DeepRunner

The opening by Root was reminiscent of the opening by Walter Bishop in Season 5 of Fringe. Both shows involved a manhunt, and both season premiere episodes pickup in real time from the disaster/dilemma facing the members of the cast.

It means Blue Screen Of Death. Usually what you see when a computer has an error/fault.

Ditto, Syme. But Elias might have been Enrico Colantoni's best exploration as a cold-hearted, cold-blooded, killing, anti-hero.

That. Was. E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T. Fast pace, the sense of the hunt by Samaritan, the battle scenes between Root and the Samaritan operatives and regular citizens, the flashbacks (good to Nathan and Grace again, even in flashback mode), the fighting between Reese and Zachary, Samaritan killing the IAB cop by messing with his pacemaker, Harold having the philosophical tugs that came with creating The Machine, and thus crippling it by wiping its memories (The "What is Death" sequence was an excellent callback to last season's ending exchange between Finch and The Machine)...Nolan and Plageman are taking no prisoners. If this is how the rest of the episodes go, this will be a perfect last season. FWIW, I believe Zachary will be the one to kill Reese.

Yeah, all three were GREAT villains. Hersh and Anthony died heroes' deaths. Elias, who is one of my all-time favorite bad guys, deserved to die a better way than Dominic, Grice, and Schiffman.

If it's curtains for the guy (and I think he's the most likely TM member to end up dead), Reese has to die a noble death/have a noble ending. It has to be a sacrifice along the lines of Jack Bristow or Walter Bishop, two other J.J. Abrams creations. As for a "Dark Night Rises" ending with Harold and Grace...mmm...that would sort of neatly tie things up in a bow. A "Whiskey Tango?" moment, where Grace sees Harold alive, would POSSIBLY leave the door open just a crack for any future installments on Netflix or suchlike, assuming the whole team were to survive The Showdown with John Greer. (I also expect Greer to be a toe-tag fashion model.)

I. Am. Ready. For. This. Bring it on, guys.

* I can see an ending where, with the Machine gaining supremacy over Samaritan, they power the machine down, since no AI should have that kind of power. I can see someone like Control trying to kill Harold or Reese as they start to make the move * I think Reese ends up dead, probably trying to protect Harold (or maybe Lionel or Root). If, however, Fusco dies, then it's similar to Nina Sharp dying in Fringe--an important character whose death was unexpected. And it could send Reese on a war of vengeance similar to what he did after Carter died * I would like to see Grace find Harold at the very end

All in all, a happy ending for everyone (if bittersweet for Carson). The End of the Abbey's Road (it is sad to see a classy piece of Egghead TV [PBS] finally fade to black) had something for all of Downtonia, as Fellowes seemed to nod to the various audience segments who were rooting for various favorite characters: * For once, Edith had a happily-ever-after, and she was the center of attention for the whole show. Edith has been the most miserable and yet one of the more sympathetic of characters. Many have been pulling for years for her to have a good outcome, and it finally happened * Mary's atonement for her grievous sin was good. Not as believable, but good. Extra bonus points for becoming less viprous and warmer after marrying Henry. Although she was always Fellowes's favorite, her story, even the announcement of her being with child, was more background * Baby Bates. After 7 years of marriage, Baby Bates arrived. With water broken in Mary's room. Let's hope that if there is a Downton movie, we don't get Young Bates doing time in juvie while being unjustly accused. Just. Don't. * Robert seeing Cora as a leader. Her Ladyship might have been the most underserved of all the characters during the show's run. Cora in Season 1 was far more crafty and forceful, as also in Season 2. After that, it sure seemed like Fellowes reverted to the "dumb Yankees" approach, as Cora often sounded like a "bubble-headed bleach blond (comes on at 5)". It was good to see Lady Grantham get her moment in the sun, and be appreciated for it * I don't begrudge Thomas his landing the butlership. This season has been about his lonely road and his road to redemption. Although he was the BEST. VILLAIN. EV-UH. ON. DOWNTON, it was good to see him migrate from cardboard cutout bad guy to reasonable citizen * Bravo to Isobel (and Violet) for putting out (so to speak) the miserable Larry Gray and his shrewish, gold-digger wife). Poor old Clarkson. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride * Daisy finally went to the farm. Should have happened long ago. A lot of left-handed compliments to Andy ("You could do worse"), Sort of weird though. Mrs. Patmore marrying Mr. Mason would kind of but not quite make her Daisy's mother-in-law * Molesley and Baxter, Baxter and Molesley. The former butler, valet, butler, ditch-digger and Footman becomes a teacher full-time, and it's implied that the butt of Fellowes's jokes will be getting hitched with Baxter * Spratt's social column. Eh, why not? There was plenty of happiness to go around * Lots of kissing at the end. LOTS. Although I have seen some really excellent finales (TNG, Alias, Fringe), Downton's was one that seemed to appreciate its audience's tugs. It avoided conflict (what if Carlisle, Jane Moorsum, and O'Brien had shown-up?) and let key characters close their story arcs.

