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.
This week was a fantastic end to what has been a great February sweeps period for all of the TV shows I regularly watch. Nick and Schmidt celebrated their 10th anniversary as roommates. Once Upon a Time ripped my heart out tonight with its Snow White storyline. Even the repeats shown this week were worthy of consideration for the best things on TV: Parks and Recreation offered a second showing of “Halloween Surprise” (and yes, the proposal did make me cry once again), and Saturday night gave up a second look at Once Upon a Time‘s excellent “Manhattan.”
The best of the best, though, came from Castle. “Hunt” was a suspenseful, dramatic, perfectly-acted hour of television. Combined with last week’s “Target,” this arc gave us Nathan Fillion’s strongest performances to date. His gift for subtle, real emotion was never more evident than in his scenes with his father, brought to life by the equally wonderful James Brolin. The two actors gave their scenes a depth and gravitas that lesser actors could never have found in such a common “long-lost father” storyline.
From Casino Royale to one of the most well-placed “Always” lines in the series, the scenes between Fillion and Brolin were the most affecting, layered, and all-around-best moments I saw on television this week.
What was the best thing you saw on TV this week? And what are you looking forward to most in the coming week in the world of television?
Two-Sentence Summary Nick and Schmidt celebrate their 10th anniversary as roommates with an elaborate party that goes anything but according to plan when Shivrang uses to occasion to propose to Cece. Jess tries to push her feeling for Nick away by dating a professional football player who’s open with his feelings…but he might be a little too open.
Favorite Lines Schmidt: It’s just really disappointing when things don’t work out the way you thought they would, you know? Nick: I do.
Episode M.V.P. Schmidt and Nick. This was an episode about their friendship, and it resonated so strongly because both Jake Johnson and Max Greenfield were so good at balancing the comedy and the drama of this episode. I love any flashbacks to college Nick and Schmidt, and the end of this episode featured what might be my favorite flashback yet. Johnson and Greenfield have great comedic chemistry; they banter with a speed and ease that’s not usually seen between two male characters. I loved both of their moments of sheer ridiculousness in this episode (especially with the porta potty), but what I loved most were their quieter, more emotional moments. Both actors really sold their respective heartbreaks, making them “Equals!” again, but not in the kind of way either of them would want. Greenfield was especially devastating in the seconds after Cece accepted Shivrang’s proposal. Their scenes alone after the proposal were the strongest in this episode in terms of their depth. I genuinely believe their friendship; it’s flawed and dysfunctional, but it’s real and full of a kind of love that’s not flowery or overly sentimental but is strong enough to last for 10 years.
Favorite Moment: I know New Girl is a comedy, but I think the dramatic talents of these actors should be recognized. My favorite moment this week was less of a singular moment and more of a pattern throughout the episode of broad comedy being balanced with heartfelt emotional beats. That has become one of New Girl‘s calling cards—its ability to make you laugh and then stop you in your tracks with a moment of genuine emotion. In this episode, I was especially struck by Greenfield’s delivery of Schmidt’s line about things not going according to plan. Gone was the overly confident mask and instead we see him show Nick the vulnerable, broken side of himself. I was also floored by Johnson’s face when Jess tells Nick that she likes men who are open about their feelings. You can feel the whole mood of the scene shift with one heartbroken look.
A New Girl GIF* For My New Girl Feelings
I thought this was supposed to be a fun, fluffy sitcom! How dare it suddenly make me have so many feelings! I just want the couples I root for to be happy, but I do love the storytelling and acting this angst is bringing out of the cast. While this was probably my least favorite episode since before “Cooler,” it was still a surprisingly emotional examination of most of the central relationships on this show, especially one that always deserves more screen time: Schmidt and Nick.
*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.
Two-Sentence Summary With Castle in Paris after going rogue in his quest to get Alexis back from her kidnappers, Beckett and the team back in New York City make the chilling discovery that Alexis was deliberately targeted by her kidnapper. As pieces to a puzzle long left unfinished are revealed, it’s discovered that Alexis was kidnapped as bait to lure an elusive intelligence asset—her grandfather (aka Castle’s dad).
