In Treatment’s greatest success was the subtle manner in which they shifted the attention from Paul’s patients to Paul himself. Clearly he was the star, but the first week or so offered just a few glimpses of his own character. By the end, I was just looking at everyone else through his eyes and how it all related to his own crumbling life. The first season didn’t really do much to clear up any of the debris, and Friday’s finale ended on an almost sickeningly ambiguous note. Not that I really mind or expected anything more. The only loose thread that really upsets me is his relationship with his wife. As for his patients and his own therapist, their stories tied together quite nicely - even though most of them were razor blades next to the bathtub depressing.

Laura grew on me, mostly just because I fell in love with Melissa George’s speaking voice. At first I sort of looked at her as a manipulative hussy, but when Paul started pursuing her after she left therapy, I realized how protective I’d become of her. She figured out more about herself than anyone else in the series, and she deserves a lot better than to be with a man several decades her senior who’d always have some sort of unethical thrall over her. Hopefully she’ll get that now that he put the kibosh on it.

Alex died. He sure was a creep, but that may not have been entirely his fault. Also: he was totally gay right?

Sophie seemed to mature unrealistically fast for someone of her age, unfortunate circumstances and fragile mental state. My interest in actress Mia Wasikowska waxed and waned over the course of the series, but that has a lot to do with my inability to ever fully embrace child actors. It’s always hard to tell if they’re playing angst well or if they’re just annoying. The unusual bond she formed with Paul by their final session was one of the few heartwarming moments the dark series afforded, so I’ll thank her for that.

Jake and Amy decided to divorce. This breaks my heart because they were both so messed up, being together seemed like the only way they wouldn’t end up alone. Amy’s hysterics in week six and Jake’s emotional collapse in week seven were my favorite scenes of the entire series. Leaving them in such a broken state, as individuals and as a couple, was probably inevitable, but it still hurts.

Gina got less important as the weeks passed and they weren’t as strict in keeping to the real-time sessions. Her relationship with Paul wasn’t as developed as it really could have been, and insights into her past were just whack-you-over-the-head allusions to Paul’s situation. Also, in reference to her own crush on a patient, I will have nightmares of Dianne Wiest saying “I wanted to eat him up!” for many years to come.

Watching In Treatment certainly was an experience - one I don’t think should necessarily be repeated in a second season but one that I appreciated and kind of changed the way I think of storytelling.

So if FNL does return, it’s going to be a part of some crazy cost-sharing deal between NBC and DirectTV. This will be another one of the many “landmark” moves you hear so much about these days because TV has gone crazy. Not that I’m complaining. I don’t care who’s paying for or it or what channel it’s on, as long as it’s actually on. And it’s looking like it will be. Everyone has been saying it, including some of the stars. I’ve even spoken with people at NBC who say it’s a done deal and that they’re just waiting to make the announcement. That announcement could come as soon as this Wednesday when NBC holds its pseudo-upfront. I’ve been deceived by the TV gods many times before, so forgive me if I don’t hold my breath.

On the whole, I’m just really confused by how the Fall 2008 season is taking shape. There are pilots, but there wasn’t really a pilot season. There are upfronts, but there aren’t really upfronts. NBC is renouncing the idea of a TV “season.” And FOX is already letting their place on the ratings throne go straight to their head. Remember the good old days when new shows just magically appeared in September and people treated FOX like it was the UPN? Times sure have changed.

Well, kinda. As you may have already read in any one of the many pubs who picked this up, in the 12th issue of the new Buffy series (the first of the Wolves at the Gate arc), Buffy and her right-hand slayer, Satsu, got naked and did naked things. Satsu had been revealed in the previous issue to be in love with Buffy and the supplier of the extremely cheese smooch that woke her up from that magic coma about a year ago. Buffy spurned her advances, explained that, in addition to the fact that she likes boys, bad things typically come to the ones who pursue her. Cut to the next issue when the two are found in bed together. Buffy is comically and typically frazzled, and over the course of a couple pages, nearly all of the Scoobies walk in on the pair. Shock, outrage, drooling fanboys and surprisingly speedy acceptance ensue.

