1 of 1001 Television Shows: Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Don't read if you're not into spoilers! Later this year 1001 Television shows will be released, and considering their front cover features Breaking Bad I assume it's safe to say it's featured, and I want to write this while it's fresh on the mind, plus Better Call Saul begun, and I'm loving it. I want to go back and relive Breaking Bad a bit.

Breaking Bad might be one of the most famous shows from the past decade. It does certainly break the mold of television. In only five seasons they showed us the drastic change of an everyday guy who getting by as a teacher to a guy who desperately wanted to make sure his family was well off if he was to die from his cancer. It's a startling portrayal of the lengths power, love, and notoriety might drive one to.

Summary: Walter White is an everyday guy. He's married with with a family he cares for and works as a science teacher and at a car wash for extra money. After he is diagnosed with lung cancer his life is sent into a tail spin, not only does he need to find a way to afford treatment without help, but he also wants to make sure his family is well cared for if something was to happen to him.

I have a lot of thoughts on this show, and it's hard to imagine if I'll be able to sum them up. I thought the characters were magnificently written. Actually, even the story as well. Everything was well done, and I loved that this show had a singular direction to take it instead of spinning out whatever for that many seasons. It seems if anyone has a complaint about the show it's about disliking the female characters. Most people can find something to like about many of the male characters, Jesse Walt, Hank, and even Saul. Even though for me I really thought Walt went to some of the darkest places. His character is a personality that has the most trouble with emotional feelings. All his motivations are guided by logic, even regarding his family. While I understand that Skylar comes off very unlikable, I always sort of understood her side as well. She is with a guy who struggles to connect. It's not bad, but it makes the show certainly real.

This leads to the next big points. For me there was no one likable character in this show, but nor were they unlikable either. I felt I could feel everyone was dealing with these scenarios how real people might deal with them. It's not about creating a hero in this show, but showing complex situations that call for a level of bad, and how those characters might justify the bad they are doing. The unraveling of Skylar is a lot slower than Walts. It begins with little vices, and ends with her taking part in what she knows is a drug business.

There are many other characters in this show though, and they are affected by what mostly Walt all gets them into. Personally, I hated how Skylar takes the hate of the viewer of the show, but I believe the writers and even the actress of Skylar knows that was her role. The show mirrors her taking the dislike through how her son perceives her, and even the things that Walt says to her. At one point she even notes to him everyone will think her the bad guy in comparison to him even though he is the one who got them into dealing drugs. It's an interesting and real dynamic for many women and the perception we hold.

Lets not forget Jesse though. The one whose life was really further screwed up by the involvement with Walt. While I think the ultimate conclusion that Walt did care for Jesse is true, I think it's more so because he felt responsible for him. He ends up being taken hostage for a long time, treated brutality, losing a couple of love interests in the drug disputes, and feeling genuinely bad. Unlike any other character in the show, Jesse was the only one who couldn't justify what he was doing and he acknowledged he was bad. The issues around Walt and Jesse's relationship are the most painful to watch. The show doesn't try to hide over the painful results it has even in the moment of risking making you completely hate the lead character, Walt.

The host of other characters like Hank and Maria contribute their own as well. Hank is a likable DEA who has a drug tycoon right under his nose, and Maria is sadly most of the time nagging, but toward the end of the series she turns the tides a bit, in the rejection and distrust she felt learning of her sister's secrets.

Breaking Bad is a hard show to connect with, but not because it is lacking in compelling story or characters, but mostly because you don't want to connect to these types of people. It's what makes the show so good though, is because they are people dealt a bad draw, and go through levels of bad to break it.

Book Review: Sean Lowe's For the Right Reasons

I'm going to let this information fly free, but I watch the Bachelor. It's addictive, and I don't know if I want to give it up. A few seasons ago one of the most memorable bachelors made his appearance, Sean Lowe, and he was the first Bachelor on the show to marry the woman he chose. He also became known as the "born again virgin." Thankfully, in the book he clarifies he became known as that by no advertising or coining of his own, which was a bit of relief. He didn't even seem to like the term. This book leads to many more interesting discoveries upon this one, most interesting of all, what goes on behind the scenes.

