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LIFE season 2

post #1 of 154
Thread Starter 
Am I the only one that's bothered to keep watching this? Debuting it on a Monday was a bad idea since Friday is the regular time slot and I felt like they advertised this incredibly poorly. It was a fairly good episode though, the greeting card kid was incredibly creepy and I liked the standoff at the ice cream truck in the park. Not sure about the new captain yet, I didn't really care for how they introduced his character at all. Plus, Charlie already found Rachel which I figured wouldn't happen until close to the end of the season.
post #2 of 154
The first season, which I thought was great, has earned my allegiance for this season. I'm not to keen on the new Captain but it was his first outing, and I was disappointed Calamity Jane left more than anything. I was worried they wouldn't be able to keep up the consipracy angle as it's been 10 months since the last episode aired and thought they might start fresh, but was glad to see them pick up the Rachel storyline right away. It was only the first episode so I'm not so worried it didn't strike me as strong an episode as last season.
post #3 of 154
Yeah, I'm not sure how Donal Logue is going to fit into the show but the old captain wasn't anything great so not a big loss. I like the show though and am excited the new season is going again.

I will admit that it seemed strange that they'd put those two as lead detectives on a new serial killer. Aren't there less controversial people they could have put on such a major case.
post #4 of 154
I had not seen a single episode of this until Monday night (post-Heroes malaise, makes you not want to move because it's so bad), but I was digging the hell out of this. It's fun to see Major Winters having fun with a character and I liked his interplay with whatsherface, his partner (don't know the names yet). Unsure who the captain was in season 1, but I like Donal Logue, he seems more affable than the usual tough gruff bastard of a captain.

Actually, only caught the first half hour, is this a season long killer show, or is it episodic?
post #5 of 154
Thread Starter 
It seemed like they ended up leads by luck more than anything. They were the detectives on the first scene before they knew it was a serial killer, so the case was already theirs when the other bodies started popping up.
post #6 of 154
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Happenin View Post
Actually, only caught the first half hour, is this a season long killer show, or is it episodic?
It is episodic with an overarching story that weaves through all of the episodes (Detective Crews was framed for a friend's murder and sent to prison for life, later evidence came out and cleared him so his wealth and his position as a detective are both parts of the lawsuit settlement with the LAPD who had planted evidence to convict him). So the serial killer they were hunting in this episode is already caught and behind bars, and he found Rachel (the daughter of the family he had supposedly killed) at the end of the episode to give us a step forward in his investigation into how he got framed.
post #7 of 154
Hmmm...I think I'm going to have to get this on DVD or torrent or something.
post #8 of 154
I really like this show. Damian Lewis totally sells it (also one of the reasons I'll be sticking with The Mentalist - Simon Baker totally sells that), but the supporting characters are all mostly great too (his ex-con buddy and the cop friend, especially). Unfortunately this has the dreaded Friday night death slot, so I don't hold much hope for a season 3.
post #9 of 154
I watched this last week on On-Demand and it was pretty good. While I do like Donal Logue I think that it sucks that Robin Weigert is out. Seriously I don't see Dani actually banging that guy no matter how fucked up she is.

Also I read that Brooke Langton is out this season. Hopefully this episode isn't her last.
post #10 of 154
I love that they brought Donal Logue in as the new captain. I really like the premiere and I hope the Friday night timeslot isn't a sign of certain death for the show. Even outside of the conspiracy, which moves fast in this show, I enjoy it as a procedural.

I'm surprised that, after all the secrecy about how much money Crews got from the city in the first season, they threw out the number so casually.
post #11 of 154
They had it on the back of the Season 1 DVD.
post #12 of 154
I don't know why everyone assumes going to Friday nights is a kiss of death. TV ratings on Friday shows are not as high as they are on rest of the week so this show only needs to keep the 7 million viewers it had on Monday night. The only downer is it's airing against Friday's #1 show, Numb3rs.
post #13 of 154
post #14 of 154
That data is for shows that made their debuts on Fridays. Many Friday night shows are new shows that the networks do not even really care for, they tank immediately, and get taken off the air after six episodes.

