The Originals 1.08 Review: Fear is Not the Same Thing as Loyalty

For all those that have yet to watch tonight’s episode of The Originals, entitled ‘The River in Reverse’, here is where I suggest you go do that before proceeding ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

I’m not sure how to dictate my feelings towards this episode. It seems like all of this was culminating, but almost like we got to the end of the chapter far too quickly. Klaus gained control of the kingdom by having Marcel swear allegiance to him, but it seems like this has happened way too early in this series. I thought for sure that this would at least play out until the end of the season, but I suppose this and The Vampire Diaries are ones to have half-season arcs, rather than full season arcs that made Buffy the Vampire Slayer work so well. Yes, this episode had its moments, but it didn’t work quite as well as it could have, had it done a season long arc.

For the first five minutes of this episode, I blissfully forgot that Tyler had hopped over to this series. And then we came around to the scene of planning an attack against Klaus, and there he was, in all his terrible glory. At least Rebekah snapped his neck and he now appears to be in the garden for some time, at least I hope. They really didn’t need to keep Tyler around on this series passed that one episode he did two weeks ago; he doesn’t fit in this world, and he always manages to ruin Hayley’s character whenever they’re around one another. Plus he’s gone so far off the deep end that it would really be nice if he would go away, permanently.

Marcel and Bekah working together and being together is another little issue I had. It was easy to see their attraction towards each other, even with the obstacle of him having affection for Cami – which was terribly written out – but they got together far too quickly. While this series has managed to have its good moments, it seems to be wanting to progress things far too quickly than it should, and Marcel and Rebekah was one of those things.

There were a couple things I did like about this episode. One was definitely when Klaus wiped the floor with all those vampires, especially when he gave them his hybrid face. Another was when Rebekah told Marcel to take the coin. And the third was Hayley’s hair. That girl has some gorgeously maintained locks that I would desperately like to get my hands on.

Overall, I’m becoming more iffy on this series. I expected more from Elijah’s fever dreams, as well as more about Hayley’s lineage that we did get. The girl’s supposed to descend from some royal werewolf line, but her family lives in a bayou? I get that they were driven out by Marcel, but why stay near there? They’re not the witches; they don’t depend on ancestral magic to stay werewolves. But still, I am enjoying parts of this series, I just desperately wish that Caroline was here already. I don’t like the way their writing Cami, at all, even if the actress does the part well, I just want Caroline.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Remind me to annihilate your brother when you get healthy.” – Hayley says. “Yes, remind me to remind you to get in line.” – Elijah replies.

“I doubt you’d trust your own reflection.” – Cami tells Klaus, hitting it right on the nail.

“It’s an ancient mystical plot I’m using to destroy you.” – Cami informs Klaus, dryly, before revealing it to be doodles for a tattoo idea.

“Yes, it is ironic discussing freewill with a mind-controlling vampire.” – Father Kieran mutters.

Okay, I’m off to watch Supernatural now, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. afterwards. Stay tuned.

The Originals 1.03 Review: In War You Do What's Necessary

All those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of The Originals, entitled ‘Tangled up in Blue’, then I suggest you exit the screen now. As usual, this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

Aside from the usage of the same jingle that plagues The Vampire Diaries, this was a pretty good episode. The costumes, as always, were quite beautiful, and the way open lighting is used to their advantage is breathtaking. That and the aged sets of where they’ve surrounded themselves with, quite magnificent. It makes me crave to see that New Orleans horizon.

Despite this series being nowhere near the best show ever created, it is still a pleasant hour to spend. For some, it might be called a guilty pleasure, for me it’s my love of the city their in and the drama that can be wrought by beautiful people. Also, the acting isn’t too shabby, despite the writing not always being there, but the actors seem to play it to the best of their abilities. I do think that there’s a little bit of two steps forward, one step back, kind of storytelling; it’s a little harrowing to be honest. But I’ll continue to watch if not for my love of psychotic characters.

While the romances with the characters may not be working out quite well at the moment, it has been set up, at least to my eyes, so that it could work out in the future. Although Marcel has a thing for Cami, it’s very obvious that him and Rebecca would be better suited for each other. And while I’m still struggling to get over the fact that Klaus had feelings for Caroline and she seemed to be the only girl in a thousand years and he’s moving on rather quickly, he could work with Cami. Then there’s Hayley, whom Klaus has gotten pregnant, it’s easy to see the chemistry she has with Elijah, so that neatly wraps all of that in a bow. Although these pairings seem like where the writers are eventually leading to, it’s a little too neat, and makes for little wiggle room with future endeavours. Especially being that this is only the series first season.