Summary: Sean Lowe was a guy trying to find a job he loved in the world, after the loss of football. He never knew what whirlwind adventure he would be put in when his sister and brother in law signed him up for The Bachelorette. After a rejection from Emily Maynard, Bachelor Nation grew to like Sean Lowe, and it made him a prospect to star in The Bachelor. Unknown to him his wife was waiting in the group that he would meet.

I had many thoughts while reading this book that went everywhere. I was wondering why the longest chapter seems to be dedicated to too much football, does Sean still condone fracking?, The Bachelor process seems more genuine than thought, but also just as manipulative, and even maybe Sean isn't that bad of a guy? I was everywhere, and was wondering how I would sum up my thoughts on this one after I finished reading.

Sean's season of The Bachelor

I'm going to begin with my first thought. The first couple of chapters of this book are a bit boring. I understand that football was a huge part of Sean's life, but reading the first couple of chapters was hard to get through. I could have not cared much to hear as much detail on football. Soon we move into more interesting waters, like Sean graduating and finding a job. Now things got questionable here, because a lot of the jobs that Sean took on seem morally and ethically questionable. Yet he never seems to indicate if he ever came to terms with how they might have damaged the other person's life. He is advertising on the book on how a nice guy can finish first, but some of the chapters earlier don't depict what I would consider "nice guy." I'm sure that Sean learned a valuable lesson, and we can tell he felt bad, but after he got the job at the insurance agency we never hear again about the lives perhaps damaged by fracking near their homes? Or the guy who he borrowed money from for an investment, and then lost it all with the guy not knowing Sean's company was on verge of collapse. What happened to these people? It's like the first bit of the book talks about Sean's life being so stressful and complicated, but yet he sought very fishy ways of making money by using other people's money. That can go very bad or okay.

The next part becomes a lot more interesting after Sean makes it onto The Bachlorette. Not because hearing a rehash of the show was interesting, but because of the setup behind scenes. I think being a social cynic made me perceive a lot of the interactions with staff more negatively than Sean took it. They assigned one person who seemed to stick closer to Sean through the entire season, this also led to him feeling tighter and closer to this staff, and they also would share their own feelings if they thought him and Emily were growing close. The staff seemed to genuinely want him to win Emily's heart, but I also wonder if they set that up so the emotions are fueled up by people who give you affirmations of someone's attention. Now for the season where he is the actual Bachelor, a lot is revealed too, and a lot more real moments happen according to Sean than people might think.

People cover story they were shocked to see.

Lastly, I want to say that Sean ultimately ended up not being as I thought he was. He acknowledges he isn't perfect, and for the most part faulted. I thought it was respectful how he treated the women on the show. I heard the recent Bachelor, Chris, talking about a woman on his season with Jimmy Kimmel, and he called her crazy. While this woman may be coming off odd, he wasn't very considerate or aware in his language of calling her crazy and laughing about what maybe was going on with her, and how it might affect her seeing how she is portrayed on television. Now Sean seemed much more aware of that. He didn't talk about any of the woman in a negative light, including Tierra, from his season who caused a lot of controversy with the other women. I thought this at least showed that while Sean has faults, he does try to take in the surrounding pressures and issues lurking while on this show. I also liked how Sean did make a point to voice he doesn't think his or Catherine's sexuality defines their faith, and he seemed concerned that anytime he mentioned his beliefs those two were intertwined. I agreed and was glad to see he wanted the focus to be on a faith in Christ, and not what someone is doing that is their personal business.

Are you watching this season of The Bachelor?

Will you pick up Sean Lowe's book to read? 

This book was provided by Book Look Bloggers in exchange for a review.

