The Finder Episode 1

I had been looking forward to watching The Finder ever since I watched the intro episode on Bones. The characters are charming and not bad-looking. Lead character is quirky, female lead has sass and personality to match Booth’s and there’s a trusty best friend-cum-lawyer to sort the lead out. I love the similarities between the two series, and in theory there are so many parallels to this series that I could draw. But I will try to refrain myself.

First glimpse into the episode and I realise that the female character that was introduced in Bones had been replaced. Not replaced by another actress in the same character (which sometimes happens like how Audra McDonald had replaced Merrin Dungey as Naomi in Private Practice)but rewritten as a completely different character. The female lead is now a deputy US marshal. Still sassy, still kickass. But a little too close to the female-Booth type of feel for me. I liked the original bartender/pilot character and wished they’d stuck with that. I would’ve forgiven them. Because she was lovable, with her somewhat criminal ways and violent tendencies. Deputy US marshal will take a bit longer to get used to.

Anyway, on a whole I expected a more impressive premiere. It did a good job of introducing the whole cast, new or known, to us but lacked the action and excitement that sucks you into the drama. The chemistry felt a bit lacking too. The only viable chemistry I felt was between Walter and Leo, even then mostly because of Michael Clarke Duncan’s sheer awesomeness. Willa’s gypsy girl character seemed interesting but her connection with the rest of the cast remains to be seen. Izabel is spunky and all brawn, but not easy to like on the first try. I feel that chemistry is the main reason for Bones’s success, and if The Finder wants to build up their fan base they got to work quickly at the chemistry and throw some more interesting cases our way.

Running Man Episode 75

Running Man is my guilty pleasure. Something I turn to when I feel like I need the comfort. Something I can always rely on being there whenever I feel bored (because I don’t watch it weekly). Something I don’t have to be committed to. Sounds pretty much like an affair.

I’ve started watching Running Man about middle of last year, and I was determined to watch right from the beginning (as not to miss out any juice). So I did, and till now, I’m still plodding on my list of unwatched episodes, not quite up to date with what’s airing. But at least I know how the Monday couple came about. And why Spartakooks is Spartakooks. And I managed to enjoy the episodes with Song Joong-ki in it.

Anyway, when I found out that Minho from Shinee (along with some other Hallyu idols) was going to guest star in the latest episode of Running Man, I just had to watch this episode. Like right now. As soon as it came out. I never had such an urge to watch a new episode of Running Man before. Because Minho is the most unashamedly competitive idol I have ever seen. It’s always a joy to watch him compete in sports-themed variety, such as Dream Team. Sports is his forte and he goes all out. He was the sole reason I watched Dream Team every week, even when the tasks got repetitive. So yes, I could not wait to watch it.

I’m not even an idol-shipper, but I know of idols and some who’s-who in the K-pop idol world because I read allkpop sometimes and I used to watch more K-variety. I know of Siwon and I quite like him, so he’s an added bonus. The added added bonus is that both Minho and Siwon are on Ji-hyo’s team. I feel excited at the mere thought of that. Jong-kook and Jae-suk are strangely on the same team with Sohee from the Wondergirls. Haha and Gary with f(x)’s Sulli, and Sistar’s Hyorin with Suk-jin and Kwang-soo. Hyorin bemoans her fate of being stuck with the Easy brothers, while Sohee is just overwhelmed by all the nagging and bickering between the two alphas. (Oh wait, did I just call Yoo Jae-suk an alpha? I take that back.)

Not too familiar with the personalities of the other idols, but Sulli seems cheerful and easygoing. I have not heard of Hyorin’s group but she seems a bit wacky, in a lovable way. Plus, how can you not sympathise with her being stuck in that group?  Even if she didn’t say so herself. Sohee is a bit overhyped by the editing, but to her credit she is quite focused on the tasks so maybe she’s just quiet.

Minho didn’t let me down – he was the first out of the racing blocks on the first task – albeit on the wrong direction. He and his team did pick up on the mistake though and Minho rushed to the right place in second position. Siwon said to Ji-hyo to leave all the running to Minho, which is only the right thing to do. Gosh. Minho even takes down Spartakooks in the last task, wrestling him down and letting everyone take their pick off the capable one, which is probably a first in Running Man history!

I love that he was so very competitive right to the very end, zooming about looking for the task items and never really stopping. And his reaction at the end of the episode was so typically him. I like how he is so unashamed of wanting to be the best, and he pushes himself so hard to achieve that (as opposed to playing dirty or taking the easy way out). I felt like his screentime was too little (and Siwon too) but with 5 idols on the show it’s hard to edit down to fair amounts of screentime for everyone anyway. I wish he’d go on the show again as a spy or something, if not I would have to resist the urge of re-watching some old episodes of Dream Team with him in.

 

Bones Season 7 Episode 5 – Return of Angela’s Dad

Angela’s Dad is back! He’s probably one of the wackiest recurring characters on the series. And my favourite one.

I don’t think he’s ever taken off those shades though, and his beard is always the same length. I crack up whenever he appears. He’s back this episode to have a look at Angela’s son Michael, and he even brought a toy!

How can you not love a Gramps like that? Michael has been getting really little sleep and his parents are worried (and sleep-deprived). Despite Hodgins and Angela’s best efforts to avoid having Gramps excite Michael even more, Gramps manages to have his own time with the baby. And he also discovers the exact type of music that he will sleep to. Awww. It just goes to show that music can indeed run in the blood.

Gramps also manages to leave his mark on baby Michael (albeit a press-on, for now), much to Hodgins’s horror. Which really reminded me of the days when he used to torment Hodgins.

This is just a teensy off the episode – not going to do a full-blown recap but I like putting in my favourite bits from certain episodes. At least you’ll know I’m still watching