A last farewell to Raylan and Justified

**SPOILERS GALORE***

Well, it's over, and it was certainly great fun while it lasted. Lots of great characters. But would you expect any less from an Elmore Leonard story?And now Elmore has passed, and Justified has concluded.

I always knew Raylan and Boyd would come face to face again, and they did. If you watched the

episode before this, you know Ava shot Boyd and took the money, and Boyd and Avery - and every one else, including Raylan, whose CI she was - were after her. Well, not Wynn Duffy. You know, at the beginning I didn't care for him a whole lot. He came in to the story with Winona's no-account husband, whose name I've already forgotten, and he was rather sleazy. But he's grown on me, and I'm glad Mikey saved him, and sorry Mikey died.

Raylan has been hung up on his ex, Winona, since the series started. But that didn't stop him from getting involved with Ava Crowder, in her pre-Boyd days. This was back when Boyd's daddy was around, Bo Crowder, and he wasn't a very nice man. But Raylan's love for Winona won out, he dumped Ava and went back to her. And then she disappeared on him. Not surprising, considering Natalie Zea was also in Californication and The Following.  Toward the end of the series, Raylan decides to move to Florida, to be a part of his baby daughter's life - and Winona's. But things keep holding him in Harlabn County. I still expected them to get together at the end, but that didn't happen, although Raylan is in his daughter's life, as we see in a scene that takes place a few years after the end.

Okay, then, just because of a chance photograph (the FBI still searching for Ava, of course, although Avery Markham is long dead), Raylan knows where she is and goes to see her. She fears he is going to take her back to prison, and she finally agrees to show him something - or someone, actually - but only after he swears that Boyd can never know (Boyd is in prison, where Raylan put him, rather than kill him). Apparently Ava had Boyd's child, a son she named Zachariah, after the only man who never wanted anything from her, her late uncle. So Raylan promises, secure in the knowledge she will do no harm. I have to wonder if he'll go to visit her now and then?

Finally, Boy and Raylan. Raylan goes to visit Boyd at the prison, where we discover that he has gone back to preaching the word. He is told he has a visitor, and finds Raylan waiting to see him. They talk, and in the end, it all comes down to one thing - they dug coal together.

And that's all she wrote...

Raylan Givens, how can I quit you?

It's hard to believe, but there's only one episode of Justified left, and then it's gone for good. Six seasons is a pretty good run, especially these days when television shows don't seem to have the same longevity they once did. But still, it's going to be hard to let go.

I remember the first time I saw the trailer for Justified. We were at the theater, and they ran an ad for it before the coming attractions, and my first thought was seriously? Commercials here? So I wasn't kindly disposed to want to watch the show. But the next time we went to watch a movie, we saw the ad again, and it started to grow on me, and we decided to give it a try. We haven't missed an episode since.

**SPOILERS AND SPECULATIONS AHEAD**

It's been on hell of a ride, I have to say. And this season is no exception. Last season, we saw Ava end up framed and in prison, and then she got herself released to become Raylan's CI. Raylan began a daddy, but Winona and his daughter live in Florida, kind of a far distance for being a good daddy. So Raylan's had to consider his future and what part he wants to play in his daughter's life.



Boyd Crowder (Walter Goggins) has certainly has his share of ups and downs, but like the Energizer bunny, he keeps on going. He's been doing his damnedest to get Ava out of prison, also to make the big score he's always dreamed of. This season, he sets his sights on a very wealthy man named Avery Markham (played by Sam Elliott). Markham has ties that stretch to another familiar face - Wynn Duffy.

Raylan is determined to bring Boyd down this season, and he's not above taking matters into his own hands, doing things in his own way, which often puts him at odds with the Sheriff's department, particularly his boss, Art Mullins. Art isn't going to cut Raylan any slack, and he's got his eye on him.

Remember Dewey (I have four kidneys?) Crowe. He's been providing comic relief from the

beginning, ever since Rayland pounded his face into a steering wheel and busted his nose. Last year, he found some balls and hijacked Boyd's drug shipment, and blackmailed him. Dewey means well, but he isn't the brightest bulb in the box, and he went up against the wrong guy.
I shouldn't have been surprised when Boyd blew him away, but I was. Rest in peace, Dewey, you poor fool.

So Avery Markham has a girlfriend named Catherine, played by Mary Steenburgen, and she's a pretty tough gal, determined to find out who ratted out her late husband and got him killed. Trouble is, she suspects Markham, but guess what? It was Wynn Duffy. Boyd delights in telling Markham the truth, and Avery tells Catherine he'll take care of Duffy, but she doesn't listen and tries to take care of him herself. She almost succeeds, but Duffy's driver/friend/assistant Mikey kills her, dying in the process.

Remember Bobby Quarles (Neal McDonough)? He was one wacky guy with a great ass who was cut

down a few seasons back, but I've always had this idea he didn't die, that he only lost his arm but lived. Well, if he's coming back, he better do it tomorrow night, it's his last chance. And if he does, boy am I gonna brag about how I figured this out a long time ago.