Television Breakdown: Dexter (2006-2013)

Since Lost, I don't think I've completed the full season of any other show. So in the first of many shows I hope to finish, I started with Dexter. Of the shows I've started to watch and talk about this is by the far the most compelling one I've watched. Also you dislike SPOILERS then I suggest not reading ahead. Anyways, the last season, season 8, definitely was the weakest though. It wasn't because of all the characters, or even the acting, but because there was something that wasn't cohesive in how it fit in with the others seasons. It was too obvious it wasn't supposed to be.

Summary: Dexter is a blood splatter analyst by day, and a serial killer by night. He only kills those who have murdered though, but this is only a way to safely channel his urges that would come out some other way if he didn't. Killing though is eventually going to leave a trail back to him though, and while the growing speculation of who he is is made by some who work with him, others like his potential love interest and adopted sister seem oblivious to who he really is.

Television Review: Monday Mornings (TNT)

Monday Mornings is brought to you from David E. Kelly, so the audience has a reason to expect a good show especially with the likes of Alfred Molina on board with the cast. Monday Mornings does prove to be a compelling show, but not anything that will stay with the viewer like ER. Otherwise, it is a show that has great visual quality, and good acting, but not a lot of chemistry between the cast.

Jorge, Tyler, Tina, Sydney, and Sung are surgeons trying to do the best they can in their jobs despite the fact they are humans who make mistakes. Sometimes the mistakes cost the lives of the people that come to them trusting them for help, and others they are able to save lives. The surgeons come together though to offer support, and encouragement when one needs it, or just giving one a notice when they do something really like when needing to perform surgery. Sometimes they are even driven apart by their bad decisions, but what comes first are the lives of the patients they are put with.

Television Review: The Americans (FX)

Entertainment seems to have fallen back in love with the 80s with shows like The Carrie Diaries, and The Americans popping up set in this decade. This is good news because for such a fun time it puts a little bit of something fun into the shows even when they are sometimes as bland as The Americans. Depending on your appeal in crime dramas this one runs way too long just to catch anyone. You don't need a huge almost 2 hour opening.

Philip and Elizabeth Jennings are Russian agents stationed in America during the 1980s. As they track down their own that has betrayed their country they also battle to maintain a normal American life of raising a family, and maintaining they have a normal day job. One American agent though feels something is off about the couple and begins looking into it. Philip is also getting tired of being an agent, and wants to set of on his own in American with Elizabeth so they can be their own people. The two clash on this, and future episodes will tell how things play out for these two.

Television Review: Do No Harm (NBC)

Do No Harm is a take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This plot is always interesting, and perhaps the show the relies a little too much on it because there doesn't feel like much development in the hour we spend with it. We know Dr. Jason Cole wants to get rid of this guy though, so the show basically sets itself up with Cole trying to at least protect his loved ones from the other persona that resides in him.

Dr. Jason Cole has been successfully repressing his alter ego, until one day the medicine he has been using stops working, and he escapes once again, and leaves a wake of destruction in his path. This leaves Cole having to seek a new way to compromise with his alter ego so he doesn't destroy the life as a successful doctor that he has achieved. Also, Cole must warn those in his past that were affected by his alter of his return so they can try to hide in safety away from the disaster that likes to cause.

Television Review: The Taste (ABC)

The scenario might seem familiar. Four judges judge a contestant without seeing them on whether they want the person on their team or not based on some form of talent they possess. No, this isn't The Voice that picks contestants the same way by hearing them sing without singing. This show is The Taste. Four judges taste food prepared by contestants, and then decide whether that person is on their team without seeing them.While not too unique it is still intriguing to watch. Not everyone with a sob story gets picked making it even more suspenseful.

Top Chefs, Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre, and Ryan Malarkey judge professional and amateur cooks based on one taste of the dish of their choice. They only reveal who the person is behind the dish after they have voted whether they want the person in their group. Sometimes the judges regret their initial votes, but once they've decide they can't go back and change their vote.

