| The Event (s01e03): Protect Them from the Truth ★★★ A new detainee (Clea DuVall) is put into play when the Martinez administration rolls out a new strategy to make Sophia come clean about the detainees’ plan. No Ordinary Family (s01e02): No Ordinary Marriage Life Unexpected (s02ep04): Team Rebounded Glee (s02ep03): Grilled Cheesus Stargate Universe (s02e02): Aftermath The Vampire Diaries (s02ep05): Kill or Be Killed Nikita (s01e05): The Guardian Fringe (s03ep03): The Plateau |
   
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Caps coming soon.
The Event (s01e03): Protect Them from the Truth
This week we learn they’d even kill a policeman to get to Sean. You’d think if they wanted him that bad, then why kidnap his girlfriend and not him from the start? I think there’s also more to Leila and her family than meets the eye. It also seems that kidnapper Vicki, I fail to remember her real name, has been trained by the government. Could she be our very own La Femme Nikita?
We also meet William, one of the detainees, who is willing to tell President Martinez about everything in exchange for freedom. Only thing is William also wants his girlfriend to be free, too. That’s where things get dicey.
Poor William’s own girlfriend, Clea Duvall in a cameo, stabs him in the stomach after making sure he hasn’t told anyone. The aliens must really be hiding something if they’re willing to kill one of their own in order to hide the truth.
At first I thought Sophia was the good alien, but now I’m starting to wonder. First, she won’t tell President Martinez about anything. Then, she has a secret meeting with Lee and tells him to stop William. What are her motivations?
I know some people suspected we hadn’t seen the last of Michael, since he’s played by Scott Patterson, but I really wasn’t expecting all the plane passengers to come back to life at the end. Thomas said they served a purpose, so now I just wonder what was done to them? |
No Ordinary Family (s01e02): No Ordinary Marriage
| I watched the premiere when it was released early a month ago on ABCs website for promotion. I’d been really excited to see it, since it was created by Berlanti who I’ve loved ever since Everwood and Jack&Bobby worked their way into our hearts.
What I expected was more of the same family drama, but with a new supernatural twist. I wasn’t disappointed. First and foremost, this show is obviously a family drama with parents, kids, husband/wife dynamic, and outside friends. Berlanti is back, guys.
Daphne definitely got the short end with reading everyone’s minds. That’s probably the worst power to have in high school. Then again, if she could filter out all the extra noise, it could become pretty useful. Thank goodness she got some help from her mom and is on the way to controlling it.
JJ on the other hand has the best power, if he could only use it more subtly. Obviously, if you are suddenly acing tests the teacher is going to notice. I think, the teacher needs to go the way of the coach from last season’s Vampire Diaries. I also think it’s pretty cool that his powers allow JJ a renewed sense of confidence and to feel smart and useful. It’s just going to take everyone around him some adjusting time.
I love the sfx from Stephenie’s powers as she speeds down the street. Out of everyone in the family she’s the one most eager to get rid of the powers and wondering where they came from. With good reason seeing as she trips while running and gets pretty injured. Also, Stephanie and Katie figure out it’s not the glowy water that gave them their powers. So, it begs the question, what did?
It seems like the guys in the Powell family have it the best with controlling their powers. Jim is still using his to fight crime and also learning the things he can’t do with them. Stopping a moving car seems to be one of those things. It’s cool to see him excited at using them, but you do have to wonder if Stephanie is right and they need to be careful. And now that the lady at the station knows about his powers…
…which doesn’t seem to be too big of a deal anymore since she might now be dead. I wasn’t expecting her to die so soon. I am kind of suspicious that maybe she’s still alive. And seeing Reverend Camden from 7th Heaven as a bad guy? Weird. It’s interesting that even though this show is a family drama, there’s also the scifi part in the balance as well. This could get interesting. |
Life Unexpected (s02ep04): Team Rebounded
Baze played second fiddle this week, which is just as well since he’s always has a lot of screen time. What’s really surprising is seeing Mouth get a storyline, but did it have to be with Paige? Really, what do any of the guys see in her? We’re talking about the girl who kissed Mouth just to end the date this week. Glad that relationship is over before it really began. And Baze, telling Mouth you’re into her again is not the way to get him to back off, buddy.Sorry.