Some things I liked about this episode were how well the actress plays Davina out to be so young. I completely believe she’s a fifteen-year-old girl, and almost stalled in her aging at that. Reminds me a bit of Kirsten Dunst’s character in Interview With a Vampire. Also, how much I’m beginning to like the Hayley character. Despite how cliché, unoriginal, and unbelievable it was to make her character pregnant, she’s a lot more interesting on this show, working with the characters she interacts with, rather than on The Vampire Diaries where she was fawning after Tyler. The third thing I was impressed by was how bad I felt for the vampire Thierry after he’d killed the other vampire. He did it to protect the witch he loved, but he still knew it was a terrible act to commit. The raw emotion I felt from the man actually made me feel bad for the guy, despite his being a villain in the series. Although, I suppose that all the characters in this series would be classified a villain by normal context.

However interesting this series is progressing to be, there are still a few questions that I have, including ones about continuity. They said in this episode that Elijah was the oldest brother, and he certainly acted like it, but I could’ve sworn Finn was the eldest brother. Am I miss remembering, or is this continuity issues? Also, what happens during the full moon when Hayley changes? It’s a painful process, and she’s not a hybrid so she can’t stop the change, so would that kill the baby? And if not, is the baby protected by magic? Is that what the witch realized and had spoken in the other language? And, was that other language not Latin? I could’ve sworn it was, but I’m not very versed in old languages other than Latin.

Anyways, I’m definitely intrigued by the mysteries in episodes to come. This not an award worthy series, but it is a decent show to spend a TV junkie like me’s time watching. Plus, if you hadn’t noticed already, I just love New Orleans.

My rating: 7 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“In the front, if we’re being specific.” Klaus clarifies where he stabbed Elijah.

“And one compelled minion does not an army make.” – Klaus tells his minion (I love the use of that word, it needs to be used more by people).

“You two chitchat, I need booze.” – Rebecca says to her brother and Cami.

“He was kind to me.” – Hayley tells Klaus, referring to Elijah, saying it in such a gentle way.

All right folks, that’ll be all for tonight. Check back in tomorrow for reviews of Nashville, Revolution, and American Horror Story: Coven. Otherwise, have a nice night.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 1.03 Review: Finding Out Where Loyalties Lie

This is a warning. All those that have yet to watch Tuesday night’s episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., titled ‘The Asset’, please vacate the premises. This is not, and won’t likely ever be, a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

That was a much better television episode. While the series drifted a bit last week, with it’s second episode of the series, this week’s episode was a much better improvement. Undoubtedly this series will always have a superhero, over-the-top kind of feel to it, but it can still be somewhat grounded in the way it’s written.

There was definitely more depth to the characters this week. We got to see more of why Skye is who she is, as well as why Ward is who he is. Melinda May seems to have gotten over her fear of combat, or at least she’s struggling less with the fact she never wants to be in combat ever again, which is an improvement. Though that seems to have progressed a little more rapidly than I would have liked, I’m guessing we’ll still see her strive to deal with actual combat in future weeks. They still need to further improve Fitz and Simmons, as they still have a sidekick vibe to them, but there’s time for that. Also, Coulson did have some subtle development. I liked the whole belief that it should be muscle memory; another thought that leans towards my theory of cloning, or something of the like.

One thing I have to say about this episode is how amazing the cinematography was. I was incredibly astounded at how great it was just within the first few minutes of the episode. Whomever directed this episode should definitely direct more of this series, they are particularly good at it. And I’d definitely like to see the cinematographer work on future episodes as well.

I do love that this is a Joss Whedon series, despite how much he might not be completely involved, at least in the way he was at the beginning of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I can still see the balancing effects of comedy with drama, depth with an air of lightness. The way his crew always seems to masterfully be able to that is wonderful, though there is often an easier lean towards the comedy side of things, just with depth to it as well.

A comedic moment in this episode that I greatly enjoyed was when Fitz-Simmons and May are listening in on Skye, and Fitz is just questioning things while he eats a big bowl of popcorn. I definitely would like to see more of Fitz; he very well could be the Xander Harris of this series. Although, romantically that wouldn’t be something he’d like to move towards.

All in all, this was definitely an improvement on the last episode. I expect there will always be this air of grandeur revolving around this series, but I do ask for great things from a Mutant Enemies production. This series certainly needs to work a bit on the characters, rather than just unifying them. Each person does need to be an individual for them to make up a whole. Oh, and I expect to see Hall again, or at least that gravitonium (is that right?) he merged into.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“How can you run if you’re curled up in a ball?” – Skye asks Ward, debunking his metaphor.

“Well, technically it’s an e-vite.” – Skye corrects herself.

This interaction as the camera zooms out:

“And I know there’s a truth serum.” – Skye, not completely sure.

“Whatever you say, rookie.” – Ward replies.

Okay, time for Supernatural. Then Revolution or American Horror Story: Coven, I’m not sure which yet, depends on how much sleep I expect to get tonight… Might try to get both in.