Television Review: The Following (FOX)

Murders patterning their killings off famous other murders, or writers who covered the topic seem to be a popular theme in television and movies nowadays. With the movie The Raven, following Edgar Allan Poe as he tries to stop a madman from imitating the killings from his writings to the detectives in Ripper Street solving crimes that closely follow the patter of Jack the Ripper. Now with The Following, you have Ryan Hardy, tracking crimes that build of Edgar Allan Poe's writings.

Ryan Hardy thought he was able to put one case to rest, until the serial killer he put away almost 2 years ago escapes prison leaving a scene of awful murders in his path. He's on the run to fuel his followers into a new beginning crimes by attempting to kill the last person, Sarah Fuller. Hardy has something bigger than just stopping Joe Carroll this time though, because the amount of followers he has are huger than they could have imagined. Everyone from neighbors, to policemen are capable of turning, so it's up to Hardy to navigate to bring down the string of crimes.

Television Review: Ripper Street (BBCA)

Not knowing what to think as you first get into watching Ripper Street will leave your expectations open ended. Think Sherlock Holmes meets The King's Speech. There are lots of British camera shots, and the story seems to heavily follow be something inspired by Guy Ritchie's version of Sherlock Holmes. Lots of the intro looks worded like it, and the music is very similar as well.

Being an investigator in the East End of London in 1889 is no easy job. Edmund Reid is a detective, and he's called on a case that is bound to give anyone chills as a killer looks to imitate Jack the Ripper. not long after his terror was stopped. Reid teams up with Bennet Drake to further solve what is happening. Captain Homer Jackson is brought in for the autopsy side of things, and finds he could be more closely tied than he thought to one of the women at risk for being pulled into the murder's ring. The local brothel may just be attracting attention of not only Jackson, but the eye of someone else, and Long Susan is sending her women into it without knowing.

Television Review: Legit (FX)

It doesn't take long to see what Legit is about, but it does take a little longer to see that it is a show that  reaches a little to tug on the heart, but not so much so to make their male audience uncomfortable, though there are a few scenes that will make almost anyone squirm including many incidents of straight men having to come in contact with another guy's private anatomy. The show ultimately shows a really bad though who is trying to do some good in order to be a better person, but the thing is he still seems to try to benefit from it for himself. FX knows that Wilfred is one of their hits from a comedian from Australia, so now they have enlisted another Australian to give them another in Legit.

Jim is sort of a slacker guy, but he wants to become a more mature individual who seems like a legitimate adult. You know, like having a wife he can have sex with (even after she has gained weight as he puts it), and accepting the world has pain, like by going to visit his friend who is ill with a bad heart condition, and physically disabled. This visit brings him the opportunity to do some good though as he sees it, so he offers to take Billy to a whorehouse in Las Vegas to lose his virginity. Billy's family doesn't believe this is the best idea, but he is determined to do it before he dies, and Jim knows just how to get someone to help him.

Television Review: King of the Nerds (TBS)

Robert and Curtis are known celebrity geeks and they have signed up to host a reality show featuring geeks battling out to become the ultimate geek. Considering this network constantly pimps out the fact they air The Big Bang Theory it's no surprise they would bring along this show to sort of build upon that. The cast is sort of annoying though, and doesn't really make nerds that endearing.

The nerds come from all backgrounds to showcase that nerds don't all have the same strengths. There are pro-gamers, mathematicians, scientist, comic book collectors, computer hackers, video game bloggers, and more. The nerds begin by dividing into groups, and then having a twist played on them when they find out what the one remaining odd person out gets to do when not chosen. We then see a little bit of friction begin to develop between the teams as they begin plotting how to get rid of the strongest.

Television Review: Continuum (SyFy)

Continuum is a new show in SyFy's already appealing cult lineup of shows they have. Unless you're really into time travel, or something this show isn't the most interesting to watch. You have an attractive female lead (that I appreciate they didn't overkill on trying to selling her appearance), a lasting story line of terrorist lose in the past, a well-shot show, and some action. There is something missing though that keeps you watching though.

