Board 8 > Scarlet Ranks User-Nominated Episodes of Television: Midseason Premiere

(+) Yeah! (+)

Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Nominated by: Eddv

Watching a Sorkin WKoDHAIB episode is always a great benchmark of what a Sorkin show is trying to achieve and what it actually is achieving. You can see especially in this episode that Aaron Sorkin is trying to desperately break out of the 22 minute format. His plotlines have legs that require less comedy and more drama. For a show with a laugh track that started this series, it's especially telling to see that, in the season finale, it exists no more.

What Kind Of Day Has It Been? piles one too many sappy layers onto the wrap-party cake, but who can begrudge the moment when Isaac returns, or the tragicomic nervous breakdown that Dana endures until he arrives? The woman just needs a win, and given that shes coming from deep in the hole, shes earned all the jubilation of the ninth-inning rally that Jeremy is rooting for. It's all of the material and substance you'd want out of an hour of television, packed tightly into this tiny little comedy that yearns to be something more. The upshot is that every beat is simultaneously overpacked and underserved. It's a bizarre double-edged sword.

The phrase ahead of its time gets tossed around far too much. But its difficult to find any other way of describing Sports Night, a single-camera comedy that rose and fell just before shows like Malcolm In The Middle, Scrubs, and Curb Your Enthusiasm made the world safe for its kind.

(Oh, and as a quick side note, this episode has President Josiah Bartlet's daughter Ellie. Sorkin's Players!)

Writing: 8/10
Characterization: 7/10
Scarlet Factor: 7/10
Overall Rating: 22/30
---

Next up is... Game of Thrones - "The Rains of Castamere" (Nominated by: Pirateking)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "The Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
Star Trek: TNG - "The Inner Light"
Game of Thrones - "A Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Louie - "In the Woods Part 1/Part 2"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
Star Trek: DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
Agents of SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
Batman: BATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack Horseman - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Seinfeld - "The Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "Day 1: 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "The Masks"
Star vs. the Forces of Evil - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "A Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
9 Points:
Married With Children - "Married... With Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage the Cowardly Dog - "The Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7 Points:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6 Points:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5 Points:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4 Points:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3 Points:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

Oh good finally a happy episode next
---

Been a little busy the last few days.
---

The PLAN is to watch stuff tomorrow.
---

Game of Thrones - "The Rains of Castamere"
Nominated by: Pirateking

Looking back on this monumental, pivotal episode, you can see where the difference between this season and the final season lies quite clearly. Here, we have long, slow-burning plots weaving in and out of one another, occasionally touching for a moment before spiraling in another direction. We have a final moment that is the culmination of a seasons-long build, but we continue forward with the deliberate pacing that defined the strong, unbroken momentum of the first 3/4ths of the series.

What should be focused on, here, is what doesn't work. You see, we have, as of late, become too rose-tinted with our glasses that look at the past of things. This episode features what could have been a strong moment for the Daenerys storyline but instead is utterly forgettable. Daario continues to make his case for being utterly boring, the Jerry Sue of GoT season 3. The real heft and weight of the performances in that story arc rely on the hugely underrated Iain Glen as Jorah Mormont. His phenomenal turn in the role propels Daernerys despite a fairly dull arc. The slave freeing Mysa remains a boring departure from the juicy arcs in Westeros.

And what juice we get! The turn of Jon Snow against his Wildling allies as Bran's unlikely alliance begins to fragment yards away. Arya and The Hound constantly at cross-purposes despite their begrudging respect for one another. And, of course, the Frey-Tully wedding. All of these plotlines serve iconic, memorable moments, none moreso than the famed Red Wedding. The level of detail in the Red Wedding remains amazing to this day. Knowing where characters are going here, it's rewarding to give this episode a rewatch. Learning that Roose Bolton married Walda Frey for a dowry of silver since it would be equal to her weight tells you exactly what you need to know. The Tully's absences in the wedding itself explains so much for later seasons; in this moment, it's easy to note and promptly forget. But where every character is matters.

