The Dovekeepers First Look: Women Warriors

CBS has a new two night mini-series airing this spring, The Dovekeepers, based on Alice Hoffman’s historical novel and executive produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett. 

The Dovekeepers takes place in ancient Israel and follows a group of strong women warriors who fight for survival at the siege of Masada. It was filmed in actual ruins in Malta with some overhead shots from Masada.

Check out the first video preview of The Dovekeepers.

The Dovekeepers will air on Tuesday, March 31 after NCIS and finish on Wednesday, April 1.

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NCIS: Los Angeles: Did the Torture Scene in the Season 4 Finale Go Too Far?

Wow. That picture is quite disturbing and based on that it would appear that the torture scene was utterly brutal and over-the-top. But ... one picture of one second doesn't properly reflect the scene in its entirety.

The morning after the NCIS: Los Angeles season 4 finale, "Descent," I went to read the comments on my review and was taken aback by what I found: many people were highly disturbed with the torture of Sam and particularly Deeks. I saw the scene as part of the story and didn't even consider the possibility that it would be controversial. But I appeared to be in the minority.

Check out the article I wrote about the NCIS:LA torture scene, as well as, several other that were shown on television this season.  Also, stop by TV Fanatic and read my NCIS: Los Angeles report card for season 4.

NCIS: Los Angeles has been renewed for season 5 and will return to CBS on Tuesdays this Fall.

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The Good Wife: "Rape: A Modern Perspective" Review and "A More Perfect Union" Preview

The Good Wife occasionally will feature cases based on current events, while putting its own spin on them.

During The Good Wife season 4, the topics have included: the NATO summit protests in Chicago, hazing and spousal privilege for same-sex spouses. In "Rape: A Modern Perspective," three separate headlines were integrated into the hour, including "Anonymous" helping uncover evidence in a rape investigation, Bitcoin and the Justice Department's investigation into Aaron Swartz.

There was so much going on in this episode that it would have been easy for it to become cumbersome, but that never took place. Instead, the numerous storylines were well-written and integrated together in a cohesive manner.

Read full The Good Wife Review.

Check out the preview for next week's episode "A More Perfect Union."

The Good Wife airs Sundays at 10 pm ET on CBS.

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NCIS: Los Angeles Review: "Purity"

Would you support taking part of the United States Defense Department budget and allocating it to education?

At face value, that sounds like a plausible and harmless cause to believe in. In "Purity," that was one of the fundamental platforms of the group, Designing a New America (DNA). They supported better education and a safer America for their children. That would be a noble cause if they weren't attempting to pursue it through killing innocent people with cyanide. 

Read full NCIS: LA review.

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The Big Bang Theory Review: "The Tenure Turbulence"

It's time for the guys to compete again. In "The Tenure Turbulence," a tenured professor was found dead in his office and that means his position is now open and ready for the taking. Let's take a moment to mourn the professor. He was dead in his office for two weeks before he was found. Very sad.

This episode reminded me of another of my favorites from The Big Bang Theory season 6 when Sheldon and Howard fought over a parking spot in "The Parking Lot Escalation."

The one-upsmanship between the guys for the tenure position cracked me up. This show is at its funniest when the guys and girls are all together for a good portion of the episode.

Read the full The Big Bang Theory review.

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The Good Wife Review: "The Wheels of Justice"

"The Wheels of Justice" moved quickly on this week's The Good Wife, as Alicia expedited a trial for her infamous client Colin Sweeney.

When we last saw Sweeney, he was being charged with sexual misconduct with Isobel Swift in "Long Way Home" after previously getting away with murdering his wife. Now, he's engaged to Isobel. 

While the fast tracked trial was the case-of-the-week, the overriding theme of the episode was all about love and its various incarnations. 

Read full The Good Wife review

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NCIS: Los Angeles Review: "Red, Part II"

After last Tuesday's disastrous introduction to Team Red, I didn't have high expectations for "Red, Part II." I hoped it would focus a little more on the new team members and really wanted to see the action that makes NCIS: Los Angeles stand out from other procedurals.

The conclusion to the two-part NCIS: Red backdoor pilot succeeded in providing both, but neither made me excited for the potential new series.

