Tag: ABC

“Dancing with the Stars” winners revealed: Your vote mattered! Spoilers ahead.

Happy Winning Wednesday TV Fans!  I am in the spirit of winning after last night’s finale of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  A few weeks back, I predicted the top 3 and I am very excited that I got that correct, just a little out of order. 🙂 But that’s what is so great about this show.  You may think you know who the winner is or you may think the judges and audience is going in another direction, but it’s anyone’s game really.

For the first time in a while, I was truly invested in who won and I even found myself scrounging up my ABC account so that I could cast my 5 votes.  Through several efforts at remembering my password and going through about a million confirmation emails, I was on and ready to vote!  What was really great about last night’s show, is that they allowed the viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones to case votes after the traditional 24 hour fusion dance which I thought was another way to get the audience and voter really involved in the process.  In years past, they just combined the judges’ scores into the overall vote, which made the voter feel not as important in my opinion.  We only got 5 minutes to vote during the last commercial break and I found myself refreshing the DWTS voting page like an insane person, but it added to the suspense and fun of the show.  This was a great idea.

Although my personal favorites, Frankie and Witney did not win, they ended up in third place and provided the audience with entertainment and magic.  Judge, Len Goodman got it right when he said that although Frankie “may not have been the judges’ champion, he was the people’s champion.”  I’ve stated previously that Frankie was not the best dancer by far, however; he improved so much and displayed so much heart and joy when he danced, which is what the show is all about.  I am very excited to know that Frankie will also be going on tour with Jordan and the DWTS dancers which makes me want to reserve my tickets now!

Lindsey and Mark came up short in 2nd place, but I was inspired by her package, which I typically find myself fast-forwarding through.  They even showed a previous clip when America’s Got Talent told her the act was too different and passed on her.  This inspired her to not give up and to continue to pursue her talent and dreams which did pay off in the end.  Talk about an inspiration for everyone watching.  Lindsey’s fluidity and graceful abilities didn’t earn her the mirror ball, but I was impressed with her performances and her humility.

So our winners are…Jordan and Lindsay!  I had mentioned a few weeks back that Jordan was the best celebrity dancer on the show and perhaps one of the best dancers of all time.  Although his technique and high performance level did not really transform for me like the other celebs, his connection with his partner, Lindsay did grow and I think that is one of the main reasons why he won.  He spoke about how much she has helped him with his own performance, not even just with dance, but in everything he does as a creator and artist and I thought that was really wonderful to hear.  I am a big fan of Lindsay ever since she debuted on So You Think You Can Dance and was thrilled for her to win the coveted mirror ball trophy.  Congrats Jordan and Lindsay!  I am sad to take a break from the show, but am looking forward to see who the contestants will be in the spring.

Do you agree with the winners?  Feel free to post your thoughts and comments below.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Throw-back Sunday: Ranking the top 5 couples from “Lost”

Happy Sunday TV fans!  As I woke up this morning, the wind is out of control and I have the urge to sit back, relax, and watch some more of ABC’s Lost.  My dog, Honey, approves as well, insisting she reserve the comfiest part of the couch per usual.  I wrote about characters last week and I realized that Lost is about more than the characters, it’s about their connections to one another.  While some characters are linked through friendship, rivalry, and family; many of the heart-warming bonds are romantic.

This got me really thinking about my favorite ships or couples from the series.  I just recently learned what “ships” actually are so I thought I would incorporate it in here.  🙂 Like my top characters list, this one has also shifted for me over the years with each re-watch.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  My top five ships/couples from Lost are:

5

Kate & Sawyer aka Skate. 

So the first time I watched the series, I adored the relationship between Kate and Sawyer.  I know that many fans of the show either prefer Kate and Sawyer or Juliet and Sawyer, but not both.  I think that Sawyer was in a different place in his life for each relationship.  With Kate, he is still trying to discover who he is and come to terms with what happened to his family and for murdering an innocent man in cold blood before he got on Flight 815.  If Juliet were to come into Sawyer’s life at this time, there would be no relationship.  He wasn’t ready for it yet.  Kate, like Sawyer, was also dealing with guilt of her own, running from it at each chance she got.

