Spoilers
Sat., May 20, 12:18 PM
A couple of weeks ago, my television stopped working. Just stopped. I knew it wasn’t the set itself, as it is a fine set that Son gave me. But Husband fools around with the cables whenever he thinks he can fix something. I was perturbed, to say the least. For the first time in years, I’ve been following several network dramas (less reading → more television). The hype for the season finales was just getting started. It was absolutely not fair that I wouldn’t be able to watch.
When Son visited, he fixed it. Yeah, it was Husband again. His understanding of electronics is about twenty-five years out of date. I have to concede, however, that there is a cable problem. Y’see, this is the original physical cable that was installed in the early eighties, when service first came to our neighborhood. Part of the wire is outside the house, in the weather. So it is worn in places, and that can occasionally affect the reception. I wonder whether I can get the cable company to replace it. Ya think?
Son explained to Husband that fooling around with the back of the set will not help. I threatened Husband with painful death if he touches my television with his makeshift connections ever again.
Now that I have my service back, I have watched some of the absolute worst finales in a long time. I should warn you that, if you’ve recorded any of these to watch for the first time, stop reading here. I’m disappointed enough to publish spoilers. What happened to good writing?
My favorite, “CSI,” was bad enough last year, but this year’s is just…ugh. Not the investigation itself, but the ending scene. I don’t expect to see Grissom just sitting back and relaxing, but it could happen. However, no way should the woman re-entering the room be Sara. He’s gonna be leaving this venue soon, I think. I’ll miss him.
You like “NCIS”? I was surprised to find this one growing on me. In the first part of the finale, Gibbs was injured, badly enough that he might not have survived. In part two, he survives, only to retire. Damn!
For weeks before the finales began, the ads for “CSI: Miami” promised Horatio Caine’s wedding. Yes, he got married, and they killed off his wife in the next episode. Monday promises Horatio will get revenge. So what? The story line is shot.
One of the best – because it’s somewhat different from the others – has been “NUMB3RS.” The promos showed someone getting shot and Charlie yelling for an ambulance. Oh, no, was that his father? It didn’t matter; Charlie was dreaming. That’s a cheap trick. The dreams made an interesting subplot, but the ad was sleazy.
“Without a Trace” advertised a finale so shocking “we can’t show it to you in this commercial.” Bull! It wasn’t that shocking. I think it was just that no one was able to decide which scene to use. Back in the day, I was taught that if you can’t write a good headline, there’s something wrong with your story.
What’s left? “CSI: New York” didn’t leave me with bad feelings; I liked the penultimate episode where Aiden was killed, but her murderer was finally brought to justice. I think Gary Sinise produced those last episodes, and maybe his talents are a cut above some of the others. “Bones” had an interesting cliff hanger that reminded me of “The Pretender.” I hope they can remember it over the hiatus.
There are two more to see: “Cold Case” and “House.” I’m not optimistic about either one. What ever happened to writers with some self-respect?
