I Crashed My Car Into A Bridge

Dramatic serial “The Bridge,” based on the Danish series of the same name, debuted last month on FX to record breaking ratings and positive reviews. The show tells the story of two detectives who are forced to work side-by-side in a murder case that involves two severed bodies separated by the division of country lines. The serial killer taunts the detectives by posing the question “Why does America care so much about one murder when hundreds go unsolved in Mexico?” Diane Kruger stars as El Paso Detective Sonya Cross, a single woman with Asperger’s who finds herself working with Chihuahua Detective Marco Ruis played by Demian Bichir. The politically motivated serial killer continues to abduct women in Mexico, which is depicted as a country with a corrupt government.

“Pretty Little Liars” star Annabeth Gish plays Charlotte Millwright, the wealthy widow of a rancher who kept a lot of secrets, including an underground tunnel to Mexico supplying illegal aliens an escape. Additionally, “Scream” star Mathew Lillard plays a disgruntled journalist covering the serial killer story who becomes personally involved in the investigation when a bomb winds up in the back seat of his car. Both of these characters intertwine with the detectives, expressing conflicting themes of right and wrong and corrupt and trustworthy. “The Bridge” builds such a realistic, detailed world around a concept that has been used so many times before yet still making it feel fresh. In true FX fashion, the network will air 13 episodes of the drama, which will resolve the serial killer storyline and set up one of several new mysteries for season two.

You’ve Got Time

One of the most buzzed about new shows “Orange is the New Black” is Netflix’s latest effort into original programming, which was given a second season renewal two weeks before its premiere. The dramedy based on an autobiography of the same name stars Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman, an upper middle class white woman who finds herself serving a 15 month prison sentence for carrying drug money for her ex-girlfriend ten years prior. Things continue to get worse for Piper as she’s forced to use a bathroom without a door, starved by the Russian queen b chef, and stalked by a woman known as “Crazy Eyes” who believes that Piper is her wife. Her current fiancé, Larry Bloom, is an aspiring writer played by Jason Biggs who is very supportive of Piper, at least in the beginning.

Piper is constantly being tested, whether it’s from her fight to get back the track or her search for an invisible chicken, you can’t help but root for her and the rest of the inmates who are just people in different walks of life. Indie film star Natasha Lyonne plays Nicky Nichols, a foul-mouthed lesbian inmate who befriends Piper while “That 70’s Show” star Laura Prepon plays the brunette-haired Alex Vause, Piper’s former lover and current co-inmate. “Orange” has many villains, including an embezzling prison supervisor, a Jesus-loving meth head, and a corrupt security guard who trades drugs for sexual favors. But perhaps the best part of the show is the budding romance between a young Spanish inmate and a quiet prison guard.

Viewers are treated to character centric episodes with flashbacks from many inmates showcasing their previous lives before entering the slammer and how it is they came to be here. It becomes clear that prison is much like high school; the cafeteria scene in which each clique is depicted could have easily been taken from “Mean Girls.” But with all of its dark moments, the show does have a lot of heart with many surprises of generosity, hard words of wisdom, and simple acts of acceptance. “Orange” succeeds in delivering an uplifting depiction of life and forces viewers out of their comfort zones and into the corrupt world of the Department of Corrections, but leaves us cheering for each character’s triumphant return to form.

Killing Me Softly

Crime drama “The Killing” concludes its third season on AMC in just two weeks and viewers have seemed to welcome the show’s second coming on the network with consistent yet modest ratings. The introduction of new characters and storylines has breathed new life into the series, which was briefly cancelled last year after wrapping up a two season story arc of the murder investigation of a teenage girl. Season three saw a much-needed overhaul in characters and storylines; in fact, none of the original stars of the show returned for the new season besides the series’ two leads: Detectives Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder played by Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman. And while the first two seasons might have overused the term red herring, it kept viewers on the edge of their seats until the gut wrenching reveal of “who killed Rosie Larson.”

A year after the Larsen case, Detective Linden returns to Seattle to help her old partner, Detective Holder, search for a serial killer who preys on Seattle’s runaways and whom Linden also believes is responsible for killing a woman whose husband she had wrongfully convicted. This season’s main story is very reminiscent of the Green River Killer, who was infamously convicted of raping and strangling 48 prostitutes in the Seattle area. The prison, street kids, and central murder investigation of this season interweaves more appropriately than the previous two seasons of the campaign, the Larson family, and the central murder investigation. Not only that, but it was difficult to see what stories were left to tell once “The Killing” was cancelled; however, what was created feels almost like a continuation of the last story arc considering it was mentioned before.