I will always say that this moment is less about the fairly uninteresting King in the North and more about the Mother of Starks, Catelyn. Coming back to this character seasons later, you can see exactly what we're missing from the lost Stoneheart storyline. Since the books will never resolve it, I must satisfy myself with dreams of a well-built turn of a character that climaxes in this catalyzing moment.

As it stands, this is an iconic episode, one of many penultimate episodes of a Game of Thrones season that would, on any other show, provide the final scene for a calendar year (or more). In the end, the fact that Game of Thrones takes that last step (much in the way a Marvel Phase does) and gives character closure, is why the series stands above others as a more mature series. The writing is always, always more than skin deep. The timelessness of these characters and their motivations makes them wonderful, meaningful, resonant. Everyone from Walder Frey to Hodor is a brilliant burst of flavor. Damn good series.

Writing: 10/10
Characterization: 9/10
Scarlet Factor: 8/10
Overall Rating: 27/30
---

Next up is... Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring" (Nominated by: Mega Mana)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "The Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
ST:TNG - "Inner Light"
GoT - "Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
GoT - "Rains of Castamere"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Louie - "In the Woods Part 1/Part 2"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
Star Trek: DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
Agents of SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
Batman: BATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack Horseman - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Seinfeld - "The Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "Day 1: 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "The Masks"
Star vs. the Forces of Evil - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "A Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
9 Points:
Married With Children - "Married... With Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage the Cowardly Dog - "The Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7 Points:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6 Points:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5 Points:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4 Points:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3 Points:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring"
Nominated by: Mega Mana

First, and this probably goes without saying, but watching this show - what? A decade later? - you see just how insanle loaded this cast was. Shazam leading a cast featuring Miranda Lawson and Kal'Reegar as your home base is one thing. But then you have insanely great guest stars. Chevy Chase, Scott Bakula, Tony Hale, BRUCE FUCKING BOXLEITNER, my boy Matt Bomer... great stuff. And that's all one episode.

This show is pretty much the spiritual successor to Scarecrow and Mrs. King with a dash of Remington Steele thrown in and flavored with nerd cred. That works. That just works on a simple, entertaining level. It's flashy at the right moments, and despite a simple narrative, Chuck proves a heartwarming little adventure show that never truly found the credit it deserved. What is especially great about the season two finale is that the series wraps a long-running threat and at the same time reveals there is another Russian Egg Doll surrounding this smaller threat. Things are getting heavier, more profound. Chuck is growing up and escaping a state of arrested development (so wonderfully represented by his Buy More boss pulled right from, well, Arrested Development).

What you need to understand is that this episode isn't great in a vacuum. It's a culmination of a lot of things. Every major guest character is back here to really up the stakes. It's a rite of passage for Chuck. Will Chuck allow Bryce to take over his role in Sarah's life? Will Chuck risk his own role in his sister's life? Can Casey and Chuck and Sarah remain bonded despite the division of their team? All of this wrapped around the only truly stable aspect of this show going haywire - the marriage of Captain Awesome and Ellie.

And yes, Captain Awesome is not his real name. But if you watch Chuck, you know that you should call him that.

There are about 12 characters in this episode who all get strong moments here, which is pretty impressive for a tiny little silly show about spies at Best Buy. And while it's not top shelf storytelling, it's still the sort of amazing bingeable show that you realize you just spent 8 hours watching on a Saturday and shrug, saying, "Meh, good investment." There's some great cinematography here. The juxtaposition of a moment that will leave you guessing completely about two-thirds of the way through episode against a scene that would, for any other show, be a finale moment reminds you that Chuck is put together by a team that really just gets its own show. It embraces the goofiness and silliness while also creating a tremendous amount of gravity and stakes and, hell, even emotion.

Also, best rendition of Mr. Roboto ever.

