Author Archives: Katie

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About Katie

I'm a writer and editor; a dancer and choreographer; and a passionate fan of more things than is probably healthy. I love film, literature, television, sports, fashion, and music. I'm proud to be a Nerdy Girl.

There’s Something About Nick

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Alternate Title: Help—I’m in Love with a Fictional Man and Don’t Know What to Do About It

Nick Miller, am I right?

Confession Time: I’ve loved New Girl since the pilot, but I didn’t like Nick for the longest time. In fact, for months during the first season, I was vehemently and vocally opposed to the idea of him ending up with Jess. Nick was everything I found unattractive in the real world: He was unnecessarily angry, pessimistic, apathetic, and unambitious.

It’s amazing how time (and great character development) can change things.

Somewhere around last season’s finale, I began to warm up to Nick Miller, and I’ve been slowly falling head-over-heels in love with him ever since. As each layer of Nick’s personality has been peeled back, I’ve become more and more of a fan of this character who is so much more than he appears to be at first glance.

Nick Miller is surprisingly complex for a sitcom character. He’s a realistic picture of a man so terrified of making the wrong choice that he’s unable to move forward. He’s man who’s reluctant to take charge because he had to be responsible for too many things when he was too young. (If you don’t think “Chicago” was one of the most revelatory episodes of New Girl ever, then you need to go back and re-watch it ASAP.) He’s a man who’s scared to make himself vulnerable but still loves with his whole heart.

I like to think I fell in love with Nick the way Jess did. At first, he was funny and kind of cute. Then, he got annoying—especially because you could see the potential he had to make better life choices. But then he built Jess a dresser, told her he believed in her, and said she was a girl a guy would come back for (which he proved in the Season One finale). And suddenly this character became one of the most realistically romantic men on television.

But everything changed when Nick kissed Jess. All of a sudden, Nick was no longer a goofy guy working through a suspended adolescence. He was a man—a passionate, strong, confident, attractive MAN. It was a kiss that changed everything for these two characters, and it was a kiss that changed everything about how I saw Nick Miller.

So what do I see when I look at Nick Miller now that I didn’t see before?

I see his passion and his fearlessness when he has something—or someone—worth taking a risk for. I see his ability to love and his honesty when it comes to expressing that love. I see his good heart and his desire to do the right thing for all the people he cares about. I see his fragile sense of hope being awakened again. And I see it all in probably the most expressive pair of eyes on TV right now.

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TV Time: Castle 5.21

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Title The Squab and the Quail

Two-Sentence Summary As Beckett begins to wonder where her relationship with Castle is heading, a murder investigation introduces her to Erik Vaughn, an attractive and charming billionaire. When she’s assigned to protect him until the suspect is caught, Castle is driven by jealousy to solve the case as fast as possible.

Favorite Lines
Castle: You know how I get when I’m gaming. I’m like Gretzky.
Beckett: Well at least Gretzky knew how to score.

My Thoughts I had a bad feeling about this episode going into it, and I’m sad to say that my suspicions were confirmed: I did not enjoy most of this episode. I feel like I’m in the minority when I say this, but I have never really enjoyed “jealousy-themed” Castle episodes. The only one I can think of that I liked was “Nikki Heat,” and that was because Beckett was jealous of Natalie Rhodes taking over her whole life—not just her relationship with Castle (and it was just a very well-executed episode in general). I tend to get annoyed with both Castle and Beckett in these kinds of episodes, and this was no exception. Everything felt a little too heavy-handed to me, but at the same time the big issues were left unaddressed, which left me feeling frustrated when all was said and done.

Sometimes an episode goes off the rails at the very beginning and has trouble righting itself after that, and I think that’s what happened in “The Squab and the Quail.” I have never been so uncomfortable watching an episode of Castle as I was watching Beckett try to seduce Castle away from his video games. Before I go on, let’s get one thing straight: I find Stana Katic (and Kate Beckett as a character) to be one of the sexiest people of any gender on TV right now, and I think she can play seduction like no one else. But I found myself cringing watching her wiggle around and speak in a faux-breathy voice as Castle ignored her. I understand that some people probably found it funny, but to me it just seemed out of character for Beckett to be awkwardly and a little too desperately seducing a man who seemed to have no interest in sleeping with her at that moment—even if said man is her boyfriend.