Perhaps the best episode to date was the season two finale in which we are finally introduced to Rosie Larson, the murdered teenager, and slowly find out how she spent her final hours. The best parts of “The Killing” are the scenes involving monologues from characters who are dealing with either a child’s death or disappearance and seeing how certain characters deal with these situations proves most compelling. After cancelling the Emmy nominated series last year, AMC decided to renew the show for a third season by partnering costs with Netflix and allowing them to have the show available online. This season has been averaging 1.5 million viewers, which is slightly down from the previous season, but critics have applauded the show’s continued slow pace and ominous tone.

This Is A Man’s World

From the creators of “Dirty Sexy Money” comes family drama “Political Animals” which debuted on USA this month to modest ratings, but that hasn’t stopped the show from becoming one of the smartest series currently seen on television. The miniseries stars Sigourney Weaver in her first television role as Elaine Barrish, the former First Lady and current Secretary of State navigating her way through family and professional issues in Washington, D.C. The show also stars Ciaran Hinds as Bud Hammond, the former President and current ex-husband of Weaver’s Elaine, who has seen his popularity diminish as a result of his womanizing ways following his divorce. The ensemble cast also includes Carla Gugino who plays Susan Berg, a reporter who became famous for her news coverage of Bud’s infidelities while in the White House. Critically adored actor James Wolk plays Douglas Hammond, Elaine’s son and Chief of Staff who is about to get married.

There also is “Once Upon a Time” star Sebastian Stan who plays T. J. Hammond, Elaine’s openly gay son who has been battling addictions of his own. Veteran actress Ellen Burstyn finishes off the cast as Margaret Barrish, Elaine’s mother and a former showgirl who enjoys a highball and isn’t allowed to speak on the record about her family because she is either “too drunk or too honest or, God forbid, both.” While the show centers on the various issues surrounding Elaine’s family, it also features her day-to-day crises as the Secretary of State, which include saving the lives of three journalists while agreeing to a week-long interview to cover up a damaging story involving one of her sons. “Political Animals” is an excellent representation of an ensemble family drama with great writing of strong, female characters. The pilot, which was watched by nearly three million people, was put together so nicely that it effortlessly passes from scene to scene.

Not only is the writing smart, but the actors playing the parts are exquisite as well, with monologues that are delivered with such compassion it could bring viewers to tears. During a candid interview with Susan, Weaver’s Elaine exclaims that “most of life is hell” and “the best moments of life, when everything comes together, are few and fleeting, but you’ll never get to the next great moment if you don’t keep going. So that’s what I do; I keep going.” There has been some news that this six episode run could be picked up to series much like what happened with Debra Messing’s “The Starter Wife” in 2008, but given the small audience that have caught the first two episodes, the possibility of that happening seems less likely. After looking passed the obvious comparisons to the life of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, this show doesn’t seem like it’s trying to get America ready for a female President, much like ABC’s “Commander in Chief” in 2005, because, truthfully, we are already there.

Hero/Heroine

The epic conclusion of Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Trilogy” made its premiere last week to record breaking sales, but was sadly overshadowed by a shooting at a midnight showing in Aurora, Colorado. “The Dark Night Rises” brought many new faces to the silver screen, including Tom Hardy as the film’s main villain, Bane, and Anne Hathaway as one of Batman’s love interests, Catwoman. Hardy reportedly put on 30 pounds for the role, portraying a massive, drug infused killer reaking havoc on Gotham City’s rich. Fans of the franchise were worried about Nolan’s choice for the famous Selena Kyle, but critics applauded the sass that Hathaway brought to the character, which was reminiscent of Michelle Pfeiffer’s stellar performance in the 1991 sequel “Batman Returns.” The final part of the trilogy takes place eight years after the last film, where the now crippled billionaire Bruce Wayne, played by Christian Bale, has stayed hidden inside his mansion after taking the fall for Harvey Dent’s vengeance and subsequent death.

