Top 10 TV Moments of my 2017

Everyone loves Top 10 Lists about Television.  I haven't done one yet.

I also don't watch a lot of the stuff that usually ends up on these- like The Leftovers or Master of None.  As such, mine is going to be a bit different and (hopefully) a little a controversial.

Let's see what I've got...

Runner Up: All of the times that Shows stopped their Plot cold for Flashback/Side-Character Episodes (e.c. Master of None, Stranger Things, American Gods and The Handmaid's Tale).  Is that a new trend?

10. Taking Out Daddy (Iron Fist): I'm sure that this Show is on nobody's Top 10 List but mine.  Oh well.  In this big moment, the Businessman Son has been in the control of his not-really-dead Dad for around a Decade.  He finally snaps after one too many comment and stabs him to death!

Being a Comic Book Show with Magic on it, the killing doesn't take.  Even so, damn!

9. The Tick isn't a fan of ultra-violence (The Tick): The new version of the Show definitely delivers. Tick and Arthur are fighting some henchman alongside another Superhero- who happens to be in the Punisher mold. He keeps trying to kill the bad guys, leading to our Hero hilariously stopping him on multiple occasions. Fun stuff.

8. Watching the Film Reel (The Man in the High Castle): While I never got too far into this Show, one moment still stood out to me.  When our Heroine first watches the Reel showing how America won in WWII (changed from being a Book from, well, the Book), she breaks down crying.

Hell, if I saw a Film Reel now showing how Hillary actually won, I might too.  Trump Joke Quota reached.

7. All of Jessica Jones (The Defenders): This one may be a bit of a cheat, but hear me out. Every moment that I really, really liked from this Netflix Show tended to involve her. I liked her 'Am I the only one that doesn't know Karate?' line. I liked her entering a Scene by shoving an SUV through a wall. I liked everything about her. Bring on Season 2 already!

6. Rick vs The President (Rick & Morty): There were a lot of great moments this Season.  I was torn between this and the Citadel Episode as a whole.  For me though, this fight- starting out with one-upmanship and ending in an actual brawl- is a great micro chasm for all of the ingenuity behind the Show.  From Rick's unexplained death touch to the hidden twins to invisible commandos, it was all fun.

5. The Bomb Episode (Twin Peaks): A bit of cop-out, perhaps.  There are lots of micro-moments sprinkled throughout the Season that I loved.  It just wasn't generally consistent enough for me to pick one out.  So let's go with the 40-minute acid trip that just never let up.

4. Eleven vs The Portal (Stranger Things): I suppose I should remember to review this Season, huh?  While people are mostly in love with it (save for the Eleven Episode), I want to highlight the bit that stood out to me.  They used the Demodogs to make the threat more minor, but vast.  So, in contrast, seeing the giant creature behind the Portal was awe-inspiring.  When will that show up, if ever?

3. The Interrogation Room (American Gods): This Season was mostly style over substance, but what a show it was!  I almost went with Gillian Anderson appearing as 'Lucy' or 'Bowie,' but thought that this bit encapsulated the Show better.  Media makes big, grand promises- complete with visual aids-, while Mr. Nobody shows up to be creepy as hell.  More Crispin Glover in Season 2, am I right?

2. The First Feast (Channel Zero- The No-End House): Due to the slow burn nature of this Show, it is less about moments.  In spite of that, the first time that you see how The Father 'eats,' it is quite freaky and memorable.  Who thinks of something like that?

1. Trapped in the Car (The Handmaid's Tale): Could it be anything else from this Season?  In spite of my issue with her being a Scientologist, I really loved Elisabeth Moss in this Show.  She had so many great moments of quiet strength and sadness.  To me, however, the biggest moment is when her Mistress shows her the Daughter she hasn't seen in so long (time is a bit vague here), but won't let her exit the car.  It is powerful and heart-wrenching, even to someone who will never be a Mother.  Damn!

So that was my List.  I'm sure that I didn't hit upon everyone's favorite moments, but...who cares?

Starz Struck: American Gods- Season Finale

The Season comes to an end, so let us see if they go out with a whimper or a scream...

Another 'Coming to America' Tale, although this one is lamp-shaded as filler by Mr. Wednesday.

In addition, it shows us the back story of that Goddess we see who sucked people inside of her.  We haven't gotten her since Episode 2!

Shadow and Mr. Wednesday are told that they need to court a Queen.  The latter picks Easter.

As you can see, all of the big people showed up for the yearly party.

This sure won't make people upset.  Right?

All of this comes to a head when the whole gang of New Gods (sorry, Kirby) arrive with an ultimatum.  What happens next?

Sorry, no SPOILERS.

