Chuck: "Chuck vs the First Bank of Evil"- I thought this episode improved vastly on the episode before it and made me significantly more interested in this new ark. The introduction of Ray Wise as Volkoff's lawyer certainly didn't hurt, and it looks like he'll be sticking around for at least a few episodes (also, the presence of him and Volkoff's daughter leads one to believe that Volkoff will be returning this season, which is very welcome). The episode was structured differently than the norm for this show, with the bank being the central plot device for many, many things. And, similarly, many, many things were happening in this episode. You had Morgan's search for a roommate (which led to a very entertaining Jeffster! subplot and a good connection to Casey's storyline), Casey's secret government project in Castle, Ellie's wedding craziness and Sarah's lack of (the scene where Sarah found her dress was very cheesy, but at least it wasn't nearly as contrived as this show certainly could have been with it), Vivian, Volkoff's lawyer, Chuck's influence, ect. But it didn't feel rushed and it didn't feel packed, even with sequences like the Bonnie and Clyde/Matrix bank robbery, which was very fun.
How I Met Your Mother: "A Change of Heart"- This show, while having an 'up' season, is running into many problems many show over 100 episodes long would have: past events are starting to contradict current events. Now, this isn't quite Henry Wrinkler jumping over a shark contradictory, but just a little bothersome. For example, a big focus of this episode was Barney's relationship with Nora. The big draw of this being that Barney, the biggest womanizer in the world, is in love. Now, that would be great and all if they hadn't done this already. And that time it was with Robin, a main character. Not only is this storyline flawed because it's supposed to feel new but it just feels recycled, but we don't believe it. We've known Nora for two episodes and, frankly, she's not that big of a deal. The whole storytelling device of Barney getting his heart checked was cool and the subplot with Scooby was very funny (it was funny, then not funny, then REALLY funny, "sandwich" brownies) but I just don't know how we're supposed to care when the entire basis of the storyline is recycled and doesn't even feel as good as the first time.
Raising Hope: "Snip Snip" and "A Cultish Personality"- Both very good episodes, particularly the latter. I think this show has found its footing as a normal- type show with ridiculous episode premises. The Maw Maw character is still the most obnoxious supporting character on television, but "A Cultish Personality" found a good use of her playing Hide and Seek and being in the background the entire episode.
Modern Family: "Two Monkeys and a Panda"- I really feel out of the loop on this show. I go into every episode with a clear mind and high hopes and am almost always disappointed. Even this episode, which was widely considered to be good. Many complimented the heartfelt ending. I understood the heartfeltness and its appeal, but I find it hard to accept that tone with how obnoxious those characters were being the rest of the episode. I don't find anything particularity smart or different about the humor and the characters all seem to only have two sides: an obnoxious one and a heartfelt one. I might stop reviewing this show because it feels like I have nothing new to add to my opinions each week.
Fringe: "Subject Zero"- Ah, the sequel to last year's "Peter". Both episodes set entirely in the past to focus on intricate backstory and both doing a wonderful, wonderful job of showcasing the outstanding acting talent of John Noble. Not much to say about this episode except it was fantastic, only slightly less so than "Peter". Alan Sepinwall pointed out (and took issue with) the giant coincidence of Walter being the scientist Olivia tracks down in the pilot. I feel like the suspension of disbelief already required to believe half the events in this show (alternate universes, giant machine, shapeshifters, ect.) that I have no problem making up excuses in my mind to why that it.
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