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DVD Reviews => The "Marathon" reviews => Topic started by: addicted2dvd on May 24, 2009, 10:49:29 PM

Title: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 24, 2009, 10:49:29 PM
Birthday Marathon
As most of you know... my birthday (40th!) is next weekend. The other day I decided instead of a movie marathon for next weekend I would do TV Show episodes that dealt with birthdays. I originally thought movies about birthdays... but I don't have all that many to manage a marathon of them. Once I went to all the episode guides to see how many episodes I have about birthdays... I was shocked at how many episodes there are in my collection! I have 89 episodes dealing with birthdays in one way or another! So I thought I would just see how many I could watch through-out the entire week! Of course I will still work on any other marathons I have going on at the time as well.

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Adventures of Superman: Season 1
The Birthday Letter
Superman is implicated in the abduction of a young girl who is thought to have information concerning hidden counterfeit plates.

My Thoughts:
I always enjoyed this episode. I especially enjoyed the ending where Superman is flying the crippled little girl around the city. But how times have changed! The idea of a cripple child staying home by herself during the day is unheard of now! That would be a good way to get into some serious trouble. And here when this show was made ('50s) they acted like it was no big deal at all.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 24, 2009, 11:04:09 PM
Speaking of Birthday episodes... I think I may be forgetting some of the birthday episodes for Buffy... Dealing with any of the character's birthday is cool...

Season 1:
Don't think there was one
Season 2:
Surprise
Season 3:
Helpless
Season 4:
A New Man
Season 5:
Family (Tara's Birthday... was there one for Buffy this season?)
Season 6:
Older and Far Away
Season 7:
Was there one?
Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 25, 2009, 03:06:09 PM
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I Love Lucy: Season 6
Lucy and Superman
Lucy promises Little Ricky that Superman (George Reeves) will be at his birthda party, but when it looks like he can't make it, she tries to fill the bill herself.

My Thoughts:
I Normally like to watch my DVD sets in order... but I decided to make an exception to this one since I have already seen every episode of I Love Lucy ever made. This has always been one of my favorite episodes of I Love Lucy. I guess this is because I also always been a fan of Adventures of Superman. It really is a hilarious episode. My favorite line in this episode...

Ricky: In all the 15 years we been married this is the craziest stunt you ever pulled!
Superman: Wait a minute, you been married to her for 15 years?
Ricky: Yeah, 15 years!
Superman: And they call me Superman!

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 25, 2009, 04:02:51 PM
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The Addams Family: Vol. 3
Happy Birthday, Gradma Frump
With her birthday fast approaching, Grandma Frump does all she can to avoid being sent to a retirement home.

My Thoughts:
This is a good episode... but not a great one. Was kind of weird watching an episode without Grandmama... not sure why she wasn't in this episode.  But over all I would say this one was no more then an average episode. First time I watched this episode in many years.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 25, 2009, 06:22:57 PM
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Medium: Season 3
Ghost in the Machine
After Allison gets Joe a camcorder for his birthday, her excitement turns to dread when she starts seeing disturbing images through it connected to a murder case.

My Thoughts:
This is a good episode. One I really enjoyed... but it is far from perfect. I mean come on... what is the chances that she ends up with the same camcorder that the murder returned? I know I can usually suspend believability on such a thing... but it don't really feel quite right on this one. But other then that.. I enjoyed this one quite a lot.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: Tom on May 25, 2009, 06:49:16 PM
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I Love Lucy: Season 6
Lucy and Superman
Lucy promises Little Ricky that Superman (George Reeves) will be at his birthda party, but when it looks like he can't make it, she tries to fill the bill herself.

I always liked this scene from Lois & Clark:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5uySW5EcaY
Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 25, 2009, 06:58:34 PM
 :laugh: yeah.... that was a fun scene
Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 25, 2009, 08:41:59 PM
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Smallville: Season 4
Spell
As Clark and Lois arrange a surprise 18th birthday party for Chloe, Lana receives a mysterious book that belonged to her French ancestor Isabel, who was burned as a witch in the 1600's. Through the book, Isabelle possesses Lana's body and she resurrects two other witches in the bodies of Chloe and Lois. The trio set about tracking down the Kryptonian Stones, spelling trouble for Jason, Lex and Clark.

