Once Upon a Time 1.13 Review: "Whatever Happened to Frederick"
By John Keegan and Edmund Boys
“Once Upon A Time” has been stuck in a rut for a while now. And as that channel gets deeper, it’s harder and harder for the wheels to jump out of the track. In “Whatever Happened To Frederick”, for every sign of traction on the fairy-tale side, it was brought crashing back by uninspired storytelling and some really atrocious dialogue back in Storybrooke.
“Once Upon A Time” has been stuck in a rut for a while now. And as that channel gets deeper, it’s harder and harder for the wheels to jump out of the track. In “Whatever Happened To Frederick”, for every sign of traction on the fairy-tale side, it was brought crashing back by uninspired storytelling and some really atrocious dialogue back in Storybrooke.Merlin 4.8 Review: "Lamia"
By John Keegan and Gregg Wright
"Lamia" is highly reminiscent of so many past "Merlin" monster-of-the-week episodes. There's a nice, spooky feel to the episode, and what it might lack in actual scares, it makes up for to a certain degree in atmosphere (especially near the end), except during one particular scene. I do love a good swashbuckling fight scene, but this one sticks out like a sore thumb in what is otherwise a straightforward chiller. Thankfully, this is only a minor distraction from the foreboding atmosphere.
"Lamia" is highly reminiscent of so many past "Merlin" monster-of-the-week episodes. There's a nice, spooky feel to the episode, and what it might lack in actual scares, it makes up for to a certain degree in atmosphere (especially near the end), except during one particular scene. I do love a good swashbuckling fight scene, but this one sticks out like a sore thumb in what is otherwise a straightforward chiller. Thankfully, this is only a minor distraction from the foreboding atmosphere.The River 1.4 Review: "A Better Man"
By John Keegan and J.M. Graham
This was an odd episode. After the credits rolled I looked back on it and considered it a pretty decent episode, one that certainly if it was in another series wouldn’t be really worth mentioning. But after realizing that it was the halfway point of the season, I got to be a bit more concerned. There was not any sense of urgency about the episode, and there hasn’t been really any sort of coherence in the narrative or in the development of the characters. So far it’s meant that the show has just been entertaining, if at times a bit farcical, but it’s nonetheless disappointing.
This was an odd episode. After the credits rolled I looked back on it and considered it a pretty decent episode, one that certainly if it was in another series wouldn’t be really worth mentioning. But after realizing that it was the halfway point of the season, I got to be a bit more concerned. There was not any sense of urgency about the episode, and there hasn’t been really any sort of coherence in the narrative or in the development of the characters. So far it’s meant that the show has just been entertaining, if at times a bit farcical, but it’s nonetheless disappointing.The Good Wife 3.15 Review: "Live From Damascus"
By John Keegan and Henry T.
I viewed this episode as Will's fall from grace. He may have escaped grand jury indictment, but the show is not going to ignore every little last detail or its consequences. So Wendy Scott-Carr's last act for the SAO was to take the details of Will's client embezzlement to the bar association in a last-ditch effort to stick it to him by getting him disbarred.
I viewed this episode as Will's fall from grace. He may have escaped grand jury indictment, but the show is not going to ignore every little last detail or its consequences. So Wendy Scott-Carr's last act for the SAO was to take the details of Will's client embezzlement to the bar association in a last-ditch effort to stick it to him by getting him disbarred.Being Human US 2.6 Review: "Mama Said There'd Be Decades Like These"
By John Keegan
This was a tricky episode for “Being Human”, because as much as it has set up a lot of important plot elements in the first half of the season, the job isn’t quite done. There are a couple of items to cover with Josh and Aidan before the consequences can start piling up, and in the meantime, they had to find something for Sally to do.
This was a tricky episode for “Being Human”, because as much as it has set up a lot of important plot elements in the first half of the season, the job isn’t quite done. There are a couple of items to cover with Josh and Aidan before the consequences can start piling up, and in the meantime, they had to find something for Sally to do.Alcatraz 1.7 Review: "Johnny McKee"
By John Keegan and J.M. Graham
After a pair of stronger episodes, "Alcatraz" falls back into previous patterns with an episode that could have been ripped line for line from “Kit Nelson”. In fact, it is extremely difficult for me not to just copy and paste that review into this one. All of the same criticisms apply: the vague approach to the development of the mythology, the mediocre procedural elements, the bland and obtuse characters, it seems like nothing but spinning the wheels. Even the flashbacks, which have been the saving grace of the series, fell flat in this episode.
