Ah, I wondered if you'd get here before me-- I was watching "The Daily Show"!

First, the Mothership. Truly an episode that engaged me like they haven't in awhile. I missed the first five minutes, so for a little bit I couldn't figure out why so many people were dying from the flu, but I caught on a little while later.

Well, the verdict: SHOCK! GASP! I really like Alex/Anne Parisse. Wow. My wonder's the same as yours about why I liked this episode so much more that usual, but she's a good actress, she's earnest without being too starry-eyed, she's not a snot, and the discussions were adult, without the tone of 'let's see who can go one better'.

I was reminded quite a bit of Claire, and I think they're going for Claire Redux; the way Claire was when she first began working for Ben Stone, although not that green. But I don't mind that; it's a helluva lot better than Serena and (to me, at least) Abby.

Jack: the fire is back, baby! I can't even remember the last time he asked for a redirect, and here we are-- two in one episode. He was stern, forthright, and while I found the "The Third Man" speech a little too winded and too much like it belonged in a closing argument, it was impassioned and so much like the old Jack (that I love) that I can forgive it.

Lastly: I don't understand why Jack felt the perp had to serve consecutive sentences-- does it always have to be that way? 240 years? Can't it just be "Until you're dead"? Because 240 seems like an exorbitant, not to mention unachievable, amount of time.

Now, let's just see if the writers can keep up this standard.

Lost: Okay, this show is going to make my heart stop for good one of these days. Last week it's the return of the monster, this week it's Michael being slammed by a car. Good editing there.

The only thing overdone in the Michael/Walt backstory was the box-- I totally called that they were letters from Michael to Walt that he'd never seen. But the rest was very sad and poignant. I'm glad that we don't have to hate Michael. I was really surprised to find out that Susan had lied that much, and that Brian didn't want Walt at all.

I have to insert here that I love seeing Harold Perrineau on this show and getting more attention. He was the most... moral character on OZ, and his character was the only one I cried over getting killed.

Walt definitely seems to have some kind of power: the backgammon game, the knife, but I don't see why the polar bear would surface, unless he was simply dwelling on it too much. I think it may be a power that he doesn't yet have full control over; maybe he doesn't even realize it at all.

Claire! Could you see if her tummy was flat?

Lastly: little screentime for Kate makes me happy. And I'm getting a little tired of Hurley's "dude"s.

Good t.v. tonight!

Same reaction, eh? Also the same missed 5 minutes! I was still watching Alias & its preview for next week when L&O started. Too bad you don't watch Alias :D but JJ Abrams is talented, creating shows like no other.

I've only seen Claire the ADA in reruns, so I can't make an exact comparison, but I agree Alex is just a good addition to the team. You were so right; maybe now they don't have to dumb down everyone else for a cardboard's sake!

No, it doesn't always have to be consecutive sentences; if you recall, the defense attorney tried to argue that his client should serve the sentences concurrently. I haven't taken criminal procedure yet, but my sense is that for especially heinous crimes the judge would be more likely to sentence someone to consecutive sentences. Even if there's no possibility of the defendant to live that long, for sentencing purposes it certainly sends a message - louder than if he merely got "life in prison without parole," doesn't it? I found it excessive as I agreed with the defense attorney that the crime rose out of one big scheme to defraud, not separate transactions in themselves.

I think most of my profs have mentioned L&O in our classrooms now, sometimes good, sometimes bad. I LOVE the show because I learn so much! /end fangirl

On Lost: I'm pretty sure Claire came back with a flat belly. "They" did want the baby after all. Next episode is supposed to be about Charlie again, but we're not gonna see it until Feb. 9. Boo.

I've only seen Harold Perrineau in The Matrix sequels; he wasn't bad but his supporting role didn't give him a chance to show off his skills. I admit to being unsure upon hearing he'd be cast in the show, but he hasn't disappointed at all! He also looks a lot better in a short afro rather than in long braids.

Just as you're getting tired of Kate, I'm also starting to get tired of Sawyer's constant quest to be a jerk. Hurley isn't around enough for his "dude"s to affect me; I can't wait for his back story. Hopefully it'll be comical to offset everyone else's depressing stories.

No, it doesn't always have to be consecutive sentences; if you recall, the defense attorney tried to argue that his client should serve the sentences concurrently.

I think what I was trying to ask was, did they have to give him a term for each victim, OR, couldn't they have given him five years for each victim, etc, instead of fifteen years per victim? I see what you're saying about setting an example, though.

Did any of your professors comment on Serena's lesbianism? :D If they didn't, is it because they're lesbians?

I'm also tiring of Sawyer; also of how he and someone from the cast has to get into an argument/slugfest every week because he won't hand something over (and they have to demand that he do so).

Boone was a bit of an ass this week, too, don't you think? Locke's little Chihuahua watch dog.

Locke's little Chihuahua watch dog.

Hee. Boone doesn't seem to be very smart, does he?

On the consecutive sentences thing, I'm guessing for man 2 (or whatever they charged him with - can't remember), 15 years is the max, and Jack wanted to ask for the max, then the judge agreed and gave the max. It's all at their discretions. Same reasoning as consecutive sentences.

My professors probably don't rush to turn on their TVs on Wednesday nights and set themselves down in front of it for an uninterrupted period of time, so I don't think they follow L&O regularly or perhaps even watch it. Unlike me. Is it because I'm a lesbian?

It is. ;)

Oh...*looking somewhat dejected* Oh no, wait, I'm not capable of looking dejected. But I'm not Serena, so you love me anyway!

Yes, I do. I love you... and it's because you're a lesbian!! But that's all right... because I'm a lesbian, too!

God, this is never going to get old. Heh.

Yay! We won't tell your OD. Or YD. Unless she gets it.

Hee. :D