I've been fans of both Kim Raver (Paris) and John Corbett (Roy) on other shows, but their characters were too bland here. I've written before that Raver exudes so much chemistry, she could have a relationship with a wall and it would be believable. I missed that in her performance here, but that's because of the character not her. Paris is awkward. Hetty was pushing for a relationship between Paris and Callen, but their interactions felt forced rather than natural. 

Read full NCIS: Los Angeles review

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The Good Wife: "Death of a Client"

"Death of a Client" was unlike any other episode of The Good Wife. It was St. Patrick's Day in Chicago and craziness ensued everywhere.

Instead of focusing on a legal case or matter, the hour revolved around the death of Alicia's litigious client, the political campaign and ultimately to the past and present of Alicia's love life. It was a whirlwind of activity and even when it got rather convoluted it was still entertaining. 

The murdered Matthew, played by the brilliant John Noble, was seen only in flashbacks through Alicia's memories of her client. While he drove her nuts with his numerous lawsuits and repeated Bach tune, she had a friendly relationship with him. The lawsuits provided his life with purpose and a much adored relationship with Alicia. Unfortunately, it also cost him his life.

Read full The Good Wife review.

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NCIS: Los Angeles Review: "Red"

Well, that was a disappointing launch to the potential new series NCIS: Red. 

This week's NCIS: Los Angeles, "Red," was used as a backdoor pilot for a new series in the franchise that initially started with JAG. The Red Team is an elite, mobile unit that can be dispatched to anywhere in the world, living quarters included. As a fan of Kim Raver and John Corbett, I had high hopes for their new series. I'll withhold a final judgment until after next week's conclusion to the two-parter, but it wasn't off to a good start.

Read full NCIS: Los Angeles review

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The Good Wife Review: "Invitation to an Inquest"

The Good Wife shook things up when the legal proceedings moved out of the courtroom and into the Coroner's Office in "Invitation to an Inquest."

This was an odd hour of the legal drama. The Coroner's Inquest was an intriguing idea, but the almost endless theories about what happened to Judge Ludwig were too much.

Negligence, drinking, drugs, mobile phone use, black ice, bad lighting, suicide, scorned lover, scorned wife... and it all came down to a random drunk driver running him off the road. Did I forget any of the theories? There were so many of them.

Read full The Good Wife review.

The Good Wife preview "Death of a Client"

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The Big Bang Theory Review: "The Closet Reconfiguration"

It's not often that The Big Bang Theory gang is together for most of an episode. "The Closet Reconfiguration" was a pleasant surprise with laughs, but also serious moments when everyone was there to help Howard through an emotional situation.

I doubt there is a single person out there, even the most organized, who hasn't thrown stuff in the closet ahead of having guests over to their house. Howard's method of picking up in preparation for the dinner party was a universal, non-geek exclusive situation. Though, Sheldon's love of organizing was not a punishment for bringing his own food, though at least Bernie got reparation for his wrong.

Read full The Big Bang Theory review

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The Good Wife Review: "Runnin' with the Devil"

How far are lawyers willing to go to win a case? Limits were pushed by both sides on "Runnin' with the Devil." Or were they? Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.

Both sides in the Lemond Bishop case seemed to have entered unethical grounds during the evidentiary phase. Bishop is without a doubt a criminal, but does that excuse using false testimony to try and convict him for murder? And what was Lester's job if not witness tampering?

As Bishop said, the hilarity of the situation came down to: "Can you believe it? They might convict me for the one thing I didn't do."

Read full The Good Wife review

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The Big Bang Theory Review: "The Contractual Obligation Implementation"

Hilarious, non-stop laugh producing sitcom episodes are enjoyable to review. During the process of writing about the episode, it's an opportunity to laugh all over again. A horrible episode provides plenty of fodder to discuss.

"The Contractual Obligation Implementation" ended up being a bit of both. The idea of the sometimes socially challenged guys convincing young girls that science is cool and a career path to pursue started off with such great potential. And instead of flourishing in the funny, it diminished into an awkward and painful to watch display.

Read full The Big Bang Theory review

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NCIS: Los Angeles Review: "Wanted"

Sam's wife, Michelle aka "Quinn", was back and forced undercover again in "Wanted." It was inevitable that Isaak Sidorov would eventually return and insist that Quinn complete the assassination of Anatoli Kirkin. That day arrived and provided NCIS with an opportunity to find out where Sidorov was keeping the three stolen nukes.