Writing: 7/10
Characterization: 7/10
Scarlet Factor: 9/10
Overall Rating: 23/30
---

Next up is... Baskets - "Renoir" (Nominated by: Bosco)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "The Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
ST:TNG - "Inner Light"
GoT - "Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
GoT - "Rains of Castamere"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Louie - "In the Woods Part 1/Part 2"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
Star Trek: DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
Agents of SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
Batman: BATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack Horseman - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Seinfeld - "The Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "Day 1: 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "The Masks"
Star vs. the Forces of Evil - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "A Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
9 Points:
Married With Children - "Married... With Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage the Cowardly Dog - "The Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7 Points:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6 Points:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5 Points:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4 Points:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3 Points:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

Baskets - "Renoir"
Nominated by: Bosco

The pacing of this show is solid, the writing is all over the place, and all I can really say is that the entirety of this show depends on how much you like the style of Galfinakis comedy. For me, I prefer Zack with a side of normalcy to counter-balance him. Think Bored to Death. Here, he's spinning his wheels so much that I have a hard time anchoring myself to this show. Do I like it? I don't know. I feel like I'd need more time to decide.

There's a lot happening here. We're quickly introduced to several characters who could be key components of the show, but only the character of Baskets (sorry, Renoir, sorry, Baskets) is given time to shine. It's definitely a star vehicle. But we also get these partial glimpses into other characters. No one particularly sinks their teeth into their roles aside from Louie Anderson. Anderson seems comfortable in the role of the boisterous matriarch, but we're shuffled to quickly away from that scene to really make a lot of sense of it.

Sometimes a show is better combined with other episodes bunched together. I could see that very much being the case here, despite the storytelling style that suggests all of these episodes are going to be in isolation of one another. It's not really a serialized episode of a show, but it feels like it's digested better as such.

Is it funny? Somewhat. I'd consider watching another.

Writing: 7/10
Characterization: 5/10
Scarlet Factor: 5/10
Overall Rating: 17/30
---

Next up is... Horace and Pete - "Episode 3" (Nominated by: Johnbobb)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "The Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
ST:TNG - "Inner Light"
GoT - "Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
Always Sunny - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
GoT - "Rains of Castamere"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Louie - "In the Woods"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
Star Trek: DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
Agents of SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
Batman: BATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack Horseman - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Baskets - "Renoir"
Seinfeld - "The Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "Day 1: 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "The Masks"
Star vs. the Forces of Evil - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "A Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
9 Points:
Married With Children - "Married... With Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage the Cowardly Dog - "The Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7 Points:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6 Points:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5 Points:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4 Points:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3 Points:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

oh shit big update

absolutely startled that Rains of Castamere did well. Just so entirely shocked

Just finished watching the first three seasons of Baskets. I will agree the show's better as a whole than individually but even then I'd have trouble giving any season higher than like a B+. The characters are all pretty unique and memorable and grow over time (Mrs. Baskets in particular is the standout for me) and it has some really great moments, but overall never quite hits the high point I was hoping for
---

Horace and Pete - "Episode 3"
Nominated by: Johnbobb

Extremely well-written and well-acted.

I hated it.

I don't enjoy things that get mired so heavily in real world problems. If I want to see real world problems, I could go to work or look out the window. I look for the superlatives in life when I watch television. The pacing here, too, was just glacially slow for me. Essentially, I spent the first thirty minutes watching someone's audition monologue. And while it was well-presented in every facet, there's a reason audition monologues aren't what gets plastered on television. They languish in this swamp of reality that is neither interesting nor poetic. And I'm here, being forced against my will, to listen to someone else's sob story.

That's another thing about me. In real life, I'm happy to offer sympathy and occasionally empathy when available. In fiction, you have to earn that from me. And Louis C.K.'s characters are just normal people. I hate normal people in fiction. So it builds a resentment within me. I feel put-upon to listen to these Oscar Bait stories because these characters have done nothing for me. The difference between an episode of Atlanta and this, by the way, is that I've witnessed a character do something interesting.

