In Treatment - season 2 (2009) - Advanced character drama

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Gabriel Byrne returns as the troubled psychotherapist Paul Weston on this poster for season 2 of Rodrigo García's In Treatment

Psychotherapist Paul Weston, now divorced, has relocated to Brooklyn, New York, and gets sued to the tune of 20 mil. $ by the father of his former patient Alex, an Air Force pilot who committed suicide. He is contacted by his patient and lover 20 years earlier, Mia, who blames Paul for abandoning her then and her bad behavior since.

April is Paul's second patient this season, a 23 year-old student with terminal lymph cancer, who has not told any one about this and lives with an intense anger.

Oliver is an 11 year-old boy patient, whose parents are bickering over his head, divorcing but without the guts to tell their son.

Walter is a big-time CEO, who suffers from insomnia and precious little patience and is looking for a quick-fix. Paul, unable to supply this, listens to the man's anxiety about his daughter's work in Rwanda, as he suffers a panic attack and rushes out.

Paul still visits his own former mentor and current psychotherapist Gina, who is deposed for the trial and planning to support him. 

Paul works on April, who is against chemotherapy. Oliver forgets his pet turtle at Paul's, after his parents have announced their divorce to him. Walter expands on past trauma and returns to Paul despite his lack of patience. Paul eventually talks April into telling her mother of her cancer. Paul's father is dying with Alzheimer's, and Paul spends much of his own sessions retro-analyzing his father as well as his own childhood and youth. 

Walter steps down as CEO, self-medicates and is miserable. While Paul admits hating his life to Gina, she gets him to visit and forgive his dying father. Paul visits Walter in the hospital after a failed suicide attempt. Alex's father 'offers' Paul a terrifying dilemma: Take full responsibility for his son's death in a written letter, and the case will be dropped. April's chemo works, but she consequently struggles with turning away from death and face life. 

The death suit is rejected in the final episode, and Paul ends his therapy with Gina in a response of relief.

In Treatment - season 2 is created by Rodrigo García (Bull (2016, TV-series)), based on the Israeli series Be Tipul (2005-08).

The show sets its claws deeper in its audience in the second season with some highly rewarding dramatic stories and characterizations, and the series' weak points are few and far between here: Paul's visits with Gina, where he complains about his "mess of a life" and harangues her, mostly without justification, are tough and at times hard to sit through, as two therapists being therapists with each other can be, especially as Paul's woes need to be retraced back to his mother's death, his father and his childhood in what can feel as psychological navel gazing. Gabriel Byrne (In the Cloud (2018)) is terrific, and Dianne Wiest (The Humbling (2014)) emanates intelligence as Gina, but their sessions are the show's least interesting. 

In Treatment is incredibly dense and mined with tragedy and tough topics (suicide, death, abuse, self pretense, neglect, fear, betrayal etc.), and it will be too much for many. But for the right viewer the second season delivers riveting stories, deeply moving moments and breath-taking performances: John Mahoney (Dan in Real Life (2007)) is incredible and raw as Walter, not least when he attempts to fake rapid improvement for Paul following his suicide attempt, and the therapist sees through it. Walter must realize many painful things about his life in the course of the show. Alison Pill (The Same Storm (2021)) is strong as April; Hope Davis (Greenland (2020)) is a layered wreck of self insecurity as the lonely and complex Mia. Most heartbreaking in season 2 are the sessions with Oliver and his parents, who give a prime example of supremely dysfunctional parenting - and  dysfunctional divorcing. The boy is severely bullied at school in the midst of the home front debacle, which both to him and us is revealed as a case of intensely egotistic parents that basically don't want him.

In Treatment - season 2 is an intense and highly emotionally and intellectually stimulating drama.

Best episodes:

8. Oliver - Week 2 - Written by Keith Bunin (Onward (2020)); directed by Ryan Fleck (Billions (2016-17))

Paul has a tough heart-to-heart with the boy, who gets bullied at school and now gets told by his parents that they are divorcing.

14. Walter - Week 3 - Written by Pat Healy (Mullitt (2000, short)); directed by Norberto Barba (Reacher (2022, VoD), TV-series))

Walter is exhausted following an unsuccessful visit to his daughter in Africa and a dire scandal involving his company. Electrical television.

29. Walter - Week 6 - Written by Warren Leight (Shelter (2017, TV movie)); directed by Paris Barclay (Monsters (2022-24))

On leave from the hospital, Walter tries to trick Paul to sign him out, but he sees through the ploy, and they arrive at a breakthrough.

