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Why the urge to align with the good guys persists, even when the good guys don’t

Alyssa Rosenberg has a characteristically thoughtful post on the trend of TV shows which return to the clear designations of good guys and bad guys. It’s got me thinking about how some of my favorite characters who fit this bill actively serve as anti-anti-heroes within their own morally grey universes. Sometimes we need the stark simplicity... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
May 27, 2012 at 9:05 am
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Mad Men: "Christmas Waltz" - The Kinsey Fail

The bad news is, the senior partners here at the Barker Chappell Daglas Reviewing Firm must forego our holiday bonuses this year. Turns out there’s not as much money in writing online for free as you’d think. The good news is, that won’t diminish our commitment to bring you our takes on this week’s episode... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
May 22, 2012 at 3:33 pm
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Mad Men: "Dark Shadows" - A Very Betty Thanksgiving

The Barker Chappell Daglas reviewing firm convenes in Les’s office this week to tackle Sunday’s Mad Men, “Dark Shadows.” An excerpt:   I’ll add one more name to your roll call of malice, albeit one with an asterisk. Pete’s sunken into a funk so deep that he can’t even spite someone without winding up a... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
May 17, 2012 at 8:00 am
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TV Tandem Podcast: Manic Pixie Dream Wildling Edition

I’m a day late on this due to being sick (NB: I did not murder any ex-girlfriends whilst in the throes of a fever dream). But here’s this week’s TV Tandem podcast covering Mad Men‘s “Dark Shadows” and Game of Thrones’s “A Man Without Honor.” Come for the Fat Betty, stay for the Jon Snow’s-a-virgin... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
May 16, 2012 at 8:50 am
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Firing up the USA Show Generator 8000

Common Law, the latest model from USA’s light-hearted-mismatched-buddy-based-professional-procedural factory, rolls off the assembly line tonight at 10 p.m. (9 p.m. CST). You can read more about it, and the network’s model, in this CNN story that quotes noted USA Network scholar and friend of the blog Cory “Coriander” Barker. We here at The Vast Wasteland... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
May 11, 2012 at 11:14 am
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Mad Men: "Lady Lazarus" - Pete's draggin'

Once again, it’s time for Les Chappell, Cory Barker and me to put on a show and hope to wow Head of Desserts Mr. Belding. It’s the Mad Men roundtable on this week’s installment, “Lady Lazarus.” Cory hosts this week over at TV Surveillance. Here’s an excerpt from me: The elevator shaft fits with much... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
May 9, 2012 at 8:03 am
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Your obligatory Perfect Strangers video game post

Look, we’re all seasoned Internet veterans here. I’ve seen this. You’ve seen this. It’s a thing. But this blog is devoted to television, and I would be remiss if I failed to document what is clearly the most amazing development in the world of TV-related culture in…weeks? Years? Our natural lives? http://nothingsgonnastopmenow.com/ I’ve played this... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
May 3, 2012 at 10:10 am
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Mad Men: "At the Codfish Ball" - Sally forth

Welcome to Week Six of the Barker Chappell Daglas Reviewing Trust, featuring my fellow traditionalists in the bosom arena, Cory Barker of TV Surveillance and Les Chappell of A Helpless Compiler. Grab a plate of head-on halibut and enjoy our take on this week’s episode of Mad Men, “At the Codfish Ball.” [For more three... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
May 1, 2012 at 2:32 pm
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TV Tandem Podcast: Refreshingly Boob-Free Edition

Tis true: This week’s Game of Thrones featured nary a sex scene. It didn’t have time, what with trying to keep track of roughly 700 storylines at the midpoint of the season. We’re disillusioned…but not, y’know, “Sally Draper” levels of disillusioned. Join me, Julie Hammerle, and Andrew Daar as we discuss Mad Men‘s “At The Codfish... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
May 1, 2012 at 8:31 am
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The shared M.O. of The Cabin In The Woods and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

Having experienced them both for the first time recently, I can confidently say that My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is an awful lot like Cabin In The Woods. Stay with me on this. (WARNING: Spoilers ahead for My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. Also for the cabin thing.) As you may know even if... Read more »
By Andrew Daglas,
April 29, 2012 at 9:54 am
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