Anonnamus Reviews

Lucifer: All Hands on Decker (2018) Season 3, Episode 22

Ugh

[5/10 · 6 January 2023]

Lucifer makes it really really hard to root for him. He's supposed to be growing as a character, become more self-aware. This season he seems to be completely going backwards. What happened to the man who literally killed himself to save Chloe? Why is he acting so immature and stupid? After a moment in which it finally appeared he had become enlightened, my hope was immediately taken away in the very next scene. These writers are ruining his character, it's only Tom Ellis's charm and fabulous acting skills that are keeping me watching. Chloe is fine, though I can't help but feel like the actress or character is on drugs half the time. I'm still confused about the entire relationship between Pierce and Decker though. It started out of nowhere and immediately escalated to an engagement? Okay then.

Maze, who was hands down my favorite character prior to season 3 continues to baffle me with her seemingly complete turnaround. I truly hope she can be redeemed, she has almost reached the point beyond redemption. Dan and Charlotte are now towards the top of my list of favorite characters. Though I originally thought Charlotte Richards was an unnecessary character once the Goddess vacated her body, I really enjoyed her comedic performance the last several episodes. Ella is always perky and fun. As someone who has had a huge crush on Tom Welling since the early 2000s, it pains me to admit to myself that the man isn't the greatest actor. It's impossible to really get an idea of his motive because his facial expression stays the same in every single scene.

I love this show. Love it. But I have wanted to scream at my television more than once this season. At least I have the next couple of episodes to look forward to, they were so fantastic they made me forget how weak season 3 actually was. For those of you who are on the fence and thinking of giving it up, I implore you to watch the next two episodes, they will change your mind.

Lucifer: The One with the Baby Carrot (2017) Season 3, Episode 2

Microhumor

[5/10 · 31 December 2022]

This is by far the lowest I've rated a Lucifer episode. The storyline was fine, it was the characters themselves that were utterly unbearable to me. Lucifer, usually charming in his self-absorption and narcissism was annoying to the point of wanting to fast-forward through any scene he was in. I truly felt bad for Dan during the comedy sketch scene. That wasn't funny, that was just cruel. Ella, usually a breath of fresh air with her naivety and sweet, kind nature was also annoying in her sunshine-out-her-backside refusal to see Bobby Lowe as anything but her idol. Everyone else was great, and the plot wasn't actually bad. The writers went a little overboard and made Lucifer way too Luciferie and Ella way too Ellaie. Just a bump in the magnificent powerhouse that the show has been thus far.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow: No Country for Old Dads (2018) Season 3, Episode 13

Fun Episode, Terrible Goofs Section

[8/10 · 1 December 2022]

I love the Darhks. Villains or not, they're a super fun evil daddy daughter duo. I especially love the chemistry between Nora and Ray, perhaps because of their real-life marriage. Courtney Ford's ability to emote sarcasm is outstanding. So many entertaining things about this episode, from Damian asking for fatherly advice from Ray to that terrible wig to the introduction of Wally West to the team. Although seeing Director Bennett get pounded into the pavement was fantastic, the return of Gorilla Grodd was not so much. I may be in the minority but I was never a fan of Grodd and had to push through all the Arrowverse episodes that featured him. This was the part of the season that LoT finally found it's footing and the characters became less annoying and unbelievable.

Whoever contributed most of the goofs section, please stop.

The Flash: Negative, Part Two (2022) Season 8, Episode 20

What

[6/10 · 19 November 2022]

Not a terrible episode...at the beginning. Other than Barry's typical "I do what I want, everyone else just get behind me because I am always right" attitude, it started shaping up to be a fantastic end to a not horrible season (especially the Armageddon episodes). I really enjoyed the fight scene and loved seeing the fallout as a result, the city was truly feeling the effects of the showdown, something that was never really addressed before on The Flash. Of course the only person that could bring Barry back to his senses was the return of Iris, who was able to bring herself back with the power of positive thinking. It's difficult for me to take any battles involving pretty rainbow colors seriously. I was reverted back to my childhood, watching an episode of the Care Bears and clapping my hands in glee when the colors popped out and went into Barry. Then I remembered that this wasn't a cartoon and this was supposed to be the War to End All Speedsters war and just shook my head in disgust. To top it all off, Barry just decided to stop fighting and sat down in the middle of the street, presumably to meditate. Meditation brought the end of Reverse Flash. Great television right there.

Whatever. Please keep Psych, make him the new hero. I love him. Everyone else can just please go meditate somewhere else.

The Flash: The Curious Case of Bartholomew Allen (2022) Season 8, Episode 16

Really, Barry?