Another thing that may be over before it began, Cate’s friendship with new radio host, Kelly. I know she’s meant to be Cate’s foil, but could she be more annoying with promoting her book all the time? I do sympathize with her revealing to Ryan about Cate not wanting to have anymore kids. I mean there are things you should discuss before marriage, and whether you want kids I think should be one of them. I give it one episode til Ryan discovers she’s still taking her birth control.
I feel like Lux is so immature this season. She tricks Cate into agreeing to let Tasha live with them, but doesn’t realize the repercussions of getting Tasha kicked out of her home. I’m glad it all worked out, but I’m still wondering why Tasha gets to do assisted living. And what’s with Lux and her almost adopted mother? Seems to me Lux resents her for not going through with the adoption process, not that the lady was a horrible mother as she tried to tell Tasha. But most importantly, this episode felt like the show was going back to it’s roots. Can’t wait to see some more. |
Glee (s02ep03): Grilled Cheesus
I actually really didn’t think I’d like this episode after watching the first ten minutes and realizes it had a lot to do with religion. Religion is such a touchy subject that it can go wrong really quickly. This actually ended up being my favorite episode this season so far, and one of my favorite of the show.
I liked that even though Kurt didn’t believe in God, it didn’t stop the rest of the Glee club from praying for his dad and expressing their beliefs. It was a very emotional storyline, and I think I felt a tear.
I also liked that the episode touched on the idea of whether God really gives us signs or is active in our every day lives. Finn sees Jesus in a grilled cheese and then thinks God helped him win a football game with Artie, touch Rachel’s boobs, and become quarterback on the football team. Too funny. I also liked the music this week a lot. Rachel’s “Papa Can You Hear Me”. Kurt’s “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”. Finn’s “Losing My Religion”. And the cast’s “One of Us”, which just makes me want to watch Joan of Arcadia again. And I did this week, I missed that show. |
Stargate Universe (s02e02): Aftermath
Just as everything can get back to normal aboard Destiny: Rush has found the bridge and is secretly controlling the ship, his dead wife is speaking to him, the crew have a handful of the Lucian Alliance in the brig, and everyone is running out of food. It sucks that there really is no normal for them.
I find it so frustrating that Rush is willing to put everyone’s lives in danger, just so he can find out more about the Ancients and Destiny. Even worse, he’s willing to let others go down to the planet, but he’s not willing to go himself. Nice. Before they just had to worry about everything out there, now they have to worry about everyone inside. Can either Rush or Young be trusted to lead? They’re about to come to blows.
I found Riley’s death quite by Young quite disturbing. It takes a strong person to be able to do a mercy killing, and I don’t think I could ever do it. I think his eyes open and staring are going to haunt Young and all of us for a while. Rush, I blame all this on you.
My favorite part of the Stargate series is seeing the places they go and things they see. We need to see more of that I think intertwined with the dismal day to day survival. I’m hoping we get more soon. |
The Vampire Diaries (s02ep05): Kill or Be Killed
Stefan and Elena are still broken up and doing a damn good job at convincing everyone else. I just say that as long as they’re still being cute while sneaking around, I won’t complain too much about them not being all couply in the open. And if their little phrases are any indication, they’re doing a good job of living up to my standards.
I love how Stefan is always trying to make things right, but then Damon comes and screws everything up. Maybe now Damon will have learned his lesson after almost seeing his brother almost die. I liked his moment of weakness as he glanced over at his brother while they were both lying immobilized from vervain. Damon took a big step in not killing Carolina’s mom. He does have a heart when it comes to his brother and friends. It’s been a long rocky road for his character, but there are glimpses of mortality. I like that wanting to be a better person for Elena brings that out in him, even if I don’t like them together.
Katherine’s taking vervain over time as she explained to Stefan last week actually payed off this week. I like that this show mentions something you think is a throwaway, but then becomes important later.I’m not sure if Stefan taking human blood over time will help him become immune to its effect and still keep him strong, but I guess it’s worth a try. I’m glad Stefan and Elena are in it together and even feeding from her. Despite involving blood and such, the scene was so sweet and hot at the same time. Whenever the writers decide to break them up, which I’m sure will happen, it’s going to be hard for me to believe it with how awesome they are as a couple.
