Classic Coverage looks back on the episodes of past shows from a modern perspective.
One thing that amuses me is watching older works and seeing proto-examples of ideas that have taken over the public consciousness. I watched Seinfeld for the first time this year, and was deeply amused by how much George Constanza’s actions … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Nine, Episode Seventeen, “Dumbbell Indemnity”
The Aftermath One of the most common critiques lodged against the first season of Korra is that of its breathless pacing. In Bryke’s ambition to construct a tightly wound mini-series they didn’t allow enough time to stop and consider what was happening … Continue reading Re-Avatar State: “The Aftermath” & “When Extremes Meet”
oooooOOOOOOOooooo, mes amis, but it is the time for spirits and all manner of things which go bump in the night, is it not? (Well, it’s not, but it’s a Halloween episode this week, so let’s all just pretend for … Continue reading Poirot (Classic): S12E02 “Hallowe’en Party”
“Investigative Journalism” originally aired on NBC Thursday night January 14, 2010 It’s official — Netflix is where shows go to be reborn. 2020 has seen a slew of existing shows premiering on Netflix and surging in popularity, from Community to … Continue reading A Community Notification For This: S1E13, “Investigative Journalism”
“A Piece of the Action” (Star Trek: The Original Series – Season 2, Episode 17) One of the most interestingly specific themes of Star Trek is that of cultural contamination of the less advanced civilizations the crews encounter. Established early … Continue reading You Talking Trek to Me? – “A Piece of the Action”
In 2005, Showtime began airing Masters of Horror. This weekly anthology series featured original one hour horror films from famous and emerging horror directors. Mick Garris was the executive producer on the series, and he used his decades of experience … Continue reading Masters of Horror: S2E08 “Valerie on the Stairs”
The Spirit of Competition Ah yes, here we are, the episode that, to some, breaks The Legend of Korra. After an exciting opening act, introducing the viewer to a changed world with new characters and ideas, the show takes a … Continue reading Re-Avatar State: “The Spirit of Competition” & “And the Winner is…”
You’ve learned that you’re not alone in the universe, that space travel is possible, that a zillion of your empirical facts about science, religion are wrong… or completely suspect. I do understand. I’m not exactly what you expected, am I? The pilot of Farscape … Continue reading The Wonders I’ve Seen: 1×02, “I, E.T.”
I talk all the time about how The Simpsons has travelled so far and lasted so long in the public consciousness because it shoots for universal emotions and themes, and this is a rare counterexample – though not an unprecedented … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Nine, Episode Sixteen, “The Last Temptation Of Krust”
The Revelation If the first two episodes of The Legend of Korra were all about situating the viewer in a transformed version of The Four Nations, than this duo is about properly setting off the main narrative machine of the season. Now … Continue reading Re-Avatar State: “The Revelation” & “The Voice in the Night”
“Could you please tell him Chief Inspector George Gently would really like to talk to him?” Viewers of Poirot on Blu-Ray will instantly recognize that line, delivered by Martin Shaw in a clip excerpted from the George Gently series that … Continue reading Poirot (Classic): S12E01 “Three Act Tragedy”
“Second Skin” (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Season 3, Episode 5) One of the lesser-known but still prevalent story themes in Trek is one in which the main character’s entire worldview (and often times, sanity) is thrown into doubt. … Continue reading You Talking Trek to Me? – “Second Skin”
In 2005, Showtime began airing Masters of Horror. This anthology series featured original, one hour horror films from established and emerging horror directors from around the world. While the show originally claimed no restrictions on content, an unexpected act of … Continue reading Masters of Horror: S2E07 “The Screwfly Solution”
Welcome to Republic City What is the Legend of Korra? It’s a question that has confounded fans ever since the sequel series to Avatar started in 2012. A piece of the puzzle that has mostly driven the divided response to the newer show, … Continue reading Re-Avatar State: “Welcome to Republic City” & “A Leaf in the Wind”
One of the most consistent undercurrents to The Simpsons is how well it captures the strange, limited worldview of children and how well it exaggerates that attitude into absurdity. Living on a deserted island is a common children’s fantasy, because … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Nine, Episode Fifteen, “Das Bus”
“Year of Hell, Part 1″ (Star Trek: Voyager – Season 4, Episode 8) The core premise of Voyager – a Starfleet ship trying to make its way home from the other side of the galaxy – is perhaps the most … Continue reading You Talking Trek to Me? – “Year of Hell”
Masters of Horror is an anthology horror series from 2005. Showtime invited famous and emerging horror directors from around the world to create original one hour horror films with seemingly no restrictions. A few directors chose to come back for … Continue reading Masters of Horror: S2E06 “Pelts”
“There’s life out here, Dad. Weird, amazing, psychotic life. And death. In Technicolor.” For a show that will eventually get so expansive and strange, Farscape has a slim pilot. The episode quickly establishes John Crichton’s life on Earth and scientific … Continue reading The Wonders I’ve Seen: 1×01, “Premiere”
I feel like that, as the show is starting to run out of steam, so are my essays – they keep getting shorter, for one thing – so it’s a massive relief to watch a genuinely great episode that goes … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Nine, Episode Fourteen, “The Joy Of Sect”
Pour one out, mes amis, for this is the last time in the series we get to see Our Belgian in his desert whites with his spyglass cane! Longtime readers will know I have a soft spot for “Hercule on … Continue reading Poirot (Classic): S11E04 “Appointment With Death”
“Living Witness” (Star Trek: Voyager – Season 4, Episode 23) If I were to do a word-association exercise with all the Trek series, my immediate, gut reaction to “Voyager” would be “wasted potential.” Despite its intriguing premise and interesting building … Continue reading You Talking Trek to Me? – “Living Witness”
