American Horror Story: Coven 3.07 Review: An Indifference to Suffering

For any that have yet to watch last night’s episode of American Horror Story: Coven, entitled ‘The Dead’, that is what I suggest you do now before reading ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

As opposed to last week’s terribly filmed episode, this one was much better. I feel like it’s a hit and miss every week with this series; one week it’s bad, the next it’s good. This episode would fall in the latter character. The cinematography was overall very well done, the story progressed immensely in numerous ways, and we got more insight on a fair amount of the characters. That is what I would call a job well done.

There were a lot moments that made me feel something in this episode. First off, I feel really bad for Tate – Kyle, I mean Kyle – who doesn’t feel like himself because he’s composed of different body parts, and is trying to work through those issues. Still, I would like it if he could be able to talk intelligently, at some point. Also, I really felt for Madison, for once, with her whole speech about being apart of the Y Generation and how she can no longer feel even if she wanted to. In life she took it for granted, and now half-dead she doesn’t have it. Except for, apparently, when she does another dead person (read: Kyle). Another thing is how expressive Jessica Lange is in her physical movements. Just the shots of her hands rubbing together were rather evocative and so very Lange; I can remember her doing the same thing in season one. And one more thing was the exquisite use of the saxophone. The sound it makes as it is expertly played is such a beautiful thing to behold.

I really enjoyed the way this started off with a flashback of Kyle and his frat brothers and there tattoos, including a hint of the situation with his mother in that broken look he briefly had. Then to fold that into the next scene where he cries over having the tattoos on his body, such a masterfully done technique used. My one issue with Kyle this episode is that there hasn’t been quite enough movement with his character. We can see he cares for Zoe, and that he’s still working through all the things with his mom and frat brothers, but then to go and have sex with Madison was a little iffy. Not that I’m against the use of it, I just found his fondness for Zoe, despite the bond that they shared that Madison seemed to manipulate, it didn’t quite fit in right there. But then it, of course, led to what I can only say must be a threesome. I’m really not sure where they’re going with this now. Was that all just because Evan Peters and Emma Roberts are dating? It kind of felt that way to me.

Elsewhere, it seems that Queenie has joined Marie Laveau (who, can I just say, is being played brilliantly by Angela Bassett) over on the Voodoo side. How was this not obvious that it would happen? Isn’t her witch power a Voodoo power? I could’ve sworn she descended from the same line as Laveau. Plus Queenie was just getting annoyingly stupid. Not feeling apart of the coven and everything when really she was the one keeping the coven at arms length because she didn’t feel like she belonged. It’s not their fault they weren’t trying to include her, she never even acted like she wanted to be there, and sometimes you just have to take the initiative – and not blame everyone else. I think that’s the main reason I can’t stand her character; I just really wish she would die soon. She’s grotesquely overweight, and that’s just not okay.

So all in all, this was a good episode. Despite the pervy Axeman, who watched Fiona grow up into a woman and his feelings changed from fatherly to manly, this was a good episode. There was a little too much focus on Fiona and the Axeman, but that could just be me feeling that way because her character is kind of getting on my nerves. I did enjoy the one-on-one between Cordelia and Zoe, and Zoe’s initiative with Spalding – although I will miss O’Hare dancing with the dolls. Also, I can’t finish without commenting on that beautiful arsenal Cordelia’s – unbeknownst to her – witch hunter husband. That was a nice display. Otherwise, I enjoyed this week’s episode, now let’s just see about next week.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“You can’t drink or fight, you’re a little bitch.” – Kyle tells his frat brother who just got an Irish-related tattoo, in a flashback.

“A wounded animal will rip you apart if it’s cornered.” – Cordelia explains to Zoe, regarding Fiona.

Alright, folks, that’s all for tonight. Check back in tomorrow night for my reviews of The Vampire Diaries, Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Crazy Ones – not necessarily in that order.

Revenge 3.07 Review: Good PR is a Nightmare

For all those that have yet to watch tonight’s episode of Revenge, entitled ‘Resurgence’, then let me suggest that that is what you do now before proceeding ahead. As this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

I have to say that by the previews, I’m more excited for next week’s episode than I was happy with this one. It’s not that it was a bad episode, it did after all have a take down in the episode, it’s that it felt more like a filler episode than one that fit into the plot altogether.

The relationships in this series are becoming so convoluted. While the objective of this show is Emily’s revenge plan, I actually want Daniel and Sarah to be together. Emily is just too poised that she’s somewhat of a bland character a lot of the time, and she has very little chemistry with Daniel now that they’re getting married. I think she had more chemistry with him the last two seasons than she has this season. Sarah and Daniel are much better suited for each other. And while I do think Emily and Aiden would make a good pair, I just can’t help but still want her to be with Jack, even if their chemistry hasn’t quite been apparent as often as I think it should. He’s off getting acquainted with Margo, who I do think is helping him to get passed his wife’s death, and I do kind of like this pair, Margo’s just too nice that something is kind of off with her.

I am curious, what is this business of the first husband thing? Was that just a ploy to get the take down of the evening, Busy, to cover up something for Emily? Or was she actually married before? I definitely had a ‘what?’ moment right there. Twice. Please let this be explained because it would pain me for it to not be.

Nolan was very good in this week’s episode. I liked being able to see the pain behind his emotion to have not been able to spend the last ten years of his father’s life with him. It makes his character all the richer. There is so much depth to this character that his humour almost makes me sad for him in ways. Also, can I just say how unbelievable it is that Gabriel Mann is forty-one? The man looks like he could still be in his late twenties, especially with this character’s eccentricity. About the only thing that gives him away may be his veiny hands.

