‘Swingtown’ first episode impressions
John’s “Swingtown” first episode impressions, Brainerd Dispatch, June 19, 2008
CBS
‘Threshold’ first episode impressions
“Threshold” (2005-06, CBS), episode 1 – “Threshold” (8 p.m. Fridays on CBS) is about the Insiders. It’s what “The X-Files” would have been if we saw the point of view of the government coverup. But we […]
‘C.S.I.’ Season 1 reviews
NDSU Spectrum: TV review ‘C.S.I.’ is all about the evidence By JOHN HANSEN April 6, 2001 “Ma’am, I’m not a cop. I’m a crime scene investigator.”
‘Star Trek: Discovery’ returns franchise to thoughtful sci-fi roots (TV review)
As a franchise, “Star Trek” has boldly gone many places, and not all of them have been good. While the original series is legendary, and “Next Generation” improves on it, things started to fall apart […]
‘Century City’ (2004) gives a sneak preview of 2030
TV shows lost to history (Review): “Century City” stands out from other law procedurals by imagining how things will be in the near future.
One-season wonders: ‘Swingtown’ (2008) (TV review)
I like “Swingtown” (2008, CBS, available on DVD and Amazon streaming) almost entirely for the way it recreates the Summer of 1976, yet it’s totally defensible as a legitimate one-season wonder on its overall merits, thanks to […]
‘American Gothic’ doesn’t stand out from the horror-mystery pack
First episode impressions (TV review): CBS takes a rote dive into mystery-horror that tries and fails to cash in on the name.
‘Supergirl’ makes a slick but unimaginative debut
First episode impressions (TV review): “Supergirl” struggles to make a case for its existence.
Boba Fett makes ‘Star Wars’ debut in ‘Story of the Faithful Wookiee’ (1978)
‘Star Wars’ flashback (TV review): Future icon Boba Fett makes an inauspicious debut into the Expanded Universe in this Holiday Special cartoon.
First episode impressions: ‘Extant’ (TV review)
“Extant” (8 p.m. Central Wednesdays on CBS) unveiled a tasty hodgepodge of science fiction ideas in its premiere episode. For now, they are comfortable clichés, but I hold out hope that the show will coalesce into […]