And then, let's talk about how this is one conversation at a table. That's made for podcasts, not television. Visually, I'm bored to death. Watching "subtle emotions" on someone's face is not entertainment. And by the way, no emotion is subtle. You can always spot a forced microexpression. Give me something to sink my teeth into that isn't about people fucking around. I hate fucking around. I hate fucking around when it isn't linked to something a bit more clever. And Louis C.K. too often eschews his cleverness for realness. Except realness without cleverness is exactly the stuff we don't watch on TV. "That's the point!" you say. Except it's not. Fiction should give us lenses into these real situations with something additional. There has to be more than just info dumping a real world situation without any additional perspective or commentary. This is just blah-blah real life. Get out of here.

Writing: 8/10
Characterization: 7/10
Scarlet Factor: 1/10
Overall Rating: 16/30
---

Next up is... Person of Interest - "Many Happy Returns" (Nominated by: Iceman)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "The Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
ST:TNG - "Inner Light"
GoT - "Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
Always Sunny - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
GoT - "Rains of Castamere"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Louie - "In the Woods"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
ST:DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
Agents of SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
Batman: BATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack Horseman - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Baskets - "Renoir"
Seinfeld - "The Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
Horace and Pete - "Episode 3"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "12:00 - 1:00"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "The Masks"
Star v. Forces of Evil - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "A Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
9 Points:
Married w/Children - "Married... w/ Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage the Cowardly Dog - " Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7 Points:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6 Points:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5 Points:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4 Points:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3 Points:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

LOL that wasn't the take I expected, but I get it

I chose Episode 3 because 1. it's presented in a unique format different from the rest of the show and 2. it's one of the few episodes that stands on its own without context from the other episodes

but I will say that while Horace and Pete is one of my all-time favorite shows, I guess it probably isn't for you. It definitely has a pretty heavy focus on presenting characters that primarily feel like real people, with the slight exception of Pete, who feels different because he's a fairly heavily-medicated schizophrenic.

The rest of the episodes do have more going on visually, but it's never complex; the majority of the scenes takes place in either the bar or the living room of the apartment above the bar, presented almost like you're watching a play. Very slice-of-life, very grounded and primarily focused on great dialogue and great performances
---

I tend to dislike slice-of-life in general. Unless the character has something unique about them, I get enough slice-of-life at work from customers. You really have to do something special to stand out. Maybe I'm weird, but to me, there are two types of that slice-of-life - there's the process story and there's the personal drama. And the former can be much more interesting to me because it involves a person interacting with the world, usually through their job.

The pacing was the secret special killer for me. Again, this would have been fine if I was exercising and listening to it as a podcast, but this was a television show, and I demand more.
---

scarletspeed7 posted...

Maybe I'm weird, but to me, there are two types of that slice-of-life - there's the process story and there's the personal drama. And the former can be much more interesting to me because it involves a person interacting with the world, usually through their job.

for what it's worth, while this episode was entirely the second, there is a lot of the first in the show. You get a distinct feel for how the four people that run the bar (Horace, Pete, Uncle Pete, and Sylvia) all interact with customers, the bar, etc. differently.

scarletspeed7 posted...

The pacing was the secret special killer for me. Again, this would have been fine if I was exercising and listening to it as a podcast, but this was a television show, and I demand more.

That's also gonna be largely because of this particular episode. It's a lot different from the others. Although there is going to be a lot of scenes sitting and talking or standing and talking, none of them are to the extent this one was.
---

That makes sense. And again, these are my personal distates. I think the episode was well put-together in eveyr other aspect. It just hits a lot of my pet peeves for television. It's not something I would personally want to write.
---

Person of Interest - "Many Happy Returns"
Nominated by: Iceman

This was the best of the CSI template of storytelling, the pat procedural process presented as entertainment. I imagine a good number of 40-somethings at the time this aired really, really enjoyed it. There is a feeling of raw emotion to the ending of the episode, but the entirety of its make-up really just doesn't hit for me at all.

