Ask Matt

Question: I understand what you were saying in your Dispatch about Lost's flashback/forward of Sun and Jin, but I don't agree that it was gimmicky. Including the flashback for Jin could have had a number of valid plot-worthy reasons. Sun may have been fantasizing this as she was in labor. She may have remembered Jin telling her the panda bear story, and while she was calling out for him, she may have been imagining the reason he wasn't there was because he was out running around trying to find a panda bear for her. More likely, given the overall theme of the episode, it was included to juxtapose the difference in the man Jin was then and the man he is now. Jin forgave Sun because he knew he was a colder, emotionally withheld man back then. That man had fits of rage, threatened to kill men who stole cabs from him, stomped on broken cell phones, bribed shop owners, did what his boss told him to do no matter what it was and callously told a hospital nurse, "It wasn't my baby. Don't rush me, I've only been married two months." Juxtapose the Jin we saw in the flashback with the softer, loving Jin who stood by his pregnant wife even after learning she'd had an affair, was willing to follow her wherever she wanted to go (even to Locke's camp), loved her with all his heart and made sure she (finally) knew it. His flashback was a reminder to Sun perhaps, but definitely to the viewers, of how far he had come since arriving on the island. I didn't think it was gimmicky at all, really. I thought it was kind of lovely.— Toni M.

Question: I wanted your opinion on a new trend I find to be very annoying. I cannot stand the way in which promos now reveal whenever a character on a show will die. Recently, the promo for this week's Lost lets us know that we can expect one of our beloved characters to pass before the end of the next episode. I understand why networks believe this is a good idea, but I find it detracts heavily from the power of the death. I remember the moment Buffy the Vampire Slayer grabbed me for life was when Angelus killed Jenny, mostly because I was completely shocked and impressed that the show was willing to take such risks. However, had I known a death was coming, this would have had much less of an impact. Most recently, I think of The Wire and the death of Omar, which I had been somewhat expecting since Season 1 (although always hoping I was wrong). It was so perfectly done at an unexpected moment that I actually yelled at the TV and covered my face with my hands. When I know it's coming, I just don't have the same reaction.What do you think? Is the impact of a death lessened by the expectation of death, or I am whining about something that really shouldn't matter? — Katelyn

Question: I had to reply to the letter from Lyle that implied that people who dislike Lost dislike it because they don't like quality TV or are too dim to follow the convoluted plot. As a viewer of what I regard to be complex, quality television (including such shows as The Wire, Friday Night Lights and Battlestar Galactica) who can't stand Lost, I just can't let that implication go. Some of us can follow Lost just fine. I respect that many people like the show and will probably disagree with me, but after slogging though the first season on DVD I can't bear to watch the rest. I find the writing to be poor, I find the premise poorly developed and I find the mystery to be tedious. I love complex and mysterious plots when done well (see Battlestar Galactica), but Lost's is written in such a self-congratulatory way. It's as if the writers want to prove how clever they are by adding more mysteries with little to no explanation or concern for how the whole fits together. I find it insulting as a viewer that I'm expected to buy that it all will make sense in the end. I'm well aware it's fantasy, but even fantasy has to have internal logic, otherwise it's just a bunch of pieces with nothing holding them together. In sum, I love good TV and I don't like bad TV. Lost, at least for me, is most definitely the latter.— Robert

Question: Britney Spears has a new guest-starring role? Ugh. Britney's new role is putting How I Met Your Mother in the headlines and giving it a lot of deserved attention? Woo-hoo! America will be divided that night between those who are tolerating her for the publicity and those who are coming to the show just for her. I certainly hope they make this a quality episode and not crap like Britney's Will & Grace episode. I'm hoping the episode brings in new fans and a quality acting job that gives Britney a little bit of respect.— Laura, San Diego

Question: I was waiting around for your review of The Return of Jezebel James and it never came! So what did you think? Personally, I had high hopes for this. Before the premiere it seemed it had everything going for it but the airtime: a great writer, an awesome cast and an interesting premise. But, alas, it seems I was dead wrong. The writing was awkward, the people all caricatures (aside from Scott Cohen, who was a breath of fresh air), and there was hardly any logic behind everyone's actions. The worst thing about it was the laugh track. Thirty seconds into the first episode when I heard that canned laughter, I cringed. I've never minded the laugh track in How I Met Your Mother but in Jezebel James it was incredibly obvious that it was canned laughter. The jokes weren't funny enough to warrant it, and it didn't even sound like the laugh track was that enthused. Really, it was just painful. The last 15 minutes of the second episode showed more promise than the 45 minutes that came before it, but I don't really think there will be much chance to develop that, given its time slot of death and lack of tough promotion. Have you seen any more episodes? Is there a reason for me to stick it out? — Sarah L.