After a pair of stronger episodes, "Alcatraz" falls back into previous patterns with an episode that could have been ripped line for line from “Kit Nelson”. In fact, it is extremely difficult for me not to just copy and paste that review into this one. All of the same criticisms apply: the vague approach to the development of the mythology, the mediocre procedural elements, the bland and obtuse characters, it seems like nothing but spinning the wheels. Even the flashbacks, which have been the saving grace of the series, fell flat in this episode.Fringe 4.13 Review: "A Better Human Being"
By John Keegan
I’m not sure exactly when the season stepped up a notch. I personally feel like it started with “Making Angels”, but looking back, it’s been a fairly steady progression to bring the story to this point. And the results are stunning: this show hasn’t been this gripping or compelling in quite some time. Filled with callbacks to the first season and more than a little misdirection, this is another strong entry for the fourth season.
I’m not sure exactly when the season stepped up a notch. I personally feel like it started with “Making Angels”, but looking back, it’s been a fairly steady progression to bring the story to this point. And the results are stunning: this show hasn’t been this gripping or compelling in quite some time. Filled with callbacks to the first season and more than a little misdirection, this is another strong entry for the fourth season.The Vampire Diaries 3.15 Review: "All My Children"
By John Keegan
No plot element is allowed to linger overly long on “The Vampire Diaries”, so I suppose I shouldn’t be too shocked that Esther’s plan comes to quick fruition in this episode. That it merely serves to launch the whole war with the Originals in yet another direction is hardly a shock, but I am a bit annoyed that the writers are backing off one of the better choice made this season.
No plot element is allowed to linger overly long on “The Vampire Diaries”, so I suppose I shouldn’t be too shocked that Esther’s plan comes to quick fruition in this episode. That it merely serves to launch the whole war with the Originals in yet another direction is hardly a shock, but I am a bit annoyed that the writers are backing off one of the better choice made this season.The Secret Circle 1.15 Review: "Return"
By John Keegan
The writers have been hinting at the reveal of John Blackwell for so long, in relation to Cassie’s infusion of dark power, that it was probably inevitable that the eventual arrival of the man would be a disappointment. And sure enough, I found very little interesting about Blackwell. If anything, I was left with the notion that he was as terribly miscast as Cassie.
The writers have been hinting at the reveal of John Blackwell for so long, in relation to Cassie’s infusion of dark power, that it was probably inevitable that the eventual arrival of the man would be a disappointment. And sure enough, I found very little interesting about Blackwell. If anything, I was left with the notion that he was as terribly miscast as Cassie."Southland" Returns Tonight on TNT for Season 4
By Jamie Ruby
Tonight, Southland returns to TNT for its fourth season.
Having not seen Southland before I didn't know what to expect. I was surprised by the format, as it does not follow the usual procedural drama model. While it's obvious the show has an overall story line with the characters, there wasn't much of an overall plot line for the episode. The episode was comprised of multiple short segments with each group of cops. It reminded me of what you would expect to see on a show like Cops. That is not to say that the format doesn't work for the show; it does. It gives it more of a realistic and gritty feeling, and with everything going on throughout the episode it seems to be more of an action driven drama as opposed to focussing more on the characters. Doing that makes this series unique. It focuses more on external then internal, which again adds to the show's authenticity in a way, but it also focusses more on the everyday lives and interactions of the policemen as opposed to things like the motivation of the criminals or details of the crimes.
Tonight, Southland returns to TNT for its fourth season.Having not seen Southland before I didn't know what to expect. I was surprised by the format, as it does not follow the usual procedural drama model. While it's obvious the show has an overall story line with the characters, there wasn't much of an overall plot line for the episode. The episode was comprised of multiple short segments with each group of cops. It reminded me of what you would expect to see on a show like Cops. That is not to say that the format doesn't work for the show; it does. It gives it more of a realistic and gritty feeling, and with everything going on throughout the episode it seems to be more of an action driven drama as opposed to focussing more on the characters. Doing that makes this series unique. It focuses more on external then internal, which again adds to the show's authenticity in a way, but it also focusses more on the everyday lives and interactions of the policemen as opposed to things like the motivation of the criminals or details of the crimes.
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!
Welcome! This is a place for those inspired by the strange, fantastic, and unknown. It is dedicated to those who share their talents with us and shine, whether it be on our televisions or on the silver screen. Here you will find interviews with celebrities, reviews from multiple genres, and other pop culture news and multimedia. While we originally started with a love for science fiction and fantasy, this site is no longer just for any one genre.Something you want to see featured here? Have your own site you'd like to see here? Don't hesitate to let us know!