My Thoughts:
Definitely not the best episode out there... but I enjoyed it. Of course the girls looked great in this one. But I never did care too much for the Isobel storyline in Smallville.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: DJ Doena on May 25, 2009, 09:17:34 PM
Will you watch Buffy's birthdays or are those too depressing?
Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 25, 2009, 09:35:53 PM
Oh... I will definitely get to them... did you see my second post in this thread? Any help there would be appreciated. :)
Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: DJ Doena on May 25, 2009, 10:04:12 PM
No, I didn't see that  :bag:

The only seasons without a birthday were 1 and 7, so the fifth had one. As for the second season I'd watch Surprise and Innocence cos they kinda belong together.

Edith says it's 5x13 Blood Ties
Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 25, 2009, 11:40:28 PM
Thanks Karsten!  :thumbup:
Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 26, 2009, 12:04:30 AM
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Tru Calling: Season 2
In the Dark
When the lights go out during a surprise birthday party in the morgue, Tru hears someone asking for help-but due to the darkness, she has no idea who needs to be saved.

My Thoughts:
This is one of my all-time favorite short lived TV Series. I really enjoyed this episode a lot. The fact that she didn't know who it was that called her name really added something to the episode.  Gave it a bit extra mystery.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 26, 2009, 10:46:08 PM
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 2
Surprise & Innocence
Drusilla reassembles the Judge, an unstoppable demon; Buffy and Angel consummate their relationship.

My Thoughts:
The first Birthday episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a 2-part episode. And I think it is safe to say my favorite of the Buffy's Birthday episodes. What with it happening in season 2 (one of my favorite seasons of the series)... at the very beginning of what is probably my favorite Buffy storyline (Evil Angel). Naturally since it is a 2-part episode... there was no way I could only watch the first half.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 27, 2009, 02:56:27 AM
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 3
Helpless
Buffy feels weak and is unable to carry out her duties as a slayer. When she goes to Giles for help he seems distracted. This is because he is, on the orders of the Watcher's Council, preparing her for the Cruciamentum, a test the Watchers put each slayer through on her eighteenth birthday. She must be weakened and left alone to beat a vampire, to test her resourcefulness.

My Thoughts:
This is another great episode of Buffy. One I have enjoyed quite a bit every time I seen it. Though I must say it doesn't live up to the season 2 birthday episode... though it is close. I thought the test they put Buffy through was an entertaining idea. I must admit the first time I watched this episode I was pretty pissed at Giles myself.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 27, 2009, 06:04:39 PM
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 4
A New Man
At Buffy's 19th birthday party, Giles has a realization. He is an unemployed, middle-aged man hanging around with a bunch of teenagers. He feels even worse when he finds out that he is the only one who doesn't know about Riley and the Initiative. Feeling useless and insecure, he runs into Ethan Rayne, but the confrontation ends in drinks at the local pub rather than the usual fisticuffs. The next morning, Giles looks in the mirror and sees a massive Fyarl demon looking back at him.

My Thoughts:
This has never been one of my favorite episodes. I would say it is somewhere between fair and good. For one thing I never liked the character of Ethan Rayne. He is one character that really bored me. Thankfully you only see him a couple times throughout the series. Though it was fun to see Giles as a demon unable to communicate with the gang.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 27, 2009, 11:39:00 PM
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 5
Blood Ties
The Scooby Gang discusses plans for Buffy's birthday and dealing with Glory. Giles reveals that Glory is the god of a demon dimension and in order to stay in human form, she needs to suck energy from humans, leaving them insane. The gang starts asking questions about The Key and Buffy finally breaks down and tells them the truth about Dawn.

My Thoughts:
A good episode. This season with Glory is a good season... but not what I would call a favorite. I liked how Michelle Trachtenberg portrayed Dawn in this episode... where she finds out the truth about herself. And even though I didn't care as much for this season as I did some of them... I must admit all the fights with Glory (including the one in this episode) were always good.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 28, 2009, 01:30:41 AM
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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 6
Older and Far Away
When Dawn feels that nobody wants to spend time with her, she makes a wish in front of a Vengeance demon (posing as school counselor) that everyone would stay with her. During Buffy's birthday party, Dawn's penchant for shoplifting is discovered while the gang tries to figure out why nobody is able to leave the house.

My Thoughts:
This is the last "Buffy's Birthday" episode of the series. And a very good one at that. I always enjoyed every minute of this episode the several times I have watched it. There is something that seems familiar about the woman that plays the Vengeance Demon... other then here on Buffy. I do know she was on Buffy several times.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 28, 2009, 11:23:54 PM
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Friends: Season 3
The One Where Chandler Can't Remember which Sister
A handsome stranger offers Rachel a fashion-buying job. Chandler forgets which of Joey's sisters he fooled around with after getting drunk on Joey's birthday.

