Spoiler Alert Thursday: Open Thread

I haven’t been watching as much TV lately — the only comment I’d really like to make is that this season of Dexter continues to get better, though I’m aware that they still have one episode left to break my heart. I may drop in to comment on the Glee season finale (or time-period finale, I guess?), which I am tentatively planning on watching over lunch.

Oh, one other thing: we watched an episode of Parks and Recreation, and it seemed to be The Office but more boring. I’m not sure why it’s supposed to be such a big deal.

Spoiler Alert Thursday: Disappointment

I think it’s fair to say that the current season of 30 Rock has been disappointing.

Spoiler Alert Thursday: TVsgiving Day!

What TV shows are you thankful for this year, readers? Personally, I continue to be greatful for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, particularly in light of their amazing Christmas special. Those who have not yet seen the show yet should watch the “road trip” episode, embedded below the proverbial “fold”:

Spoiler Alert Thursday: Letting someone else do the work.

Brad pointed me toward this brilliant analysis of The Office, starting from the presupposition that it’s an artistic expression of a theory of management. His core contention is that firms are made up of sociopaths (upper management) and losers (basically people who coast by), with clueless people (middle management) acting as a buffer.

Spoiler Alert Thursday: I Love You, Have a Seat.

The last episode of Mad Men didn’t just feel like a season finale — it felt like a series finale.

Spoiler Alert Thursday: Mad Men Again

It’s November 1963, and the ’50s are finally over.

Spoiler Alert Thursday: Mostly Mad Men

Mad Men: The last two episodes have arguably been the most satisfying yet.

Spoiler Alert Thursday: Shows other than Mad Men

Since jms is apparently going to be focusing on Mad Men for her TV posts, I thought I’d give us all a week off an provide some brief impressions of the other shows I’ve been watching:

Spoiler Alert Thursday: You People

If you thought Thursday posts were narrow in scope before, they’re about to get even narrower — I don’t even watch House.

Spoiler Alert Thursday: Strange Symmetries

Last season, three shows used pregnancy as a plot device — Mad Men, Dexter, and Weeds — a device that continues to play a role in the new season. This season, I’m noticing a strange symmetry between House and Curb Your Enthusiasm: suddenly two cantankerous characters have a reason, other than social pressure, to be nice.