And that brings me to my other issue with that scene: How is Castle that disinterested in Beckett that she has to resort to such ridiculous antics to get his attention? I’m sure some of that scene is realistic; Castle likes playing video games, so it makes sense that he would want to finish his game. But then why invite Beckett over (when we know from previous episodes that they don’t see each other every night)? I found it hard to rectify that man with the man who pined for Beckett for the last four years. This relationship issue seemed to come out of the blue, but it does seem to come from the same place as Castle’s “walls” that the show was supposed to be addressing. But are we really supposed to believe that Rick Castle, the man who was so open about his feelings for Beckett previously, is now starting to hold back because things are getting too serious? Are we really supposed to believe that after less than a year together he’s already losing interest in her, or are we supposed to believe that Beckett is just being insecure? I honestly don’t know…And I’m not sure I like either option.

I guess my issue with the opening scene is indicative of my issue with the episode as a whole: It felt off for the characters and the relationship we’ve seen play out so far. It felt manufactured to create relationship angst just in time for finale season. And it seemed unsure of whether it was supposed to be a serious commentary on their relationship or comedic relief.

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TV Time: Once Upon a Time 2.19

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Title Lacey

Two-Sentence Summary After Regina restores Belle’s cursed memories to her, she becomes Lacey, a hard-drinking, bad-boy-loving woman who is drawn to Rumplestiltskin’s dark side, which is the opposite of the Belle we see in flashbacks to Fairytale Land, whose desire to find the good in people saves Robin Hood. In other parts of Storybrooke, Emma has to deal with the possible choice of returning to Fairytale Land, Regina finds the magic bean crop, and Hook returns to town with Tamara’s help.

Favorite Lines
David: You want me to help you?
Rumplestiltskin: Well I’m certainly not here for the over-priced lasagna.

My Thoughts “Lacey” was a true return to form for Once Upon a Time after what I felt was a very disappointing episode before this latest hiatus. Was I disappointed in some of the characters this week? Yes. Were there some plot holes that had me scratching my head? Yes. But ultimately, this show’s strength has always been in its cast, and this hour allowed some of its most talented members to shine.

This episode belonged to Robert Carlyle and Emilie de Ravin, who both played the duality of their roles to absolute perfection. This was the first time we’ve seen de Ravin be anything but sweet and gentle as Belle, and she seemed to really thrive onscreen in her time as Lacey. I’ll admit to being disturbed beyond anything I was expecting from Once Upon a Time as I saw her attraction to Rumplestiltskin take over as he was beating the Sheriff of Nottingham outside of Granny’s, but that was exactly what I was supposed to feel. It was wrong and dark and tragic on so many levels, but it was brilliantly done. I used to think that Ginnifer Goodwin was the best at making both sides of her character feel real during the time of the curse, but de Ravin gave her a run for her money in this episode alone (and she looked absolutely stunning while doing so).

What made Belle’s transformation into Lacey so sad wasn’t that she drank a lot or kissed a man who wasn’t her date; it’s that Lacey was such a perversion of who Belle was as a woman and who she was for Rumplestiltskin in terms of what she believed about people. Belle is a hero because she fights for the good in everyone, including herself. She’s brave because she stands up for what’s right even when that means standing up to the Dark One himself. But Lacey is drawn to darkness; she finds goodness boring and instead wants to enable the darkest parts of people. And Rumplestiltskin at this point is all too easy a target.

I’ll admit, I’m not as passionate about the “Rumbelle” relationship as many people in the Once Upon a Time fandom are. They’re not my favorite couple (that would be Snow and Charming), but I was incredibly moved by their interactions in this episode. From the moment of quiet hope between in the hospital before all hell broke loose to that beautiful take on the library scene from Beauty and the Beast, there was something beautifully innocent and gentle in their chemistry this week, and I loved how that contrasted with the darkness that enveloped both of them at the end. The flashbacks to Rumplestiltskin’s growing humanity in the face of Belle’s inherent faith in goodness made the collapse of that human side all the more tragic.