This series has been excellent from the beginning, with an ensemble cast, especially Timothy Olyphant. Justified awakened my interest in his films, and I've watched more of them, including Hit Man (which I own), and Die Hard 4. I'm sure he'll do something else, but it won't be Raylan Givens, so it won't be the same. Not to say I won't watch whatever he does next.

Well, tomorrow night is it, the end of a good run. I'll have some comments, probably Thursday. But damn, that's one good series. It's gonna be missed.

Especially you, Raylan.

Endings and Beginnings

Before I start, I would like to tell you I'm visiting with Jon Keys today, so go check that out.

Things have changed from when I was a kid. Back then, there were two basic seasons for television programs - the regular seasons and the summer reruns. Of course, back then, we basically had what? Five channels? Six after UHF came out? (Yes, I'm old enough to remember a time before UHF, and also a time when color TV's were brand new and not the norm, like they are now).

With the coming of cable, that all changed. There is no one season fits all. Which is actually good. You can balance your programming and not try to watch everything at once, which is impossible due to the demands of time (and yes, DVR is a real godsend too). As one show you enjoy ends its season, another is sure to begin. And so it is with me.

Once Upon a Time, Masters of Sex both finished. Grimm just had a finale, at least until February 28th, at which time both it and Hannibal will return. And yay for Hannibal! I saw a promo for it last night, during Grimm, using a song very familiar to me, Can't Get it Out of My Head:   It's an old ELO song, and how well it works with this.







I think this season we will see Hannibal really coming out as the serial killer we all know and love, even more

than in the first season, as he frames Will Graham for the murders he has committed. If they continue in this vein, and I hope that they do, I think season three should be the season of Red Dragon. And eventually we will come to Silence of the Lambs and Clarice. There can be no spoilers, if you've read the books and watched the movies. But the fun is in the anticipation, in watching it played out using these very talented actors. I wasn't sure I could accept anyone other than Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal, but Mads Mikkelsen is superb, and Hugh Dancy shines as Will Graham. When NBC is good, they are very very good, especially with their dramas. They put all the others to shame, as far as the networks go. But sometimes they also screw me over, cancelling shows I love. I don't think this will be the case with Hannibal, though, or Grimm.

Dracula had its season finale, but the fate of the show is up in the air. NBC hasn't decided. That's what I mean. Sometimes you have to trust your instincts and go with it. Dracula is a strong contender, and they should renew it for another year, see where it goes. I hope they do, because the creators have taken a familiar story and given it some interesting twists, and I'm not ready for it to be over.




Justified has just returned for its fifth season, and it's going strong. Guess who's back? Remember Dewey

Crowe of the four kidneys? Dumber than a bag of hair Dewey? Well, he's not any smarter. And now he's got kinfolk from down South to reckon with, a cousin who's pretty sure he can control Dewey and get over on him and everyone else. Raylan's a new daddy, with a little girl down in Florida. Still not sure why Winona left him - she must be crazy. Raylan's staying in some fancy digs that the feds appropriated from a criminal and he's sortof seeing Loretta's caseworker, who has a crazy boyfriend. Ava's still in jail for murder, and Boyd's doing what he can, but he's got problems of his own. I wonder if their relationship will survive this?

Top Chef New Orleans has two more episodes, as they wind out the finale into two, which means probably a lot of filler, which is annoying. It's down to Nina, Shirley and Nicholas. Carlos was eliminated last week, thank goodness. I couldn't stand him, and felt that his personality aside, he was too one-note to win. I'm looking for Nicholas to be eliminated before the final showdown. He should have been gone already, and only having immunity saved his ass and cost a worthier chef the chance to win. See, in the end, it isn't necessarily the best chef that wins. This is just a longer form of cutthroat kitchens, with its own form of sabotages. Take immunity off the table from the beginning, and you get a whole other ballgame. I'm rooting for Shirley. Not that I don't like Nina, I do. But I think Shirley is the more skillful of the two and deserves to win.

Speaking of Cutthroat Kitchen, I have to say it's a lot better show than I thought it was going to be. In fact, I

downright enjoy it. Alton Brown delivers just the right amount of coldness for the part of the emcee, and the contestants are obviously encouraged to play as unfairly as possible, including a lot of trash talk. But it's all in fun, and don't worry - Alton's as sweet as ever, it's just a persona, folks! But it makes for some fun times as people are given handicaps to their cooking, whether it's how they cook, or what they cook. For example, sometimes only one chef is allowed to taste their dish. And one time a chef was forced to do all his cooking with utensils made of aluminum foil. Losing time, having fresh ingredients swapped for process ones - it's all part of the game of Cutthroat Kitchen!

American Horror Story Coven ends this week, and I must say it's been a wild and crazy ride - and I've loved every minute of it. How's it going to end? I have no clue! ****SPOILER ALERT**** In the last episode, they killed the Axeman. Nan is dead. Delphine trapped in a Hell of her own making. Fiona is dead, without having named a successor. Misty was rescued from her premature burial. But I would not underestimate Fiona. And it's not over until it's over, as the coven prepares to perform the seven wonders which will determine who is the next Supreme. All bets are off, and I would not hazard a guess as to who it might be. With a triumvirate such as Jessica Lange, Angela Bassett, and Kathy Bates, can you possibly go wrong? I think not.

