Podcast Episode 113: The Walk, The Martian, Steve Jobs and Back to the Future Day

In this week's episode we discuss Yahoo leaving the original content business (2:20), Homeland’s graffiti mistake (6:35), the announcement of Die Hard 6 (9:35) and a proposed new time travel show (22:50). We also recap everything about Back to the Future’s Future Day (14:20). Finally, we give movie reviews for The Walk (24:40), The Martian (31:50) and Steve Jobs (50:30).



You can also listen to past episodes of the podcast on iTunes or on our YouTube channel.

"The Homeland Games: Catching Abu Nazir" (Comparing Carrie Mathison with Katniss Everdeen)

The following contains spoilers from both Homeland and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

DA- A stubborn young woman, excellent at her respected craft, is yet again putting herself in harms way to help the people she cares about the most. Her name? Katniss Mathison. No, wait. Was it Carrie Everdeen?

This weekend during The Hunger Games: Catching Fire when Jennifer Lawrence was on-screen battling others that wanted her dead, all I could see was Carrie Mathison from Homeland fighting off the latest terrorists threatening America. While these two women are the stars of two wildly different pieces of entertainment, there are many similarities between the two (at least to someone who has never read the books by Suzanne Collins but enjoyed both movies).

First, let us look at Katniss Everdeen, played by Academy Award winner Jennifer Lawrence. Katniss is a stubborn young woman who is an expert archer that lives in District 12. Not wanting to see her sister die in the 74th Annual Hunger Games, she volunteers to take her spot. She will do anything to make sure her family and district is not put into harm’s way. This includes following President Snow’s orders of faking her relationship with Peeta for the cameras, as well as reentering the games for the 75th year. Katniss also has a very complicated love life. She is unsure if she really loves Peeta Mellark or Gale Hawthorne (her original boyfriend before the games started). This relationship continues all for public appearance until it gets much messier in their second trip to the arena.

Next under the microscope is Carrie Mathison, played by Emmy winner Claire Danes. Carrie is a CIA officer living in Washington D.C. (or the DISTRICT of Columbia). At work, while she is great at what she does, she is often difficult to work with because, like Katniss, she is unsure of who she can really trust.  She is willing to go undercover, like in the beginning of season two where she traveled to Beirut or most recently, by working as a “double agent” this season with Majid Javadi. As for Carrie’s love life? While she wanted to keep it private, being intimate with the world’s most wanted terrorist is hard to keep under wraps for long. What started as a possible fake relationship to undercover Nicholas Brody’s true allegiance, it is clear now that Carrie is really in love with him and is worried what everyone else will think of it.

Speaking of Brody, this season Carrie is now pregnant with Brody’s child. To many this twist came out of nowhere. (It was at least three months between their last encounter and the reveal of the ridiculous drawer of positive tests. For the audience there was hardly any sign or clue alluding to this moment beforehand). While I am unsure how her medication and heavy alcohol use will affect the baby, at least Katniss has nothing to worry about with her “baby.” Katniss was never pregnant and instead it was all a lie created by Peeta to excite Caesar Flickerman’s audience. Many of these audience members were angry about this bombshell and so were the real life viewers not ready to imagine pregnant Carrie possibly being sidelined babysitting Brody’s kid in future seasons. I’m looking at you Dexter seasons five through eight!

There were many things for me during my screening of the second Hunger Games film that reminded me of Carrie. From Katniss being dragged back screaming on her Victory Tour (much like how Carrie was in the mental hospital this season) to when both women wake up in the middle of the night screaming from nightmares, Carrie and Katniss really started to blend together for me. Finally, there were even some of the famous “cry face” emotions from both of our protagonists (even though nobody can beat Carrie’s). However, it was not until the big twist involving Plutarch Heavensbee that I knew something could be here. Then again it may be the effect of all that artificial butter from the popcorn reacting strangely with the box of Milk Duds I woofed down before the movie even began.