A good Finale, even if it leaves a lot to be covered.  To be fair, it is not the SERIES Finale, so I can accept some open threads.  That said, there are MANY things left to be resolved or even picked up on.  Remember Peter Stormare being really important for 2 Episodes and then vanishing?  The same with Chloris Leachman and her Sisters?  That's just some of the many things that will *probably* be addressed next Season, but still feel weird to be left hanging.  With that complaint aside, the Episode generally delivered quite well for me.  We got more of Dead Wife and Mad Sweeney, some great stuff with Mr. Wednesday and another little bit of creepy Crispin Glover.  He really needed to be on more this Season!  Everyone did a good job with their roles.  If I had to complain, it would probably be that this feels more like a second-to-last Episode than anything else.  Even so, it is a solid wrap-up to the Season.  It also explains that we have one person to blame for all of those '___ People Meet' Apps- Technical Boy!

So that's it for Season 1.  While we wait for Season 2, consider whether or not this is just too damn pretentious.

Starz Struck: American Gods- Episode 7

Not so fast, Plot!  We need to stop doing that stuff and give a whole Episode's worth of Backstory instead...

Instead of another simple Coming to America Intro, we get...half an Episode of it.  At least it is clear why they are focusing on this person...

We learn the long, detailed Backstory of Emily's Ancestor- Essie.

This is better than Far and Away though.

Intercut with these Flashbacks, narrated for very little reason, is the journey of Mad Sweeny, Emily and Salim travel towards the Meeting of the Gods.

More backstory.  It is pretty and not at all bad...but I still don't see why I'm getting this instead of the Finale Setup.

Now with a new Vehicle, the duo run into some trouble, leading to a reveal (which someone SPOILED for me weeks ago) and a big decision for one of the pair.

Since I'm not the SPOILing kind, I'll just see you next week then.

Not a bad Episode...but why now?  This one's placement in the Series just feels like a big tease.  Why put it here?  This is effectively the Show's Version of a Bouncer- stopping you from getting what you want just yet.  Can I put that aside and just talk about the Episode?  Fine.  We get some good Writing and Acting- as usual- and the Narration is generally-helpful and good.  There are times when it felt a bit much for me, but that's not THAT big of a deal.  Even in these non-starter Episodes, they put one or two things in that you have to see.  Now glimpse of our Leads or ANY of the New Gods though.  Thank Jesus Prime (real in this Show) that they made room for the damn Buffalo though...

Next time, it all comes to an end!  With all of this build-up, it has to be EPIC- right?  See you then...

Starz Struck: American Gods- Episode 6

As the finale approaches, the Plot seems to both thicken and actual become clear.  Joy...

In another neat-but-seemingly-pointless Intro, Mexicans cross the U.S. Border and meet Mexican Jesus.

By this point, Fuller and company wanted to make things more clear, so they literally had a Character write 'Coming to America' on a paper to literally spell it out for you.  Literally.

In the wake of the Police Station incident, Shadow needs some help from Mr. Wednesday.  Don't take this out of context or anything...

Just in time for this Story to amount to something, people we know start to actually link up.  Hurray!

Once the crisis is averted, Shadow and Wednesday meet Vulcan, who has gone from forging Swords to forging Guns.  Will he be the ally they need?

To find out, watch the Show.

See, when this Show is good AND has a Plot, it is just so much better.  You get all of the typical Fuller stuff still.  You get the trippy Intro, the super-precise look at small objects in motion and the grand visuals that make this up.  Thankfully, this doesn't come at the expense of moving the Story forward!  We get to learn more about the upcoming conflict, which is nice.  On top of that, the seemingly-disconnected bit with the Buffalo/Djinn comes into play as well.  On top of THAT, more great interactions with the Leprechaun.  At this point, if he wants to play Wolverine, I say let him!  If you have kept up with the Show so far, this one is good enough to keep you invested until the end.  It is only 2 more Episodes, but you get the idea.  If the last two are this good, it will be worth sticking with the arty/listless Episodes.  When in doubt, mix Nazi imagery with Gun Culture- the Internet will love it!

Next time, more intrigue, twists and actual Plot.  How will this lead to a Finale?  See you then...

Starz Struck: American Gods- Episode 5

After a bit of a delay, let's jump back into this super-dense Show...

Just in case you thought we were past seemingly-unrelated-but-neat-openings, here is some stop-motion people killed in a Forest.  Okay.

In the wake a Character's return, Shadow is resistant to go back to his old ways.  Can he stick with it?

This d-bag has been absent since Episode 1, but now he's back to be part of the Main Plot.  Joy.

The Goddess of Media continues to have fun with costume play, but also joins forces with someone bigger.

Should I go with Scully Stardust or Ziggy Dana?

Oh shit- things are getting real.  What does Mr. World want with Mr. Wednesday and Shadow?