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Watch a trailer for season 2 here

Cost: Unknown

Box office: None - TV-series

= Uncertain

[In Treatment - season 2 debuted 5 April - 5 May (HBO) and runs 35 episodes of an average 25 minutes each, coming to approximately 875 minutes. Shooting took place in New York. The viewer ratings are regrettably not public information. The season was nominated for 3 Emmys. The creators and Byrne returned for season 3 in 2010. Also in 2009, Byrne made a voice performance in Perrier's Bounty. In Treatment - season 2 is fresh at 100 % with an 8.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of In Treatment - season 2?

Glee - season 1 (2009) - TV boosted with infectious musical comedy

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+ Best High School Title of the Year + Best Musical of the Year + Best New TV-series of the Year 

 

Jane Lynch in a blue tracksuit as her outrageous character is amusing on this poster for Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy's Glee - season 1

Glee is a musical comedy youth TV-series created by Ian Brennan (Cooties (2014)), Brad Falchuk (9-1-1: Lone Star (2020-21)) and Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story (2011-21)).

The following contains SPOILERS:

 

Charming Matthew Morrison (Marci X (2003)) plays McKinley High School teacher Will Schuester, who takes over the school's ambitious Glee club New Directions, as its former leader (funny Stephen Tobolowsky (Spaceballs (1987))) gets fired for being handsy. Schuester has a crazy, pregnant wife (Jessalyn Gilsig (Friday Night Lights (2007-08))) and a good eye for the school's germophobe guidance counselor (Jayma Mays (The Millers (2013-15))). He also has trouble attracting students to the club, until he locks heartthrob Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith (Deck the Halls (2006))), using dirty tricks and a bag of weed. The pilot introduces fun, in-your-face type characters with a high pace and lots of music, including a promising performance of Don't Stop Believin'. 

Jane Lynch (Portlandia (2015, TV-series)) is hilarious as New Directions' enemy #1, Sue Sylvester, the school's hyper-ambitious gym teacher/basketball coach, who isn't about to start sharing the school's spotlight without a fight.

The show is guilty of over-sexualizing its supposed high school age cast, (average high schoolers are 14-18 years old in America, whereas Monteith for instance was 27 when the season debuted!) This is pervasive and includes girls dancing in bikini tops, much as strippers, and said Monteith alluring an older woman using a breast piercing (...) In other words Glee plays light and loose with behavior that could result in many years jail time in most US states in real life (sex or something before sex with a minor.) Of course this is nothing new but a decades-old tradition in American cinema.

Some episodes are forgettable, as the dramatic plot-lines evolve and sometimes stall, and the season's length makes it hard to sustain traction: Will's wife gets her ob-gyn to join in on her pregnancy lie (a little hard to believe). Two pregnancies (one only a pretend pregnancy) lead the drama, but Kurt's (Chris Colfer (Hot in Cleveland (2014-15))) coming out and infatuation with Finn also ranks high. Sue's crazed competition gene and poor morals lead things to a melodramatic pitch (strong ep. 12: Mattress), where Will also realizes his wife's big, crazy secret. The melodrama of Glee is often played to theatrical heights, as characters appear to have major epiphanies.

Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies (2007-09)) appears as a guest star as Will's alcoholic ex-girlfriend and is a funny and musical powerhouse. Other enjoyable guest stars include Idina Menzel and Neil Patrick Harris.

The season wraps up with 'regionals', the glee club competition that the entire season for the club aims towards, and here Jonathan Groff's (Frozen (2013)) competing club wins with a performance of Bohemian Rhapsody which even gets Sue to cancel her antipathy and stand up for her school's otherwise hated club, whom she finally saves to great rejoice.

Glee as noted has its flaws, but it is also more spirited and has more oomph than the vast majority of other TV-series. The season has several stand-out episodes and performances, and its over-arching theme of overcoming adversity and participating in a creative community is uplifting. Especially combined with the often outstanding musical and dance performances of big hits, which is the show's core. It surpasses itself time and again, and its charming and funny embrace of its own corniness is part of its refreshing appeal. Glee - season 1 is a wonderful, thrilling show.

Best episodes:

 

2: Showmance - Written by Brennan, Falchuk, Murphy; directed by Murphy

The girls fight over Finn, as Will learns that his wife isn't really pregnant. The family mother as an in fact power-mad super-bitch gets painted to hilarious effect here. Musical numbers include Golddigger, Push It and Say a Little Prayer.

