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.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 1.08 Review: Anger, Fear, and Hate

Anyone that has yet to watch last night’s episode of Agents of Shield, entitled ‘The Well’, I suggest you go and watch it before proceeding ahead. As always, this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

While not as exciting an episode as I would have liked, this episode did manage to develop the characters more into well-rounded people. Going in, I wasn’t as happy to watch an episode that alluded to the latest Thor film, but I am glad it wasn’t as spoiler heavy as I expected it to be. Although the fact that this series is trying to broach both film and television and have them crossover into one another isn’t working as much as I think they’ve tried to make it.

The one thing I did just mention that I was happiest regarding this episode was the character development. Finally most of the cast is seeming to appear like they are fully developed human beings, because that’s what this series is supposed to be about, the every day heroes. I liked getting to see more behind Ward’s character and the things from his past he keeps hidden, even though I can’t quite recall what this series has said happened to him. Also, May also seemed to get a little closer to being a realistic persona, although she’s the one of the entire core cast that I don’t think has gotten there fully. Otherwise, all the characters seemed to be going in the right direction, and that makes quite happy to see in a Whedon production.

That being said, this wasn’t as exciting as it could’ve been. This series doesn’t seem quite confident enough in itself not to need to rely on its film series brethren. That’s sad because it doesn’t seem to be able to connect as well as it could have due to the lack of confidence. I’m kind of getting bored of this alien artifacts and all the sort, I’d really like it to go back to the pilot episode kind of writing. I prefer mystery, character development, and a slow, but not too slow, burning story arc. I’m not really getting that this season is fully connecting within itself.

All in all, I’m growing more disappointed in the way this series is being written. The characters finally seemed to be getting more interesting and better developed, but the story behind each episode doesn’t seem to really know where it’s going. I’d really appreciate it if this series didn’t try so hard and instead just let itself become what it needed to become. It’s not feeling like it is fully together and that it even knows what direction it intends to go. The writing is sloppy, and story development seems like it’s just spouting out things at random and trying to tie them together.

My rating: 6.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“She’s ruling out a panic attack.” – Fitz clarifies Simmons’ series of questions.

“The crusades, the Black Death, disco.” – Skye spouts out terrible things the Professor would have lived through.

Okay, I’m off to watch Supernatural now, which I’m now actually more excited for than this show. Check back soon.

Sleepy Hollow 1.08 Review: Selling Your Soul for Vengeance

For all those that have yet to watch Monday night’s episode of Sleepy Hollow, entitled ‘Necromancer’, now would be a good time to go and do that before reading ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This week’s episode was more of what I was looking for: continuity, strong character development, and no focus on the delusional romantic chemistry between Ichabod and Abby. Now we know who the Horseman is, and while it might’ve been better if they kept Death as this eternal Horseman, it does make a lot of sense concerning who they went with. And this will certainly make things more interesting as the apocalyptic battle moves forward.

Can I just say how much I love the Captain? The pilot episode made it out to be like he might be some villain type character, but I’m quite happy that that’s not the way they’ve chosen to go. The actor does a phenomenally hilarious job in his role; I’m just completely surprised this is the first time I’ve seen this guy around. He’s fantastic!

There are a few other things that need to be commented on. First, Abby’s sister looks so much better with her hair down because it’s not completely flattened down. Every time it’s up, it makes her face look dramatically sharp. Also, how did no one think about what if the power got cut off? That was the first thing I questioned when I started the episode, so how could they not think of it. Also, it was pretty obvious Abraham was Death as soon as Ichabod left him and didn’t see for certain that he had been killed.

Overall, this is definitely the way I prefer this series going. This was a much stronger episode than in weeks before. I really loved the way all the good guys were able to come together this episode in a cohesive unit. If they keep things up this way, I will definitely get excited over a second season.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10

Best Lines:

“Seriously?” – the Captain states, regarding Brooks’ unrequited feelings for Abby.

“Nope! Apologies, it’s this way.” – Ichabod remarks, after leading Abby and Brooks in the wrong direction.

“Check your math, Adolph.” – the Captain tells the Hessian.

