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LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) You know in those horror movies when the hero and the audience think the bad guy is dead? Then just when the hero believes it's safe, the villain makes his inexplicable last move. That's what it's like with Mary-Louise Parker on "The West Wing." Parker's Amy simply won't go away. She could disappear (just like Mandy did sans explanation at the end of the first season) and would anyone care?

I'm still not quite sure what Amy said last week (who can understand her?), but she'll make a move on Josh in this Wednesday's episode. Suffice to say I'm not happy about this development. But are we all about negative thoughts here at Team TV Gal? Nooooo. Of course we're not. So let's focus on what's been great about this season.

You know sometimes I've been upset with "Smallville." Each episode was too redundant and there's only so much trouble you can get into with kryptonite. But it's always good when a hero goes very bad (and, by the way, such a nice touch having Clark tear off his shirt to reveal his "Superman" scar in a phone booth). It takes guts for a superhero to be this bad -- he's robbing banks, shooting guns, turning his back on his family and friends. You gotta love it. And even though the island looked super-fake, Michael Rosenbaum gets special kudos for doing his entire story line with a straight face (p.s. Thanks for showing Sexy Lexy without his shirt. Much obliged). My only major complaint is poor Pete. Even now that he knows Clark's secret, he's still doesn't have any lines. It's like if you don't want to date Clark or try to kill Lex, there's no room for you on the show. What's a best friend to do?

They've dumbed down "Boomtown" to appeal to the masses, but the series is still one of the best dramas on television. Here's how you know you're dealing with brilliance. David McNorris (the robbed-of-an-Emmy nomination Neal McDonough) is saddled with one of television's oldest cliches -- the recently recovering alcoholic dying for a drink. Yet McDonough's deft performance put a new spin on this tired dramatic formula. I was literally sitting at the edge of my couch, screaming, "Don't drink. Don't drink." My only complaint? Vanessa Williams' hair is way too fancy for a detective. Her hair is less coiffed in those Radio Shack commercials. It's bad enough she chases criminals in spiked heels.

"Everwood" certainly took the riskier choice by killing off Colin, a character they spent the last season getting the audience very attached to. But I think the fallout from Colin's death -- Dr. Brown's guilt, Amy's depression, the town's rage -- will give the show even more dramatic fodder. I can't think of a show that's done a better job with casting. The most exciting casting news of the season is Marcia Cross (who looks exactly like she did when she permanently moved out of "Melrose Place") as Dr. Abbott's globe-trotting sister. Plus, I love what the show is hinting at for the season -- a friendship between Ephram and Bright (the underrated Chris Pratt has done so much with this character) and really dealing with Amy's mental health. Her depression is not something that can be solved by the end of a very special episode and the show knows it. "Everwood" gets extra TV Gal bonus points for smartly balancing three generations worth of story lines.

How do you think your favorite shows are doing this season? Talk about it on the TV Gal Message Boards.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Debra Mooney, Edna on "Everwood," was everywhere last week. She showed up as Frank and Marie's friend Lee on "Everybody Loves Raymond" and was the judge in Sharon Stone's case on "The Practice."

Of course you recognized Jesse Bradford, Josh's new assistant Ryan, from the movies "Swimfan," "Clockstoppers" and "Bring It On."

Mary McCormack was Debbie the Red Cross worker on "ER." She was Howard Stern's wife Allison in "Private Parts," and can currently be seen in the HBO series "K Street." She also played Justine on "Murder One."

Kellie Waymire was Colleen, the mother of the adopted son on "Friends." She played Melissa, Brenda's friend, on "Six Feet Under" and Miranda on "Wolf Lake."

Amanda Foreman was the mother of the baby in "Miss Match." We know her as Meghan on "Felicity," and the pregnant Carrie on "Alias."

Laura Ceron, Nurse Chuny on "ER," was the foster mother of the abducted child on "Judging Amy."

Benito Martinez sported a bad mustache (not as bad as Sean's on "Judging Amy," but close) as the FBI agent after Karen's boyfriend/bank robber on "Karen Sisco." Martinez plays Captain David Aceveda on "The Shield."

Jamie Brown was the daughter trying to avenge her mother's murder on "Cold Case." Brown played Connie on "The Shield" and Shannon's mom on "The Guardian." She'll be on "Threat Matrix" this week (Thursday, ABC, 8 p.m.). By the way, does anyone else think she looks like the long lost twin of Jennifer Jason Leigh?

Cheryl White played Christine, the sister of the woman Chris O'Donnell murdered on "The Practice." This season we've seen White as the mother of the teenage girl who got breast implants on "Everwood" and the woman living it up in "Las Vegas."

Quotes of the Week

"This is a critical time. Even though this is a tough regime to topple, with you in the family, we have a shot," Debra, trying to get Amy on her side, on "Everybody Loves Raymond."

"Do you guys always walk so fast?" Ryan to Donna and Josh on "West Wing."

"I always wanted to be the father of a tiny gay sailor," Dr. Cox, reacting to his infant son's outfit on "Scrubs."

"I'm just the character in the movie that tells it like it is. I'm Janeane Garofalo." Mike on "Ed."

"If she asks just tell her, tell her I was lost and now am found," Carter's message to Abby on "ER." Noah Wyle will be gone for the next six episodes.