[7/10 · 17 November 2022]

One of the reasons I truly believe this show has gone downhill is because of the personality of the protagonist. Barry's inability to consider anyone else's ideas or to do something other than what Barry wants is getting tiresome. Do as he says, not as he does. Barry's martyr and hero complex is becoming unbearable. How he could treat Caitlin like he did at the end was absolutely disgusting. Sure, it probably wasn't the best idea Caitlin has had, but destroying her entire apartment and then running off? I'd quit Team Flash on principle and let them use a hospital any time someone gets hurt.

Joe seems to have been shoved aside to become a background character, only coming out occasionally to spout off an inspirational line or two. Since retirement, he just seems lost and it almost feels like The Flash producers are in the process of phasing him out. I don't want him to leave, but I honestly don't see any reason why he's there anymore since he is no longer the police captain.

Chester does his sciencey stuff so I guess he's useful, but I honestly have no idea why Allegra is a part of Team Flash. She uses her powers like once a season so it's not like she's a superhero. Forcing her and Chester together in a romance is just nauseating and weird to watch considering they have zero chemistry.

Since when did Cecile become a field agent? I realize I'm in the minority but I actually like her character. I just don't understand why she's suddenly becoming more prominent and why we are suddenly seeing new abilities she never seemed to have before.

Please, please, please do something soon with Caitlin's character. She was once one of my favorite characters but she has been completely neutered the last few seasons, taking a backseat to Frost. She suddenly lost her personality or any trait that made her a key member of TF. Is she leaving the show also? I don't want to see her as an enemy of TF, I hope she doesn't go down that route though Barry would 100% deserve it.

As a whole, I have enjoyed this season but the series has more than shown visible signs of aging. I like the unique storyline but I truly think that the show needs a major character overhaul. Let's hope the end of the season ends on a high note.

The Flash: Armageddon, Part 3 (2021) Season 8, Episode 3

Decent Episode, Decent Season So Far

[7/10 · 11 November 2022]

Not quite as intriguing as the last episode, but still a solid one overall. Barry continues to act impulsively and throw temper tantrums like a toddler but the real bright spot in this was the appearance of Jefferson Pierce. I have never watched Black Lightning but I think I will start. Pierce seems like a smart, level-headed hero, something that is in short supply on The Flash. Rosa Dillon has come a long way since the throwaway average villain she always seemed to be in the past, and I hope that she makes an appearance again in the future.

Say what you will about Iris (I have hated her since like season 2), but her tenacity and constant nosiness and busybody personality really paid off this time, even to the dismay of Cecile, whose shriekiness and severe anger was really quite startling. Chester is again able to just whip up any tech the team needs just by digging through trash cans. He really is very resourceful, give him two weeks and a box of tampons and he could probably rebuild Star Labs from the ground up.

The villain got power hungry and decided to act like every other villain and say he's saving mankind and is willing to kill everyone who stands in his way blah blah blah, whatever. The real gem of the season is the fact that someone is rewriting reality and changing the present. Obviously it has to be Reverse Flash, but still it's something different we hadn't seen in previous seasons. The fact that he decided to make himself the new love of Iris's life was nothing short of hilarious.

I cannot wait to see where the rest of the season takes us. I really wish Barry would for once learn from his past mistakes and stop doing whatever he wants whenever he wants and whines and cries when he doesn't get his way, that kind of behavior is really unbecoming on a hero. I wish Iris would wear a name tag so Allegra would know what to call her instead of "boss" since she isn't actually a mobster lackey. I'm pretty sure Caitlin was in this episode somewhere, I think? I really hope KF and Caitlin rejoin forces, Caitlin is completely lost without her and is just human background scenery. I can't wait to see how Barry vows to take down Reverse Flash but not kill him or hurt him and motivational speech him into surrendering. Season 8 is shaping up to be better than anything we've seen since season 3!

The Flash: Armageddon, Part 2 (2021) Season 8, Episode 2

Looks Like the Writers Have Leveled Up

[8/10 · 11 November 2022]

The Flash is back! I'm not sure if this was actually a great episode or if it's just a masterpiece compared to the travesty that season 7 was. I hope Despero proves to be a great villain, especially since he's not your typical bad guy with a nefarious plan, he genuinely seems like he is only trying to save the world.

I'm still not crazy about the new dynamic as I was a diehard fan of original Team Flash, but Chester and Allegra didn't annoy me at all this episode. It was sad to see what looked like the end of an era with the supposed demolition of Star Labs and the loss of his job, but the entire reason behind it seemed so rushed and lazy I wouldn't be surprised if it was part of Barry's "descent into madness."

