Bitten 1.01 Review: Everyone Just Wants to be Normal

This is a friendly reminder for all those that have yet to watch last night’s Canadian series premiere of Bitten, titled ‘Summons’, or are waiting to watch the U.S. series premiere tomorrow night, that now would be the time to exit this screen. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been aptly warned.

There were a number of things wrong with this series premiere that I took issue with, even when ignoring the source material this series comes from. But I’m going to ignore that second part for now, and focus solely on my issues with the notable departure from the books. Just to forewarn you, this may be a long review.

Now, I’m a big fan of the book series, of which this series is based around the first book Bitten by Kelley Armstrong. I’ve been a big fan of the Women of the Otherworld series since I was twelve, making that nearly a decade that I’ve been reading this series. And when I say big fan, I do mean big fan – I’m a member of the author’s website, have read the books several times, and consider the series to be my favourite books (and I read A LOT of books). So when I say that I take issue with this adaptation of the first novel in this book series, it’s a big deal to me.

Let’s begin with the actors. I have to say that Laura Vandervoort was about the only one that suited her role in the looks department, but I’ve seen this woman in a number of roles (beginning with her sisterly role in the Canadian series Instant Star) over the years, and she’s not the strongest of actresses. She can be good in supporting roles, but I have yet to see her acting strong enough to play a leading lady. But, I suppose, at least she actually looked like what the character was supposed to look like.

Then there’s Clay (short for Clayton Danvers), played here by Greyston Holt, to which I’ve only seen as secondary characters in a few shows I watch. To paraphrase, he was supposed to be a gorgeous, young looking, animalistic man with a Southern drawl he never quite got rid of, despite not remembering his own family from before he was bitten as a child. Holt may be an attractive enough man, but not in the Greek god like way he was written as in the books. Phillip was more attractive than him. And even ignoring the fact that this could be Elena’s – as our narrator – bias, he was still seen as devilishly handsome by others – that he ignored because he only had eyes for Elena – evident with how many women fawned over him. There was none of this in Clay, nor was it evident that he could not stand to be around humans, nor that he was more wolf than man a great deal of the time. I tried to give Holt the benefit of the doubt, and maybe part of it is the writers’ fault, but even if he seems like he could be a good actor, the man was not right for the role, and the role not right either. I mean, he didn’t act ANYTHING like the beloved sadistic character of the books.

Then there are the other members of the wolf pack. This consists of Jeremy (played by Greg Byrk), Antonio (Paulino Nunes), Nick (Steve Lund), Logan (Michael Xavier), and Peter (Joel Keller). Now, I had no major issues with Lund, Xavier, or Keller in the looks department with their respective characters, although Keller didn’t quite appear young enough, but I did take issue with how they were characterized. It was Byrk and Nunes I took greatest issue with. Byrk was no where near young enough looking to play Jeremy, and he certainly didn’t look like he was the quiet, cunning type of Alpha that was also a wonderful painter. And Nunes just did not look anything like his son, or young enough at all to play Antonio.

In regards to Nick, Logan, and Peter’s personalities, I found Keller to be quite like he was playing the role, rather than embodying it. Nick just did not have any personality to him, and the whole threesome thing made absolutely no sense. My issue with Logan was, despite that I enjoyed getting to know his character and seeing him, he just wasn’t that involved in the book. Plus, werewolves have no place for humans in their lives, so I didn’t really understand the whole Rachel thing.

My final irk with the characters had to do with Phillip and his whole family. Now, in the books Phillip and Elena met when living in the same building, but this time around she’s best friends with his sister and that’s how they met. This just doesn’t make sense because Elena doesn’t get along with women, and Phillip’s sisters are all supposed to be far older. And then there was the whole mother issue. In the books, Phillip’s family loves Elena, and kind of adopts her as one of their own, which just goes to explain the reasoning behind how family-centered Phillip is. This antagonization from the mother towards Elena’s character makes no sense and does nothing to assert Phillip’s adoration of his family. I just, really cannot stand it. Plus how business-centered they all seem to be, like family isn’t what’s most important to them, it doesn’t really help to depict how these characters are supposed to be.

