No Mystery

Aside from a couple of book reviews, I haven't read any mysteries lately. I'm still working on The Lineup and Thrilling Detective stories, but no mysteries held my attention for the usual 300-plus pages. I've hesitated to spend money on mysteries, not sure that spark of interest will last. It's still my favorite genre. I'll be back, but I don't know when.

Smallville: "Savior"

It's amazing to think that Smallville has lasted nine seasons, five more than my favorite show in college, Lois & Clark. The show was originally about Clark Kent coming into his powers and responsibilities. The writing has been hit-or-miss over the years, like teenage Clark finding his way, but because the show has survived this long, the characters have grown organically anyway.

For the past two seasons I haven't cared how close the show is to canon. I've watched, as always, for moments that resonate with the Superman mythos, and when they come up, I still get goosebumps.

My favorite moments from the season premiere:

- Jor-El explaining that Clark can't fly because he still sees himself as human, and something or someone is holding him to that perception. Jor-El says he should let go of this, but we know it's his humanity that will lead Superman to use his power for good.

- Chloe understandably wants Clark to use the Legion ring to go back and save Jimmy (Henry James Olsen), and finally Clark shows some backbone and says he can't. (Of course, if you buy the whole turn-back-time scene in Superman (1978), Superman would go back in time to save Lois.)

- Lois rescuing Clark's nameplate from the wastebasket, having just met John Corben (the Notorious Brian Austin Green) who tried to take over his desk.

Eastwick

I watched most of the "Eastwick" pilot last night, and it made me think of a cross between "Desperate Housewives" and "Charmed". I like all of the actors involved (Rebecca Romijn, Jaime Ray Newman, Lindsay Price, Paul Gross), but the show is too fanciful and fluffy for my taste. Odd when you consider how close some scenes came to violence and sexual abuse.

NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles

I review NCIS's seventh season premiere, "Truth or Consequences", and the series premiere of NCIS: Los Angeles, "Identity" at BSCreview.

Where's My Emmy?, Premiere Week

Amazingly, I was able to watch most of the Emmy telecast and the riveting Giants-Cowboys game at the same time. Historically, though, I haven't watched much of any award show. I never expect my favorites to win, but also, with all the fuss made about going over time, why is there a walking tour of the Emmy set? Why do almost all the presenters make thudding jokes? Really move things along and you can be done in ninety minutes.

That's not the point, I suppose. Award ceremonies have a narcissistic component. For one night an industry gets to show itself off, and it usually overthinks the occasion, letting down expectations. You might think the Emmys or the Oscars would know how to put on a good show, but then again, these are actors on a day off, with minimal scripting and staging to make them look better.

About Giants-Cowboys, I'm glad Tony Romo didn't get away with three INTs even though the 'Boys did beat the Giants running game. Cowboys Stadium looks like a great place, but does it really need a humongous TV that could be damaged by a bad punt?

And finally, it's season premiere week for most shows, and I'll have coverage of The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, and NCIS: Los Angeles at BSCreview. My coverage of Bones and Psych continues.

Other shows I'll be watching: Castle, Eastwick (Rebecca Romijn, Paul Gross? Who's with me?), and yes, Smallville.

Bones: "Harbingers in the Fountain"

My review of Bones' fifth season premiere is up at BSCreview.

Happy Birthday, Robert B. Parker.

The creator of impervious Boston P.I. Spenser and imperfect police chief Jesse Stone turns 77 today, and while his latest books are decent individual reads, they're not worth the $9.99 paperback cover price. (Actually, no mass market or "tall" paperback is worth $9.99 to me.)

When I first read the Spenser books, Parker's characters seemed so alive, his world so real, I was reluctant to try other authors whose words might not flow as smoothly as his. Because I have read much of Parker's work, I've caught many inconsistencies between books, not to mention those in individual books. And although Parker has ostensibly written many series and standalones, none of them departs very far from the familiar themes and dynamics of the Spenser books.

Thank goodness I got over my reluctance and found dozens of authors more imaginative and meticulous than Parker. If I'm going to pay more for books, I want more distinct characters and more consistent worlds so I can stay in what John Gardner called "the vivid, continuous dream."

Passing the Torch

Midway through the fourth set of yesterday's Federer-del Potro U.S. Open final, I realized Federer was trying everything he could on the day, and he'd probably lose to the 20-year-old del Potro. Going into the match, del Potro had already beaten a hobbled Rafael Nadal, and I knew he had the game to stay with Federer, but it's another thing to win.

