Almost Human 1.03 Review: No One Wants to Die

Anyone that has yet to watch last night’s episode of Almost Human, titled ‘Are You Receiving?’, now would be a good time to go and do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

Well, that was a jam-packed hour of entertainment (okay, so really between 40 and 45 minutes, discounting commercials). Only three episodes in and I’m already loving this series. It may even be the best new series of this season, even ahead of The Blacklist… But don’t quote me on that, because it’s still pretty early on.

This week’s episode was about a hostage situation that turned out to be a decoy for a precious metal heist. All of the characters really worked well in this high-pressure situation, and we got a lot of nice moments between Kennex and Dorian. These two work really well together. The mix of tension and new partner type reliability on each other is done astoundingly well.

There were a lot of wonderful moments to this episode. Dorian smiling after Kennex tells the one hostage he has on the phone that everything will okay. Also, Kennex chewing the used gum so he can fix Dorian. Kennex wearing the face disrupter and then saving Dorian’s life. And, obviously, the Benny and the Jets song, which Dorian sang along to. These were all just a few of my favourite moments of this episode. Also, the fact that they basically only included Kennex and Dorian goes to show just how much I love these two partners.

All in all, this series is really shaping up to be something special. The special effects are fantastic, I almost feel like I’m actually watching a basic cop show in the year 2048. The acting is also great, something rather abundant in our two leading males. And this episode just fit well into the last episode’s timeline, while the pilot may not have worked as well as this series is working after it. Suffice to say, if you’re not watching this show, you really should be.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“There’s- I can’t- Do you- Christmas.” – John pretends his call is breaking up with the Captain so he can ignore her order. Also, nice to know someone other than myself that uses the word Christmas randomly to get someone’s attention.

“Hello, I’m Detective John Kennex. I’m an automated police officer with a very difficult personality.” – Dorian mocks John by using his voice to answer a 911 call.

“There’s fifty shades of purple in there.” – John exasperates to Dorian, after he touches the wrong tendon in the AI’s wound.

Okay, I’m off to watch Sleepy Hollow now, and The Blacklist right after that. Check back soon.

Dracula 1.03 Review: The Puppet Master at Work

For all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of Dracula, entitled ‘Goblin Merchant Man’, now is your last chance to do so without the threat of spoilers before proceeding ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Let me begin by saying that this is not an altogether bad series. When an open mind is kept such as I had with this evening’s episode, it is quite a pleasant series to watch. That being said, I do have some issues with it, the most prevalent being how it is often filmed much like an English television series, just with a slightly higher budget. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy English films, accents, and the setting, but I’ve never been able to care about their television. There’s just something in the way they film their television that is just off with me, something I find evident whenever watching something in HD. Not only that, but some of the music in this episode was a tad tedious, while other songs were quite fitting. It was much of a toss up.

Now, I do have to say that the mythology behind this series is quite intriguing when an open mind is kept. Based on what we’ve seen, and knowing that it is bias to his character, I find myself cheering Grayson on, hoping he gets his revenge. There’s just something so visceral in the seeking of vengeance that is such a human trait just magnified in his vampiric mind. But again concerning the mythology, it is very rich to the telling of this story, however heavy it may be at times. I’m really curious to know what the Order’s reasoning behind turning Grayson into a “monster”. They mention it was because of his defiance, but surely that cannot be all, that would be awfully petty of them if it were, as well as pretty damn stupid.

Another thing I love about this series is the opening titles. The whole construct of them, including the actual actors into the slides and then having the puppet master at the end pulling all the strings, it’s quite genius. There is such great thought put into it, that it reflects the series in such a metaphorical way. And also Renfield, I really like him. He is so large and all-encompassing that he just demands a person’s attention immediately with his presence. I’m quite curious to learn more about his character and how he came to work for Grayson. Also, can I just say how amazingly good-looking Jonathan Rhys Meyers looks? If only he were a few inches taller and maybe five years younger.

All in all, this was a pretty decent hour of television. I do love the extravagance of this series; it makes me wish I still lived in Europe, and in a different time. There were definitely several near squeal moments for me this week, one being Grayson’s smile after Van Helsing killed the seers, and the other was when he rescued Mina from that rather rude and belligerent artist man. I am curious to know, not recalling whether it was part of the books, whether Lucy is in love with Mina. I think she may have been, in the books, but I can’t remember, it has been a long time since I read it. Either way, I’m sure we’ll see more of this going forward. This is a darker series to watch, but it is rather fun to invest in.

My rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Okay, no memorable lines for the night, so I’m off to watch Haven. I’m not guaranteeing I’ll review it tonight though, so if I don’t check back in this time or a little earlier tomorrow.

Once Upon A Time In Wonderland 1.03 Review: A Story of the Broken Hearted

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, titled ‘Forget Me Not’, then I suggest you go and so immediately. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

Well, from the beginning of the episode I kept thinking to myself, ‘Why am I still watching this?’ But then there are the tiny little nuggets of intrigue filtered throughout the episode and I remember why. Plus I find it difficult not to watch a spinoff show when I watch the mothership. I mean, what if there are crossover cameos?

Anyways, I’d like to state once again, and until it stops being horrendous, how terrible the CGI work on this series is, much worse than the original series. I mean really, does that trail Alice and the Knave keep ending up on have to look quite so ridiculous? Maleficent’s castle didn’t look quite so bad compared to that stabbing-my-eyes-with-brightness look to it, but that was also really bad. Where are they spending their budget on?

Still not liking Jafar all that much, he continues to look like someone acting the part rather than being the part, but the Red Queen is beginning to grow on me. But perhaps that is because she turned out to be the breaking of hearts Anastasia. I do have to say I picked up on that before the big reveal at the end of the episode, but only this week, especially when the Red Queen reacted to hearing that it was the Knave who was helping Alice. I am curious to learn how and why she betrayed Will, and if Anastasia actually is her name, like Will to the Knave.

Not a terrible episode, but still not great. I find myself thinking I could act out these characters better than some of these actors over the top performances, and I’m a writer. Then again, there are some nice points to the episode. I did guess that Grendel was the man in the frame with his wife before any of the other characters seemed to. I’m surprised Alice didn’t get that pretty much off the bat. Either way, I suppose I’ll keep watching, but like Trophy Wife you won’t see me crying if this series doesn’t get a second season.

My rating: 5.5 out of 10.

Best Line:

“I mean this as a friend, Alice. Sod off.” – the Knave tells Alice.

Okay, folks, I’m off to watch Grey’s Anatomy now. After that it’s The Crazy Ones, and if you’re lucky tonight the sixth edition of Best Performances of the Week.

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.

The Crazy Ones 1.03 Review: An Unconventional Relationship

If you haven’t watched last night’s episode of The Crazy Ones, entitled ‘Bad Dad’, then now would be a good time to do so. This has never been and is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

I really like this sitcom. It has a heartwarming family vibe, with great workplace chemistry inserted into it. This is shaping up to be the best new sitcom of the season.

Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar just have an amazing familial connection. I really feel that these two are a father-daughter team. They understand each other and love each other, despite their faults, and that genuinely comes across on the screen.

Gellar is also beginning to find a nice little niche in this comedy, versus her other long-running character (*cough*in the best series ever*cough*). This episode focused a little more on the relationship between her and Williams’ character, and that made her able to highlight who this character is, just as quirky and nutty as her father.

As always James Wolk and Hamish Linklater were hilarious, in their own respective ways. There was less of Wolk in this episode than the last two, and we got to see more of Linklater’s character and who he is, so that was nice little switch up.

But it was Amanda Setton’s character Lauren that really got beefed up in this episode. I like seeing she can hold her own, especially on a series other than Gossip Girl. I’m definitely happy to see her apart of this cast, she’s great in the supportive secretary role.

This episode definitely deepened who each of these characters are. It’s good to know that a certain level of depth can be reached in this sitcom, which is what has helped the greats like Friends and How I Met Your Mother last so long. While that amount of depth wasn’t exactly in this episode, there was a certain amount of character progression.

Overall I really do like this series, so I really hope it gets a full season pick up. It appears it’s holding its own in the 9:30 Thursday time slot, so it should be okay, especially since it is a sitcom. I really hope this series gets a second season two, but we’ll have to wait and see how the rest of the season goes first.

Best Lines:

“You don’t like being corrected.” – Lauren says to Sydney, after learning she has a woman’s name wrong.

“I’m trying to be here for you, but it’s not easy.” – Sydney explains to Zach.

The entire colonoscopy segment, which was too long to copy down.

“Are all my mugs lies? Do I actually like Monday’s?” – Simon reflects, after learning he’s kind of a bad dad.

Okay, that’s it for this review. There were a lot more lines I loved, but I’d be pausing this show every two seconds if I copied down all the good ones.

I’m off to watch Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, then I’m going to try to catch Grey’s Anatomy, but no promises on a review for that, I’m quite tired at the moment.