Catching Up:
Nikita dominated weeks 12 and 13 with its trademark explosive action and mindblowing twists. Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD nosed into a close second, coming in superhero strong with a mid-winter finale that left our beloved Coulson in the hands of the Centipede baddies. The two-hour Grimm was somewhat disappointing, not because they weren’t two very good episodes, but because they were two SEPARATE, very good episodes. Based on the advertising, I was expecting a single, movie-length ep of Grimm, and couldn’t help but feel short-changed by what we got. Next time, NBC, just call it what it is – two hours of Grimm, back-to-back.
Skipping ahead over the few weeks where Nikita ran a one-woman race against herself, that brings us right up to January, aka the month that has me singing, “Hey-La, Hey-Da, My Shows Are Back!”
Week 14:
Thursday
Elementary (10/9c, CBS)Â – Moriarty has a daughter. IIIIIIIInteresting. Moriarty also has a side-of-a-building-sized portrait of Joan. Can we say creepy? Great episode with some unexpected revelations. Joan found out about the letters from Moriarty, which the audience has known of for some time. What we DIDN’T know – and only just found out in this ep – is that Sherlock has been writing back. Moriarty chose not to kill her guard because Sherlock would not have wanted her to. I kind of love this totally screwed-up relationship. One-tenth of a point deducted for a really stupid guard who, even as Moriarty was telling him what she did, even as he SAW the drops of blood, still let her get the jump on him. SCORE: 7.9/10
Friday
Grimm (9/8c, NBC) – If there was one on this date, I think I missed it, or at least most of it. Which stinks, because I am digging it this season – I love that Juliette has her memory back, that she and Nick are together again, and that she knows about Wesen. Also grooving on the adorable Rosalie/Monroe ship – I practically OD on cuteness every time they’re on the screen – and that Hank is still front and center alongside Nick in most episodes. I do NOT want him written off to the side – the bromance with Nick is just too wonderful. SCORE: Withheld
Sunday
The Mentalist (10/9c, CBS) – Jane went on a date – or two. Were the girls jealous? Kim, yes – at least a little. Lisbon? Not really, but she’s been around him long enough to know he was up to something. My mom was worried Jane didn’t know the drug dealer boss lady was evil. I thought he probably did, since he usually knows, well, pretty much everything. Even so, Mom had me doubting it a little. She got me wondering whether Jane was in a vulnerable position and if he was actually going to get hurt by the revelation that this chick was a cold-blooded murderer. Turns out, he DID almost get hurt, but only because of his own stupid, rescue-at-the-last minute plan. Cutting it a little close there, Jane. 🙂 Bonus points for a soaking wet Jane and the return of a worn-out, brown leather couch. 🙂 SCORE: 7.5/10
And the winner is…Elementary! The long-awaited return of Moriarty – and the compelling actress who plays her – made this ep a must-see.