Speaking of shows that have come back, my darling Sherlock as returned! Reports of his death were greatly

exaggerated! Of course, if you know Sherlock Holmes at all, you knew that already, as the infamous Reichenbach Falls was the scene of the fictional detective's demise those many years ago. And like his literary counterpart, this Sherlock isn't dead either. Of course not, that would mean an end to the series. I'm sad that each season consists of only three episodes, but what wonderful episodes! I loved the first one. I laughed and I cried. ****SPOILERS**** Next one should be great, as Dr. Watson gets married. We met his fiance in the first one, and surprisingly I liked her. Can't wait for the next.

And The Following is back! Didn't we all know Joe couldn't be dead? Seriously? Well, the first episode aired after one of the football game playoffs last weekend. And that was a huge mistake, I could have told them it would be. Basically because of the unpredictable timing element of football games. They don't tie up neatly in an allotted time, they're unreliable. And how do you set your DVR when you can't be sure what time the show will start? You can't, not with any real assurance that you'll catch the whole thing. And that's just what happened. Apparently, the idiots at Fox began airing it 12 minutes early! Well, duh, that means for everyone who recorded it that twelve minutes were lost. At least they realized their stupidity and are re-airing the episode prior to the next one. But that means blocking out more time to watch both. Jeez, people, get your act together!

Back to cooking for a moment. Food Network is now airing Chopped Canada, the Great North version of our beloved series. It's very similar, of course, and follows the same format. Different host, different judges, and of course different contestants. It's interesting. If you like Chopped, I think you'll like it. The host is no Ted Allen, but he does fine. The best part for me is getting to see Roger Mooking as a judge. Last seen, he did a show with Aaron Sanchez called Heat Seekers.

And on Saturday mornings, something different - The Kitchen. This is a weekly talk show featuring five Food

Network personalities. I'll admit the biggest reason I tuned in was because of my crush on Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, and also because Jeff Mauro, the Sandwich King is there too. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it's a fun, informative and interesting hour of television, and I look forward to it every week now. Well worth your while if you enjoy learning about food, listening to light, fun banter, and seeing talented chefs cook. Geoffrey has his own portion of the show - It's 5 o'clock somewhere - and he mixes a different cocktail in every episode.

Lest you think I've forgotten, let me mention that The Blacklist is back and better than ever, and James Spader is hot, hot, hot and I cannot wait to find out what is going to happen. Will we learn the truth about Red's relationship with Lizzie? Will we discove the truth about Tom? We already know who the mole is. What a fabulous first season this has been. This goes on my gotta have list for sure, along with Hannibal and Grimm (I got the first season, thanks to my Sarah!)

I think that's about it for now. More about the Following, once I actually watch it. Same with Hannibal. I'm working on my first BDSM novel, and hope to finish it by the end of February, although that might be ambitious. I'm excited that When Will I See You Again comes out tomorrow. I hope, of course, that it does well, but mostly I hope that people enjoy it. I poured my heart into it.

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

An unexpected holiday

It looks like my previous plans have been upended. I'd anticipated working next week, but I learned yesterday that is not the case. As of now, I'm not even sure when I'm going back to work. Again. That's the problem with temporary jobs, they're so... temporary.

Well, I could sit around and piss and moan about it, but what will that accomplish? Not a damn thing. Or I can take these lemons and make lemonade. I opt to do that! I have editing to do, and I have books to write. I hope to finish When Will I See You Again and sub it by the year's end, so maybe that's a good thing, right? Right!

Sarah and I went to see The Hobbit last weekend. It was AMAZING! If you're a fan of Lord of the Rings, you have to see this. It was everything I'd hoped for and more, including familiar faces I'd not expected to see. There are a lot of people in this movie, well worth a trip to IMDB to look them up, because frankly you won't recognize many of them with the great make-up jobs they have. For example, Bofur is James Nesbitt, who played Jekyll in the BBC mini-series. I would never have guessed. Yes, it's nearly three hours long - all the LOTR films are. But I have to tell you, it doesn't feel like it. In fact, I was so engrossed in what was happening, and had just settled down to watch more, when suddenly, the film was done.  I can't wait for next year, to see the second part.

Of course we saw some trailers while we were there, but nothing I'd rush out to see. Except for one thing, and it wasn't even a movie trailer, it was a promo for a TV series that is returning in January. One of my very favorites. Sarah and I got so excited to see that!  Yes, it's Justified! Coming back January 8th, I believe, and looking awesome! If you watched it last season, then you know about Bobby Quartles. And Winona. And a whole lot of stuff. Can't wait to see what happens.

I'm behind on watching programs, I admit, because of working, which is actually a good thing. Other than the ones Sarah and I watch together, such as Next Iron Chef Redemption, Sunday nights on Food Network. In fact, it's almost over now, down to three chefs - Alex Guarnaschelli, Amanda Freitag and Nate Appleman. The finale is Sunday, and I predict that Chef Appleman will be eliminated right away and the two women chefs will battle for the title. Katie is rooting for Amanda, I know, but I'm in Alex's corner. I think it would be so cool if she made it, and if Geoffrey was to work as her sous chef, like she does for him. Guess we'll find out Sunday, should be a good battle.  Go, Alex!

