Classic Coverage looks back on the episodes of past shows from a modern perspective.
Wherein Bernard and Manny try to out-Borders Borders, and Fran goes off in search of her roots. Original air date: March 22, 2002 For all of the early-modern cellphones, standard definition image, and lack of a high-speed wirelessly connected world, … Continue reading Black Books: Series 2, Episode 4 “Blood”
I should preface this by saying that I’m not familiar with Taxi. It’s possible I caught an episode or two on Nick at Nite back in the day (though I can’t be sure), but mostly my knowledge of it is … Continue reading Taxi: Season 1, Episode 1 – “Like Father, Like Daughter”
The Carousel: Revisiting Mad Men – Season 3 General Discussion / Poll Welcome back to The Carousel, our pretentiously-named Mad Men rewatch series! It’s March, the month we’ll be discussing Season 3! Because I got some questions last time, I … Continue reading The Carousel: Revisiting Mad Men: Season 3 Discussion / Poll
Discussing Season 2, Episode 11: “The Jet Set” Hi again, gals and/or fellas! We’re onto the second-place winner, “The Jet Set”, from our Season 2 poll. A handful of people said in the Season 2 discussion that this was the … Continue reading The Carousel: Revisiting Mad Men: The Jet Set (S2E11)
Revisiting Mad Men: S2E7, “The Gold Violin”, and S2E9, “Six Month Leave” Welcome back, everybody! We had our little poll again and tied for third place were “The Gold Violin” and “Six Month Leave”. I’m quite pleased with this, as … Continue reading The Carousel: Revisiting Mad Men: S2E7 and S2E9
The Carousel: Revisiting Mad Men Hi again, lovely people! We are back Revisiting Mad Men – namely, discussing the first two of four poll-winning episodes from our Season 1 discussion. I want to thank everyone for starting so many great conversations in … Continue reading The Carousel: Revisiting Mad Men (S1E7 and S1E8 Discussion)
The Carousel: Introduction, Season 1 Discussion and Poll Girls, fellas: welcome to The Carousel (Revisiting Mad Men)! This will be a celebration of Mad Men’s seven seasons during the seven months leading up to the ten-year anniversary of its premiere on July … Continue reading The Carousel: Revisiting Mad Men (Season 1 Discussion / Poll)
The show has had a minor theme of the demoralising effect of the education system almost since the very beginning, but this is the most sophisticated presentation of it yet, and it’s accomplished because it uses two characters we’ve come … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Three, Episode Eighteen, “Separate Vocations”
In which Fran fakes it ’till she makes it, while Manny and Bernard attempt to teach a dangerous mind. Original airdate: 3/15/2002 I kind of love how hard it is tell exactly … Continue reading Black Books: Series 2, Episode 3 “The Fixer”
Way back in season one, I often complained that episode felt less like coherent stories and more like loose riffing; episodes like “Moaning Lisa” were great for unifying the riffing under a single, compelling theme, but more often than not … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Three, Episode Seventeen, “Homer At The Bat”
Wherein Fran find the walls closing in on her, Bernard tries to find a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, and Manny desperately tries to avoid his own Tempocalypse Original Air Date: 3/8/2002 Heat can do things to people. There’s nothing worse … Continue reading Black Books: Series 2, Episode 2 “Fever”
SG-1 introduces some series-plot-defining ideas. Continue reading Stargate SG-1: S01E09 “Thor’s Hammer”
Up til now, Mrs Krabappel has been a distant authority figure with hints of a personal life – she’s popped up here and there when the show has needed a woman desperately trying to get laid. This episode, much like … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Three, Episode Sixteen, “Bart The Lover”
Three Blind Mice, See How They Run Original Air Date: 3/1/2002 Series 2 opens with a deftly handled, beautifully crafted episode that has all three of our main characters in one plot. … Continue reading Black Books: Series 2, Episode 1 “The Entertainer”
For a huge sci-fi nerd I’ve had little exposure to Star Trek. I saw the first J.J. Abrams movie (it was okay) and The Wrath of Kahn (which was great), but I’ve never really been into the whole thing. A … Continue reading Star Trek: The Next Generation: S01E01 “Encounter at Far Point Parts I & II”
It’s common – and I’m fully guilty of this – to forget Marge Simpson. Marge is mainly remembered as the boring nagging square, which a) ignores how funny the show could make her squarishness (“It must be exciting to make … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Three, Episode Fifteen, “Homer Alone”
Wherein everyone is talking at Manny, and Fran and Bernard confront a harsh reality. Being alone and cynical has its merits. You can concentrate on yourself, do the hobbies you like to do, the world’s your oyster, why, you … Continue reading Black Books: Series 1, Episode 6 “He’s Leaving Home”
Season 5 Directed by Hugh David Written by Victor Pemberton After a nice run of a combined three missing episodes over the past three serials, we move back further into the realm of the missing. “Fury from the Deep” is … Continue reading Doctor Who (Classic): S05E06 “Fury from the Deep”
“Money comes and money goes, but what I have with my daughter could go on for eight more years!” It’s always so frustrating when you write pages and pages of analysis on a TV show and then it goes and … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Three, Episode Fourteen, “Lisa The Greek”
In which Bernard stays out all night long, Manny learns essential survival skills, and Fran has a pleasant evening listening to the radio. Original Air Date: 10/27/2000 One of the key aspects in Bernard’s characterization is his intolerance for the … Continue reading Black Books: Series 1, Episode 5 “The Big Lock-Out”
At some point, I suggested that Simpsons episodes can be divided into three groups: pure comedy, heartwarming, and satire. This episode falls under satire, bringing in a mockery of sensationalist news. Not only is this perhaps the most major satirical … Continue reading The Simpsons, Season Three, Episode Thirteen, “Radio Bart”
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