Eclectic Pop

Best Show: Bates Motel | "Expectations were high and Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin delivered...In the course of 10 episodes, they took viewers on a roller coaster ride, bringing them conflict, romance, treachery, action and family drama.

Immaculately written, performed and directed, watching an episode of  "Bates Motel" unfold should feel inevitable given we all know how it ends and yet its beauty is in making one hope we don't." For more on why defending champ “Bates Motel” earned the title for the second year in a row, click here

Brilliant storylines, a strong cast and sleek production were not enough to save TNT’s enthralling Primetime sudser. After three seasons the exceptional “Dallas” reboot has gotten the ax. Yesterday’s announcement comes with an especially bitter taste given the finale left various storylines in limbo. The most fans can hope for is that TNT will green light a TV movie to close things up. It’s not the first time that “Dallas” has left the airwaves and after several TV specials throughout the 90’s, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the series rise one last time.

Dancing with the Stars | This past week’s season premiere featured some spectacular opening numbers. “Pretty Little Liars” star Janel Parrish wowed in an electrifying debut that impressively marked her entrance as a force to be reckoned with. Tommy Chong’s highly entertaining number was everything you could imagine a dance from him would be.

Dallas | Elena revealed her manipulations to the Ewings and demanded retribution. Why she never felt she could come to Bobby when she first learned of JR’s deed switch is still hazy. What's clear is she crossed a line she will never be able to return from. In all of her indignation she failed to acknowledge her own hypocrisy. Her brother was responsible for the death of Christopher and Pamela’s unborn twins and she and her mother knowingly harbored him from the law, justice and the Ewings. Her brother had killed innocent babies.

Dallas | TNT’s sensational reboot kicked off its fresh batch of episodes with a bang, as the aftermath of the blazing inferno and mangled threesome took center stage. Since it premiered, “Dallas” has been one of the best dramas burning up the airwaves and this week’s returning episode proved why. Bobby and Pamela’s sad rebuke of John Ross, the mystery as to who set the fire and Judith Light’s delectably devilish turn as the matriarch of the Ryland family; made for beyond satisfying viewing.

Another season of television has flown by and with that, the reflection process can begin. Eclectic Pop has deconstructed and graded a multitude of television series that aired in the 2013-2014 season. The grading process was broken into five categories.
Those five categories are measured with equa…

Overview: The showdowns continued as John Ross (Josh Henderson) lied and cheated in an attempt to gain control of Ewing Global. Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) grew a beard and romanced a sassy ranch-hand (AnnaLynne McCord). Elena (Jordana Brewster) plotted revenge and embarked on a romance with her adopted brother. Bobby (Patrick Duffy) was on his toes trying to stop John Ross. Anne (Brenda Strong) and Sue Ellen (Linda Grey) attempted to rein in their despotic children to no avail.

Emma (Emma Bell) had an affair with John Ross and remained smugly self-confident throughout it all. Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) was none the wiser, failing to figure out her husband’s betrayal. The Rylands (Mitch Pileggi and Judith Light) continued their run as a mother/son team to be reckoned with, as the thin line between love and hate, became blurry for one side of the duo.

Biggest Shockers: Dallas: It was one explosive moment after another during the series’ mid-season finale. The shockers definitely left viewers with something to mull over, until the second half of the season kicks off in August. After this installment had started out strong, it experienced some mellowing with the adultery storyline involving John Ross and Emma. If the finale is any indication, there is hope the show is getting back on track after it slightly deviated off-course.

Most Awe-Inspiring Moment: Amy Purdy’s Dance on Dancing with the Star: After watching the emotional package that led into Purdy’s contemporary dance, there was no doubt it would follow suit with matching poignancy. Viewers were given a snap shot of all she and her family have overcome and it was heart-wrenching.

Then with majestic elegance, she once again defied all of the obstacles life has thrown in her way as she gave a magnificent tribute to the human spirit and more pointedly, her own. It’s moments like these that prove DWTS is more than a reality/competition series and why after 18 seasons it’s still a must-see.