Once Upon A Time 3.08 Review: How Far Does the Apple Fall From the Tree?

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of Once Upon A Time, entitled ‘Think Lovely Thoughts’, I suggest that you go and watch it now before proceeding ahead. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

So, we found out who Peter Pan is, and let me just say, I saw that coming as soon as they introduced Rumplestiltskin’s father. Nevertheless, while it does wrap the characters up rather neatly, I’m not a fan of who they chose him to be. A lot of things from earlier episodes don’t make sense now to me, and the character doesn’t seem like the actor knew ahead of time that this was who he was going to end up being, and thus was unable to act accordingly. Plus I find myself liking Peter Pan less now that we’ve learned who he began as.

In my opinion, there was far too much Henry in this episode. I understand the need to use this character, but the actor is just not good enough to be in as many scenes as he is. I almost wish he was going to die, but we all know that’s not going to happen. When they get his heart back, could the magic of putting it back transform him into another actor? I’m pretty sure only if this kid got major acting lessons, or a legitimately talented child actor took over the role would I actually begin to like Henry too. It just sucks because I actually like the name Henry and this kid is ruining it for me.

While I do find that this episode felt like I got through it far too quickly, I am still beginning to get sick of Neverland. I’m a little bored of this arc because it doesn’t seem to be moving at the same pace as the amount of episodes we’ve had this season. By last week’s numbers, I don’t even think it’s been a week since they’ve gotten there, and too much has happened that it’s difficult to keep track of time. It’s making me a little delirious, and I’d really prefer to move onto to a story arc that isn’t based around Henry. As much as I did find Pan an intriguing villain up to this point, we’ve learned too much about him that I’m pretty much done with this arc. Can it be over soon, please?

All in all, not the worst writing they’ve had on this series, but they seem to be wrapping their characters up to neatly for my taste. Not only that, but the lack of continuity they seem to be able to grasp, even in this season alone is a little disconcerting. I mean, Rumple crying over and being surprised concerning the poppet-like doll because it reminded him of his father just makes little sense now that we all know he left it there. Really, this is another series that I watch that I honestly wish I could go in and clean house. Please, show runners, read a few negative reviews just so you can get some constructive criticism about how your series is going!

My rating: 6 out of 10.

Best Line:

“I’m not walking in there with nothin’ but my good looks.” – Rumplestiltskin states.

Okay, I’m off to watch and review Revenge now, so check back soon for that. Afterwards it’s the review of the series premiere of Almost Human. Stay tuned.

The Blacklist 1.03 Review: Everybody Needs Somebody

Anyone that has yet to watch yesterday’s episode of The Blacklist, titled ‘No. 84: Wujing’, then please do so now. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

Wow. This series just seems to keep getting better and better every week. A nice slow build to the answers we seek, while continuing to pose new questions after every answer we do get. It’s such a thrill-seeking ride watching this show each week, so intense, never a second spent bored or hoping it’ll be over soon. When the end of an episode comes, it comes all too soon, but particularly well done.

Every week watching this – though there has only been three episodes – I have this satisfied feeling that only truly good television can give you after watching it for the first time. The writing is just beyond spectacular or this series. Each week I come in thinking I know what’s going on, but they just seem to be able to change my perspective and opinion at the drop of a hat. And I’m not even disappointed when I get things wrong. And I’ve said it before, but I’m going to keep on saying it until it’s no longer true, the music for this series is breathtaking. It fits perfectly into the scenes it’s chosen for, and while the episodes always seem to open and close with perfect songs, the pattern of use has not grown tedious.

The characters are also very well done. While I’ve said how much I enjoy both Reddington’s character and Keen’s, despite a few flaws, I haven’t said anything about the CIA agent from last week. Although I did express my fondness over the execution of a line she spoke last episode, in this episode she seemed to have a depth of emotion that I really enjoyed seeing. I definitely want this woman to stick around for a while. Donald is another character I’ve become partial to. I know I expressed my desire to see the chemistry between him and Keen flourish, I also like how well built he seems as his own person. This series does very well developing their characters into three-dimensional beings. I very much feel like these people could exist. The one character I would like more interaction with is Cooper, played by the brilliant Harry Lennix.

There are definitely a great deal of questions that have both popped up in this episode, and been further developed. If Reddington is not Keen’s father, who is he? He didn’t completely reject that it wasn’t him, but it no longer seems so. Is the man with the apple surveying Keen her father? If Reddington’s not the father, what could possibly cause him to want Keen in his life so extremely and so protectively? What is up with the husband? Why were the bullets from his supposed gun found at a classified homicide? And finally, what was with the number 042983? Was it an offshore bank account?

I have to take note of one particular scene in this episode, which also relates to another scene. The point where Reddington and Keen are in the car, and she’s asked him her question, and then she goes on to express how she has people and he only has himself. Boone did quite well in expressing the fact she has people she cares about, and then Spader did wonderfully in saying he had her. That also led to the paralleling scenes where she is surrounded by people she cares about, and he only has himself to eat dinner with. I honestly could not help but feel bad for him, looking so very lonely there. There has got to be more than just feelings of regret, or needing to repay a debt to Keen’s father, for Reddington to want to be so readily in her life.

This series is so unbelievably smartly written. It’s honestly no wonder it was the first series of the year to get a full season pick up. I’m just so incredibly excited to keep continuing on this journey with these characters, with no threat of early cancellation. I can genuinely say that this may be my favourite new series of the season, barring any series I have yet to watch. But the fact that this one is put together so beautifully, and poetically, makes me doubt that any could challenge it.

My rating: 8 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“I prefer to play with myself in private.” – Reddington says, referring to his game of chess, with clever sexual innuendos.

“Friends don’t let friends starve when they’ve been stabbed by violent psychopaths.” – A friend of the Keens’s says, referring to the first episode where Liz’s husband was stabbed. (Yes, I’ve forgotten the name of the character, I have a terrible memory.)

“That’s what they said about deep throat. And the G spot.” – Reddington says to Keen, after she states Wujing is only a myth.

“’Thank you, Aram.’ ‘You’re welcome.’” – Aram, the FBI agent tech guy, whom I hope is back for future episodes, he’s hilarious.

All right, time for dishes for me. Then The Originals is up, followed by one of the sitcoms (New Girl and Trophy Wife) with Supernatural following, and ending with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.