If you know me very well, and chances are if you are reading this, you do, then you know that when I come across a new movie, show, or video game that I fancy, I often tell everyone I know about it. While this makes me look like a git, I figured I would at least do a short write-up about a new British TV show that I’ve been watching lately. It’s called The IT Crowd, and given it’s title, you probably already know what it’s about. Roy, Moss, and newcomer Jen make up the IT team for a large corporation. Rather than work in the glamorous top of the building, they are instead relegated to dole out their duties in the basement. While this concept is grounded in the reality of a workplace comedy, it has a completely different approach, and has some zany moments that are more akin to later season Seinfelds than the original Office.

While the series is British, it’s definitely not as dry as you might expect. I love dry British humor, but this isn’t what makes IT Crowd enjoyable. In fact, it feels a lot more American in tone, but the writing is a lot more refined than your average Yankee sit-com. Obviously, the concepts of social awkwardness and geeky obsessions are there, which is something I can relate to. But the writing isn’t the IT Crowd’s only strength. The three main cast members are all quite funny, have good chemistry, and exhibit excellent comedic timing.

If you don’t feel like fishing around on BitTorrent, trying to find past episodes, you can always (discretely) ask me to burn you a copy. Another option is to wait until the American version of IT Crowd airs later this year. While I can’t guarantee it will be as funny as the original, the American transition of the Office has taught me that while rare, these adaptations can sometimes work. Granted it took the US Office a whole season to really catch it’s stride.

The IT Crowd is currently in its second season, and airs Friday nights on Channel 4. I believe you can also watch season 1 on the official website.

Last night was the Season 3 finale of one of my favorite shows Lost, and I have quite a bit to say about it. Unfortunately, because of things I’d like to talk about, I must give the obligatory spoiler alert tag before I go any further.

SPOILER ALERT! Don’t continue reading if you haven’t seen all of Lost Season 3.

First of all, I must say wow. Last night’s episode of Lost was pretty great, I loved it. And of course, the first thing I’d like to talk about is Jack’s “flash-forward”. Despite lots of red herrings to try to throw you off, you eventually find out that the sequences with bearded Jack are not actually in the past, but take place after Jack leaves the island. The only other person we know that has left the island is Kate, but we could infer that Sawyer is who she is talking about when she says “he”. What I love about Lost as a show is how it lets you put the pieces together. You are not simply shown or told what is going on like traditional narrative; you are given pieces of a story with logical implications. As with all great Lost episodes, we are given more questions than answers.

Who is still on the island?
I am pretty sure Locke stayed behind. He would claw, kick, and scream before he left the island. Other than that, barring some odd “We can only take x number of people” scenario, I’m assuming everyone except Locke and the remaining Others leave.

What do the people on the freighter want from the island?
We know that Naomi’s people are not Penelope’s people. All that is left is to assume they are part of some organization that wants the island. Dharma? Competitors to Dharma? They must have some goodwill to rescue the Losties, right?

Why would Kate leave the island?
Wouldn’t she be immediately thrown in jail upon return? Apparently she is no longer running. Kate must somehow be given immunity or possibly even assume another person’s identity.

Who is in the casket?
Jack is revealed to be neither friend nor family, yet upon finding out about the person’s death, he is driven to kill himself. I can’t remember his exact line, but he says something like “Forgive me”. What is it he has done, presumably to this person that makes him suicidal?

Who is the father of Sarah’s baby?
Jack’s ex-wife Sarah is visibly pregnant. Could the father be someone we already know? Could it be Jack? I’m sure the island’s potency effect doesn’t immediately wear off.

Could Jack’s father still be alive?
I doubt he is, but let’s look at a few interesting things. Obviously, his body was never found on the island. In the show’s flash-forward, two distinct references are made to Jack’s father. However they are made by Jack, which at the time is a drunken anti-depressant addict, so not exactly trustworthy. These references could of course be red herrings, but they could also mean that somehow Jack’s father is alive.

Is Mikhail still alive?
This one isn’t all that important, but a recurring theme for Mikhail is him constantly coming back when left for dead. I think we will see Mikhail again, and possibly even Tom. We know the original inhabitants have some slow aging abilities, maybe the island heals them. Who knows, but don’t count out Mikhail, he’s awesome.