Top Chef Seattle is progressing smoothly as the field is narrowed every week. I was so grateful that they eliminated Carla, she got on my last nerve. As the weak ones are being picked off, the stronger chefs survive, although there are still a few I'd like to see gone. My favorite chef is Kristen, who is a model. She did very well this week, winning both challenges. Here she is, being kissed by Stefan. Stefan is a gruff and grumbly guy, and he didn't make a lot of friends in season 5 of Top Chef. But I rather like him, despite that, mostly because  he and Fabio are good friends and I love Fabio.

Speaking of Fabio, he's the only reason I even watch Life After Top Chef, frankly. It's him, Richard, Spike and Jen. Richard's okay, but I don't like Spike and I really can't stand Jen. I love Fabio, though, and would watch him in anything. Seriously. Put him in a show, and I'm there. Someday I hope to be able to eat at his restaurant. He is so sexy, and such a hard worker, and such a gentleman! If they got rid of the other three chefs, I'd never miss them. Just give me Fabio and I'll be happy!

Sarah and I are still watching Person of Interest, and this season is definitely a worthy addition to the series, beginning with Harold's kidnapping by a crazy woman. I love the relationship between Harold and John, and learning more about both of them. Watching Reese's fights is... well... exhilarating. I hope it's mandatory that he has at least one fight scene per episode, as they are damned exciting, and very sexy. I am never disappointed in any of the episodes, and I hope the show continues for a long time to come. I love that Carter and Fusco know about one another now, and that they all seem to be working for a common good. I predict that at some point, Lionel's number is going to come up in the machine. I also love Enrico Colantoni's Elias - he's a very clever and fascinating villain who wields great power, even from prison.

We're behind on The Walking Dead by three episodes.  *****SPOILERS***** We saw the birth of Lori's baby, and her death. Can't say I was torn up about that. I didn't like her, and the way she treated Rick. I've never liked their son much, either, especially since he got Dale killed. I read a spoiler myself, something about Shane returning, although we haven't seen it yet, and I'm not even sure how that can happen. But I'm not all that worried about it, either. I suspect Shane, if he does come back, will contend that the baby is his and will fight Rick for her. Maybe, in Rick's shattered state, he'll just give in. Or maybe he'll pull himself together and say no. Guess we'll find out. I think it's on hiatus until February now.

That's it for now, need to get moving and do other things. Maybe next time, I'll get to Sweet Genius and Vampire Diaries (behind on that too) and American Horror Story (also behind) and The New Normal. One good thing, I'll be around a lot more.

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

How Sweet It is! The return of Sweet Genius and more!

Be still my beating heart! Sexy Sweet Genius Chef Ron Ben-Israel is back, and not a moment too soon!

As you may recall, I was totally gaga over him in the first season of the series. That hasn't changed, if anything  my feelings have grown stronger! I love this man and his show (as my daughter can testify to my delighted squeals whenever the commercials air!). The second season started a couple weeks ago, bigger and better than ever. Ron is looking quite sexy, as usual. He's changed the format slightly. This season the three rounds are Chocolate, Candy, and Baked, eliminating the frozen round from the competition. There are still mandatory ingredients - two per round - and an inspiration. Some of the inspirations so far have been a very limber gymnast, a gold fish, a graceful ballerina, and bubbles. In the first show, one contestant made a very lovely gold fish! When the ballerina was on, I thought I'd die when Chef Ron not only posed beside her, but formed a tableau with her, encircling her waist! Lucky girl!

I know that some think he is a stern and unyielding taskmaster, but I think there is a playful side to him as well. Why are the good ones either married or gay? Or both? Ah well, I'll have to be content to feed my fantasies through his program, which is excellent. Glad to have you back!

Californication has only one episode to go in its fifth season, but that one promises to be smokin'! ***SPOILERS AHEAD***** I watched last night's episode this morning. Richard (Karen's second hubby) is out of rehab, and he has not only found God, but he's got a sponsor named Gabriel to keep him on the straight and narrow path. Trouble is Hank caught Richard and Gabriel in a compromising position at his going away party (Hank's, not Richard's, though that could change). Charlie was devastated to learn that Lizzie blew Stu to get a part in his picture, although he didn't tell Marci, but it happened again apparently (you know how those accidental blow jobs are). Becca's boyfriend was given Hank's job on Samurai Apocalypse's film, after Stu fired him - and then he caught the scumbag in the bathroom with Sam's girl Callie. Hank's heading back to NY - assuming he lives to do so. One thing you can say about Californication - it's never boring!

Tonight is the two hour season finale of Alcatraz. I'm really glad I started watching this. The premise is interesting, the stories intriguing and Sam Neill is hot as ever. **SPOILERS**  Rebecca and Diego have figured out that Luci is a '63, as they refer to the inmates of Alcatraz who disappeared on March 20, 1963 and are reappearing in the present. We know that Emerson cares about her a great deal, and has been searching for an inmate with a blood match to her in order to bring her out of her coma. That inmate was found last week, now to see what happens.  I sincerely hope Fox brings this show back next season.

