TV Geek Out 99: Mad Men, "My Old Kentucky Home"

Even by Mad Men's high standards, "My Old Kentucky Home" is one of the show's thematically richest episodes. The fall of the Roman Empire, the Roaring Twenties and the end of the world are all applied to the end of '50s and early '60s innocence, which is drawing ever nearer in Mad Men's world. We get more clues as to who will thrive as the '60s unfold (Peggy, who can still come up with a great concept while stoned) and who will be left behind (Roger, whose blackface rendition of the show's namesake song was show-stopping in all the wrong ways). On a lighter note, the season's all-singing, all-dancing edict continued with Joan's lovely rendition of Cole Porter's "C'Est Magnifique," which helped detract from her husband's ineptitude as a surgeon and spouse, and Pete and Trudy's ambitious Charleston number at Roger's party, which showed that Pete can dance and climb the ladder at the same time. And who could forget the impromptu, marijuana-fueled Tigertones reunion back at Sterling Cooper? This scene featured TV Geek Out Heather's current crush Miles Fisher as Paul's drug dealer friend Jeff; his American Psycho-themed video for his cover of David Byrne's "This Must Be the Place" further shows off his singing and affinity for preppy scum (he also has a free EP available on his website). The Geek Out Geeks enjoy some heavily symbolic old-fashioneds as we discuss all this and more here.

TV Geek Out 98: Fringe, "The No-Brainer" and "The Transformation"

In preparation for the new season, the TV Geek Out geeks get back to their coverage of Fringe with this discussion of two season-one episodes, "The No-Brainer" and "The Transformation." Computer programs liquifying people's brains! Terror in the skies as a man transforms into a hideous monster! In the words of Dr. Walter Bishop, "An experiment -- how exhilarating!" TVGO geeks Dana and Heather show Fringe a little tough love but mostly geek out over all the gory, labyrinthine details here.

TV Geek Out 97: True Blood, "Shake and Fingerpop"

The TV Geek Out geeks get back to covering the bloody good fun of True Blood's second season with this discussion of its fourth episode, "Shake and Fingerpop." It's Tara's birthday, and there's no one in Bon Temps to celebrate with... until Maryann conjures up another of her wild parties and the claws really come out. Meanwhile, across town, Lafeyette gets a rejuvenating late-night visit from bad-boy vamp Eric. At the Light of Day camp, Jason is punked, has a heated biblical debate, impresses the reverend with his shooting skills, and takes a bath in some hot ribs. In other events, Bill, Sookie, and Jessica fly to Dallas and Sook narrowly avoids abduction, but it turns out to be a teachable moment, as Jessica gets her first glamouring lesson. All this and the introduction of fellow telepath Barry the bellhop! Make the pre-medicated choice to crack open some doll-size bottles of booze and dig in to the hot vamp-on-vamp action here.

TV Geek Out 96: Mad Men, "Love Among the Ruins"

After season three's bustling premiere, "Love Among the Ruins" felt a little too subtle and slow at first, but the TV Geek Out geeks dug deep for the brilliantly constructed themes within it. Real versus fake, old versus new, young versus old and children versus parents were just a few of the running motifs, from Penn Station to Madison Square Garden, from "Bye Bye Birdie" to the maypole dance that closed the episode. However, it was Peggy's story that fascinated us most -- she's always growing and learning, even if it's that she needs to "leave some tools in her toolbox" when it comes to selling diet soda, or that she doesn't always have to pick the wrong boys. Take a bite out of someone else's burger and listen to our discussion here.

TV Geek Out 95: Mad Men, "Out of Town"

Mad Men's season three premiere "Out of Town" may have been the series' most action-packed season opener yet: things happened, from its grim flashback revealing the origins of Dick Whitman's first name to the rivalry between Sterling Cooper's new heads of accounts, Pete and Ken. Other things almost happened, like Sal's and Don's interrupted flings. Layers, disguises and uniforms were also major themes of the episode, along with life at the agency under British rule -- and even the new characters' names, John Hooker and Mr. Pryce (played by the amazing Jared Harris), were rife with symbolism. Here's to another season of Mad Men to analyze endlessly! Come do the Pete Campbell dance of glee with us while the TV Geek Out geeks dissect it all here.

TV Geek Out 94: True Blood, "Scratches"

Who's been makin' those scratches? Looks like it's a creepy, Minotaur-like monster with bull horns and giant claws! Things really got rolling with "Scratches," packing in an epic Bill/Sookie fight, the aforementioned monster attack, the destructions of Pam's favorite pumps and a little person doctor to supernatural beings in quick succession. That's not even mentioning Lafayette's rescue from Fangtasia, the beginning of Jason and Sarah's inevitable affair or yet another of Maryann's parties (this time featuring ultra-creepy black eyes on some of the revelers)! Best of all, however, had to be the blossoming romance between Jessica and Hoyt. Dana and Heather geek out about young love and True Blood's other delights here.

TV Geek Out 93: Mad Men Season 3 Preview

It's back! It's really, actually, finally back! The TV Geek Out Geeks can barely contain their excitement that Mad Men is returning for season 3. We discuss where we left off with our favorite dysfunctional Sterling Cooper employees and their families: Will Don and Betty Draper be able to make their marriage work with a baby on the way (come to think of it, will they ever be true to themselves, much less each other)? Will Joan get a job more suited to her talents at SC? When will Sal come out of the closet? What about Pete and Peggy? And what DOES Roger Sterling do all day? We still don't have a clue, but we can't wait to find out. Check out our questions and theories here.

TV Geek Out 92: True Blood, "Keep This Party Going"

True Blood's second episode of the season keeps the party going, packing in plot developments left and right. Eric takes much of the limelight, asking tough questions like, "Is there blood in my hair?" and, "It's the new me... you like?" He also questions Lafayette about a certain "pussylover" associate of his and suffers the consequences of being a messy eater. Lafayette later manages a disgusting breakout from the Fangtasia dungeon, only to have a hilarious standoff with the dimwitted Ginger, leaving him with a bullet in his leg. Is his only way out death... or is UN-death an option? Meanwhile, a new bromance ensues when Jason and the Lukinator meet cute on the bus to Jesus camp -- but there's quickly trouble in paradise when Stackhouse becomes the Newlins' golden boy. Back in Bon Temps, Sookie and Jessica's bonding session leads to Sook getting completely fucked... and not by Bill! All this, a trip to Forever 21, and a sexed up dance-fest at Merlotte's give TV Geek Out Geeks Heather and Dana plenty to talk about, even if Jesus didn't ask them out today.

Check out the discussion here!

TV Geek Out 91: 30 Rock, "Goodbye My Friend" and "The Funcooker"

It's been a pair of typically busy episodes on 30 Rock. Liz once again suffers from acute baby fever, leading her to contemplate adopting the baby of an expectant unwed teen who wants to become a music star, Jenna wants to be the center of attention on her birthday, and Tracy comes up with the best tagline of the season. Listen in as Perry, Dana, and Heather brave the Funcooker in order to talk about it all.

Check it out here.

TV Geek Out 90: The Office, "Golden Ticket"

Inspired by the feel-good magic of Willy Wonka, Michael hides five 10%-off coupons in various boxes of paper, only to have the plan blow up in his face when each of them ends up with their biggest client. And while they might get 50% off their next order, TV Geek Out Geeks Dana, Heather, and Perry commit 110% to discussing the episode’s highpoints, such as Kevin’s dating life and the continued exasperation of David Wallace.

Check it out here.