Geek TV Week in Review: Obi-Wan Still Loves Rex

By Chance

February 08, 2010 at 3:41AM EDT

Time for another recap of this week’s geekiest offerings on the tube. You’ll notice the exclusion of Lost. I haven’t watched it since the first season, so jumping in now seems pointless. Friends tell me that all the same mysteries are still in play, waiting to be resolved, so who knows? Maybe I’ll give it another try. Or if we have a Lost expert out there, please feel free to give us a report.

	Batman: The Brave and the Bold: “A Bat Divided!” The Brave and the Bold continues to serve as a nice antidote to the usual doom and gloom versions of Batman out there. In this episode, Batman gets split into three different segments of his personality: the logical, the angry and the mellow. Batman’s mellow side was news to me, too. This comedy of errors steals the show, rendering the subplot about Firestorm’s origins a little lackluster, which is probably for the best. Two men sharing one body always raises questions that are probably best left out of a kids’ show. This episode also scores points for a funny opening cameo by Booster Gold.
	Caprica: “Rains of a Waterfall” Futuristic gay mobsters are hot. Sure, Sam Adama is a cold-blooded killer, but he and his husband are sooo cute together. I’m beginning to care more about Sam than the main characters. In fact, my only problem with the show is that there are no likable characters. I had a list of shows to catch up on this weekend, and kept putting Caprica last, mainly because after only two episodes, I already feel like watching is a chore, an unpleasant hour with unpleasant people. Here’s hoping someone—anyone—does something soon that’s not purely violent, selfish or insane.
	Star Wars: The Clone Wars “Voyage of Temptation” Ugh. They just had to go and try to “straighten” up Obi-Wan, didn’t they? I blame myself. I’m the one who outed his relationship with Captain Rex. I suppose C-3PO will now be voiced by Vin Diesel or Chris Rock. According to this episode, Obi-Wan spent some time with the Duchess Santine years ago and would have left the Jedi order to be with her. Blah blah blah. Here’s the real story. Obi-Wan himself says that he and Qui-Gon were protecting the Duchess all those years ago. Clearly, Obi-Wan is wistful of the past because his true affections and unrequited love were for Qui-Gon. Those feelings only got transferred to this hideous Duchess with the horrible hair, because he was rejected by his stern, but sexy Master. He tries to convince himself his dalliance with Rex is purely physical, but that’s only because of his fear of rejection. Okay, I feel better now.
	Fringe: “Jacksonville” I’m so glad Olivia has joined me in my hatred of Walter. I hope she keeps reminding him of his evil ways, too, with zingers like, “Should we find some more kids to scare?” This is the “Winter Finale” of the series, with no new episodes until April. Well, winter goes out with a bang, because this is a stellar episode, with some great character stuff for Olivia and some major movement in the mythos. And can I just say that while I was never a Dawson’s Creek fan, little Joshua Jackson has grown on me. In fact, I think he’s kind of hot. Unfortunately, with Olivia’s newfound powers, her growing affection for Peter faces a major setback.
	Smallville: “Absolute Justice” After months of hype, the special 2-hour Justice Society of America event on Smallville is finally here, and it’s good. It’s not great, mind you. But it is good. First, the problems. Michael Shanks is woefully miscast as Hawkman. Shanks does his best Christian Bale voice, but overacts when he should be restrained, and is restrained when he should be emotional. Also, his wings should have been CG, instead of the Flash Gordon era mechanical variety. Lack of budget really shows, not only in the costumes, but once again, all the action is confined to the hospital, Daily Planet and Watchtower. Now, the good stuff. The story is emotionally very satisfying and serves as a perfect reminder that superhero stories are still capable of inspiring wonder and hope. Hopefully, the Smallville gang will learn this lesson and come together as a real team. Soaring music and heart-on-their-sleeves sentimentality had me cheering for more.
	Supernatural: “The Song Remains the Same” Sam and Dean take a trip back in time to protect their parents from rogue angel Anna, who’s on a mission to prevent Sam from being born. I can relate, because angels and demons and baristas are always trying to go back in time and wipe me out. It doesn’t work for them, and it doesn’t work for Anna. We do get some great scenes between Dean and his mother and yummy Matt Cohen as dear old (young) dad. What Supernatural lacks in subtlety, it more than makes up in calculation, promising every twist and turn is taking us to a final, sexy showdown between the Winchester brothers.
	Vampire Diaries: “Children of the Damned” As I mentioned in the Quote of the Week post, Vampire Diaries has become a guilty pleasure of mine. I’m aware of the irony of dismissing a critical darling like Lost, yet embracing the melodrama of Vampire Diaries, but I don’t care. I’m dying to see a Katherine/Elena showdown! Plus, the writers are having a blast giving Ian Somerhalder the best lines every week. The plot is moving along nicely, with some great backstory revelations in this episode. Plus, dreamy Paul Wesley manages to take his shirt off twice in one hour. Good, good stuff.

That’s my wrap-up. What have you been watching? Feel free to comment here or head over to the TV Forum.