Keira lives in 2077, and she is a detective. They have caught the most wanted terrorists in the future, and are going to execute them until something goes wrong sending Keira and the terrorists to the past, 2012. Once arriving there she spots one of the terrorist sending her on an instant hunt to catch them all again. While trying to contact her team before knowing she is 2012, she comes in contact with Alec, a guy who has his own radio, van thing set up. Her and him instantly team up since she has no one else she can trust. She also teams up with the police, specifically Carlos, to try to set out to catch them, and return home at some point.

Television Review: The Carrie Diaries (CW)

Don't write off The Carrie Diaries. It's actually worth a watch. This is coming from someone who expected to hate it, and be bored out of their mind. Instead, there was a bit of excitement waiting for the next episode. There is something intimate about the way the scenes are shot though, and for some reason the characters are either compelling or likable.

Carrie has just lost her mother over the summer to cancer, and she is now left as the oldest female in the house with her dad, and younger sister. Instinctively, it's as if she takes over the role of the lead woman, but this may be more overwhelming than she thought as a new high schooler who is finding out her friends have had sex, and she just took an internship in the big city of Manhattan. While in Manhattan she is finding that it won't just be the job world she'll be getting to know, but diverse characters from all sorts of backgrounds who wear who they are on their sleeves.

Television Review: Deception (NBC)

The Revenge comparisons have already began for Deception, but do give it a try, because while some features might be the same it ultimately is an interesting show. There are some obvious problems in the mind of the viewer as you watch with the biggest one being how will they continue on a show on the same premise like this?

Joanna Lacasto's best friend, Vivian, from her childhood turns up dead under mysterious circumstances. Will Moreno, her ex lover, returns to enlist her help to solve the murder because he believes she can weave into the family in ways that others couldn't. Being a detective, she can't help but want to help her friend this one last time, and take the case. Robert Bowers, Vivian's father, welcomes her back into their home after the death, so she returns there as the maid's daughter. Once there the family doesn't give her much of a welcome except for the man she loved when a teen,  Julian.

Television Review: Buckwild (MTV)

This show is full of truths, like how comfortable it is to run around without a bra on...that is sarcasm. Jersey Shore wasn't enough of scraping the bottom of the bucket, so MTV had to find a crew who wanted to slide across what was left in the bottom of a bucket that already been scraped over by shows like Jackass, and Jersey Shore.

We begin the show by meeting a few of the cast members like Shain, Anna, Ashley, Shae, Joey, and Cara. Later in the episode we meet Katie and Tyler. It seems the show is trying to lead up to the inevitable meeting of Salwa for some reason because has yet to make an appearance until the second part. Maybe they think she is so out of place in this environment it is suiting to have her appear last. The show sets itself quickly with what it's about though. All three guys begin competing to see who can get into Cara's pants first. Her vagina is offensively referred to as "it" several times right at the beginning of the show. The show then goes on to show three girls that live together continuing to bother their neighbors by having loud parties, and the group going swimming in gross waters, and mudding. You then have the second part of the episode where the group decides to have a swimming pool in a dump truck, and the group going to clubs.

Television Review: 1600 Penn (NBC)

This isn't NBC's answer to Modern Family. There isn't the intelligent writing, or any relatable characters to be found with this one. It has it's moments for laughs, but overall it doesn't seem to be the show that will salvage NBC's need for comedies to fill in the ones that will soon be missing from their line up.

President Dale Gilchrest is a man seemingly liked by the public, but it isn't him that may tarnish his time in the office, instead it's the antics f his family. He wife, Emily, isn't the graceful, polite, president's wife that a man in office would want to speak for causes. When prodded she can leave some newsworthy headlines for the public. His two youngest children don't get along well, and it turns out his middle school age daughter might have a budding crush. There is also Becca who is the daughter a dad would want. She is successful, but when she finds out she is pregnant she worries how it might not only affect her future, but her father. Lastly, there is Skip. He is the underachiever son of the president constantly making the news with his over the top antics that get him in trouble.