What can I say about Justified other than it's great and Timothy Olyphant is hot? (Even though my daughter prefers Boyd Crowder). Winona has disappeared on Raylan - again. I don't know what's wrong with her, but it's compounded by the fact she's pregnant. Gary is dead, executed for his poor choice of business associates. Win Duffy has managed to stay alive by not getting on Quarles' bad side - and Quarles has shown his inner self, and his horrific childhood, sold for having a pretty face by his father. Ava, Boyd's ex sister-in-law-now-gf has shown her mettle and her I won't take shit from anyone attitude, developing into a stronger character than before. Dicky Bennett got released from prison, now there's a growing situation with the money that he thought he had that Limehouse took - a potential powderkeg just waiting to be lit. This show just keeps on getting better, may it run for a damn long time to come.

A new Chopped is starting on April 8th, an All Stars season, with the likes of Michael Symon and Marcus Samuelson. I also saw the one chef I really hated in Next Food Network Star. Yuck. That same night, The Borgias returns - yay!

Awake is going strong, I hope they can keep it up, balancing between each of his waking lives. The writing level is good, the acting wonderful, and Jason Isaacs is incredibly sexy.

I think Once Upon a Time and Grimm are near their season ends too. Both great shows, well worth the watch. I still need to watch the Wonderland episode of Once Upon a Time which aired Sunday. Other than that, it's Chopped and Restaurant Impossible as usual, and just started watching Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsey on BBC America. Caught a few minutes of  an undercover restaurant show last night, can't remember the name. It reminded me of a single episode show we caught before that wasn't very good. This was only slightly better, but not very interesting.

I'd like to see more Geoffrey Zakarian on Iron Chef America. Just saying lol

That's all for now, back to editing!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Horrible Houses and Horrible Restaurants and then some

*****Spoilers ahead beware****

I think that writers can't help but be influenced by what they see, read, and experience. It's often reflected in their work. Perhaps that explains my new Silver Flash - Dallas in Wonderland. Something a little different, probably the influence of American Horror Story. ****Spoiler alert***** I've completely caught up with the series now, and am definitely loving it. It's like peeling an onion, pulling away the layers to get to the inner core. Assuming there is one. Ben and Vivien are splitting up after she discovered his infidelity with Hayden continued and resulted in a child. Of course Vivien has no idea that Hayden is lying dead beneath the new gazebo which Ben had to put up. In this episode, "Open House", Vivien discovers that she is carrying twins. Shades of Rosemary's Baby! I can't help but remember the man in black who had sex with her, never saying a word. She assumed it was Ben - I'm not so sure. In this episode, we learn more about Larry and his history, which he's been lying about, as well as his obsession with Constance.An Armenian gentleman wants to buy Murder House and tear it down - but Constance and Larry and Moira conspire against him. This series just keeps on getting better and better, and in next week's previews, I caught a glimpse of Zachary Quinto. Can't wait.

Guess what else I saw while watching this episode?  A preview for Justified!  Hooray! It's coming back in January.  I also saw an ad for a new Anthony Bourdain show on the Travel Channel, coming soon. Might have to check that out.

Lately, I've been watching back episodes of Robert Irvine's Restaurant Impossible. At times it's somewhat formulaic - restaurant owners needs help, writes Robert and he shows up to turn things around, with certain inevitable pitfalls - I find each episode interesting and worth watching. In fact, I've seen some of them now often enough to recognize them when they start. I do like the series, and I like the way he shows them how to change a losing proposition into a winning one. Sometimes that's all you need, somebody to kick your butt and show you the way. Some of the restaurants I've seen make me wonder why the health department hasn't shut them down. Robert's designers take a limited budget and bring freshness to these places, while Robert shows the owners how to run the business, to understand pricing and food costs, while he shows the chefs how they should be cooking.  I've gained a whole new respect for Chef Robert after watching these shows. I hope the series continues for some time to come.

On the Next Iron Chef, the wily Chairman presented the potential Iron Chefs with a sweet challenge - make a  sweet and a savory dish from candy. Chef Alex had the advantage and assigned everyone their ingredient. I've found that often times what appears to be a disadvantage for one of the chefs turns out to be a good thing and brings out hidden depths. It can also be a downfall. Chef Falkner won this week with her malted milk ball creations. At the bottom of the pack were Chefs Hughes, McMillan and Guarnaschelli, but Alex was given a reprieve, and the other two were sent into the sudden death secret ingredient challenge. The ingredient was tofu. Although the judges repeatedly tell the chefs that less is better than more, Chef McMillan did three tofu dishes to Hughes' one - and won.  Next week's episode has to do with comedy, and I saw Kevin Nealon in the previews. Bye bye Chef Hughes.