Week 15:
Monday
Castle (10/9c, ABC) – Way to jerk my tears, Castle. The emotional story of Sarah Grace’s birth brought a lump to my throat. I couldn’t help but be moved by the phone conversation between Jenny and Kevin, the undeniably bromantic moments between Kevin and Javier, and the general anxiety of knowing that two of our favorite detectives were trapped in the basement of a deadly blaze. The pyromaniac story has been done before, but Ryan and Espo in peril as Jenny prepares to become a single mother? That was the story that made this ep. SCORE: 8.5/10
Tuesday
Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (8/7c, ABC) – Thank you, SHIELD! Thank you so effing much for rescuing Coulson! I loved the Good Cop, Bad Cop way the two different captors dealt with Coulson. Obviously, Good Cop was the way to go, playing on Coulson’s need to know the truth, rather than trying to force him to cough up information he believed might be a valuable SHIELD secret. Love how Agent May “arranged” to have Skye thrown off the plane, so Skye could do what Skye does best – work off the grid. I never doubted May had her reasons for the apparent betrayal. 🙂 The most important thing is, the team worked together to get their beloved leader back in one piece. It was hard to watch Coulson flashing back over what SHIELD did to him – the robot arms working on his brain while he was wide awake were especially disturbing. And unfortunately, I think we’ve only scratched the surface in terms of learning what exact measures SHIELD took to resurrect him. Here’s hoping we get a nice Coulson/Fury showdown in the near future, so Coulson can ask what we all want to know: “What the —- were you thinking?!” SCORE: 8/10
Chicago Fire (10/9c, NBC) – Matt’s conscious and back on the job? Say what? I spent most of this ep expecting a revelation that Matt was in a coma, dreaming everything that was happening. I didn’t trust what was on my screen. It seemed like a huge jump from where the show left off. Then too much happened, some of it outside of Matt’s perspective, and I realized it couldn’t be a dream. It really was just a big leap. Matt is indeed awake, but suffering fallout from his injuries. I enjoyed the episode, and loved seeing all my favorite CFD guys and gals again after the hiatus, but the contrast between where we started this ep and where we left the characters before the break was a little too jarring for my tastes. SCORE: 7/10
Wednesday
Chicago PD (10/9c, NBC) – Luckily, I made it home from work in time to catch the debut episode of this spin-off. Thanks to their skillful introduction on Chicago Fire, I already felt comfortably at home with these characters and their stories. It doesn’t hurt that some of them have been part of the CF tapestry since early in season one, long before a spin-off was planned, which makes it feel more natural – not like they were deliberately crammed in so we would get to know them before they were transplanted to their own show. This pilot featured good characters, and good stories, that got their own show because they deserved it. I enjoyed the first ep, and will definitely be tuning in for more. SCORE: 7.5/10
Thursday
Elementary (10/9c, CBS) – Finally, a much-needed confrontation between Bell and Holmes! I’m so glad these two guys got the yelling and the other pent-up emotions out of their systems and cleared the air at long last. Bell might not be able to forgive Holmes yet, but at least it’s a start. The dirty cop storyline was a cool way for Bell to show what he is and always has been, hand tremor or not – a detective. Welcome back! SCORE: 7.5/10
Friday
Grimm (9/8c, NBC) – Wesen gangs, a love interest for Hank, and a first “coming out” between friends? I dig it! I dig it so much! Plus, it was kinda awesome to see Juliette kick some Wesen butt. “I’m not impressed.” You tell him, woman! This was the first ep, to my knowledge, that addressed the idea of Wesen/Non-Wesen friendship and Wesen/Non-Wesen romance. I wonder if it is taboo in the Wesen culture to date an average human? Seems like Hank’s physical therapist had a problem with it. I do hope she’ll come around, though – he totally deserves some romance in his life. And who’d be a better match for a tough-as-steel cop than a Jaguarette (sp??) who doesn’t mind biting into bad guys’ throats? SCORE: 7.5/10
Sunday
The Mentalist (10/9c, CBS) – Rigspelt came back! I was thrilled to see them, especially since I had no idea if we were ever going to again. That’s one of the great things about being spoiler-free: SURPRISES! The spy games definitely held my interest, even though the villian wasn’t too hard to pick out. It was nice that the man who died turned out to be a more serious, brave and loyal person than his family ever knew – I just wish they could have known it when he was still breathing. Great little Jane/Cho moment, although I disagree that Jane’s acting crazier than usual. Personally, I think he’s at a pretty standard level of insane. The “date” stuff with Lisbon and Ardilles was fun – they are doing more with the Lisbon/Jane jealousy, sexual tension these days, and it feels right. New beginnings are definitely a good place for new romance. I feel bad that Ardilles got killed in the end, but I did totally see it coming. My real fear was for Rigsby. Having no idea what his role will be on the show going foward, I was totally terrified he was about to get axed. Pathetically glad it didn’t happen. Can’t wait to see where this new mytharc is going. Bonus points for bringing back the creepiness in a big way, and for the little moment when Rigsby, even after two-plus years of being in digital security, still reaches for his gun in a moment of shock and panic. SCORE: 7.8/10
And the winner is…Castle, for giving my heart-strings a good, old-fashioned tug. 🙂