Joss Whedon maintains that Buffy is not going to become a lesbian and that this move was just experimentation that evolved naturally. I’m not one to ever question the almighty Joss, but I am firmly in the camp of people not feeling this latest story. This is not because I’m a prude. I have a pretty laissez-faire attitude about sexuality. But this doesn’t seem natural for me at all, and Buffy, who by my estimates is at least 25 at this point, is getting a little old for the window where “experimentation” seems an acceptable excuse. Most importantly, she’s always really, really, really liked boys – to a fault! And no amount of loneliness or boredom seems like it could justify her switching teams for one night – especially when the other involved has genuine feelings. Buffy is supposed to be over using people.

I digress. What’s done is done, and no amount of gratuitous girl-on-girl is going to keep me from running to Midtown Comics the first Wednesday every month… even if I do occasionally fail to report on the developments. And developments, while we’re on the topic, showed up in spades in issue 12. Lesbian canoodling was accompanied by the return of Andrew and Dracula, and a troupe of magical Harajuku girl vampires, who can turn into animals and, um, fog, that stole Buffy’s super scythe. To get it back, the gang will be heading to Tokyo for the next three issues. We don’t know exactly how yet, but this will culminate in Buffy traveling through time to hang out/bitch fight with that future slayer from the comic book series I still haven’t read. It’s officially on my list of things to do.

The Bad: After the writers’ strike halted production on scripts, FX cut the episode order from 13 down to 7. Their motivations probably fell somewhere between the financial implications of restarting production and a lack of faith in The Riches’ mediocre performance in ratings. So now the show is back, but two episodes in, plot development has yet to really resume. Our characters were scattered, scrambling for an idea of what to do, and only now are they returning home to continue the farce they’ve all grown so attached to. There’s only five episodes left and it’s like the season is just now starting.

(I also still have a pretty big issue with the fact that every character in this series seems well acquainted with the idea of “travelers.” Are white trashy gypsies really that much of an issue in the American South? If so, I’ve been completely oblivious.)

The Good: There probably couldn’t be any greater improvement this season than the 86ing of those mind-boggling cheesy opening titles. (Unless the designer was under the impression that The Riches was about a family of unicorns with a habit of dropping acid, they were just unforgivable.) But that’s a little off topic.

Dahlia/Cherien, still played gloriously by Minnie Driver, is miles away from the bitter ex-con and frequently lapsing junkie we got to know in the first season. She’s taken ownership of her problems and her family. Wayne/Doug, on the other hand, is kind of falling apart. The pressures of maintaining his fake identity are mounting, he’s keeping secrets from everyone, he’s an accessory to a murder and he just buried his third body in less than a year. As for their children, they’re still charming but no more interesting than they were last season. Certainly not as exciting as their adopted grandmother or the wildly complex neighbor, Nina, who’s looks to be taking on a much bigger role this season.

All in all, I’m just happy to have The Riches back. The new season has garnered a lot of positive attention, strong ratings and even a bizarre eBay auction where people put in bids to win a lunch with Minnie Driver and… $100,000. I couldn’t dig up the winner, though I imagine they got it on a bid of less than $100,000. In any case, cheers to them. Five new episodes may not seem like hardly enough, but there will probably be plenty more sooner or later.

How I Met Your Mother’s return to the air wasn’t exactly a return to form. Last week’s episode had it’s moments, but it didn’t pack all the funny that over three months of downtime should have guaranteed. This lowered my already dismal expectations for this week’s Britney episode that would understandably include all of the pandering that generally comes with a stunt of this nature. I’m not upset with the decision. Mother is struggling, and if lowering their standards for one episode to grab a wider audience is what it takes to skirt a premature death, I can reconcile that.