Favorite Line
“I just want you to know, son, I’ve always been proud of you. Always.” (Jackson Hunt)
My Thoughts It’s official: Castle has grown up. Who would have thought five seasons ago that the show which began as a quirky take on the procedural genre would be capable of producing something as intense, complex, and riveting as these last two episodes have been? I’m not ashamed to say I never saw it coming. I’ve always loved Castle’s more dramatic efforts, but “Target” and “Hunt” surpassed even my high expectations for what this show is capable of. I think it’s safe to say I have a new favorite two-parter.
“Hunt” took all the best things about “Target” and added another powerful ingredient to the mix with the introduction of Castle’s father. This was the first episode to separate Castle and Beckett for nearly the entire thing and have me walk away impressed, which is a testament to both Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic’s great standalone performances as well as the impressive work done by the supporting cast, especially James Brolin and Molly Quinn.
The episode began with another quietly powerful moment between Castle and Beckett, building on the shift in their dynamic that we saw last week. Once again, it’s Beckett’s turn to bring Castle a cup of coffee as well as the reassurance and stability that comes along with it. The whole scene was a beautiful parallel to the moment Castle held her hand in the precinct in last season’s finale. This time, it’s Beckett’s job to remind Castle that he’s not alone. She’s not giving up on this case, on Alexis, on him. Because she loves him. It wasn’t the time for her to make that big confession, but it’s been there in all of the little things she’s done for Castle in the last two episodes.
I was especially happy to see Castle accept Beckett’s hand and hold it. To be honest, it wouldn’t have bothered me if he didn’t; the man has a lot on his mind that he has to face down on his own. But he held onto her hand; he let himself lean on her if only for a brief moment. This episode was Castle’s time to make a stand for Alexis, the person he loves more than anything on Earth—even more than Beckett. And this moment was Beckett’s way of showing that she’ll stand with him for as long as it takes. He’s done that so many times for her. It’s her turn now.
Throughout both of these episodes, I loved watching Beckett work to stay strong for Castle and help him in the only way she really could—by being a good cop. But we were able to see the strain it put on her in this episode. Katic made Beckett’s helplessness tangible. The scene between Beckett and Esposito in the precinct was heartbreaking because you could tell she was so torn between wanting to be with Castle and wanting to stay in the precinct for as long as it took to get Alexis safely home.
The relationship between Beckett and Esposito is one of my favorites on the show. From early on, he’s been her voice of reason, her guiding light when she’s searching for answers or the right path to follow. Esposito has always helped her see who she really is and what she really wants. I have such a soft spot for moments when he nudges her towards the man she loves, so I thought it was a great touch to include the scene between them where he basically tells her it’s okay to leave the case behind for the night to comfort the man she loves (him calling her “Kate” for the first time was a beautiful little detail to show how serious and personal the situation is for all of them).
From the moment Beckett and Martha discover that Castle is in Paris (I’m just going to try to forget how bad the backdrop of Paris was in that shot of him on the phone with them), the plot starts running and never looks back. There were so many twists, turns, and betrayals that it left me breathless. “Hunt” was a spy-family thriller in the same vein as the greatest spy-family thriller of them all, Alias.
It may have been long. It may have been riddled with bad jokes and too many musical numbers. But when the right people win (which was almost completely the case last night), it’s hard to see the Oscars as anything but a fun night at the movies. So here they are, the winners and losers in my eyes from what was a memorable 2013 Oscars.
Winners: Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
Source: Us Weekly
Not only did they both look great, they proved once again to be the sweetest, most normal couple at the Oscars when Ben talked in his acceptance speech about how marriage is work but, “…it’s the best work. There’s no one else I’d rather work with.” Real, lasting marriages take hard work, but the key is to find someone you love working with—and I’m so happy two of my favorite people in Hollywood found that in each other.
Losers: Seth McFarlane’s attempts to be edgy
With jokes about 9-year-old nominees dating George Clooney, Rihanna and Chris Brown, and actresses looking great after getting the “flu” (a not-so-subtle reference to bulimia), there were more than a few spots where McFarlane didn’t just fall flat; he crossed the line. And I kept feeling uncomfortable when he would call out the crowd for not laughing or for reacting poorly to his jokes. It just wasn’t my style of humor, but I suppose we sadly can’t have Amy Poehler and Tina Fey host everything.
Winners: Dancers
Channing Tatum and Charlize Theron looked gorgeous during their old-Hollywood-style routine, as did Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Daniel Radcliffe. If there’s one thing McFarlane and the producers did right, it was bringing back some panache to the show in the classiest way possible: good-old-fashioned dance numbers.
Loser: Catherine Zeta-Jones
Her performance of “All That Jazz” was just painful. If you’re going to lip-synch, at least have the decency to match up your mouth with the music.
Winner: Jennifer Hudson
Nowthat is how you relive your Oscar glory, Ms. Zeta-Jones.
Losers: James Bond fans
Was anybody else severely underwhelmed by the Bond tribute, or was that just me? Halle Berry was the best you could do, producers? Did none of the past (or present) Bonds want to come to the Oscars?
Winners: Musical Theater Nerds
Seeing the cast of Les Misérables all on stage at once, belting their hearts out to “One Day More” was enough to give me chills and keep me rewatching multiple times. Kudos to Samantha Barks, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, and, of course, Hugh Jackman for standing out and making the Oscars feel for a brief moment like the Tony Awards—and I mean that as a compliment.
Losers: The men of America not named Hugh Jackman and Bradley Cooper
After Jennifer Lawrence’s unfortunate tumble on her way to accept her Best Actress Oscar, Jackman and Cooper immediately rushed to her aid, proving to all the women watching that chivalry isn’t dead and gentlemen do still exist. My expectations for the opposite sex may have just been raised more than a little bit.
This was a phenomenal week in the world of television. February sweeps has been beyond good to me as a viewer. From Nathan Fillion’s heartbreaking performance in the first part of this season’s Castle two-parter to a very meaningful interaction involving fish sticks and a no-nail oath on New Girl, this was a week filled with amazing acting, shocking plot twists, hilarious comedy, and heartwarming moments.
But there’s nothing better than a wedding, and, this week, Parks and Recreation gave us the most perfect television wedding imaginable. This was the feel-good episode to beat all feel-good episodes, and it’s one that I know I won’t be deleting from my DVR until I get Season 5 on DVD.
“I love you and I like you.” It’s the perfect way to describe Ben and Leslie’s beautiful, inspiring relationship. And it’s the perfect way to describe how I feel about Parks and Rec.
It’s finally here! After months of going to see movie after movie (my credit card will thank me when award season is finally over), analyzing critical reactions, and watching every award show possible leading up to tonight, it’s finally time for the culmination of the 2013 movie awards season: The Oscars.
I’ve been watching the Oscars since I was a little kid. I remember Ben Affleck and Matt Damon winning and thinking they were my new Hollywood crushes (some things don’t change). I remember Halle Berry’s very emotional (and very long) acceptance speech for Best Actress. I remember that fantastic feeling you get when the first time a movie you actually saw in theaters wins Best Picture.
I’m a movie fanatic—always have been, always will be. Movies hold a special spot in my heart; there’s nothing quite like sitting in a theater with a bunch of strangers, experiencing the same emotional highs and lows but knowing that this one film can touch each person in this theater in a unique way. I know more about film history than I do about American history; I can probably name more Best Picture winners than I can name presidents. And I can’t wait to watch history be made again tonight.
Enough waxing poetic about my lifelong love affair with the silver screen. Here are my picks for who’s going to be taking home an Oscar tonight:
Picture: Argo
After the way it’s swept the rest of the major awards so far, I can’t see anything beating this film—and that’s more than okay with me. Although I thought Silver Linings Playbook was a better film overall, I wouldn’t be disappointed in this slightest to see Ben Affleck and the rest of the team behind this filmmaking tour de force win for this inspiring adrenaline rush of a film.
Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)
No one else stands a chance, as sad as that makes me as a fan of both Hugh Jackman and Bradley Cooper’s great performances. This has been Day-Lewis’s Oscar since the day Lincoln opened in theaters.
Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)
I just saw this film for the third time yesterday, and every time I see it I walk away even more impressed with the level of maturity, depth, and detail Lawrence put into her performance. She is this movie’s igniting force, the spark that intensifies the performances of everyone around her.
Supporting Actor: Robert De Niro (Silver Linings Playbook)
De Niro delivered his best work in years in this film, and I think he’s going to get recognized for that. His performance in this film is nuanced, surprisingly subtle, and grounded in a warmth that infuses the film with the sense of deep, familial love that makes it so beautiful.
Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables)
Like Day-Lewis, this has been Hathaway’s Oscar from the start, with the first trailer that was released for this film. And she more than earned it with her incredible physical dedication to the role and her gut-wrenching performance.
Director: David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook)
In what should have been Ben Affleck’s category to lose, I’m picking the man who I felt got the most out of his actors and crafted the most heartfelt, quietly powerful movie of the year. In order for Silver Linings Playbook to resonate so strongly with audiences, it needed a director who could bring truly great performances out of all of his cast, and Russell certainly accomplished that—with four acting nominations for his cast to testify to that fact.
Two-Sentence Summary In “Leslie and Ben,” the title characters get married after an evening that doesn’t exactly go according to plan. “Correspondents’ Lunch” features Ben and Leslie returning to work, with Ben beginning a new job as the head of a Sweetums-run charity and Leslie dealing with the fallout from her email being hacked by journalists.
Favorite Lines Ben and Leslie: “In my time working for the state government, my job sent me to 46 cities in 11 years. I lived in villages with 8 people, farming communities, college towns…I was sent to every corner of Indiana. And then I came here and I realized that this whole time I was just wandering around everywhere…just looking for you.” (Ben’s vows to Leslie)
Correspondents’ Lunch: “I wish this office only had walls.” (Ron)
My Thoughts
I’m still having trouble formulating coherent thoughts about this week’s Parks and Rec event. I watched “Leslie and Ben” six times in 36 hours (a new personal record for TV episodes), and I still cry just as hard every time. I honestly believe that was a perfect 30 minutes of television—it made me laugh, it made me cry, and, more than anything, it made me feel good. If Parks and Rec would have ended forever after that episode like it was originally believed, I would have been devastated but ultimately satisfied; it was that good.
But thank the television gods it didn’t end, and “Correspondents’ Lunch” proved that there are still moments of laughter, kindness, and character development to be found even after such a brilliant high point like “Leslie and Ben.” While the episode wasn’t as good as the one that came before it, it still held is own. It featured Amy Poehler doing impressions, Retta being flawless, and a hopeful turn of events for Andy as a character—of course it was good. I may still not be crazy about the seemingly random “Ann’s baby-daddy search” storyline, but I have been missing her sharing scenes with Chris. So I liked their interactions in this episode. It was an episode worthy of its place, sharing a night with what I now think is one of the best sitcom episodes—and the best wedding episode—of all time.
There were a million little things to love about “Leslie and Ben”—the callbacks to previous episodes, the joyful feeling that permeated the whole thing (but was kept from being too saccharine by Councilman Jamm’s antics), the acting by each member of this incredible ensemble, RON F—–G SWANSON…I could write a recap to rival Leslie’s first draft of her vows in its length if I wanted to list everything that made me happy about this episode.
Ultimately, the thing I loved most about “Leslie and Ben” was that it was an episode about love—the love between a man and a woman and between the two of them and the friends who have become their family. And it was about the love between a show and the audience that has come to adore it over five beautiful seasons.
I’ve said it so many times, but it bears repeating: There is nothing that makes me happier than watching an episode of Parks and Rec where the characters join together to help one of their own. So it should go without saying that I was incredibly moved by the fact that every character had their place in this wedding; even Jerry played a part and played it well. As Leslie is so fond of saying, “No one achieves anything alone.” That’s such an important theme when it comes to this show, and it came to its most beautiful realization here.
Another important theme that makes Parks and Rec such a groundbreaking show is feminists can love and be loved, too—without ever having to sacrifice their feminist streaks. This wedding was so incredible to me because it was a celebration of the fact that strong, independent, ambitious Leslie Knope never had to give up any of those traits in order to find her perfect man. Instead, she found a man who finds the very idea of her submitting to him in any way—including taking his last name—so ridiculous that he jokes about it. She found a man who believes his entire career with the state government was just wandering in the wilderness until he met her. She found a man who sacrificed so much in order for her to achieve her dreams and did it for no other reason than the fact that he loves her more than he’s ever loved any job. And Leslie doesn’t just take advantage of Ben’s support; she does the same for him.
For all of us romantic feminists out there, Leslie and Ben are a sign of hope that it can happen—there are men out there waiting to help us, support us, surprise us, and make us happy.
Instead of continuing to wax poetic about every minute detail that I loved about “Leslie and Ben,” I’m just going to make a list of my favorite things:
Today’s the day, fellow Ben/Leslie lovers! At 8:30 p.m. EST tonight on NBC, one of my favorite relationships on TV is reaching its biggest milestone yet with the wedding episode I’ve been waiting for since sometime during the third season of Parks and Recreation.