3: Preggers - Written and directed by Falchuk

Kurt is found at home practicing to Beyoncé's Put a Ring on It, and lies about being a football player. It turns out that he can actually kick, - and he teaches the team about self-confidence (and confusing the enemy) by instructing them in the legendary Beyoncé dance. Finn's girlfriend is pregnant, and wants to give birth. Sue becomes a local TV anchor ("How's homelessness working out for you?!?") Kurt finally comes out as gay to his father, and Colfer deserves some kind of major award for his inspiring performance in this episode and the show overall. A genius episode.

9. Wheels - Written by Murphy; directed by Paris Barclay (In Treatment (2008-10))

Kurt competes with Glee club's princess Rachel (Lea Michelle (Scream Queens (2015-16))) about who should get to sing Gravity, and his father receives a nasty anonymous phone call about Kurt and stands up for him. Will stands up for Artie, the club's disabled performer (Kevin McHale (Boychoir (2014)) is good as Artie)), and everyone performs in wheelchairs in Rollin'. Sue surprises by including a Down's syndrome student in her competing Cheerios Glee club, and reveals that her sister has Down's. Feel good, feel good, feel good.

15: The Power of Madonna - Written and directed by Murphy

Glee superior St. James (Groff) changes high school to be nearer Rachel, whom he is in love with - or is it just a sneaky undercover operation? Finn loses his virginity, and Glee surprises with this Madonna-themed episode, in which Sue shows off her major fandom for Madonna: Lynch performs Vogue in Madonna-getup, which is priceless!

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Watch a trailer for the season here

Cost: Reportedly 3 mil. $ per episode, coming to 66 mil. $ for the season

Box office: None - TV-series

= Uncertain

[Glee - season 1 premiered from May 19 2009 - June 8 2010 at Fox and runs 22 episodes of approximately 44 minutes, coming to 968 minutes. Shooting took place in California, including Los Angeles. The season enjoyed high ratings, going from 6.08 mil. (ep. 11 Hairography) to 13.66 mil. (ep. 14: Hell-O). The season was nominated for 20 Emmys, winning 4, won 1/4 Golden Globe nominations, was nominated for a BAFTA and won an AFI award, among other honors. The soundtrack was a hit with over 7 mil. cast singles releases sold digitally. The cast went on a 13-date concert tour in the US following the season, which was sold-out and grossed 5 mil. $. Brennan, Falchuk and Murphy returned with the cast for Glee season 2 (2010). Lynch raked in 11 (!) other acting credits in 2009; Morrison also appeared in Taking Chance (2009, TV movie). Glee season 1 is certified fresh at 86 % with a 7.94/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Glee - season 1?

Freaks and Geeks - season 1 (1999) - Feig and Apatow end the 90s with a great youth show

♥♥♥♥♥

+ Best Coming-of-Age Title of the Year + Best New TV-series of the Year 

Paul Feig's Freaks and Geeks gathered a dynamite cast of young actors, seen here in front of school lockers on a poster for the show

Freaks and Geeks is created by Paul Feig (Sick in the Head (2003, TV movie)) and executive produced by Judd Apatow (The Big Sick (2017)).

The show takes place in and around a high school in suburban Detroit in the 1980s, where we focus on siblings Sam (played by awfully cute young John Francis Daley (Game Night (2018))) and his big sister Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini (Green Book (2018))), who both attend the same school and go as part of the different groups there, the 'geeks' and 'freaks', respectively.
There's fun and a special authentic vibe to the show right from the beginning, as Sam and his friends are bullied. Lindsay throws a party (ep. 2: Beers & Weirs), which doesn't work out as she had hoped, but characteristically the failure doesn't go overboard as it would on many other shows. There's a perceptive and funny portrayal of middle class meeting lower class (ep. 4: Kim Kelly Is My Friend), and one of the doubts and fears inspired by watching porn at an early age (ep. 5: Tess and Breasts).
Jason Segel (LolliLove (2004)) is very funny as drum-obsessed Nick, who has a cool garage but isn't a very good drummer. Lindsay becomes his short-lived girlfriend and falls for him hard. Shia LaBeouf (The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)) appears as a super-cute mascot (ep. 9: We've Got Spirit). Becky Ann Baker (The Blacklist (2019, TV-series)) and Joe Flaherty (Slackers (2002)) are hilarious as the Weir parents, who are shocked to find that Lindsay views them as robots but find their base again through lovemaking (ep. 10: The Diary).
Both young Weirs are in the process of locating their personality and identity, as in ep. 11: Look and Books, in which Sam buys a fancy jumpsuit, and Lindsay changes her path back to being a 'winner' and, concurrently, a 'mathlete'. Sam, though younger, also chase a romance, Cindy, a girl who is mostly preoccupied with other boys, but when she is suddenly before Sam, he gets terrified, (ep. 16: Smooching and Mooching). They share a very short term as boyfriend/girlfriend, which ends when Cindy doesn't think Steve Martin-comedy The Jerk (1979) funny, - a dealbreaker for Sam.
The show has elements rarely seen in a mainstream TV-series at the time, like a transgender girl (Seth Rogen's (The Disaster Artist (2017)) character's girlfriend reveals to him to have 'ambiguous genitalia', ep. 17: The Little Things), and miss-givings from both Lindsay and the school counselor about a visit from the then vice president George Bush.
As the season ends, Lindsay turns down an offer to participate in an elite school camp to attend a Grateful Dead concert instead, with Kim (Busy Philipps (I Feel Pretty (2018))) and friends. And Nick has a new girlfriend is also falling for disco!

