On the surface, it seems like the team is trying to make Rebecca feel like more a part of the group on 'Combat Hospital' (Tue., 10PM ET on ABC), but she's simply not allowing them in emotionally. We thought their reaction to the spider incident was hilariously appropriate.

Rebecca started what turned out to be a pretty tough day by discovering an enormous spider in the shower with her. So, rather than run out of the room, or simply getting away from it, she simply pulled out a gun and shot it. In a war zone.

So it wasn't the smartest move, but in her defense the spider was pretty impressive and intimidating. Still, she didn't look too amused by the ribbing she got -- a full medal ceremony and a genuine Spider Combat Action Ribbon. If we'd killed that spider, we'd wear that medal with pride!

Friday Night Lights - Wednesday July 6, 9PM ET/PT, Global/NBC

The series and season finale of one of the finest pieces of television ever made airs tonight. Like any other epic ending, there are engagements, reunions, job changes, and plenty of nods to the very first episode. Basically, you're going to need an entire box of tissue to get through this. In the end, you'll probably feel that each of the characters winds up where you'd hoped they would -- or at least that they made the best of things. The real tears come from realizing that from now on you have to live without them.

The Series Premiere of 'Combat Hospital' (Tue., 10PM ET on ABC) dropped Major Rebecca Gordon into war-torn Afghanistan in 2006. Wartime medical dramas are nothing new, and in fact have given television some of its best television series. But we're not ready to say 'Combat Hospital' is ready to join their ranks.

It does, however, feature a likable cast and lead in Gordon (Michelle Borth). A little out of her depth in Afghanistan, we thought the snake scene in the O.R. did a great job of spotlighting just how out of her element she was.

"I was the youngest chief surgical resident in Miami General's history," she was telling her superior officer during surgery when he stopped everyone in the room cold.

The hot afternoon sun is sweltering on the Toronto set of 'Combat Hospital,' a new medical drama that's supposed to be taking place in Kandahar, Afghanistan. As the sun beats down on the expansive set meticulously lined with shipping containers, a military helicopter, blast walls and a sign that says 'Welcome to Kandahar Airfield,' it's easy to forget we're standing in the middle of Toronto and not out in the sweltering Afghan desert.


'Combat Hospital' stars movie vets Elias Koteas ('The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,' 'Shutter Island') and Deborah Kara Unger ('Crash,' 'The Hurricane') in their first TV roles. This isn't the first time they've worked together -- they both starred in David Cronenberg's 'Crash' in 1996, and were thrilled to team up again.

"I adore Deborah. She's probably the smartest person in the room at any given time," says Koteas. Unger is happy they're both losing their TV virginity together. "This is an exciting adventure for us," she says.

Michelle Borth (Hawaii Five-0'), Arnold Pinnock ('Life With Derek'), Luke Mably ('The Gates') and Terry Chen ('Almost Famous') round out the primary cast.

There are a lot of new shows on this summer and, let's face it, they're not all winners. But how do you know? You see a billboard, see a preview, read what TV people like us tell you to watch, but sometimes you need something more concrete.

Enter our handy-dandy mathematical equations for this week's new summer shows!



OK, you're probably thinking that math and TV don't mix, but you're sorely mistaken. One show you love (+) another show you love (+) actors you adore = awesome. A show you kind of like (-) the parts you like = pass. Simple as that.

Here, we've done the math on five new shows premiering this week -- 'Combat Hospital,' 'Commercial Kings,' 'Expedition Impossible,' 'Suits' and '101 Ways to Leave a Game Show' -- so put away your calculator and set your DVRs ... or not.