I just posted my first review here at TV.com, and I just wanted to let you know how I get my review scores.  I don't rate like a teacher in a school, where anything under a 70 (or here, a 7, is bad).  I use the entire 10 point scale.  First off, a 10 is an absolute classic, and only a few episodes in a 100-episode run would garner this.  5 is an average episode.  1 is absolute, convoluted crap (like any episode of the Pussycat Dolls reality show).  So if I give something over a 5, I like it.  But I'll never give an episode a 10 just because it's from my favorite show -- it must be absolutely flawless for that.

I've been having an internal debate with myself about which TV series that lasted less than one season is my favorite. I've narrowed it down to 3, but I just can't work it out as to which I like more. I figured I'd brainstorm it out, so here goes.

The three shows I've chosen are Firefly (14 episodes), Freaks & Geeks (18 episodes), and Wonderfalls (13 episodes). I absolutely love them all, but for much different reasons. What I look for most in a TV series is intelligent dialogue. If there's wit and substance to character interactions, I'm all over it, and these series have them in spades. I'll break it down by show, and hopefully that will lead me to my conclusion.

FIREFLY

I love Firefly, first and foremost, because it's a Joss Whedon show. Any fan of the "Whedonverse" will immediately know what I mean. As a fan of Buffy & Angel, as well as his current comic book and previous film writing, I gravitate to anything he does. I missed Firefly when it aired, but the DVD set hooked me. Firefly was a Joss Whedon show through and through, and like his other works, never took itself too seriously. No matter how intense things got, there was a somewhat subdued comic reality to it. Firefly is my favorite Joss Whedon property, but didn't last long enough to be considered my favorite of his series. Another (geeky) reason I like Firefly is the fact that it's a sci-fi show -- spaceships and star systems are just cool. And I think I've just admitted that I'm not. :P

"I want to move to the crappy town where I'm the hero!"

FREAKS & GEEKS

I was really, really late to the Freaks & Geeks party. I only discovered the show this year through a friend. After watching the entire series in one sitting (!!) I realized I'd never watched a show with such a sense of reality in my life. The situations in this series are so true to life it's almost scary. High school wasn't really like this for me, but I have friends who's lives were near mirror-images of certain characters. Freaks & Geeks had some of the most likeable, memorable characters I've ever watched. Each is distinct and endearing in their own way -- I can't think of one character I dislike. I have a tough time putting into words my love for Freaks & Geeks -- in the end, the dialogue and one-liners won me over.

"Like I always say, woman + car = dead animal."

WONDERFALLS

Absolutely insane. These are the only words I can use to describe Wonderfalls. Any fan of Joss Whedon must watch this show as soon as humanly possible. Of all shows I like, this one has the best dialogue. Hands down. It has to be heard to be believed. And unlike F&G, it's the total LACK of reality that won me over. If you haven't seen Wonderfalls, I can't describe to you why this show is great. All I can tell you is that it I can't say that any of the 13 episodes were bad, and of series with self-contained episodes, this is my favorite. If you're a fan of shows like Veronica Mars & anything from the Whedonverse, and haven't seen Wonderfalls, do yourself a favor and get the DVD set -- you'll thank me later. On a personal note, the show's main chatacter, Jaye, is literally the girl of my dreams -- girl-next-door looks and more sarcastic than I am. Oh yeah... 8)

"I'm NOT a baby-saver!"

CONCLUSION

I like them all for such different reasons. So I guess I have to come to my conclusion through weaknesses. Freaks & Geeks is number 3 for one reason -- I can't sit though the series again. I can watch isolated episodes here and there, but certain parts are just tough to watch again. If there was ever a case of a show being too real at times, it was Freaks & Geeks. But remember, this is why I like it in the first place -- it's just too much in large doses. The final decision is almost too hard for me. Firefly has everything I look for in a show, and is done extremely well. But for some reason I think I like Wonderfalls more. Maybe it's because Firefly had 2 really bad episodes, and Wonderfalls had none. Or maybe it's because I think Wonderfalls would have been better for a longer period of time. I think the feature film Serenity kind of lessened Firefly for me in a way as well, as the film was everything the series could have been, and more. So I guess, in the end, Wonderfalls reigns supreme. It's one of only 2 shows I can watch repeatedly and not tire of (the other being Veronica Mars). I can't sing its praises enough, and I'm really in a different reality when I watch it. I can only imagine the great heights all three of these series could have soared to.  They all left us before they could begin.

I confuse a lot of people with my choice of username. It is in no way a religious reference. It is, in fact, a reference to a song by my favorite band, Porcupine Tree. It's from a rather cynical song entitled "Halo." Porcupine Tree aren't very popular here in the States, but from what I understand they have a decent following in the UK. They're a great band and they deserve more exposure. But then again, the things I tend to like usually aren't huge with the masses. And I kinda like it that way. :)

Apparently I've been a member of this site since 2005, but I just signed up about a week ago. Hmmm. TV.com is trying to get into my head to enact its master plan! I'm but a vessel... Anyway, I don't have much to say, but I couldn't stand the huge, glaring blankness on my profile page. It is blank no more!