The more of Once Upon a Time I see, the more I like, as Emma gets more and more involved with the people of Storybrooke, and with her son Henry, and fighting the curse laid upon the town and its inhabitants by the Evil Queen, aka the Mayor. This week's episode was The Price of Gold and featured the story of Cinderella, both in the present and in the past. In this version, Ella is an unwed mother who is being forced to give up her unborn child to Mr. Gold, the pawnbroker, who is actually Rumpelstiltskin - mirroring the past. In the process, Emma learns that you can't run away from your life, and she accepts an offer to be a deputy to the Sheriff - unaware that he is sleeping with the Mayor. An unexpected twist which we learned at the end of the episode. I have to admit, I didn't expect much from this show, but it's been a delight to find how good it really is. If only ABC could keep this quality going. But then again, they also brought back Charlie's Angels. The first time was bad enough, seriously? But all's well that ends well. I just found out it was scratched after four episodes. Good news indeed.

All for now. I'll talk about Hell on Wheels and Walking Dead and Grimm another time. Back to editing and writing and house cleaning!

Have a wonderful day! Feel free to comment or question - I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Guest blogging with Pia Valeno

I'm over at Pia Veleno's site, talking about Raylan Givens and Justified instead of my upcoming release Leonardo Di Caprio is a Vampire.  Can you blame me?

Come on by and say hello and see what I have to say about this sexy US Marshal!

http://piaveleno.com/2011/04/28/guest-blog-julie-lynn-hayes/

Sometimes it takes me a while to find and watch a series that everyone else has already seen. Like Xena. Not that I didn't know it existed, but I never paid attention to it til recently. I started watching it on Netflix, part of their instant watch thing, and I'm up to the second season. I must say I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would. When it first aired, I thought it looked silly, now I'm enjoying it for what it is. Is that age, am I mellowing or what? Whatever it is, I love to watch Xena fight, even though I know most of her moves are not possible, it's still great to see her kick the bad guys' asses the way she does. Also, Ares is rather easy on the eyes (even if Karl Urban looks odd to me as the pretty blond Cupid). Joxer is hilarious, a great comic foil. Lucky him to have a brother that likes to employ him, eh? Like Clint Howard? Not that I'm saying I don't like Ted Raimi, I do, just saying  he's lucky, and I wish Sam Raimi was my brother.

We started a new series last night, and by new I mean new to us as it originally aired in 1998. It's Canadian, and it's called DaVinci's Inquest. Nicholas Campbell plays detective Dominic DaVinci, whose ex is the coroner that is also dating his boss. The ex's name is Patricia and they definitely have a love/hate relationship, but they try to hold it together for the sake of their teenaged daughter. DaVinci has his own sense of humor and his own way of doing things. He's far from perfect and drinks to excess. In fact, he can be downright abrasive. I like him already. Donnelly Rhodes plays another detective, named Leo. You might remember him from the series Soap - he played escaped convict Dutch who ended up in love with both sisters - Corinne and Eunice.. Or you might even remember him from the soap opera The Young and The Restless as Philip Chancellor (yesk, father to the younger one, whom I believe is still on the show, assuming the show is still running, which I'm not sure of). DaVinci's Inquest ran for 7 seasons - I'm looking forward to seeing more of it.

I started to watch a movie called Gabriel the other night. I chose it for two reasons: one is Andy Whitfield, hot star of Spartacus, and the other is the theme - archangels and such, which I have a weakness for. I didn't make it through the first half hour before giving up. Andy is easy on the eyes but his portrayal of Gabriel was too angsty and too tormented without reason for me. The cinematographer must have gone to the 300 school, and as for the special effects/cgi guy - I won't even speculate where he went. Gabriel's eyes are a piercing blue, obviously not real. And Sammael (at least I assume that was Sammael, after half an hour no one'd said and I stopped caring) had weird eyes that were basically all white with tiny pinpricks of black pupils. The effect wasn't eerie or cool, it was just odd. He was just odd. His Rastafarian friend was a cliche. The dialogue in the whole thing was affected and horrible. And the plot - was there a plot? Hell if I know or care. I recommend passing on this one, despite the reviews on Amazon which praise it. There are people who like Resident Evil too - I think it was horrible. To each his own.

***********possible spoilers ahead************

I'm enjoying where Justified is going, though, and last night's episode was another good one. Boyd has thrown off whatever pretense he had to goodness. Now he's just going with what he is - which is his daddy's son. And he has Ava taking that trip with him. They are officially a couple. I'm glad, now she'll leave Raylan alone. I'm not sure where Raylan and Winona are going, but I loved the part with Gary last night when Raylan opened his eyes to what was going on and that he, Gary, was Duffy's target, not Raylan. That boy can be damn slow. I don't like him. William Ragsdale, who plays Gary Hawkins, Winona's second husband, once had his own show, Herman's Head. It was unusual in its pov and the characters that were actually only in Herman's Head. Maybe it was ahead of its time, but I liked it. I love the way that Raylan isn't perfect, and that the characters seem as real as people you'd meet on the street. Except I'd rather not meet most of them lol

Do you have series that you discovered long after the fact?  I'd love to hear about them!


♥ Julie

Welcome back, Raylan Givens - we missed you!

Last night was the season premiere of Justified on F/X, and it began where the last season left off, with Raylan, Boyd and Ava hunkered down in a small cabin, under fire from two drug dealers from Miami.