I feel so bad for Caroline. She’s never had the best relationship with her mother, and just as they’re starting to get better, then everything goes down hill. Her mother discovering she’s a vampire is kind of a metaphor for coming out of the closet. Unfortunately, in this instance her mother can’t deal with the consequences.
Otherwise, Caroline was so badass taking out Mason and then risking her own secret to help Elena save Stefan and Damon. I also have to give kudos to Elena who is a strong female character with no powers and always putting herself at risk for what she believes is right. I just wonder where Caroline will go from here?
Truth comes out that Mason became a werewolf a year ago after accidentally killing his best friend. I can’t decide which is worse, killing a stranger by accident or a best friend to start the curse. Now that we know it can happen with any death, even accidental, it’s going to be difficult watching Tyler in any scene til it happens. And you know it’ll happen. When Tyler tells Jeremy early on: “He’s not here for me.” that’s when I realized Mason’s connection to Katherine. It would have been nice to not see the reveal coming, but at least I was still surprised to learn Katherine basically created werewolf Mason by compelling his friend to fight him. Seems her plans have been a long time coming. And Katherine sure does get around, huh? |
Nikita (s01e05): The Guardian
Teen King Devon Sawa is back. I remember oohing and aahing over him in Casper, but I can’t decide if time did him any favors. Yes, he’s got a nice physique now, but wow he’s aged a lot since the last time I saw him in Final Destination. I do have to admire Owen’s usage of guns as well as fighting technique. He sure didn’t make it easy for Nikita to complete her mission. It was nice to see Bianca Lawson again in another role, but I wasn’t really expecting her to die. I thought this time a Division operative might get their happy ending.
Alex was badass this week from getting into Percy’s office using a piece of tape and Birkhoff’s thumb print. Then, managing to hide and get Owen’s operative number to give to Nikita. She even managed to side swipe Jayden, still annoying, to get her mission done. First kiss for Thom and Alex, too. Division doesn’t allow relationships, but Thom doesn’t seem to care. I’m not completely on their bandwagon, but I do feel bad Alex basically rejected him. I do wonder what she wanted to tell him before he told her to leave. Uh oh, complications in being a double agent.
It seems like Nikita is having her own complications with Owen. It’s interesting that both her and Alex are keeping things from each other, specifically in the guy department. How are they going to take down division if they’re not honest with each other? |
Fringe (s03ep03): The Plateau
At first this episode kind of reminded me of The X-Files episode Synchrony where a guy comes back from the future and gets a guy to die in front of a bus in order to set future events in motion. Then, I realized this episode was a very different thing entirely. We’re back in alt!world again this week as our Olivia goes brain to brain with a guy who can actually predict the outcome of a complex chain of events and uses it to murder. The idea is actually quite fascinating, even though the execution is just MOTW. Still, I enjoyed it and we even managed to get some mythos in there, too.
How do you outsmart someone who can predict what you’re going to do? By doing something they can’t predict. This just happens to be easier for someone who’s from another world like Olivia. I’d just like to say our Olivia is a great investigator, even when she’s not herself. I find the intricacies of alt!world fascinating. (Flashing back to Sliders.) So, I quite enjoyed the fact that Olivia should have died, but didn’t thanks to her own memories still peeking through alt!Olivia’s imposed ones. It makes me wonder whether their could be biological differences between the two that someone could notice?
Which brings me to Olivia’s subconscious, I think that’s what it is, trying to speak to her through the form of Peter and remind her she’s not from that world. Either that or Peter has a power he hasn’t told us about. I like that in a MOTW episode, we still get a little bit of mythology here and there. I love being able to see Peter and our Olivia still in some kind of contact. Though I probably could have done without the kiss. Even though it was sweet, it kind of feels like they’re putting too much emphasis on it lately. Save that for later, folks! |
| The Event (s01ep04): A Matter of Life and Death ★★★ The White House’s only hope for stopping a threat rests on breaking Sophia during interrogation. A White House-connected businessman (Hal Holbrook) with knowledge of classified intelligence emerges from the shadows. No Ordinary Family (s01e03): No Ordinary Ring Life Unexpected (s02ep05): Music Faced Glee (s02ep04): Duets Stargate Universe (s02e03): Awakening Caprica (s01ep11): Retribution Fringe (s03e04): Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep |
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Caps coming soon.
