Lose Your Mind

Last night I couldn't sleep and that's because MTV's Teen Wolf lived up to this season's tag line. By the end of the episode, I felt like I was losing my mind. And apparently, I was, because my mother had to ask me if I was OK because my gasping could be heard from rooms away.

The show itself is completely underrated because of it's origins. Some refuse to watch it because nothing could compare to the Michael J. Fox movie and some refused to watch because it's on a network that touts teen pregnancy. Either way, if you don't, you're missing out.

Teen Wolf is not meant to stand up against the original film, it is mean to stand alone. Dark and twisted, this show actually delves into what would happen if the supernatural took hold of small town, in any and all ways. Now in it's 4th season (or second half it's third, who knows), the show has gone from quirky hairy teenagers, fighting off their human predator, the Argents, to multiple levels of the supernatural.

Before diving too deeply into a background synopsis, let set up some of our cast of characters.

Scott McCall- the "Teen Wolf" of the piece, the series begins with his being bitten.
Stiles - Scott's best friend, genius and intuitive with all thing supernatural, though he had no interest in become the supernatural.
Derek Hale - the only werewolf left in Beacon Hills, or so Scott and Stiles think.
Allison Argent - The girl that steals Scott's heart within the first 10 minutes of the show. Also she's a member of an ancient family, dedicated to protecting the world from werewolves, The Argents. Awkward.

A lot of other characters are introduced throughout the series, but these are the most important for our purposes.

Anyway, Season 2 investigated the Kanima, a reptile like creature that has the power to paralyze it's victims. The group soon discovers that Kanimas do not act on their own and are instead at the whims of their master. Throughout the season Scott fights the lineage of succession, refusing to join Alpha Derek's pack and in the end showing his dominance over tropes that have existed in werewolf mythology. In the end the Kanima is identified in his human form, but his master escapes.

Things get darker (and creepier) in the 3rd Season when we're introduced to yet another creature that has it's roots in humanity. The Darach is a druid, once meant to protect wolf packs, that has turned to the dark arts. Not only is the Darach their enemy, but a pack of Alpha wolves has moved into Beacon Hills, threatening Scott as he learns that he is destine to become a True Alpha. Meaning, he does not need to kill another Alpha to become one, he is a natural born leader.

Throughout this season the Darach sacrifices classmates and citizens alike all across Beacon Hills. With the last collection of three being Scott, Stiles and Allison's parents. In order to save their parents the three must open up their minds in a way that they never have before, bringing them through the doors of death. In the end, all is hunky dory, but the open passage into their brains sets us up for what is to come in Season 4. (Or the second half of Season 3, it's not entirely clear how they're marketing this crap anymore)

And hence how I lost my mind.

Here we are, trucking along, thinking every thing is fine. Scott is now an Alpha, he's growing a nice little pack that includes two of his "Alpha" enemies, Isaac (whom Derek turned in seasons prior), Derek (who lost his Alpha status to save his sister) and human counterparts Stiles, Allison, Lydia (she's a bad ass banshee, FYI) and others. Unfortunately things can't always be happy when you live on northern California's version of the Hellmouth.

As the series investigates Japanese culture, including the encampment of Japanese Americans during WWII, we're introduced to a new evil. The nokitsune is an evil fox like spirit, bent on causing all types of mischief in this sleepy little town. But first it must find solace in human form. Which it does, in Stiles.

Now for you to fully understand why the fandom loses it's mind at this prospect, you must understand their love for Stiles. Throughout the series he has not only been the genius to put many a mystery together, he's also been the comic relief at some fairly stressful times. So the fact that his life is now in jeopardy has caused a lot of havoc. Hence why I couldn't really sleep last night.

But one good thing about it all is that we get to see Dylan O'Brien show off his acting chops. Jumping back and forth between our sweet, lovable Stiles and the evil spirit that has possessed him, O'Brien has opened up the series for not only himself, but the other actors around him, truly pushing every one to bring their A Game.

Maybe I haven't convinced you to watch, but I should have. If you enjoy being tripped out on some crazy ass mind games, but maybe realistic situations aren't your thing (I'm looking at you, The Following) than this show is for you.

This season finales in a few weeks. But it's all good, you have plenty of time to catch up on all seasons before the Summer premier. Like any show it has it's sophomore moments, but if you stick to it and get the most current season, you will not be disappointed. End scene. 

Throwback Thursdays

I just wrote an entire blog on Buffy the Vampire Slayer which I then accidentally selected ALL and covered up with the letter "n." I know myself well enough to know that if I tried to rewrite that now, it would be complete and utter shite. So I'll write on Joss Whedon's master piece another time.

Instead I take this time to discuss my plans for this blog. I want to critique TV, Film and books, but I also want to take some time to gush over the ridiculous stuff that I love. Because sometimes the 16 year old in you just needs to be released or it builds up and I start playing Jane Austen movies in my room, living beneath my sheets, only coming out for ice cream and/or Doritos. 