My Thoughts:
This is a fun episode. One I enjoyed quite a bit. Both the storyline of Chandler and Joey's sister and the one about Rachel getting the buying job had some real funny scenes in them.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 29, 2009, 12:18:16 AM
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Friends: Season 5
The One Where Rachel Smokes
Rachel takes up smoking at her new job as a way of making inroads with the boss. Ross's son Ben joins Joey on an audition for a soup commercial.

My Thoughts:
In this episode Phoebe and Monica try to plan Rachel's birthday party... but Monica pretty much takes over... leaving Phoebe completely out of the planning. Leaving only cups and ice for her... and she really does the cups and ice! It is funny... I noticed both this episode and the last one I watched... in the very beginning Joey tries to do a bad card trick. I wonder if that will continue through-out all the Friends birthday episodes. This one wasn't quite as good as the one I watched before it... but still a fun watch.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 29, 2009, 02:07:10 PM
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Friends: Season 7
The One Where They All Turn 30
Rachel's agony over her 30th birthday starts everyone reminiscing about what they did upon reaching that milestone.

My Thoughts:
This is probably my favorite of all the Friends birthday episodes. I thought it was a lot of fun seeing how they all turned 30 within one episode. And we get our answer in this one... as it did not start with a stupid card trick by Joey. I guess the first 2 was just a coincidence.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 29, 2009, 04:38:18 PM
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I Love Lucy: Season 2
Lucy's Last Birthday
A forlorn Lucy thinks everyone has forgotten her birthday. In Central Park, she meets "The Friends of the Friendless," then marches into the club with her new buddies.

My Thoughts:
This is a fun episode. Though I do like the Little Ricky's Birthday with Superman episode better. This episode shows what kind of fun you can have with a surprise birthday party.  Just the thought of someone making a fool out of their self on their birthday is a fun idea. Though I didn't care much for the "Friends of the Friendless" idea. This is also the episode that Ricky puts lyrics to the "I Love Lucy" theme song.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 29, 2009, 04:42:54 PM
I just made it to 15 birthday episodes. I just thought that it would be a fun goal to make it to 40 Birthday episodes on my 40th birthday (Sunday). That would mean between now and Sunday I would have to watch another 25 Birthday episodes.

I am not sure I will make it.... but I think I just may give it a try!
Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 29, 2009, 06:13:59 PM
Episode Count: 16

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Without a Trace: Season 1
Birthday Boy
For his eleventh birthday, Gabe Freedman is going to a baseball game at Yankee Stadium with his father. When the two get separated at the subway station, Bob is convinced he will meet up with his son at the next station, or at the park itself. After being unsuccessful in locating his son, Bob calls in the team who is convinced that the boy was abducted until evidence leads them to believe that Gabe may have run off on purpose.

My Thoughts:
This is a series I never knew of when it originally aired. I bought the first season set blind... I been wanting to pick up season 2 as well but never got the chance yet. Watching this episode makes me want to pick up the second season soon though. It is a very good episode. Of course it helps that I forgot the outcome from the first time I saw it.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 30, 2009, 02:50:18 PM
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All in the Family: Season 2
The Elevator Story
The Bunkers are celebrating Edith's birthday at an Italian restaurant in the city when Archie discovers that Edith failed to mail out a payment to the insurance company. This leads him to run across the street to drop it off. However, on his way he gets stuck in an elevator along with a pregnant Puerto Rican and her husband, an aging hippie, and an erudite black businessman.

My Thoughts:
This is a good classic sitcom.  One that definitely pushes the limits of the time... let alone something you would see in today's politically correct times. It was really funny to see Archie Bunker stuck in an elevator with some of the people he hates the most. Let alone Edith going heavy on the wine at dinner waiting for Archie to get back.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 31, 2009, 02:34:31 PM
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The Dick Van Dyke Show: Season 2
A Surprise Surprise is a Surprise
Rob finds out about Laura's plans to surprise him for his birthday.

My Thoughts:
This is an excellent episode of a great classic TV Series. I literally laughed out loud several times through-out this episode. It was hilarious seeing Rob sneaking around figuring out his wife's plans for his birthday... and just as hilarious to see his reaction when he realizes he got surprised by a Surprise Party that he knew was coming. I really loved every minute of it... not only a great birthday episode... but a great episode period.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

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Title: Re: Birthday Marathon
Post by: addicted2dvd on May 31, 2009, 11:20:28 PM
Well... I was afraid this would happen... after seeing what I got for my birthday I have a stronger urge to watch them instead of any more birthday episodes. But I think that is understandable.  :P Anyway... not too bad... I got to see 18 episodes over the past week.