A few other nitpicks I have with how this series changed from the books included Elena’s job change. Why did they need to change her from a journalist to a photographer? Because it’s a prettier, more visual job? Honestly, she was a journalist for a reason; it was so that she’d be able to help cover up werewolf activity, and it also helps her to meet another character down the line in the book series. So, please, tell me what changing her to a photographer adds to the story? Also why include Logan in her life so heavily. Yes, she was in contact with him as opposed to the other pack members she’d taken leave from, but she didn’t see him on a daily basis, and there was certainly no running with other wolves in Toronto. I just, I find that this changes her character more, that she doesn’t have to feel so extracted from her werewolf life. And that whole thing with her mentioning to her friend that she’d had a dark past? There’s no way she would have spoken about that! She wouldn’t not say it because of pride, but the book Elena felt that it wasn’t an excuse to be used, just a point in her life to move past. And I’m pretty sure Clay was about the only one who knew how bad she’d had it in the foster care system. Yes, this is a television series and we don’t get as much into her head, but there’s no good reason she needed to mention any of that. I just, I think that by doing this it shows how comfortable she’s gotten in this new life, but Elena never felt fully comfortable in the books.

Now, when it comes to strictly what was wrong with the show, not in correlation to the books, there were several other things to mention. First of all, the first victim of the serial killing werewolf (that would be serial killer that is also a werewolf, not that he’s a serial killer of werewolves) was a TERRIBLE actress. Honestly, it felt like she’d been picked off the side of the street and told to read these lines. Not good. Also, being that it is a Canadian made show, the CGI was a bit obvious when it came to the werewolves in wolf form. And, finally, I felt like there wasn’t quite enough well done background music. It felt too plain when it came to that, like we could hear the characters speak most of the time too well.

All in all, about the only things I really did like were, despite my issues with it, that we do get to see Logan more than in the books, and also the opening credits. Anyone that has read my review of Dracula and Sleepy Hollow can likely attest to that. Now, I will give this series a couple more episodes to find its footing and get better, but I’m not sure how much better it can get. I loved these books, and it pains my heart to think I won’t be able to watch this show because of how badly it’s being done.

My rating: 6 out of 10.

No memorable lines.

My apologies if this seems a bit confusing for a page and a half, because I wrote that part on Sunday, otherwise I just finished the rest now. Now, I’m really behind on reviews, so I may not get to all of them. That includes one of two Almost Human episodes, one of two Trophy Wife episodes, one of two Cougar Town episodes, the last American Horror Story: Coven episode, one of two Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episodes, and the last episode of The Crazy Ones. I will be trying to review Bones last episode, mostly because I haven’t watched it yet, as well as Revenge, Shameless, this week’s Almost Human, Teen Wolf, How I Met Your Mother, Sleepy Hollow, The Blacklist, and tonight’s episodes of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Trophy Wife, Cougar Town, The Originals, and Supernatural. My apologies about all this, I’ve been really plowing through a rewatch of Gilmore Girls lately.

Revolution 2.10 Review: Family Matters

This is your one and only friendly reminder from me to you that, if you haven’t watched tonight’s episode of Revolution, entitled ‘Three Amigos’, then now would be a splendid time to go and do so before proceeding ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Honestly, I’m somewhat surprised at just how much I am enjoying this season of this series. Sure, I liked the first season a great deal, but I’m loving this season. This year is continuously growing into something addictive that I keep feeling the need to devour, and yet I am still hungry for more. That’s just how great this series is becoming, and this week’s episode was no exception.

This week’s 2014 premiere episode after the Christmas break had Charlie and Monroe rescuing Rachel’s dad so that he could save Miles’s life. Monroe did this so that Miles would tell him where he’d hidden his son, to which Miles takes Monroe on the trek towards Mexico, taking Rachel along in fear of what might happen with just the two of them involved. They eventually find his son Connor, a twenty-five year old man (which likely puts Monroe at about forty-three, forty-four – despite the actor’s actual age of thirty-seven) in charge of thirty men apart of a drug cartel. Now, Monroe only wants to talk with his son – and why wouldn’t he when he didn’t even know the kid had existed until just a few months ago? But Monroe is mostly hoping that he can help the kid pick up where he left things off with the Republic he’d been in control of, even though the guy seems to want nothing to do with him. Now, we didn’t really get to see much interaction between this father and son duo, but already I’m excited for more. Still, I’m kind of hoping they don’t try the route of setting things up between Charlie and Connor – who is cute, but the dazzling chemistry between Monroe and Charlie needs to be explored. Besides, despite how they are similarly damaged Charlie and Connor are, I think Charlie needs a more mature man in her life because let’s be honest, she was the caretaker of her brother and thus took on a motherly role with him. And after that, there’s no going backwards in responsibility.