All in all, this definitely was a filler episode, and nothing to be quite excited about. I’m finding myself liking Sarah’s personality a lot more than Emily’s. Sure, her father deserves vengeance, but the fact that she is so emotionally stunted makes it hard to relate to her character. More so now than when this series first started. Still, this series isn’t bad; it does bring forth a lot of drama. I’m just really disappointed that Patrick’s no longer in it, his character really brought more normality and life to this series, regardless of the fact he tried to kill Conrad.

My rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“I’m a Clarke.” – Charlotte states, owning the fact she’s not technically a Grayson.

“No, no, I just meant I can put it in a nicer mug.” – Jack tells Margo, regarding the question of whether the coffee will do for her.

Alright, that’s all for the evening. I’m going to go watch more Buffy the Vampire Slayer and try to make another big snowflake. Otherwise, check back in tomorrow for my reviews of How I Met Your Mother, Bones, Sleepy Hollow, and The Blacklist.

Once Upon A Time 3.07 Review: What Matters Most

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of Once Upon A Time, entitled ‘Dark Hollow’, now would be a good time to do so before reading ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Okay, can I just begin by saying how bewildered I was when I learned it’s only been five days since they reached Neverland? That’s just plain ridiculous, we’ve had more episodes this season than we have had days passed. They could’ve at least had each episode equal one day because Henry is going to age faster than this series can keep up with if this is the way they’re going to write the series.

Aside from that, this was a surprisingly good episode. Perhaps it’s that I kept an open mind, but I actually thought that the acting had mostly improved in this episode. The only two that really stood out as not being very good were Belle and Henry. Otherwise, I really liked the rest. Not only that, but there was a nice balance of characters this week. I got my fair share of Emma, with Neal and Hook tagging along, and everyone else was able to get their fair share of the rest of the cast. I really think this is more of the direction this series should go in, definitely an improvement on past episodes.

I have to say that I was surprised by Wendy being the other prisoner, although it made sense with the way they wrote the Darling’s into this episode. I just think it would’ve had more emotional depth to it, had it been Rumplestiltskin’s father. Still, it was a nice way of keeping her and the Darling’s involved with the series, as well as Neverland. I’m just not sure why they would’ve needed to destroy Pan if Neal had kept the shadow from taking them when he was with them.

At first, I actually thought Henry was getting smarter and that I was going to start to be able to like him again, a thing that hasn’t been true since the pilot. But then he goes and gets all naïve again, and I’m back to thinking of his character as merely a plot device. I mean, really, he’s not a good actor, what other need do they have for him other than progressing the story? Also, what’s this heart of the truest believer nonsense? His family basically had to prove to him they were there to get him before he stopped believing in Pan for that millisecond of time. He just, he really aggravates me sometimes. Why couldn’t they have found a stronger child actor?

Elsewhere in the episode, I was really happy with Ariel this week, and her unchangeable optimism. Her perky but clueless attitude perfectly played into her scenes. Although, when Regina said she’d just have to trust her, I think it was less that than Regina was basically her only hope of reuniting with her prince with legs. Also, I once again have to state how much I love Hook. He’s amazing, with his quiet bad boy-ness. I may have loved Emma and Neal being together last year, particularly during that flashback of their past together and when they found each other again, but this year it’s Emma and Hook that seem to have more chemistry. I’m just glad they’re not going the True Love root just yet. It may come eventually, being that this is a series about fairytales, but I’m glad it hasn’t happened yet.

All in all, this was a good episode this week. Very enjoyable, full of drama and emotional scenes. I loved the whole speech between Snow and David, but let’s be real, they’re going to find someway of getting him off that island alive. For a series that is mostly iffy each episode, this one made me very evenly happy. This is definitely the way this show needs to keep going, aside from Henry being so blatantly stupid. If only they could just swap actors for the character, or get the boy some acting lessons and a bottle full of talent… I don’t know, but otherwise I’m happy.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“You might want to believe a little harder.” – Grumpy tells Belle.

“Now you’ve got a dress code? I seem to recall some Ruby outfits that are seared into my brain.” – Grumpy exclaims to Granny.

“Well, this is awkward.” – Hook mutters after relaying the kiss he shared with Emma to Neal. More like awesome.

“He’s a prince… The kind with legs.” – Ariel says to Belle, concerning Eric.

“So when I win your heart, and I will win it…” – Hook begins his speech to Emma, with a squeal worthy confidence.

“Welcome to the twenty-first century.” – Neal says to Hook, regarding lighting the candle and his lighter.

“Or a fin. Whatever Eric’s into these days.” – Regina mutters to Ariel, after enchanting her bracelet so that she can have legs or fins of her own choosing.

Okay, I’m off to watch Revenge now. Stick around for my review of that.

New Girl 3.07 Review: I'm Done

This is not a review. I was sticking around with these series until Coach came back, and he finally did in this week’s episode, but his character was so thoroughly disappointing, and the way all of these characters are now being written – so very over the top – that all this is, is to say that I’m done. I’m no longer watching this series; it’s aggravating me to no end far too much. I may eventually catch up with this series again down the line, but for now I’m done. I will, however, say that I loved Taye Diggs in this episode, and that below you will find my favourite line.

My rating: 3.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Shut your face.” – Jess says to Artie, this week’s guest actor Taye Diggs.

Okay, I’m going to wait until my roommate’s done catching up with American Horror Story: Coven and then see if I’m up to reviewing Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. But don’t wait up for it, because I may hold off until tomorrow with it as well as The Originals and Supernatural.