When she thinks she is talking to the ghost of her father, Wayne, she tells him that “every time she feels something for Sawyer she thinks of him and it makes her sick.”  They both needed each other to help them grow and although it may not have been true love, they had a fiery passion that could not be easily replicated.  Kate is also able to deal with Sawyer more than the other Losties and is able to convince him to help on more than one occasion.  One of my favorite moments with them is when they play “I Never” while drinking which reveals just how alike they are.  Kate is also the one to realize that Sawyer wrote the letter he carries around and sees right through his tough guy act.  When they are trapped by the others in the cages, Kate will do anything to save his life which shows that although she may not realize her love for him yet, she does truly care for him.  In another one of my favorite scenes, they kiss and Sawyer tells Kate she “tastes like strawberries” and her reply is that he “tastes like fish biscuits.”  Ultimately, Sawyer is not ready to be with Kate or Freckles as he likes to call her just yet.  He jumps off the chopper so that she can make it to the freighter.

Years later when Kate returns, he explains that he wasn’t fit to be her boyfriend then similar to not being fit to raise his own daughter.  He has changed so much over the years but circumstances are different now and Juliet is in the equation.

4

Charlie & Claire. 

One of my favorite scenes of the entire series is when Charlie brings back imaginary peanut butter and the two of them share this on the beach.  Charlie is dealing with his heroin addiction when he crashes on the island and displays a lot of selfish and foolish behavior along the way.  However, his love for Claire is pure and beautiful.  There is a teenage dream like quality when they are together.  Although I don’t see the passion like with Kate and Sawyer, their connection transcends this.  When Desmond later tells Charlie that he is going to die, Charlie writes down his “greatest hits” and insists that Desmond give it to Claire when he is gone.  His top moment of his life is the day he met Claire which may sound cliche on the surface, but it is so representative of the bond between these two.

What’s so beautiful about their love is that Charlie also fully accepts Aaron as his family too.  He may go off the deep end with this several times, but ultimately he considers him to be his son and leaves the family DS ring to him.  In the last episode of the series, many characters are re-united and when Charlie and Claire are brought together again, it brings tears to my eyes.

3

Juliet & Sawyer aka Suliet. 

As I mentioned earlier, I do think that both relationships are epic in their own way.  When Sawyer is left on the island, he transforms as a character.  He understands and accepts that he needs to take on leadership and help others.  In embracing the best part of himself, he is now truly ready to open his heart to someone else and finds love with Juliet.  When it was first revealed that Sawyer and Juliet were together, many fans reacted against this ship.  After watching the series so many times, I understand and appreciate their love.  Sawyer demonstrated signs of selflessness with Kate, but he was still running from himself at the same time.

When he is with Juliet, he now understands what it means to care for someone else and to be loyal to them until the end.  Perhaps I did not realize how much Sawyer and Juliet care for one another until I watched “The Incident,” season 5 finale.  Juliet’s death is one of the most tragic ones in the entire series for me mostly because of the impact it has on Sawyer.  Like with Charlie and Claire, when Sawyer and Juliet are re-united together in the vending machine scene, I lose it and the tears keep on coming.

2

Desmond & Penny. 

After watching the series many times, this couple has always been present somewhere in my top five.  One of my favorite moments of the show is in the season 2 finale when Desmond opens the book, Our Mutual Friend, by Charles Dickens.  Desmond has previously revealed that he was saving the book for when he died as he wanted it to be the last thing he read before leaving this world.  Penny knows and understands Desmond so well, that she leaves a note for him in the book.  She knows that he will only open the book in a moment of great despair and writes:  “Please don’t give up, Des. Because all we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. And you have her. I will wait for you. Always. I Love you, Pen.”  This is not just a sentiment.  Penny truly means this and the end of season 2 reveals that she is still looking for Desmond even though he has been gone for over three years.  She tells him that “with enough money and determination, you can find anyone.”

As if this couldn’t get any more epic and destined enough, in the episode “The Constant,” Desmond is flashing back and forth through different times and tells Penny that he is not going to call her for eight years and she cannot change her number.  When Desmond is calling from the freighter, my heart was beating uncontrollably wondering if she would pick up.  To fans delight, she does answer and saves Desmond once again.  The love between Desmond and Penny is so powerful and it goes to show that having someone like in that your life who never gives up on you is greater than anything else that gets in the way.