I've also decided that on Thursdays I'm going to have a Throwback day, for all the movies and TV shows that molded and created the little TV obsessed monster that I am. So, for now, I'm going to follow up Tuesday's comprehensive list of all the shows I currently watch with comprehensive lists of all the shows and films that existed during my formidable years. Hence, really, here is a list of why I'm the way I am. 

(Also, quick interlude, because they're not currently on right at this moment, my brain forgot Downton Abbey and Covert Affairs. I didn't forget them, my brain did. Anyway, I digress...)

TV: 

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek, Roswell, 7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls and Felicity. 

These shows made my life and were my life when I was a kid. No, seriously, my parents probably should have had me institutionalized with the panic attacks I would have if  a TV was not available to me and I hadn't set a VHS to record. It's funny because I know I watched a lot more TV back then, but apparently these are the only programs that stuck with me. 

Movies:

10 Things I Hate About You, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Can't Hardly Wait, She's All That, Empire Records, The Goonies, Disturbing Behavior, The Faculty, The Virgin Suicides, Can't Buy Me Love, The Dead Poets Society, Say Anything, Dirty Dancing, Stand By Me and Mystic Pizza.

Let's just say while other kids were making friends and hanging out with actual people, I was at the library pulling movies off the shelf (some of which my mom had to be there for me to take out) becoming best friends with imaginary people. I can clearly remember scanning the shelf at the library for new movies, any movies, while my mom yelled at me to finish up because I was taking forever.


As crazy as it sounds, these above shows and movies helped to groom me to this lovely individual that I am today. They each taught me lessons that I carry with me and every Thursday you lucky saps get to find out how and maybe find a new film or show to love...

A Comprehensive List of My Life In Television

Yes, the title of this blog is a mouth full. Even for me. Who likes to talk. A lot.

But as I thought and obsessed over what to name this blog, I realized that if I cornered myself into only TV, I would be doing everyone a disservice. Because I do a lot more than just watch TV, although I'm sure my parents would argue otherwise.

I also read and watch movies. So, yeah. There's that. And I got a lot of opinions to be had. 

My aim on this new soap box is to discuss literature, television and films. My three favorite things (besides raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens and bright copper kettles) in one place. 

So far today I've only watched one show, a recording of last nights Star-Crossed. Now why, oh why, is a 30 year old watching a CW show directed at tweens and teens. That is an excellent question. One that I hope we can get to the bottom of via this blog. 

For the first entry though, I'm just going to make a comprehensive list of all the shows airing currently that I watch. That way you can judge me, have a laugh, move on with your life and tell me what I should be watching. 

Disclaimer: I don't watch all the shows you think I should be watching, which are, but not limited to: Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, Madmen, Game of Thrones, Scandal, etc. I may watch them someday, but today is not that day. And it will never be that day if you pressure me, so lay off. 

Shows that I am currently watching are: 

Revenge - Listen, this show isn't meant to change your life, it's meant to make you gasp with soapy goodness, and boy does it deliver.

How I Met Your Mother - When I can, cause it's funny.

Switched at Birth - Every episode I say to myself "why are you watching this show? why are you tweeting about it?" I don't know.

Star-Crossed - Everyone loves a classic R&J tales, especially a theatre nerd like me.

The Fosters - I just don't know how to quit you.

Dancing with the Stars - I'm no longer ashamed to love a well choreographed routine.

Castle - I'll watch anything Nathan Fillion ever does in this life and the next.

Teen Wolf - I don't owe you any type of explanation but if you insist his name is Dylan O'Brien and he's brilliant.

New Girl - She slipping, but like any hero, I wont be the one to let go of her hand.

Mindy Project - I want to BE Mindy Khaling when I grow up.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - It didn't win the Best Comedy Golden Globe for nothing.

Marvel's Agents of Shield - Again, I don't owe you any kind of explanation but if I did it would go like this - take out the name Nathan Fillion, add Joss Whedon.

Twisted - I don't have an answer for you.

Awkward - Hilarious in it's first seasons, slipped up a bit this last round, now let's see what happens.

Modern Family - All of the things.

Suburgatory - Flying in under the radar, this one surprised me. But in a good way. Plus, Alan Tudyk.

Nashville - I will watch Connie Briton take a sh*t if it's televised and done artistically. Plus the music on this show is Grade A, top notch. 

The Big Bang Theory - It's just funny people.

Reign - I started this one because it was Mary Queen of Scots and stuck around because I'm 16.

Bones - I'm just an Angela looking for her Hodgins and for that reason I will never move on. (Even though they pushed me away for a while when that baby was born in a manger, come on!)

Enlisted - This one pulled me in with its beautiful cast of men in uniform and snagged me with it's humor.

We'll start with this. According to this list, 4 out of 5 Dentist agree that I watch too much TV. Well F the dentists.

I like television, it's my hobby. It has been since I begged my parents to let me stay up and watch Doogie Houser MD. Since I sobbed my eyes out when Buffy had to kill Angel. Or when Joey climbed out of Dawson's window and ran down to the creek only to be told "In the morning, with Katie Couric!" And especially when Luke kissed Lorelai for the first time outside the Inn. 

And if loving TV is wrong, then I don't wanna be right.