Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, information pills Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, help a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Amanda: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Amanda: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Amanda: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, order Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, herpes a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Amanda: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Amanda: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, pfizer Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, therapy a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Amanda: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, adiposity Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, treatment a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, migraine Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, neuropathist a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, capsule Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, visit this site a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, ailment Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, drugs a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, women’s health Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

After things going so great so last week, everyone’s hitting stumbling blocks this week. Granted, I think they all brought it on themselves. Lux’s cheating has caught up with her, Baze’s job really isn’t for him, and Cate and Ryan have to deal with their new living situation.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, visit web Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

After things going so great so last week, everyone’s hitting stumbling blocks this week. Granted, I think they all brought it on themselves. Lux’s cheating has caught up with her, Baze’s job really isn’t for him, and Cate and Ryan have to deal with their new living situation.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

After things going so great so last week, everyone’s hitting stumbling blocks this week. Granted, I think they all brought it on themselves. Lux’s cheating has caught up with her, Baze’s job really isn’t for him, and Cate and Ryan have to deal with their new living situation.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, surgeon Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, patient a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

After things going so great so last week, everyone’s hitting stumbling blocks this week. Granted, I think they all brought it on themselves. Lux’s cheating has caught up with her, Baze’s job really isn’t for him, and Cate and Ryan have to deal with their new living situation.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, website Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, viagra here a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

After things going so great so last week, everyone’s hitting stumbling blocks this week. Granted, I think they all brought it on themselves. Lux’s cheating has caught up with her, Baze’s job really isn’t for him, and Cate and Ryan have to deal with their new living situation.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

After things going so great so last week, everyone’s hitting stumbling blocks this week. Granted, I think they all brought it on themselves. Lux’s cheating has caught up with her, Baze’s job really isn’t for him, and Cate and Ryan have to deal with their new living situation.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.

No Ordinary Family (s01e02): No Ordinary Marriage
★★★
Jim and Stephanie keep their powers under wraps, breast but it doesn’t mean their abilities are dormant as Jim hunts for bank robbers and Stephanie goes back on her word about using her super speed.

Life Unexpected (s02ep04): Team Rebounded
★★★
Cate tries to get closer to Kelly. Elsewhere, tablets Tasha informs Lux that she’s back in Portland with a new foster family; and Baze encourages Math to ask out Paige.

Glee (s02ep03): Grilled Cheesus
★★★★
Finn has an existential crisis when he sees the face of Jesus in a grilled-cheese sandwich, medications or thinks he does. Meanwhile, the glee kids engage in a theological discussion after rallying around Kurt when he faces a crisis of his own.

Stargate Universe (s02e02): Aftermath
★★★
Rush has Destiny stop at a planet that was locked out of the ship’s controls when food and water become scarce.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep05): Kill or Be Killed
★★★
Mason reveals to Tyler the details of the family curse and informs the sheriff about her town.

Nikita (s01e05): The Guardian
★★★
Percy searches for a fugitive operative whose capture could potentially expose Division’s secrets, but Michael is suspicious of Percy’s motives. Meanwhile, Alex goes into Percy’s office to send a warning to Nikita.

Fringe (s03ep03): The Plateau
★★★
Olivia is plagued by visions; Secretary Bishop unveils his secret plan to Col. Broyles; the Division races against time to halt a series of catastrophic events.

Sean: Why would any innocent person need that many identities? She’s got Leila. Please! Please! I need your help!

This week we learn they’d even kill a policeman to get to Sean. You’d think if they wanted him that bad, then why kidnap his girlfriend and not him from the start? I think there’s also more to Leila and her family than meets the eye.

It also seems that kidnapper Vicki, I fail to remember her real name, has been trained by the government. Could she be our very own La Femme Nikita?

President Martinez: End of discussion. I’m not going to condone the use of torture.

We also meet William, one of the detainees, who is willing to tell President Martinez about everything in exchange for freedom. Only thing is William also wants his girlfriend to be free, too. That’s where things get dicey.

Sophia: I can’t defend this, but I won’t betray my people.

