my moral standing is lying down

( In which I record my thoughts about the fifth season finale of House in stream-of-consciousness style. Please excuse the disorganized manner of this outpouring. )

Please, tell me YOUR thoughts on this whole thing -- even if you radically disagree with me. I'm very curious as to how other fans are feeling "divisive" over this!

Also, did I miss commenting on anything particularly juicy?

So, having come back from London, I, for some reason, have dived back into the world of TV shows. In the last several days I have caught up on:

The Mentalist. Finished all of season 1 -- I had only seen the first 2 episodes as they aired. It was a good thing I didn't try to continue watching as episodes aired because the individual episode plots are WEAK and sometimes amusingly lame. Having said that, the main character (Patrick Jane) is pretty interesting. Kind of like House, but without the medicine, and with less exposition, I think (which I think it could use more of, for credibility). Still, he's interesting, and that's what's holding my attention. One of the other team members, though, is extremely adorable. I swear, he's Heero Yuy. He's even Asian. It took me a while to realize, because I don't think they focus on him for the first half of the season, but he gets more screen time later, which is when I realized. HE'S SO CUTE!

I'll watch the second season, but only once it's all aired.

Supernatural. Finished season 4. WOW. A couple of "revelations" at the end that weren't completely surprising. This was not the best season, though it certainly had its moments. The last moments left us on a high note, though with disaster looming ahead. Which is alright by me, I suppose. It can't compare to that first season finale, but can anything, really? I'm curious to see where season 5 will go and whether that will be the last season. I would rather it not end, but I do agree that the longer it goes on, the more potential for crap writing there is. I wouldn't want to see it go too far downhill. I'm glad at least, that they've gotten rid of a certain actor/actress that I think CANNOT ACT HIS/HER WAY OUT OF A FREAKING PAPER BAG.

In one of my youtube-browsing moments, I came across this. HAHA, MUST WATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQptF_iCfok

House. I'm now right smack-dab in the middle of season 5. I remember coming across someone's comment that they weren't thrilled with what was happening. I'm not sure exactly what point in the season that was, so it may refer to something I haven't seen yet. However, I will say that so far, I've been entertained by all that's going on. I have no issues with anything just yet. None of it has been particularly deep, however, so I'm hoping something interesting will happen. I have to say, I really miss the clinic visits -- they were one of my favorite parts of the show -- and there was a brief return to that in one of the episodes I just saw -- maybe 9 or 10? That was highly entertaining.

I can't wait to finish watching the rest of the season. I have to remember to buy the 4th season on DVD sometime when I have an extra $40 or so.

I wonder, if this was brought to the attention of the writers of House, would they take it into consideration and write it into the show somehow? Maybe not unless or until there are more conclusive findings made, but it's an interesting thought.

People have been doing these survey things and I have decided to be a sheep this afternoon. However, I'm going to correct any bad grammar I see in the questions because it'd bug the hell out of me if I left it alone. [edit: The only really bad one was the double preposition in #3.]

( stupid survey for sheep )

Just watched the most recent episodes of House and Supernatural. NO SPOILERS.

House was okay; nothing happened so much in this episode (ep. 10 "It's a Wonderful Lie") that had me squeeing or anything, though it's been a while since I last saw a season 4 episode, so I was taken aback for a second or two to see Taub in the beginning. I was like, "Oh yeah!" From the little bit I know of the upcoming episode after the superbowl, I think I'll be looking forward to it. I do like Mira Sorvino a lot. ^^

Supernatural was actually pretty awesome! I liked how the episode opened -- not violent so much, but a little horrifying. The show has gotten somewhat darker, and I think they're keeping up with that in mood. I particularly enjoyed the scene where Dean stabs someone repeatedly. Oooh, that was very nice. I like cold and violent Dean. =D

And the twist with Ruby was something I definitely approve of. I mentioned beginning to like her more with the revelation of her first secret; the revelation of this second secret is even better. I heard some rumors of Katie Cassidy going into rehab or something? I wonder how that might affect her role on SPN. Also, this most recent revelation might be pretty cool fic fodder, and it also makes me wonder if what they've revealed might be used in later seasons. I'm trying to not be too specific for anyone who doesn't want to be spoiled, but OH MAN, I could really go for the plot twist I'm thinking of right now.

I read an interview of Kripke in which he said SPN would be going on "hiatus" after the new episodes air. I hope it actually is a hiatus and doesn't turn into a cancellation. ;_;

I also watched Serenity, finally.

( BIG spoilers )

You know you've watched too much House when you start misreading "designated" as "diagnosed".

Yep. As in, "you have been diagnosed as the person to receive checks on behalf of..."

Last night I re-watched something like 6 episodes of the first season of House. I was looking for episodes with really good/funny clinic duty subplots, but since I couldn't remember which episodes they were in, I only succeeded with maybe 2 or 3 of them. I really enjoyed watching "Three Stories" over again. Aaah, that's a really good one. Of course. And I just may watch the Stacy arc from season 2 over again. I really do like Stacy a lot.

In any case, I'm suddenly in the mood for House and Supernatural fic. Which isn't that odd considering I just watched a lot of both series. What's more, I'm really in the mood for House/SPN crossover fic. swordkat wrote one, unfinished, over a year ago. It's actually very good, but short, and unfinished. I found another one here that I just started, which was pretty amusing. Gen fic, so that was a definite plus. The witty repartee was really what made it worthwhile.

Any good House fic recs? I prefer gen fic, but will read any good House-centric POV, but NO House with any of the ducklings.

Oh, also. I've started reading Alan Moore's Watchmen comic. I'd say I'm about 1/8 of the way in (I started it last night). I am really enjoying it so far, even though I'm still sort of like, huh, WTF is going on?! Also, I really like uh... the original Nite Owl's autobiography, as it breaks up the "present day" stuff and for exposition. Actually, I probably like that more, because I really enjoy the writing style, and also the character is a sympathetic one. But we'll see how it goes once I'm further in.

Last night I finished re-reading book 2 of the Codex Alera series. That one was even better than the first one. I noticed that unlike many authors whose first book is awesome and it seems to go downhill from there, Jim Butcher works the other way -- the first book is pretty good, but each successive book just gets better and better. This is much more pleasing, since things will only get better that way. There are a couple of books early in the Dresden Files series wherein I was a little bored, but I really enjoy his character development, so I can take a bit of occasional plot-boredom. Also, it helped a lot to re-read these books; I can now see exactly what plot points developed and carried over into the next book. I think I may just re-read book 3 even though I just read it. I cannot wait to read the fourth book! I'm holding off from buying it since it's on my wishlist, but if no one gets it for me, I'm running over to B&N to buy it asap! =D

After finishing the book around 10pm I decided to start catching up on season 4 of House. I watched the first five episodes and forced myself to stop from going onto episode 6 at 2:30am. Oh man, it's SO GOOD! I'm so relieved that at least House's writers generally don't write episodes badly.

SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD! That first episode wasn't my favorite, but it was really funny seeing him trying to bounce ideas off anyone and everyone.

The way they brought the ducklings back without actually putting them back into their same roles was pretty cool, I have to say. Unfortunately, if anyone was to come back into their old role, I wish it could have been Chase; I really miss seeing him in a more prominent role. Then again, I love the new attitude he has -- I just want to see more of it. =D I wonder what's going to happen with Foreman, being back with House, and now with new potential ducklings. Really, I wish that Cameron had died in a freak accident or a 15-car pile-up or something. Even more so now that she's gone blonde. I mean, now at least, the outward presentation is a more accurate depiction of her idiocy, but it just gives me another thing to dislike about her. I liked it better when she and Chase were just screwing. Jeez Chase, what's wrong with you?!

