Oh, Mondays, your TV cup overflowth and I’m sick of it. And last night was actually a little lighter than normal what with the baseball playoffs and all. Still, it’s exhausting enough to watch everything much less write about it too.

I know NBC’s ratings are in the tank again and all I have to say is… they’re up against baseball and Dancing with the Stars, who is surprised their shows aren’t pulling in the numbers? Plus, I’m guessing I’m not the only person who is craving a show that just makes me laugh these days.

Of course, last night comedies were one big failure in that regard. Even Chuck wasn’t packing much humor despite it’s strong finish. Is it any surprise that by the time I got to Heroes, I wasn’t in the mood for an epic battle of good vs evil?

Chuck, 2×03: Chuck Versus the Break-Up
Wasn’t as good as the previous two episodes but the end was so strong that I almost don’t care. I cried. I’m a sap like that. Normally I’m a huge fan of Bryce but I still felt the actual spy story was weak this week. And, yes, I realize that’s because the spy story wasn’t actually the story this week. Still, after two really strong episodes, it just didn’t hit all the notes quite as well for me. How many different ways can I say that?

I also didn’t love the Buy More story either. I liked Morgan’s story paralleling Chuck’s story but I just didn’t find it all that funny. The stuff with Anna at the end was funny but, if that was the punch line, I’m not sure it was worth sitting through the entire joke for… if you know what I mean. And, truthfully, Casey’s reaction to Anna is what sold that last scene.

Then we got the talk between Chuck and Sarah at the fountain and it was so SO good. From the way Sarah tried to brush it off by saying Chuck would forget all about her and the way he wouldn’t let her to Sarah’s devastated face (kudos to Yvonne for her work there) to the two of them putting on their “game” faces to the music. It’s in these little moments when I realize just how much I’ve come to love these characters. I thought they did a really good job of finding a believable reason to keep Chuck and Sarah apart given that we know they clearly both care about each other. It’s something I wish more shows put thought into when they break-up the “destined” couples of their show.

And then there was the very last scene which not only answered the question of what would happen when Chuck no longer had the most up-to-date information in the Intersect but also gave us the line I was just waiting for him to utter, “I hate Bryce Larkin.” Heh. Plus, Zac Levi looked hot. Shallow maybe but still the truth.

By the way, I keep seeing people make comments about Casey not letting Sarah get away with her feelings for Chuck or not taking the shot. I don’t really get that because I felt like he didn’t comment on it in that last scene with her because he knows that he’s also let his feelings for Chuck get in the way. Sure, it’s not the same kind of feelings but he’s still letting personal feelings interfere. He can’t tell her as much but his silence felt like an admission of sorts to me.

Finally, the song playing during the fountain scene? Skinny Love by Bon Iver:

Big Bang Theory, 2×04: The Griffin Equivalency
After last week’s episode especially, this was one of the weaker episodes this season. There were some funny moments but, overall, I didn’t laugh all that much. Part of the problem being that most of those moments, like Sheldon’s scary smile, I had already seen clips of before the episode aired. Although, I will say that I always love seeing Raj’s parents via video chat.

How I Met Your Mother, 4×04: Intervention
Ditto. I think we just got the setup to a lot of stories to come and a glimpse at some of the answers to things revealed last season but the episode itself wasn’t all that strong overall. I guess that’s always a concern when you’re doing a bunch of tiny funny flashback moments instead of one overall story. Still, I liked this week better than last.

However, they do need to work on their consistency with Barney re: his feelings for Robin. I don’t expect them have Barney revealing how he feels to the group but don’t give us a tiny hint one week and then act like it never happened the next. The show is usually so good with its continuity (witness the last scene) so I suspect they’re doing it intentionally but it’s starting to feel like a tease so I hope we get the payoff soon. Although, I will note that clearly there’s been a passage of time between the last episode and this episode given how quickly moving arrangements were pulled together. And I can fanwank the increased, even for Barney, need to try and get women to sleep with him is just Barney trying to prove to himself that his feelings for Robin are an aberration. I’d just like to see the show do a little more to convince us of that.

Samantha Who?, 2×01: So I Think I Can Dance
I’ve missed these guys but I didn’t think this return was all that funny. A real shame because I was hoping it’d bring me the laughs I’ve gotten used to on Mondays. Although, I will say the dancing at the end did make me laugh. Seeing Samantha and her mom’s version of what they were doing and then seeing what the judges and everyone else was seeing? That was pretty funny. The throw/slide at the very end? Not so much. I did like each of the character stories we got, I just wanted a little more humor overall.

Heroes, 3×05: Angels and Monsters
I’ve missed Adam. Or maybe I’ve just missed the humor on this show because I did love the tiny glimpses of him that we got and it was all because of his snarkiness. Eh. My willingness to pay attention to this show is waning. I watched all the other shows first and I still didn’t really care when I was watching. Hence my lack of things to say. I should probably re-watch it on a lighter night of the week because it did look interesting but I was feeling almost overwhelmed by all that was happening. I used to the feel the same way about Lost. Maybe this show could benefit from simplifying and not trying to show a thousand different stories at once. Also, could the NBC promo department stop ruining the twists of the show for us? The end could have been a lot more interesting if I hadn’t already known who was controlling everything from the hundred and one promos I saw all week leading up to the episode.

Haven’t watched My Own Worst Enemy yet. Was going to hold off on this post so that I could watch it online during my lunch break. Alas, NBC interfered with those plans by not making it available yet. The reviews from last night seem to be mixed, much like they were from the critics who reviewed it. However, I do like Christian Slater and y’all know I’m a sucker for spy stories. Even though I’m currently over the amount of TV on Monday nights, I may not be able to resist.

Speaking of being over, I’ve given up the ghost on Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles. Like I said, too much TV on Mondays and it was the show I was least interested in catching up with during the week. Prison Break and Boston Legal are dangerously close to suffering the same fate. PB slightly more so than BL. At least I can watch BL while doing other things and not feel like I’m missing important details. PB requires much more concentration and, as is obvious by my lackluster response to Heroes this season, I’m in short supply of the patience needed for such endeavors this Fall. Although, I doubt I’ll walk away from BL since this is said to be the last season. I can’t give up on it so close to the end.

What’d you watch last night?