So.... I don't do this very often, but I'm pimping this little show I started watching last year.   It is one of many shows that needs to improve ratings.  It is on after Prison Break tonight, but on NBC (here in the states) and stars the amazing and talented Sarah Shahi & Damien Lewis.  At first glance it could seem like another *le sigh* procedural cop show, but let me tell you it is SO MUCH MORE!  And how!

The small but devoted fandom that instantly seems to have sprung up reminds me of another show I love.  *Ah-hem* Anyway, let me get to the punch-line.  If you can watch it tonight, I'd recommend it, if not see if you can get your hands on the original Pilot.  I double dog dare you not to love it. 

Charlie Crews and Dani Reese are both detectives, but both have an interesting history.  He (a cop when he was younger) was wrongly convicted of a double murder he didn't commit and spent 12 years in jail, before his name was cleared.   He was awarded a whopping sum of money for the years of his Life lost and a cushy "Detective" position as a consolation prize.  Nobody, however, actually wants him on the Police force.  There is a conspiracy behind his conviction and incarceration and he's determined to get to the bottom of it... She's the daughter of a retired and decorated former cop (detective? can't remember anything other than that he was involved in the conspiracy) and she's also an ex alcoholic and junkie (sound familiar? Complicated characters make for great TV!).  Apparently she was working a drug case, undercover, and ended up getting in "too deep."  Since they both have a checkered past, they are assigned to work together.  The result?  Hotter than hot.   Not better than MiSa but back in the HIAFB days?  It was a pretty damn good replacement. 

Okay that was my pimping.  If you feel inclined to watch, please do :) 

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.



 

 Meanings

The Star brings you the gift of pleasure in nature, of reasoned intuition and of shining hope. It reveals a loving phase, filled with calm energy and renewed understanding. It is a card of heavenly favours and a sense of being blessed. If you are currently experiencing difficulties or have been depressed or unwell, the Star augurs healing. Your ability to let go of damaging memories has been strengthened by contact with your true self. Hatred, envy, bitterness, and revenge have burned themselves out and no longer shadow your life or potential for future happiness. Now you are able to forgive and forget. Friendship is an important area governed by the Star. Your friends are especially previous to you now, and you may friend their presence in your life a source of great happiness.

Illumination. You need to be the star of your "show" and experience a time of joy, wonder, hope and healing. Relax and re-establish your connection with your body and the illumination of spiritual realities. Dwell on the good. People have always looked to the stars as a source of inspiration and hope. There is something about their twinkling light that draws us out of ourselves and up into a higher plane. When we turn our eyes heavenward, we no longer feel the distress of earth. The Star reminds me of the clear, high voice of a soprano. There is something other-worldly about it. All the harshness and density of everyday life has been refined away leaving only the purest essence. After being exposed to the Star, we feel uplifted and blessed.

In readings, the Star is most welcome when grief and despair have overwhelmed us. In our darkest moments, we need to know that there is hope and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Star is the opposite of the Devil who strips us of our faith in the future. Card 17 holds out the promise that we can eventually find peace of mind. The Star also reminds us to open our heart and release our fears and doubt. If you have been holding back in any way, now is the time to give generously. It is important to remember that the Star is inspiring, but it is not a card of practical solutions or final answers. Truly without hope we can accomplish nothing, but hope is only a beginning. When you see Card 17, know that you are on the right track. Your goals and your aspirations are blessed, but to realise them, you must take positive action. Use the light of the Star to guide you in your efforts.

You will become aware of how successful and respected you are. You may attain a goal that brings lasting happiness, or you may win a reward. Your reputation may be enhanced. A successful person may be involved.

The star represents the confidence of youth. The young girl is innocent in life, full of hope and inspiration. She is in anticipation of what will be. Want to find (or regain) a sense of meaning, inspiration, or purpose to your life and hope your future will be better than your past. It's the call of destiny that motivates you or compels you to go on. Your desire is NOT in vain, and that which you are yearning for will ultimately find fulfilment.

Courage, hope, and inspiration are in your life. Great love will be given and received. Wisdom, spiritual enlightenment, progress toward goals and knowing what these goals are.

So last week I was a little lukewarm about some aspects of PB 4.02 & 4.02 as it reinvents itself yet again... but a lot of that, I think, was just the fact that so much had to be explained in such a short amount of time that there wasn't as much room for show stealing moments (well except certain *wink* stuff that had to be done).  Anyway, I think you know what I mean :)  However, this was so not the case this week with "Shutdown" - 4.03 - where they seemed to really hit the ground running.  If this is a preview of what the rest of the season is going to be like, I'd just like to say, "baby I'm lovin' it!"