I love Grant Gustin and honestly cannot picture anyone else playing The Flash, but his character has come to frustrate me so much for the last couple of seasons. His inability to ever think he's wrong and his refusal to do absolutely anything that isn't his idea just makes me want to punch him in the kidney. He takes playing the martyr entirely too far, to the point of alienating the audience, not to mention his teammates. He obviously knew that the meta would be the reason his mind is broken in the first place, so what does he do? He rushes in just as cocky as always and instead of taking her by surprise and immediately cuffing her, he stops to introduce himself first. I'm honestly surprised he didn't ask her permission to arrest her. He knew how dangerous she was, why take the time to stop and brag about how you're going to take her down? He's done this numerous times in the past, and he just looks like an idiot. I wish the writers would stop making him look dumb, he's obviously not.

This episode really takes off at the end, however. The "surprise" that Joe died 6 months ago (obvious to the audience since the beginning of the show) completely shocked Barry and irritated the rest of Team Flash that he didn't remember. Instead of getting angry he could have forgotten that, maybe they should be wondering how to help him? Also, when is Barry going to learn to actually stop and try to explain to anyone what is happening to him instead of just constantly saying "I don't remember" or "it wasn't me" and running off and summoning Black Lightning? I can see where Bart gets his impulsiveness. I also loved seeing Alex again, seeing characters from other DC shows always makes me happy.

All in all this was a fabulous episode and it seems like so long ago I have been excited about anything pertaining to The Flash. I could do with about 16 or 17 fewer "level ups" but I can deal with it if that means we continue to get decent episodes. The loss of Cisco and Wells, arguably the two best characters Team Flash has had really hurt the quality of the show so this was a wonderful surprise.

The Flash: Family Matters, Part 2 (2021) Season 7, Episode 11

Barry's Daughter Is His Mother

[3/10 · 8 November 2022]

...and that's about the best part of this terrible episode. I began typing random thoughts as I watched this, so my review is probably completely incoherent. Here goes!

I think the only way these evil forces and the Big Bad will be defeated this season is through a prayer circle. If that powerful speech about how their pretty rainbow lightning children were born from love wasn't enough for them to just stop doing mean stuff, I don't know what will. They should all just give up now, all hope is gone. Joe has the right idea. I just can't understand why Barry doesn't just grab the baddies hands and maintain eye contact for three seconds, not even Satan himself can resist that kind of earnestness. It's like he's not even trying anymore.

I'm beginning to wonder if the CW pissed the writers off and this is their way of payback. Because I cannot honestly believe real people would ever write scripts like this. I honestly no longer care who lives or who dies, including Barry, who has somehow become absolutely unbeawrable to watch this season. His constant whining about how everything is his fault, yet he only believes that he and he alone is always right and continues the same cycle over and over again is just tiring to watch. I'm not entirely sure what Chester and Allegra (though I don't hate their characters) are even there for. Kamilla needs to go away. Caitlin is still there, I think. I actually really like Bashir, but I believe it's probably more the charisma of the actor I'm responding to more than the actual character. Joe is lost without his badge. The scene where he gave up his gun would have felt a lot more poignant if he had ever actually ever fired the thing in the line of duty. The scene with Frost and Chillblaine was cringeworthy, their exact interaction can probably be heard word for word at any preschool.

"You like me, I know you do!" "Eww! Do not! Take that back!" "Yes, you do. Haha. Let's date." "Gross! No! Turn yourself in!" "No." "Yes!" "No. Wanna go out?" "Shut up! I will never ever ever ever date you!"

Cue fight scene. But the real winning line to end the battle of all battles?

"Chill out."

Slow clap. Bravo. And now Barry and Nora are lamenting that they can't lose anyone else and perhaps they just weren't meant to be parents. They are agonizing over the possible breakup of their family. They compare losing their baby lightning bolts to losing their actual human daughter. I mean, I hated Nora West-Allen but she deserves better than to be held on the same level as an electrical current. What they should really do is come together and sing a song. If they would have done that instead of that pointless fight scene that lasted 10 seconds, I could already be watching something else. I do have to admit that the scene where Nora was literally the only person left on earth was pretty cool. Thank goodness they overcame their differences when Alexa reached out her hand. What did I say at the beginning of this review? The world can't become a better place unless you hold hands. Now they can all live in peace and harmony in a tiny house. Beautiful. It looks like Cisco is about to say goodbye and that's unacceptable. Other than Wells, he's one of the best The Flash has, which is saying a whole lot considering there have been about 755 members of Team Flash throughout the seasons. I hope it's just temporary because I honestly don't know if this show can handle the loss of another great character. I already hated Kamilla, now I can't help but think she's Yoko Ono. Also, if this show tries to force a relationship in between Allegra and Chester, I'm done.