Well, as it turns out, all of my nerves and over thinking were for naught. The Spearsy “Ten Sessions” was one of the best episodes of the season and saw Ted back as the giddy romantic we’ve barely gotten since the first season when he started courting Victoria, the cupcake girl. Mother never ceases to surprise me with their inventive ways to tell a story. Bouncing back and forth from the gang’s table at McLaren’s to Ted’s various visits to the dermatologist’s office was a nice method of keeping the focus on Ted. The supporting cast is the show’s greatest asset (as is often the case on TV), but it’s no reason to ignore the protagonist. Their departure from his journey towards matrimony is one reason why a lot of people became frustrated with the series. The third season is bringing him back into the loop.

So what about Britney? She was not bad, though her greatest success may have been her ability to not be completely awkward. The writers even gave her some pretty cherry lines. She botched one or two, and her hairline only completely distracted during one scene. Like the character she was playing, this girl is desperate in a way that’s almost endearing. She just wants a chance, and regardless of your feelings for her, it’s nice to see that she’s still more than a few bad days away from drowning in her own barf at the Hard Rock Hotel.

That’s not to say she was the highlight. Hell no. That came near the end when Ted treated the ever darling and hilarious Sarah Chalke to a two-minute date. I’m glad the Silverstone appearance fell through. Unless she was to arrive on set via a time machine from 1995, her charm would not have been in tact. The episode would not have been as tight. Chalke is a worthy sparring partner for Ted, and I hope the show took notice. The open-ended manner in which they left her storyline leads me to assume they did, but all this talk of Scrubs moving to ABC will put a speedy and to any potential return. Sad… I really wouldn’t mind if she ended up being your mother.

The episode earned high ratings, as did last week’s, so my naive heart feels that HIMYM will return for a fourth season. And for anyone who feels that it doesn’t deserve one, I offer the following clip as a rebuttal… just ignore that soundtrack.

• Buzz tried her hand at casting the spinoff of Beverly Hills, 90210. (BuzzSugar)
• This week, we interviewed Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver about Season 2 of The Riches on FX. (Daemon’s TV)
• Marcia lists her five favorite TV characters of the moment. Naturally, Barney takes the top spot. (Pop Vultures)
• Much like Eli Stone, Scooter was followed around by a George Michael song this past Thursday. (Scooter McGavin’s 9th Green)
• Vance loves Judy Greer! Likes Miss Guided (Tapeworthy)
• This week, Jace was all about the Paley Festival (his fifth!) where he attended events for Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Judd Apatow, and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer reunion. (Televisionary)
• Dan pondered Battlestar Galactica’s Jamie Bamber and House’s Hugh Laurie in an effort to figure out which English actor does the best American accent. (TiFaux)
• We list the 5 Shows you should be watching! [the TV Addict]
• Kate would have cut the entire bottom three (plus Erik) on Top Chef (TV Filter)

Well, now with Miss Guided, she’s in every scene, and they’re finally hers to steal. Its hard to tell if all the show’s merits can be attributed to her. The teachers’ lounge comedy succumbs to the clichés of its genre on more than one occasion, but irreverent writing and a clever cast are hard at work to pull their own weight. Still, Miss Guided finds itself in the odd position of being one of those comedies with a commendable premiere, an even better follow-up and a whole lot of mystery over where it could go next. It seems equally likely that this show could give ABC the half-hour comedy its been hoping for (I just cannot count Samantha Who?) or just completely lose steam. I have a few other thoughts over at Metromix.

Miss Guided’s first episode shows up on Tuesday night, but it’s official premiere isn’t until Thursday when it settles in its regular time slot. Both episodes demand the attention of your DVR. If you don’t share my blind love for Greer though, you’ll want to pay particularly close attention to the second episode when executive producer Ashton Kutcher and “can you tell or can’t you tell?” Jamie Lynn Spears make cameos. The Spears girls may be trashy, but no one can accuse them of not being able to pull it together long enough for a few coherent moments on prime time TV.

