1.
Walt Is Kidnapped on "Lost": There were a plethora of memorable moments on "Lost" and we all had our issues with the finale. But there was not a single more bone chilling, more shocking moment than when the fisherman, who looked straight out of a Morton salt commercial, said matter-of-factly, "The thing is we're going to have to take the boy." I get the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it.
2.
Tony Returns on "24": It was a tough call between this and Chloe shooting up the bad guys. But I started clapping and screaming, "Tony" even though I was totally alone watching the episode. Who else would we want to save Jack? "24" is made for heroic, over the top (did Tony live like five minutes away from the warehouse?) moments like this.
3.
Keith Is Veronica's Biological Father on "Veronica Mars": Veronica had an eventful year -- she solved the murder of her best friend, fell in love with her best friend's boyfriend (that first kiss on the balcony? Sigh.) and you know basically saved the citizens of Neptune from all sorts of bad guys. But the moment when she learned that Keith was indeed her daddy was the most touching and epitomized what makes the series so great.
4.
Lorelai Tells Emily They're Done on "Gilmore Girls": Lorelai and Emily's complex, fractured relationship reached an unnerving height at Emily and Richard's anniversary party. In the end, mother and daughter weren't "done" but a daughter's pain and a mother's misguided meddling were painstakingly clear in one definitely unsettling moment.
5.
Car Crash on "Alias": Aaaack. Vaughn tells Sydney that he's not the man she thinks he is moments before a car slams into him and the season comes to a shocking end. The fourth season had its ups and downs but it ended with a heart-stopping.
6.
Final Shot of "Everybody Loves Raymond": Few long running shows come to a conclusion with this much grace and humor. There was no very special episode, no major life change, and no major character transition. Just the final shot of the Barone family sharing a meal and allowing loyal viewers to think of them as continuing on as we knew them.
7.
Bree Finds out Rex Is Dead on "Desperate Housewives": Cross, looking resplendent in green, delivered the performance of the year. In classic Bree form, she calmly finished polishing her silver before having an utter break down.
8.
Nick Buried Alive on "CSI": Finally, someone is utterly freaked out when he is buried alive. The tension was palpable. George Eads gave his best performance and I still get stressed thinking about it. I ruined a manicure over this episode.
9.
Andy Becomes a Lieutenant on "NYPD Blue": Television's most memorable character takes over his beloved squad. I've never been more proud.
10.
Hannah and Bright Kiss for the First Time on "Everwood": You know I'm a sucker for a good TV romance, but I tried not to have every one of my moments be a kissy-kissy one. However I could not ignore this butterfly moment where Bright (finally) realizes he has romantic feelings for Hannah.
What were your favorite TV moments of 2005? Talk about it on the TV Gal message boards.
Quotes of the Week "We'll find each other. We always find each other." Vaughn to Sydney on "Alias." Thanks to Regina for the quote.
"I know it's corny, but we always find each other." Luka to Abby on "ER."
"That robot reminds me of you. When you tell it to roll it stops, when you tell it to stop, it rolls, and when you tell it to take out the garbage it watches reruns of 'Firefly.'" Hodgins to Zack on "Bones." Thanks to Kim for the quote.
"Because it's what Jesus would freaking do." Izzie to Alex when he asked why she was helping him study on "Grey's Anatomy." Thanks to Ritchie for the quote.
"I'm the ghost of Christmas yet-to-come. Now the year is 2035. Alanis Morissette is president. And the Internet finally collapsed under the weight of too much porn." Ava to Chloe on "Hot Properties." Thanks to Cass for the quote.
"Enough with sensitive Ephram, okay. We've all seen that movie. She bought the DVD, and you know what she did? She sold it on eBay." Bright to Ephram on "Everwood." Thanks to Nicole for the quote.
"You want me to skin her?" Sean to the disaster doctor on "Nip/Tuck." Eric loved that it reminded everyone of Mitch Pileggi's most famous character
"Meredith wasn't a fling. She wasn't revenge. I fell in love with her. That doesn't go away because I decided to stay with you." Derek to Kate on "Grey's Anatomy." Let's all take a moment to collectively sigh.
"Do I look swollen?" Denny to Alan on "Boston Legal."
