Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 1.11 Review: The Truth of the Matter

This is a friendly reminder for anyone that has yet to watch last week’s episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., entitled ‘The Magical Place’, that now would be a good time to do that. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Okay, so this is going to be quick, but here goes. While I don’t quite think all the acting is completely up to snuff (*cough*May*cough*), I did really like that there was a great unity to our favourite super-less heroes. They were all very much in the mindset to rescue Coulson, and bring him back to lead the team.

Some of my favourite parts to this episode involved a lot of Skye. Her impersonating May was fantastic and hilariously on key. I’d almost think she expressed more depth of the character than Melinda May herself. Also, I thought that the actress that plays Raina was very good this week in her persuading skills. I was honestly beginning to feel like she was completely right about the entire situation, but the actress still tries a little too hard. Clark Gregg was perfect this week in demonstrating the hardships Coulson was going through. I much preferred this to the occasional arrogance that can come off him. And I would also like to say that at least Mike is still alive; perish the thought of not seeing J. August Richards on my screen every week; I’ve missed him since Angel.

All in all, I’m actually looking forward to tonight’s episode. I was honestly expecting the payoff for Coulson’s being brought back to life to be disappointing, but it was actually decent. It was eerily creepy watching that machine do what it was doing to his brain, and having him repeatedly ask them to just let him die. It was sad and something I could pity.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Don’t touch Lola.” – Skye tells the agent, referring to Coulson’s car.

“Disengage bracelet.” – Coulson says. “Are you kidding me?” – Skye questions.

Okay, now I’m off to watch tonight’s Trophy Wife, check back soon for that review.

The Blacklist 1.05 Review: Searching for the Truth can be a Troubling Time

All those that have yet to watch yesterday’s episode of The Blacklist, entitled ‘The Courier (No.85)’, then I suggest you go and do so now. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

The progression this series takes is a little quicker than I’d have expected. But still, I’m ridiculously curious to learn what is up with Keen’s husband. The man was able to put on such a brilliantly covered façade, until the entry of Reddington. I’m just curious to know why this case would have been deemed classified in the first place. What was the big deal about it?

As always, the music was brilliant; this series is always able to pick out the best songs for the right moments. The cinematography is also mostly good; I just found it was a little close to the characters faces at some moments. But that seems to be a technique most television is moving towards with the introduction of wide screen TVs.

There wasn’t as much great interaction between Keen and Donald this week, but she did have some good moments with Reddington. Particularly that last scene they shared, where she says she’s not sure why she’s there. I really do think he’s becoming – if not is – her father figure, in a weird kind of way. There relationship is moving towards a dependent familial bond, despite how they technically are on opposites sides of the law, even if one side is helping the other.

From the characters, I’m definitely interested in learning the more human side of Cooper (Harry Lennix’s character), although – despite the evilness – he will always be Boyd to me. And I’d definitely like to learn more about Donald’s character, and eventually see something between him and Keen, being that her husband is likely evil. Agent Meera Malik’s character is also quite intriguing, and I’d like to see what got her to become the hard-nosed CIA agent she is today.

As usual, this is a very tight series. While I’m not a fan of Robert Knepper, ever since Heroes he’s been way too creepy and looks like someone on drugs, this was a pretty good episode. I loved that Reddington used his only in with NSA database to learn more about Keen’s husband’s suspected murder victim. Not as good as other episodes, but I still am excited to watch more of this series.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Speak of the Devil. It’s the Devil.” – Keen says to Donald, referring to Reddington.

“Luckily, we happen to have our own psychopath.” – Cooper states, also referring to Reddington.

Alright, I’m off to watch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. now. That’ll be followed by (ugh) New Girl (which I’m only sticking around to watch until Coach comes back and subsequently leaves, please be soon), Trophy Wife, The Originals, and Supernatural. Not necessarily in that order. Stay tuned.

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.