And speaking of Charlie, her grandfather, Aaron and her were left behind when Miles, Bass, and Rachel took off in search of Bass’s son – to which I was a little disappointed Charlie was left behind because I really want more screen time between her and Monroe, but I can understand the writing standpoint behind this. Aaron soon scampered off on his own quest, and in Charlie and her grandfather attempting to track him down, Gene happened upon some seemingly nefarious traffic going on between the Patriots and some townspeople. When Charlie and Gene intercept the last wagon with mystery cargo, they find – of all things – oranges. Now, we soon learn that the Patriots are dosing these oranges with something, but our heroes do not know this, nor do we know what exactly they are spiking these fruits with. My guess, something to help brainwash them with, to make sure even the most unsure are complacent, or some kind of back up plan they can use if all things don’t go well. But I’m not exactly expecting my theory to be right, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Our two final storylines concern Aaron and the Neville’s, separately that is. In the final minutes Aaron travels to Spring City, Oklahoma – and come on, we all knew that was where he was going – where he happens upon none other than Grace, one of the people that was apart of the same project as Rachel that managed to bring down electricity. Now, we have to wait until next week to see more between these two, but it does leave something to be pondered.

Then there were the Neville’s. Julia, pretending to be someone named Rebecca, constructed a rather meticulous plan – if I do say so myself – to get her actual husband Tom to take out the current Chief of Staff in order for her Rebecca husband take over the title, all to “help” Tom get promoted so that they can get what they deserve. Now, I’m not all that sure what her actual plan is, but I know it’s definitely not so that she can step down and become Tom’s wife again, even if he threatens to kill her Rebecca husband. That look of worry on her face when he says he’ll stab him, she’s obviously up to something else a little different that she hasn’t told Tom about. Also, their son Jason snuck in and read documents that the man that looks eerily similar to Johnny Depp worried over in his room. I’m rather curious to learn what will be on the papers, even if I’ve already forgotten what the triangular symbol means again.

Now, I have to say that episode had a very solid opening, quite enjoyable in my opinion. I especially enjoyed when Aaron told Gene off for trying to apologize to him about either betraying his own family, or Aaron and his now deceased girlfriend. The backbone Aaron’s character has slowly managed to grow is something I find incredible, definitely good character development.

This episode I found incredibly well written, from all the different stories that we hopped between but it still managed to keep my interest was rather well done. Some times, if these kinds of things aren’t done properly, the stories can become rather unconnected, and I didn’t get that here, the flow was perfectly on key. Not only that, but also the acting, and the dialogue, and the cinematography were all so good that I didn’t feel that there was even a weak link between any of it. It all managed to work so well together that I even found myself beginning to like Rachel this week; despite finding she has tried to overshadow the Charlie character all too much this season. So, basically, this series is becoming really top notch this season.

Monroe, he was really brilliant this week. I really found that everything his character did was very natural to this point in his story as well as to the overall seasonal story arc. Also, I absolutely adored the way Charlie’s name just kind of rolled off his tongue in that one comment he made (a line you can find below). I’m really forward to seeing these two’s relationship slowly develop. Sure, we may never fully get Charloe (Charlie and Monroe together, for all you non-shippers/ Internet language challenged), but I know that whatever screen time they manage to get together is something I will very much soak up and appreciate.

A couple final things I need to note. They have to do with the subtle moments that have little to do with dialogue, and everything to do with body language and facial movements. The first is to do with that smile that spreads across Charlie’s face when her grandfather asks he since when has she listened to what her mother has told her to do. Such a small moment that was expected after that rhetorical question, but something that helps to mold a character beautifully all the same. The second was that look Rachel gave both Miles and Monroe after the wagon driver spoke to her and patted next to him in the driving seat. That look of yeah-right, combined with oh-come-on and really? Something that so naturally occurs with women that fit just so well into that point in their adventure. I loved it.

All in all, this episode was incredible, and I can say that having been able to write a page worth amount of notes on it. Everything just fit so well together that it gave just enough to keep me interested, but not too much so that I might have felt overloaded with information. I really like that this series is able to manage all that it does, and it has a great deal to do with its writing staff and skilled actors. Honestly, I was counting down my hours at work knowing that once I got home it would be time for me to watch this, and it in no way disappointed. This is the kind of series that makes me know I want to be a television screenwriter. And makes me actually want to write a review.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Yeah, yeah, I’m alive.” – Monroe says to Gene.

“How you holding up, stumpy?” – Monroe questions Miles.

“I have to help you find your son after you killed mine.” – Rachel explains to Monroe after he asks her what her problem is.