I don't care. I hope they all lose. I know The Flash viewers have.

The Flash: Growing Pains (2021) Season 7, Episode 7

Surprisingly Not Bad

[7/10 · 6 November 2022]

I'm not sure what kind of Twilight Zone I'm currently living in, but I didn't hate this episode and I actually enjoyed the last one too. Iris has actually been the voice of reason and I'm finding myself no longer wanting to change the channel when she comes across my screen. The Flash has been focusing more on the side characters for quite awhile but for the most part, it has been working.

Season 7 seems to have taken on a completely different vibe, one I was resistant to and still am on the fence about. Strangely placed slo-mo scenes, odd heavy soundtrack music during fight scenes, and stilted dialogue. Overall it's just felt...strange. I finally decided to stop trying to compare the current episodes with the show it was when it first came out years ago, and once I did that I was able to enjoy this season much much more. I mean, if anyone ever thought The Flash was supposed to be a serious show they just have to watch the scene where a random hot bartender just takes off his shirt for no reason. I do hope he somehow becomes a romantic interest for KF because I do think they had great chemistry, as long as she can overlook the tiny murder part. The budding friendship between Allegra and KF is pretty nice, too.

I'm not sure how I feel about the Kramer character yet. It depends on what her motives are and whether or not she will ever be able to view the world in more than black and white. Nora the Speed Force is a nice addition to the cast, I think she is oddly adorable in how much she is trying to make herself useful. I am not sure I trust her motives, either, something feels like it's bubbling underneath the surface. I almost feel like she's much stronger than she's letting on and she's waiting for the other Forces to appear so she can completely obliterate them.

I'm not really viewing season 7 as a continuance of the previous seasons, but trying to watch it as a standalone show. Remembering what it was would just ruin any enjoyment I could possibly find with the show. Overall this wasn't a terrible episode. It could possibly be because "Mother" was so bad that anything that followed would look like it was Oscar worthy. In the long run, this will probably go down as my most hated season of the entire series, but this episode wasn't the absolute worst.

The Flash: Mother (2021) Season 7, Episode 3

Who Needs Love When We Have Iris?

[1/10 · 5 November 2022]

I don't know what I just watched. Did they allow a 4 year old to write the script? "Run, Barry, run. Towards love." SERIOUSLY? The Flash has always been a show full of kittens and rainbows and the belief that the world would be a better place with just a smile but come on. This is ridiculous.

• The Wells' deserved better. Nash sacrificed himself for the ASF, which lasted all of four hours before Barry destroyed it. But then here comes Iris and suddenly THAT is what the SF needed in order for all to be right in the world. Thanks for the try, Nash. Sorry you had to lose your life, looks like that was not super necessary.

• I never knew the word "love" could send me into a rage but somehow The Flash did it. Great job.

• I don't know what they did with Ralph but I would have preferred ANYTHING over to what they did to his character. There was no need to bring back anyone. Just say he died offscreen, decided to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a magician, headed to college, got a job as a blackjack dealer in Vegas...anything would have been better than whatever it is they showed. I liked Ralph and I would have preferred to remember what he was, not the dude in the fencing outfit that sounded like one of those commercials of people that have smoked 6 packs of cigarettes a day their entire life.

• What did this show do to Joe? He was the constant voice of reason on Team Flash, the one who always stayed level-headed no matter what threat loomed. Now he's the guy who is just gonna go into the Mirrorverse without a plan just because a voice told him to. What?

I always promised I'd stick with this show no matter how bad it got but they are really really really testing that theory. The first two episodes were actually quite good, this travesty should be erased from existence altogether. The Big Bad should never ever be defeated because of a freaking heartfelt speech, then when her minions prove too strong, HOLDING HANDS is what made the world right again? Give me a break.

The Flash: The Speed of Thought (2021) Season 7, Episode 2

Fantastic Episode

[8/10 · 5 November 2022]

I haven't been able to say that for a long time, this episode finally brought hints of the brilliance that this show used to be. Everything kept me at the edge of my seat, from Barry's eventual descent into an emotionless genius (much like season 4's villain, The Thinker) to the epic battle between The Flash and a Velocity X'd out Killer Frost.

I thought the little monument they built in honor of all the heroes they lost was sweet, though I was a little surprised by Cisco's lack of emotion. I guess he had a long time to process the death of Harry, and the relationship between him and Nash never fully developed to a true friendship like he had with Harry and to an extent, HR. No matter, I'm just happy Cisco is finally back, hopefully for good. I'm still a little confused as to where his powers went, as The Monitor had given them back during Crisis. Frost was enjoyable, I am glad she finally has gotten past her "who am I" arc that grated on the nerves last season. Allegra is another character who I'm beginning to like more and more as she begins to show more depth.