Last weekend, I DVR'd the PBS Downton Abbey marathon and have been watching it over the last few days. I think my previous judgments and posts (not having seen the series since I'm in the US) might have been premature. Overall, I think Season 6 seems to (so far) be a fitting wrap-up to a series that was often very good while sometimes showing signs of age and a lack of imagination. I was struck particularly by episode 8, which featured Fellowes acknowledging to all of the Abbeyheads in Downtonia that Mary really was the queen of the hive, and called her to account for it. Just as only Nixon could have gone to China, only Tom could have administered the Berating Branson Bully Beatdown on Mary. The exchange between Edith and Mary expressed what many Downton fans have felt about Fellowes's favored child. Even Robert got into the act,

Although I am on the US side of the pond, and will have to watch based on the PBS empiricism of waiting until January (serves them right that they don't have anything of Downton's ratings power in their arsenal, yet, anyway), I do read the reviews in UK outlets, so here is my takeaway: * Of course, Fellowes was going to protect his pet, the Queen of the Hive. He can't let his St. Mary be seen in anything other than a positive light at the story's end. Mary was much more interesting in Series 1 and more likable in Series 2. After that, meh... * I am surprised (pleasantly though, as this character has been the running gag for so many episodes before Fellowes decided to cut him some slack last Series) in Molesley's ending. As much as John Bates had been Fellowes's downstairs torture doll, Molesley was Charlie Brown (some of it his own making). Not sure I buy the outcome, as I haven't seen any of Series 6 yet, and therefore the progression, but I guess every story has a happy ending. Unless you become a used-car salesman

Thanks for mentioning Beta. Any episode with Grace in it has been outstanding, as we get to see the emotional side of an otherwise emotionally-distant Harold.

With less than two months to go until the mid-season premiere, I thought it would be good to look back at some of the best episodes (imo). So, after the first few, there is no particular order: * The Crossing--The End of HR, The End of Joss Carter. Features The Kiss between Reese and Carter, and a soul-crushing ending * If-Then-Else--Team Machine defeats Samaritan as the Cold War heats up, after a series of simulations run by the Machine. And oh, yes, Root and Shaw have their kiss before Shaw is shot and (presumably) captured * YHWH--Greer starts the The Correction, Dominic is dead, Elias is probably dead, and "God is either dead or running on Double-A's." Sad ending with morose music from Pink Floyd * The Devil's Share--The loss of Carter, the manhunt for Quinn, the end for Simmons. Features a spree by Reese, Root becoming an important ally, Fusco capturing Simmons, and Scarface killing Simmons while Elias watches * God Mode--A parallel universe of sorts, as Root and Harold work opposite Reese and Shaw. Carter rescues Elias. Hersh ends Special Counsel, who was an interesting bad guy. Not the best villain, but Jay O. Sanders did a good job with what he was given * Any of Root Cause, The Firewall The Contingency, and Bad Code--Sam Groves as an incredibly intriguing black hat * Deus Ex Machina--The end of Peter Collier, the end of Vigilance, the death of Hersh, the rise of Samaritan, with Greer as an excellent puppet-master * The Devil You Know--Invictus Morior. Invictus Maneo. 'Nuff said. And then...any episode with Zoe Morgan of Kara Stanton. OK, those are some of the best from my POV. What about you?

