A ‘Big Bang’ Wedding, a ‘Grey’s’ Crisis, ‘Mom’ 2-Part Finale, Netflix Plays It ‘Safe’
A selective critical checklist of notable Thursday TV:
The Big Bang Theory (8/7c, CBS): The event fans have long been waiting for—and of which Penny (Kaley Cuoco) admits, “A lot of people thought this would never come”—has finally arrived in the 11th season finale, with the wedding of Sheldon (Jim Parsons) and Amy (Mayim Bialik). It’s an all-star affair, with Laurie Metcalf (moonlighting from her reprise role on Roseanne) returning as Sheldon’s mom, Jerry O’Connell back as brother Georgie, joining Amy’s parents, a comically mismatched duo of Kathy Bates and Teller (of Penn and Teller, whose silent act is good for a few laughs). Wil Wheaton puts aside his enmity for Sheldon to attend, but he’s upstaged by a bigger name in the sci-fi galaxy: Mark Hamill. It’s all so sweetly funny that you may find yourself getting choked up along with some of the attendees.
Followed by the first-season finale of the successful spinoff/prequel Young Sheldon (8:30/7:30c, CBS), which presents a romantic triangle for Meemaw (the wonderful Annie Potts), who’s juggling two suitors: furniture salesman Ira Rosenbloom (Richard Kind) and Sheldon’s mentor, a surprisingly randy Dr. John Sturgis (Wallace Shawn). No surprise which one little Sheldon (Iain Armitage) is rooting for, although Meemaw warns him against meddling in her love life. The result: an origin story for one of Big Bang’s most enduring running jokes.
Grey’s Anatomy (8/7c, ABC): With only one more episode to go in the 14th season, the stage is set for the departure of two long-time regulars: Sarah Drew as the often annoying (though lately endearing) April Kepner, and Jessica Capshaw as the awesome Arizona Robbins. It looks especially grim for April, whose serious injury has been teased in ABC promos, a crisis that causes some soul-searching among her fellow doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial — emphasis on memorial? And Arizona learns of an exciting opportunity when Dr. Nicole Herman (Geena Davis) makes a return visit to the hospital. Expect some tearful farewells before it’s all over.
Harlan Coben’s Safe (streaming on Netflix): Half-baked yet also overheated, this ludicrous and painfully ordinary thriller from the best-selling author stars Dexter’s Michael C. Hall (adopting a British accent in a reversal of TV’s usual practice) as Tom, a widowed suburban surgeon in a gated community — the title is a play on “safe as houses” — who shifts into amateur detective mode when his surly teenage daughter goes missing. “No one knows anyone, not really,” opines the detective (Amanda Abbington) guiding Dr. Tom through a maze of neighborhood secrets and cover-ups, many of which you can see coming.
Mom (9/8c, CBS): It’s not exactly a happy pre-Mother’s Day outing for Bonnie (Allison Janney) and Christy (Anna Faris) in back-to-back episodes that wrap the hard-luck sitcom’s fifth season. In the first, Bonnie ends up on jail when they go to a spa, and in the season finale, Bonnie worries about her daughter when Christy falls back into some old addictive habits.
Motherland (streaming weekly on Sundance Now): Perhaps more suited to this weekend’s holiday is a British comedy import co-created/written by Catastrophe’s Sharon Horgan. Anna Maxwell Martin (The Bletchley Circle) stars as Julia, an overwhelmed working mom who reluctantly finds herself in the competitive company of “Alpha Moms” including Queen Bee Amanda (Lucy Punch) and Kevin (Paul Ready), a gung-ho Mr. Mom.
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Big Bang, Sheldon, Gotham, and Imposters tonight.
With all the fuss they're making about Sheldon and Amy's wedding and all the big guest stars they're having, wouldn't you think they'd have made it a double episode rather than just a half hour one?
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Yeah, that would have been a good idea. Other guests could have included Nathan Fillion, LeVar Burton, and other one-time guest stars who've appeared over the seasons.
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Fillion was on 2 shows last night. I think that's enough of him. Who knows...there may be other guests they haven't mentioned yet...not that any of them will get to say much in 20 minutes.