****Warning- may be spoilers ahead, proceed at own risk****

As those who watched the first part of this know, Boyd took off after the woman in the SUV, and Raylan went after him. From there the action returns to Miami, and into the lap of the man who'd like to see Raylan done harm to because of the whole Tommy Bucks affair (see season one). So once this all got squared away, Raylan returns to Harlan County, and goes out with another deputy to see about a complaint about a child molester.  And here we meet the family that I figure will take the place of the Crowders as arch enemies this season - the Bennetts, at the head of which there is a matriarch who can go from sympathetic to cold-blooded at the drop of a hat.  And don't underestimate her cause she appears so motherly - she can and does kill without hesitation.

What can I say about this series?  I can't say enough about it. The season premiere was fantastic, and I look forward to a whole lot of hot hunky Raylan Givens action this season too.  I'm still wondering what's going on between him and Winona - if you'll recall, last season she come to see him, removed her wedding ring and ended up in bed with him.  Well, rinse and repeat. But I've yet to hear her say why.  I have to assume she's re-evaluated her new marriage to realtor Gary (last heard from, he moved out of the familial home) and is contemplating some sort of relationship with Raylan.  A new relationship, that is.  But what?  And will the problems that came between them the first time around raise their ugly heads this time, or have things truly changed?  Also, what about Ava - is she really down for the count and out of the picture?  Or is she laying low and licking her wounds before she steps back into the ring?

I'm currently reading Riding the Rap, which is a Raylan Givens story by Elmore Leonard, creator of said Raylan, and it certainly has his touch all over it - typical goofy unpredictable and somewhat likeable baddies, Floridian setting - and Raylan.  If you go to check this one out, be aware that a lot of the action centers around the bad guys, so it isn't an all Raylan show or anything.  And if you go to the beginning, to Fire in the Hole, don't be surprised that there are differences.  For one thing, Elmore killed off Raylan's daddy from black lung disease and we never see him.  If you've watched the show, though, you know that Arlo Givens is alive and annoying the bejesus out of his son at every turn.

What makes Raylan Givens so damn fascinating?  I mean, outside of that whole hot hunky Timothy Olyphant thing?  That part's a no-brainer.  But what else is there that makes us turn to him every Wednesday night? Maybe it's his impeccable manners, the way he treats people, even the ones that don't deserve it.  And his own special code of justice and honor.  He believes in doing things honorably - you know his shooting of Tommy Bucks was justified.  He gave him twenty-four hours to get out of town, and even then he waited for the other man to draw first.  In Riding the Rap, he's in a situation where he believes that a man is being held hostage inside a mansion, but he won't go in without a warrant, and he knows he can't obtain one on the flimsy evidence he has, so he looks for a legal way to do it, which exasperates the heck out of his female friend, who still doesn't understand how he can shoot someone in cold blood (although justified) and yet not rush in to save a man he's sure is in trouble.  Knowing Raylan, he'll find the legitmate way to do it, and save the day.

Raylan has a way with women, although his track record isn't the best. You can see he cares for Ava, and he'd protect her with his life, but she just isn't the one.  He's been holding a torch for Winona ever since we first met him, and I'm sure that whole thing will be addressed this season.  I can't say I'm sorry Bo Crowder is dead - that is one damn mean family, and he was a very mean man. Boyd, on the other hand, is a bit of an enigma.  He found Jesus in the first season, and assembled a group of homeless men, formed his own church, and lived with them in a camp comprised of tents.  His daddy put an end to that - and I have to wonder what it's done to Boyd.  I believe he was sincere in his beliefs, and his desire to do the right thing. But just maybe Daddy did something to him when he killed his men - it remains to be seen where he ends up.  Will he take over his late father's empire and be the new drug kingpin in Harlan County?  Or will he embrace a higher cause?  Such as fighting injustice?  Last seen, he seemed to be blowing up a mine.  Wonder what that portends?  Both my daughters find Boyd strangely attractive - they can have him, I'll take Raylan, thankee kindly. Although I will make a confession - in the first season, Bo Crowder had a guy working for him, a child molester, that I found to be strangely attractive - I think it was the long wavy hair. He's gone now, though.  Oh well.

Anybody else think Boyd is cute?  Maybe it's realtor Gary you like?  Or Raylan's boss Art?  Or maybe it's one of the ladies - Winona or Ava?  Tell me what you think, I'd love to hear it!

Have an awesome day and live every day to the max!

Julie

TV Rambling - in anticipation of the return of Justified and a chance to win

Check this guy out.

For those of you have haven't been privileged to meet him yet, that's Raylan Givens, federal marshal relocated to Kentucky from Florida after he shot a man there (the shooting was justified, but nonetheless Raylan was sent back home for it).  Raylan comes from Kentucky, and knows a lot of people there, including his ex-wife Winona, and Boyd Crowder, criminal turned evangelist whose daddy Bo is still a crimelord in those parts.  This is the background against which Justified is set.  Justified has completed its first season, which is now out on DVD (my copy of which is even now on its way to me), and the new season begins on February 9th.  I am way excited for this for many reasons.  I almost didn't give Justified a chance, as I am very selective in my TV viewing, which is close to non-existent.  But I saw some promos for this at the theater (and it's impossible to fastforward through those, so you either watch and listen, or tune them out).  First I tuned out, but then I began to watch and listen and I became interested, and now I'm hooked.