The episodes are sometimes long and loose, especially some in the middle of the season, where it treads water a bit.
But there is so much good around these few patches that Freaks and Geeks remains a rare favorite:
The opening credits are fantastic, with each major character goofing around and showing a clear piece of their person to the camera in a manner of seconds. There's a long row of enjoyable guest stars, and the regular cast are all outstanding as the charming and funny characters. There are real feelings at play and real issues, especially that of finding oneself, which is the major theme of adolescence and the coming-of-age genre. It is infectious, touching, very well-written and often terribly funny.

Best episodes:

3: Tricks and Treats - Written by Feig; directed by Bryan Gordon (Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-17))
Sam and Lindsay's mother's Halloween cakes are thrown outside their house. Sam's friends pester him for convincing them to go trick or treating, although they argue they are too old for that now, when Lindsay and her friends even egg them! A terrific Halloween show that puts a sweet spin on the recognizable theme of disappointment.

12: The Garage Door - Written by Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah (90210 (2008-13), both) and Patty Lin (Breaking Bad (2008, TV-series)); directed by Feig
Sam witnesses his close friend Neal Schweiber's (Samm Levine (I'd Like to Be Alone Now (2019))) father hug a blond at the mall, and it opens a can of worms: Together the trio of friends head out to locate the mysterious blond. Meanwhile Ken (Rogen) falls for a girl who plays the tuba, and Lindsay still has to fend off still enamored Nick. Funny, sweet and a bit painful.

14: Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers - Written by Apatow, Bob Nickman (According to Jim (2002-06)); directed by Apatow
Lindsay and Kim accidentally run over Lindsay's uncool friend Millie's dog and decide not to speak of it, but inadvertently push Millie into an escalating youth rebellion as a fan of The Who. Meanwhile Sam's friend Bill (Martin Starr (Silicon Valley (2014-19))) has a major crisis, as their gym teacher becomes his mother's boyfriend, something he ultimately accepts.

15: Noshing and Moshing - Written by J. Elvin Weinstein (Later (1994-96)); directed by Jake Kasdan (Orange County (2002))
Lindsay's friend Daniel (James Franco (Future World (2018))) breaks up with Kim and flirts with a punk-milieu girl from the gas station. The Schweibers invite to a Christmas party, and Neal entertains with his ventriloquist act, - and reveals to his mother that his father is unfaithful. Real emotions and strong acting from Levine, Franco, Phillips and others.

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Watch a trailer for the box-set of the show here

Cost: Reportedly 1.5 mil./episode, coming to 27 mil. $ for the season
Box office: None - TV-series
= Uncertain
[Freaks and Geeks was first broadcast at NBC from 25 September 1999 - 17 October 2000, ending its run on the Fox Family Channel. Shooting took place in California, including Los Angeles. The show averaged 6.77 mil. viewers and was compared to Friends and Frasier, both shows that had more than double that. Clashes persisted between the showrunners and network execs, who did not understand or appreciate the show; they wanted a cool high school portrayal with kids that were 'winners'. For this reason NBC canceled the show after 12 episodes were aired; only through a fan campaign did they agree to show the next 3 episodes in the summer of 2000, with the last three episodes being shown at the Fox Family Channel. Apatow stated in 2014; "Everything I've done, in a way, is revenge for the people who cancelled Freaks and Geeks." Apatow gathered many of the actors from the show for Undeclared (2001), a college-set comedy in the same vein at the Fox network, which was also canceled after its first season. The show won 1/3 Primetime Emmy nominations. Freaks and Geeks was since recognized as one of the greatest TV-series of all time by several outlets. IMDb's users have voted it in at #59, between Blackadder Goes Forth (1989) and Arrested Development (2003), on their Top 250 TV chart. Feig returned as screenwriter with I Am David (2003) and as a show creator with Other Space (2015), also canceled after its first season. Cardellini returned in Legally Blonde (2001); Daley in Boston Public (2000-01)). Freaks and Geeks - season 1 is certified fresh at 100 % with an 9.67/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Freaks and Geeks - season 1?

