Six Degrees of Star Trek

Recently, a big number Star Trek big names have come across the TV screen. As the current television seasons is about to end, I want to mention the few I have noticed.

William Shatner will appear on the Rookie Blue season three premiere.
Scott Bakula appeared on Desperate Housewives.
Nana Visitor appeared as a queen bee of her own 'hive' on Grimm.
George Takei competed on The Celebrity Apprentice.
Michael Dorn occasionally appeared as Beckett's therapist on Castle.
Roxann Dawson directed episodes of Scandal. Last year, she directed an episode of The Cape - The Lich, Part 2.
John Delancie appeared on The Secret Circle.
John Billingsley appeared on Harry's Law.
Robert Picardo appeared on Harry's Law and Body of Proof.
Wil Wheaton occasionally appeared on Eureka and The Big Bang Theory.
Kate Mulgrew appeared on Warehouse 13.

Some notable guest Trek actors: From Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Monte Markham (a.k.a. the Seven Million Dollar Man) was on Fringe. From Star Trek: Voyager, Kashyk Mark Harelick was on Awake.

Speaking of Desperate Housewives. The series finale has come and gone. Two of its stars Brenda Strong and Teri Hatcher appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Vanessa Williams appeared on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. (1) Teri Hatcher appeared in the season two episode The Outrageous Okona. That episode also featured (2) Rosalind Allen who was a regular on SeaQuest DSV, which starred (3) Don Franklin, who was on Young Riders with (4) Anthony Zerbe, Admiral Dougherty of  Star Trek: Insurrection.

(1) John Aylward, who was on Fringe, played psychiatrist in the ninth season of The X-Files in an episode along with (2) Michael Emerson, who was in Lost created by (3) JJ Abrams, who directed Star Trek, 2009. Yes, they were in the Brady Bunch themed episode together.

Scene from The X-Files - Sunshine Days

Last Week in TV: My Top 3 Caps

In the new year, I am continually impressed by the quality of my favourite shows. These are little moments that stand out in an episode. I am just a little miffed that Global TV doesn't seem to have the stream for Harry's Law for last week's new episode. I am sure that will come when the series return in March.

Harry's Law - Episode 2.11 - Gorilla My Dreams

In the absence of an image, I would like to point out that the gorilla in this episode was played by an actor named Tommy Woodruff, Jr. When I comment on the episode, I kept wanting to refer to the gorilla as a real ape, but the acting of obviously done by man. I was pleasantly surprised by the fact the actor in he suit had played gorilla's before. I loved how emotional his portrayal was. Much of it was conveyed in sign language and facial expressions. And the episode closing on the gorilla's face had quite the impact.

Six Degrees of Star Trek

In 2011, I still cannot get enough Star Trek. I started to listen to the Treknologic podcast. I also started watching two new shows.
Harry's Law - Now in its second season, co-stars Christopher McDonald, who was in the The Next Generation episode Yesterday's Enterprise.
Body of Proof - Co-stars Jeri Ryan, Seven of Nine from Voyager.

Fringe 2011 Guest Performers
Aside from the most obvious Leonard Nimoy, we have more associations with the Star Trek series. Most of the names I mention are directly connected to Star Trek.

Last Week in TV: My Top 3 Caps

Best Halloween costume?

Finally, we scared up parity in Canadian and U.S. TV ratings. Except for the most view sports, World Series baseball and NFL football in the States and Hockey Night in Canada over here, the week of October 24 to 30, NCIS, Dancing with the Stars, and NCIS: Los Angeles were among the top ten for both countries in the same order. How often do we get that? The ranking was even one off from each other.


Here are my caps. All this week, the episode I wanted to rewatch most for screencaps was Harry's Law's The Rematch. I already expect to see further insight into Jean Smart's character. I didn't expect to be bowled over by the guest cast. Katherine Helmond and Fyvush Finkel as the elderly couple whose marriage was ending brought out the best of Tommy and Cassie, and even more bad mouth from Ollie. If Paul McCrane's performance on the show, earned him an Emmy, I dare say it could at least get a nomination for them.

Is it so wrong for me to want to know a little of that life before I go? 

Gloria telling Tommy why she preferred a divorce. "For 60 years, I've had to hear those jokes in the privacy of my home, at dinner parties, always at my expense. Now it's all I listen to. How many times do I have to listen to my genitalia being referred to as a black lagoon? I cannot take it anymore. Not for month. Not for a week. Not for a day. I want that man gone."

What am I gonna do?

The jokes are all Abe remembers.

"Well you tell her I get the house. She can keep all the mirrors so she can see what I had to look at all these 

"We were happy for so long... and then we met. When I make love to her, I like to think of something nice, like not making love to her. Oh, I have a recurring nightmare about my wife's funeral, like it would never happen. Ha ha hahaha..."

...we the jury find the defendant Joshua Peyton not guilty.

Harry's Law - Episode 2.06 - The Rematch - Recap

Defendant not guilty

When former prosecutor Josh 'Puck' Peyton is charged with aiding and abetting a child abductor,  it's up to Harry and Adam to defend him and it pits Harry against District Attorney Roseanna Remmick in open court once again. Or as Roseanna put it, "Tree versus troll, a rematch." Meanwhile, Tommy and Cassie counsels an elderly couple in a divorce case.

For a change, Rosie was playing by the book and
was unrelenting in making an example of Puck for turning his back on their life calling: law and order. Because it was personal, her defeat at the end was a blow. We saw a vulnerable person behind the condescending bully. The audience saw it, then Puck and Harry. It was effectively portrayed with no dialogue.