Television Review: Malibu Country (ABC)

Is ABC trying to tell us something with the lineup of Last Man Standing, and Malibu Country? It's very southern, and conservative in some senses, but I like it. Malibu Country might be  a show that takes the worst of critic backlash this season with it's very simple comedy roots. My only probably that I might note is that Nashville I'm sure is almost modern as any other city yet they are acting like these people came from the boonies of the south. I would actually say the premise reminds me a tad of Hannah Montana.

After divorcing her cheating husband, Reba takes her two children, Justin and Juliette, to the Malibu to begin a new life along with her mother, Lillie. Once there she discovers Malibu is going to have a whole new way of life that she wasn't used to in country. While her daughter seems to be adjusting comfortably, her son seems to be threw off by the new culture. Reba sets out to now merge her new life at the beach with her old countrified one.

First, I want to note I'm shocked countrified is a word as I thought I would be spell corrected on that one. I also want to say that I did enjoy this show. It's not going to get any Emmy's, but it's simple and definitely something the family can watch together. I think it's more relatable than most shows on television as far as how a family might react to the situation they are thrown into.

I also want to comment that Sara Rue has changed so much! I recognized her face, but could not put together who she was at first. She went from playing the awkward, sort of heavier girl in Less Than Perfect to playing the sort of dimwit Malibu blonde neighbor. Very strange. I like the cast though, and I think if people can work past the first episode they will enjoy it too.

Personally, in a world where television is fighting to be so modern it's nice to see some families who are living without Hollywood lives can see what it would be like if they got threw in among people who were living the lifestyle they had been growing up the opposite around. I recommend not taking it seriously, and enjoying that you might not have many awkward moments with your family as you watched it with them. I can barely watch some of the comedies I do like because it is so awkward to hear the sex talk while sitting around them. Extend your ability to enjoy, and just watch.

Rating 3 of 5.

Television Review: Emily Owens M.D. (CW)

I have this feeling that people will be mixed on Emily Owens M.D. Personally, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought. I think it's like a mix of New Girl, and The Mindy Project. It's Jess working on a hospital staff.  I'll admit I think what made the show most appealing to me was the fact that I found much of the scenarios Emily was dealing with relatable, though I don't constantly associate aspects of my life with high school. I work in a school system, so you don't get much more high school like than I am in my work.

Emily Owens M.D. has just been taken on as an intern at a hospital, and finds much of the the problems she encountered in high school rearing their head. Like her huge crush on a fellow doctor, Will, and the fact her arch enemy, Cassandra, is the one pursuing him. Though these seem to be huge negatives, Emily is able to find some bright spots in her position as an intern at the hospital. As Emily grows in her internship she discovers there is much more to life than her "high school" problems.

Everything from the crush who never notices you to feeling like you were the biggest loser in high school, and perhaps still are I think Emily Owens can be a good show. I think some people won't find the whole premise that appealing though. For me it offers what a lot of shows haven't as far as maybe a more humble character who is finding her own in the world, and discovering she has some legitimately good things that other people would want also.

I honestly sometimes do find Emily annoying at times though. I think you can see why Cassandra might be bothered by her at times, but I also feel for Emily too. I want her to have a good outcome on the show. You can also see that there is a lot of hope in her life that she is overlooking. The biggest story was the one involving Micah. By the end his was the story I wanted to follow more.

Emily Owens M.D. is a wildcard as far as how audiences will respond. Personally, I think it has found a bit of heart that many shows have been lacking without losing a little bit of dis likability. Whether I tune in again might depend on a variety of things. I wish in a way that this had only been a 30 minute comedy instead of an hour long drama. It seems it would have worked better the other way.

Rating 4 of 5.