<lj-cut text="First all the things I loved:">
1.  Lincoln!  If Dom isn't one of the greatest untapped resources of this show (most of the time), I don't know who else is.  I loved all the little details they added that were so "Linc" to this episode - from bossing nerd boy around - to the sensitivity with which he handled Mahone - and oh, yeah, who could forget the way he went for the axe!  He was awesome!  When you get right down to it, character-wise, he's such a good opposition to most of Michael's intense brainiac behavior, and amusing too, I don't know why the writers don't make more of an effort ALL THE TIME to feature his bearish gentility.  I loved every moment of it.  Here's the funny part too, I've gotten an older friend of ours to lurve PB (she's my mom's age) and she texted me mid-episode to say "Linc is sooo cool!"   How great is that? 

2.  Loved the way the "team" seemed to really gel in this episode.  Everyone always has something going on, plus there were agendas within agendas (like the way Linc was catching onto Mahone), or Bellick wanting to get the frak out of dodge,  that in the end it all just seemed to click beautifully.   The Chemistry of the entire group was spot on!  

3.  I laughed out loud multiple times, which just amped up the enjoyment that much more.  I mean, "Dr. Feel Good?"  Seriously?  I love you PB!

4.  I already said that everyone always has something going on, but more than that not one character (except maybe T-bag at this point) seems superfluous.  I mean, one can see how say Bellick and Sucre are less of a necessity with regards to bringing something to the team, but since everyone is in their respective niche character-wise, it doesn't matter a bit.  In the end, believability is all about characters and the way they interact with each other and this episode is a great testament to that truth.  IMO, the rest of the show can just coast on that success alone. 

5.  Mahone showing up out of nowhere and decoding things.  Mahone. Period.  I love how he seems to "intuit" that the shut down is coming and how that throws him even more out of whack.  I still can't believe they killed his son.  But I do love the additional layers that it adds to the storyline with Lincoln. 

6.  I love love love that Sara catches on to Michael's deceptive behavior in the beginning.  This is actually great continuity imo.  I mean, granted, S1 was totally different when it comes to him deceiving her, but still she sees right through him no matter what.   Plus, I love the no BS way she asks him what is going on.  Sometimes the writers scare me on this show, but this time, they are spot on. 

7.  Sara noticing Michael's *headache*... This actually has been really bothering me.  I feel like I can see the future with this one, and at some point she's going to be too wrapped up in her own stuff to notice what is going on with him - which I feel is totally out of character for both of them.  So the scene in the tunnel set me at ease, she might not be thinking it is medical yet, but at least he's got her attention.  I love that she is calm under pressure, still the voice of  reason.  She seems to ground him which, imo, adds another layer to their relationship.  We haven't seen them like this much, running, stressed, etc, AND talking.   I feel, very much, a call back to the Sara we saw in the infirmary with these two scenes which just generally makes me so so happy about the entire 4th season. 

8. Okay, so a bit cheesy here, but I loved the part at the end where Self was letting everyone go.  I loved the drama unfolding between Michael and Sara, but also the way that Linc was all 'get your hands off me" with his body language.  I was half laughing, half tearing up at the same time.  I thought the little Michael/Sara moment was almost over the top, but at the same time, I really loved how they were looking at each other - and coming together-  across the sea of people.   It really was a sweet moment and well earned if you ask me. 

Okay gotta run to work.  Hopefully more later </lj-cut>

As of right now, we are at the 24 hour, 42 minute mark here in the states. 

I'm still trying to decide what to eat at the watch party.  Brownies are a must since they date all the way back to my love affair with 'Party of Five' and then later 'Alias' ...  I'm so glad I have dinner plans tonight because it is going to be tomorrow before I know it!  I can't believe the wait is almost over. 

 

Last week I went on tour with the ballet to S. Korea.  Today I am back and more jet lagged than can be properly described.  I crossed the international dateline - twice - and in coming back traveled for something like 42 hours, and still arrived the same day.  I'm thinking they somehow owed us extra per diem there even if it was still Friday all those hours later.  Ugh!

Anyway after going back for like 10 pages on my F-list, I'm totally jazzed but a bit at a loss from all the action in the PB fandom.  I mean, I'm gone for only a week and this place goes completely bat-shit crazy.  Some of the stuff I'm seeing, I know not from where it came... I don't even know what to say, other than wtf??????