A show like Life, which in it's initial season aired on a different night, with ratings that were higher then NBC's Friday night lineup, it is not the end of the world that it's moved to Friday's. If it can maintain 90% of what it made on Wednesday's last year, it will be looked upon as a success. It's highly doubtful that Life, at this time, no matter what night it airs, will ever become a huge hit - unless NBC pulled off something like Fox did for House by pairing it up with American Idol - and I think moving it to Friday actually gives the show its best shot at surviving for a few seasons. It's just unfortunate that NBC is pairing it up with non-scripted garbage and against Friday's top rated show, four years running.
post #15 of 154
Jim shoes, chimps, and a conspiracy! Good stuff so far this season.
post #16 of 154
Don't forget hallucinations and frozen scientists!
post #17 of 154
Thread Starter 
I went to watch Friday's episode on my DVR last night only to see that my DVR was also in the middle of taping another episode last night. For some reason I had thought that the Monday/Friday thing was only for week 1. I'm a fan of the show, but putting 2 episodes on per week while doing jack shit for advertising is not the way to go.
post #18 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by A-Pathetic View Post
I went to watch Friday's episode on my DVR last night only to see that my DVR was also in the middle of taping another episode last night. For some reason I had thought that the Monday/Friday thing was only for week 1. I'm a fan of the show, but putting 2 episodes on per week while doing jack shit for advertising is not the way to go.
Agree completely, but I think that's the last time they're doing that. Now I believe it's Fridays only.

I've been digging the show since the beginning, but I'm more interested in the conspiracy plotline that the rest. I wish there would be more of that, because something tells me this isn't going to get another season...
post #19 of 154
Thread Starter 
Caught up now. I really enjoyed the college prison episode, and how bothered Ted was by the whole experience. Since Charlie and Ted got out of prison they've broached this a couple of times (like the fence Charlie was going to build on his property) but this was for some reason clearer to me in how prison really changed Ted maybe even more than it changed Charlie. Donal Logue actually had a line that made me laugh quite a bit and I'm finally warming up to his character. So far I have to say I'm actually enjoying this season more than the first season.
post #20 of 154
I thought it was a great episode. Not so much because of the case but because of the stuff it brought up for Ted and Charlie, like A-P said. The conspiracy plot is starting to remind me of Daybreak.
post #21 of 154
The first season overall was very good, but does anyone else agree that the "Prince Of Persia" montage was just about the worst thing they've ever seen in the history of filmed entertainment?

CG snake in the final episode was a buzzkill as well. I'm hoping that as the show progresses it grows out of these completely retarded showstopper moments.
post #22 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by gravedigger View Post
I love that they brought Donal Logue in as the new captain. I really like the premiere and I hope the Friday night timeslot isn't a sign of certain death for the show. Even outside of the conspiracy, which moves fast in this show, I enjoy it as a procedural.

Agree 100% about Logue. He's a nice change with his east coast sensibilities.
post #23 of 154
Thread Starter 
Wow. There's just not much interest in this show, and it's a shame. I really think this is a stronger season than last season. Logue has already carved a great niche (his realization that all hot women on the internet are not 13 year old band geeks looking for attention was gold). The main mystery is being moved along at an intelligent pace, much better than last season which felt very scattershot as far as that goes. So far I haven't felt like they've had a single "bad" episode this year but it just seems like there aren't many viewers.
post #24 of 154
Logue isn't bad but I miss Calamity Jane. Also he's a captain and I find it hard to believe that he hasn't heard of sexual harassment.

Now what I really liked is how the conspiracy is getting bigger. I'm not sure if Jack protecting the girl works though. Last season ended up her getting shot by Jack's men right? Or were those guys working for the other 4?
post #25 of 154
Louge has gooten better since the opener but the show seems to have moved more toward the standard police procedural. The overall mystery is just a couple minutes tacked onto the end of each episode. It seemed much more intertwined last season. Also, Cruise's zen state from last season is seems missing.