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The Best Thing I Saw on TV This Week (4/14 – 4/21)

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There were quite a few things to choose from when it came time for me to pick the best things on TV in the past week. Last Sunday’s episode of Game of Thrones ended with a game-changing moment that begins my favorite character arc in the book series. Castle gave us a Bigfoot hunt for the ages. But my favorite moment of the week came from Parks and Recreation, which took its perfect nerd references to new heights this week. Every time this show mentions Game of Thrones, I am overcome with joy. So it goes without saying that Donna’s newfound passion for the show (and its plethora of attractive cast members) was one of the highlights of my week. Retta is always flawless in her delivery, but I don’t know if she’s ever been better than this scene (maybe it’s because Donna sounded exactly like Retta’s Twitter feed). And how wonderful was Ben’s eBay name being TallTyrionLannister? In a week that featured a lot of sad things in the news, it was nice to have something light and fun to turn to—and that’s exactly what Parks and Recreation gave us.

 

What was the best thing you saw on TV this week?

TV Time: Parks and Recreation 5.19/5.20

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Title Article Two/Jerry’s Retirement

Two-Sentence Summary In “Article Two,” Leslie battles a staunch traditionalist over outdated portions of Pawnee’s town charter, while Ben and Ann get into a bidding war over a waffle iron they both hope to give Leslie. “Jerry’s Retirement” focuses on Jerry’s last official day as a Pawnee government worker as both Ben and Leslie and Ann and Chris think about their future families.

Favorite Line from “Article Two” “Have you seen those Dothraki? They can get it. Everybody on that show can get it.” (Donna, talking to Ann about Game of Thrones)

Favorite Line from “Jerry’s Retirement” “I went back to check Season One of Fringe for plot holes. As I suspected, airtight.” (Ben)

My Thoughts This has been a hard week, a sad week, and a week that’s been filled with more tension than any in recent memory. During times like this, I find it important to have breaks from the news, the Twitter feeds, and the endless cycle of anxiety. During times like this, it’s important to have something that allows you time to escape, to laugh, and to feel happy. For me, that something was last night’s hour of Parks and Recreation. In a dark week, visiting Pawnee was the little bit of sunshine I (and I’m sure many others) needed.

I don’t have much to say specifically about these episodes. I’m happy that Ann and Chris seem to be moving towards a romance because I have always loved the chemistry between Rob Lowe and Rashida Jones. I liked that Leslie showed Jerry some real kindness, and I liked that she was able to see just how beautiful his home life is. (Amy Poehler’s facial expressions during that breakfast scene were beyond priceless.) I loved Patton Oswalt’s appearance more than words can say. And if you haven’t watched his entire filibuster, then you haven’t really felt joy.

Ultimately, I went into these episodes simply wanting to laugh and to feel good. And that’s exactly what I got. Parks and Rec is like a security blanket for me; when I feel stressed or sad about the state of the world, I reach for Leslie Knope and her idealism and optimism. On a night when I looked for one TV show to make me happy, I was rewarded with so many little gems of happiness.

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A Thousand Lives (or Why Reading is Awesome)

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“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies…The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin (A Dance with Dragons)

I’m a reader.

I’ve never been a particularly adventurous woman. But I’ve gone on a thousand lifetimes’ worth of adventures within the pages of my favorite books. I’ve traveled across dangerous landscapes, fought terrifying foes, cried tears of mourning over things lost and tears of joy over things gained, and learned enough to fill a book of my own about myself in the process.

I’ve danced with Angelina Ballerina, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew, and reached for the green light with Jay Gatsby. I’ve taken the road less traveled with Robert Frost, I’ve seen the Eden in America with Walt Whitman, and I’ve broken all the rules with e.e. cummings.

Atticus Finch taught me about human decency, and Daisy Buchanan taught me about human carelessness. The March sisters taught me about the bonds of family, and Ron Weasley taught me about the importance of a best friend. Romeo and Juliet taught me that love can sometimes burn too hot too fast, and Darcy and Elizabeth taught me that love can sometimes be a slow-burning flame that eventually warms your soul. Huck Finn taught me to stand up for what I believe is right, and Jane Eyre taught me to stand up for myself.

I’ve traveled to the Island of the Blue Dolphins, the Shire, and Hogwarts. I’ve grown up on Mango Street, in District 12, and along a post-apocalyptic road with a nameless father and son. I’ve journeyed through Westeros, lived at Thornfield Hall, and even spent a little time in Forks, Washington.