1

Sun & Jin. 

For me, Sun and Jin have a love that is very different from the other characters.  Out of all of the ships/couples, their love is the most real.  Their love isn’t perfect and there are times where they do temporarily give up on one another and forget about why they fell in love in the first place.  But this is what makes their love so important.  Real love isn’t out of a fairy-tale; although I’m sure we would like it to be.  Real love is about compromise and accepting that we will make mistakes along the way.  Sun has an affair with another man and even contemplates leaving Jin and running away at the airport.  However, Jin shows her that he is holding a small white flower, just like when they first met and she changes her mind.

It breaks Jin’s heart when he finds out that Sun speaks English, representing another lie she kept from him for so long.   Both Sun and Jin are looking to prove themselves to the other, only to later realize that their love is enough.  The fact that they are able to forgive each other for mistakes they made before, shows the viewer what the island is all about.  It makes perfect sense to me why Jacob chose them as candidates.  While other characters have discovered who they were along the way, Sun and Jin truly find themselves together as a couple.  Their death is one of the saddest for me to watch and the image of them holding hands under water leaves us with a reminder that they will never be apart again.

I hope you enjoyed my list and feel free to post your own comments and thoughts about the ships on Lost.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

“Once Upon a Time” Ranking the top 5 moments from Season 7 episode 7: Who is in San Francisco?

ABC’s Once upon a Time, season 7 episode 7, is filled with surprises and unexpected twists and turns.  After watching the two hour episode last night, it left me with even more questions.  Please note that spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  It looks like Hook may find his happy ending after all with an unexpected bond that not even a poison heart can break.  Speaking of hearts, Regina/Roni may not have left hers in San Francisco, so who is she going after for help?  My top five moments from Once upon a Time, season 7 episode 7 are:

5) Henry & Ella/Jacinda get trapped together in a net.  This scene was pure magic for me and actually showed me the spark between these two which has been blaringly missing from the prior episodes.  It brought me back to when Prince Charming caught Snow White in a net, bringing together these destined soul mates in an adorable meet cute.  It also reminded me of ABC’s Lost, when Jack and Kate get stuck in a net together much like Henry and Ella. It was a nice way for the writers to give fans a sense of nostalgia and ignite a much needed connection between Henry and Ella/Jacinda.

4) Mother Gothel proves she is a villain to watch.  I was excited to see the introduction of Rapunzel into the world of OUAT, only to find out that it was the witch, Gothel in disguise.  She plays on Hook’s weakness who is a fool for love, only to use him to give birth to a magical child with her blood so that she may leave the tower.  When Hook/Detective Rogers frees her as Eloise Gardner, she reveals that Ivy/Drizella and Lady Tremaine may not be the main villains we thought they were.  Gothel is done hiding in the shadows and is about to show the world what she is capable of.

3) Jacinda and Lucy are re-united.  I was so sympathetic with Jacinda when Lucy was taken away from her and she revealed her own insecurities as a mother when she admits that she waived her parental rights and let Lucy go with her grandmother voluntarily.  A new romantic interest is introduced into the mix as well when Lucy’s father, Nick/Jack, comes back into their lives to help with the case.  While Jacinda claims she has no feelings for Nick, it makes us wonder if this is another threat to the bond between her and Henry.  Jacinda does ultimately get Lucy back and Lucy accepts her mother with open arms.

2) Hook’s daughter is revealed to be…Alice!  The introduction of Hook’s child was a surprise for me but I thought it gave him a real chance to be selfless and to raise his baby after she was abandoned by her mother, Gothel.  I thought it was especially touching when he sang her a lullaby, revealing his own need to have some form of connection in the world.  Alice’s story was already very interesting to me, different from the other versions of Alice who were introduced previously on Once Upon a Time.  This gives Alice a new purpose and hope for Hook to find his own happily ever after.

