Season Finales 2009

The shows are finishing off here, some for good and some for a few months. Although major networks are closing the doors on their traditional seasons, networks like FX and HBO, open theirs to fantastic series like 'Rescue Me', 'Sons of Anarchy' and 'True Blood'. Here are a few thoughts on the shows I've been following this year:

Prison Break: This show began 4 years ago and was a sure-winner from the beginning. An incredible storyline (genius brother camouflages the blueprint to an elaborate prison escape in tattoos on his entire upper body so that he can rescue his imprisoned brother who was framed for murder). It was sheer suspense from episode to episode. If you've never caught the first season then treat yourself to a weekend with Lincoln and Micheal. Unfortunately, the show took a hard left and never came back to its original form. This Friday, the series finale will attempt to wrap up the mystery behind The Company and end the brother's seemingly endless chase for freedom. 

Heroes: Another terrific show that has rollercoastered into a mess. 'Heroes' seemed as if it could do no wrong and then they lost one of their original writers. Although he has returned, the show just keeps catapulting itself into story lines that expire to quickly or are a desperate attempt to fill an episode requirement to NBC. Please come back strong in season 4: I am wavering on this one.

24: Jack will ultimately survive an entertaining Day 7. Not the best of the seasons, but a far cry from the pathetic Day 6. This one has seen a lot of action and loss / return of original characters. Is Tony really the bad guy? Is Nina hiding behind the scenes?  

The Office: Thank goodness 'The Michael Scott Paper Company' scenario is over. That was an anguished man's  pitch for change on the show. Terrible and not the comedic brilliance we expect from the writers, with patches of greatness just not enough. Last week's 'Cafe Disco' episode was pretty funny...still lacking the 'stuff' of the previous seasons. It is hard though to continue to deliver humor at such a high level consistently: few show have done it so it's OK for a small vacation but come back soon!

Lost: Has this show redeemed itself or what? I love what they have done with 'Lost' since the story hit a speed bump a few seasons back. The season finale is on Wednesday and I am sure there is a cliffhanger that will leave us speechless just as the lit hatch did in season 2. Watch this show, it is a worthwhile addiction that the master J.J. Abrams gave birth to. 

Rescue Me: 5 episodes down, 17 to go. Superb acting and witty dialogue keep me into this one, even if the drama has died down a bit. Micheal J. Fox has made a guest appearance this season in a terrific role. Glad to see him back on the tube. 

Mad Men: I just started this one and quickly found out what the buzz is all about. My affinity for 'Mad Men' two-fold: its relation to the industry I work in as well as the sales environment that accompanies many of the episode's story lines. 'Men' follows the lives of advertising executives who office on NYC's Madison Avenue during the 1960's. I finished season 1 and cannot wait to begin the second one with the third wrapping up on AMC soon.