Donna Freitas: May 2007 Archives

I've already got a new television addiction for the summer months (thank God!). It may not be deep and layered like "The Sopranos" (I've maintained the ban on my former favorite HBO series since last season's horribly disturbing Vito storyline), but it's as relentlessly nonstop as "24." In fact, it might be the new "24."

ABC's new action drama, "Traveler," hit the ground running in last night's two hour special. Jay Tyler, fresh out of Yale grad school are about to embark on one last summer of fun before they hit the reality of the working world. Within five minutes of the first episode, Will Traveler, the third member of the road trip crew convinces them to pull what seems an innocent prank--rollerblading down all the stairs of a big New York City art museum (they call it The Drexler but it's really the Met).

But as soon as Jay and Tyler are out the door the museum blows up, and it seems as if Will is the bomber. The FBI has Jay and Tyler on tape looking awfully suspicious fleeing the museum just before the explosion, and less than 15 minutes into the pilot a full blown man-hunt is underway in the vein of "The Fugitive." Jay and Tyler soon must come to grips with Will's betrayal, the fact that he doesn't seem to exist, and the fact that their future as well-paid professionals is shattered. Never mind their freedom.

Deep breath.

I was a reluctant believer at first--the premise is a bit weak. (Why don't they just turn themselves in and tell the whole story?) But I haven't watched anything that adrenaline-inducing since the first season of "24." I was glued to the screen, my heart was racing, and I can't wait until next week. I've long wondered if someone could figure out how to replicate the magic formula that is "24," and "Traveler" may have done it. It feels like everything is happening in real time.

And, Jay and Tyler are easy on the eyes.

For "Onion" fans out there who also appreciate all things religious, you've got to read this. This week, "The Onion" has a hilarious faux-story about a man who posted a "modern-day" 95 Theses (think Martin Luther), in the form of "95 Comment Cards" nailed to the front door of a South Dakota IHOP.

Just to tempt you to check it out--here are a few winner pancake "theses":

"IHOP has grown weak on powdered sugar and fruity garnishes, forsaking the righteousness of its original rib-sticking mission."

"IHOP is about pancakes, not syrups. No pancake can exist drowned in a pool of lingonberry. No man who comes hungry can leave happy on artificial orange-flavored goo."

Please read "Modern-Day Martin Luther Nails 95 Comment Cards To IHOP Door" for a good laugh today.

I spent most of last night's "Heroes" season finale half-cowering under the covers, worrying that one of my favorite new super-powered friends wouldn't make it to see another season. It was a nail-biter in other words.

Would Hiro Nakamura--television's most adorable, idealistic character ever--survive his mission to take out the brutal serial hero-killer Sylar? Would Ando, his faithful sidekick, risk his own life to save the world, despite the fact that he is not "a hero" (at least not officially)? Before night's end would Sylar take yet another life? And even though Peter Petrelli and Claire Bennet can regenerate, could they really survive the nuclear holocaust they spent the entire season trying to stop--should they fail to "save the world"?

Last night's episode was one of the best ever--especially with Hiro finally embracing that he is, in fact, a hero who can do what it takes when necessary. It was the highlight of the season. That is, until the last five minutes when Peter Petrelli's destiny was revealed and Nathan, his brother, suddenly does an about face after months of being (mostly) a jerk.

Just before New York City is about to be blown to bits, Peter has a vision of sorts, where he is told that it is Peter, and not his brother Nathan the politician, who has what it takes to heal the world. Peter learns that he is to be the world's salvation. And what, exactly, does Peter have that makes him so special (in additional to all those amazing powers)? He has a unique heart. He loves unconditionally. And it is that kind of heart and unconditional love that will save the world and save him from turning into someone like Sylar.

Sound familiar? Harry Potter anyone? Peter's vision could have come straight out of Dumbledore's pensive, with Dumbledore revealing to Harry that it is his ability to love unconditionally that will allow him to triumph over Voldemort.

Am I totally alone in thinking that this "Heroes" last-minute twist was a bit lame? And that in a total about-face, Nathan Petrelli, who was perfectly willing to let millions die in New York City so he could become president, really could have that drastic a change of heart, so much so that he gave his life to save the same city he was about to let fry?

Maybe I'm being too cynical. In the end, it all felt overly simple. And after an entire season of buildup, the sudden resolution of the nuclear holocaust felt just too easy.

But then, Season Two will see the return of Hiro (for sure), Claire, Parkman (hopefully), and Jessica/Nikki at the very least. Nathan is gone (I think--but then, maybe he flew away just before Peter exploded?). Whether or not Peter survives is up in the air. And Sylar--thought to be dead--seems to have gotten away yet again. And then Molly (a young little new hero) spoke of knowing another "hero" even worse than Sylar--perhaps next year's ultra-villain?

Regardless of my last minute disappointment, I'll definitely be back next year.

Though I know "Desperate Housewives" mostly as a funny, fluffy confection of marital and familial melodrama, acted superbly by its four female leads, it never fails to remind audiences of its deeper, darker side--and just when you least expect it. As season one began with a suicide, so season three (at least it appears) ended with another.


Last night's final episode was a zig-zag of emotions. Lynette Scavo grappled with a diagnosis of Lymphoma. Bree returned from a belated honeymoon as appearance-conscious as ever, so much so that it appears she's covering her daughter's out-of-wedlock pregnancy by pretending to be pregnant herself (ick!). Bree will apparently do anything to save face.


Most intense of all were the evenings two weddings and then, rather shocking, a suicide. Gabrielle's nuptials to the new mayor were tainted when she overheard Victor harshly talk about how their marriage would seal the Hispanic vote when he runs for governor. Susan had the lightest, happiest moment of the show with a surprise, homespun private wedding ceremony with Mike under stars and paper lanterns.


And just when you thought this happy thought would end the season--the show's propensity for darkness crept over Wisteria Lane once again. Edie, distraught after a fight with Carlos, apparently hung herself at home. The last image we saw of season three was of Edie's feet, dangling.


How's that for a chilling closer?

I am happy to report at least one bit of good news about the end of Smallville's Season Six: the CW network finally released to fans their re-ups for next season which include "One Tree Hill," "Supernatural," and "Smallville." Fans like me were worried that "Smallville" would go the way of "Gilmore Girls," never to be seen again—despite the fact that after a couple of down seasons, the show seemed to regain its footing this year. I was happy to read there would be a Season Seven in the young Clark Kent's future.

That is, until last night's final episode.

The season finale saw the possible death of its two major heroines, Lana Lang and Chloe Sullivan, the first of which has long played Clark Kent's true love interest throughout the series, and the second, Chloe, his faithful best friend and sidekick. After finally leaving a terrible marriage to Lex Luther, which prevented her long-awaited reunion with Clark, Lana gets into her car and it explodes. There was no sign that she got out. And in an attempt to help her cousin Lois Lane after a stabbing, Chloe's elusive meteor rock "ability"—still unclear to her and Clark—may have swapped her life for Lois's, leaving the newly healed Lois to pray that Chloe might be still alive.

My fear about these two shocking developments? That in the writers' and producers' attempt to finally let Clark Kent "become Superman"—an event that many fans have long-called for in the series—they somehow felt they needed both Lana and Chloe (known for her long time crush on Clark) out of the way so that Lois and Clark could finally become, well, Lois and Clark. So it's very possible that fans have seen the last of Lana and Chloe, as they were sacrificed for a "higher purpose" it seems.

That's my theory anyway. And I'm not happy about it. Alas, until next season…

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