Okay, apologies for not posting this after the review of Almost Human, but I didn’t feel like watching this last night. Here it is, even though my Internet is currently down, so I don’t know when this will exactly be up…

The Crazy Ones 1.08 Review: A Conflict of Interest

All those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of The Crazy Ones, entitled ‘The Stan Wood Account’, that is what I suggest you do now before reading ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

I love this series; it is an amazing sitcom. I’m constantly laughing all the way through the episode; these people are just amazing together. This cast’s chemistry is just phenomenal.

While I do prefer when they all work together throughout the episode, this episode was still memorably hilarious. Sydney’s faux flirting and thinking she’s dating an eighty year old man was ridiculously insane, but perfect for the tempo of this series. And then Andrew being the one that is the weak link in situations is flawlessly fitting of his character, even though it turns out to be Simon that lets up on the circumstances. These characters though, I just love them to death. More so than any sitcom that I have watched in years, I will be monstrously disappointed if this series only gets the one season.

Every moment in this show is just fantastic. The use of Nelly’s song ‘Ride With Me’ worked hilariously well into the scenes it was used for. Then Lauren and Zach working together to sell cars, and the two of them flaunting themselves on top of cars to get the sale for prospective people riotous in its hilarity. I honestly love watching this show every week, I just wish there was more to watch.

This series just takes the cake every single week. It’s hilarious, the cast just works incomparably well together, and the circumstances in each episode are uproarious. These people deserve – no, the public deserves for this series to have many seasons. Not only is this show smart with its comedy in that it doesn’t try to dumb down the writing, its not just about a work sitcom, it’s about people that fit together as family.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“I’d carry your hair in a locket if necklaces weren’t weird on guys.” – Zach explains his fondness for Simon.

“Why do I confide in you people?” – Sydney questions herself, as she often does in this series.

“We’re basically a pimp in a mink hat away from being whores.” – Andrew sums up their job as advertisers.

That’s all for tonight, folks. Check in tomorrow for my reviews of Dracula, Haven, and Bones in its all-new Friday night timeslot. I’m off to go watch some more Christmas related TV/movies (40 days baby!) and make some more big snowflakes. Good night all.

Trophy Wife 1.08 Review: Taking Control of the Matter

For all those that have yet to watch tonight’s episode of Trophy Wife, entitled ‘Lice and Beary White’, now would be a good time to go do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

I really liked this week’s episode. Aside from the school nurse, who was annoyingly bland and not funny at all, this whole lice situation made for an interesting episode. We were able to see everyone interact with each other, and see a struggle of power and wills between Diane and Kate. I’m finally starting to see this series comedy grow into its own, and the ensemble is definitely beginning to work well with each other.

So, basically, this episode was all about Bert being found with lice, and everyone having to be round up to wash their hair of the bugs. Kate had things under control, but then Diane swoops in and takes over, not believing Kate can handle this better than her. Diane’s jabs at Kate were definitely funny, and Kate’s trying to get back at Diane by switching out the lice shampoo made for a hilarious circumstance. Of course Hillary’s play was Hair, under these circumstances. I totally loved Diane and Kate at least agreeing to back away and let another kid take the wrap for spreading lice. At least they managed to agree on one thing.

Elsewhere in the episode, Bert and Warren struggled over who would get to keep Beary White, a well worn teddy bear. I love every time Pete gets to use his job at home; it just brings a certain realistic hilarity to things. The way he also tried to settle who would get to keep the bear, by telling them the story of Solomon was perfect. Neither of these kids are very smart upon hearing the story and being okay with the bear being cut in half, but then Bert’s a kid and Warren obviously gave all his smarts to Hillary.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable episode. The Crazy Ones is still my favourite new sitcom of the year, but this series definitely takes second place. I’m not as big on sitcoms as I am dramas, so the fact that I’m still watching this series definitely says something good about it. The lice circumstance to this episode definitely gave it a lot of material, although I doubt the bear will be remembered or mentioned again, with the fact it had lice in it. Also, the fact that Jackie can’t drive was just hilarious. I’ll be sad to not have this series on my Tuesday nights until December 3^rd.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Bert’s got lice. We’ve got lice.” – Kate says into the phone. “Round up the others.” – Pete whispers back. “I’m on it.” – Kate replies.

Jackie referring to herself as, “The Jackal.”

All right, I’m off to watch The Originals now. I may or may not watch both it and Supernatural before reviewing either, I’m not sure yet. But stay tuned.