Frasier - season 7 (1999) - Romance finally takes flight in still hilarious sitcom favorite

♥♥♥♥♥

+ Best Comedy of the Year + Best Returning TV-series of the Year + Best Romcom of the Year + Best Seattle Title of the Year

Kelsey Grammer in front of the regular stars of David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee's Frasier - season 7 with a characteristic broad bravura smile

Season 7 of the long-running, Seattle-set sitcom-hit opens with a fun episode (Momma Mia) in which the self-centered but affable radio therapist title character (Kelsey Grammer (Galaxies Are Colliding (1992))) falls for a woman, whom he discovers he likes, because she is so akin to his father, retired cop and living companion Martin (John Mahoney (Dan in Real Life (2007))). Hilarity continues in the second episode (Father of the Bride), as Frasier, via a hiccup-induced mistake, comes to take over planning Martin's live-in physical therapist, Englishwoman Daphne's (Jane Leeves (Hot in Cleveland (2010-15))) wedding to annoying lawyer Danny, and in the third (Radio Wars), wherein Frasier is plagued by a competing prank show that continually stage on-air leg-pulling with him as their victim.
Frasier's single-mother producing partner and friend Roz (Peri Gilpin (Benjamin (2019))) continues a sweet on/off romance with former colleague 'Bulldog' Briscoe, and there's an enjoyable mix-up episode (6: Rivals). Frase and his brother, equally self-centered but affable psychiatrist Niles (David Hyde Pierce (Nixon (1995))) imagine having royal ancestors at an antique show (7: A Tsar Is Born), but instead end up owing Martin 30 grand for a Winnebago. Frasier's teenage son Frederick visits for Thanksgiving (9: The Apparent Trap) with his ex-wife Lilith, and the boy is either cute or manipulative here in a kind of brilliant episode. Frasier goes overboard when tasked with making a jingle for his show (13: They're Playing Our Song), but Martin's way simpler idea turns out to be better.
Martin also has an affair in season 7, and Frasier and Roz nearly have one together, but it is still Niles and Daphne's latent romance that is the main event love-wise, and the writers here come up with another clever way to postpone a solution for another season: This time, finally, Daphne learns of Niles' warm feelings, but without Niles knowing this, she is left to rack her own heart for several episodes, as it gets clearer and clearer for her that she also loves him, - and has married the wrong man. This makes for two of the season's best episodes (10: Back Talk, in which she finds out, and 23/24: Something Borrowed, Something Blue), and in the latter of the two the resolution finally arrives, after 6 seasons of buildup, as the two escape Daphne's pending wedding, in Martin's Winnebago no less. Television history is made.

The season has several great and a handful of really outstanding episodes; none that are bad, and only one negative minor detractor in one, (Daphne's visiting English brother Simon is simply too crude a Neanderthal-reminiscent character to be funny in 22: Dark Side of the Moon). The dramatic evolvement is steady and highly satisfying, and the cast again bring their A game, with resulting laughs aplenty. Creator David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee (Wings (1990-97) all) spun gold.

Best episodes:

4. Everyone's a Critic - Written by Joe Keenan (Desperate Housewives (2006-11)); directed by Pamela Fryman (Abby's (2019, TV-series))
Niles becomes a critic on snob magazine Monocle, and Frasier gets so jealous that he gets his own critic show instated at the radio station, - he thinks. The whole cast are in top shape in this terrific episode. 

10. Back Talk - Written by Lori Kirkland Baker (Wings (1996-97)); directed by Fryman
Frase has back problems on his birthday and follows Roz's advice by admitting them - his combined frustrations - to Martin's adorable dog Eddie. But Daphne overhears his outpourings, and over the course of the following hours she also hears that Niles has been in love with her for 6 years! One of the best Frasier episodes ever.

11. The Fight Before Christmas - Written by Jon Sherman (Royal Pains (2009-16)); directed by Fryman
The mix-ups continue, as Niles is about to lose his girlfriend Mel, and Daphne believes him to be on the verge of confessing his love for her. She cannot help feeling overlooked at Frasier's failed Christmas party. A perfect Christmas episode. 