The Event (s01ep04): A Matter of Life and Death
Everyone thought this show would be the new Lost, but I’m finding that it feels like the new 24. There’s an ongoing mystery, political intrigue, people being held captive, and even the tone and such remind me of first season of 24. Just not as good, of course. I’m starting to like Sean more these days, even though I still think he’s like a Mary Sue. I get that he’s portrayed as an everyman, but how many times has he escaped death now? And now he’s able to hack into anywhere, too? Should it really have been this easy for him to get information on Vicki? He does have an intriguing backstory though with his messed up family life and absentee parents. It makes me wonder even more why they’ve focused so much on how he met Leila and their relationship was built. Did they choose him because he had no family? Something suspicous is going on.
I still haven’t decided if Blake Sterling is a good or a bad guy, but at the least he’s an awesome HBIC. The guy gets things done and with attitude. He doesn’t take crap from anyone. President Martinez is also a favorite of mine. Even though he’s out of his league with this whole ‘event’, I feel he has the confidence to get through it all. Pretty scary to find out someone was close enough to plant a phone in your kid’s backpack.
Sophia has been pretty creepy lately. And the flashback to President Martinez and hs wife discussin their parents emigration from Cuba, then Sophia likening it to the detainees emigrating to our country was an interesting comparison for the writers to take. I praised the first two episodes or so, but now they’re taking taking one step forward and two steps back. It’s getting tiring to see them kill the people on the plane, bring them back to life, and now put them in danger again. Or they need Sean, but they can’t get to him. Or they have powers, but can’t get the detainees out. Also, I want more character development, and less plot. Make us care for these characters like the shows 24, Lost, etc. did before you. |
No Ordinary Family (s01e03): No Ordinary Ring
I know Greg Berlanti’s capable of more drama, but much like ABCs other show Undercovers, they’re taking things too lighthearted. I want to see more action, and the stakes raised. And maybe not so many plot holes like Jim forgetting his daughter can read minds, or Daphne not realizing she’s reading someone’s mind. I still think the show is having growing pains, but I’m confident it will find its place.
Jim and Stephanie again take opposite sides of the superpowers debate like they did last week. Not much progress on that end. What I find interesting this week is no matter how much Stephanie opposes and Jim says he won’t use them, circumstances happen and they both choose to use their powers anyway. Stephanie needs to replace a fake blood sample from Katie for one of her own. Jim needs to get Stephanie’s ring back after they were robbed at a wedding. One of my favorite ideas of the episode is the powers seem to be here to stay, and they can’t help but use them.
Another thing I liked was Daphne’s conflict on whether she could/should tell her friend about her powers. Even though I thought the situation with Daphne’s friend was contrived, Daphne mistaking a thought for a voice, the resulting feud of everyone lying and her having to keep the truth was interesting. I’m glad Daphne realized she can’t really confide in a 16 year old friend. But her struggle with this friend and her realization she’s not normal or fits in anymore was heartbreaking. This storyline was probably my favorite this episode.
JJ was again mostly comic relief, but he’s also still lying to everyone but Daphne about his own powers. I wonder how long it’ll be before his parents realize he must have a power, too. For now though it’s quite amusing that he can learn to be Jewish in one night. |
Life Unexpected (s02ep05): Music Faced
I can’t believe Lux though to ask Mr. Daniels out to the music festival. And I’m surprised no one noticed all the looks she kept giving him. Also, I think it’s a writing cop out that they make him think Lux only likes him because he’s unavailable. Way to destroy all the development the two have had since the premiere. Also, why does everyone keep going out with Paige? I do like Tasha being in town now. It’s interesting to see the contrast between her and Lux with their lives. I think her and Jones are cute together. Plus, Lux needs to realize she can’t have everything. She let Jones go and now she wants to be upset he likes Tasha? Too bad.
Cate also has a problem of wanting things both ways. She’s with Ryan, but clearly upset at the end that Baze is now in love with someone else. I’m glad her mom helped her realize her real fear in having another child had to do with Lux more than anything else. Maybe now she can fix her relationship with Ryan. Though I also think she also doesn’t want to have a kid because she still has feelings for Baze. That’s another story.
