The Originals 1.10 Review: Who Has the Power

This is a friendly reminder for all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of The Originals, titled ‘The Casket Girls’, this is where I suggest you do that before venturing ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

Well, I have to say I’m becoming thoroughly disappointed in this series. I really thought I’d give it a chance, and it wasn’t bad for the first – say – five episodes, but now it’s really hitting a slump. Honestly, I’m really feeling like by splitting The Vampire Diaries into two series it hasn’t added anything to it, it’s merely carved out something integral to the original series.

There are a couple good things to this series, but they both have downsides to them. The first is that Leah Pipes is a phenomenal actress, her character is extremely well acted, but the problem is Cami is a TERRIBLE character. The girl adds next to nothing to the overall story, other than to give one more antagonist for Klaus to defeat. I mean, does she not think Klaus will kill her to keep her from spilling the vampire beans? I know she’s basically a placeholder for Caroline, but she isn’t Caroline, so I doubt he’ll have any qualms with killing her. At least the original Klaus wouldn’t.

The other good part this series has to it is the raw intensity it brings. There’s a definite overall draw to watch because there’s just so much power behind any individual scene, but then it goes and has the scene terribly written. Honestly, it makes no sense {insert me squeezing my head in frustration here}. Maybe I’m spending too much time on tumblr and am beginning to see just how much of a story-sucking vampire Julie Plec is, but this series is becoming terrible. About the only reason I’m sticking around is because I love Klaus, but even he is managing not to have enough of the story focused on him. I barely see Joseph Morgan on screen nowadays, and it was pitched as more of his show. That’d be like not seeing David Boreanaz on Angel, or Buffy on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There are other characters, but they are just convoluting the entire story and it’s making me angry.

All in all, this show just grows to frustrate me. I did like Rebekah this week, but all the other characters were moronic and head scratching. I don’t understand why they thought this could manage to be a good series. They should’ve just left the Originals on The Vampire Diaries, because they’ve merely taken that goodness away. This show hasn’t added ANYTHING other than make me strongly want to go to New Orleans. And I thought at least by getting to see more Elijah it would be a good thing.

My rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Yeah. Or I got mystically cold-cocked by four witches.” – Cami provides an alternative explanation.

“Well isn’t this monumentally awkward?” – Elijah states.

I’m off to review Supernatural, then I think I’m going to go back to watching Gilmore Girls for an episode or two. Check back later.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 1.10 Review: Making the Choice

Anyone that has yet to watch Tuesday night’s episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., entitled ‘The Bridge’, now would be your last chance to do so devoid of spoilers before proceeding ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Well, I have to say that this week’s episode was the strongest it’s had in a long time. No, it wasn’t the most spectacular piece of television I’ve ever seen, but it was a big improvement from past endeavours. It may have even been the best episode they’ve had since the pilot, and that’s not just because Gunn – I mean Mike Peterson – was back on my screen this week.

The characters, I think, really improved this week. We even got to see Melinda May crack a smile or two. Most notably, I found an improvement in Melinda May and Ward. I actually managed to see a bit of chemistry between the two bedfellows during workout session. Also, I was actually able to catch snippets of seemingly genuine emotions on May, as well as Ward. Skye, as always, was top notch, and Coulson also managed to do well. Fitz and Simmons were pushed a bit to the side this week, but I was even able to see some reality in their characters interactions over such brief moments. Basically, the characters, while nowhere near as good as they could be, were a lot more natural this week then they have been overall. They’re actually appearing to become characters that could be real people.

This all-encompassing arc that the villains are taking is something I’m hoping is typical Joss, with his season long big bads. Otherwise, I’m not sure this popping up now and again thing is working as well as it managed to do on Buffy. It kind of seems like it’s inconsistent storytelling, and not feeling very worthwhile, in my opinion. Maybe it’s that these people don’t really feel as evil as they could be, and that they’re still a little superficial in our dealings with them, despite them having kidnapped Coulson, and possibly killed Mike. Oh, man, I hope he’s not dead; I really missed having J. August Richards on my television screen every week. I mean, the man’s forty but so doesn’t look it, despite having a thinness in his face.

All in all, I feel like they’re finally moving towards a place where this series could manage to last. The characters are developing into more well-rounded people, and while there do seem to be so many strings of stories that it’s hard to remember them each week, especially when having to deal with which one will be involved this week, they are doing well. Also, the music managed to be a little better this week, and not completely superhero feel to it. This series still needs to become a tad more grounded – and that’s not to say they literally need to be on the ground – because the heart isn’t always there in each episode every week. Also, some shots are a little too close-up at points, and that could definitely be worked on.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“He’s standing right behind me, isn’t he?” – Ward asks, regarding Mike. And a classic line at that.