As I have said I have not read the books so I was completely in the dark that Plutarch Heavensbee, the gamemaker played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, was actually an ally of Haymitch and the gang and was trying to get Katniss out safely. In the end, it was all one big plan to attack the Capital and President Snow. Now this season on Homeland while Carrie was aware of the deal she had with Saul Berenson, the audience was also oblivious to this twist. While it does not make sense why Carrie would “act” that she was surprised by all the things Saul did to her even in the privacy of her own home if she was already in on the plan (which I complain in more detail about on the podcast), there is still a definite similarity in basic concept. Two seemingly opposing sides were actually working with one goal in mind; take down the true enemy. Whether this “bad guy” is an Iranian terrorist group or the empire controlled by Kiefer Sutherland’s father, in both instances the majority of the audience’s jaws dropped to the floor when all of this was revealed.

Is there any other comparison I missed or am I completely off of my lithium medication à la Carrie Mathison? I mean they both live in worlds where somebody could be killed by a pacemaker remotely or by “artificial” baboons created by software engineers at the Apple Genius Bar. Are there any other character juxtapositions besides Carrie/Katniss and Saul/Plutarch that you see? If Saul is Plutarch does that make (soon to be CIA director) Senator Andrew Lockhart the new President Snow? Let me know in the comments or @eastwoodmcfly on Twitter! Until then may the Saul be ever in your favor!

Podcast Episode 37: Winding Down: "Scandal" "HIMYM" & "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"

You're busy. We get it. Not everyone can spend hours all day monitoring and watching everything in television and entertainment news. That is why Mike and Dave are here to do it all for you. At the end of every week we will wind down all the important things you may have missed in a week full of entertainment.

In this week's episode we discuss Michael Bay's fight on the set of Transformers 4 (1:58), the controversy around a Breaking Bad funeral (6:55), all of NBC's fall scheduling problems (13:24), and Donald Glover's weird Instagram confessions (19:20). We also wind down Scandal's "Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington" (24:12), How I Met Your Mother's "Knight Vision" (35:15), and Brooklyn Nine-Nine's "Halloween" (46:57). Finally, we give our thoughts on Homeland's big reveal at the end of this week's "Game On" (59:56).



Every week we will discuss a show picked by the listeners and to vote on what show we should cover next week be sure to use our survey by clicking here.

You can also listen to past episodes of the podcast on iTunes or on our Youtube channel.

Podcast Episode 36: Winding Down: "The Walking Dead" "Homeland" & "Glee"

You're busy. We get it. Not everyone can spend hours all day monitoring and watching everything in television and entertainment news. That is why Mike and Dave are here to do it all for you. At the end of every week we will wind down all the important things you may have missed in a week full of entertainment.

In this week's episode we discuss FX's new Fargo show (3:30), Paul Feig's rumored same-sex romantic comedy film (7:10), and who should replace Charlie Hunnam in Fifty Shades of Grey (11:00). We also wind down The Walking Dead's "30 Days Without an Accident" (15:22), Homeland's "Tower of David" (28:42), and Glee's "The Quarterback" (42:55). Finally, we update you on some of the new shows we are becoming hooked on in this new fall season (1:00:05).



Every week we will discuss a show picked by the listeners and to vote on what show we should cover next week be sure to use our survey by clicking here.

You can also listen to past episodes of the podcast on iTunes or on our Youtube channel.

Podcast Episode 32: Predicting the Unpredictable 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards

Every year David and Mike try to predict the very unpredictable Primetime Emmy Awards in a very special episode of Dual Redundancy. This year they try and forecast who will take home the gold in all the major categories for the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

This special is going to be released at first as a YouTube exclusive. To make sure you don't miss out on any specials and fall behind on all the latest in entertainment be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Unsure how to? Follow these easy instructions!

As an added bonus be sure to print out your very own Emmy ballot where you can keep track of our predictions and have an easy guide to follow along during the show!