More importantly, how does he stay the weirdest thing in the room, even with The Goddess of Media cosplaying as Marilyn Monroe?  To find out, you know the drill.

It is still pretty strange, but I feel like something is at least happening consistently.  Shadow and Mr. Wednesday finally have it out to discuss what is happening.  We finally see a little of what is going on.  Crispin Glover is finally here!  There is still a lot of vague stuff here.  In spite of that, things feel like we are finally past the Prelude to this Story.  The Show continues to look neat and be well-acted, so no surprise there.  American Gods makes you wait for the good stuff!  This one didn't disappoint and it makes me want to see what happens next for more than just commitment to finishing the Series.  Keep your eyes on it...

Next time, things are actually moving forward?!?  Let's see how long this will last.  See you then...

Starz Struck: American Gods- Episode 4

As another week comes around, let's see if they figured out what this Show is about yet...

Instead of a neat-but-pointless Opening Bit, we get to see how Shadow and his wife met.

Their semi-charmed kind of life is interrupted when she decides that they should rob the Casino.  We know that he ends up in Prison, so this is no SPOILER.

This time, we see her life outside of Prison without him and how things got to where they were when the Show began proper.

Sticking with her, she gets to experience that bit from the beginning of last Episode.  No SPOILER as to how that goes though.

We also see how that strange bit from the end of the 1st Episode went down from the outside.

All of this builds up to...how the last Episode ended.  Joy.

How come we got the most Plot from a Flashback Episode?!?  Yet again, this looks pretty, is made well and generally feels interesting.  Yet again, not much of anything happens.  Am I getting repetitive?  Am I getting repetitive?  All jokes aside, I want this Show to be great and will stick with it for a little longer at least.  When it gets to a real Plot, it has to be amazing, right?  Speaking of amazing, how did Dane Cook end up on this Show?!?

Next time, there has to be a clear goal in sight.  How long can they keep this up otherwise?  See you then...

Starz Struck: American Gods- Episode 3

Another week, another look at Bryan Fuller's pretty-but-random Show known as...

In this week's neat-but-seemingly-superfluous opening, a woman is taken to the Underworld by Anubis.  Neat bit...but does it add anything to the Story?

In said Story, Shadow bargains more for his life against the guy who wants to bash his head in.  Does he win?

More weird-but-neat-looking Bryan Fuller stuff.  Kudos for getting Chloris Leachman though.

A weird aside with a Cab Driver, a Salesman and a Sex Scene involves this happening.  Interesting.

Are you thinking of snow?  Try thinking of snow?

Mandelbroit would be proud, at least.

What is up with Shadow now?  What is up with the Leprechaun?  Who's that at the door?

To find out, watch the Show.

Well, it is still neat to look at.  I still don't know what the actual Plot is.  I know that Mr. Wednesday is getting a group of Gods together for something.  After 3 Episodes, that's about all I've got.  All of the individual parts continue to be interesting.  I just keep waiting for this Show to come together and be amazing.  As it stands now, it is a series of neat and/or interesting moments.  The Acting continues to be quite good.  The Visuals are still quite good too.  It is good enough for me to stick around.  How long will that last though?  On the extra plus side, random Kids in the Hall Cameo!

Next time, more Plot?  Some Plot maybe?  See you then...

Starz Struck: American Gods- Episode 2

As the Internet gives me WAY too many Shows to focus on, I might as well talk more about this one...

As if they knew that they'd have to top the 'Guy Gets Shot 1,000 Times with Arrows' bit, the 2nd Episode brings us...Orlando Jones as an African Spider God who helps Slaves.  Alright.

After heartbreak, loss and a near-fatal attack, our Hero really needs some advice.  Unfortunately, he's stuck with this guy.

He continues to process his grief- and all of his old stuff- as this Show continues to, well, not have much of a Plot.

Gillian Anderson is here, at least.

Does this balance out David Duchovny back on Twin Peaks?

 In lieu of more 'Plot' or SPOILERS, here is what the Show does best- neat-looking shots of nothing.

More of the same stuff, although with less Buffalo with fire for eyes.  Actually, it has the same amount of that.  In place of the basic set-up, we get weird stuff like Orlando Jones leading a Slave Revolt, Gillian Anderson as Lucille Ball and 'That Guy From Everything...but Mostly Fargo.'  I still like it, but I see the complaints about a lack of Plot.  We know that Gods are meeting for something.  We know that Mr. Wednesday hates both Highways and Cell Phones.  We know that Cloris Leachman can't cook.   Other than that, the Show still leaves you guessing.  That said, it does provide good Dialog, good Acting and neat Visuals.  How long can that be enough?  I'd question more of this, but, ooh, a pretty Spider!

Next time, will the Plot really pick up?  How will they randomly-open next?  See you then...