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Family Guy: 'Family Guy' Through the Years (2018)
BRILLIANT!
THIS is why we love The Family Guy. The parody of "HAIR" (1979), and the song "Let My Son Die" made me nostalgic about the movie. This was a fantastic episode.
CODA (2021)
A Wonderful Story About Being Hearing in a Deaf Family
It's ironic that I'm speechless after seeing CODA. It has everything a phenomenal movie should have and more.
As a 30+ year nationally-certified interpreter at the master level, I was hesitant to see CODA when I heard through the Deaf grapevine that the actress who played the daughter of Deaf adults wasn't a Child Of Deaf Adults, nor knew sign language previously. However, for a Deaf movie which includes music as an integral storyline, I understand the decision for the choice to choose an actress outside of the Deaf community.
I've seen thousands of movies - most of my ratings of each on IMDB. I haven't changed my top ten movies in years, but CODA is the exception. Coda is a must-see movie for everyone.
Glee: Theatricality (2010)
FATHER KNOWS BEST!
Phenomenal! While it's rare that we see a father defend his gay son, Kurt's father did it in a spectacular way.
Earlier in the season, Kurt's father didn't exactly embrace his son's sexuality, but his telling Finn off after the uproar in the basement, shows that Kurt does have a good father.
Finn coming around at the end of the episode made this a lesson for all about how to change from minimal tolerance, to embracing another's lifestyle.
Chicago Med: Be My Better Half (2018)
VERY well done...except
The idea that the head nurse is an RN, a certified EMT, and a certified sign language interpreter is not believable.
The job of a certified interpreter is a very difficult job in itself - requiring many hours of CEUs to retain certification. While I understand creative license - they should have used a real certified sign language interpreter in the show, and not the nurse.
The fact that the actress portraying the nurse demonstrated a novice level of competence - at best, was the main indication that she was not a certified interpreter. Also, she stepped out of the interpreter role several times, and returned to her nurse role - which is unacceptable in the interpreting field.
All of this being said, the issue of cochlear implants, along with the diagnosis of Usher's Syndrome is real, and it was portrayed very well here. The use of the two Deaf actors was necessary and well done.
Kids Behind Bars: Life or Parole (2019)
AIRING SHOWS WITHOUT RESOLUTION
Why in the world would you air a show without a conclusion? Several times you had viewers sit through this show, only to say "due to COVID, the hearing has been continued."
This is the equivalent of having movie viewers leave the theatre before the end of the movie. Please don't rush these episodes until you are faithfully able to answer the question of "Life or Parole".
You are wasting viewers' time when you rush to air shows before they are completed.
The Golden Girls: All Bets Are Off (1990)
Unbelievably Disjointed Episode
Sophia and Blanche steal $2,000 from Dorothy's bank account and it's barely mentioned by Dorothy. I don't know how the writers totally forgot about this except for a quick mention by Sophia that Dorothy was told and forgave her. Bea Arthur had the energy of a snail on a turtle's back. She literally sounded sick. Worst episode ever.
The First 48: M.I.A. (2016)
Much To Do About Nothing
A guy goes missing. They find copious amounts of blood in his previous dwelling. They talk to a nervous suspect. They find cinderblocks in a lake but no body. The credits roll. No closure even though the episode is years old. Don't put on TV dead episodes with no closure like this.
Will & Grace: Bed, Bath and Beyond (2001)
My Favorite Episode
For some reason this episode haunts me. This is the episode after Grace and Nathan (Woody Harrelson) break up. She does what many of us do when we are depressed and stays in bed as her friends try to cheer her up. It might be the most perfect example of combining laughter with tears in a sitcom. The Annie Lennox song at the end is constantly in my mind whenever I'm feeling down.
Station 19: Hot Box (2018)
"Help we can't get out of a garage?!"
What an unvelievably stupid episode after several members of the firehouse get stuck in an "impregnable" garage while the house is burning. Didn't anyone think that a 20 ton firetruck could easily bust through the garage door instead of a hot water tank? Worst - most illogical episode in television history.
Station 19: Shock to the System (2018)
Fascinating and Perfect Episode
This episode breaks the mold of "happy endings" and gives the viewers two shocking moments that won't be forgotten. Perfectly written and cleverly weaves two storylines - rapidly, but sustaining the suspense that you will long remember. I know this is good, because after I watched it, I couldn't delete it.
GREAT TELEVISION is back again!