• Buzz chatted with Parker Posey about Project Runway and The Return of Jezebel James (BuzzSugar)
• Sandie talked about why she loves HBO’s new show In Treatment. (Daemon’s TV)
• Marcia said farewell to yet another season of Project Runway. (Pop Vultures)
• Rae couldn’t stand it anymore and finally made to talk about America’s Best Dance Crew. (RTVW)
• Scooter counts down his ten favorite characters on television. Sadly there was not enough room for Flavor Flav who just missed the cut. (Scooter McGavin 9th Green)
• Vance celebrates that the Sun is finally shinning! At least on Lost. Toronto is still pretty snowy and grey (blech). (Tapeworthy)
• This week, Jace was disappointed by the latest obnoxious “twist” on Beauty and the Geek, depressed about the pilot for the US adaptation of Spaced moving forward, and was surprised by how much he actually still enjoys CBS’ multi-camera sitcom Old Christine. (Televisionary)
• Dan loves Rashida Jones from her days on The Office, but he simply can’t endorse her new sitcom Unhitched. (TiFaux)
• Jennifer weighs in on Britney Spears guest starring on How I Met Your Mother, and it isn’t pretty. (Tube Talk)
• After watching the premiere of CANTERBURY’S LAW, the TV Addict uncovers the secret method to FOX’s Madness! [the TV Addict]
• Raoul interviewed Joel from “Survivor.” (TV Filter)

• With the finale of The Wire looming, BuzzSugar wondered what series have had the best finales — and which should have ended better. (BuzzSugar)

• Since FX’s The Riches is returning on March 18, Sandie posted some behind the scenes videos for Season 2. (Daemon’s TV)
• Despondent about the end of The Wire? Marcia consoles herself with a drinking game for the final episode. It’s an excellent way to dull the pain of losing such a brilliant show. (Pop Vultures)
• With an overview of what to expect in its second season and what she talked to Courteney Cox about, Spads tried to convince everyone to give Dirt a try. (RTVW)
• Since you will undoubtedly be hearing on your television in the coming months, might as well get to know Missy Higgins now. (Scooter McGavin’s 9th Green)
• Vance gets reflective when he sells out to Oprah’s Big Give, reviews quarterlife without ever having seen it, and notes how unconfortably similar Matthew’s relationship with Old Christine is with his own sister. (Tapeworthy)
• Hungry for some more culinary-themed reality mayhem this week, Jace took an advance look at the fiery season premiere of Top Chef. (Televisionary)
• Dan ventured into music videos this week, exploring the concept of Room Clearers — songs that you 20% love, 80% hate (first up, Escape Club’s Wild Wild West). (TiFaux)
• Kate made a list of the top ten scary/awesome things about The Real Housewives of New York City (TV Filter)

• Buzz picked out some favorite TV catchphrases. If you disagree, we’ll have to hug it out. (BuzzSugar)
• Eric wondered who your Constant is after watching this week’s episode of LOST. (Daemon’s TV)
• Plattie praised the BBC’s Being Human, which features a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost and yet somehow lacks a full series order. (Pop Vultures)
• Rae wants you to help her create the perfect “Memorable TV Moments” mix-tape. (RTVW)
• If Tom Arnold channeling David Hasselhoff doesn’t get you to watch the new season of Dirt, Scooter just doesn’t know what will. (Scooter McGavin’s 9th Green)
• Because Vance is so shallow, he analyzes the boys chances for winning/surviving American Idol(/beating David Archuleta) based on their hairdo’s in a week where he shamelessly celebrates the hotties to watch for. (Tapeworthy)
• While his attention were pulled towards new episodes of Last Restaurant Standing, Top Model, and Project Runway, this week Jace’s constant was his love for Lost. (Televisionary)
• Welcome to the Captain is the best little show you’re probably not watching — so says Dan. (TiFaux)
• This week, the TV Addict proposed to NBC President Ben Silverman that he actually re-make a show people care about. Meaning, it’s time for THE WEST WING: The Next Generation. (the TV Addict)
• Raoul interviewed Yau-Man from Survivor. (TV Filter)