“When did you stop talking?” – Simmons questions. “About three embarrassing sentences ago.” – Fitz replies.

“Having powers is cheating. But the suits pretty cool.” – Ward remarks.

Okay, now I’m caught up with Tuesday. I have watched Nashville and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but those reviews won’t be up until tomorrow. Check back then.

Trophy Wife 1.10 Review: A Christmas Fiasco

For all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of Trophy Wife, titled ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas… Or Twas It?’, then now would definitely be a good time to go and do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Well, I have to say that this was most assuredly the funniest, best episode this series has done to date. This isn’t the most realistic sitcom out there, but they were really able to come together this week and make a hilarious Christmas episode that I’m actually saving on my DVR to rewatch.

From the opening, this episode was fantastic. It began with a perfectly fitting Christmas tune playing over the one-shot of a still-burning Christmas tree in the pool, and the continuous shot kept going to encompass all the incredible disarray the previous night had brought. That was definitely the best way to open this chaos-filled episode.

What was really great about this episode was the way really got to see the break down of the completely wasted four adults of this series. It was refreshing to see, for once, all of them more or less cooperate and just have fun with each other. Sometimes the mess that alcohol brings can be hilariously fantastic, and this was one of those instances.

One thing that was also perfect with regards to this series, was the way they were so easily able to address the issue of consumerism, and how Christmas really shouldn’t be all about the presents. Sure, it was done in a very off-the-cuff sort of way, but in the end it didn’t matter so extremely to the kids that their gifts had basically melted. I loved the fact that it was more about family being together, in all its chaotic glory, and that is one thing this show is great with, managing to keep the entire mess of family revolving around each others lives.

Probably my favourite thing about this episode was that song! That was the most hilarious moment in this entire episode, and there were a fair amount at that. Not only did we get to see them all interact in a fantastic way, we were able to see a comical dance done to it at the very end of the episode. All of them being able to sing a song, and one as hilarious as that, was something that will likely not happen again.

All in all, this was the best episode this series has done to date. I loved how very Christmasy it felt, despite it airing two weeks before, and how it was able to incorporate my favourite wild animal, just randomly in the episode (that would be a wolf for all of you not paying attention). Also, when Jackie was stealing the Mary’s, the brilliant way in which that house was brightly decorated was phenomenal and honestly makes me wish I saw that more often, although probably not with three nativity scenes. About the only issue with this episode would probably be with the kids, and how much they didn’t quite fit in during some scenes, and that it didn’t quite click with the overall episode. Otherwise, this was fantastic.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Good idea. Smart. I remember I had eyebrows.” – Jackie remarks.

“One Christmas we only had a picture of a Christmas tree. It was this big. It was really, really small.” – Kate recalls a past Christmas memory.

“And Black people being awesome.” – Bert finishes his list of what the different holidays taught him.

“I remember when I learned to walk, it was instant.” – Diane states.

“Hey Dough, it’s 1:48. Why didn’t you call me back?” – Pete calls his boss, one minute after the first call.

Okay, that’s all for tonight. Check in tomorrow for my review of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as well as Nashville and American Horror Story: Coven. Goodnight.

Sleepy Hollow 1.10 Review: The Price of Living

Anyone that has yet to watch Monday night’s episode of Sleepy Hollow, entitled ‘The Golem’, this would be the time to do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

In my opinion, this week’s episode was incredibly well done. And I say that, despite having to watch it on the Internet because my stupid DVR skipped the recording. This was the perfect continuation of last week’s episode, where Ichabod learned he had a son. We actually got to see a bit of what happened to the boy, and what his name was. The only thing I do have to say, is that his death better not mean they’re done with his character because you cannot just drop a bombshell like that one week, and then just expect nothing more of it the next. I think that the season finale should have the hex lifted to stop his heart, and he’ll be alive for next year, but more neatly written then that.

Alright, so I realize everyone is feeling like Abby and Ichabod, because they are the two witnesses and because of their “chemistry”, is a couple worth shipping, but I am still adamant that they don’t work that way. Ichabod just has way too much chemistry with Katrina for there to be any other woman in his life, romantically speaking. I mean, did no one see these two and their ability to convey such passion between them when they’re in purgatory? And even if Katrina were to eventually die, I don’t see Abby and Ichabod working out as couple, even though they’re the only two they can share their fate with because they have very little chemistry in a romantic capacity. They work brilliantly as friends, and wonderfully as partners, but if they were to start up a relationship it would seem more as one of convenience. Okay, that’s all I’ll see; I’ve made my peace with it now, I think.

