Been circling around this series for a while because I didn’t feel much like taking a trip through a violent, crude fictional world. And though I’m about to start season 4 now, I still have a part of me (the civilised, rational part) resisting the explicit violence and vigilante justice. I think when I was a younger I would have embraced it (and I look back at my Parrish Plessis series and see many of the same dynamics in play). But age brings a meta-conscience that is hard to switch off. Yeah, I’m in a pussy phase!

Anyway, despite the disclaimer, I’m a completely hooked. The acting is so good that it will be hard to ever consider those actors in any other parts. They seem to have got the energies and the sexual tension right on (superb casting) and the writing is an effective mixture of street, humour and philosophy. I love the way so many facets of life get a voice.

The exploration of family and loyalty and why people make the decisions they do is not new ground, but showrunner, series creator and writer, Sutter, handles it with honesty and just enough moments of light to balance what could be unremitting dark.

The series is addicitive pulp fiction but runs so deep on the exploration of the nature of men, their conflicting values and their mate-ship that it truly is the best kind of entertainment; meaningful while being hyper-real and exhilerating. “We blow shit up” is a seductive mantra.

The portrayal of issue of women in the series is a really interesting one. What could easily have been offensive and dismissive, is a realisitc and compelling reflection of women’s roles in a male-centric environment. The characters of Gemma and Tara are the anchor of the show – without them it would be a meaningless story.

I’m waiting with bated breath to see what Sutter’s end game is. It’s a long time since I’ve been so emotionally invested in a set of fictional characters – more so in some ways than some of the ones I’ve written myself (that’s how deep it goes for me!). Sutter has no fear, and I’m in awe of that – but there is a balance between letting the characters dictate their end and tearing the audiences heart out and making them wish they’d never heard of SAMCRO.

I’m on your side Sutter, don’t let me down!

Life is what he got and life is what he got back.

This NBC drama was another slow burn for me. I hadn’t really seen Damian Lewis in anything before, and his damaged quirky character took a while to warm to. In fact, I think the dynamic between him and his partner Danni Reese is really what hooked me in the the end; that and the cheesy take on Zen.

Detective Reese played by Sarah Shahi is a recovering addict, intense, broody, complex and a person who takes no crap. She carries a lot of baggage and belongs to the supress and then supress a little more school. It made for some good dramatic tension.

The crime/cop stories are nothing out of the ordinary, but the through story line is strong and the motivations are well set up. Secondary character, Ted Early (played by Adam Arkin) is brilliant in his role and I enjoyed Donal Logue as Captain Tidwell. Tidwell’s character walked a fine line between sleazy and principled and was very nicely done. His romance with Reese is kinda naughty and sweet.

There are only two seasons, which, as is usual with canceled series, is annoying because nothing gets resolved.

I started watching White Collar when I ran out of other DVD’s on my list and it was a pleasant surprise. I’d caught bits of episodes on TV but couldn’t really get a handle on it. Not enough to make me rush out and buy it at least.

When I finally did pick it up, I found season one entertaining, particularly the character of Mozzie (Willie Garson is brilliant, and this character has much more depth than his role in Sex in the City) – his devotion to Neal and his paranoia about ‘big brother’ and the ‘suits’ from the FBI. It was also very refreshing to have the banter between characters circle around culture and the arts for a change.

Season two seemed to settle in and get much stronger. Some episodes were quite gripping and Neal’s duplicity is so well handled that he remains lovable despite it. I would like to have seen a little more character development between Burke and his wife (Tiffani Thiessen) but the Mozzie – Peter – Neal triangle takes centre stage.

I’ll be really interested to see where the ‘through story’ goes in season 3. I’d describe this show as quite delicate. And rather delicious for it. Oh, and Matt Boma is way past gorgeous.