Barry Allen is a character who I am constantly on the fence with. His never ending Pollyanna approach to defeating enemies has left me screaming at my television more than once. So much so that occasionally I start rooting for the baddies, just because I am not one that thinks all evil can be eradicated through Hallmark cards and sappy speeches. Team Flash seems to and it's sort of worked so far, so kudos to them, I guess. Seeing Barry finally break out of that and behave in a way that didn't involve farting speeding puppies in the general direction of a criminal and hoping that the cuteness overload would cause them to just give themselves up and promise to never ever ever do bad things again made me clap in glee. Obviously it didn't last, but it was quite enjoyable for the short time he acted less than saint-like.

I do wish the show would stop having characters sacrifice themselves. Eddie Thawne's sacrifice lasted like 3 episodes and the Reverse Flash has appeared so often, he needs to be included in the main cast list. The Council of Wells' sacrifice lasted one episode. Sure, all the Wells are dead, but at least Barry has his speed back. Had. Had his speed back. Took about 6 hours before the machine got destroyed. Of course, I could be wrong about that, I am writing this as I go so I am just assuming that the ASF was destroyed.

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this episode. It's something I haven't been able to say since like season 3. I hope this is a hint of the quality that season 7 will be!

The Flash: All's Wells That Ends Wells (2021) Season 7, Episode 1

Nope.

[6/10 · 5 November 2022]

In previous reviews I've made it no secret that Iris is my least favorite Flash character. My favorites are Wells, Caitlin, Cisco, Ralph, and for the most part, Barry. Their chemistry and banter makes even the worst storylines bearable.

Now we have this episode, where 3 out of 5 are just somewhere wandering around the world and then the 4th is killed. They have two new characters who haven't really been established or had a chance to really mesh with Team Flash take their place. What should have been a major emotional moment just left me empty. I did cry when several key versions of Wells came out to say their goodbyes, but all I could think of was that Cisco, the man closest to most all versions of Wells was just somewhere else...retrieving the part that would have made Wells' sacrifice needless. That's not fair to anyone.

But THANK GOD WE STILL HAVE IRIS EVERY EPISODE. I won't stop watching, I still do enjoy it for the most part, plus I don't quit something I've invested 6 seasons in already. I just wish they would get back to the original Team Flash. What's even worse is that this particular plot with the Mirrorverse is actually quite interesting, I just think that the writers are making choices that are ruining it. I truly hope they bring back Tom Cavanaugh in some form or fashion, he is a tremendous actor who has never failed to entertain me.

But really, what do I know? I should just learn to love Iris since she gets more screen time than anyone else. Do better, The Flash.

The Flash: So Long and Goodnight (2020) Season 6, Episode 16

Yeah.

[5/10 · 3 November 2022]

So...Joe is indestructible. He saved his own life and stopped his impending death from crashing into a concrete barrier at 120 miles per hour by jumping out of it. At 120 mph. Cool. Asphalt is apparently softer than concrete. Then our brilliant police captain refuses to enter witsec because by god, he won't be bullied. That's cool, baddies never go after family members anyway so they should totally be safe. But now Joe is angry. So angry he firmly puts down his badge on top of a picture of Joseph Carver and goes after the man himself in his home. He gets him to admit all his nefarious schemes, then decides to celebrate by immediately pulling out his phone and bragging that he recorded him admitting his nefarious scheme. Then he's shocked...SHOCKED that he somehow no longer has that recording to use because Carver had the gall to destroy it.

Don't forget, this is all after Joe has been shot. Which he seems to forget except when the script tells him to remember. It's fine, there's a ton of other things going on, like Ragdoll somehow gaining new powers and able to elongate himself to catch whatever prey he is after. Or Nash and his sudden inability to form complete sentences whenever Allegra is around. Or Cecile deciding to hide the baby where surely no one would find her...at another daughter's house. Iris's personality is pretty much exactly the same so at least there's no change there. There was a wonderful emotional moment where Joe took Cecile's place on a pressure bomb by doing the Macarena or whatever it is they did and luckily he was able to disarm the bomb by finding an off switch. Joe's wife being kidnapped and almost dying has finally made Joe realize that he needs to go into hiding. Without his wife. Who was just kidnapped. And placed on a bomb. And left there to die. That's a little self-absorbed, Joe.

