While I was impatiently awaiting the return of most of my shows after the holiday, it slipped by mind that a few new ones may crop up. And so far, I’m surprisingly pleased with two of the three I’ve checked out. Jury’s still out on the third.
In the back of my mind, I knew Alcatraz was coming. I had made a mental note to check it out, and boy was I glad. I loved Lost. I loved Lost so much, that I was so excited for the return of Hurley, I nearly forgot Alcatraz was produced by Lost’s very own JJ Abrams. Here’s the gist without giving too much away. The blonde, is a San Fransisco cop who gets pulled into an investigation where the prints are from an inmate who died many years ago.
Turns out everyone from Alcatraz mysteriously disappeared and everyone just said they were transferred and died. They’re not returning, committing crimes, and haven’t aged a bit. For a partner, after being transferred to a secret division tracking down these felons, she brings aboard Hurley, who is a genius and has done lots of research on Alcatraz.
I must admit, I’m disappointed no polar bears jumped out of thin air, or since Sam Neill’s on the show — no dinosaurs. Sadly I can’t think of much he’s done other than Jurassic Park.
The first episode had a few great twists, involving what the cop knew about her own family, and someone you really didn’t give much thought too along the way. Definitely worth sticking with if you ask me. It’s on Monday nights, which is kinda a slow night anyway so my DVR wasn’t clogged.
While relishing in my free Showtime now that Dexter is over, I’ve seen a lot of previews for a new show called House of Lies featuring Don Cheadle. The plot seemed a little weak — based on the book House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time. Cheadle’s with the No. 2 consulting company and will stop at nothing to win clients — from headbutting them to insulting them. He also has a son, who dresses like a girl and wanted to be Sandy in his school’s production of Grease. The first episode I caught starts with him naked in bed with his ex-wife whom he calls a “sociopath” and drug addict. She’s also with the No. 1 marketing show. Cheadle has sex with a lot of random people in this show, but overall it’s so funny I found myself laughing throughout most of it.
My worry though is that it won’t go anywhere, and the characters though hysterical, seem fake and fall flat. I’ll keep watching though, until I stop caring, or lose my free Showtime.
And for the show I’m most on the fence about: The Firm with Josh Lucas. It’s set about 10 years after John Grisham’s novel and film adaptation of the same name. Lucas’ character was already an FBI whistleblower against the mob and had to relocate his family. Things are finally getting settled: he’s got his own practice and his daughter is finally making friends at a school. 
But something’s obviously up, as the show began several weeks in the future as Lucas is running again from someone. He calls his wife and says it’s happening again, and to pack up their stuff and run. I like how’s it done so far, jumping back and forth in time. I like the characters so far — especially the dreamy Lucas and his office helper Juliette Lewis, who I find can only really play one type of character. But I feel like this should would have been newer and more fresh if it was done several years ago. I’m not sure it can compete with what’s out there. Apparently it’s been in the works for years.
Either way, I’ll give all these guys a chance. But I warn you Alcatraz, you have my hopes up. Don’t let me down. Lost’s finale has left a gaping hole in my heart.