15. Out with Dad - Written by Keenan; directed by Lee
Frasier and Martin accompany each other to the opera for Valentine's Day, and Frasier lures a hot women (Marg Helgenberger (Columbus Day (2008))) home, meanwhile Martin accidentally indicates to other patrons that he is gay, which gives rise to ... complications! Hysterically funny. 

23/24: Something Borrowed, Something Blue (double-length episode) - Written by Keenan, Christopher Lloyd (Modern Family (2009-20)); directed by Fryman
Daph attempts to talk to Niles, who has just wed another wrong woman named Mel, but soon 100 people are gathered for still doubting Daphne's wedding to Danny. Frasier informs Niles that he has to step up, and the suspense is finally lifted, as Niles and Daphne, in her wedding dress, flee the ceremony. Top-drawer, heart-swelling romance, folks.

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The Crane brothers consider being ancestors of Russian royalty in this funny clip from season 7's episode 7: A Tsar Is Born

Cost: Unknown
Box office: None - TV series
= Uncertain - but certainly a TV hit
[Frasier season 7 was first shown from 23 September 1999 - 18 May 2000 on NBC, and it spans 24 episodes, the last one counted as two as it has double-length, of an average 22 minutes, totaling approximately 528 minutes. Shooting took place in Hollywood, Los Angeles, with establishing shots from Seattle, Washington. The series' cost grew during its run, and the cost per episode at its closure after 11 seasons was reportedly 5.2 mil. $ (124.8 mil. $ for the entire 24 episodes), of which 60 % went to its regular stars, of which Grammer commanded an impressive 1.6 mil. $ (amounting to 38.4 mil. $ for the season). Still, with syndication, foreign sales, home video etc., the series was likely a great asset for NBC. The season's rating's lowest (episode 14: Hot Pursuit) was 14 mil. US viewers and its highest (episode 23/24: Something Borrowed, Something Blue) was enormous 33.7 mil.. The season fell in its Nielsen ratings ranking from season 6's #3 ranking, the series' best overall, to a still great #6 rating, beginning the show's ratings decline. The season was nominated for 6 Primetime Emmys, winning one, and 3 Creative Emmys, also winning one; it was also nominated for 4 Golden Globes, winning one, among other honors. The 8th season started showing in October 2000. Grammer at the time also starred in Stark Raving Mad (2000, TV-series) and gave a voice performance in Gary the Rat (2000, video). 69,139 IMDb users have given Frasier an 8.0/10 average rating.] 

What do you think of Frasier season 7?

Six Feet Under - season 4 (2004) - Transgressive bite and lots of drama characterize great S4

♥♥♥♥♥

+ Best Continuing TV-series of the Year

The Fishers caught in a mid-air moment of lightness on this poster for the fourth season of Alan Ball's Six Feet Under

The following review of creator Alan Ball's (True Blood (2008-14)) seminal drama series, which revolves around the funeral home-running Fisher family in Los Angeles, contains SPOILERS.