The writers backed themselves into a corner by Cate marrying Ryan. So, now that leaves Baze to either pine over her or get over her. I like the idea of Baze finally deciding to move on, I’m just not sure I like this love interest I see going on with Emma.
There are certain scenes in this show I love to pieces. The fight between Cate and her mom was one of them. There’s a lot of insight into their characters and their history. Just like her father last season, Cate can finally get past her mother’s mistakes now. It’s very true that even though she wasn’t the best mother, at least she stayed and raised her. |
Glee (s02ep04): Duets
Finn and Rachel were the cutest as they conspired on how to get Sam to win the duet competition, so he wouldn’t leave Glee club. Again, they’re my favorite part of the episode. Finn’s the only one who knows her well enough to call her on her shit.
My second favorite couple is now Sam and Quinn. Yes, I’ve fallen for them in one episode, but him teaching her to play guitar was so sweet. I know Quinn has basically had a relationship with a couple of guys in Glee club, but I don’t think that means she can’t now have one with Sam. I think she’s grown a lot since having the baby last year, and she’s now in a position to have a healthy relationship.
I hope Kurt gets a love interest soon, so maybe he’ll stop going after every male around. He should have the freedom to express himself as anyone straight does, but at the same time he’s overstepping his boundaries.
Is it weird to anyone else how both Finn and Artie slept with people other than the one they really want to be with? I don’t see how Artie can blame Brittany for sleeping with him, when he’s the one who slept with her after only a day or two of going out. Did he really expect her to have feelings for him in that amount of time? Tina’s already having problems with Mike. Just goes to show that just because you have similarities doesn’t mean you’re compatible. Also, abs aren’t everything. Their duet where Mike doesn’t sing, why is he in Glee club then?, was weird and also kind of cute. |
Stargate Universe (s02e02): Aftermath
There really isn’t anyone left in charge on Destiny who can be trusted. Young is facing all his problems with the bottom of a bottle. Rush is talking to his dead wife, keeping secrets, and taking risks with everyone on board. He’s let Destiny overwhelm him and making rash decisions. He’s more interested in continuing his dream, than in saving the crew. I can’t believe another life was ruined this week because of him with Telford left behind on the alien ship.
At least Telford got to make up for things a bit, before he left. I liked the friendship he had with Young. I’m starting to think Telford may have been better in charge than Rush or Young, when he’s not under mind control of course. |
Caprica (s01ep11): Retribution
The strong female characters of Caprica really drove the episode this week. Clarice has taken Zoe 2.0’s place from last season and she’s pretty awesome doing it as this week she seeks, wait for it, retribution for Lacey and her gang after a botched bombing. Pretty hard core to see her take out those kids one by one, even pushing a tv into a bathtub for one, and then blowing up Barnabus himself. I’m pretty sure we haven’t seen the last of him though.
Amanda’s been pulled back and forth between Daniel, then to Clarice, and now to Agent Durham of the Global Defense Department. She’s everyone bitch monkey. Maybe now that she knows through Agent Durham she can’t trust Clarice either, she’ll come out the other side stronger. It’ll be interesting to see her as an informant and taking a more active role now.
I love Lacy’s growth from a schoolgirl last season to a hardcore mercenary this season. She still has a heart and isn’t yet able to bomb a public location, but she is willing to slice her hand open in oath and challenge Barnabus just the same. I can’t help but wonder what part Lacy has to play in everything. Will everyone, including her, be part of the downfall of society, or will she be one who stands against it and fails?
I miss the Daniel of early season one who cared about his family: his wife and daughter. He’s never been particularly wholesome, but now he doesn’t care who he hurts or blackmails just to get his company back. I guess that’s what happens when you experience an incredible loss and multiple setbacks. A person will either get past hardships and come out stronger, or let them take you down until you drown. |
Fringe (s03e04): Do Shapeshifters Dream of Electric Sheep
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A pretty standard MOTW episode leading us into a mini-hiatus. I don’t really care for the shapeshifters, so I don’t really have much to say. Newton is dead, and I’m going to miss him a bit. Oh, and I do have to ask, what was up with Alt!Olivia’s hair?
More importantly, does Peter know or not know about Alt!Olivia? I’m getting the idea he does know, but he’s still just biding his time to see what she does. Yet, on the other hand, did he really just sleep with her for the good of the team? It makes me icky inside thinking about it. |