Intense Sunday Nights

I have a select number of shows I simply cannot miss. But for the most part, I’m a-okay falling behind a few weeks and catching up on a cold, rainy Saturday/Sunday. Homeland is not one of them. If I miss it on a Sunday, I feel like I’m missing the most important news in the world.

If you haven’t heard of Homeland or watched it, it’s time. This show brings an intensity to Sunday nights you never knew you needed. I get so sucked into the plot lines and characters that I really think Abu Nazir is a terrorist out there and we’re trying to catch him. The minute you think you have the show figured out, you realize you don’t. The show continues to surprise and delight, even on its less thrilling episodes (note: that is practically an oxymoron).

But it’s not just the watching of the show I enjoy. Over on Grantland, Andy Greenwald writes thrilling recaps and analyses after every episode. It’s the highlight of my Monday to read and then discuss with BLB over afternoon coffee. As the second season wraps in 3 weeks, this Christmas/Winter season is the perfect time to catch up on the series. You must start from the beginning and I can assure you, when you have all the episodes at your disposal, it will be hard to walk away.

It’s television like this that makes me so happy and grateful there are Americans out there who could careless about the latest Real Housewives or MTV reality show. People appreciate the detailed, dramatic script peppered with some lightheartedness. And I for one, cannot get enough.

Finding Your Way to the Abbey

Every winter season in Chicago, I find a TV show and series to carry me through the winter blues. It helps keep me sane. Last year, it was Friday Night Lights. The year before, Modern Family. And this year, while Dexter appeared to be my new favorite show keeping me trapped in my room dressed in sweats, it isn’t.

After hearing much about Downton Abbey on all of the blogs I read, I decided to look into this show, which I’ll admit, I thought was Downtown Abbey. This miniseries airs on PBS Masterpiece and follows the lives of one aristocratic family and their servants–a bit a rather enjoy. I’ve now found myself unable to stop thinking about the show and wondering when I’ll get to watch it again. And despite appearances, it has nothing to do with the accents. It’s all about the music and that library!

I’m sure my dreams appreciate going to sleep after watching an episode about the Crawley family instead of the serial killer ways of Dexter Morgan.

The Return of the Rock

After a long hiatus (but not nearly as long as Mad Men‘s), 30 Rock graced the screen again. Amanda and I ordered takeout, uncorked some wine and enjoyed seeing Liz, Jack, Tracy, Jenna and Kenneth all together again. There’s just something about a comedy that you can comfortably watch with your parents, friends, partners, bosses, etc. The writing is just fantastic and it’s a show I’ve never been disappointed with, especially with all of the guest stars that just happen to swing by.

While watching, my friend LeBaron texted me saying “Um. The day is almost coming when I may think about comparing you to Liz Lemon…” It’s an honor many people have told me. Mainly because we both wear glasses, are funny, witty, completely comfortable with ourselves, have just bizarre dating stories and dance to our own beats. But as LeBaron pointed out, these aren’t the things that sealed the deal for him. “The dancing and spraining the ankle did something to contribute. And the joint pain medication.”

Could this be the season Liz finds love while dealing with arthritic joints?