I tried the first couple of episodes of this series back when it began, actually. Coming off of LOST, Michael Emerson was an actor with whom I had become quite enamored. However, every episode left me feeling cold and uninspired. It was yet another Without a Trace, a Law and Order, a Chuck with no Chuck. The episode reminded me yet again of that network format. Specifically, the CBS format. I'm not sure what network this aired on, but it definitely has the feeling of a CBS show. Push through, give a plot, rely on actors people like to carry boring characters, and leave room for commercial breaks. Everything just feels like going through the motions to me here.

Writing: 3/10
Characterization: 4/10
Scarlet Factor: 3/10
Overall Rating: 10/30
---

Next up is... Good Place - "Dance Dance Resolution" (Nominated by: CybrMonkey)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "The Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
ST:TNG - "Inner Light"
GoT - "Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
Always Sunny - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
GoT - "Rains of Castamere"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Louie - "In the Woods"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
ST:DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
BBATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Baskets - "Renoir"
Seinfeld - "The Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
Horace & Pete - "Episode 3"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "12:00 - 1:00"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "The Masks"
SvFE - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "A Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
Person of Interest - "Many Happy Returns"
9 Points:
Married w/Children - "Married... w/ Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage the Cowardly Dog - " Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7 Points:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6 Points:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5 Points:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4 Points:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3 Points:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

hell yeah good place let's go
---

Good Place - "Dance Dance Resolution"
Nominated by: CybrMonkey

Every two or three episodes, the Good Place eschews comfort for excitement, destroying the show's entire premise. That's a bold and risky venture; most TV shows, even the greatest ones, lay out a premise and slowly churn that bowl, exploring every morsel and every drop of its potential. The Good Place has never rested for a single moment, choosing instead to constantly drop the characters into new roles and upending everything the viewer understands. It makes the world of the show topsy-turvy and magical. Not even Alice in Wonderland adaptations have succeeded in creating a pleasant euphoric narrative vertigo in this way. It's absolutely delightful.

Suddenly, the viewer is jumping through time, witnessing hundreds of "Season One"'s in the blink of an eye. Each little taste is delightful, examining the variety of ways we COULD be watching the show without languishing in them. Just after we were settled into what we thought this show could be, we are thrown into another version of the Good Place. It's tremendous. It's a testament to how much we as viewers are anchored by an extremely likable cast of characters that the writers have the freedom to experiment in this way. As the show now winds down to its final season, I can't imagine what's left for Mike Schur and the gang to explore, and yet I feel wholly comforted by the thought that, no matter where the show goes, it will remain a delightful, thoughtful affair.

Writing: 9/10
Characterization: 8/10
Scarlet Factor: 9/10
Overall Rating: 26/30
---

Next up is... Buffy the Vampire Slayer - "Hush" (Nommed by: Eddv)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "The Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
ST:TNG - "Inner Light"
GoT - "Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
Always Sunny - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
GoT - "Rains of Castamere"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Good Place - "Dance Dance Resolution"
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Louie - "In the Woods"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
ST:DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
BBATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Baskets - "Renoir"
Seinfeld - "The Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
Horace & Pete - "Episode 3"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "12:00 - 1:00"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "The Masks"
SvFE - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "A Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
Person of Interest - "Many Happy Returns"
9 Points:
Married w/Children - "Married... w/ Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage - " Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7 Points:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6 Points:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5 Points:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4 Points:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3 Points:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

Good place always amazes me with how quickly they move the plot along. Most shows would have done at least half a season in a reboot good place for season 2.
---

Good Place's pace is definitely shocking, especially season 2 on, but yeah, the great cast really holds it together
---

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - "Hush"
Nominated by: Eddv

The concept is fairly ingenious in this episode of Buffy, and, lest we forget, it spun off an entire month of terrible Marvel comics under the event banner of "SHH!" or something equally stupid, wherein each issue lacked any dialogue.

Here, several Gentlemen come to town and do away with everyone's voice. After fifteen minutes of banal banter that seems to serve no purpose, it was a welcome relief to cease the prattling of twentysomethings bitching relentlessly about their dull love lives. Instead, the story immediately shifted gears and gave a unique little story focused tightly around a world without sound. The sad fact of this episode is that it does not linger nearly long enough on the idea of everyone being mute. There's some little moments here and there where we see that this is causing a real impact on the city, but a big concept like this deserves two episodes, not just one. We have to rush off and solve everything before the clock strikes 43 minutes.

