Wayward Pines 1.01 Review: There's No Place Like Here

With the official premiere of the ten-episode event series Wayward Pines this week, in an episode entitled ‘Where Paradise Is Home’, a whole onslaught of questions has been introduced to the television audience that had the pleasure of watching it. This is a series that has started off introducing a lead character we can’t quite trust (in the past Matt Dillon’s Ethan had hallucinations due to his guilt towards some kind of Easter bombing), thrown him straight into the belly of the beast (he’s somehow popped up in this town with no memory of getting there), and turned us on our head by managing to twist time (Juliette Lewis’s Beverly has been there one year and she arrived in 1999, while Carla Gugino’s Kate has been there twelve years but only arrived around five weeks ago in real time). So many pieces thrown at us without being able to see the whole picture; much like Ethan, we’re following along with mostly clues from his point of view, with only a couple from outside with his family and the lead secret service agent Adam.

From the get go, I can already tell this series is not for everyone. This is a show that requires patience because we’re not getting the entire image of what’s going on. Similar to the opening shot, we’re only viewing the close-up of what’s occurring, when we really need to be able to pull back and view everything in a big picture kind of way. Given what has been provided to us already, this series appears to be something of a slow burner. Much like many a thrillers in the film format, this show appears to be one that will be slowly pieced together, we’ll be given the whole picture, and then we’ll have to deal with the repercussions of that big picture. I mean, why are these specific people there? How are they all okay with being held there against their will? How many of them are being held against there will. What is keeping these people there, and why? What did Adam do; did he give them Ethan? Is this a Truman Show situation, just with some kind of time warp? How has Beverly only been there one year, when in real time it’s been fifteen years, while Kate has been there twelve years in five weeks real time? Why can’t they leave? See, already so many questions – and I’m sure numerous audience members have more, with working theories far beyond my own grasp – with so many answers hopefully to be received.

Regarding the more behind the scenes kind of aspect to the show, with a few nitpicks about the technical parts; I’d like to start off by commending the casting of the series. This show has got names like the aforementioned Matt Dillon, Juliette Lewis (who I am loving already), and Carla Gugino, and then it also boasts the likes of Melissa Leo (as crazy nurse Pam), Terence Howard (as the sheriff), Shannyn Sossamon (as Ethan’s wife Theresa), and Reed Diamond (as Kate’s husband Harold). Such a phenomenal boat of talent, I expect this series will fly when it comes to the acting aspect. The cinematography has some kinks, but so far what’s been used is certainly working for it, and is in no way a hindrance such as the third season of American Horror Story’s technique was. The colouring and lighting left something to be desired, but I suspect that came more from a creative standpoint of making this town seem cold and alien to our unreliable hero. One thing I had the most issue with was the sound; it was so very raw, it almost made the episode seem a bit unfinished. Perhaps they’re going for an unnerving quality to the series, but I got more low-budget horror film quality from it. Even so, there was an intriguing quality to the series.

Overall, I enjoyed this series premiere. I don’t know how willing I’d be to stick with it beyond one season, but if they stick to the ten-episode event they’ve showcased for this series, I’ll certainly be a happy camper. Like I said, this is a series meant for someone willing to test their patience, and speaking as someone with a very low threshold, I wouldn’t be happy to have that patience stretched into obscurity. I can handle the slow build and burn of ten episodes, but I expect to get pieced results throughout those ten episodes, even if that means new questions arise. So far, the writing, the way this whole series is constructed, is working for it, but I strongly urge all those involved not to tempt the audience by giving too little too soon, or too much too soon, because I already watch a fair amount of series, and have several on my docket to catch up on, so I’d have no qualms dumping this one if it doesn’t continue to hold my interest. That’s just one woman’s advice.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Trophy Wife 1.12 Review: Learning How to Parent

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of Trophy Wife, entitled ‘The Punisher’, now would be the perfect time to do that before proceeding ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

I have to say that this episode may be my favourite episode of the series thus far. That was just fantastic. I loved watching Kate squirm as she tried to figure out how to punish Warren and Hillary, and mostly figuring things out by the end, at least getting the hang of it. Also, it was fantastic to see Diane and her actually agreeing and working together with each other on something for once.

Basically, this episode was all about Kate learning her parenting role when it comes to punishment, with a side note of Pete and Jackie co-parenting Bert. Not being a parent myself, I can only imagine how difficult the punishment part is, especially when you’re the stepparent, so I commend Kate for actually figuring things out for the most part. She lost her way in the middle there, but she came around in the end. I’m actually surprised she didn’t back down from the punishment, but then she does have some other parents to fall back on.