This episode was quite the come-down from the pilot, but it was a show trying to find its sea legs. Interesting tidbits: * Walter "cultivating" soldiers * "Do you have any cocaine?" * As @Shows said, a little odd that Nina was against the Fringe team, especially given the progression (and past) of her relationship with each of The Big Three. Either there was some serious retcon as they were defining the character and the show, or perhaps some retrograde aggression that Nina had due to her relationship with William Bell (Blue Timeline-fwiw, I liked aspects of the Amber timeline, but it was probably a bigger gamble than the audience was ready for) * Peter's "medical condition". That was the first pretty reference to something different about Peter * The eyeball and the camera * "Bundle of joy here"--another Peter reference to the 80-year-old infant

There has to be the final showdown between Harold and Greer. I don't think it will be a vengeance killing, as it's not in Harold's nature. Also wouldn't mind Lambert getting whacked by Reese, Shaw, or Root. I wasn't a Blake fan when Julian Ovenden was on Downton Abbey (seemed a bit mush-headed), and he doesn't seem cold enough or dark enough as Greer's top lieutenant. Greer seems more like Palpatine (even sort of looks like him), and I don't know if the writers have drawn Lambert well enough. Now, Martine, MARTINE was a good, dark character. Seeing her and Reese or Shaw in the last stand would have been pretty awesome. I am betting that among Team Machine, Reese is the most likely to end up a casualty.

Saw the episode online the other day. Initial thoughts.. * Penguin will take his revenge on Galavan * Barnes is too perfect. Be very cautious with white knights * Is Harvey going to fade into the background, at least temporarily? * It will be interesting to follow the story of Nygma and Kringle * I think Barbara's storyline will be used up by the end of the season * So, will Silver and Selina be headed for a...ummm...catfight over Bruce?

Just watched it online. From the top: * Adios, Jerome. You woulda made a great Joker. Like most everyone else, I took it hook, line, and sinker. Good feint on the part of the producers and writers. * Barbara is a twisted one who is headed for a showdown. Question is, will it be Jim, Lee, Theo, or Tabitha? * Alfred and Lee...that was just weird, and for a guy who seems a bit smarter, Mr. Pennyworth wasn't picking-up on the reluctance clues * Harvey, telling Penguin he owes him for Fish Mooney...nice * Bruce and Selina...the awwwwwwwwwwwww factor * Galavan is just a creeper All in all, a pretty good episode.

* With Harold and Grace, I think what I am aiming for is the whiskey-tango moment when she sees him, and the scene cuts to black, at the very end. Leaves a thread hanging for possible future installments. * As much as I don't want it to happen, one of the good guys may well end up on the underside of the grass. At that point, would it be: * Reese, as the tragic anti-hero? * Root, who dies trying to save Shaw or Harold? * Fusco, whose redemption and personal atonement would be complete? I don't see Harold or Shaw dying, as this is Harold's story, and Shaw dying would feel a bit retread.

I have started similar topics in other show forums in these parts, so, lemme ask persons interested in Person of Interest: What do you want in Season 5, if it really is its last season? For me: * Root dying while saving * Reese or Harold take out Greer (preferably Harold, but more believably Reese) * One more flashback episode with Carter * Reese and Zoe get together. Just more natural tension/attraction between them * Show closes with Grace seeing Harold for the first time since the explosion

PoI definitely has some good and fascinating villains. Elias. Greer. Control. Not so much Dominic. This is a continuation of the key role complex black hats have played in shows that J.J. Abrams has been associated with. Alias had Arvin Sloane and Julian Sark. Fringe had Newton, DRJ, William Bell, and of course, Walternate (blue timeline version). What say you? Who are some of the bad guys you can't help but like in PoI?

I kinda hope that Zoe makes a few more appearances in Season Numbero Cinco, and forces Reese to make a choice. Or that Iris is a Samaritan plant. Reese just has more tension with Zoe. My unpopular opinons, plural...although the writing has generally been good, some dialogue comes across as incredibly stilted and just plain hideous. I also think the kiss everyone was waiting for could've waited until I also think they make Fusco too much of a buffoon.

