TV Power Rankings: Week 15

This week officially launches the beginning of February sweeps.  Expect some fun twists, some attention-grabbing episodes, and some over the top plotlines from your favorite shows.  Now with the Super Bowl behind us, we can focus on TV for the next 4 ½ weeks until March Madness rolls around, and I go through my annual routine of lighting $20 on fire in hopes of winning my NCAA tournament pool.  Maybe more on that later.  For now, let’s focus on the week that was in TV Land. 

1. Justified (Last Week: 1)

Man, this episode was so cool.  It’s really the best word to describe this episode.  Boyd asking a man if he had ever been shot?  Cool.  Raylan telling Otis from The Walking Dead that he would shoot him in the heart before he even raised his gun? Super cool.  Raylan throwing a bullet at Wynn Duffy before telling him “Next one’s coming at you faster”?  Mega cool.  Raylan pulling out his Blackberry to take a picture of this year’s villain after the bad guy threatened him?  Impossibly cool.  Sadly, we couldn’t get a Carla Gugino appearance this week.  Oh well, I guess we really can’t have it all.

2. The Good Wife (Last Week: NR)

How does it feel to get Kalinda-ed?

Man, these guys can really bring it sometimes.  Because of the Super Bowl, their February sweeps began this past Sunday.  They did an excellent job of setting some things up.  What’s more, we finally got to see the game Kalinda was playing come to fruition.  We always knew she was going to side with Will, but it was still nice to see the game she ran on ADA lady.  However, the money shot of this episode came during the discussion between Alicia and Peter where they discussed her sexual dalliance with Will over some wine.  The man’s rage over somebody else screwing his wife finally boiled over.  It was fun to watch.  I maintain that Chris Noth needs to be in a place where he can showcase his talents a little more.  If only my fake TV trade could be worked out. 

3. Parks and Recreation (Last Week: 2)

Ron Swanson and Andy assisting with a scavenger hunt?  Where do I sign up?  Watching those two guys work their way through Leslie’s series of inane clues.  That being said, I really thought that they missed an opportunity at the gay bar with Ron.  Ron doesn’t exactly seem like the type of guy who would smoothly handle the advances of a gay man.  This episode was still fun and enjoyable, but there’s nothing I dislike more than missed opportunities. 

4. Archer (Last Week: 4)

I love Archer.  Archer’s existence proves what makes FX a great network: They aren’t afraid to let talented people do their thing.  Between Archer and Louie, you can tell that very few notes were given, and the notoriously aggravating studio executives are being hands off with the creative process.  What has resulted is two of my favorite shows of the moment.  Sometimes, you have to let talented people do their thing.

5. 30 Rock (Last Week: 3)

Am I the only one who wanted to see the Jack Donaghy deal closing tapes?  I imagine if I watched them, I could make myself the highest paid teacher in Georgia.  Still, our good friend Matt texted me the best line of the show: “He’s a white man with hair, Lemon.  The sky’s the limit.”  Granted, it sounds like an old Chris Rock joke, but it’s a great line nonetheless.  Best of luck to you, Kenneth.  However, it’s funny that the week after I have a rant about how 30 Rock is all about the joke, 30 Rock unveils a developing storyline.  The lesson, as always, is that I don’t know what I’m talking about.

6. House (Last Week: 5)

The gang was just buying time until their much hyped February 6^th episode.  Definitely more on that next week. 

7. New Girl (Last Week: NR)

The Irish walking cape should have merited a trip to
the jar.

I’m slightly disappointed that no one called for the jar when Schmidt mentioned his towel was next to his Irish walking cape.  Nonetheless, this episode certainly had its moments.  However, it’s weird how much run they are giving to Nick’s crazy girlfriend.  At this point, I have a better understanding of her than I do of Winston.  Poor Winston, he was never meant to be here, and the writers just seem to be ignoring him.  If Winston were on The Bachelor, the writers would be taking him out for a one-on-one date before dumping him before the food comes.

8. Person of Interest (Last Week: NR)

We have been introduced to our first big villain for our boys to battle.  Naturally, it’s some crazy, seemingly omnipotent computer hacker.  That should be fun.  As an aside, where can I get one of those phones that will allow me to listen to anyone’s phone conversation at any time?  Also, does that thing even exist?  Also, I just realized that I am nitpicking about the believability of a show that features a machine that is capable of seeing premeditated acts of violence.  Just let me have this one.

9. Alcatraz (Last Week: 9)

I’m still unsure where I stand on this show.  Lady Detective/Czarina gives an enjoyable performance, but this show is asking a lot of its viewers.  It’s not letting down the rabbit hole just yet.  Frankly, I’m surprised.  J.J. Abrams has never been known to lead viewers on an adventure that features mostly questions with very few answers… Wait…

10. The Mentalist (Last Week: NR)

Good Ol' JR would tell us that
business is picking up.

I’ll admit that I didn’t really pay that much attention to the show this week at the start.  In fairness to me, it’s kind of their job to hold my attention.  Then, the lady from The Shield showed up and all hell broke loose.  I really couldn’t have cared less about the case of the week (designer gets murdered, the crazy model did it, Jane…  (extended snoring noise)), but we got an interesting return to the Red John investigation.  Now we have another person who is aware that Red John is alive.  Also, why is the CBI Director Guy being so sketchy with the Red John case files?  The show has a chance to have an interesting February.

Dropped from the Rankings

Spartacus: Blood Porn Vengeance

This show is going to have to work hard to make it into the top ten on an ordinary week.  There is too much reliance on nudity and violence.  Now, no one loves nudity and violence on TV more than me, but I need a little substance mixed in with the dialogue and plot.  Sometimes, Spartacus can leave a lot to be desired in that regard.  On top of that, we got equal amounts male and female nudity this week.  That’s always a losing proposition in my book.

Fringe

Didn’t watch it.  Moving on.

Touch

See you in March

Californication

The attack on my sensibilities in the dinner scene was pretty ruthless and not enjoyable.  In addition, I felt bad for the poor woman who gave up her virginity for three strokes from our premature hero, Charlie.  I think I was suppose to think it was funny, but it just made me feel sorry for her.

Others Receiving Votes

Californication

Key and Peele

If you didn’t watch Key and Peele, the new sketch comedy show, allow me to give it my endorsement.  There was a couple rather amusing sketches, but the Obama sketch completely sold me.  Watching Obama’s anger translator stomp around the oval office made me laugh out loud several times.  (Warning: Video contains strong language, but is still hilarious.)

Luck

I enjoy full immersion in another society, but I’m still not sure what’s going in this show.  If nothing else, it should make for some interesting reviews.

That’s all for this week’s Power Rankings. Remember, if you are trying to survive the February cold, an Irish walking cape may be just what you need.

The TV Czar