When it comes to the characters and the acting, I have to say that Ichabod is brilliant, and someone I constantly want to listen to speak – both because of his accent and his eloquent use of the English language… Why can’t people speak like that these days? Anyways, I also think Irving is my third favourite character (behind Ichabod and Katrina), and that Orlando Jones plays him superbly. My one problem with this series lies with Abby. I just find that her use of tone grates with me and doesn’t make her acting anymore natural – and it wasn’t seeming that way to begin with. And while she didn’t seem to do it nearly as much this week (yay, improvement!), she definitely is one to overact with her facial movements. It’s very distracting having her on screen sometimes; she may even be my least favourite character of this series. Also, I’m still having trouble differentiating Henry Parrish from Walter. I just… don’t think his character is as good, or as unique as he could be.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable episode. I loved the rush to find out what had happened to Ichabod’s son, and then the grief in having to let him go. Also, I really enjoyed Irving’s interactions with his ex-wife, and his apology to her, and especially his daughter (played by the lovely Amandla Stenberg, whose acting abilities will really take her places). This series can definitely be a hit and miss each week, particularly with its pacing of the story, but for the most part I think it was very adept at getting the point across this week. Although, I do think they seemed to wrap up what happened to the son rather quickly, but there are only two episodes left in the season, and that does make for a need to rush. Sure, twenty-two episodes may have meant a few filler episodes, but this twelve episode business is not making the story any tighter, and just increases the need for rushing progression, and I really think that detracts from the overall story. Also, I’m not really caring that it seems Moloch is going after Abby’s soul; I kind of couldn’t care less about her character. Honestly, her sister is kind of more interesting than she is.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“If your God has a plan, who’s it for – me or Him?” – Irving asks.

“Without books we have neither a past or a future.” – Ichabod states.

“That is not a choice you were given, my friend.” – Henry tells Ichabod.

“When did irony become a national pastime?” – Ichabod questions.

“You’ve embroidered my name on some oversized hosiery, how… odd.” – Ichabod remarks, regarding the Christmas stocking.

Okay, so I’m going to probably watch Trophy Wife and then call it quits tonight. I am so exhausted still, and this headache is threatening to become a migraine, so I’ll probably make it quick. Stay tuned.

The Crazy Ones 1.10 Review: Everything Gets Turned Around

For all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of The Crazy Ones, entitled ‘Models Love Magic’, I suggest that is what you go and do now before proceeding ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

I realize I’ve said this before, likely in almost every other review of this series that I’ve written, but I honestly love this series. The characters are so kooky, but in a good way. These people work together so well, I’m astonished that they aren’t their characters and haven’t been working together for years.

This sitcom just works so well for me. It’s smart, over-the-top, but not too over-the-top. Somehow the characters manage to stay grounded and realistic, despite all their neuroses. Sure, one day their personality traits may grow old on me, but that is nowhere in the distant future. I honestly can say that I would be heartbroken if this series wasn’t picked up for another season. This sitcom is just too good.

Although I’m not completely sure why the Victoria Secrets models were getting a photo shoot done by this ad agency, it was nice to see them kind of put the Zach and Andrew roles in reverse. Also, it gave a hilarious little opening scene, as well as a fantastic scene for Simon, particularly when he wore the wings and was demonstrating for the models. Plus, they somehow managed to make Sydney feel dumb, for her upbeat reading styles. So it was definitely nifty to get to see them in this episode. This series must be doing well if it’s managing to snag Victoria Secrets angels.

All in all, this sitcom is fantastic. I’m always excited each week to see what hilarious shenanigans these coworkers manage to get into together. The writing is well done, the acting works to an incredible level, and the cinematography is just outstanding. As someone who always leaves her favourite food for last to eat, I always leave this show for last because I know I’m going to enjoy and want to finish my night of TV on a high note. Also, being that I’m not a huge sitcom lover, that this series still manages to make me laugh exponentially is astounding. Also, Simon with the puppies and then the disco ball. Honestly, if you’re not watching this series, you really need to be.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“She’s ten feet of crazy in a five foot frame.” – Lauren defines Sydney.

“This is a remarkably stupid predicament. This is like Brady Bunch level stupid.” – Sydney states.

“And he set the lobsters free at the restaurant.” – Gordon explains some of Simon’s antics.

Alright, folks, that’s all for tonight. Check back in tomorrow night for my reviews of Bones and Haven. Otherwise, goodnight.