ten years remains to be seen.

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Nothing wrong with this game at all....

20

So if any of you ever find yourself in a dark alley with 20 fierce looking five year olds, rest assured, I've got your back. I think the thing that really knocked it out of the park for me was that I was willing to use one of the children as a weapon, under the right circumstances.

Anyway, find out how many five year olds YOU can beat up. Enjoy:

http://www.oneplusyou.com/bb/fight5_redirect

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