Question: I found it interesting that you had a question recently about not being able to gather around the metaphorical watercooler to discuss popular TV shows. I am finding that, due to how much TV programming is available these days, it is impossible for me to find someone to talk about my favorite shows with, except for the ultra-popular shows like Grey's Anatomy. Case in point, I know of nobody besides me who watches Aliens in America on the CW. I started watching it because Scott Patterson from Gilmore Girls was on it, and I was missing Stars Hollow immensely. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The cast is great, especially the overprotective mom played by Amy Pietz. The writing is solid, intelligent and funny. The "Rocket Club" episode, where Justin pretends to be in an after-school club to watch sexy movies with his friends, was classic! I also give this show credit for tackling the issue of how Muslims are treated in the post-9/11 world. When's the last time you remember seeing a Muslim character on TV who wasn't a torturer or a terrorist? Not many Americans would put the word "comedy" and "Muslim" in the same sentence, but Raja is a great character, and even though the jokes center on Justin and his family, he has his moments when he is very funny. I was wondering if you have heard any buzz about this show. I seem to recall that it got some good buzz before the season began, but I've heard nothing since. Has anyone else shared an opinion about it? Have you seen it, and, if so, what do you think of it? What are its chances for a second season?— Kristin A.

Question: How do you think the absence of pilots from networks like NBC is going to affect the TV landscape? Do you think it will make the networks a little more committed once they order a series? Or is this is a way to avoid paying for development, a pilot and a 13-episode order — only to be off the air by Episode 4 — when they can just order six episodes up front and at least run a complete story that then gets cancelled if ratings are in the dumps? Is this a good change for the industry, or a wait-and-see one? — Dan

Question: In light of Russell's recent comments about Eli Stone, I agree with him on most points. The show is thoroughly enjoyable, as is the main character. I don't see the problem with the musical numbers, unless one does not like musical numbers in general. I continue to enjoy them on Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone. At first I found the show to be trying too hard and way too reminiscent of Ally McBeal. But then I realized something is different in Eli Stone: There is an even deeper psychological development of the character, which is present from the start as opposed to something that is gradual. If one considers how the musical sequences are used in connection to Eli's emotional state, they are actually revealing a deep structure of internal emotions. I find that quite interesting, especially in the connection that is made between his relationship to his father. I have to add that Tom Cavanagh is amazing as Eli Stone's father. The range he has is just brilliant and they could not have cast a better actor for the role. I hope that they continue to use Cavanagh as well as they have been. The character is quite dark compared to others Cavanagh has played, especially when he starred on Ed. But I continue to find the portrayal intriguing and can't wait to see what else the writers bring him. I hope the creators eventually develop a separate show for Cavanagh. He's way too talented to become a character actor.— Maya S.

Question: I have been watching Eli Stone after Lost, but I'm going to stop. I liked the quirkiness of this show, and I like the characters well enough (I, too, find Patty delightful), but I must admit that I initially decided to tune in after seeing that Tom Amandes was a cast member. He was my favorite character on Everwood, but I have been extremely disappointed in his role on Eli Stone — it is so tiny and lacking in depth. I'd be surprised if he has had 10 minutes total on screen in all of the episodes that have aired to date, and I had to look up his character's name because I couldn't even remember it! I kept hoping that we'd see more of him, but we've only seen more of annoying people like Maggie and Taylor and the other junior associates at the firm. Amandes' character on this show is basically just a shadowy carbon copy of Victor Garber's, so they didn't really seem to leave room for much character development. Maybe the network/creators think that one gray-haired guy is enough on any show? I imagine that Greg Berlanti must like this actor to have cast him in this, but think what Tom Amandes could do on Brothers & Sisters or Dirty Sexy Money (two other Berlanti shows that I enjoy, though I enjoyed Brothers & Sisters more last season). And a demographic note, in case it matters: I'm not some middle-aged boomer complaining about not enough older people on television — I'm 30 years old, and I don't like watching seasoned, talented actors wasted on shows that could frankly really use some more talent. Do you have any thoughts to share about this? — Angela

Question: In response to Andrew's recent complaint about Fox's scheduling of New Amsterdam, I must admit that I can't fathom why someone would write to a columnist on TVGuide.com to complain about how difficult it is for them to find out when a show's going to come on. All you have to do is scroll up to the unbelievably easy-to-use search function at the top of the page. It's a no-brainer.— L. Clark