Poor William’s own girlfriend, Clea Duvall in a cameo, stabs him in the stomach after making sure he hasn’t told anyone. The aliens must really be hiding something if they’re willing to kill one of their own in order to hide the truth.

Sophia: I should have dealt with him when I had the chance.
Lee: You protected him, why?
Sophia: That was my responsibility to protect you all.
Lee: And now?
Sophia: And now you will have to deal with him…harshly.

At first I thought Sophia was the good alien, but now I’m starting to wonder. First, she won’t tell President Martinez about anything. Then, she has a secret meeting with Lee and tells him to stop William. What are her motivations?

Sterling: Our responsibility is to protect the American public as a whole.
Martinez: Protect them… from the truth?
Sterling: We don’t have a choice. Not when the truth is that we have been infiltrated by an unknown number of nonhumans, that possess devastating technological power that we have no defense against, and just murdered a plane full of people.

I know some people suspected we hadn’t seen the last of Michael, since he’s played by Scott Patterson, but I really wasn’t expecting all the plane passengers to come back to life at the end. Thomas said they served a purpose, so now I just wonder what was done to them?

What I expected was more of the same family drama, but with a new supernatural twist. I wasn’t disappointed. First and foremost, this show is obviously a family drama with parents, kids, husband/wife dynamic, and outside friends. Berlanti is back, guys.

Stephanie: Close your eyes. Listen to my voice and focus on the one thing that matters most. (thinking) It’s you. You’re the most important thing in the world to me.

Daphne definitely got the short end with reading everyone’s minds. That’s probably the worst power to have in high school. Then again, if she could filter out all the extra noise, it could become pretty useful. Thank goodness she got some help from her mom and is on the way to controlling it.

Daphne: What are you doing? I heard you. You’re like… thinking!

JJ on the other hand has the best power, if he could only use it more subtly. Obviously, if you are suddenly acing tests the teacher is going to notice. I think, the teacher needs to go the way of the coach from last season’s Vampire Diaries.

I also think it’s pretty cool that his powers allow JJ a renewed sense of confidence and to feel smart and useful. It’s just going to take everyone around him some adjusting time.

Jim: You had a car accident, without a car.

I love the sfx from Stephenie’s powers as she speeds down the street. Out of everyone in the family she’s the one most eager to get rid of the powers and wondering where they came from. With good reason seeing as she trips while running and gets pretty injured.

Also, Stephanie and Katie figure out it’s not the glowy water that gave them their powers. So, it begs the question, what did?

George: You got to work on your landings. I can’t be sneaking around, filling in Jim size divets all over the city.

It seems like the guys in the Powell family have it the best with controlling their powers. Jim is still using his to fight crime and also learning the things he can’t do with them. Stopping a moving car seems to be one of those things.

It’s cool to see him excited at using them, but you do have to wonder if Stephanie is right and they need to be careful. And now that the lady at the station knows about his powers…

Stephanie: Say them. Say my three favorite words.
Jim: You were right. Until we understand what’s happening, no more powers.
Stephanie: No more powers. I love you.
Jim: My three favorite words.

…which doesn’t seem to be too big of a deal anymore since she might now be dead. I wasn’t expecting her to die so soon. I am kind of suspicious that maybe she’s still alive.

And seeing Reverend Camden from 7th Heaven as a bad guy? Weird. It’s interesting that even though this show is a family drama, there’s also the scifi part in the balance as well. This could get interesting.

Baze: If you’re not into the guy, you gotta tell him. And very gently, he’s a delicate flower.
Paige: No, i am a Virgo, we are not good at awkward conversations.

Baze played second fiddle this week, which is just as well since he’s always has a lot of screen time. What’s really surprising is seeing Mouth get a storyline, but did it have to be with Paige? Really, what do any of the guys see in her?

We’re talking about the girl who kissed Mouth just to end the date this week. Glad that relationship is over before it really began. And Baze, telling Mouth you’re into her again is not the way to get him to back off, buddy.Sorry.

Ryan: (to Cate) It’s actually very simple. Either you want to have a kid with me or your don’t. And if you don’t I don’t know why we got married in the first place.