Keep checking back to the Dual Redundancy blog during Emmy week for more Emmy news and predictions!

2013 Emmy Nominations - Most Deserving & Most Likely

Photo courtesy of Mike Ladue.

ML- The nominees for the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced Thursday, July 18th at 5:35 AM PT / 9:35 AM ET by Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad) and Kate Mara (House of Cards). In anticipation for the big day, here's your primer on which names will be called tomorrow -- and which should be, but probably won't.

Outstanding Drama Series

Projected Nominees:
Breaking Bad Season 5A, AMC
Downton Abbey Series 3, BBC / PBS
Game of Thrones Season 3, HBO
Homeland Season 2, Showtime
House of Cards Season 1, Netflix
Mad Men Season 6, AMC

Look for a near repeat of last year's nominees, and for good reason. All these shows featured water cooler moments as well as superb acting, writing and directing. Enough buzz surrounds newcomer House of Cards to displace HBO's prestigious Boardwalk Empire, but the latter show's industry adoration is so high I wouldn't be surprised if it outranks Downton Abbey or possibly (gasp) Mad Men to stick around another year. The only other spoiler would be The Americans, which built to something great but doesn't have the same influence as these heavy hitters.

Most Deserving (a.k.a. Mike's Personal Ballot):
Breaking Bad
Game of Thrones
Hannibal Season 1, NBC
Homeland
Justified Season 4, F/X
Mad Men

While I ranked Boardwalk (and BBC America's Orphan Black) higher than Mad Men on an episode-by-episode basis this year, the AMC show's finale managed to tie many of the season's dangling plots and themes together in a deeply satisfying way. Hannibal is network drama's one true gem (sorry, The Good Wife/Scandal fans) and exhibited stronger acting, cinematography and scoring that most anything on premium cable. Justified had its best season since Margo Martindale won her Emmy and featured TV's best-written episode of the year, "Decoy."

Outstanding Comedy Series

Projected Nominees:
Arrested Development Season 4, Netflix
The Big Bang Theory Season 6, CBS
Girls Season 2, HBO
Modern Family Season 4, ABC
30 Rock Season 7, NBC
Veep Season 2, HBO

Louie didn't make the cut last year and, despite snowballing critical acclaim, the fact it aired so early in the eligibility period makes me wary of its prospects. It could easily replace Girls, the most unnecessarily controversial show in history, or Arrested Development, whose grand return to "television" via Netflix was considered by some to be a huge mistake.

Most Deserving (a.k.a. Mike's Personal Ballot):
Arrested Development
Enlightened Season 2, HBO
Girls
Louie Season 3, F/X
Parks and Recreation Season 5, NBC
Veep

Years from now you'll discover Enlightened and cry that you never watched as it aired. This perfect little dramedy wasn't so much funny as it was, well, enlightening. (You will also cry for not watching Happy Endings, which is actually the funniest show on TV but had too many episodes that missed the mark this season to rise to the top). Parks & Rec had a stellar year, but the competition is fierce and support has historically middled -- remember when Nick Offerman was the frontrunner for Supporting Actor lat year? No such luck. My next-in-line would have to be Archer, which ties with Veep for meanest comedy on TV.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Projected Nominees:
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Damian Lewis, Homeland
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards

Hopefully voters are as over Dexter as I and dump Michael C. Hall from the list. Hugh Bonneville, the only other missing man from last year's lineup, could probably return in a cruel twist of fate and push out Buscemi or (gasp) Hamm. Don't expect too much love for Sorkin's polarizing The Newsroom, but Daniels was aces in the pilot and probably has enough cred to surpass also-rans like Justified's Timothy Olyphant or The Americans' Matthew Rhys.