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Yeah, I heard he was on two shows last night. But the point stands, that there are a whole bunch of sci-fi, science, or superhero people who could make appearances on Big Bang if they wanted to take the time. (No more Stephen Hawking, though.....)
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Hawking made several appearances via Skype, so they could still do that and use recordings of his voice giving a posthumous message. Or would that be too insensitive?
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ANd don't forget that Howard (and the actor) does a good imitation of Hawking's 'voice.' But I don't think they would do that. In fact next season I wouldn't be surprised if they somehow address Hawkings' death on the show.
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I'm thinking the entire cast of Avengers: Infinity War could possibly make a future appearance on "TBBT". Or would that be too much a conflict of interest between Disney/Marvel and the show's producers Warner Bros. of which Marvel competitor DC is associated with...
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I think one of the characters should have some connection to the guests like Sheldon had an ongoing feud with Wil Wheaton, got in trouble for stalking Stan Lee, had a professional relationship with Hawking, etc. It would be too much to bring in the whole cast of a movie (not to mention the cost) just for the sake of having them appear on the show.
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Cost? I knew I forgot something when I made that comment...
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I'm still waiting on James Earl Jones to make a return visit. The episode he appeared on was a riot, especially when he and Sheldon played rig-and-run on Carrie Fisher.
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About time TBBT allows Mayim Bialik too look pretty. She genuinely is, but they make her character look pretty rough week to week.
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She did look very pretty. 🙂
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At least they're airing it later. Around here, they just don't air the shows.
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An hour of MOM for me!!
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I'm glad that ABC renewed Quantico for a third season. It's better than ever!
Watching that live tonight.
Watching Designated Survivor last night was a weird experience for me. It felt like I missed the prior episode. I was more confused than normal. Not just the conspiracy either. But it was riveting and the promos for the season finale look like a movie! Budget on this show is most definitely very high.
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From another site:
"With its penultimate episode of Season 2, ABC bubble drama Designated Survivor this Wednesday drew 3.27 million total viewers and a 0.5 demo rating, dipping on both counts to match its series lows."
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I'll be watching Supernatural, probably Arrow, and then SWAT.
Designated Survivor... another big twist that makes life interesting. Everything Kirkman did this season (or half-season) is going to be turned against him in the Special Prosecutor's investigation.
I'm also wondering why Moss didn't run for a 2nd term as president. Or did he run and lose to the guy who got blown up? I don't know which it is, but I think he decided not to run for some reason. Wouldn't it be a kick in the head if part of that reason was so that he wouldn't be the one giving a particular State of the Union address...???
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I have questions about DS. I'm really confused (more than usual)
Was there ever any connection with Kendra and Kirkman the bro?
Wasn't she flirting with another man , an ex last week?
That's why it seemed like I missed an episode.
Also in the new conspiracy with Kendra (wow she is a main character now) both brothers are dead and the father is dying. Who are we supposed to think wants to kill her? Is the Hannah conspiracy with Daniel connected in anyway?
And lastly the ex-president is allowed to run again? Has that ever occurred before ? I mean Kirkman is a sitting president.
I love this show so so much but it is frustrating to watch sometimes.
Very riveting ep for sure! Just need clarification. I'm not a genius!
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Yeah, I don't remember Kendra chatting it up with Trey Kirkman, either, but I just rolled with that. As for Moss, he only had one term and (I think) he decided not to run for a second one at that time for some reason. So since people cann only serve two terms as president, he can still do it for another, single term.
I think it's interesting that Kirkman is still so avowed as a "non-affiliated" president. Very unusual. It would be nice if he could keep that up. On Madam Secretary, I think that president decided to run as an independent... not sure if that was only for primaries or what, I don't think it was the full presidential election.
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Grover Cleveland served two non-consecutive terms. He was president then Benjamin Harrison was president then Cleveland ran again and was elected for another four years.
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So very uncommon and happened a long time ago.
Imagine they have the ex-pres win for season 3 and start an entire new conspiracy. Now Kirkman trying to prove that he is a disaster for the country and that he's working with the Russians or something. Could put a whole new spin on everything. You know what I love most about this show, not so much Kirkman, but his entire team. Aaron , Emily, Kendra, Seth.....
and all of the others . Great supporting characters and actors , that are sometimes main characters like Kendra was last night.
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