The upset reminded me of when Pete Sampras beat my favorite Ivan Lendl at the U.S. Open, ending almost a decade of Lendl dominance in Flushing. It reminded me of when a teenage Federer beat Sampras at Wimbledon. 17-year-old Melanie Oudin's upset of Maria Sharapova echoed a 17-year old Sharapova beating Serena Williams for the 2004 Wimbledon title.

Everyone's time ends the same way. Fresher legs beat all the savvy in the world. While you have the ability and the spotlight, you have to make the most of them.

The Clijsters Comeback

I watched Kim Clijsters beat Caroline Wozniacki last night, 7-5, 6-3, to cap an amazing run wherein she eliminated Venus and Serena Williams in only her third tournament coming out of retirement. I didn't foresee this, but neither did I bet against Clijsters in any match knowing her experience, physical ability, and fighting spirit.

Wozniacki plays an offspeed game that confounds today's power hitters. She had Kim on the ropes for much of the first set and came back from an early break in the second, but Clijsters finally measured her and was able to hit more winners.

I was away Saturday and did not see Serena's meltdown in the previous match, but what I've heard and seen in replays is terrible. Serena said she'd never been in a fight in her life. That may be true, but how was the linesperson she threatened to gag supposed to know?

I have a hard time giving anyone the benefit of the doubt; I'm ten times as wary to give it to sports stars I'll probably never meet. A good reputation doesn't go far with me. I can't rely on reputation if I want to be thought of as a good person. I prove myself by what I do moment to moment. This is a rigorous way of thinking, but it frees me from habits and patterns. When I become aware of my behavior, it becomes a choice, and I can make a different choice if I want.

Like others, I'd prefer Serena weren't allowed to play in today's women's doubles final, but apparently the maximum on-site penalty was assessed. I hope a further penalty comes down. I say she serves a suspension soon or gets barred from next year's U.S. Open.

UPDATE (3:38 PM): Serena would like to amend her previous post-match statement. The following is from an AFP article by Jim Slater:

One day after issuing a statement in which she did not offer apologies for Saturday's incident, the 11-time Grand Slam champion offered up an amendment to her comments with another statement, this one containing an apology to many.

"I want to amend my press statement of yesterday and want to make it clear as possible - I want to sincerely apologize first to the lineswoman, Kim Clijsters, the US Tennis Association and mostly tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst," Williams said.

"I'm a woman of great pride, faith and integrity and I admit when I'm wrong. I need to make it clear to all young people that I handled myself inappropriately and it's not the way to act -- win or lose, good call or bad call in any sport, in any manner.

"I like to lead by example. We all learn from experiences both good and bad. I will learn and grow from this, and be a better person as a result."

September 11

Each year I've had this blog, I've posted a reflection on September 11, 2001. Each one remains true for me. I have nothing to add today but this picture.

Tennis, Anyone?

Watching the U.S. Open is one of my favorite end-of-summer traditions. As powerful as players have become, I find myself agreeing with those who say too many rely on outhitting each other from the baseline. Yes, it makes for longer rallies, but I prefer to see aggressive thinking, each shot setting up a pass or volley, not purely defensive.

People criticized John McEnroe for his meltdowns, but to my mind no one was a better strategist on the court. Add to this his excellent vision and coordination and I can see why he became frustrated. He was so often far ahead of his opponent and the chair umpire. And when his body could no longer do what he had in mind? Who wouldn't get frustrated?

HEAVEN'S KEEP by William Kent Krueger

A small plane carrying Cork O'Connor's wife Jo goes missing in Wyoming. After a week-long search, Cork and his son Stephen begin to accept the fact Jo is dead. Six months later, two women approach Cork with evidence that the plane's pilot was an impostor. This gives Cork new hope that Jo's life may not have ended as he assumed, but his new search for answers provokes a trail of murders.

I'm a fan of Krueger's short fiction, but had only read the first Cork book before I was offered Heaven's Keep to review. I remembered Cork and Jo's volatile dynamic from Iron Lake. Part of what tortures Cork and drives his efforts is an unresolved feud with Jo.

Krueger's portrayal of Cork and Stephen's reactions to losing Jo are meaty and genuine. I applaud Krueger and other authors willing to take the creative leap of killing off a major character, injecting a fictional world with realism and resonance.