Of course, Sam wasn't thrilled to see Michelle back at work and putting herself at risk. I have mixed feelings about this. I understand that Sam wants to protect his wife, but at the same time he feels it's okay for him to put his life on the line every day. It's definitely a double standard, but one that at least makes sense. There is a difference between one parent risking their life and both parents doing it. And, they decided that Michelle would be the one to give up the job.

Love will make people do crazy things and for Sam that meant breaking out of jail. He had to be there to protect his wife. It wasn't that she couldn't take care of herself, but he felt a duty to be there there for her. And, in the end, that was a good thing.

Read full NCIS: Los Angeles review

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The Good Wife Review: "Going for the Gold"

The Good Wife was all over the place in "Going for the Gold" with bits of serious business, fun and creepiness.

The case against Eli may have been weak, but Josh pulled out every option he had in order to bring down the campaign manager. It was a trip down The Good Wife season 4 memory lane, going back to Jackie's unfortunate campaign speech at the retirement home, the straw poll, the firm's bankruptcy and the tenuous relationship between Peter, Eli and Frank. 

Josh should have cut out of the case after the wiretap was ruled inadmissible, but he couldn't bring himself to give up. I couldn't help but think it was waste of government resources to go after a case when the result was a landslide victory in the straw poll over a 25% legal fee discount. Even if Eli was guilty, there were no damages since Peter won the straw poll by over 95%.

Read full The Good Wife review

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NCIS: LA Review: "Lokhay"

Sam's former SEAL life has left his heart scarred, especially after Moe's death. In "Lokhay," Sam was called on to help an Afghani elder, Yusef, find his missing nephew, Amir. Yusef was responsible for saving Sam's life, so there was nothing that Director Granger or Hetty could have done to prevent the agent from investigating the disappearance.

Sam has a strong sense of honor and obligation, plus a big heart. Those traits help him as an agent, but in this situation they put him at odds with his job initially.

Eric ignored the orders to leave the investigation alone, reviewed the traffic camera footage, and traced the abduction to a highly sought after terrorist known as The Ambassador, Haakim Habib. This evidence opened the doors for Hetty and Granger to assign an official case to Sam and the NCIS team.

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The Big Bang Theory Review: "The Monster Isolation"

Poor Raj! He finally has a girl talk to him, he actually asks her out, and she ditches him through a tiny, high bathroom window. I don't blame him for become a recluse.

As sad as the situation was for Raj, it was hilarious. I may quietly chuckle during shows, but I rarely burst out in a loud laugh. "The Monster Isolation" was an exception. Raj, whitey tighties, plastic bib, eating lobster ... what a sight to see. Kunal Nayyar pulled that scene off brilliantly.

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NCIS: Los Angeles Review: "History"

Terrorism comes in many forms, both international and domestic - and America has a long "History" of dealing with both. On this week's NCIS:Los Angeles, the team was tasked with investigating the possible re-emergence of a 1970s radical group responsible for bombings decades ago, including at a Navy base, after one of the group's fugitive members was found stabbed.
The investigation into the former Gun Barrel Party (GBP) took a few surprising turns, including finding a former presumed dead member that became a professor. That position provided him with impressionable students to indoctrinate with radical beliefs.

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The Good Wife Review: Red Team/Blue Team

After some very miss episodes and storylines in The Good Wife season 4, "Red Team, Blue Team" brought real stakes, conflict and fire back to the show.

Rather than settling a case, the firm's client, Thief, decided they wanted a mock trial first. Often when a show does a mock trial, the internal antics get in the way and it ends up either ridiculous or boring. On "Red Team/Blue Team," this "fake" trial had higher intensity than a real trial has ever had on the show.

Will and Diane faced off against Alicia and Cary. It was about time for Cary to get some quality screen time this season. Alicia and Cary work incredibly well together, even better than the named partners. And, they had an added incentive to beat their bosses.

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The Big Bang Theory Review: "The Tangible Affection of Proof"

It's Valentine's Day ... and romance is in the air!

I'm not sure who had the worst Valentine's Day, but Raj definitely had the best. He ... went ... out ... with ... someone! His day went from a singles party to heading out for coffee on a date. Could the dry spell finally be over for the chronically single friend?

On "The Tangible Affection of Proof," the other friends had a moderately successful Valentine's. However, despite the bumps, they ended up with their loved ones and happy. That's quite an accomplishment.

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