The season's first death, (every episode opens with a death, - usually a person that will subsequently pass through the funeral home in the course of the episode), is an LSD-trip, which ends in a fatal free-fall; an appropriate anti-drug message from a show with lead characters that don't shy away from drug experiences themselves. 
The season kicks off right where season 3 ended: Nathaniel's (Peter Krause (Cybill (1995-97))) wife Lisa has been found dead after going missing, and Nate and his brother David (Michael C. Hall (The Trouble with Bliss (2011))) drive north to claim her remains. Nate overhears Lisa's family's requests and instead buries his late wife in nature, as she had wished it. He experiences problems working in the funeral home subsequently and takes a temporary leave to readjust himself while working as a dog-walker.
Long-time employee and now also a partner in the business, embalmer and restorative artist Rico (Freddy Rodríguez (Bull (2016-19))) starts a demanding relationship on the sly with a stripper, which his wife Vanessa (Justina Machado (The Call (2013))) discovers: She consequently trashes the woman's car and throws Rico out of their home in a bout of fury.
Nate and David's mother Ruth's (Frances Conroy (Angela (1995))) new husband (following the sudden death of their father and her husband through decades, Nathaniel, at the first season's outset) aloof George (James Cromwell (Babe (1995))) gets turd sent in the mail, which plants a doubt about him. Strange employee Arthur (Rainn Wilson (Uncanny (2015))) gets wrongfully fired as a result, before George comes clean about its being his alienated son Kyle, who is sending the unenviable mail.
David's long-time boyfriend Keith (Matthew St. Patrick (Alien Raiders (2008))) goes on a tour as security for young pop-star Celeste, whom he has sex with - and gets fired by. 
David goes through the worst day of his life (episode 5: That's My Dog): A sickening episode in which a psychopathic hitchhiker tortures and threatens David for hours through LA.
Nate and David's younger sister, live-at-home art student Claire (Lauren Ambrose (Swimming (2000))) experiments with her sexuality with power-dyke co-ed Edie (Mena Suvari (American Beauty (1999))) and gets to put up an art show. Ill-equipped to handle the pressure and attention, on the big night she is pompous and coked out. She later enjoys her first orgasm, given to her by Peter Facinelli (The Lather Effect (2006))).
Nate reconnects with past girlfriend and long-time affair Brenda (Rachel Griffiths (Hacksaw Ridge (2016))), who is taking classes to become a therapist.
The season wraps up with intense drama on several fronts: Though Nate has just started connecting a bit with difficult George, he and Ruth's paths stray, as she gets into tantra following a liberating Mexico trip with her wild spirit friend Bettina (Kathy Bates (Valentine's Day (2010))), and he moves into his bomb-shelter in their basement, increasingly paranoid, needing attention from his daughter Maggie (Tina Holmes (Buoy (2012))). David suffers greatly in the aftermath of his attack; he sees the attacker in prison, but this does not change his wounds. - Meanwhile he and Keith plow on in planning to start a rainbow family with surrogacy and adoption.
At an ash-ceremony in Lisa's native Idaho, Nate is attacked by her family for his disposal of her body, but he also learns through a photograph in a book the awful truth behind her mysterious lapse: Her sister's husband was behind her death on a run-away trip as part of a longer affair between the two. As this is revealed, the man, Hoyt, takes his life in front of his family.

Season 4 is packed, at times volatile, and transgressive. It holds each character's dramatic journey authentic and believable, with powerhouse performances across the board, and remains a must-see.

Best episodes:

Episode 5: That's My Dog - Written by Scott Buck (Rome (2007, TV-series)); directed by Alan Poul (The Newsroom (2012-14))
David's life is shaken to its core, as he only just escapes a devastating encounter with random violence and cruelty, taken prisoner by a psychopath hitchhiker one day.

Episode 6: Terror Starts at Home - Written by Kate Robin (One Mississippi (2016-17)); directed by Miguel Arteta (Youth in Revolt (2009))
An incredibly strong and jam-packed episode: Ruth and George's deteriorating relationship worsens; David is falling apart, and Brenda feels claustrophobia in her increasingly serious relationship with her neighbor Joe (Justin Theroux (Bumblebee (2018))).

Related posts:

Alan Ball: 2004 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess 
Six Feet Under - season 3 (2003) - The Fishers endure to meet a new profound loss in spectacular drama
American Beauty (1999) or, Escape by Death 

Watch a promo for season 4 here

Cost: Unknown
Box office: None - TV-series
= Uncertain
[Six Feet Under - season 4 was originally broadcast from 13 June - 12 September at HBO and runs 12 x 55 minute episodes, totaling approximately 660 minutes. Shooting took place in California, including Los Angeles. The season averaged 3.7 mil. viewers in the US, a million down from the previous season; probably instrumental in its being decided that the 5th season would be the show's last. Besides the ratings the show has enjoyed a solid afterlife on home video and now streaming platforms, generating more - regrettably unpublicized - revenue. The season was nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys and 3 Creative Emmys. The show sits at #89 on IMDb's user-generated Top 250 for TV, between Dark (2017-) and South Park (1997-). The show returned on 5 June 2005 with the concluding season 5. Ball returned with something different with Towelhead (2007), which he adapted, produced and directed. Krause returned in Civic Duty (2006); Hall in Bereft (2004); Conroy in Catwoman (2004), and Ambrose in Admissions (2004). Six Feet Under - season 4 has been given a 4.4/5 rating by audiences at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Six Feet Under - season 4?