Most Deserving (a.k.a. Mike's Personal Ballot):
Cranston
Hugh Dancy, Hannibal
Hamm
Lewis
Timothy Olyphant, Justified
Spacey

Dancy (husband of Claire Danes) was riveting to watch and Olyphant kept his charm turned to 100%.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Projected Nominees:
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Jason Bateman, Arrested Development
Louis C.K., Louie
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Jake Johnson, New Girl
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Johnson's decision to jump from supporting to lead will hopefully pay off, as it did for Cryer last year. I'm inclined to finally disregard Cryer for Episodes' Matt Leblanc or House of Cards' Don Cheadle, but as Sansa so eloquently put it on Game of Thrones: "The worst ones always win."

Most Deserving (a.k.a. Mike's Personal Ballot):
Baldwin
Bateman
CK
Johnson
Parsons
Adam Scott, Parks & Recreation

I wish I could nominate H. Jon Benjamin for his outstanding work in both Archer and Bob's Burgers, but voice acting has its own category. Community's Joel McHale nearly got my vote over Parsons, but the show's unfathomable nosedive into awfulness ruined the good will I had for the man. At least he got Dan Harmon back! Adam Scott is consistently good, enough to buoy him into this relatively open category.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Projected Nominees:
Glenn Close, Damages
Claire Danes, Homeland
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Juliana Marguiles, The Good Wife
Keri Russell, The Americans
Kerry Washington, Scandal

It took much debating to arrive at this list of leading ladies. The most vulnerable, unfortunately, is Close, but farewell nominations are not unprecedented and the character was beloved enough to win twice prior. Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss, Bates Motel's Vera Farmiga and House of Cards' Robin Wright could eek in over Russell, Dockery and Washington without making waves; the competition this year is fierce. A nomination for Orphan Black's Tatiana Maslany would make my morning/life complete... and it just might happen!

Most Deserving (a.k.a. Mike's Personal Ballot):
Close
Danes
Dockery
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Russell

Maslany is a revelation on her show and warrants major awards attention. Moss had an OK year, but I haven't seen Scandal or Bates Motel so I don't want to make an uninformed decision.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Projected Nominees: 
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Lena Dunham, Girls
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Amy Poehler, Parks & Recreation

Falco is waiting in the wings to take down McCarthy, Poehler or Dunham, but got much less press for so-so season 5 of Nurse Jackie.

Most Deserving (a.k.a. Mike's Personal Ballot):
Laura Dern, Enlightened
Deschanel
Dunham
Fey
Louis-Dreyfus
Poehler

It may be presumptuous to expect so many of my ideal choices to be nominated Thursday, but it's a testament to the Academy's ability to recognize the best talent (in my humble opinion). Dern is up there with Maslany for life-changing nominations, but this is far less expected.

The supporting categories will be presented without commentary:

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Projected Nominees:
Jonathan Banks, Breaking Bad
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Corey Stoll, House of Cards
Sam Waterson, The Newsroom

Most Deserving:
Banks
Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire
Nicolaj Coster-Waldau, Game of Thrones
Walton Goggins, Justified
Maks Mikkelsen, Hannibal
Patinkin

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Projected Nominees:
Will Arnett, Arrested Development
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Max Greenfield, New Girl
Ed O'Neill, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Most Deserving:
Arnett
Adam Driver, Girls
Greenfield
Adam Pally, Happy Endings
Chris Pratt, Parks and Recreation
Damon Wayans Jr., Happy Endings

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Projected Nominees:
Morena Baccarin, Homeland
Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
Monica Potter, Parenthood
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

Most Deserving:
Baccarin
Rose Byrne, Damages
Clarke
Michelle Fairley, Game of Thrones
Gunn
Potter

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Projected Nominees:
Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Jessica Walter, Arrested Development

Most Deserving:
Eliza Coupe, Happy Endings
Jenna Fisher, The Office
Krakowski
Zosia Mamet, Girls
Walter
Casey Wilson, Happy Endings

TV Thoughts: Dave's Top 12 TV Shows of 2012

DA- Before we can close up 2012 and start judging the entertainment of 2013 we need to look back on what was so great about 2012. Below is what I believe to be the twelve best shows of 2012. (Possible spoilers below).