I’ve been to heaven and back with Susie Salmon. I’ve been inspired by Dr. Seuss. I’ve been scared by Stephen King. I’ve been on a lonely raft with a boy named Pi. I’ve been up way past my bedtime with Harry Potter. I’ve been onstage with the words of William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller.

I’ve fallen in love with Jaime Lannister and Peeta Mellark and a hundred others. I’ve admired Jo March and Janie Crawford and a thousand more. I’ve had nightmares about Professor Umbridge, and I’ve dreamt of becoming as strong as Professor McGonagall. I’ve played and learned and grown with Molly, Samantha, and so many other American Girls.

Hermione Granger showed me that it’s okay to smarter than the boys. Katniss Everdeen showed me that we all have power, strength, and fire inside us. Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist showed me that all people deserve the right to love who they love.

I’ve laughed over the misadventures of Bridget Jones. I’ve cried over the love story of Hazel Grace and Augustus. I’ve gone mad with Ophelia, too.

I learned about stories and authors from Tim O’Brien and Ian McEwan. I learned about the strength of the human spirit from a young girl named Anne Frank.

When I read, I’m brave and beautiful and bold; I’m free and fearless and formidable. When I read, I get to be things I don’t always feel I am in reality, but sometimes—on very rare and wonderful occasions—I take a little bit of those characters, those lives, and those adventures with me after I close the book. When I read, I learn, I laugh, I cry, and I grow. When I read, I live a new and different life with each crack of a book’s spine, with each turn of the page.

I’m a reader. My story is intertwined with a thousand other stories. I’ve lived a thousand lives already, and I’m excited to live a thousand more. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

TV Time: Castle 5.20

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Before I get to today’s Castle review, I just want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Boston and all of those who were affected in any way by the tragic events at yesterday’s Boston Marathon.

Title The Fast and the Furriest

Two-Sentence Summary Castle and Beckett’s (and Ryan and Esposito’s) conflicting views on belief in the unknown and the supernatural come to the forefront once again when Bigfoot appears to be connected to the murder of a young woman. Meanwhile, Castle attempts to solve a mystery on a much smaller scale when food keeps disappearing from his refrigerator.

Favorite Line
Castle: Did you see the way that gorilla looked at me?
Beckett: I think it was lust actually, Castle. You are ruggedly handsome.

My Thoughts “The Fast and the Furriest” was nothing more than a fun, lighthearted episode of Castle, and on a day like yesterday, a fun episode was exactly what I’m sure a lot of people (myself included) needed. Sometimes you’ll find me complaining about “filler” episodes, but this episode was funny and surprisingly sweet enough to work as a solid Castle episode even without moving the plot along in any major way.

I will go on the record and say that I was surprised by the killer, and I loved being surprised. I knew it wasn’t going to be the roommate’s ex-boyfriend because that would have been too easy. Also, Stana Katic did a great job of showing that Beckett was unnerved by how much she believed his grief and anger over the police not solving the murder—because we all know that she felt the same way about her mother’s homicide. I assumed the killer was going to be Raphael Sbarge’s Bigfoot expert, if only because any guest actor famous enough for me to recognize is usually the killer. And although he didn’t end up committing the crime and validating my theory, it was nice to see Once Upon a Time’s Archie on my TV again (especially since he’s being criminally underused this season on that show).

Once again, we were presented with a case that pits the skeptics in the precinct against the believers, and I don’t know how they do it but that dynamic never feels stale to me. Maybe it’s because the actors are so comfortable with their characters that all of their interactions feel so genuine and easy at this point. It’s truly a joy to watch Katic and Jon Huertas go up against Nathan Fillion and Seamus Dever—bantering and rolling their eyes at one another—because we know that it’s coming from a place of love for all of these characters at this point. You know the show you’re watching has a great cast when you could watch an entire hour of them standing around, debating the existence of Bigfoot and the validity of Bigfoot experts.