After the city of Gotham is taken over by Bane who plans to set off a nuclear bomb if anyone tries to cross him, Batman is called upon one last time to defend the citizens who believe he is responsible for the death of their hero. Bane’s main motive is unclear as he tries the city’s wealthiest people, takes their money and frees the criminals who were kept behind bars under “The Dent Law.” Although the two hours and forty five minutes worth of film was a bit long, the final act was very pleasing to fans of both the comic books and Nolan’s representation of the caped crusader. As in most third installments, there were plenty of callbacks to the original film, but no mention of Heath Ledger’s joker, which was said to be left out in respect to the departed actor. Many other “Inception” co-stars besides Hardy were given roles in the film as well, including Joseph Gorden-Levitt as John Blake and Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate. But the news wasn’t all great, as a masked man shot up a Colorado screening of the film, killing 12 people and injuring over 50 others. Even in the wake of this terrible tragedy, “The Dark Night” was able to bring in a total of $30.1 million in its midnight showings, becoming the second highest grossing movie of all time.

What’s The Story Morning Glory

Political drama “The Newsroom” is producer Aaron Sorkin’s latest HBO hit about a fictional news program that debuted last month. The show centers on career-sagging news reporter Will McAvoy, played by Jeff Daniels, who wants to put together a news show that relies solely on facts rather than ratings in order to bring America back to The Golden Age of Television. In the pilot episode, McAvoy returns from a forced vacation after an on-screen melt down to find that much of his nameless news team has left him to start a new show at 10 o’clock. To make matters worse, his ex-girlfriend MacKenzie McHale, played by Emily Mortimer, has been brought on to produce his revitalized show in hopes of gaining back the audience. The best parts of the pilot, which had viewers return to the 2009 BP oil spill, were the scenes between future love interests Maggie, played by Alison Pill, and Jim, played by John Gallagher, Jr. Sorkin’s name is written all over this show, which was already renewed for a second season after premiering to just over two million viewers on June 24, 2012.

The 10 o’clock Sunday night drama has an ensemble cast that consists of fast-talking reporters and producers who are coffee-drinking, blackberry-throwing workaholics with plenty of time for love lives. After giving a prophetic speech to a Northwestern sophomore who asked why America is the best country in the world, Daniels’ McAvoy spent most of the episode realizing why people don’t like him and doing it in a live action minute-by-minute experience. The usually adorable Mortimer is still very much likable especially in the closing scene, but her character seems a little too forced; we get it: you want to make a different kind of news show. Other cast members include Olivia Munn, Dev Patel, Sam Waterston and special guest star Jane Fonda. Although this show might have its faults as many series do, it remains a smart show for intelligent people, which is seldomly seen nowadays as “The Newsroom” ironically points out.

Glory Days

Baseball novel “Calico Joe” takes America’s favorite past time and combines drama with heart to make for a bittersweet read that’s perfect for the summertime. Author John Grisham, who also penned such novels as “The Firm” and “A Time to Kill,” takes readers on a journey to see the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs during the 1973 season. Although this is a work of fiction and the author divulges that much of the statistics mentioned were completely fabricated, any baseball fan would appreciate this book which was inspired by the real life story of Ray Chapman, the only professional baseball player killed by a pitch. Grisham also focused on the relationship between the narrator and his father who was seldom there for his son and family.

The story revolves around Paul Tracey whose father is an aging pitcher for the Mets while Joe Castle emerges as a record-breaking rookie for the Cubs. The book goes back and forth between what’s happening in Tracey’s life during the present day and the event that changed everything. Grisham’s novel was published in April debuting at number one on “The New York Times” Best Seller’s List. The author delivers a heartbreaking story in “Calico Joe” with the harsh reality of a stubborn and abusive father who might get one last chance to make things right, if not for his family then for the person whose life he changed forever that summer in 1973.

Girls Just Want To Have Fun

Critically acclaimed dramedy “Girls” captivates the lives of four young women struggling to find jobs and love in New York City. In the most realistic rendition offered in a series so far, the Judd Apatow produced show accomplishes the hard task of developing relatable stories without losing its authenticity with the help of great writing. The comedy revolves around Hannah, played by Lena Dunham, who was just cut off from her parents at the age of twenty-four and forced to give up on her dream of becoming a writer by quitting her unpaid internship and getting an administrative position in order to pay her bills. The self proclaimed “voice of her generation” has, like so many recent college graduates, fallen victim to the current economic crisis.

Hannah is sarcastic, self-depreciating and absolutely ridiculous; but you can’t help but root for the show’s protagonist who can’t seem to get it together and stop allowing people to walk all over her including her semi-boyfriend Adam, played by Adam Driver. Hannah’s roommate and best friend Marnie, played by Allison Williams, may seem to have it all figured out as a serious and responsible art gallery assistant, but her main issues derive from her long-term boyfriend who she can’t stand to be with anymore. Zosia Mamet stars as Shoshanna, Hannah’s fast-talking, neurotic friend whose biggest fault is that she is still a virgin. There is also Jessa, played by Jemima Kirke, Shoshanna’s beautiful, British cousin and roommate who recently moved back to New York City and has taken a job as a babysitter.