12. Veep

Based upon the 2005 BBC series, The Thick of It, comedy up-and-comer Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a vice-president that may even be cooler and funnier than Joe Biden. With episodes like “Frozen Yoghurt” where a terrible but hilarious stomach flu gets the best of her, it is clear why she won this year’s Emmy. While Louis-Dreyfus is the comedy anchor of the show, her coworkers including Tony Hale and Timothy Simons make one great political comedy team. 

11. How I Met Your Mother

After a little bit of lull in the story of how Ted met his wife, HIMYM is back on track with a hopefully clear end date. With another mother flash-forward sighting in the season’s opener “Farhampton” to the latest episode of “The Final Page” where Barney proposes to Robin, the show can still juggle comedy as well induce chills. While recently it was renewed for one more final season, let’s hope we meet the mother at the end of this season and we actually get to see Ted date (and probably break-up, date, break-up, and finally date again) with the future Mrs. Ted Mosby before he marries and the story ends.

10. Dexter

Anything was going to be a step up from the last two seasons but Dexter came back with actual consequences for Dexter and his six seasons of murders. With acting nobody saw coming from Jennifer Carpenter back in season one to a much more interesting villain in Isaak Sirko than Colin Hanks’ Travis Marshall could ever be, I thought this show was completely back on track. While it derailed before the season was out with “Helter Skelter” and Sirko’s death, there was a point that I thought we got the old Dexter back. Hopefully these glimpses back to the past (as we saw in the finale) will continue and this show ends on a higher note like its’ previous seasons.

9. The Walking Dead

For this one we have to include the second half of season two and the first half of season three (which both aired 2012). After an extremely slow first half of season two that even the walkers could out run, Rick shoots zombie Sophia and the series began to pick up again. After the shocking deaths of Shane and Lori and then an intense battle to take over the prison, things are looking up for the AMC juggernaut. Plus with a great villain in the Governor played by David Morrissey this is one series I don’t want to see die.

8. Parks and Recreation

Going into this season I was worried to see how they would work Leslie’s new government job and her boyfriend working in Washington D.C. but the writers know how to “treat” their audience with some swag. While not as strong as season three this consistently funny show has given us a hilarious debate episode written and directed by Amy Poehler, a great guest arc with Paul Rudd, and a sweet proposal between Ben and Leslie. With 30 Rock, The Office, and (probably) Community ending, at least NBC will have one show that will keep us tuned in and laughing to the peacock network. Plus they scored Vice President Biden in a guest spot…winning!

7. New Girl

After a rough first half of season one that focused too much on quirky and “adorkable” Jess, the writers turned to see the great ensemble of characters that live with her. Between Nick, Winston, and of course Schmidt the show has learned the strengths of every actor and plays to each one of them every week. Whether it is a crazy game like True American or guest spots from people like Olivia Munn, Parker Posey, Josh Gad, Rob Riggle, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Rob Reiner, I can’t wait to see what adventure the roommates get into next and how Nick will turn lemonade into lemons, which he has been doing since 1981.

6. Mad Men

Even though Mad Men lost what would have been their fifth Emmy in a row, this season did not dip in quality. With strong performances from the whole cast including Jared Harris as Lane and Christina Hendricks as Joan it is shocking Mad Men did not receive even more Emmy love, which it still very much deserves. Don’t believe me? Go back and watch “Far Away Places” or “The Other Woman” which was not only my favorite of the season but also perhaps my favorite of the series. Ever.

5. Louie

Oh Louie! I love how I can go into this show every week and never know what I am about to see. Every episode is Louis C.K. experimenting with what a television series is and should be. With a strangely hilarious Late Show arc that saw David Lynch, Chris Rock, and Jerry Seinfeld enter the world of Louie at the end of this third season, it is going to be extra hard to wait until 2014 to see what Louis tinkers with next.