I love this show. I can overlook the dumbest things, like Team Flash and Super Friends apparently destroying all evil threats with the power of their feelings. That Care Bear Stare they did in Crisis was a real nail-biter. I cannot abide by the fact that they made Joe an idiot. Who is even writing this stuff? Season 6 has been all over the place for me. I just want to forget it exists and move onto season 7 already.

Glee: Bad Reputation (2010) Season 1, Episode 17

RIP, Olivia Newton-John

[8/10 · 9 August 2022]

I love this show. I watched a couple seasons a few years ago but quit for one reason or another. I saw this available on Hulu and remembered how much I liked to so I started from the very first episode. It's just as funny and charming as it was the first time I watched.

• It's a coincidence that this episode came on today, the very day of Olivia Newton-John's death. She was so talented and an icon and she will sorely be missed. That new reenactment of "Physical" was just pure comedy.

• It warms my heart to finally see a male lead worthy of Lea Michele's abundant talent. No offense to the other guys of the glee club, they're fine and tolerable singers, but Jonathan Groff is in a league of his own. I understand he can't stay, but damn I wish he could. Their chemistry is absolutely off the charts.

• The gratuitous use of auto tune isn't doing anyone any favors. It's very distracting, especially when combined with motion sickness-inducing camera work to camouflage weaker dancers.

• I would have thought that taking advice from Sue Sylvester would only end in disaster, but I guess that's not why I'm not a guidance counselor.

I highly recommend everyone give Glee a chance, even just once. It's addictive and it's refreshing the way it gives absolutely zero effs. I'm also a sucker for pop song covers so Glee is my happy place. To tell the truth, the entire cast could probably just spend the entire hour burping and I'd still rate it highly. I'm in the honeymoon phase, which I'm sure will end soon enough.

The Rookie: Backstabbers (2022) Season 4, Episode 18

Please, Chen, Say VAHS One More Time

[7/10 · 3 August 2022]

This episode wasn't terrible. It had some humorous moments. It was actually better than I expected, considering I spent half the episode with high blood pressure from hearing Chen say "vahs" over and over. It's vase. Like case.

• I am very happy for Harper because I think she is a kick-ass character, but her and James are just a weird couple to me. It's hard for me to remember they're in a relationship, much less married when I haven't seen them kiss a single time on the lips. All the hugs and the cheek kissing just makes them feel like a platonic couple. Either way, I do like each of them individually so why not together?

• Nolan and Bailey. Also love them both, though for some reason I still think of Jenna Dewan being in her 20s, not my age. They're cute together and I hope it lasts.

• I love Silas and wish he would make an appearance in more episodes. I loved the entire storyline of the skit they were filming, and I think Sargent Grey stood out the most. He has great comedic timing!

• Greg Grunberg is fantastic in everything he's in. He's every bit as charming as Nathan Fillion so seeing both of them together onscreen was a delight, even if their story was quite boring.

• It's amazing how far Tim has come in my eyes. I hated him at first but he is now easily my favorite character. Although I do find Chen to be a bit bland at times, I cannot wait for the inevitable moment where they finally see each other romantically. They trigger my inner teenager.

Season 4 overall is ten times better than the train wreck that was season 3, but that isn't saying much. I am still finding The Rookie quite entertaining overall and I'm in it for the long haul.

Saving Hope: Doctor Robot (2017) Season 5, Episode 6

Please Kill Alex Reid

[6/10 · 14 July 2022]

I've never seen a main character so unlikable before. My unofficial girl crush I had on Erica Durance has completely died with the emergence of season 5 Alex. Seriously, she is a scheming, shady, selfish, self-absorbed shrew. I'm going to need to see a change soon if I'm going to finish this series I was so excited to watch at one point. I sincerely hope Charlie moves on because the fact that he carries such a torch for someone like Alex just proves that a pretty face matters more than anything else. Don't get me started on whatever is happening with Manny and Alex. Is there such a thing as subzero chemistry?

The episode could have been a masterpiece written by Academy Award winning screenwriters for all I know but I couldn't focus on anything past Alex's terrible attitude. It's been happening for the last several episodes. Saving Hope's version of the quintessential "will they or won't they" couple is a total failure. Not only do I not care whether or not they end up together, I'm actively rooting against them. Hell, put Charlie and Maggie together and ship Alex off to Siberia. Better yet, put her in a coma she never wakes from so we no longer have to listen to her whine and pout when she doesn't get her way. That's a fitting end for her.