Unfortunately, I spoiled myself on who the next 3 ducklings will be. Or, at least, for 2 out of the 3 of them. One of them I'm very pleased about; the other I'm willing to wait and see how it goes. I did enjoy the classroom/competition setup, reminiscent of the episode "Three Stories" in the first season. Unfortunately, I have to agree with one reviewer who said that some of those scenes were kind of all over the place. They felt a bit... shallow, I guess is the word. Even so, it's been entertaining to see who stays and who goes. I really enjoyed House's rapport with the older guy. And even though it was a bit disappointing, it was very much in-character that House should fire him because, as the old guy put it, "you don't need someone to tell you what you're already thinking." I thought that was a really great way to write off that character. <3

Oh! LOL, I think my favorite part from the episodes I've seen so far has been the Wilson-as-kidnapper/terrorist subplot. Oh man, that was just excellent! I am really looking forward to more House-Wilson interaction. And I love how they tease the viewer by showing a clip where it seems like House is somehow being significantly challenged on his atheist beliefs, but then in the episode they acutally don't completely ruin it by indicating that his atheism is shaken. If that ever happens, I may just get so disgusted with it that I have to stop watching. Because that'll be so out of character that it may not be worth it anymore.

As far as I understand, all the episodes that have been written and filmed have aired, so there won't be any new House episodes until after the writers' strike ends. I hope episode 9 doesn't leave off on a cliffhanger of sorts. Because I think that I'm going to watch more tonight, and probably catch up to episode 9 soon.

The first episode of the new season of House.

Not happy about the leg/pain being all better. Good news -- it isn't all better, yaye!

I was really angry with Cuddy and Wilson for not helping him when in other episodes one or the other goes along with him, but then I decided -- at the end, after Cuddy does that thing, and then Wilson advises her about the follow-up -- that I preferred it. Because of the POTENTIAL FOR ANGST LATER!!!! And THEN! THEN House did that thing at the end and I was like OMGHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAANGGSTTT♥♥!!!

( My txt msg conversation with Victor during the episode. )

Liz went to slickdeals.net and saw the House Season 2 DVD available for preorder from BestBuy for $16, plus tax and shipping! Ahahahahahaha! Guess who pre-ordered it? He he he.

Go forth, and pre-order it!

It comes out on August 22nd. I thought I'd have to wait for a few months at least before buying it at a lower price, but now I don't have to.

*wins at life*

This past weekend was busy, but I had a great time.

Friday I gave in and bought the House MD DVD at Best Buy because of B-day contributions from Liz and Will (thank you!), and we went back home to watch several episodes I hadn't seen before. =D

Saturday morning I had to go to work (unfortunately) to cover for David who was on vacation. It's only fair, but the timing couldn't have sucked more. Saturday night I went over to Victor's house for his weekend BBQ party thing. The view of the sky and the Manhattan skyline inching away from me as we went East was really amazingly gorgeous. I'm not a nature/scenery type of person, but it was just an awesome sight. And then I made my way to Victor's house and I was so glad that I went. Lots of fun, people I hadn't seen in a while, and some other people I hadn't met before. Unfortunately I was so beat from work (which was busier than I'd expected) and lack of sleep the night before, that I barely made it to 1am before bailing out and going to sleep. =(

Next morning I woke up and missed the 10am ferry so I was late to the AN meeting. But I still showed up! And there were so few people there (because of it being Memorial Day weekend, and not to mention AB as well) that I don't feel so bad.

Monday I did NOTHING. It was wonderful! Actually, I had a sudden urge to watch Wedding Peach. So after a bit of trial and error I was able to figure out what I'd last seen up to (what, 4 years ago?) -- episode 20, and watch up to episode 28! And tonight I watched another 3 episodes. I really love that anime -- although I will fully admit to fast forwarding through the henshin and attack scenes because there's still NOTHING as good as Sailor Moon when it comes to henshin and attack scenes. ^_~