The Philanthropist "San Diego": Tale of Two Teddys

Narrative construct blah blah blah, mirrored storyline for corporation/foundation blah blah blah. Maybe my attention is lacking because it's so damn hot here, but it's not hard to see why NBC decided to bury the series at a 10PM time slot in the middle of summer.

Is it wrong of me to want so much more out of this Homicide: Life on the Streets/Marc Antony/Omar dream team? No exotic locale this time, unless you count the dance floor (Deadmau5 and Lady Gaga). Even the thoughtful montage at the end was backed by a club vet, Groove Armada, with their ballad with "Hands of Time," featuring folk legend Richie Havens on vocals.

The Philanthropist - Episode 1.06 ("San Diego")
1. "Yuki" - Trippin
2. "You to Me" - New Faces
3. "Ghosts n' Stuff - Deadmau5
4. "I Just Want to Make Love to You" - Foghat
5. "Love Game (Dave Aude Radio Edit)" - Lady Gaga
6. "Feel Like I Do" - Eric Lindell
7. "Echo" - Tristen Prettyman
8. "Make Me Fool Around" - Mimi & Teft
9. "Hands of Time" - Groove Armada

Previously: "Nigeria II" - Father, Son and Billy Mays (Ep 1.04)

Life: The Nature of Debt

"Did the President call while I was gone?"

We've, of course, changed Presidents since we last saw Life, and if the mid-season finale ("Trapdoor" 5.12) proposed a stimulus package, this episode kind of stalled on that promise. That's alright, though... sometimes it's good to take a deep breath upon coming back, get your Zen bearings before launching... oh wait... Det. Crews did put a revenge bullet in Agent Bodner. That was possibly the quietest revenge shooting I've seen, done on Zen-like tip-toes and with concern for the environment (he recycled the bullet!).

Musically, there was a couple interesting moments, like the opening song, Jim White's "Crash into the Sun," featuring the refrain "We go crash into the sun / Ain't enough bullets in this here gun." And I enjoyed hearing Kinky's version of "Oye Como Va" as well, but for the most part, we're on hold waiting for the stimulus promised in the previous blazing episode.

Playlist: Life - Episode 2.13 ("Re-Entry")
1. "Crash Into the Sun" - Jim White
2. "Oye Como Va" - Kinky
3. "Hands Of Time" - Groove Armada

Previously: Full of bullet holes (Episode 2.12 "Trapdoor")