“The jerk crisscrossed two creeks. He was paying more attention than I thought. Guess he doesn’t want to be found.” – Charlie says exasperatedly.

“Well, congratulations, you’ve made it to Mexico. Go enjoy the Mexican dream.” – Monroe ironically states.

“You asked for my help. What’d you think I was gonna do?” – Charlie replies to the incredulous look her grandfather gives her after she kills the two Patriot men.

“Because I’m Sebastian Monroe.” – Monroe says to his newfound son, explaining how he would know anything about commanding legions.

“Well, by that logic, Charlie’s going to grow up to end the world.” – Monroe retorts to Rachel.

Okay, that’s all for tonight’s folks. I’m going to go watch American Horror Story: Coven now, but I will not be reviewing it tonight. And by posting this, it does not mean I will not be reviewing Almost Human, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Trophy Wife, or Cougar Town, I just really wanted to watch and review this show more. Plus, I’ve only watched the first of those four shows this week, so I’ll be doing a bit of catch up tomorrow, plus reviewing The Crazy Ones. So check back in tomorrow night.

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.

Nashville 2.09 Review: The Funny Thing About People

For all those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of Nashville, entitled ‘I’m Tired of Pretending’, now would be a good time to go and do that. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed ahead at your own discretion.

I really love the drama that this show brings; it’s such great entertainment. And yet, at the same time it is able to balance great family qualities, intriguing relationships, and well-written characters. This series is so beautifully done, and that’s a particularly generous compliment, as it comes from a woman that absolutely cannot stand the sound of country music. Somehow this series is able to manage to make me like it.

This week had somewhat of a conclusion to the Juliette Barnes and Charlie Wentworth storyline. At the beginning I was so happy having him around because of how absolutely adorable he is, but then Juliette sadly had a point when she realized they didn’t bring out the best in each other. Although, I still really loved that barn scene between the two of them from a couple episodes back. Hopefully this isn’t the last we see of Charlie, particularly after the reveal Layla gave to TMZ. I mean, did you not see Charlie’s face as he came to Juliette’s dressing room to tell her it had been a week and that he loved her and wanted to build a life with her? He looked absolutely devoted to his feelings right there, how could anyone not want that beautiful Brit back on their television screen? Honestly, I have one specific note that reads: ‘I love Charlie. Seriously.’ That’s how badly I need this guy on my TV set each week. It’s like my obsession with Charlie and Monroe and just needing Monroe on my TV over on Revolution.

Anyways, there was some well-developed progress regarding the whole Maddie, Teddy, and Deacon situation. I’m definitely looking forward to this the further it progresses, although it was a complete douchebag thing of Teddy to take Deacon out of the showcase. As a longtime hater of his character, I’m kind of hoping the previews of someone getting shot next episode are of Teddy. I really don’t like that character. On the flipside, I am enjoying Deacon and his struggle to see where he could possibly fit in this situation. It will most assuredly be interesting to see how he approaches his relationship with Maddie, and the responsibility he might need to accept going forward. Also, I absolutely adored Maddie and him singing together on stage.

The whole Scarlett and Gunnar situation on tour was graced with the presence of both Avery and Zoey this week. I have to say that I quite enjoyed getting to see the friendship between Scarlett and Zoey on that couch and am a little disappointed the Gunnar and Zoey relationship will likely put a stopper in the two besties friendship. It’s always sad when lifelong friends go their separate ways, particularly when they are as close as these two. I don’t think this is the end of their friendship, but I do think there will be tough roads ahead for them. But I still don’t think the Gunnar, Zoey relationship was the right thing for his character, despite her playing the tension and chemistry between them well.

All in all, this series is such a beautiful mess when it comes to the drama. There is so much chaos in these people’s lives that it just gives the series so many ripe pickings when it comes to stories to tell. There is a perfect amount of ensemble cast on this show, and I’m enjoying almost all of the characters this season. Also, I just have to comment on how much Juliette resembled Britney Spears in that outfit she wore as she performed with Will, and she looked really good in it too. Basically, this series is pretty damn great, despite my hatred of Teddy, and not being completely interested in Rayna’s father’s legal troubles.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“No, I’m pretty sure I meant sadly.” – Zoey corrects Avery, regarding the fact she’s spent most of her free time with him and Gunnar.

“The funny thing about people, they make a lot of mistakes that can hurt the people around them. The thing I’ve learned is it doesn’t mean they don’t love us.” – Rayna shares her wisdom with Maddie, in a beautiful mother-daughter moment.

Okay, so I just have to review American Horror Story: Coven now. Stay tuned.