The one plot I do like for this season is the relationship with his ex-wife. Their relationship came to an unnatural end and having them explore whether there could be anything between them, after eveything that happened, is an interesting development.
post #26 of 154
There's been a promo for this on UK TV lately (for season 1), and it really highlights to me how different season 2 is. As you say, there's a lot less of the overall mystery and the zen stuff, plus there's also a lot less of those "interviews" with people from Charlie's life (like his ex, the lawyer, those 2 cops, etc). Hopefully this is just to try and stop any alienation of new viewers who might be confused jumping into a dense mystery.
post #27 of 154
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by slagar View Post
Also, Cruise's zen state from last season is seems missing.
This I definitely agree with. Even when he bought the Maserati car and was driving it, him saying the car was just an object seemed less like the old Charlie and more like a wink at how Charlie was last season. The previews for this week give a great opportunity to revisit that, or kill it for good I guess.
post #28 of 154
The case for the latest episode was pretty lame but everything around it was great. Logue is proving he was a great addition to the cast with every scene he's in.
post #29 of 154
All caught up (burned through season 1 at work during a LOT of downtime, finishing ep 5 on s2 now). I love this show. I'm not usually big on procedurals, but Damian Lewis has this infectious energy that makes me want to watch him all day. I like the bigger mystery of his and admit that the weekly serials, while sometimes rote and unbelievable, are fun and at least different.

I liked Calamity Jane. But I love Donal Logue. Maybe it's because I've met guys like him around New York; he's fantastic.

I will say, in a post-Wire world (I mean, come on, that did for the procedural what Watchmen did to comics), I keep going, 'Man, I can't imagine the paperwork and the legal bullshit Crewes and Reese have to go through for all this shit.'
post #30 of 154
After letting it get pummelled on Fridays for a couple weeks, NBC is moving LIFE to Wednesdays starting in November. It'll be airing right before LAW & ORDER, which has gone from a show on life support 2 years ago to... err... LIFE support.

I suspect within 5 years the networks will have abandoned friday nights.
post #31 of 154
Looks the Logue's Tao of Steve and aftershocks works on Charlie' s partner
post #32 of 154
What a great episode. Maybe one of the best the show has ever had. It didn't hurt that they brought back that ridiculously good-looking redhead. Hopefully the kiss between Hot Cop and Logue is never again mentioned. I prefer the verging-on-sexual-harassment jokes and comments to played out sexual tension.
post #33 of 154
The ridiculously good looking redhead is Christina Hendricks. She is a regular on Mad Men...and always a welcome sight.
post #34 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by gravedigger View Post
What a great episode. Maybe one of the best the show has ever had. It didn't hurt that they brought back that ridiculously good-looking redhead. Hopefully the kiss between Hot Cop and Logue is never again mentioned. I prefer the verging-on-sexual-harassment jokes and comments to played out sexual tension.
I agree 100% with all of this. I love Christina Hendricks and Sarah Shahi.
post #35 of 154
Thread Starter 
I wasn't thrilled with the kiss, but Logue was soooooo good this episode. "As your commanding officer, if I hear you say something like that I have to take your gun. So it's a good thing I didn't hear that."

"We called for backup, it's just you?"
"Yeah, but I'm pissed off."

I'm also glad that they are addressing Charlie's move away from the zen of last season. He may have been playing the zen cd in his car, but he surely wasn't in a hurry to shoot that car up when Tins was forcing him to.

Also, the execution of Mark was unexpected and really pretty graphic for network TV.
post #36 of 154
Great episode. Always like it when the case becomes personal, makes for a more gripping show.

Sadly, I'll miss Tins, as his character while a scumbag, was fascinating and I think a lot of that is owed to the actor playing him.
post #37 of 154
And now it's moving to Wednesdays ...
post #38 of 154
Don't forget, on tomorrow night
post #39 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by A-Pathetic View Post
I wasn't thrilled with the kiss, but Logue was soooooo good this episode. "As your commanding officer, if I hear you say something like that I have to take your gun. So it's a good thing I didn't hear that."

"We called for backup, it's just you?"
"Yeah, but I'm pissed off."
I was watching with my wife, and she was like "oh God, Logue is SO not attractive but I'd totally go for him."

He just sells the character so well - he's rough around the edges but brings out that whole "deep down, he's really a good guy. A really good guy."

Quote:
I'm also glad that they are addressing Charlie's move away from the zen of last season. He may have been playing the zen cd in his car, but he surely wasn't in a hurry to shoot that car up when Tins was forcing him to.
They've done that before with Charlie's "zen"-ness. It's a process for him; I think the whole zen-master thing was a lot easier in prison where he had nothing and was just trying to get through; when suddenly you're a multi-millionaire with really good friends on the outside, being zen probably gets a shitload more difficult.
post #40 of 154
hehe Any time there's an Erik Estrada cameo = good by me.

