TV Season Wrapup 2011/2012

Well, another TV season is over. The finales aired. The cliffhangers have hung. And I'm left looking back at the season. with a befuddled feeling. Sure there were a few shows that were fun but not that many. In fact, I gave up on some shows...ME the TV addict! So here's my recap of the season for those interested. Um, let's be honest this might take awhile. You're welcome to skim or just read about the shows you watch too.

Old Favorites


House MD It was not only the season finale but the series finale. There was the scare there in the middle of the season about Dr. Chase leaving and that had me a little worked up but all in all I'm not sure what I thought of that ending. There were things that made me smile but I'm not sure House really grew as a person. Maybe that wasn't the point, though. In the end I was satisfied.

America's Next Top Model
For those of you who don't know, there's two cycles (as they call them) during a season. In the fall we had the All Stars Cycle and I wasn't overly thrilled with Lisa winning. It could have been worse but, yeah. The next cycle was the British Invasion and I couldn't be happier with who one! I won't say in case you watch it and haven't see the finale but I'm glad they chose the better girl!

The Vampire Diaries 
This season was OK. The whole "who will she choose" had me excited but...I don't know, it just wasn't THAT amazing. Still, I have a blast texting with Suey and my friend who watches it. My sister caught up and watched this season too and that was fun. As for the finale? We were all so confused. Definitely need to watch it again.

The Mentalist
Yeah, I watch this one for the back story of Red John, not the crime solving per se, though that is fun too, but I'm getting a little tired of the Red John thing. They need to kill him off already. They can't keep dragging it out! And what was with that finale?

Supernatural
I do love Dean and Sam! I'll stick with those boys through good and bad seasons. This one wasn't too bad. Not the best season ever but not the worst either. And it had the funniest Supernatural moment ever! I haven't laughed that hard for some time. It still makes me giggle. The finale was fun and had quite the cliffhanger...as usual.

New Shows

Hart Of Dixie 
I feel like I shouldn't even say anything about this one because I didn't watch the whole season. I saw enough though. And I'm so mad at the finale...actually I'm not positive it was the finale. I'm just mad that she even liked the butt ugly George! There's no freaking chemistry! Not like there is with Wade! Oh, Wade, forget Zoe, you can have me!

New Girl
This one is just fun! If you're not watching you should. I'm not sure what I think about them dragging out the romance between Jess and Nick but it's still a funny show.

Revenge
Now this show rocked! I was on the edge of my seat all season! The second to last episode of the season had more of a cliffhanger than the actual finale but still. Can't wait for next season! I do wonder where they can go from here. How much can they really drag it out??? We shall see.

Grimm
Took a tinsy bit too long to really hook me but I'm glad I stuck with it. I love the relationship between Nick and Monroe and I have suspicions about Juliette. I'm interested to see where this one goes too.

The Gave Up On


Once Upon A Time
I know! People loved this one but after just one episode I lost interest. And, no, I won't be giving it another try. I just don't care enough.

Ringer
Not sure why I gave up on this one. It had mystery and intrigue but the soap opera feeling just didn't do anything for me.

Harry's Law
:( I wanted to watch this one but it got bumped in lieu of other shows. I might try to catch up on it but I don't know.

Law and Order SVU
No one freaking told me Stabler was leaving the show! I tried to stick with it but I was just too much of a Stabler fan and his absence ruined it for me. I gave up.

The Secret Circle
Besides the fact that the MC drove me bonkers this one was just a bit hokey for me. I might try to finish the season but I don't know. Anyone out there think I should?

Favorite Show This Season!!!! 

Being Human BBC version
Holy crap! I'm so in love with this show especially this season! I loved Hal and Tom so much I can't wait till there back! And word is, they will be! Huzzah! Can't wait!

The "Fourth" Wheel

It seems most of us aren't uber fond of the love triangle in books these days. It's probably because it's so freaking overused, but, still, we find ourselves taking sides, anyway. Joining a "team", rooting for our favorite guy, hoping against hope that we and the MC will see eye to eye.

I do this mostly too. I'm team Jacob, team Astley, team Jeremiah, but quite often I find myself choosing a guy that isn't even part of the freaking love triangle! Leave it to me to be that obstinate. For example:

 Sure, I liked Gale better than Peeta but to be honest I was sorta hoping Katniss would drop both guys and end up with Finnick. Am I right? Alright then!

It's not as if Logan really has a shot yet he's part of the love triangle in this series. Personally, as hot as Zachery and his Scottish accent is, I'd prefer Aura just choose Logan's younger brother Dylan.

Yep, I know I'm being brave here but my favorite Austen male character ever is Colonel Fitzwilliam! So yeah, I think Elizabeth should have told Wickham where to stick it and Darcy where to go and choose the higher, much higher road.

Tell me I'm not alone here! Are there characters that aren't love interests that should be in your opinion? Do you agree with me on any of my choices?

Review: Stolen

Title Stolen a letter to my captor
By Lucy Christopher
Genre YA Contemporary
Pages 301
Recommended by Me

First sentence You saw me before I saw you.

Synopsis
Written in letter form, Gemma writes to Ty,the man that kidnapped her from an airport in Bangkok, whisked her away to an Australian desert, and held her captive for over a month.