What else do we learn
I like what the divorce case did for Tommy. He really is sentimental, and it showed in how he cared about Abe's plight.
Cassie was also affected by her interactions with Abe. As Harry tells her, having clients can sometimes be rewarding.
Ollie has an opinion on everything, making him quite the devil's advocate.

Worth mentioning
Cassie (Karen Olivo) singing "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" to help reach Abe.
Guest stars Katherine Helmond (Soap, Who's the Boss) and Fyvush Finkel (Picket Fences, Boston Public) delivered some of the most memorable performances. Most impressive was his Abe lapsing from lucidity, jokes, and dementia, sometimes all in one take.

Last Week in TV: My Top 3 Caps

Back in the days, I bought a TV with my very first paycheque. OK. It was a Pocketvision. You carry it around like a transistor radio. Before the death of analog, it used to mean I could always catch stuff on it, whenever cable went out, like during the blackout of 2003 or we were down to one TV. Aside from being a cool gadget, it had great sound and picture quality for 3 inches of screen. Today, it may be obsolete, but I still catch American shows on Canadian networks. Less conflicts that way. With the economy the way it is, I find it hard to give up full cable. But times were so much easier when there were less channels. There are so many shows now, I couldn't tell you what came and went anymore.

In the past decade, I came across some interesting short-lived series. Let's see if anyone can remember these without looking them up?

1. In the near future, a law firm handles difficult cases that reflect the time.
2. Three New York couples find their lives becoming intertwined with one another, while living in the same apartment building.
3. A cursed revolver brings violence to a variety of owners in the American west.

Charlie's Angels - Episode 1.05 - Angels in Paradise

Coolest stunt scene ever. The old series featured the Ford Mustangs, so there were a lot more car chases. Firing a weapon from a horseback has to be pretty awesome.

And then something you never expect to hear in the other incarnations... 

"Charles Townsend has an agenda."

We are never going to know what that means.

Last Week in TV: My Top 3 Caps

I once listened to the movie Jerry Maguire. I was painting a plaster sculpture at the time and couldn't really lift my head up until I was done. I do that a lot these days when watching TV. Mostly because my eyes tire often. It gives the program I am 'viewing' a new perspective, the second time around. It's no surprise that what I watch sometimes appeal to all five senses. So I say if you don't like it the first time, try watching it with eyes closed or audio off, as I do a second time. You might be surprised to find something you missed before. Today I was referring to the last aired episode of Charlie's Angels and all four episodes of Free Agents.

With even more shows getting canceled, which some say are too early, it's even more important for us to embrace the shows we love along with all its good and bad qualities. Ignore negative opinions and make a stand for your favourites no matter what. Television has become a popularity contest, Whoever is making the decision, as to which stay, should know what we see. I am just one person. I can't promise what I find worth mentioning is right for you, but at least I am trying.


Harry's Law - Episode 2.04 - Queen of Snark

"This is not good bye."

Jenna's emotional goodbye to the law firm was not easy for her friends. It doesn't make it any easier that we know it was coming.
Jenna to Tommy: I was the first... to say that you're are sweet and sentimental.
Jenna to Adam: And maybe most of all you Scarecrow.
Harry to Jenna: You should have a memento of what you built.

Last Week in TV: My Top 3 Caps

Last week, I started to devote more focus to what I was watching. Writing about it takes away from the experience. What's stands out to me could be a single scene, a line of dialogue, or a memorable performance.

Free Agents - 1.04 - Rebranding

Helen: "We used to talk." Alex: "You don't want to talk about the things I want to talk about."
I can't stress enough that I could watch these guys forever.

Harry's Law - Episode 2.03 - Sins of the Father - Recap

Harry's Law - Episode 2.03 - Sins of the Father - Recap:

Harry's Law - Last Dance - Season Finale - Recap

Although, I do not regularly recap this show, I have watched every episode. The first season of Harry's Law ended quite literally on a high note. Lots of stuff happened in this episode that made me want to keep on watching. I am not the only one.

District Attorney Josh Peyton (Paul McCrane) had a mental break, after losing case after case to Harry and company. On top of that, he had been arrested for trespassing and assault, if only emotionally. Harry takes up the task of defending him. At his hearing, once again he goes naked in court at the chagrin of the judge, spewing his disillusionment at the legal process. It looks like the end of his career as a DA. Harry suggested he start over like she did. What did he want to do most? He expressed a desire for singing. He just wants people to like him.

Jenna confronts Malcolm for being too embarassed to show public displays of affection. Did he not love her? He assures her that he does, saying he loves everything about her including her nuttiness. Knowing how Harry feels about personal relationships in the work place, Malcolm kisses Jenna in front of her to prove his case.

Adam and Rachel try to appeal a death penalty case, arguing in court that their client had not been given a fair defense at trial. Adam's passion argument impressed everyone including Rachel, but they would eventually lose. The worst part for Adam was learning that Rachel was engaged to be married. He was still too much in love with her to settle for being just friends. Once again Harry walks in on a romantic kiss. Does that mean they are a couple now? Adam doesn't know yet.

  

To cheer Adam up, Harry dishes out some advice about of the job and then tells him how proud she is of him, but still think he is a pain in the ass.
The episode closes with the night's gossip.
Harry's new friend Peyton got to sing to his peers at a lawyer's gala.
Harry loses date Tommy Jefferson to another woman.
Jenna and Malcolm are out on a date.