Thoughts on the 63rd Primetime Emmy Nominations, Part 1

Let me preface this by saying that these aren’t my predictions. If I were filling out an Emmy scorecard, I’d probably choose differently. However, if I had an official ballot in front of me, this is how I’d be voting.

Outstanding Drama

Impressive nod to Game of Thrones in its freshman season. Obvious nods to Mad Men, Dexter, Boardwalk Empire. Friday Night Lights is in its final season, and hasn’t won yet, but for the show to go home with the big prize would still be somewhat of an upset. This season of Dexter hasn’t lived up to the marvelous plot-twisting of last season. Mad Men, on the other hand, is a show that ages like a fine wine. My vote:

Mad Men

The Big Bang Theory “The Roommate Transmogrification” S4 E24 Review + Recap

I’ve complained before about The Big Bang Theory’s predictability, but I have to admit the show threw me for a loop with the ending of this season finale.

While last week’s episode closed with Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) yelling at fiance Howard (Simon Helberg), “The Roommate Transmogrification” sees the couple together again. Bernadette tells the group that she successfully defended her dissertation and is soon to have her PhD. The gang teases Howard about being the only non-doctorate in the group, and Bernadette’s new high-salary job doesn’t do anything to help relieve Howard’s insecurities.

That’s more or less it for Howard and Bernadette. The season finale’s main focus is on the Will They Or Won’t They between Leonard and Penny, and the episode leaves things in an entertainingly unresolved manner.

The Big Bang Theory “The Engagement Reaction” S4 E23 Review + Recap

As a journalist, one of the first things you learn is to always be objective. The second thing you learn is that complete objectivity is impossible. I liked this episode of The Big Bang Theory, but I love episodes that focus on Howard (Simon Helberg), Raj (Kunal Nayyar), and assorted side characters.

What I don’t like are episodes that focus on the Will They Or Won’t They Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki) relationship. “The Engagement Reaction” was blessedly light on this aspect, and it also served to make Leonard’s current girlfriend, Priya (Aarti Mann), a much more sympathetic character.

While last week‘s engagement came as a surprise, this week’s denouement reaction made the storyline feel whole. I’m excited to see what happens in the next episode, which is exactly the feeling needed before a season finale.

The Big Bang Theory “The Wildebeest Implementation” S4 E22 Review + Recap

This episode of The Big Bang Theory tried to squeeze too much story into too little time. However, “The Wildebeest Implementation” did utilize many of the recurring characters well.

The greatest fault with this episode is that it teases what so many of us critics and audience members have wanted: for Raj (Kunal Nayyar) to stop with the “can’t talk to women” bit. I understand that The Big Bang Theory has great ratings and doesn’t need to change its standard formula. However, high ratings can only last so long, if the show doesn’t rejuvenate itself every so often. The easiest “fix” for the show would be to clear up Raj’s speech issue and thus allow the character to interact normally with the rest of the cast.

Raj aside, the episode focused on one of my least favorite aspects of TBBT: the Will They Or Won’t They relationship between Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Leonard (Johnny Galecki).

The Big Bang Theory “The Agreement Dissection” S4 E21 Review + Recap

I loved the way last week’s episode fully integrated all of the recurring characters. Unfortunately, this episode was another Sheldon showcase.

Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Priya (Aarti Mann) get caught violating the roommate agreement. Priya uses her legal-fu to crack Sheldon’s roommate agreement. This sends Sheldon (Jim Parsons) into a tizzy. He pulls himself together after a night out with the girls and a talk with Amy Farrah Fowler (Miyam Bialik).

That’s it for plot. There’s a lot of filler in this episode, some of it funny, some of it fairly poimntless.

The Big Bang Theory “The Herb Garden Germination” S4 E20 Review + Recap

I genuinely liked this episode, which is more than I can say for most of this season of The Big Bang Theory. The plot was interesting, the jokes weren’t telegraphed miles ahead, and the show managed to effectively use all of its recurring and supporting players.

I have to admit, I didn’t like Mayim Bialik’s Amy Farrah Fowler when the character first appeared. Too stiff, too formulaic. The show didn’t need another Sheldon, especially another even more robotic Sheldon. However, Amy Farrah Fowler (hard to think of her as just Amy, isn’t it?) has definitely grown throughout this season. She’s spunky, she takes risks, she’s human and relatable.

I’m also glad the show has decreased Sheldon time these past few episodes. Jim Parsons is always a treat, but his character can easily dominate an episode (as Neil Patrick Harris’s Barney sometimes does for How I Met Your Mother).

This episode relied heavily on the slowly-developing bond between Amy and Sheldon, but left plenty of time for other characters to shine as well.

The Big Bang Theory “The Zarnecki Incursion” S4 E19 Review + Recap

In last fall’s timeslot showdown between Community and The Big Bang Theory, I was all for Community. Community is witty, subversive, and clever. The Big Bang Theory is funny, in an easily digestible manner that can appeal to mainstream audiences.

This episode was funny, as most episodes of BBT are. There’s nothing spectacular about the show, now in its fourth season. While the introduction of more recurring players has helped the show break out of a slump earlier this season, BBT still tends to be a mediocre show. Good, but not great.

This episode was no exception.