This was one of the funniest Castle episodes in quite some time, and it benefitted from great comedic performances from the entire cast. Katic always shines when she’s in “skeptical Beckett mode,” and this was no exception; her sarcastic one-liners and put-downs were all delivered perfectly, and the woman can roll her eyes like no one else in the business. Fillion was hilarious in his joy over the possibility of hunting down Bigfoot. How is it that Castle being a giddy geek over a crime still doesn’t feel old after five seasons? I think that says something about Fillion’s charm. And don’t even get me started on the perfection that was Castle in his ridiculous hunting outfit or the great callback to Beckett having to get an awkward boost from Castle to get out of a tough situation…

But the great thing about “The Fast and the Furriest” was that the jokes came from everyone in the precinct. Ryan and Esposito had some hilarious banter and great facial expressions thrown each other’s way. And Perlmutter and his sass were back in full force. (I especially loved both he and Esposito calling each other the “B-team.”) This is a very funny and very talented cast, and I love it when all of them get moments to shine.

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The Best Thing I Saw on TV This Week (4/7 – 4/14)

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I’m sorry that this post is a little late…I’ve been spending way too much time traversing Westeros from the pages of A Feast for Crows lately, and I let time get away from me this weekend. (And yes, there will be some A Song of Ice and Fire essays on here as soon as I’m done with A Dance with Dragons—whenever that may be.) 

This was a solid, if not outstanding, week in the world of television. There were no instant-classic episodes to be found, but most things (with The Office being the lone exception) made me feel good about where the shows I watch are heading as finale season draws near. New Girl gave us a fun episode that featured some of the best Schmidt material in Season 2. Game of Thrones set the stage well for the chaos that’s to come this season, and it continued to build upon my favorite relationship from the books (Jaime and Brienne).

However, the best thing I saw on television in the last week came from Parks and Recreation. Ron Swanson ate a banana, and it was truly one of the funniest things I’ve seen on TV this year. It takes a great actor to make something so simple on paper so hilarious in execution, and Nick Offerman is truly a great comedic actor.

 

What was your favorite moment from the last week in the world of television?  

 

TV Time: Parks and Recreation 5.18

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Title Animal Control

Two-Sentence Summary Leslie and her fellow city council members attempt to find a capable person to run the animal control department in Pawnee after Harris and Brett are fired. Meanwhile, Ron gets sick, and Ben tries to convince cologne mogul Dennis Feinstein to donate to his charity.

Favorite Lines
(while Ann is helping Ron fill out his paperwork at the hospital)
Ann: Sexual history?
Ron: Epic. And private.

My Thoughts Although “Animal Control” didn’t really cover any new ground (except for April’s newest story development), it took classic Parks and Rec themes and jokes and showed why they still work five seasons after the show began. It gave us moments that reminded us why we love these characters. And it showed once again that when you need a TV show to simply make you feel good, there’s nothing better than a half-hour spent in Pawnee.

I really love what the writers are doing with April’s character this season. There’s always been a sincerity underneath her blasé attitude that usually only came out around Andy, but I love that we’re getting to see more and more of her passion as this season has gone on. She’ll never be Leslie (and thank God for that because Pawnee can barely handle one Leslie), but watching her stand up for the things she cares about in her own way has been one of the most rewarding things about this season. I really liked that she was the one to come up with the idea of moving animal control into the parks department, and I loved how proud Leslie was of her. Having a plaque made long ago simply because Leslie believed in April’s future was such an in-character thing for her to do. I love when this show honors its characters in little details like that.

Another standout part of the A-plot was the inclusion of Harris and Brett, two of my favorite citizens of Pawnee. Their brand of stoner comedy works like a charm to make me laugh every time they’re on screen. I loved the way so many recurring townspeople showed up in this episode because it reminded me that one of my favorite things about this show is how well-developed even the background characters have become over five seasons. From Orin to Dennis Feinstein, some of my favorites came back to play this week, and it made me all kinds of happy to see them.

Speaking of Dennis Feinstein, there were some hilarious moments of comedy in that plot as well. Ben’s reaction to the cologne is another reason why Adam Scott should win an Emmy for Best Facial Expressions to Ever Exist. He is owning all the material he’s been given this season, and I’m going to be sorely disappointed if he’s not recognized by some fancy award committee for that. Another great comedy moment was Tom’s reaction to Dennis Feinstein’s “Most Dangerous Game” offer. I don’t know what it was, but something about Aziz Ansari’s delivery of “I think that guy wants to hunt me!” made me laugh until I was in tears. And, like so many episodes of Parks and Rec, this plot went from hilarious to heartwarming with Tom offering to give money from Rent-a-Swag to Ben’s charitable efforts. This show does such a good job of making small acts of kindness like that one feel genuine and integral to a certain character’s development. Learning to be nice is an important part of characters’ emotional educations on Parks and Rec, and I love that—because that’s the way it should be in the real world, too.

