Since I was too lazy to post yesterday, you are going to get to read about my take on both of FOX’s Monday night shows that I watch. Nothing obscenely exciting, but just a nice recap and my gut reaction.
First up was 9-1-1 Lone Star, which as I understand it, was heavily advertised during the Super Bowl. This episode was all about a big, scary natural disaster that would realistically happen in Austin. There weren’t three unrelated traumas this episode, all emergencies were related directly to the tornado. First up was a lady trapped in her car, which happened to be wedged way far up between two buildings. That was a little intense! The other intense rescue was of two children trapped under their collapsed house. Directly afterwards, the father passed away to internal bleeding. He just wanted to make sure his kids were safe! Tragic.
With that revelation, Owen still couldn’t bring himself to tell his son, TK, about his cancer diagnosis, but by the end of the episode he’s finally been caught. He admits that he didn’t tell TK not because he didn’t think he could handle it (after that crazy OD in the first episode), but because he thought that once he did, it would finally be real. But I do believe all of the side effects he’s been experiencing from chemo are definitely making it real. On the other side of the spectrum, with the winds destroying everything besides a shed with all of Michelle’s sister’s old belongings, her mother decided it was a sign to look through it. And with that, they discover a photo with the blue pickup truck. Whaaatttt? More revelations next week, I suppose.
Next up was Prodigal Son, which I have to admit, hasn’t been holding my attention too well since it’s winter premiere. And that’s a shame, because I really do think the show is starting to find its rhythm and is taking more risks. I’m hoping I can get back to being fully dedicated soon. I digress. This episode sees Malcolm getting ready to go on a real vacation!…Until he sneaks his way into another investigation. The wealthy Taylor family is being targeted, and taunted via The Count of Monte Cristo…and some amputated limbs. There are explosives and swords in this episode, but the real motive is revenge.
In other news, Martin gets his visitation privileges reinstated, so of course Malcolm goes to get his advice on this new killer. But Dani tags along as reinforcements, and that’s undoubtedly a good thing. It doesn’t take long for the conversation to turn sort of personal, and they conclude the Taylor son could be the killer, looking for his father’s attention. All of that banter for not though because, as it turns out, the Taylor son’s long lost love (who supposedly died in an explosion on a yacht many years back) is the killer in this mess.
Overall, I love the casting in 9-1-1 Lone Star (except for maybe the dead fish acting of Liv Tyler), but this show just doesn’t seem to get deep enough for me. While the personal stories cross over multiple episodes, the tragedies never do, and it just seems like there should be some sort of consistency there. But what do I know about being a firefighter? Or an EMT for that matter? This show is probably way more realistic than I’m giving it credit for. As long as the characters’ personal lives stay interesting, I’ll keep watching.
As far as Prodigal Son goes, I think we’re in for a dark ending, which would be so delightful. Really. I like the spin the show took from the go, making Malcolm the anti-Surgeon, but we all know what a prodigal son really is, so I’m thinking Malcolm embraces his killing self by the end of the season. And maybe it’s only one kill. Martin seems like the best candidate to die (and I can’t see Martin Sheen signing onto something long-term), so it’d be fitting to see Malcolm end his real-life nightmare. Food for thought.