I love Ben and Leslie because they have the kind of romance that is beautiful to watch but also believable to hope for in your own life. They both have their own stories to tell in the world, but they also have a story to tell together. And it’s a story of two people who give each other balance, mutual respect, and endless support. They love each other for all of their quirks, flaws, and craziness. And they help each other pursue their dreams—from running political campaigns to meeting Joe Biden.
I say this all the time, and it’s never been more true than it is on the day we get to see their wedding: I’m just a Leslie looking for her Ben.
In honor of this most auspicious occasion, I want to take a moment to look back on my Top 5 moments in Ben and Leslie’s relationship (so far).
5. “This is how I feel…How do you feel?” (from “Smallest Park”):
I think this clip speaks for itself. The genuine emotion, passion, and vulnerability still take my breath away as much as they did the first time I watched this. I love that Leslie actively worked to avoid “steamrolling” Ben because she wanted to prove how much she cared about him and respected him. And I love that Ben threw caution to the wind and gave in to his feelings—Leslie has shown him time and again that risks are worth it when you love someone and you know they’ll be there to hold your hand as you leap into the great unknown. This is my favorite Ben/Leslie kiss because of Ben’s intensity; you can feel how much he’s missed her just by looking at Adam Scott’s face as he goes in for the kiss.
Two-Sentence Summary An all-out war over a coveted parking spot highlights the new tension between Nick and Jess in a way that not even Schmidt can deny. Meanwhile, Winston goes on a desperate search for a condom before he can enjoy some quality time with Daisy.
Favorite Line “You dropped your fish sticks.” (Nick)
Episode M.V.P.: Jess. While the entire cast—including Cece—was stellar in this episode, Jess stood out to me because she had to go through such a wide spectrum of emotions. Zooey Deschanel was able to effortlessly transition from silly (taking pictures of the cats on her car) and strange (the weird-off with Nick) to heartbroken (her belief that Nick regretted the kiss) and falling awkwardly but realistically in love. The moment just after Nick told her that the “no-nail oath” was created because he wanted her from the start was breathtaking. Deschanel faces Jake Johnson with a look of total, lovestruck shock, like it’s dawning on Jess as it’s dawning on the audience that Nick has been falling in love with her from the very start. You can see her struggle to breathe as the tears form behind her eyes, and it’s a moment of real, human beauty in the midst of such a hilarious episode. I also have to say that I’ve never liked Jess more than when I got to see her indignation at the very idea of the no-nail oath. She is a strong woman, but her strength is relatable and imperfect. And I love her all the more for it.
Favorite Moment: The entire montage of Nick, Jess, and Schmidt racing to get to the parking space was one of the funniest things I’ve seen on TV in a long time. Every detail was perfect: Nick negotiating with the kids to fold the cardboard and push his car; Jess’s awkward standoff with the old man; Schmidt hitting Nick with his car; and Jess pushing Schmidt’s car with hers. The comedy in this sequence was just pure, silly fun, and that’s sometimes all you need from a TV show—a good dose of laughing until you cry.
A New Girl GIF* for my New Girl Feelings:
Another week, another happy dance. New Girl just keeps getting better and better. The laughs are coming fast and furious, every storyline is working, and the chemistry between all of the actors in the cast has never been more perfect. The writers used Nick and Jess’s kiss as a realistic starting point for an entirely new branch of storytelling, and I love what they’re doing with the situation so far. It’s organic to the characters and the show as a whole, and it’s not getting in the way of the comedy. In fact, it’s making the show funnier—but also more emotionally charged—than ever before.
*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.
Only one week into starting this new feature, and I’m already behind! Sorry, everyone, for my tardiness, but I hope I can make it up to you with my choice for the best moment on TV between Sunday the 10th and Sunday the 17th.
There were several moments in the running from this past week in TV. There was Beckett giving Castle a drawer for Valentine’s Day, Ron Swanson curing hangovers one pan-seared flank steak at a time, and everything Louis is doing lately on Suits.
But my favorite moment of the week came from this Sunday’s “Manhattan” episode of Once Upon a Time. Family reunions are always a source of great TV drama, and this reunion was one of the most dynamic, emotional, and electric things I’ve seen on TV in a long time. This is what happens when you put strong actors in a small space and let them go. The result was pure—pun intended—magic.
What were your favorite things from the last week in the world of TV?
Nerdy Girl Notes 