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TV Time: New Girl 2.22

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Title Bachelorette Party

Two-Sentence Summary Jess’s plan to throw Cece the raucous bachelorette party she’s always dreamed of is complicated by the presence of Shivrang’s aunt. The guys aren’t having any less awkward a time after Schmidt embarks on a plan to get a date for the wedding and Nick and Winston are tasked with getting a picture of the part of Shivrang Cece isn’t supposed to see before the wedding.

Favorite Line “It’s like waking up from a bad salad dream.” (Schmidt, while eating pizza)

Episode M.V.P. Schmidt. Nick was hilarious yet again. (Any excuse to see Jake Johnson try to dance is a good one in my book.) Winston’s overexcited schemes continued to make me laugh. (I’m serious when I say “Prank Sinatra” has been one of my favorite things to come out of Season 2 of New Girl.) And Jess and Cece’s interactions proved why they are one of the funniest, sweetest, and most realistic depictions of female friendship on TV.

But this episode was a huge one for Schmidt, and I liked that it was. For as much as I love Nick and Jess with all my heart, this was a good way to take a little step back from their relationship and focus on the other reasons why New Girl is such a great show. Plus, too much Nick/Jess interaction would have just furthered emphasized the fact that this episode and last week’s “First Date” were switched from their correct order. Instead, focusing on Schmidt for the emotional center of the episode allowed for an episode that didn’t feel forced, starved, or off from the correct timeline in terms of Nick and Jess screentime.

The way Max Greenfield was able to transition so smoothly from anger at Cece to “douchebag” with his ex-flings to emotional honesty with Elizabeth and Cece to childlike joy over eating pizza again proves what a capable actor he really is. Schmidt’s sincere moments always blindside me in the best possible ways, and this episode’s moments were no exception. The way his entire body seemed to shrink when Elizabeth told him he was mean to her was such a subtle reaction that said so much about the true heart of this character. And the warmth in his voice when he talked to Cece at the end just about broke my heart. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in Nick and Jess that I forget that Schmidt was my first New Girl love. It’s nice to have episodes like this one to remind me of what a great character he is.

Favorite Moment Both of Schmidt’s scenes with Elizabeth were the standout moments of this episode for me. I’m continually blown away by the way the writers and especially the actors on this show are able to create a sense of shared pasts between these characters. I feel it all the time with the guys, and I love when I can see it between Jess and Cece, too (like their fight in this episode, which had a real sense of familiarity to it). Somehow, Greenfield and Merritt Wever were able to create a depth between their characters in their first scene that some sitcom actors take whole seasons to develop. You could feel the hurt Elizabeth still feels, and Greenfield beautifully played Schmidt’s growing awareness that he used to be a better person—and his regret that he’s no longer that person. That scene was as big a character moment for Schmidt as we’ve gotten this season, and it was played with the subtle emotional quality that has made Greenfield such a standout actor on a show filled with great performances every week.

The last scene between Schmidt and Elizabeth was probably the most fun I’ve had watching Schmidt this season. When he’s allowed to be silly and ridiculous, you can see Greenfield relishing in those moments. I don’t know how much more we’ll be seeing Elizabeth, but I actually hope she sticks around for a little while (and I say that as a huge fan of the Schmidt/Cece pairing). Elizabeth just feels like she’ll be good for Schmidt, and more character development on this show is never a bad thing. Plus, Greenfield and Wever had an easy rapport that I really liked.

A New Girl GIF* For My New Girl Feelings

schmidt jess hug

I just really wanted to hug Schmidt at the end of this episode. I was so proud of him for growing enough as a person to wish Cece well and to show up to try and make things right with Elizabeth, but you could feel how heartbroken he still was over Cece. Schmidt’s character development was the best part of the episode (mainly because the Jess/Nick stuff was thrown off by the switch in episode order), and Greenfield played it so perfectly.

*I have no talent for GIF-making. Thankfully, I am highly skilled at searching Tumblr for the best GIFs. I take no credit for this beauty.