Good little caper this week, but was definitely more engaged by the Crews/Rachel relationship finally taking a turn for the better. Ended on a very sweet note.
post #41 of 154
I loved Crewes' grin when Poncho said he was a big fan of his.
post #42 of 154
I loved that Crews just sat down with a big smile on his face at the beginning when the LWA group said it was only for big winners.

Another great episode. I hope this show finds its audience but with a godawful lead-in (Knight Rider? Seriously?) I'm not holding my breath.
post #43 of 154
Hopefully the relationship between Reese and the Lt gets Dani to be a bit less one-note.

It seems like the attempts to deepen her a bit with the tragic backstory, the battle with substance abuse, and possible sex addiction just got flat-out dropped for lite romcom stylings.
post #44 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chavez View Post
Hopefully the relationship between Reese and the Lt gets Dani to be a bit less one-note.

It seems like the attempts to deepen her a bit with the tragic backstory, the battle with substance abuse, and possible sex addiction just got flat-out dropped for lite romcom stylings.
Yep, there's so much more to the show last season. I feel this season they've shaved it done to appeal to those who only watch the Law & Order/CSI shows, of which I am not. It's rare that I'll watch a cop show and "Life" seems to have morphed into one this season much more the last seaon.
post #45 of 154
As someone who burned through the entire first season in about 2 days, maybe my perception of the plotting (and overall storytelling) is a bit skewed, since I took it all in at once, but this season is definitely more cop-y, I think once they solved the 'who killed the family', the writer's kind of got lost and went, 'shit! We didn't get cancelled? Aah hell, we have to come up with something else now.'
post #46 of 154
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Happenin View Post
I think once they solved the 'who killed the family', the writer's kind of got lost and went, 'shit! We didn't get cancelled? Aah hell, we have to come up with something else now.'
I don't think I agree with this. It became obvious pretty early on last season that who killed the family wasn't the real mystery. We still know very little about the overall conspiracy although at this point I think the main weakness seems to be that once Charlie discovered the killer he seems to have kind of lost his desire to figure out who framed him. A couple weeks ago he was all about forgiving Jack and trying to protect him, when everything points to Jack having played a pretty large part in the conspiracy so far.

Anyway, it was a fun episode. Some great Charlie moments that were already mentioned. I wished that they had added some more characters to the episode just because picking Lenny out was way too easy since there was basically only 1 person we'd seen who could possibly be him. The Tom character seemed really forced though. He drives a beat to shit Nova even though he's a multimillionaire apparently to keep a low profile, then he fences in his entire yard and adds CCTV cameras and obviously flaunts his firearms to the neighbors since they knew about them? Not exactly low profile. It was disappointing because the scene with Charlie and Tom should have been pretty powerful. Instead it seemed nonsensical and ridiculously quick.
post #47 of 154
Life has somehow managed to snag a full 22 episode order. This is the little engine that just wont die (thankfully).
post #48 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Murder View Post
Life has somehow managed to snag a full 22 episode order. This is the little engine that just wont die (thankfully).
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaah, more Sarah Shahi.
post #49 of 154
"Black Friday". Fair to average episode, the timeline of it felt a bit off, like things happened (such as Crews meeting Jen), then backtracking to the previous day. I know it wasn't the case, but that's what it felt like. Underwhelming mystery, but enjoyed the playfulness of the script. Crews buying all the mall shwag was a highlight, as was the aborted dinner between Tidwell and Reese. Am definitely looking forward to the main mystery, as it seems to have taken a larger scale (and I rescind my comment about the writer's not knowing what to do with the mystery, it's the one thing they do know).
post #50 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Happenin View Post
"Black Friday". Fair to average episode, the timeline of it felt a bit off, like things happened (such as Crews meeting Jen), then backtracking to the previous day. I know it wasn't the case, but that's what it felt like. Underwhelming mystery, but enjoyed the playfulness of the script. Crews buying all the mall shwag was a highlight, as was the aborted dinner between Tidwell and Reese. Am definitely looking forward to the main mystery, as it seems to have taken a larger scale (and I rescind my comment about the writer's not knowing what to do with the mystery, it's the one thing they do know).
Yeah, I'd agree.

Crews letting the kid off at the end was a nice touch; much like his little talk with the murderer in the Stanford Prison Experiment ep.
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