Have been binge-watching this series for the past week or so on DVD. Best moments I've liked so far: * The introduction of Carl Elias and anything involving him. * Reese saving Taylor, Carter's son. Reese is a great anti-hero * The introduction of Shaw--She is Fiona to Reese's Michael Weston, without the romance angle * Harold and Grace--it's great that they had Carrie Preston, Michael Emerson's real wife, play Grace * Root and Root's backstory--Amy Acker has done excellently painting a complex character * The death of Scarface--a wise guy you can't help but root for. "Morior Invictus" * Carter taking the Dons into protective custody * Scenes between Harold and Nathan Ingram * Team Machine vs. Samaritan * "Cold War"--the spooky and wildly-awesome creepiness of using a kid as Samaritan's avatar, opposite Root as The Machine's. I think it would have been better to have a slightly-tatted teen rep Samaritan, but the point was made * "If/Then/Else" I haven't seen every last episode so far, and it's been a bit disjointed in terms of series progression. I have watched eppys occasionally on this quaint thing called "television," but the heavy DVD dosage has helped get me up to speed.

Trailer is good. I saw it the day after it was posted by ITV. Anyway, I hope the show that has dominated the world stage since it started doesn't end with a whimper. Series Numero Seis...give us something to remember, and not because of bad writing.

The guy who plays Mike Ross is one of the producers...pretty sure he wouldn't write himself out. I used to like this show a lot. But Weepy Rachel, Cat-Claws Jessica (I really like the characters Gina Torres has played over time, but this one is getting old), and all the rest of it is just showing signs of age. Let Robert Zane know the secret, have Harvey and Louis become traveling buddies, send John Reese to "persuade" Daniel Hardman to get out (I know I'm blending shows, but hey, if Root can go on Suits, why not Reese?), and let the audience live happily ever after.

It is a true statement that I think Fringe is the best sci-fi show ev-uh. I have been recently been watching select episodes from the different seasons. I think the best stretch of Fringe was probably the timeframe of "August" to "6-B," with super acceleration from "The Bishop Revival" to "Marionette." S4 was a major drag in many ways, but was pretty good from "Novation" through "A Short Story About Love." Like @seamusk, I was not initially a fan of S5, but have come to like it more, although the major retcon of the iconic "The Boy is important. He has to live." is still a bit much. FWIW, here are the Absolute 10 Episodes to watch, imo, in no particular order, not counting the Pilot: 1. Peter: Simply the best episode of the franchise, as it explained The Fringe Event that started it all. John Noble and Orla Brady were excellent, Jenni Blong introduced us to Carla Warren, and the eppy provided more equal footing to The Big Three (Olivia, Peter, and Walter) as characters 2. Entrada: Intriguing, high-speed back-and-forth between the two universes, with each Olivia getting home 3. There's More Than One of Everything: Ripped open the possibilities that Fringe had promised. From Walter in the graveyard, to Olivia being in the Twin Towers Over There, to Leonard Nimoy playing William Bell, that was AWESOME 4. Marionette: This one has grown on me over time, but it addressed the question of what happens to a person who realizes their life has been stolen from them in every way, of the weight that's thrown on their shoulders. Bonus points for the Freak of the Week Frankenstein Factor 5. The Man From the Other Side: Peter. Finds. Out. Plus the cool factor of Newton, one of the most interesting villains ever, bringing a bridge Over Here with Walternate walking on it 6. The Bullet That Saved The World: For a character who was only on for a few episodes, Etta's death was pretty strong. Bonus points for the callback to the gas-based orifice-sealing flesh crud of S1 7. Over There, Parts 1 and 2: That. was. COOL. The first long-form trip to the Redverse. Extra bonus points for seeing a version of Charlie Francis, the contrasts between Olivia and Fauxlivia, and The Two Walters 8. Bound: Brought us the Tough Olivia. Bonus points for Olivia's escape, for Olivia's fight with Samantha Loeb, and the confession of Mitchell Loeb in the interrogation room 9. Welcome to Westfield: IMO, the best episode of S4. Creepy story that allowed The Big Three to work together for the first time in the amber timeline 10. The Last Sam Weiss: The point that S3 had been building to with the machine Some may notice that "White Tulip" isn't on the list. For me, that episode, while a good one, just didn't hit the notes it needed to. YMMV.