That's a great, non-spoilery review. My favorite part is, of course, this:

With seventeen characters and the mythology of the premise all needing to be established the script doesn't waste anytime and by the end of the episode not only are we aware of the race and its rules and trappings, but each character is also given a moment to shine -- quite often hinting at their secret or agenda while simultaneously showing their various quirks.

That is one of the best, and most impressive, things about the pilot. You have so many characters but they're set up so well that you come away from the pilot feeling like you know each person really well. They don't just blend into one another.

I dunno how Tim does that.

And I disagree. I think you're describing statistically probable things about them. That's a distance from real.

Ah, I think we're using "real" to mean different things. I meant that the characteristics we're generalizing about exist. How we distinguish "white skin" from "black skin" is arbitrary, but we use those words to describe something real about someone's appearance. Even if we aren't describing it very well.

Poor Tim, not being on-topic in his own thread.

Including Jews.

Dude, are you trying to inflict Godwin on this conversation?

That reminds me. The other day they had a story on NPR about the German authorities having qualms about sending German peacekeepers into a place where they might have to fire on israelis.

I can see how they might have concerns.

do not make me unsubscribe people. seriously.

Every time I come online and see new messages, I think, "Maybe Tim has news!" Or, "Maybe Noah Drake announced that he's leaving General Hospital so he can go surf and solve crime!" Or, "Maybe sumi started a conversation about the extreme suckitude of the crapfest that is this season of Rock Star."

But, alas, there is no joy in Minearverse for me.

If I was going to NSYNC this up, I'd say it's like the part of the show when the boys used to perform "God Must've Spent a Little More Time on You." You know that "Tearin' Up My Heart" is coming next but it seems so far away.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT!!!

gold star for Kristen.

To continue the sparkly boy theme, I will mention that I saw Mr. Timberlake in concert last week. And when he says he's bringing sexy back? Not an empty threat. Because WHOA.

This is on topic because Justin was in Alpha Dog with Shawn Hatosy, who plays Rob in Drive.

Kristen! I was so sad that those SuperIdiots eliminated Zayra she was the most entertaining "rawker" this year. And to think I couldn't stand her in the beginning.

I am not sure I can wrap my head around JT bringing sexy back. Not only is there the problem of me not knowing it was gone. There is the problem of this too young too skinny one trying so painfully to look serious that I just want to ruffle his hair and say "who's a cute little thing with a ton of talent? who is? who is?"