Another thing that may be over before it began, Cate’s friendship with new radio host, Kelly. I know she’s meant to be Cate’s foil, but could she be more annoying with promoting her book all the time?

I do sympathize with her revealing to Ryan about Cate not wanting to have anymore kids. I mean there are things you should discuss before marriage, and whether you want kids I think should be one of them. I give it one episode til Ryan discovers she’s still taking her birth control.

Social Worker: She said she thought of you as a daughter.

I feel like Lux is so immature this season. She tricks Cate into agreeing to let Tasha live with them, but doesn’t realize the repercussions of getting Tasha kicked out of her home. I’m glad it all worked out, but I’m still wondering why Tasha gets to do assisted living.

And what’s with Lux and her almost adopted mother? Seems to me Lux resents her for not going through with the adoption process, not that the lady was a horrible mother as she tried to tell Tasha.

But most importantly, this episode felt like the show was going back to it’s roots. Can’t wait to see some more.

Brittany: Is god an evil dwarf?

I actually really didn’t think I’d like this episode after watching the first ten minutes and realizes it had a lot to do with religion. Religion is such a touchy subject that it can go wrong really quickly. This actually ended up being my favorite episode this season so far, and one of my favorite of the show.

Kurt: I don’t believe in God, Dad. But I believe in you, and I believe in us.

I liked that even though Kurt didn’t believe in God, it didn’t stop the rest of the Glee club from praying for his dad and expressing their beliefs. It was a very emotional storyline, and I think I felt a tear.

What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us?
Just a stranger on the bus,
trying to make his way home..

I also liked that the episode touched on the idea of whether God really gives us signs or is active in our every day lives. Finn sees Jesus in a grilled cheese and then thinks God helped him win a football game with Artie, touch Rachel’s boobs, and become quarterback on the football team. Too funny.

I also liked the music this week a lot. Rachel’s “Papa Can You Hear Me”. Kurt’s “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”. Finn’s “Losing My Religion”. And the cast’s “One of Us”, which just makes me want to watch Joan of Arcadia again. And I did this week, I missed that show.

Eli: Okay. Destiny just jumped. This is not good.
James: Oh, try not to panic.
Eli: Experience tells me that this is a very good time to panic.

Just as everything can get back to normal aboard Destiny: Rush has found the bridge and is secretly controlling the ship, his dead wife is speaking to him, the crew have a handful of the Lucian Alliance in the brig, and everyone is running out of food. It sucks that there really is no normal for them.

Gloria: Why don’t you just tell the truth? Ask for help.
Rush: No. I can’t.
Gloria: Because Colonel Young can’t be trusted?
Rush: He let the Lucian Alliance take over this ship. The man is mentally unstable and he’s getting worse all the time. He nearly just killed a man.
Gloria: Your negligence caused the shuttle to crash.
Rush: The situation is desperate because of him. He’s not fit to lead this mission.

I find it so frustrating that Rush is willing to put everyone’s lives in danger, just so he can find out more about the Ancients and Destiny. Even worse, he’s willing to let others go down to the planet, but he’s not willing to go himself. Nice.

Before they just had to worry about everything out there, now they have to worry about everyone inside. Can either Rush or Young be trusted to lead? They’re about to come to blows.

Riley: You know… you’d figure being stranded on this ship in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of strangers would be the problem. But that–that isn’t it exactly. It’s not so much being out here as it is not being there. For the birthdays, the weddings, the funerals… simple things like just taking your nephew to school on his first day, or even taking the dog for a walk. You know, just not… not being there.

I found Riley’s death quite by Young quite disturbing. It takes a strong person to be able to do a mercy killing, and I don’t think I could ever do it. I think his eyes open and staring are going to haunt Young and all of us for a while. Rush, I blame all this on you.

Volker: There’s an object out there. It’s just coming into range.
Young: What is it?
Volker: We’re not sure, but we’re about to find out.
Rush: We’re headed straight for it.

My favorite part of the Stargate series is seeing the places they go and things they see. We need to see more of that I think intertwined with the dismal day to day survival. I’m hoping we get more soon.