The length really proves to be the defining factor of this episode; on a half-hour, this concept couldn't even be dreamt of. Here, we can taste it for a moment, but we must shuffle it off before next episode's Monster of the Week. It's really a shame, since the concept and execution of the Gentlemen is quite excellent. What isn't excellent, however, is the depiction of these annoying, dopey nerds. A pair of secret agent types bore us with prattle about revealing the truth to Buffy, and Buffy and Willow give their best Brian Bendis impressions of "check out our completely realistic teenspeak" in scenes that made me desperately wish I could skip past them. By the end of the episode, however, a team has united in unusual conditions to defeat a bizarre opponent, and I imagine that's why people come back to this show to this day still. Me, however? As interesting as the concept was, I'm not particularly excited to return.

Writing: 7/10
Characterization: 4/10
Scarlet Factor: 4/10
Overall Rating: 15/30
---

Next up is... Twin Peaks - "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer" (Pokewars)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "The Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
ST:TNG - "Inner Light"
GoT - "Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
Always Sunny - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
GoT - "Rains of Castamere"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Good Place - "Dance Dance Resolution"
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Louie - "In the Woods"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
ST:DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
BBATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Baskets - "Renoir"
Seinfeld - "Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
Horace & Pete - "Episode 3"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Buffy - "Hush"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "12:00 - 1:00"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "Masks"
SvFE - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
Person/Interest - "Many Happy Returns"
9 Points:
Married w/Children - "Married... w/ Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage - " Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7 Points:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6 Points:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5 Points:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

Yeah as far as Buffy one shots go Hush is a better one but would be even better if it were given more time and weight.
---

It was a wide range of episodes today, honestly. Good Place definitely stands out as a show that's "special" in comparison to the other shows. I think the Peak TV concept is honestly quite real.
---

If not for Community, The Good Place would be my favorite NBC program of the 21st Century. I really think the term "instant classic" applies here.

Michael > Jason > Tahani > Janet > Chidi > Eleanor
---

Jason is the Gina of The Good Place, and I wouldn't miss him in the slightest. He's the thing that keeps The Good Place from being on that Community pedestal.
---

Michael > Eleanor > Janet > Chidi > Tahani > Jason
---

Janet>Michael>Tahani>Eleanor>Chidi>Jason

Top 5 are all fantastic though.
---

scarletspeed7 posted...

Jason is the Gina of The Good Place, and I wouldn't miss him in the slightest. He's the thing that keeps The Good Place from being on that Community pedestal.

Who is "Gina" from? Drawing a blank.

Jason is definitely a polarizing character, but for me, he's a dummy character done right and fits remarkably well into the overall dynamic. I especially love his recollections of his Jacksonville days, as well as the episode with Donkey Doug and Pillboi.
---

Gina of Brooklyn Nine-Nine fame.

Also, here are the remaining episodes. Home stretch!

Preacher - "Schwanzkopf"
Punisher - "Virtue of the Vicious"
Simpsons - "Homer Badman"
South Park - "Krazy Kripples"
Star Trek: The Next Generation - "Darmok and Jelal"
Supernatural - "ScoobyNatural"
The Americans - "Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep?"
Twin Peaks - "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer"
---

man y'all are sleeping on jason real bad

Janet > Eleanor > Jason > Chidi > Michael > Tahani

Jason has probably made me laugh more than anyone else. I love his enthusiasm.
---

Jason has never made me laugh. Stupid is never a good quality in a character by my estimation.
---

Twin Peaks awww yeah, let's go!
---

Jason has made me laugh but he has made me groan and roll my eyes even more.
---

So glad I came back to the board when I did. Loved this topic before especially because I was thrilled my favorite anime episode (and top 3 episodes of any TV) did so well. I will say that some of Paranoia Agent gets a little anime-y but I still think you would enjoy it overall. Thats why I dont want to nominate either of the last two episodes despite them being brilliant in exploring the person who has been the main character as much as the series has one.