Having watched the first season, I was unaware until recently that Raylan began with a short story.  His creator is none other than Elmore Leonard.  You may know him for many reasons, among them being Get Shorty and Be Cool.  The original story is called Fire in the Hole, and I recently read it.  You can read it before you watch the series, or after, bearing in mind that transferrence from one medium to another generally involves change, and this one is no exception.  Justified is full of humor, action, and plain good ol' fashioned fun.  The characters will hold your attention, and Raylan is definitely my favorite, although Boyd is an interesting case study, and Dewey Crowe - well, there are not adequate words to describe that boy.  Do yourself a favor, check it out when it returns February 9th, and then catch up on the first season.  If you like what you see, find more of Timothy Olyphant.  I did - Hit Man (which I reviewed here), Die Hard 4 and Catch and Release.

Moving on.

A new show premiered on F/X a couple of weeks ago.  Being pleased with Justified, I checked it out, and I'm glad that I did.  Lights Out is about a boxer who left the ring five years before, after a title fight which he, and a lot of other people, think he was robbed in.  Since that time, things have gotten rough for him, and he's been reduced to such things as calling bingo games and appearing in cheesy ads to make money.  He has a large home to maintain, a wife and daughters to support, but times are tough, and a real estate investment he sunk a lot into isn't materializing quite the way that he'd hoped.  His brother is his business manager, and he does what he can, while his dad (former Papa Titus Stacy Keach) helps out at Lights' gym.  But when he is compelled to help with collection of a debt, and resorts to violence, and then ends up wailing on a loudmouth at a bar - well, he's sinking fast and it looks like his only way out is the rematch of that title fight which the winner is clamoring for, cause he's tired of hearing that he robbed Lights.  To complicate things, Lights has been diagnosed with pugilistic dementia.

I like this already, after only two episodes.  It's character driven, and well written and acted, and I think it has potential.  F/X is doing good.  I would be happier with them if they hadn't let Terriers get canceled.  I understand that it was a bad time slot, but it could have been moved to a different one.  I recorded it anyway, so it didn't matter to me when it aired, but it was good, and its cancellation is our loss.

So what else is going on in my TV land?  Hawaii 5-0.  I watched it for Alex O'Loughlin, but there is more to it than him (though if you only watch for him, you won't feel shortchanged, I assure you). If you'll recall, he was vampire Mick St. John in Moonlight, which died far too soon, after only one season.  Blame the writer's strike.  I do - for that and for the demise of Deadwood, but that's another story.  Hawaii 5-0 is beautifully shot, the acting and the writing are first rate, the scenery is magnificent, and it's a refreshing update of the old series.  The stories are all good, the last one, which actually aired last night, after the football game, was about a killer tsunami hitting the island.  If you haven't seen it, check it out, you'll be glad you did.

******potential spoilers ahead******
A few weeks ago, Californication returned for its fourth season, starring that sexy sex-addicted bad boy Hank Moody (David Duchovny).  I have liked this show from the start, never missed a one.  It's still got the kick it had when it began, and it never disappoints.  If you'll recall from the first season, Hank had sex with a girl he picked up at a book signing, who punched him during their coitus, and who turned out to be only 16, but he didn't know.  Later, after a dry slum of non writing, he wrote the story of what happened, under the guise of a novel, called it Fucking and Punching.  The girl in question, whose name is Mia (Madeline Zima, also of Heroes) found the manuscript, stole it, and published it under her own name.  Ye gods!  It gets worse.  She's a sudden instant hit, feted and touted for her writing, to Hank's chagrin.  But how can he reclaim his own material without his long time girlfriend discovering the truth of what happened (it's a very complicated situation). Well, last season she found out and the shit hit the fan, and now this season - the fallout.  Hank is still Hank, and he's still got his sleazy but cute manager Charlie Runkle, as well as the regulars.  This season's guests so far include Rob Lowe and Matt LeBlanc.  If you haven't seen it, you should.  Be warned that there is a nude or semi-nude David Duchovny in almost every episode, not to mention a great deal of language and sexual situations.  Not everyone's cuppa tea, but definitely mine.

Enough about my shows - let's hear about yours.  Ever watch something, get totally hooked and have the network yank the rug out from under you by cancelling it?  I think we've all been there done that.  Ever written a letter of protest?  I'm not sure if those even help, but I hear they do.  The one time I tried was years ago when they canceled Matt Frewer's show Doctor, Doctor (pre Max Headroom).  It didn't help.  I also wrote last year to the writers of Vampire Diaries telling them their stories were horrible and the writing had slid downhill by the end of the first season.  It's gotten better this season, but that could be a coincidence.  They never replied, so who knows if they even read my letter.

Who are your deepest regrets from the TV graveyard?  What shows did you love that died without being allowed to properly wrap up their storylines?  Do you regret that they left the castaways on Gilligan's Island and only came back to them in movies years after the fact?

I'll be giving out a gift from my virtual gift basket to one of my new followers.  Follow and leave a comment which includes your email addy!

That's all for now!

Julie