What it has going for it
I needed something more engaging than the current books I was reading to entertain me on my flight. I hate flying, I get a bit claustrophobic, so I needed something engaging and Stolen fit the bill. I've always had an obsession with stockholm syndrome, probably because it messes with the reader, or watcher's head and I kinda like that, and while this book didn't exactly claim to be about stockholm syndrom, it was a letter from a girl to her captor. Interesting right? It was, very interesting and very engrossing. It did a stupendous job distracting me during my flight. I was entranced from the first page. Gemma was believable and sympathetic, thank goodness, because if she hadn't been I might have found her gullibility at the beginning of the book infuriating. Her strength and determination throughout the book was also admirable. Ty, oh, Ty, if Gemma didn't suffer from stockholm syndrome, I certainly did! I felt for him, I really did! The author did an amazing job of creating a bad guy with a story worth pitying.

What's lacking
The style, sort of a second person, confused me sometimes. I don't know why, I don't consider myself that dense but, yeah. This is a heartbreaking, depression inducing story. There is very little hope and no joy to be found within these pages. The ending frustrated me too, there wasn't enough closure and I wasn't happy with Gemma's decision. I'm afraid the ending sorta ruined it for me.

Favorite moment
When Gemma finds out about Ty's role in her life before being kidnapped. Specifically the almost rape.

Yea or Nay?
Yes, it's a very fast, engaging read, but don't expect a joyous ending.

Sunday Salon

Welcome to the new Sunday Salon. A weekly update post about my boring life. ;)

Weather Small Talk: As I'm writing this it's Saturday evening. We had a huge rain storm earlier today and now it's freakishly windy. I'm hoping by the time this is posted, the rain will have stopped and the temperature is warmer. 

Music Discoveries: I can't get enough of Primadonna by Marina and the Diamonds. The lyrics don't fit my personality at all but they still make me giggle.  

On The Idiot Box: I've seen all but two of my shows finales and I'll be doing a post on my thoughts on the cliffhanger endings (or lack of) soon. It's so sad when they all end for the summer. :(

Weekly Reads: I finished Happyface by Stephen Emond but am still working on Spartacus by Ben Kane. I did read Stolen by Lucy Christopher on my plane ride to and from California and will have my review up soon.  

Crazy Kitty: My kitty totally survived me being away! She always gets so lonely and clings like crazy when I get home from anywhere. This time she didn't even act concerned at all. What a relief! 

This Week: You may have noticed it's been awfully quiet around here this week. It's been kinda crazy...for me anyway.... I didn't get home from my trip till Tuesday night. On Thursday I spent the day painting my moms house and on Friday my mother came back home for the summer and my nephew got back from his mission for our church. Anywho, it's just felt crazy! 

Movie of the Week: I finally forked over the money to see The Vow even though I suspected I wouldn't like it. The story was fine but the acting did little to involve my emotions. I just didn't care about the characters. :( I also watched New Years Eve. That one wasn't amazing or anything but it was cute.  

Food Talk: Oh my gosh! I ate so much crap in California I was sure I'd gain weight. Surprisingly, I didn't . Phew! My friend made these totally delicious lemon cookies while I was visiting and we ate about a hundred of them! I couldn't stop thinking about them so I got the recipe from her and shall be making more. Once again, if you want the recipe, say so in the comments and I'll share the joy.   

Soccer Sightings: No soccer to report but the EURO Cup is coming up and I'm sure you'll hear far too much about it then. Let me just apologize in advance. ;)Oh, and PS, Chelsea beat bayern Munich in the champions league final! Yay! Wouldnt want Schweinsteiger getting even more arrogant.

Plans For The Week: Not too much, thank goodness. I do plan on beginning to learn my moms method of tutoring reading so I can try my hand at that...or at least have the knowledge. Someone ought to know what she knows. ;) 

Review: Star Crossed

Title Star Crossed (Thief Errant 1)
By Elizabeth C. Bunce
Genre YA Fantasy
Pages 359
Recommended by Melissa

First sentence I couldn't think.

Synopsis
Digger is a thief and a spy, it's how she survives in a kingdom in turmoil. While on the run from the Greenmen, guards with a vicious streak, she hides among some nobles and playing a ladies maid for a girl on the brink of womanhood. Hoping to just stay out of trouble and stay hidden is all Digger cares about but trying to keep out of political intrigue is harder than she thought it would be.


What it has going for it
The first part of this book throws you straight into this whole new world and it's a bit confusing but as soon as you get into it, and believe me, you will, it becomes amazing! The twisting plot just keeps getting more and more twisted with more and more intrigue that blew my mind. I really liked Digger. She was spunky and determined to stay alive and under the radar, but as she becomes more involved and concerned with the people around her, she grows as a person and uses her skills to help everyone, not just herself. Watching her juggle everything that she had to was a blast. She had me holding my breath, laughing out loud, and growling in frustration. I'm much more of a plot girl and this one did not disappoint in that department but it also had an awesome MC. I couldn't ask for anything more.

What's lacking
The only two things that bothered me were there was no map ( I hate that!)  and things could often get a little repetitive. We don't need to hear Digger explain how much she hates being so involved in everything over and over again! Two things that didn't bother me but might bother others is there was no romance and it might be a little too political for some people.

Favorite moment
I can't tell without giving something away but I loved any moments between Digger and a certain other character. ;)

Yea or Nay
Yea verily! Read and enjoy this YA fantasy done right.