4. Community

While only airing twelve episodes in 2012 this abused sitcom’s third season which is on and off of NBC’s schedule could only be described as Community at its’ finest. Between a perfect Law & Order parody, a Ken Burns documentary about a pillow and blanket fight, an even better clip show episode, and a video game episode that starred Gus Fring, it is hard to choose a favorite from the bunch. Not to mention there was a season finale that could have worked as a perfect series finale as well. However instead of going crazy and weird like many season two episodes, season three found the perfect blend of being bizarre and yet maintain believable relationships between the characters (even if Chevy Chase thinks we do not want any of this).

3. Girls

Lena Dunham as Hannah as said she think she may be the voice of her generation. Or at least a voice, of a generation. However despite all this uncertainty, Lena Dunham as Lena is definitely the new voice of television we all needed. As creator, director, writer, producer, and star of this hit HBO show, Dunham as not created Sex in the City 2.0 but instead a completely original and funny show that just happens to star four young women trying to figure out life in New York City.

2. Breaking Bad

No, Vince Gilligan you got me! Even after only airing eight episodes this year these eight episodes are television at it’s finest. While I was worried how it could top the explosive season four, Gilligan has set up for a final eight episodes that really will show the (much deserved) downfall for Walter White. While it was a slow build to Hank’s realization, there was still a lot of action packed in between. Whether it is convincing Jesse that it was Gus who poisoned Brock, robbing a train with new guy Todd, or using the power of magnets, it will be interesting to see what’s next for Walter in this last “batch” of episodes.

1. Homeland

While I have already blogged about my future concerns about the show, this season I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. In the first four episodes alone it was as though we were speeding down the highway to “Everybody Talks” and not looking what was in the way. With performances that will sure get more Emmy love from Damian Lewis and of course of Claire Danes, it is going to be just as interesting to see where season three will go especially with the possible absence from Lewis. But again it would not be Homeland if we were not let to sit and wonder what is going to happen next (as long as we know Saul and his beard are not going anywhere).

What shows are in your top 12 of 2012? Leave your list below in the comments or tweet them to me @eastwoodmcfly.

TV Thoughts: Dexter & Homeland "Hopping the Shark?"

DA- A wise man once said “I'm afraid I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run if you will, so I'm afraid I have something of a mess on my hands.” If you are not a fan of Arrested Development or the world renowned “analrapist” Tobias Fünke, you may not understand the genius of what he was trying to say. Sometimes people just get too excited and rush into something they are not completely ready for. If only shows like Dexter and Homeland took this into consideration when creating their seasons.

Now before I dive into this, I just want to say Dexter and Homeland are amazing shows and I am really just nitpicking as someone who really loves television. These shows among many others did not necessarily “jump the shark.” They may have just taken a hop into a direction they should have waited a few seasons for.

First up is Dexter. Now our favorite serial killer just wrapped up his seventh season with an arc that had Deb contemplating how to babysit her serial killer brother that she also has a crush on. This season started off well (especially after a lackluster fifth season and a terrible sixth season). However once they got rid of this season’s bad guy Isaak Sirko in episode nine, they gave us a terrible placeholder villain. This guy who lasted an episode or two was an arsonist who as a kid liked to start fires and became an adult who…also likes to start fires. Then we had Quinn dating a stripper who just leaves and dumps him anyways and Batista retiring from a “great” career to open a terrible restaurant.

However the best part of the season involved the least liked character of the series on the heels of Dexter’s dark secret. There were so many flashbacks to season two, which many consider a high point for the series that involved Miami Metro investigating Dexter’s own crimes. Now after a solid first season it seemed like a crazy jump for season two to already find Dexter in hot waters but after this season premiered in 2007, these may be the only hot waters Dexter will ever face. Now every episode once Dexter makes any mistake he can easily get himself out of it. He does not need to worry anymore about murdering a suspect in a busy airport or even tranquilizing the guy that murdered his mother in a sunny park THE SAME DAY HE WAS SUSPECTED TO BE THE BAY HARBOR BUTCHER! 