Television Review Beauty and the Beast (CW)

It seems like the CW has had a tough time finding a follow up to their hit The Vampire Diaries. The Secret Circle was surprisingly cancelled. Now Beauty and the Beast has been brought in to take it's spot in the hopes of finding it a good companion. I want to say that I do like the show, and I will be watching again, but there are going to be some obvious things that make this a hard sell. Perhaps, after the first few episodes it will work itself out.

Catherine Chandler witnesses her mom's death at the hands of unknown killers, and almost loses her own life until a mysterious stranger rescues her. We flash forward years later to find that Catherine has successfully became a detective, and is assigned a case where a woman has been murdered. In her hunt for the killer she comes across a man who seems very familiar, and may be able to tie some missing pieces in her past.

As said, I am cheering this show on. I don't want it to go at this moment. It was definitely lacking though. I'm sure many would disagree but I do think that Jay Ryan is great as Vincent Keller, a.k.a The Beast. I like his back story, and thought he was way too absent from the premiere. He is what the females want to see. The creators of this show need to admit it, and just let him be on screen. I think Kristin Kreuk was also well cast, but her character is awful. I don't enjoy detective shows, and the fact this is a crime show destroys it a bit for me.

I've mentioned this new "tough girl" thing that television is throwing at us lately. While I get the gist of it, I also just want to see a girly lady on television. Kreuk has the ability to carry this well, but I have no interest in her detective endeavors. It's okay if he rescues her. Also, I really hate to say this, and I know I will be disagreed with, but I think if these guys were teens, or young adults it would work better. I have no idea why, but it just seems to be less realistic with these two people as grown adults.

I hope that Beauty and the Beast has room to grow. I feel that it really can. I also got to admit I want to see these guys pursuing each other. I don't like the whole crime basis this show is put in though. I'm interested in seeing how they try to intermingle the two stories as at this moment they seem to be completely two different things.

Rating 4 of 5.

Television Review: Chicago Fire (NBC)

There are something about NBC shows dealing with rescue units that all feels the same. I don't know how seriously I can take a show that has most their characters looking like Taylor Kinney though. Not that he is a terrible actor, but he essentially just seems to be eye candy. On top of that we have two female ambulance drivers who are like the "strong but beautiful type", and one turns out to be a beautiful lesbian. In the hunt to constantly keep the firemen busy with action we sort of lose sight of who these characters are.

Chief Boden makes sure that he has a crew who can respond as soon as possible to the needs of Chicago citizens. The firefighters lives include Matthew, and Kelly. Matthew is trying to balance his job, and feelings for a lady, and Kelly seems to have an issue with drugs. There is also the rescue unit that consists of Leslie and Gabriela. With the many dangers of working on the firefighting crew can have these guys also fight to maintain their relationships and livelihood.

I wasn't looking forward to watching Chicago Fire just because these type of shows usually aren't interesting, and this proves to be the same. The guys are really bland, and look like some sort of model display walking around so it makes it difficult to take them seriously. The same goes for the women. There is something just not realistic about the whole setup. On top of that there is a fire it seems every 2 seconds on the show leaving us no room to know what the heck is going on with the actual characters.

I think since ER left NBC they have been fighting to find a show that brings whatever emotions it did to television that made it the hit it was. The positive about ER is that it wasn't too much of a soap opera. Though the cast was attractive they had a realistic element to them. On one hand I can't think of another show on television where everyone is fighting fires so maybe this will help it.

I understand females can be attractive, and tough. There have been ladies to pull this off well like Milla Jovovich. There is something annoying about these two ladies I can't quite point out though. Lately, it seems television is trying to shove this stereotype down our throat though, and I honestly can't even think of a legitimate feminine female on television who embraces being a cute, classy lady. They all have to be snarling now!

Anyways, Chicago Fire will appeal to some. It's not that awful, but there are too many moments where it seems to take itself too seriously for me. I couldn't find anything about the characters that I related, and if you're going to try to take the eye candy route then I guess the guys need to be more appealing to some people.

Rating 2 of 5