Saving Hope: Dr. Dustiny (2017) Season 5, Episode 1

Go Away, Alex

[6/10 · 12 July 2022]

You're annoying AF. She doesn't deserve Charlie. Every decision he makes is to for Alex while Alex is the most selfish human on the planet. Character development is supposed to happen for the good (Dawn, Zach, Shahir, Maggie) but Alex gets worse with every passing season. It took me five seasons but I'm finally beginning to see the appeal of the show...at least I was until this episode. She loves him! She doesn't love him and loves someone else! She loves him again! She still loves him as long as he undergoes what was originally unnecessary brain surgery because she is irritated he can speak to ghosts!

Shut up, Alex. I only began watching this show because of Erica Durance and Michael Shanks, but man is it difficult to root for her.

Saving Hope (2012–2017)

I Really Really Want To Like This Show

[5/10 · 6 July 2022]

I've been binge watching this show because I love Erica Durance and Michael Shanks. I really want to like this show, it is a mix of two of my favorite genres, medical drama and sci-fi/supernatural. I just find it so...fine. Writing is fine. Characters are fine, though mostly quite unlikable. Plot is fine. Everything is just fine.

I'm on season 3 and I still have yet to see any character development they left so much room for. If anything, they seem to be either the exact same or even regressing in some cases. The only characters I have a fondness for are Zach and Melanda (perhaps because they don't get much screen time), and Dr. Bell and Dr. Kinney are really growing on me. Dr. Shahir has become completely charming at some point, his character has definitely changed since the beginning of season 1. I still find Maggie unbearably childish and self-centered, Gavin is just annoying and there to walk around the scenery and Dr. Reid has the personality of a wet mop. Charlie is starting to grate on my nerves but he deserves much better than Alex. Perhaps it's the fact that the show I just binge-watched before starting this one was Ghost Whisperer, but I'm frustrated to no end that Charlie could quite easily prove he speaks to ghosts but he chooses to completely ignore and deny his gift. Joel is okay, but I really wouldn't care if he were even on the show. At this point in a series, I should really be invested in at least a couple of the characters and care about their outcome, but Hope Zion could be set on fire and I really wouldn't care what happens to any of them.

I understand Charlie and Alex are the two main characters, but one is so bland and passive it's frustrating and the other is totally undeserving of the other's undying love. Alex also seems to be the Meredith Grey of Hope Zion, the unlucky beacon attracting all that is death. Her parents, her brother, Charlie. Anyone close to her seems to suffer a terrible fate. Joel and Charlie should move on if they want to live, probably. Either that or I watch too much television. I'm sure Charlie and Alex are supposed to be endgame and all, but I just think they are completely mismatched. I don't even really root for them to get together. Even the medical procedural stuff is boring, and the guest characters are more unlikable than not. Saving Hope cannot seem to figure out what it is, a medical procedural or a supernatural show with sci-fi elements so it just sort of dips a toe in both and it turns out to be a lukewarm mess. Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but I will continue to watch and hopefully change my opinion as I know this show had to be quite popular at some point to make it five seasons.

Blindspot: 'Ohana (2019) Season 4, Episode 18

So Bad It Was Entertaining

[3/10 · 20 March 2022]

Wow. Bad acting, bad script, bad everything. Patterson and Rich are my favorite characters but even they couldn't save this travesty. Everything from the lispy science assistant to the elderly "mercenary" woman who apparently learned how to be a criminal by watching too much bad TV featuring 1950's mobsters. She was probably in college around then, it's surprising she didn't break a hip falling to the floor during the bee sting attack.

Blindspot has never been particularly quality programming, but it's almost like they're determined to turn it into a mockery. I see everything through to the bitter end, but this is getting rough.

Blindspot: Hot Burning Flames (2018) Season 3, Episode 9

Really?

[3/10 · 13 March 2022]

If you haven't seen this episode yet, don't read this.

It's been five minutes since the episode ended and I'm still shaking my head. I don't know what I just watched, but it's like the writers wanted to see if anyone was still paying attention and decided to throw in any unbelievable scenario and dialogue they could. I can't even. I'm surprised there wasn't a standing ovation and a Purple Heart waiting for Weller when he landed. After all, he somehow boarded a plane, disarmed a nuke, killed a pilot and got into a super lucky fight with a lady who half his size with twice his strength who broke away to rearm the nuke in a plane with an open hangar door before shooting her then strapping himself in a parachute and diving out after her, catching up with her in time to disarm the nuke again in midair thousands of feet above New York by tapping tiny numbers on her wristwatch, then sitting in self-satisfaction wearing goggles he somehow found time to put on while watching the now harmless nuke fall gently into the Hudson.