"This is not a Jamba Juice. Michael. It shouldn't be that hard to break into." GOB to Michael in a "Prison Break" inspired line on "Arrested Development."
Where Have I Seen Them Before? Well everyone was beside themselves to find Mark D. Espinoza, Jesse on "Beverly Hills, 90210," as the security guard on "Numb3rs." Several of you were shocked I hadn't mentioned it sooner and encouraged me to embrace my "90210" obsession. You are so my people.
Al recognized Garret Dillahunt, Francis Wolcotton "Deadwood" and Matthew Ross on "The 4400" as Sam's ex-husband on "ER." You'll soon see Dillahunt playing Jesus in NBC's "The Book of Daniel."
Michelle and Stacy caught a bevy of familiar faces on "ER." Callie Thorne, Detective Ballard on "Homicide" and crazy Sheila on "Rescue Me," played Clemente's crazy married girlfriend Jodie. Jillian Armenante, Donna on "Judging Amy," played the woman with seizures who was dying from ovarian cancer. Lisa Gay Hamilton, Rebecca on "The Practice," was the mother of the little girl who was shot.
Lance Barber, the oh-so-evil Paulie G on "The Comeback," was the crew member getting high on "Joey."
Currie Graham, Lynette's boss Ed on "Desperate Housewives," Stacy's husband on "House," and Lt. Bale on "NYPD Blue," was the lawyer prosecuting Brad on "Boston Legal."
Moment of the Week Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in. I had come to some sort of peace about the decline of "Alias" and the fact that the show is going off the air. And what do they do? Have an outstanding episode. The hour was proof that the show simply isn't the same without Vaughn (such a nice touch taking us back to the series' early episodes) and that "Alias" still has one or two surprises up its sleeve (Mama Bristow is back, baby). I can't way to see what happens when the show returns from hiatus.
Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Standard for Dec. 12 to 18 Come on, taste the happy. Word is that Showtime is interested in picking up "Arrested Development" (Monday, FOX, 8 p.m.). The Bluth family would be a perfect fit for cable.
Want to see why I named "Everybody Hates Chris" one of the ten best shows of 2005? UPN kicks off "Everybody Hates Chris-mas" at 8 p.m. A repeat episode airs Tuesday through Thursday at the same time.
Did you miss the Christmas episodes of "My Name is Earl" and "The Office?" Don't miss them when NBC repeats the positively hilarious episodes at 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Plus you'll need to laugh before you tune into the season finale of "Nip/Tuck."
The season finale of "Nip/Tuck" (10 p.m. on FX) is entitled "Quentin Costa" but I believe it would be a little too obvious if the creepy yet charming doc turned out to be the Carver. I also would be shocked if the Carver turned out to be Liz. She's the only character who has remained grounded during these three wacky seasons and it would belie the careful character development the show runners have given her character. And I would be disappointed if Dr. Merril Bobolit turned out to be the Carver because we haven't seen him all season. Ditto for Ava Moore. But not Matt because the kid is troubled but not a surgeon. My vote remains Julia's not so dead Mom. The episode two weeks ago drove home the point that Julia did not love her mother and was relieved when she thought she was dead. Plus Dr. Erica Noughton has feelings for Christian so she would have motive for kidnapping Kimber. By the end of the two hours, we will all know who has been slashing victims with such disturbing precision. Before the episode airs, post your theory on the TV Gal message board.
Relive the glory of Chrismukkah with two "The O.C." repeats beginning at 8 p.m. on FOX.
Okay I need to talk through how I actually like Luka and Abby together again on "ER" (Thursday, NBC, 10 p.m.). Usually I get so annoyed when "ER" puts their plotlines on a repeat cycle but I find myself rooting for the star-crossed duo. First of all Luka has never been sexier. Never. And perennially downtrodden Abby has been downright perky since the two got back together. Plus her hair looks so much better (really is always comes down to the hair). There's a joy to Luka and Abby that wasn't there before. In this week's repeat from last season, Dr. Chen exits the series.
TBS as a 24 hour "A Christmas Story" marathon beginning at 8 p.m.
That's all for today. I'll be back next week with the best of everything television in 2005. Also coming are the quotes of the year. Email me your nominations for the best quotes of 2005. 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.