What was once touted as “a younger ‘Sex and the City'” has blossomed into something that cannot even be remotely related to unless all you have to compare are both shows on paper. The raw and honest tone of the show is refreshing and original and unlike anything ever accomplished in television. It directly displays the true lives of twenty-somethings trying desperately to make it in an overpopulated and underpaid world. The new normal has young people accepting horrible positions with the hopes of gaining a decent salary. Its unattractiveness is its appeal and HBO seems to agree by extending a second season renewal to the quirky series even though it has only posted modest ratings of a little over a million viewers per episode. With an increasing popularity surrounding the show and good word-of-mouth reviews, “Girls” has certainly made quite the impression and has left us with wanting more.

If I Ruled The World

Medieval drama “Game of Thrones” may have passed under the radar last year, but season two of the HBO show has brought audiences back to Sunday nights. With plenty of family issues and seven kingdoms worth of kings all vowing for the same iron throne, this show keeps things interesting by telling a web of separate storylines that are just waiting to meet and cause conflict. But it’s not all the testosterone filled fighting or hilarious imp banter that keeps audiences coming back week after week; it’s the dark supernatural back drop that has viewers left with wanting to know more. More about the dragons that were birthed by a woman and more about the creatures in the forest that can make the dead come back to life. The show captures glimpses of these events but wisely chooses to focus on the story at hand, which is the fight for the true heir to the iron throne.

“That’s the game of thrones,” according to the evil, incestuous Queen Lanister, who will stop at nothing to maintain her status as royalty. Perhaps the most interesting storyline “Thrones” has to offer is that of a young girl who disguises herself as a boy in order to hide who she is and unknowingly protect the true heir to the late King: his bastard son. There is also Khaleesi, who became the Queen of Dragons after marrying into a foreign tribe and falling in love with him. The true fear is the imminent winter that lasts for years in this world as told from the wrinkled mouths of the elderly townspeople. This drama reads like a bedtime story that can keep you up all night, which makes sense as it is based on the series authored by D. B. Weiss. With last Sunday’s episode reaching a record high of nearly four million viewers and season three already ordered, it looks like we’ll be seeing how this story rides out after all. The series is currently offered free in its entirety at HBOGo.com for HBO subscribers.

Cold Hard Bitch

Finally making its debut at the tail end of the television season, raunchy comedy “Don’t Trust the B—– in Apartment 23” offers a new kind of humor with an “odd” premise. Taking over the coveted post-“Modern Family” spot after “Happy Endings” ended its second season early last week, the new ABC comedy has a great platform to use for its seven episode run. On the heels of past success with pre-online viewing, ABC has made the show’s first two episodes available for the last two weeks and from what’s been shown, critics and audiences seem to agree that this show is hilarious. With interesting characters, great writing and an amazing cast, this comedy offers a glimpse into the chaotic lives of two New York City roommates who don’t always “trust” each other.

“B—-” tells the story of June, played by the adorable Dreama Walker, who just found out that the great new job she landed with a huge loft turned out to be a scam and she is forced to move into an apartment with a roommate: enter Chloe, played by the talented Krysten Ritter. After finding work at a local coffee shop and expecting a visit from her fiancé for her twenty-fifth birthday, it seems that June’s life is starting to get back on the right track until she catches Chloe having sex with her fiancé on top of her birthday cake. But instead of packing up her belongings and excepting defeat, June comes to the realization that Chloe saved her from wasting the best years of her life with the wrong guy and forms an unlikely friendship with her slightly unstable roommate.

James Van Der Beek makes his triumphant return to television playing a fictionalized version of himself who is charming, self-obsessed and best friend’s with Ritter’s Chloe. Also added to the cast is Chloe’s stalker from across the hall and a perverted neighbor who spies on the girls. The show uses a similar premise recently seen in CBS’ “2 Broke Girls” without the racist jokes or irritable laugh track. “B—-” takes more pages from “The Odd Couple” than it does the CBS sitcom and continues a trend of fast-talking, narcissistic characters as seen from the timeslot’s last occupant “Happy Endings.” After going through a few name changes and waiting months for a premiere date, ABC is finally ready to unveil this show Wednesday night at 9:30 after an all new “Modern Family:” let the games begin.