It’s Show Bizsnatch! Better Call Saul, S1-E2

February 10, 2015Kay Gardella Memorial TV Review BlogBetter Call Saul literature comparison, Better Call Saul recapMarion

My recap (and critique if it’s not edited out) is now up on HNTP — the television blog you should ALL be reading. I’d just like to say here and now that I got a couple of things wrong about the Sunday night installment. For one thing, I recognized Tuco, but then decided it couldn’t be him because the internet did not immediately explode with the news and I didn’t see Raymond Cruz being named in the credits. Oops.

Second, like some other writers, I suggested that perhaps those of you who’d missed a few or all of the episodes of Breaking Bad, should take a few days off from everything and binge. That’s unnecessary. What I realized last night, watching the second part of the premiere was that it’s neither a “prequel” nor totally a “stand alone.” It’s a part of something much bigger — Vince Gilligan’s parallel universe. It’s non-linear space so it doesn’t really matter when you drop in. It’ll all circle back eventually.

Anyway… once again please head over to Happy Nice People Time to read my recap and other fine recaps of your favorite shows and those you no longer bother watching. And if you want to thank me in some way, go check out my books — especially this one.

Thank You, Steven Colbert — Totally Worth Locking Vince Gilligan Up to Work on Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul is the best pilot I’ve ever seen. And we all know whom to thank. So thank you, Mr. Steven Colbert for locking Vince Gilligan up in your cellar. It totally worked! After you watch the show — and you can get watch it RIGHT NOW on Amazon — you can relive all those special moments with your precious by reading my detailed, loving, recap at HNTP. But first, you might want to watch all five seasons of Breaking Bad. That’s ok. I’ll wait right here.

(Oh yeah, and while you’re on Amazon, do you think you could maybe take a look at my new novel. Sure it’s got vampires, but they definitely don’t sparkle.)

Downton Abbey S5 E6 Happy Horsey Picnic Time People

February 9, 2015Kay Gardella Memorial TV Review BlogDownton Abbey, Downton Abbey funny recaps, Downton Abbey S5 E6Marion

Edith gets some bad news, but that doesn’t stop the rest of the family from carrying on with their lives, does it? Also, let’s hope that’s not foreshadowing regarding the unfortunately named dog OR Mrs. Hughes. Please head over to Happy Nice Time People NOW to read my recap whether you watch the show or not. It will tell you all you need to talk about it as though you had seen it or paid attention.

(Also, please click on a book up above on My Picks or click on this one here. That way if you buy anything on Amazon within the next 24 hours they will give me peanuts. And who doesn’t like peanuts?)

Better Call Saul — Recaps Coming

February 6, 2015Kay Gardella Memorial TV Review BlogBetter Call Saul, Better Call Saul recapsMarion

If I had a basement, or even an extra-bathroom, I’d pull a Stephen Colbert — kidnap Vince Gilligan and force him to write more Breaking Bad episodes. (Ha-ha, no I wouldn’t. I’d rent it out on AirB&B in order to pay for cat food.) Fortunately, such desperate measures aren’t going to be necessary because as the world now knows, a prequel will soon appear. And lo and behold, I will actually get paid (all the Friskies I can eat!) to write recaps for Happy Nice Time People!

This is going to be a major challenge. HNTP likes snarky recaps. It’s hard to snark when you are awestruck, and I happen to think Breaking Bad was the best television show ever on television. I am primed to be a total and complete fangirl.

From articles I’ve read written by my betters, who actually get an advance look, it sounds like winner. The show begins with Saul, after the death of Walter White, looking back on how he came to be managing that Cinnibon in Ohio. The idea of a prequel is intriguing. There are rules that will need to be followed and art doesn’t always follow rules. While Gilligan knew exactly where he wanted to go with Breaking Bad, there were changes made along the way. The character of Jesse, who became absolutely integral to the show’s success, was supposed to have been killed off by the end of the first season. And we never knew what might or might not happen to other characters. In the case of Better Call Saul, if there’s a familiar face from BB, we will know that character has to survive until BB begins. Mike is in the trailer, which is awesome. But what if Jonathan Banks bails after the first season? Will we get to see Gus again? Maybe finally learn more about his mysterious Chilean background? But are some mysterious better left unsolved? This isn’t simply knowing the journey of one character, but knowing the fate of several. So with outcomes never in doubt, the journey will be everything.

I can’t wait till Sunday.

(You may have noticed there are no ads — other than “My Picks” and no donation buttons. How do I make a living? I don’t. This blog is a labor of love. But if you appreciate anything you see here, a great way to thank me would be to check out one of my 99 cent novellas — this one or that one. OR if you really want to make sure I have time to continue these informative and entertaining posts, you could buy one of my acclaimed novels for less than a grande at Starbucks — this one or that one.)