Frasier - season 6 (1998) - Niles finally begins his divorce in solidly hilarious season

♥♥♥♥♥

+ Best Continuing TV-series

The beloved sitcom's regular stars are all back in a familial pile on this DVD cover for the 6th season of David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee's Frasier

The season picks up where season 5 ended: Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer (Guardians of the Tomb (2018))), Seattle's eminent radio psychologist, finds himself out of a job for the first time in the show's run. This doesn't last long, however. Frasier's psychologist brother Niles Crane (David Hyde Pierce (A Bug's Life (1998))) goes through a rougher patch, as he finally divorces his never-by-us-seen wife Maris. To make matters worse, the tough lawyer that Frasier finds for his brother to speed the process up, Danny, begins a relationship with Daphne (Jane Leeves (Hercules (1998), TV-series)), the Crane brothers' retired cop father Martin's (John Mahoney (Primal Fear (1996))) live-in physical therapist, - whom Niles himself has been enamored with, more or less since she came to the Crane family in the first season.
Woody Harrelson of Cheers, Frasier's 'parent show', shows up (in episode 13: The Show Where Woody Shows Up), and he and Frasier learn that they don't enjoy each others' company the way they used to; a familiar experience which is used to amusing effect.
Roz (Peri Gilpin (The Outdoorsman (2017))), Frasier's producer colleague, is getting used to her new life as a single mother, and she has an affair with the radio station's randy sports host 'Bulldog' Briscoe in the season's double episode finale. 

Martin and Frasier also go through various episodes in their romantic lives, but as usual, it is mostly Grammer and Pierce who shine comedically as the ever-competing Crane brothers. 
Creators David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee's (Wings (1990-97), all) sitcom super series Frasier retains its high level in season 6 with several terrific episodes and a very high laugh frequency throughout.

Best episodes:

1: Good Grief - Written by Christopher Lloyd (Modern Family (2009-19)); directed by Pamela Fryman (Man with a Plan (2016-18))
Frasier goes through a sorrow-like phase after losing his job at KACL; and Niles suffers pangs from divorcing Maris. - Hilarious. 

2. Frasier's Curse - Written by Jay Kogen (School of Rock (2016-18)); directed by Fryman
Attending the high school reunion becomes a painful event due to unemployment, but Frasier lives it up ... with acapella singing!

7. How to Bury a Millionaire - Written by Lori Kirkland Baker (Wings (1996-97)); directed by Fryman
Niles gets evicted from Maris' mansion, but his difficult person makes his stay at his brother's place short, and he moves on to Shangri-La Apartments.

10. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz - Written by Kogen; directed by Grammer
Frasier dates a charming pastry chef (Amy Brenneman (Mother and Child (2009))), but when he meets her mother before Christmas, his attempt at seeming Jewish fails.

17. Dinner Party - Written by Jeffrey Richman (Charlie Lawrence (2003, TV-series)); directed by Lee
Frasier and Niles plan a dinner party, but their plans are complicated. All five regular stars shine in this brilliantly scripted episode set exclusively in the apartment.

18. Taps at the Montana - Written by David Lloyd (Amen (1986-87)); directed by Lee
Niles plans a party to get himself back into his building, but the evening turns fatal - twice! A morbid and hilarious episode.

Related posts:

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Frasier - season 2 (1994) - Seattle's sitcom power team return, resulting in many more laughs and good times
Frasier - season 1 (1993) - The perfect sitcom arrived
  

Here's a clip from episode 3 (Dial M for Martin) in which Laura Harring (Love Kills (2016)) guest stars

Cost: Unknown
Box office: None - TV series
= Uncertain - but certainly a TV hit
[Frasier season 6 was first shown from 24 September 1998 - 20 May 1999 on NBC, and it spans 24 episodes of an average 22 minutes, totaling approximately 528 minutes, (if the last episode is taken as two, through it is really a double-length episode.) Shooting took place in Hollywood, Los Angeles, with establishing shots from Seattle, Washington. The series' cost grew during its run, and the cost per episode at its closure after 11 seasons was reportedly 5.2 mil. $ (124.8 mil. $ for the 24 episodes), of which 60 % went to its regular stars, of which Grammer commanded an impressive 1.6 mil. $ (amounting to 38.4 mil. $ for the season). Still, with syndication, foreign sales, home video etc., the series was likely a great asset for NBC. The season's rating's lowest (episode 21: When a Man Loves Two Women) was 20 mil. US viewers and its highest (episode 1: Good Grief) was 28.3 mil.. The season rose in its Nielsen ratings ranking from season 5's #10 ranking to the best ranking the series ever attained, #3. The season won 2/7 Emmy noms. The 7th season started showing in September 1999. Grammer at the time also starred in Standing on Fishes (1999) and New Jersey Turnpikes (1999) and gave voice performances in 4 other 1999 titles, including Toy Story 2. 66,531 IMDb users have given Frasier an 8.1/10 average rating.] 

What do you think of Frasier season 6?