"There are two things you need to know. First, I was so in love with you it nearly killed me. Second, I don't regret moving on with my life," Vaughn to Sydney on "Alias."

To the TV Gal Readers Belongs the Spoils

You know the rules. Don't read if you don't want to know.

Xander Berkeley (George Mason on "24") guest stars as the new sheriff in town on "CSI." His first episode will be Thursday, Oct. 16, but the good news is that the role will be recurring.

In order to streamline the story telling, Teresa will join the force on "Boomtown." This will also be the season that she and Joel act on their mutual attraction.

I have some really big "ER" gossip -- so this is a double warning to skip ahead if you don't want to know. The show tried desperately to convince us that Luka was dead, but it's really another doctor who will go to that big waiting room in the sky. Dr. Romano will die in an upcoming episode. I'm even hearing he will die in a helicopter crash. Hasn't the man suffered enough? That probably means the Elizabeth will never have the romance with Romano that I've been predicting for over a year. However, she will get busy with Bruno Campos, who returns this Thursday to reprise his role of Dr. Dorset.

Vaughn thinks he's happy that he's moved on, but he's going to have some jealousy issues when Justin Theroux (love him) begins his guest starring stint on Sunday, Oct. 19 as the man Sydney hooked up with during her two missing years. And several readers have written to let me know and I've confirmed with Webster's that the name Irina means "the personification of peace." And "peace" was the message Sloane received from the Rimbaldi document. Just a little something to think about.

Amy's depression over Colin's death will continue, but her father won't want her to take any medication to help her deal with her overwhelming sadness. Ephram will develop a crush (that may be reciprocated) on Delia's babysitter Madison (Sarah Lancaster). Ephram will also find a new piano teacher in the form of James Earl Jones.

Annie will be away from the family quite a bit this season dealing with her father's deteriorating health. And that, my friends, is how we're going to keep Cecilia around "7th Heaven." She's going to babysitting the twins.

Don't forget that the night before Dean's wedding, he'll confess to Luke just how much he misses Rory on "Gilmore Girls." And Richard's constant work will cause trouble for Richard and Emily.

Look for Spike to regain corporeal form in episode seven of "Angel." Also look for Spike and Harmony to resume their relationship. In addition to a guest spot from the Slayer, we're also guaranteed to see Willow before the season is over. Now who do I have to talk to about getting Andrew to Los Angeles?

Sherilyn Fenn will guest star on "Boston Public" beginning on Friday, Oct. 24. Fun trivia note: Fenn was to star in the "Gilmore Girls" spin-off with Milo Ventimiglia (remember she was the father's girlfriend) and now they're both enrolled in David Kelley's show.

Look for the Morgan tribe to recover their buried treasure on this Thursday's "Survivor: Pearl Islands."

Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for Oct. 6 to Oct. 12

I have told you that I've voted Lucy "Most Improved Eyebrows," haven't I? Now I'm devoting all my time to trying to figure out why Jeremy London can't wash his hair before he tapes an episode of "7th Heaven" (Monday, WB, 8 p.m.) I've always loved Griffin, but the hair is a little ridiculous.

John Ritter's final episode of "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" airs Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ABC. The show will air repeats until it returns later this season with an episode that deals with the death of Ritter's character Paul Hennessy.

The "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" guys make Jake look amazing on "Good Morning, Miami" (Tuesday, NBC, 9:30 p.m.)

We'll get to see Angel's new swank apartment in this week's episode of "Angel" (Wednesday, WB, 9 p.m.). New clothes, new living arrangement, limo drivers, personal assistants, hmmm ... maybe I'll apply for a job at Wolfram & Hart. The most fascinating thing about this episode is the opening sequence which shows Spike's final scenes on the "Buffy" series finale. Please note that when remembered from Spike's perspective, certain lines are strangely missing.

Gary Cole, who we just saw on the season premiere of "Karen Sisco," shows up as the new vice president on "West Wing" (Wednesday, NBC, 9 p.m.). By the way, if I write the TV Gal column on a computer, how does Toby write a major Presidential speech in long hand on yellow legal paper?

Blythe Danner reprises her role of Will's uptight mom on "Will & Grace" (Thursday, NBC, 9 p.m.). I've told you, haven't I, that my own mother gets mistaken for Blythe Danner all the time. Yet I look nothing like Gwyneth Paltrow. Ah, the world is so unfair.

Don't you dare forget that this is the "Miss Match" (Friday, NBC, 8 p.m.) that features Charisma Carpenter as Kate's high school classmate. You'll see shades of the early Cordy in Carpenter's hysterical performance.

Kris Lemche, who played the God as a cute teenage boy in the series premiere of "Joan of Arcadia," returns this Friday (CBS, 8 p.m.).

Luke Perry returns for a second season of "Jeremiah" (Friday, Showtime, 10 p.m.)

Lucy Lawless joins the cast of "Tarzan" this Sunday at 9 p.m. on the WB.

That's all for today. I'll be back next Monday with thoughts on "Alias" (Mommy and Daddy Bristow communicating via instant messages? How cute), "Gilmore Girls" (I love this show but anytime they want to actually have a plot would be great), "NYPD Blue," "Without a Trace," "Survivor" and much, much more. Have a question, seen a familiar face, have an inside scoop or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com by clicking on my byline at the top of my column.