All in all, this episode was pretty great. Some very realistic issues were brought up and worked through in very exaggerated, fun kind of ways. That’s the kind of thing I like to see in this type of sitcom. As long as it keeps me laughing, I’ll definitely stick around. Especially since it’s ripe with stories, and there’s very little chance it will become convoluted and ridiculous a la New Girl.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

No memorable lines.

Okay, I think I’m off to take a brief break, and then watch Supernatural or The Originals; I’m not sure which yet. Stay tuned.

Trophy Wife 1.11 Review: A Mid-Life Crisis

For all those that have yet to watch last Tuesday’s episode of Trophy Wife, entitled ‘The Big 5-0’, then now would be the perfect time to do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This episode revolved around Pete’s belief that celebrating his birthday, on his birthday, is cursed, and Kate goes to try and set that straight. A lot of crazy stuff happens, including some lobsters needing to be caught, and all in the name of good, sitcom-y fun.

This series is definitely an enjoyable show to watch. It’s all very exaggerated humour that would be unbelievable if it were to happen to anyone, but it’s all in the name of good fun. While I do find shows like Friends, How I Met Your Mother, and even The Crazy Ones have their moments where they step back, pull the curtain back, and give you a sense of genuine comedy, this is not one of those shows. Like I said, it’s all very exaggerated fun that shouldn’t be taken seriously. That makes this an easy show to sit through and laugh, and that’s definitely something I can use from time to time.

All in all, this episode fit right along the rest of this series outrageous sitcom circumstances. Probably my favourite parts to this episode involved the kids and having to catch the lobsters. I also liked when Hillary and Warren had to break it to Bert that he’s eaten everything he’s ever worn on pajamas. Basically, this show is just good fun.

My rating 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Ah, you’re almost out of eggs. You’re out of eggs.” – Meg says to Kate as she goes shopping in her kitchen.

“You’ve gotta think like a lobster. (Pause) Bingo.” – Warren explains, as he waddles along on the floor.

“Don’t you know that old expression: that you catch more flies with honey than by being a bitch?” – Jackie gives her take on the expression to Diane.

“Are you having my mid-life crisis?” – Pete asks Kate.

Okay, now I really am going to go review last week’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Stay tuned.

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.

Trophy Wife 1.09 Review: Payback, Set-ups, and Relationships

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of Trophy Wife, entitled ‘Russ Bradley Morrison’, now would be a good time to go and do that. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

So this series seems to be shaping up to becoming a nice, light, family friendly sitcom. This episode was not exception. Kate ended up having to chaperone Warren’s museum trip – alongside Diane. This caused her to try and set Diane up to “get some”, which revealed that she was actually dating the man, and had been for two years. Honestly, if it were me, I would want to be able to tell people I was dating someone, if it had been that long. But Diane’s neurotic and dislikes failure, so there’s some trouble there for her.

Elsewhere, to get back at Pete, who had become sick, for knowingly letting Kate take over chaperoning duties with none other than Diane, Kate sicked Jackie on Pete. Now, as someone who normally enjoys Jackie’s character and all her ridiculousness, and for most of the episode I did, it became a little repetitive towards the end of the episode. I’m finding that her lack of desire to work is becoming a bit bothersome, and her character annoying. Hopefully this is just a one-time occurrence because I find this show nice and comical.

The third storyline of the episode was between Hillary, Bert, and Bert’s teacher. I have to say that I really enjoyed getting to see Hillary and Bert interact one on one because I don’t think we’ve seen much of that before. And I definitely enjoyed Hillary standing up for herself as being a go-getter, not a suck up. That being said, these characters have become a little too perfect in their problems. They’re seeming a little too superficial for my liking, and I’d really like to see just a bit of drama and depth to them. I realize this is a sitcom, but I believe that could be balanced in well.

All in all, this is a very easy sitcom. There’s not too much brainpower needed, but it’s not dumb funny – which I hate – either. There also isn’t a whole lot of preparation needed to watch this series, or much that needs remembering on a week-to-week basis. This is definitely an easy series for me to watch each week, and with my bad memory sometimes not needing to recall every little detail is a good thing.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Nobody cares about sophomores.” – Pete states, regarding the fact that he could still chaperone, despite being sick.

“I see your Diane and I raise you a Jackie.” – Kate mutters to Pete.

“She called me a suck up?” – Hillary mutters to herself, insulted.

“I want you.” – Diane whispers. “Take me.” – Russ whispers back. “Ew.” – Kate retorts.

Okay, I’m going to go review Supernatural now, and don’t expect a happy review of that. Stay tuned.