I dont remember if I had any other nominations, but I will definitely have some next go-around!
---

We're very close to new nominations!
---

That's just good news for everyone
---

I thought about trying to watch one while I ate lunch today, but man this just got so busy.
---

Twin Peaks - "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer"
Nominated by: Pokewars

I've tried to figure out how to explain my feelings for Twin Peaks, and this is the best I've got.

Twin Peaks has great writing. Twin Peaks has terrible writing.

Twin Peaks has great acting. Twin Peaks has terrible acting.

All of those statements are true simultaneously and continuously in this episode.

I love Twin Peaks. I hate Twin Peaks.

Writing: 7/10
Characterization: 6/10
Scarlet Factor: 10/10
Overall Rating: 23/30
---

Next up is... Preacher - "Schwanzkopf" (Snake)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "The Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
ST:TNG - "Inner Light"
GoT - "Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
Always Sunny - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
GoT - "Rains of Castamere"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Good Place - "Dance Dance Resolution"
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Louie - "In the Woods"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
ST:DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
Twin Peaks - "Zen"
Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
BBATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Baskets - "Renoir"
Seinfeld - "Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
Horace & Pete - "Episode 3"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Buffy - "Hush"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "12:00 - 1:00"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "Masks"
SvFE - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
Person/Interest - "Many Happy Returns"
9 Points:
Married w/Children - "Married... w/ Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage - " Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7 Points:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6 Points:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5 Points:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

Aww...should have nominated a Mitchums episode.
---

Preacher - "Schwanzkopf"
Nominated by: Snake

In the comics, I would never consider Preacher to be an ensemble series, but in this particular season of Preacher (Season 3), that's completely turned on its head thanks to a phenomenal group of underrated talents. While Schwanzkopf is probably not even in my top three episodes of this season here, it's definitely a great exemplar of how to turn secondary characters into valuable assets.

A lot happens in Schwanzkopf (which means "dick head" in German); but between all of the buzzings and comings and goings, there are some scenes which really stick out to me. Jesse is normally a man of earthly means but strong moral convictions; here, we see his ingenious side. It's also a strangely generous side - instead of killing Humperdoo, our Lord and Savior, he almost offers Herr Starr a sign of respect. He gives him the opportunity to compete with Jesse on a level playing field. It's a similar sign of respect that Starr has given Jesse in the past. They are archenemies, to be sure, but I believe both of them recognize that the opposite isn't entirely in the wrong. They both certainly agree that the Allfather was entirely off his rocker, of course, and the fate of the Tom/Brady is quite effective.

I have to give a special recognition to my girl Featherstone; Julie Ann Emery is phenomenal as a Starr sycophant and also a Christian crusader. There are tight, stringent layers of both supplication and superiority to her, and she ends her time in the season with Tulip by getting a fantastic one-up in this episode. As for Tulip, of course, her focus with an odd accumulation with the series' side characters on a bus to hell, is quite tense and still humorous.

In fact this entire episode is utterly bizarre, grotesque, and still hilarious. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg really have put a stamp on what their production style is between this series and The Boys. The shows are immature and mature at the same time. The teenager in all of us can laugh at the gory explosions of fat people being injected with Tom/Brady and still also mull over the presentation of organized religion as a machine of power. It's quite a strange line the series walks, but especially in the back half of season three, walks well.

All that for probably the fourth best episode of the season, too!