Since they didn’t actually show her, and the new season won’t bow until this summer, the actress chosen to play Mrs. Spencer is still up in the air. I’m sure they have a few ladies in mind, but before anyone signs any dotted lines, here are a few women Psych might want to consider for the role…

Brenda Strong - Narrating Desperate Housewives can’t be that time consuming - those scripts practically read themselves! Besides, I’m sick of the ridiculously awesome Strong being stuck as the invisible, omniscient housewife. It’s about time she stepped back in front of the camera and Psych is a perfect venue. And since Shawn’s mom definitely has a dose of nasty for being a big, fat baby-abandoner, Strong could play the character like she did Elaine’s evil, bra-less nemesis on Seinfeld.

Kristine Sutherland - If I was a TV orphan, I know who I’d want to adopt me, and it’s not Angelina. Before she met her heartbreaking end on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sutherland played the slayer’s mother, Joyce, to the point of parental perfection. It wasn’t that she was sweet (she was a straight up badass when circumstances demanded it) - Joyce was just real. In the parallel universe where she starts acting again and nabs this role, I’d love to see her play it as a middle-aged tart - a la “Band Candy.”

Kate Jackson - Nothing beats a vintage hottie, and my favorite of Charlie’s Angels was always the understated and brainy Sabrina. Shawn’s dad may have taught him how to be crazy observant, but where did he learn the rest of his detectivin’ skills? I can just picture a flashback of Jackson teaching little Shawn how to jimmy car doors. Either way, this gal doesn’t make enough appearances! If she doesn’t join the Psych crew, can’t we at least find her a spot on Dancing With The Stars?

Phylicia Rashad - Who’s to say that woman at the door really is Shawn’s mother? She could be there to tell him that his real mother is actually… Mrs Burton! No, Shawn isn’t black, and sure, something like this would have probably come up, but come on! Rashad is the undisputed queen of TV moms, and her recent appearance as Gus’s on the Psych Christmas special was far too brief. Bringing her back would be really fun for the Shawn/Gus dynamic.

… or not.

Friday Night Lights

• Best Week Ever’s campaign to save FNL fell apart when Viacom execs noticed that their flagship blog was promoting a show that airs at the same time as its corresponding series… on a different network. Their light bulb icon remains because it does raise awareness. And it is very cute. (Defamer)
• Any possibility that FNL would return for more second season episodes is out the window. Taylor Kitsch is going to Australia to make the X-Men prequel. (BuzzSugar)
• Just over a week ago, news broke that NBC is considering “wrapping up” FNL with a two-hour series-ending special. Not the worst case scenario, but it’s still pretty chince. (Watch With Kirstin)
• The most recent development for Lights is the most exciting. NBC approached The CW, TNT and the owner of E! and G4 about sharing a third season of FNL - should one be produced. Talk of sharing it with NBC-owned nets like Bravo and USA has not come up. At least this means the execs still really are invested in the series - despite any of Ben Silverman’s drunken ramblings about 30 Rock. (Zap2It)

How I Met Your Mother

• The Hollywood Reporter isn’t so grim about Mother’s future. I failed to mention in my last report that while the show was not included in CBS’s fall picks-ups, sources are optimistic that a renewal is imminent. (The Hollywood Reporter)
• Super sleuth, and champion of TV fans everywhere, Kristin Dos Santos is nervous for Mother. She points out the disturbing truth that CBS has nothing to gain should the Fox-owned series reach a syndication-cinching 100th episode. (Watch With Kristin)
• CBS moved Mother to a new time slot for their April return. It will now air on Mondays at 8:30 in between the more successful The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men. Think of it as an amazing sandwich… but instead of bread, they’re using poop. (TV Squad)

The TV landscape isn’t exactly fertile tonight, but if you find yourself on the couch at 10:00, I recommend tuning into HBO’s doc on Christo’s Gates - aptly titled, The Gates.