When James Doakes was framed in season two to be the Bay Harbor Butcher, Miami Metro knew it was some law-enforcement member that was doing these vigilante killings. However now when any evidence may even remotely point to Dexter it is just brushed off as crazy talk. One of my biggest complaints was the blood slide that LaGuerta found at the church in the season seven premiere. This blood slide with Travis Marshall’s blood on it was found years after the Bay Harbor Butcher’s killings. These blood slides was a trait of the killer and was a detail that was never released outside of Miami Metro, thus it is impossible for any copycats outside of Miami Metro. In other words, there is a chance that the BHB is still out there. Sure it is not necessarily Dexter but this means the BHB may not be Doakes. Even though this slide sparked LaGuerta’s doubts, when Matthews finds other possible evidence that the BHB is not Dexter this detail is never brought up again. Is this just a detail the writers decided to gloss over once they realized they had no idea what to do with it?

In the end it does not matter because ever since Dexter explored his own crimes back in season two we will probably never have the blame back on Dexter until the last episode of the series which may be many, many years ahead of us (thanks to last Sunday’s ratings). It is almost like not being able to find out who the mother is on How I Met Your Mother except here we know exactly who Dexter is and we are dying for someone at Miami Metro to open their eyes and realize who he is too.

Immediately following Dexter on Sunday night is Homeland. Now before I dissect this brilliant show I do like how they ended season two. However there were many points this season that I was worried they make have took many leaps in what the audience can believe. Season one was a solid season that climaxed with “Marine One” saying once and for all what side Brody was on. As season two started I loved the first few episodes where Saul and later David Estes figured out that Carrie was not so crazy with her beliefs about Brody. Don’t get me wrong she is still crazy but as Saul said in the season two finale she is the “smartest and the dumbest person” we all know.

However once Carrie breaks her undercover work and they apprehend Brody at the end of “New Car Smell” it was as though somebody took the car from the writers, pressed hard on the gas, turned up Neon Trees’ Everybody Talks, and did not look back to see the people they may hit along the way. Instead of letting the audience stalk Brody for awhile and wonder what side he is on now, the show tried to give us surprises every episode. These include almost killing a U.S. Congressman and possible Vice Presidential candidate in the back of a limo or how the Vice President’s pacemaker can easily be accessed by a serial number which can be found just by sneaking around the VP’s house. (There is not one camera or microphone anywhere in that house?)

While I was still excited to tune in every week it reminded me a lot of the show 24 which actually had Homeland’s creators’ Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa on staff. Now this is not necessarily a bad comparison. I enjoyed the first few seasons of 24 myself and how crazy it was to find a mole inside an intelligence organization (even if it did feel like there was a mole every season). But The A.V. Club's Todd VanDerWerff said it best in his Homeland "Broken Hearts" review. By saying Homeland is acting like 24, people are “not bashing 24, which was a good show, but [it was] a very different kind of show.” Different is right. For me to believe there was a POW that was turned against his country did not take much disbelief for me for a television show, but after the events mid way this season I had to suspend my disbelief even more than I should for this "realistic" universe Gordon and Gansa created.

Though it created interesting television what worries me is it becoming 24, a show that had to rely on crazy tricks and reveals when it got into later seasons. Did we have to cover so much ground in season two that the only thing that seemed possible for the show was for it to “clean house” and kill Brody so they can start working on other terrorist plots? No. We had the time to kill (just ask Dexter) but it is clear sometimes we can just get too excited and rush through storylines like we have barrels full of them (Glee season one I am looking at you next!) Let’s just hope that these next few seasons of Dexter and Homeland (hopefully just one more for the former) don’t leave too much of a mess on any of the show runners or writers' hands. If not, they may just be mumbling how “they blue themselves” too early.

Do you agree/disagree? Leave your thoughts below in the comments or send me a tweet @eastwoodmcfly.