Writing: 9/10
Characterization: 8/10
Scarlet Factor: 9/10
Overall Score: 26/30
---

Next up is... Punisher - "Virtue of the Vicious" (Snake)
30 Points:
Penny Dreadful - "Seance"
Arrested Development - "Top Banana"
LOST - "Constant"
Scrubs - "My Lunch"
Community - "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
29 Points:
Doctor Who - "Heaven Sent"
West Wing - "20 Hours in America"
Star Trek: DS9 - "In the Pale Moonlight"
Game of Thrones - "Blackwater"
28 Points:
Mr. Robot - "eps3.4_runtime-error.r00"
ST:TNG - "Inner Light"
GoT - "Golden Crown"
X-Files - "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose"
27 Points:
Always Sunny - "Charlie Work"
Atlanta - "Teddy Perkins"
Paranoia Agent - "Happy Family Planning"
GoT - "Rains of Castamere"
Sports Night - "Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee"
26 Points:
Good Place - "Dance Dance Resolution"
Doctor Who - "Turn Left"
Preacher - "Schwanzkopf"
Louie - "In the Woods"
House - "Last Resort"
Better Call Saul - "Five-O"
Black Mirror - "Nosedive"
25 Points:
Always Sunny - "The Gang Turns Black"
Star Trek - "The Trouble with Tribbles"
Archer - "Placebo Effect"
Fargo - "The Castle"
24 Points:
ST:DS9 - "The Visitor"
Firefly - "Out of Gas"
23 Points:
Castlevania - "For Love"
Justified - "Fire in the Hole"
Babylon 5 - "Confessions and Lamentations"
Twin Peaks - "Zen"
Chuck - "Chuck vs. the Ring"
22 Points:
Flash - "Duet"
SHIELD - "Self Control"
Sports Night - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
21 Points:
Avatar - "Southern Raiders"
Fresh Off the Boat - "The Shunning"
Black Mirror - "National Anthem"
BBATB - "Chill of the Night"
South Park - "Death Camp of Tolerance"
Samurai Jack - "XCIV"
20 Points:
Frasier - "My Coffee with Niles"
Newsroom - "What Kind of Day Has It Been?"
Fresh Prince - "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse"
Seinfeld - "The Contest"
19 Points:
Bojack - "Time's Arrow"
DuckTales - "Woo-oo!"
18 Points:
Breaking Bad - "Pilot"
Twilight Zone - "It's a Good Life"
12 Monkeys - "Splinter"
17 Points:
Baskets - "Renoir"
Seinfeld - "Bris"
Justice League - "Starcrossed"
Simpsons - "Streetcar Named Marge"
Broad City - "Knockoffs"
16 Points:
Galavant - "Pilot"
Horace & Pete - "Episode 3"
15 Points:
Black Donnellys - "Pilot"
Burn Notice - "Friendly Fire"
Stargate - "Window of Opportunity"
Buffy - "Hush"
Angel - "Hero"
14 Points:
Futurama - "Godfellas"
Frasier - "Ham Radio"
Teen Titans - "Troq"
24 - "12:00 - 1:00"
13 Points:
Twilight Zone - "Masks"
SvFE - "Star Comes to Earth"
Father Ted - "Song for Europe"
Arrow - "Kapiushon"
Studio 60 - "What Kind of Day Has It Been"
12 Points:
Xena - "Been There, Done That"
11 Points:
Masters of Horror - "Cigarette Burns"
10 Points:
Steven Universe - "Alone Together"
American Dad - "Rapture's Delight"
Person/Interest - "Many Happy Returns"
9 Points:
Married w/Children - "Married... w/ Aliens"
8 Points:
Hercules - "Surprise"
Star Trek - "Spock's Brain"
Courage - " Tower of Dr. Zalost"
7:
Danny Phantom - "The Ultimate Enemy"
6:
Gravity Falls - "Sock Opera"
5:
MLP- "Maud Pie"
Regular Show- "White Elephant Gift Exhange"
Hey Arnold- "Stoop Kid"
4:
MST3K- "Pod People"
CSI- "Chaos Theory"
3:
Spongebob - "Band Geeks"
Invader Zim - "Mysterious Mysteries"
MLP - "Pinkie Pride"
---

Great write-up forSchwanzkopf! I think it's perfectly emblematic of both the show's batshit insanity and a great piece of comparing/contrasting with how the comics go about things. One of my favorites in the show for sure.

---

Thanks Snake! I was happy to write that episode up.
---