1) Who is in San Francisco? The episode ends with Regina/Roni going off to San Francisco to get some help to take down the villains and wake everyone up.  After Rumpel rejects her proposal to team up and continues on as if he does not remember who he is, Regina/Roni realizes that she will need to recruit help from somewhere else.  So who is in San Francisco?  I am banking on Zelena but we will have to wait and see.

I hope you enjoyed and please feel free to post your comments and theories below.  OUAT may be on a break for the next few weeks, but let’s keep the theories coming!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

“Once Upon a Time” Season 7 episode 6 review: Ivy/Drizella vs Regina…who will wind up on top?

Happy Saturday TV viewers!  I thoroughly enjoyed the flashbacks in ABC’s Once Upon a Time, season 7, episode 6 last night and am looking forward to the blossoming rivalry between Ivy/Drizella and Regina.  Please note that spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch yet.  While I found Lady Tremaine to be a true villain right down to her core, there was something about her that was lacking and uninspiring.  Sure she’s got the look and knows how to talk down to others while keeping her head held high with disdain, but do we really care enough about her as a formidable foe?

For me, the introduction of Ivy/Drizella as the true villain waiting in the wings was an excellent move by the writers.  For one, she has a fabulous sense of style.  Her pairings are to die for and she is polished and smart, which makes her very capable of out-maneuvering her opponents.  Her harmless posts showing her and Henry drinking together were pure genius.  The flashback showing Regina trying to mentor her really resonated with me.  It shows the full transformation of Regina as a character.  The evil queen recognized so much of her former self in Drizella and wanted to help her channel her anger and use her power for good.  Of course this backfires, creating a very dangerous opponent.  But I’m not so worried.  Regina may have embraced her good side, but she is a fiery and strong woman and will do anything to protect her son.

It was also interesting to see how much of an impact a mother can have on a child.  Ivy/Drizella’s quest for revenge is completely driven by her mother’s lack of care and interest in her, similar to Regina as well.  While these mothers had a damaging impact on their children, mothers can also be a source of unbelievable goodness and strength.  Jacinda has been doing all she can to be able to provide for her daughter, Lucy and Regina’s love for Henry is resilient.  Their unconditional love makes them a true match for Ivy/Drizella and Lady Tremaine.  But where will Rumpel fit in to all of this?  I thoroughly enjoyed Regina handing over a bottle of MacCutcheon’s whiskey to him, a Lost easter egg.  It was also very clever how Ivy/Drizella insisted on pouring herself a glass from the top shelf, using the very same fictional brand.  It reminded me very much of Charles Widmore lecturing Desmond Hume that he was not worth a swallow of this whiskey in Lost.  Desmond was able to prove Charles wrong and I am certain Regina will do the same.  Are you?

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

“Dancing with the Stars” predictions: spoilers ahead!

Being the best at something means you should typically win first place or at least come close, right?  This is not necessarily the case on this season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, however.  Take Jordan and Lindsay, for instance.  Jordan’s lines matched almost evenly with the professional dancers and judge, Len Goodman still insisted that he deduct a point because of the extra movement he did with his hand a few weeks back.  So if being the best dancer is not the way to get to the finale, then how can a couple achieve this?

Frankie and Whitney may have figured it out and are real possible winners of the show.  Is Frankie the best dancer?  Absolutely not.  But that doesn’t matter.  After watching each season, I’ve come to realize it’s more about the dancers with little or no experience who truly blossom and grow throughout the show only to become more confident and better technically.  Even though Jordan and Lindsay’s performances were pretty much flawless in my eyes, I was more entertained by Frankie and Whitney.  The addition of Alfonso in the trio dance was just what the couple needed to inch ahead.  Entertainment can go a long way and you would be surprised how much a genuine smile can truly brighten up the dance floor.  So if you think you have the winners pretty much figured out this season, you may want to think twice.

Who will win it all?  It’s not certain yet, but Frankie and Whitney are definitely headed in the right direction.  My predictions are that Frankie and Whitney will come in first with Jordan and Lindsay in a close second.  Third place is a little trickier, however.  I’m going with Lindsey and Mark for now, but don’t count out Victoria and Val just yet.  Also, Drew and Emma might sneak in there.  While I feel they should go home next, he has a strong fan base and could creep into the finale.

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl