Tag Archives: series review

Scream: Season 2 (2016)

2
by

scream season 2 poster

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

What I liked:

  • Noah. Foster. Again, the dude is mah spirit animal and I absolutely adore him. He is geeky, awkward, crazy as heck, a little more withdrawn in this season, but whatever. As long as he is here 😀 Also liked seeing him try to get back on the dating horse again – gosh, it is awkward (just think of that condom shopping, and his interactions with Zoe), but I am happy for him!

scream-season-2-noah-dreams

  • The new sheriff, Acosta. He is a different kind of beast, but I like the way he approaches situations and handles things.
  • Still a big fan of the throwbacks, the rules, Noah’s podcast voicing so much, as well as how meta and aware the show is at the best of times.
  • The dynamics between the Lakewood Six. Really cool friendships have developed between these kids.

scream-season-2-emma-ghostface

What I didn’t like:

  • The score. I totally forgot how crap the music was for this show. It is really sad though, because I think it really detracts from the show.
  • Emma Duval. I know she is our main peanut and all, but she still really annoys me – she is never going to be Sidney Prescott.
  • The blackmail. I don’t know – but I think the blackmail paired with this horrendous score made me think of Pretty Little Liars, and that is not a compliment. Okay, and the phone call games made me think of Saw.
  • How bland and boring this season was at the best of times. Disappointing.
  • A lot of story lines got introduced and then randomly dropped, which was really annoying.
  • The MAJOR PLOTSIE at the end was totally not as shocking as they would have wanted it to be. Something I have wondered about since season one, and I think the implementation of it when all is said and done here at the end of this was a bit messy.

scream-season-3-brooke-breaks
Rating:

Alright, so this silly show has is sort of like a guilty little pleasure of mine. I say this because the show is undoubtedly messy, and it is super flawed, but it is also stupidly entertaining, and for that I will have to give it credit. Anyway, I didn’t rush when I saw there was a new season because, well, I totally had bigger fish to fry, but eventually I had some time to fill with something else. This was that something else.

This season was so much tamer than last season. There were no shocking deaths, the gore was not as out there as last season, and it was truly a lot slower and more bland than season one, which is a pity, but also sort of something I expected. There were also other issues that we will get into as I go along, but there were also good things.

Let’s start with Noah Foster still being the king and the biggest reason that I watch this show. For realsies, that guy is my spirit animal, and I absolutely adore him. What a sweetie! I found that he was a lot more reserved this season as opposed to the last one, and while I still admire him, I wish he had some more oomph. It was great to see him get back into the dating game because seriously, this guy is an insanely awkward turkey! Also, his antics in getting laid? That condom shopping? That had me in absolute stitches, and this whole season is pretty much worth watching just for that. I really liked him and Zoe together, so I was quite sad that Noah had the world dumped on his shoulders again.

scream-season-2-noah-and-zoe-omg

Another thing I really liked is to see the friendships that have developed between the Lakewood Six, what with the survival of the psycho (but not shocking) Piper Shaw. I guess something like that is sure to bring everyone closer. I would have loved to have seen more Audrey and Noah in this one. I thought they didn’t get enough time together – seriously, the guy couldn’t even see that she was super jumpy after the whole Piper thing? I thought it was nice to see how Brooke fits in with the others. Speaking of Brooke – I thought it was awful that Jake was barely even buried and she had taken up with Gustavo already. Girl, really???

I had an absolute ball when Audrey pointed out to Emma that not everything is about her. It really took way too long for someone to open up their damn mouths and point out the painfully obvious. I know we are supposed to like Emma, but she really grates on me. I find her to be quite spineless and insipid, neither characteristics that will ever endear her to me. While we are at it, what the heck is the obsession with Emma? Eli is the new one to add to this mix, and the guy is creepy as hell, no lies. I was not a fan of him at all. Icky, and dude, that is your cousin’s girlfriend, have some respect and go fish somewhere else! Not to mention Mr Branson and his teen obsession popping up here again – nasty, man!

scream-audrey-and-brooke

The big reveal at the end about the new villain was so not a shocker – in fact, I have been waiting for something in this line since the first season. It was not revolutionary, and I don’t think it was handled well either. Not because the actors didn’t pull it off, but because they were let down by a faulty script. Shame, too. While we are at the big shootout and all, how many freaking rounds can that gun hold?! I could not buy into it. What madness!

Anyway, definitely a slower season than last, and not nearly as edgy, nor as unsafe for the characters as season one, Scream season 2 is still not the worst way to burn through some time, specially when you don’t really have to invest too much, or think further than “these stupid kids”. There isn’t really much more to say on the matter.

scream-season-2-family-jealousy

The Vampire Diaries: Season 7 (2015 – 2016)

4
by

vampire diaries season 7 poster

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

What I liked:

  • KLAUS! While only a momentary appearance (sadly *sniff sniff*), it was so rewarding, so beautiful, and that phone call he had with Caroline? CRUSHED ME. See, still super duper keen on these two, they are destined for each other.
  • While I was not a fan of the story jumping from the present to the future, the present to the past was just fine, it explained a lot of how things changed, etc. without boring us to tears setting everything up.
  • Bonnie and Enzo. Initially when it happened, I was like what?! But when you see how it comes to be, it is a beautiful thing.
  • The soundtrack improving – Manson being used twice in one season? And properly, at that? Score!

This had me squealing in delight, and it was so short lived. However, I will take whatever I can get.

vampire diaries season 7 klaus

And obviously I was desperately hanging in there to see when Klaus and Caroline would chat. CRUSHED.

vampire diaries season 7 klaus and caroline

What I didn’t like:

  • The relationships in this season! I mean, come one! Caroline and Rick? Enzo and Lily? Stefan and Valerie? What the heck is going on?!
  • Jumping between the present and the future. It meant that whatever perils were faced in the present meant nothing, because it is evident in the future they are still alive, etc.
  • Where the heck is Jeremy while all this is going down? No return for Elena (which I get), but no vampire hunting, no assistance, no outrage over Mystic Falls? Really?
  • The whole Heretics taking over Mystic Falls thing. Seriously, that got old, fast.
  • Lily Salvatore. Yes, she still irritates the crap out of me, nothing has changed there. Meh.
  • Another hunt(ress) story line? Really. I thought we had done the whole thing already, and here we are, hashing it out. Again.

vampire diaries season 7 bonnie and damon

Rating:
GRADE 7How did I get to the place where I am  hopelessly addicted to this show? It should be shameful, but I can’t help it. I freaking love this stuff! I thought it was really ballsy that they left Elena in the coffin this whole season, really rolling with the whole concept of her being in a Sleeping Beauty state. It made things feel like something was missing, but on the other hand gave the show time to explore other characters and relationships, and that I quite enjoyed.

One thing about this season is that it carried a ton of relationships, and plenty of them were terrible pairings. I mean, Caroline and Alaric? Creepy! Valerie and Stefan? Didn’t dig it. What was that crazy pairing of Lily and Enzo? Not cool man. However, then there was Bonnie and Enzo, and while it came out of nowhere, I loved it. They had some really grand chemistry together, and had some moments where I truly swooned.

There were not too many crazy plots in this season, and I think it was pretty well balanced. I was not a fan of skipping from the present to the future, it took all sense of dread away when you knew how things were later on, but I did like it when the show flipped from the present to the past, to fill in some gaps (the whole story with Matt Donovan and Penny was dreadfully sad). I am glad that this season was not dedicated entirely to waking Elena up, as that would have annoyed me. As for the Armory as the next ambiguous bad? Not sold. It was just not a really strong organisation.

vampire diaries season 7 baby shower

Then, let’s get to Klaus and Caroline. When I saw Stefan heading to New Orleans, I damn near jumped up from my couch, and was beyond stoked when he made his appearance. I have missed the guy! Luckily for me, he got to share one crushing phone call with Caroline, which still confirms for me that they are like my favourite ever pairing in this show, and probably most other shows. Everything just works when they are together. Argh!

I was so glad that Alaric was still around, and I was even happy for him still getting his babies, even though the method was crazy. The Julian storyline had a lot more potential than was ultimately realised, and the Phoenix Stone turned out to not be as a big a deal as was expected. Anyway, a pretty decent season, and definitely helped me with my unacceptable withdrawals, but now I gotta wait for more. Plus the next one is apparently the last one 😦 Yes, I know, it is just one of those things. But I have always liked this, even when it got bad.

Season seven, while flawed, is still an enjoyable watch and a breakneck journey to undertake. There were some major changes to get used to here, what with Elena being gone, but it was definitely not a bad thing. The story was not as tight as the last two seasons, and the latest villain is pretty meh, and there was so much going on (but not as cluttered as some earlier seasons), but it is entertaining and well worth the watch.

I know this one took me by surprise, but Bonnie and Enzo have fantastic chemistry, and I am actually quite the fan of them together!

bonnie and lorenzo season 7vampire diaries season 7 bonnie and lorenzo

The Vampire Diaries: Season 6 (2014 – 2015)

3
by

vampire diaries season 6

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

What I liked:

  • Having Alaric back, whoop! Although, it did suck while he was out and Damon was gone, I just wanted to see them drinking together again. Luckily, I got that eventually.
  • The friendship that developed between Damon and Bonnie. It is too damn sweet and I loved every minute of it! I actually squealed when Bonnie and Damon were reunited – they were like super happy children, so I was like a happy child!

vampire diaries season 6 bonnie and damon hugs

  • Damon and Elena still kicking it together – I am a massive fan of these two together.
  • The prison world – I found this to be fascinating and super interesting.
  • Elena was far less annoying this season. She was just a bit much the last two seasons.
  • Alaric and Jo were so freaking adorable together!
  • The mockery Stefan went through concerning Caroline, it was really funny that to see how blind he had been about the whole situation, and how nobody was going to let him rest easy about it.
  • The friendship between Damon and Liz that was highlighted, once again, while she was dying. It was so sad to see, but they actually got along like a house on fire, and Damon really has such a sweet, soft side.
  • The show finally really acknowledging that Stefan has moved on, and that he and Elena are over, it really let the Damon and Elena thing explode, and that was great.
  • Kai. This guy was annoying but really entertaining at the same time. I enjoyed him, when he was being a dweeb, when he was trying to make good, always.
  • Gosh, this season was so emotional – and I am not saying that in the bad way! It just keeps hitting you in the feels, it never lets up.
  • The last few episodes – like how nerve wracking could that possibly be?!

Two moments to explore the total illegality of Damon’s lip biting… like oh my gosh hot *fans self*. Not to mention the perfect rain kiss.

vampire diaries season 6 damon and elena rain kiss

What I didn’t like: 

  • Caroline switching off her humanity – highly functional, but vampires turning off their humanity always just irritates the crap out of me.
  • Matt Donovan is seriously starting to get annoying as hell. More so than usual.
  • The whole pointless storyline with Trip. Really, filler much?
  • Enzo turning that new girl Stefan was seeing. Luckily this story line didn’t last long.
  • How all these stories and events just happen to be super connected. Examples? Alaric’s ex-wife is actually Elena’s birth mother and she so happened to be turned by Damon (granted, this was back in the day, but it is stuff like this). Now it just so happens that Enzo was turned by Lily, and he happened to meet Damon later, and she just so happens to be tied to the Gemini witch coven, and Kai just so happens to be Bonnie’s mortal enemy, and Luke and Liv happened to be the witches the Salvatore’s work with, who happen to be Gemini witches. Do you see where I am going with this?
  • Mama Salvatore coming back. It is just getting too much man.
  • The immense amounts of storylines they are cramming into this show now is getting a bit much. At least they don’t go on forever, but there is constantly a new drama to deal with, meaning a ton throughout the season, and no real central focus anymore, like their used to be.

vampire diaries season 6 bonnie feathers

  • Elena having her passionate love for Damon compelled away, so when he made it back to her, his heart was broken. But then they just so happened to start kicking it shortly after that and all was well again?
  • That stupid, godforsaken cure coming in again. UGH.
  • The Mystic Falls “magic boundary” that was in place for way too long. When it disappeared? What happened to those Travelers man? Come on.
  • The Jeremy leaving to be a hunter and Bonnie returning thing – nothing was addressed or resolved here, and that pissed me off no end.

vampire diaries season 6 damon and jeremy

Rating:
GRADE 8Obviously I was quite attached to this season for a ton of reasons. Alrighty, so when this season started, I was stoked to see Damon and Bonnie just fine, even though they were in a weird place. The constant bickering between them is just how they roll, but to see the beautiful friendship that comes from that is also awesome, and it just works on so many levels.

I am really pleased that this season really got into the meat of the Damon and Elena relationship. I have complained for a few seasons now that the show is really good with having Elena and Damon together, but it always feels temporary, like a placeholder for Stefan. Well, folks, season six dispels that belief completely. Why? Even when Elena could have been with Stefan, she wasn’t, and he was totally not interested; when Damon came back and Elena didn’t remember him, they still ended up together; through thick and thin, things are happening for them. It also helps immensely that Stefan has moved on to other pastures, and I think he and Caroline are great together, BUT THEY ARE NOT KLAUS AND CAROLINE (read here, it’s a really personal thing for fans). I mean, Stefan deserves his happiness, but I swear, if Klaus reappears, I will be Team Klaus all the way for Caroline.

The feels. Oh my gosh. I just can’t. 

vampire diaries season 6 last dance

I was quite irritated with the humanity switch being flipped with Caroline after her mom. Look, I understood it, but it was long and tedious (for me) to watch, so it annoyed me. I was also not a fan (at all) of Lily Salvatore and her story. Come on, people, really. These stories are way too interlinked to be taken seriously.

Alaric Saltzman returning was something that was immensely welcome. I missed him, and I missed him and Damon together. They are like besties forever man. That being said, they both suffered immense and crazy heartbreak. Like sure, Damon got the girl this time, but Alaric? He got and lost the girl. Their wedding? Screw that shit, Game of Thrones level betrayal and hurt there. Stefan endured so much torture this season for being blind about Caroline, and he deserved it. He can’t really be that thick, can he?!

vampire diaries season 6 damon teddy bear

I was a particular fan of watching Damon and Bonnie stuck in the 1994 prison world. I know it sounds so silly, but just watching the way they clicked and found this seep and enduring friendship was worth every second of it. Then there was the whole Jeremy being broken about Bonnie thing, and it was sad, but it also got old, and fast. Probably because he was overly whiny, and dealt in the worst way. Alaric and Jo? Loved that. Alaric deserves his happiness, but apparently not according to this darn show. My heart was shattered by the end.

This season also had the better villain than we have seen in a while – Kai was such a mixed bag, but I enjoyed that SOB. Seriously, he was entertaining as hell, and I was so interested in just seeing what he was going to do, etc. It was crazy, and better than we have seen since the Originals left town, albeit still a flawed villain. Certainly stronger than Lily, of course, and he is diverse. Plus interactions between him and Bonnie? Priceless.

Anyway, the interactions between the characters was really good this season, and I was hooked every step of the way. I reckon this is my favourite season since season two, there was just so much going on that I liked, and even though I had niggles, I had a blast. I suppose that is what this show is. It’s stupidly addictive, and has like, no right to be so good. The season finale for this was hectic – well, the last few episodes, to be sure. They were a crazy, painful joyride that had you hooked, whether you liked it or not. Obviously there is much to be said about this season, but I will stop now. Just know it is well worth looking into, of course, especially if you are up for a fun guilty pleasure.

vampire diaries season 6 salvatore brothers

The Vampire Diaries: Season 5 (2013 – 2014)

12
by

vampire diaries season 5

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

What I liked:

  • Everyone getting together to drink on Katherine “dying”. Even though the bitch avoided it (again), it was really hilarious to watch everyone drinking for all the wrongs she had inflicted on them.
  • Elena and Damon finally getting more warm screen time (I complained last season that, while together, it was really not as great as when Stefan and Elena were together). It gets better though, and gosh, I have been waiting for this. So long because they have amazing chemistry together.
  • Stefan and Caroline getting closer. I really like this, there is so much potential. But he still isn’t Klaus. Just saying.
  • Caroline and Klaus finally, just that once, dropping all defenses. I was beyond thrilled, let me just tell you this! Like eeeeeeeeeeeeeeep! Oh my gosh, and it was hot, too! Just seeing them (however briefly) give into their lust was so worth waiting for.

Oh. My. God. I have been waiting too long for this.

  • Luke. I like him more than Liv, though she gets more screen time, unfortunately. Oh well. I think he is sassy and super cool. I hope we see more of him soon.
  • Damon Salvatore. Yes. Again. That guy just owns every season, really. He went from perfectly happy, to absolutely crushed (how much pain and suffering can one dude endure?!), to vindictive and deadly. Typical Damon, and it was awesome to watch.
  • Damon and Enzo. This has the potential to be such a great friendship, albeit complicated. I quite like Enzo – he is an enigma, and just does what he wants.

vampire diaries season 5 damon and enzo

  • Bonnie and Jeremy kicking it together. I think these two are great together, I do, and when they finally got to their, uhm, intimate time? It was perfect. Really.

What I didn’t like:

  • Katherine. Katherine. Katherine. That chick peeves the hell out of me, and now I had to spend such a chunk of the season watching her. Ugh.
  • This season struggled a bit with finding its feet – introducing college, a new doppelganger theory, the Augustine section, bringing Bonnie back, the whole katoot was just a bit crazy. The show lacked any real, serious direction.
  • This whole “doppelganger destiny for life” concept is getting really old and really boring. I am so over hearing about how Elena and Stefan are simply destined to be, and that is just how it is going to be.
  • With all this drama going down with the Travelers working to undo witch magic, where were the Originals? Don’t tell me that they didn’t have a vested interest in surviving?
  • Not really any Klaus. I miss Klaus. So much.

vampire diaries season 5 study buddies

Rating:
GRADE 7Yeah, this season, this season that was all over the show and had ten million stories going, ten million plots, all simultaneously. I was not happy about Bonnie being a ghost, I do like the girl a lot, and it was so sad to see her with just Jeremy, and how much it hurt him, and I was so pleased when they finally brought her back, even though that meant she was the anchor to the Other Side, and that brought a whole new set of irritations with it. Then there was the whole Silas/Qetsiyah story arc that just irritated me. Get to the damn point already, and move on. That took up time. Let us then not forget about the Travelers (not even for one moment), and how that turned into a whole thing of Katherine Pearce taking over Elena’s body, and becoming a vampire again (let’s face it, her being human got old quickly, and she was still irritating as heck). There was the inevitable heartbreak of Damon, because, you know, let’s constantly just crush the man. Naturally that led to Damon being Damon and going dark side and crazy, cause it is just what he does. I still miss Alaric a lot, and I was not pleased with how little Klaus there was this season. I miss seeing him and Caroline together 😦 Sad me. BUT LET US JUST TALK ABOUT KLAUS AND CAROLINE AND THE YUMMY FOR JUST A MINUTE! I can’t help it. It has been driving me crazy since season three. Gosh, it was rewarding to see Klaus and Caroline drop their inhibitions for a few moments. I need more now though. For reals. Tyler is treating Caroline like a real dweeb, and that isn’t cool. I did miss Klaus in this season, but it is also good to see the show finding its own feet again, with its own villains, etc. and moving away from the Originals a bit. Okay, then I must also say, Bonnie coming back and kicking it with Jeremy again? Love. Bonnie and Jeremy getting… intimate the first time? Hot. I am going to say it. There, it’s out. The end was also getting a little outrageous, what with the promise of bringing everyone back, and I was not pleased about Bonnie being in the crosshairs yet again. It crushed me in the end when Bonnie called Jeremy, and he came screaming into the woods looking for her, and Damon getting stuck on the other side, and how that completely crushed Elena. Really, that last bit was awful to watch 😦

vampire diaries season 5 bonnie funeral

Scream: Season 1 (2015)

24
by

scream poster

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

What I liked:

  • Noah Foster. Holy crap, this guy! I absolutely adore him. He is so geeky and I find that immensely cute, but aside from that, I find him to be a great character. I mean, just the way he says things, example: “Oh, holy Manson family album”, etc. It was like finding my spirit animal – just the weird ways of expressing oneself. I love it! Plus, he is the character pointing everything out to us in the show, as well as narrating the events.
  • The contemporary references, etc. that made the originals so awesome.
  • Everyone is fair game, and when they get killed, the gore is so rewarding. Yes, again, Noah could be my spirit animal.
  • The humour. Really, this is something I had a total blast with. It was pretty geeky and quite entertaining.
  • Noah Foster screaming. Really, it rivals Dean Winchester!
  • The throwbacks and references to the movies, as well as how some scenes were shot. Big fan of the little details like that. This is an awesome page to check out to see more about it.
  • The gore. Yep. At least they got that right, even though it was undercut by that stupid soundtrack.

I actually really enjoyed Kieran’s character, and hope we see more of him in the next season. And while not necessarily my cup of tea, he was pretty easy on the eyes. Just saying.

scream

I beg to differ with Noah’s assessment. Sure, maybe not conventional, but the cute, geeky, nerdy guys have always been way more appealing to me!

scream noah zero game

What I didn’t like:

  • The way this whole show feels like a girls show. I mean it, the music, focusing on such mundane things like your ex being a tit, and how you feel about the new guy. That’s all good and well, but could we check something besides relationships out? I am all for it, but not when her love triangle becomes the most important thing. UGH.
  • The music. I bitched a bit in the point above, but really? Do guys actually listen to that crap? I might be really out of touch what people are listening to nowadays, but seriously. I hated it, and it irritated the hell out of me. It also undercut the gore and stuff, because the show just doesn’t feel like it is built for everyone, if that makes sense? The music alone could stop an entire demographic watching it because it just doesn’t gel with the content.
  • Piper Shaw. She was such a flat, bland character for me, and didn’t break the mould in the slightest.
  • How predictable the show was at the best of times.
  • Emma. I know this is awful, she is the lead, and we are supposed to back her, but she just grated on me, for reals. She was whiny, flaky, annoying, silly, icky. She will never be the new Sidney Prescott, I don’t care what anybody says! What a useless lump.

scream ghostface

Rating:

So I finally got to watching this, though I had my reservations, what with being a huge fan of the movies. The series isn’t really like the movies, but it is, if that makes sense. There are certain aspects that spill over, like the in your face way it tells you what is going to happen, and how all horror/slasher formulas work, and the stereotyped characters. However, where the movies succeeded, this failed in the sense that the show is really soft. It made me think (on more than one occasion) more of Pretty Little Liars and not so much other shows like American Horror Story or Hannibal (although nothing is like Hannibal, to be fair).

I expected something more hardcore, especially with the blood and gore that Scream would feature. Not to mention that the soundtrack does not help this out at all. I don’t know, do guys actually listen to that stuff? I might just be really out of touch with what people listen to as I don’t listen to the radio and watch TV, but I don’t know… it’s a little femme. I don’t say this in a derogatory sense or that guys can’t listen to that, I am just saying that this is the kind of music you find in chick flicks and shows for teenage girls (*cough cough* again why I thought Pretty Little Liars). Add to that, there is a hell of a lot of teenage drama going on, and so much relationship mush. Yep, these are all things that bugged me.

scream scream

I know we are supposed to get attached to the characters and care, but only some of the characters that were killed were handled that well, the rest, not so much. Also, let’s just explore this really messed up relationship between Emma and Kieran – how is that ever going to work out? She has dropped this guy, hurt this guy, run back to her ex, jerked Kieran around, accused him of murder, crushed him, but hey, let’s do this thing? I am so darn confused. How much is he going to take from her, and why is he okay with it all? Also, I am not a fan of Emma, and found her entitled, whiny, and annoying, which  made giving a crap about her damn difficult. In fact, I didn’t, even right at the very end. Her fate is none of my concern.

Then there is Noah, and he is the only one I am concerned about, no kidding. That guy is my favourite thing about this show, and the reason I continued watching (because, let’s face it, the beginning of this show was rocky at best). He is hilarious, and so unapologetic about the nerdy, serial killer obsessed dude that he is, and I love that. My spirit animal, I swear. I wish that some of the other characters had been given more time. In a movie I can understand not having the time to focus on other characters, but in a series based off of a movie that is just under two hours in length, I would say there is spans of time to flesh out the side characters.

Anyway, this is a fun show if you don’t take it too seriously, though I don’t think it will ever, ever hit the heights of the movies. Not the worst series you can waste your time on if you have nothing else to watch, and it is a real quick, eight episode filler watch, probably great for when you are trying to decide what to move on to next.

scream cop ghostface

Homeland: Season 5 (2015)

10
by

homeland season 5 poster

*CONTAINS SPOILERS* 

What I liked:

  • The whole technology aspect of this season was really good – modernisation can make for a fascinating watch if the material is handled properly, and not in some slap-dash kind of way.
  • Astrid getting more screen time. I really liked her in the last season, and was glad to see her have a bigger starring role in this one.
  • Not having to watch Quinn and Carrie in a romantic relationship. Really, I think that would have been the last straw for me, so for them to forego it here was a major bonus.
  • The European setting – it makes for a different feel to the show. A little disconcerting initially, but when you settle into it, it is really great.
  • Touching on the Syria/ISIS issue is ballsy. Just saying.
  • Allison Carr’s wheeling and dealing. While I might not have appreciated her as a character (nasty piece of work), I really did like watching her and her games, though they were not as in depth as they could have been. Maybe I am just prejudiced when it comes to Otto – haven’t really been a fan of her since she tried to poach Aragorn from Arwen. Just saying.

homeland season 5 explosion

What I didn’t like:

  • Not having enough time with Quinn or Saul, cause let’s face it, nobody watches this show for that blonde bitch.
  • Carrie. Fucking. Mathison. Goodness, it would not be a Homeland review without me complaining about this woman. Granted, she is not as psycho as some of the other seasons, but she in no which way endears herself to me at all. Ugh. Plus, how does Carrie always manage to ingratiate herself to someone with power, and then use them, always play the victim, and somehow always manages to make everything about her?! Die, bitch, die. I think the show would be way better without that crazy bitch. And let me not forget to mention her really hideous ugly crying. Oh my word!
  • The sloppy continuation from the end of the last season. It just didn’t flow well, and left way too many unanswered questions.
  • Laura Sutton, that reporter. I never, ever thought they would be able to write in another character as annoying as Carrie Mathison, but they did when they wrote about Laura. This woman has no qualms, no morals, nothing. I get that journalism can be a grey area, but what she did? It’s like terrorism in its own right. Ugh. Made me sick to my stomach. And even more annoying was the fact that she was wreaking havoc in a country that wasn’t even her own. How disgusting is that?
  • Okay – so Carrie Mathison is out, and yet when the biggest scandal possible breaks out, she is somehow the central character to it all and fixing it? What? I have missed something fundamental here. Really. She just always seems to have license to do whatever the hell she likes.
  • The way this show will just not let go of the Carrie/Quinn thing. Makes me sick to my stomach.

homeland season 5 saul and quinn

Rating:
GRADE 8So after the brilliance that was season four, I was very interested to see what the show would come back with. Especially seeing how they ended it on that horrifying Carrie/Quinn note, something I don’t ever want to see happen. Moving along, two years have passed, Carrie is on her meds, Quinn is soldiering on in Syria, Dar and Saul are still playing games, and not much has changed. I really liked the new setting of Homeland – having it go down in Berlin and especially incorporating that Russian storyline gave it this whole super spy, Cold War feel, and I liked that. Like all old school, but on the other hand very modernised, what with the hacking, and throwing in a dash of terrorists, too. I liked it! The terrorist section was relatively underplayed in this one, which was also alright, seeing as they focused on other things, but I think that it could have been so much more interesting, because whenever we got to see that, I was engrossed. On the other hand, maybe it was time to explore how the people that work for these varying agencies feel and how they can be used, how the threat can come within. All the other seasons have focused on external threats. Last season started exploring how someone from within can be just as bad. I thoroughly enjoyed that Astrid got more screen time, that woman is great, and I am never complaining when Saul gets to dominate, but I did have issues with, again as in season three, an underulitised Quinn, which is annoying as hell. I watch for him and Saul, hands down. Quinn’s character is so layered – when the show chooses to work on him, which is a pity, because we want to know so much more! Again the show danced on the Carrie/Quinn thing, which was something I was initially relieved about (them not being together), and then they went to play with it again. Stop it, writers! Immediately. We don’t need to see this. This season initially tried to give us a semi normal, much less grating Carrie, but naturally that is not a character that can be maintained because what the hell is Homeland without the hysterical, vitimised Carrie? Ugh, that character works on my last nerve! Nothing’s changed – she can still do what she want without dealing with the consequences, she still has strong people in her corner she doesn’t deserve, she’s still dropping her panties at a whim, wrecking people’s lives, driving me mad… nope, no changes. I mean, just look at the whole Jonas thing. Did she really think she could just do what she wanted, break his heart, endanger his kid, the whole katoot, and when she was finished doing all that, go back to him, bang him, and then everything is back to normal? Oh yes, of course she did! This is Carrie Mathison, after all! I really feel that her character is the show’s biggest downfall, and Claire Danes is way too good, because I freaking hate the character. Well, then, of course, they introduced Laura Sutton, and she got on my last nerve, too. Journalism can be a real grey area, for sure, but sometimes… oh, this is one of those subjects that can rage on forever. My biggest issue is that she, herself, was not even German, and there she is, making big decisions that affect the lives of the German people. Who the hell is she?! I appreciate how Homeland always tries something new for the story, and introduces new characters and situations. The cyber aspect of this season was very intriguing, though I wish more had been done with it. Season five is definitely not as solid or as gripping as the last season, that being said, it is still excellent.

Just so you understand why I cannot deal with her, she does plenty of this (again, as always):

homeland carrie face

It was totally not counteracted with enough Quinn, for real! I would just like to take a moment to appreciate the man for all his… virtues.

peter quinn shower

His deadpan delivery is also hot as hell.

homeland peter quinn

Waiting around and looking damn fine while doing it.

homeland peter quinn1

Goodness, that lip licking should be illegal.

homeland peter quinn2

Nice smile, too, when he does bring it out.

peter quinn 3

Just saying…

peter quinn

Even though there is the icky potentially kicking it again with Carrie aspect, it’s pretty hot when he calls her on her bullshit.

quinn homeland season 4

This. Quinn. Avenging. With a gun. Scheming or avenging. It doesn’t matter. This is it.

homeland quinn

When you can march out somewhere/to somewhere and look like that? Winning.

peter quinn4

Fringe: Season 5 (2012 – 2013)

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fringe season 5 cover

*CONTAINS SPOILERS* 

What I liked:

  • September/Donald. Because September has always been awesome, and his human life as Donald? Still a fan!
  • Walter’s full circle tulip moment.
  • Walter and Peter finally spending some time together, and things were right back to normal with them, even though it was realised through Michael. It was still beautiful.
  • Seeing the other side again, no matter how brief.
  • Broyles, always a loyalist to the core.
  • Nina Sharp’s character this season. I mean we all know I always really like her, and she is cool, but this season? And to see her interacting with Walter and Michael? Beautiful.
  • Walter and Peter’s farewell moment at the end of the season. OMG the pain! It was so stunning!

walter peter crying

What I didn’t like: 

  • Etta. She really just annoyed the hell out of me, which was really disappointing.
  • How this does not follow smoothly from season four, instead following from the third last episode of season four, which had been described as a dream, but I guess not.
  • How distant Peter and Olivia were. Last we saw them, everything was working. And I understand that losing their child separated them quite a bit, but that was not really conveyed to us, hence it didn’t feel like anything.
  • How messy the show was, and how the plot was all over the board.
  • William Bell being dragged in  but not really used at all, especially seeing how season four ended. I mean really?!
  • How little humour there was in here. Granted, I know things were serious, but we have never gone with so little to laugh at, and even Walter didn’t shine here as brightly as usual, though he was still astounding.
  • A lot of story arcs were introduced then rushed off and not brought back until much later, if at all.
  • How, even though the series ends, it doesn’t really wrap up all of Fringe, just this season basically.

fringe season 5

Rating:
GRADE 6Ugh. It breaks me to say that I disliked this last season. I mean four wasn’t particularly grand or up to standard of the first three, but this? It doesn’t even feel like it was a part of the same story. It just went some other way altogether. What a disappointment. The only part of this season worth mentioning is the final three episodes, which were really good. For the rest? I didn’t care what happened to anyone. I had no emotional investment, people were being so melodramatic all over the show and Peter and Olivia somehow managed to have the most annoying child in all history. Then William Bell was dragged back in, though nothing from the end of four was resolved at all. Ugh, that is just such a waste of time. The Observers taking over was something that had potential, but instead was an annoyance. How inconsistent was the Broyles storyline here, too? I mean he was here then he was gone and then randomly he returned again. Plus two, we have to deal with the fact that Peter and Olivia are the only two that have knowledge of the timeline of the first three seasons, and that Walter gets it when the child Michael touches him. What the hell?! How does that even make sense? What really crushed me in here was how many plot holes and contrivances there were, which sucked because Fringe has always been very good at bringing everything full circle and answering things. This season was a wild hunt for tapes and items for a machine, and very little science and no fringe cases, which sucked. Plus the alternate universe was closed and over, just like that, nothing more from it. The story was all over the show, too, and the ending? It didn’t wrap Fringe up at all, it only wrapped this season up. There are still so many lingering questions and things we don’t understand, and I really wish that the last two seasons had fit in better with the original three, which was some of the best stuff to watch on television. I am a fan still, and even a lacklustre final season can’t kill my love for the show, though I wish that more effort had gone in to making it all perfect. At least the show did get to wrap itself up, I would have hated it if we didn’t get it to a close.

september donald haha

Gilmore Girls: Season 1 (2000 – 2001)

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gilmore girls season 1 cover

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

What I liked:

  • The nostalgia. No jokes, I watched this show from when it came out, though I think I didn’t quite get the last few seasons done completely, only bits or pieces (which means yay for me soon). I watched this religiously, and it was awesome to do that again.
  • Luke. Let’s not even mess around, that man is so brusque and outwardly angry and all that, yet when there is trouble, he is the first one that caves and he is so awkwardly sweet and adorable and helping.
  • That the show is not inundated with stupid characters that are clunky and irritating and annoying and argh! Yes, I am so over characters like that.
  • The episodes actually feel like they zip past, which is insane considering they are between 42 – 45 minutes a pop!
  • The humour. I loved it. It is sharp, witty, super snappy. I love it. I can laugh for ages, and most of it is relatively innocent, so it isn’t relying on some nasty sexual innuendos to sell itself.
  • The cast. I think everyone is pretty well done,
  • The dynamic between Lorelai and Rory. It is just awesome and sweet.
  • It was nice to see a show (especially an older one) portray women as strong and independent and capable of surviving without men (though they are certainly important to the story, the ladies can survive without them for the most part).
  • Michel’s work ethic and outlook on things. Some days, people are too stupid to work with.

gilmore girls michelle people are particularly stupid today

What I didn’t like:

  • I don’t know, this is likely because I have watched so many series over the years and the dynamic is so different nowadays, but the way certain things will be introduced in the story (characters, dating, an event) and then people will only go back to it much later, so it feels like inconsistent storytelling. However, this is an older show and it was for home and light watching and all that, so I suppose you can’t take something like that and expect it to be as tightly written and implemented as Hannibal.
  • The Max Medina story was awkward but sweet when it was introduced, but then it just felt like it was constantly shoehorned back into the show between Luke and Christopher.
  • Bringing in Luke’s ex, Rachel, right after having an episode after Lorelai’s ex (and baby daddy), Christopher, just felt a little convoluted, to be very honest.
  • Sam Dean is such a whiner. Really. Ugh. Also, such a bad attitude, always flipping out at Lorelai and others, acts really superior and like he is so much older than he is, and so is entitled to do whatever he wants, when he wants.

This pretty much sums me and this show up:

gilmore girls you have a problemhow important shows can be

Rating:
GRADE 8I was so stoked to start watching this again, I really was. I was a huge fan of this growing up and I watched it religiously every week, without fail. I started watching it from the second we got it here and I was hooked from the moment I started it. I couldn’t get enough. So obviously rewatching this reminded me much of how it was for me back then, and I see immense amounts of humour in the way that watching it as a kid and watching it now, I see totally different things, which just goes to show how good this series was for any and all ages. When I was younger, it was specific to Rory for identification,  yet now, as you have grown older and wiser in your life, you can appreciate from both mother and daughter’s aspect, which is cool. Gilmore Girls boasts plenty of highly amusing characters, which makes watching this show a joy. This was still the season in which Dean was mostly tolerable, though still a jackass and a jerk. Melissa McCarthy was great as crazy chef Sookie. Watching her and Jackson Douglas’s Jackson is incredibly adorable. I am a big fan of Scott Patterson’s Luke Danes, as Luke is one of the most entertaining characters of a TV series ever. He is hilarious, he is extremely witty and dry and his frustrations are just too entertaining at the best of times. Paris is such a nasty character, though she does provide some frustrating amusement to the show, no other way to look at it. Then there is Kirk, can we just talk about him? Kirk is by far the weirdest dude ever, but he is so central to what is going on, you can’t help but adore him. I enjoyed the super snappy dialogue presented in Gilmore Girls, it runs at a mile a minute and is really smart, so obviously it scores some major points. Watching Max and Lorelai kick it was sweet and all, but he really isn’t the guy for her, and I just can’t get over how awkward that must have been for Rory, to have her mom dating her teacher. As for Rory, she is so awkward with guys and it is funny to watch it all play out, and things don’t really change an awful lot when she starts dating Dean, which is also sweet. Then let’s talk about Tristan – my goodness, what a total toolbag. He has way too much ego to deal with, really, and is such a confused little boy. Sometimes there is a peek of something nicer underneath it all, and suddenly it is all snatched away. The conflict and sour emotions between Lorelai and her parents is almost palpable, and I feel really sorry for her. I know that she hurt them, too, but the fact that they will not listen to her, not for one moment, really dulls my pity for them. Anyway, I can talk about this show for a really long time. All you need to know is that if you have watched it and enjoyed it, it is time for a rerun. If you have not watched it, it is highly entertaining, though I am sure this is more for girls than guys, though I am certainly not saying they can’t enjoy it. My other half has a good laugh every now and then when he catches something in passing. It is all super pro-girlpower a lot, which I am a fan of, but it never gets out of hand. Okay, I’m done now. gilmore girls clearing out clothesluke red meat

Banshee: Season 3 (2015)

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banshee season 3 poster

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

What I liked:

  • The fight between Burton and Nola. Like holy crapsticks. I mean really now, I can’t even begin to explain to you how intense that was. It was one of the best fights I have watched in a long time, and the entertainment value was through the roof.
  • The Redbone gang aspect of all of this. It has become the defining and entertaining thing about this season, which is crazy considering it was a random little episode to bring the characters to the fore, and then they take up such a large chunk of the story arc. It works, though.
  • Kurt Bunker. Initially when I saw him sitting on the steps at the Cadi, I was sure he was coming to give Hood some lip about investigating the murder of that Neo-Nazi prick that was involved in Emmett’s slaying. Instead he got up, opened his mouth, and impressed the hell out of Hood and me. He seems to be a pretty damn cool character, and I hope he doesn’t turn out to be a right wanker at some stage. He is badass, and I liked the layered aspect they brought in with a tortured ex-Neo-Nazi. Well played, show, well played.
  • This would not be a Banshee review if I didn’t gush about Matthew Rauch’s Clay Burton. Obviously it has to be done, and obviously this is the place. While not used the most consistently in this season, he was definitely used far more than ever before, and there was so much bang to all his scenes. I was so happy to see more about him, his past, his way of thinking… yes. SOLD. Every episode needs to feature his suits, glasses, bowties, creepy deadpan looks… yes. I have a favourite. Shoot me.
  • So much more more origin story – for Job meeting Hood, for Proctor and Burton, about Sugar… I love it. It is awesome to learn so much more stuff.
  • The whole Bunker-is-a-Nazi-police-officer bit. I loved it. I thought it was excellent, and they worked it so damn well, and it didn’t get old. Plus the friendship developing between him and Brock is great.
  • Speaking of Brock, Matt Servitto grew one impressive as hell beard and got all badass and crazy, his rigid lines blurring a bit more and how he is starting to handle Hood.
  • Hood, Sugar, Job, and Carrie hitting down the wrong dude (Stowe) altogether for money. That situation got pretty hairy – just the way we like it, of course.
  • The return of Kai Proctor. I was starting to wonder if they had really softened our badass ex-Amish mobster up. While that arc was interesting, I am glad it didn’t go on too long. Plus his return was just the thing we so desperately wanted to see.
  • Gordon going all hardcore to look after Deva, and the meltdowns he was having about where, exactly, he fit in. I really love this guy, definitely awesome.

banshee crazy stuff

What I didn’t like:

  • Rebecca’s character is so inconsistent. Sometimes she is the evil bitch, otherwise the crying girl, and the show doesn’t seem to take her character anywhere anymore.
  • The plot section with Brock’s ex-wife Emily coming into the picture, and the relationship that came out of absolutely nowhere with Kai. Granted, I know his mother was dying and Emily showed kindness, but this was just random and ridiculous.
  • The cross-cutting again. Not nearly as bad as last season, and they seem to have mastered which scenes to splice together. But still. Uncalled for. Except the last episode, it was done exceptionally well there.
  • I would love to point out that I have complained about Hood getting into monstrous fights and showing no signs of it in the next episode, set a few days later, but when some little protector peanut broke his wrist in a fight in the middle of season two, he is still waltzing around with that bandage on his wrist. Granted, most likely a real problem, but still! It’s inconsistent.
  • Deva. She is really starting to get on my last nerve… like mother, like daughter I suppose.
  • How things ended with Gordon. Goddammit, really?! Was that necessary?! WHY?! On the other hand, it was done phenomenally and I really liked it, crushing as it was.

banshee season 3 truck hanger

Rating:
GRADE 8.5Yes. Yes. Yes. This… this is what I have been hoping for since season one. Carrie was not the main peanut in Hood’s life, and that worked well. His perfect little setup and world is starting to come apart at the seams. There are some major repercussions coming in from last season, and Kai and Hood are both taking off their gloves. Dangerous times. Not only that, Burton got to really shine this season, and you all know how that was bound to thrill me. There was just so much going on in season three, so much great stuff, so much nerve-wracking stuff, so much intensity. Let me tell you, this season went a mile a minute and it was so worth it. I was itching for a new episode every week (my OCD almost died when I figured out we had started the season and it wasn’t finished airing yet – I just can’t do the wait thing, it freaking hurts) and it was worth the wait. This was awesome. Banshee really is one of those shows, the creators/producers must listen to the people, because gripes are being addressed, things are being tightened up (plot, characters, etc) and it is just flowing more. I didn’t find season one overly engaging but I enjoyed it, and season two was better, but this one was the one. The one that had me howling, the one that had me hooked. It was over. This season just did that. We still don’t know who Hood really is, but there is this super cool story arc that they have introduced, with unknown people and entities and agencies, something that could potentially really change everything we have seen as well as answer some insane questions that have been bugging me and floating around. There was so much energy to this season, and the implementation was gripping and tight. I really love the potential that Dalton’s character might unleash here, what with the even more questionable past of Lucas Hood, the blank slate conundrum, the finding a place in life… oh the places this show could possibly take us are endless, and I cannot wait! Season three held back absolutely no punches in terms of shocks, deaths, pains, twists, and they all came together so well. For only ten episodes, it feels like so much more has happened, it was so action-packed. The effects have vastly improved, and the choreography and action scenes are more gripping than before. Then let’s talk about the inclusion of Tom Pelphrey as Kurt Bunker. I mean wow. We got a mesmerizing character from the outset, and he comes with some serious baggage. Majorly, and it opens up to another section of characters that could get exceptionally interesting. Not only is Bunker an ex-Nazi, he was incredibly respected, and his flesh-and-blood brother is pretty much running the Brotherhood in Banshee. I am sure we can all see how this could become a major issue. I am at the edge of my seat and I am so upset about having to wait for season four :/ I don’t know if I can wait that long, I am having some major Banshee withdrawals…

banshee season 3 siobhan murder

Salem: Season 1 (2014)

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salem season 1 poster

*CONTAINS SPOILERS*

What I liked: 

  • The intro song being a Marilyn Manson track. Yes, fan. Also, the intro itself was alright.
  • The animals that Petrus (the seer) has, and their crazy stitched up eyes. Creepy stuff I tell you.
  • Some of the effects are pretty good and the show can be surprisingly graphic.
  • Isaac Walton. Probably the only character I liked. He was so childlike and innocent, and always being used and walked over, which was really sad. But he was sweet, and passionate, and always did the best he could.

salem face cutting for necromancing

What I didn’t like: 

  • I was not a real fan of Shane West as John Alden. I think my biggest issue here was the fact that he plays someone so badass and it really, really doesn’t suit him – he comes across as a sissy trying too hard.
  • We all know Mary went all darkside and all that, but it was just so abrupt and sudden, not a fan of that. She’s also so completely darkside, which just seems a little sketchy.
  • The dialogue is just ridiculous, and cannot decide if it wants to be modern or traditional or what. No idea.
  • There are no characters that I like and that I am rooting for or anything like that.
  • The potential that this show just wasted.
  • The casting really sucked. And I was pretty excited to see Xander Berkeley in here, especially after The Mentalist. No such wonderful winning. Seth Gabel, too, whom I absolutely adored in Fringe felt so wasted and weak here, though he is one of the better characters, to be sure.
  • No real progression. Everything went in circles and was ridiculously predictable. Plus, no plot twist or revelation was ever delivered with any finesse, so it all just felt hollow overall.
  • The whole character progression of Mercy. I mean how the hell did she get so strong and knowledgeable so quickly? Pffff, it was just frustrating.

salem zombies

Rating:
GRADE 4Well, it is rather evident that I was not a fan of this. I don’t know why my other half insisted on watching this. He was told by some colleagues/friends that it was really good and really interesting and blah blah blah. Now, we have never actually gotten anything good to watch from them before, or a great recommendation that stood out, and all I really wanted was to watch Deadwood, but this was short, so if not, why not? Right? Pffffff. This was such a painful experience for me to get through, but because it was only a thirteen episode long season, my OCD would not allow me to simply stop watching and move on. I hate that about short seasons sometimes. Dammit. Well, I figured that once I had started, I may as well invest some time in this, even if just to bitch and moan about it, and trust me, I will. The casting just felt all wrong, really. From the off. Like none of the characters was suited for their role… I know we are supposed to identify with Alden and all that, but I just wanted to cut his hair (the long hair didn’t suit him – and I am sure you all know how much that must kill me to admit it) and I thought he was such a sissy pushover. Not to mention my excitement levels went through the roof when I saw Seth Gabel as a cast member, I like him, and thought he was simply superb in Fringe. Queue a teeth kicking, cause that’s what this show was. There are so many holes in it, and so many stories that get introduced and forgotten and rushed away from. It’s like… why?! The worst is this show had potential. Like the concept, and the fact that the effects were halfway decent and there was some impressive gore. I was like yeahhhhh, let’s have a lookie here, and then this is what we got. There were moments that were pretty good, albeit predictable. It’s like Salem never catches, never finds itself, never draws you in, which is a pity. Also, I didn’t appreciate Janet Montgomery in the main role of Mary one little bit. Logic also makes some impressively confusing and mind-numbing leaps and bounds, which just adds to the irritations within this show. Also, the pacing was terrible. Something would happen and only be addressed again much later on, undecided as to whether something was relevant or not. Make up your minds, people, it can’t be that hard… The camera work was also incredibly sketchy, and sometimes the way it would rapidly flick between two characters in a single room made me think of a soapie. Meh. As much as Increase Mather was a twit, he was one of the more entertaining twits, and Stephen Lang had more screen presence than anyone I had actually seen this season. The one great thing about this show is the amount of laughter it provided for me and my other half due to ripping it to shreds and taking the Mickey out of it completely. I cannot, with a clear conscience, recommend this show – it could have been so much more if it wanted to!

salem reading