Ah, but you think that's unbelievable? How about throwing in a random kid? Jane had a kid and forgot about her. That's completely believable, she did get her memory wiped. However, Weller-With-the-Impeccable-Timing for everything somehow managed to already meet her in a country of millions. That's fine, divine intervention or whatever. But...somehow Mr. Boy Scout suddenly becomes an expert marksman and shoots a random running figure behind a white sheet, not knowing if it's an innocent person and with an aim so perfect she's killed instantly? This is the guy who wastes dozens of bullets shooting around all the bad guys. Give. Me. A. Break. But of course she somehow managed to apparently fake her death because here she is again. Weller and Jane are actually kind of terrible together, I was happy that they broke up for a reason that there would be absolutely no return from. Except not anymore. If I ever decide to rewatch this show, this will be an episode I skip.

Castle: In Plane Sight (2015) Season 7, Episode 21

I Hate Snakes

[6/10 · 20 February 2022]

I love this show. I was hooked from episode one and haven't missed a free hour binging it. It's my guilty pleasure. I would take down anyone who tried to besmirch it. That being said, this episode...really? Richard Castle has always walked a fine line between goofiness and stupidity but he comes off as downright moronic at times throughout this episode.

• A person was murdered on a plane flying 39,000 feet in the air, I'm pretty sure it's understood by everyone that the killer is probably still on it somewhere.

• The staff and Castle and Alexis are understandably nervous but they didn't even TRY to appear as if nothing were happening. They couldn't have been more obvious if they got on the intercom and asked the killer to pretty please meet them in the back of the plane.

• When wanting everything to appear normal, holding a staff meeting in plain sight while giving everyone the stink eye isn't the best idea, probably. I have to assume the killer was sleeping or blind and deaf or dead and not at all aware of his surroundings or that all the flight attendants are freaking out and looking at everyone suspiciously.

• Not only do they not use their indoor voices, they go ahead and decide to ponder the case out loud. With the NYPD. In public. Over FaceTime. I'm not sure why they didn't just bring in the rest of the first class passengers to brainstorm with them. Also, murderers apparently always fly coach. It's in the manual, I guess. Separated by a soundproof curtain.

• Oh, cool. We stopped trying to keep things private and have now resorted to screaming at a sleeping man. Thank goodness we had a flight attendant screaming that they had already caught the suspect so that no one would pay attention to whatever it is that they're doing.

• For the love of god, isn't it enough that the audience knows your brilliance at figuring out a crime scene, do you really have to do all your thinking SO LOUDLY? As was pointed out earlier in the episode, the killer is still on the plane. And the killer along with everyone else is now aware that you know that they know that you know that they're there. Or something. Whatever. Even dead Air Marshal Ford heard who you're suspecting.

• This entire situation was over a watch. And a sweet flight attendant whose pension was taken from her. Well. Okay.

Not the greatest episode I've seen, and I'm noticing that Castle has been annoying me quite a bit in season 7, but the show is still pretty awesome. I'm not happy with the way they wrapped up his disappearance story arc, tying it up in a pretty bow and hoping that we will just forget that it happened and why he was gone for two entire months but these things usually happen on long-running shows. The writing and the chemistry between all the characters on this show are what keeps me coming back. I'm sad I only have one season left to binge!

Elementary: Whatever Remains, However Improbable (2018) Season 6, Episode 21

Fantastic Finale to a Decent Season

[10/10 · 9 January 2022]

Elementary has had its ups and downs and like many other long-running series, the quality tends to suffer the longer it's on. Season 6 overall has been terrific, in my opinion, in consistency and interesting storylines. This finale didn't disappoint, and could have done just as well as a series finale.

• Michael Rowan began the season as a promising villain, one that could rival Moriarty in intelligence and evilness. He ended with a whimper, becoming an overhyped plot device, used just to explain a transition to a new country for the dynamic duo.

• The FBI really doesn't care about plausibility or evidence. I'm sure Joan Watson, an almost 50 year-old tiny little woman beat and killed a man twice her size. With two broken ribs.

• I have never liked Hannah, and I like her even less now. Not because she refuses to cop to her murdering a man who fully deserves it, but because she is the reason her father is committing a felony and betraying two people who have come to mean a whole lot to him over the last several years. I truly hope she gets her comeuppance.

• Why did Michael Rowan call William Bazemore to proclaim his innocence the seconds before he was killed, when hours earlier he attacked Joan because Bazemore was dead by overdose and he blamed her?

I really am excited to see their dynamic in a change of scenery, but I will truly miss Gregson and Marcus. Season 6 was satisfying and excelled in comparison to the previous two.

Modern Family: Pilot (2009) Season 1, Episode 1

Promising Start

[9/10 · 1 October 2021]

As someone who has never watched a single episode of this show until today, I wasn't sure what to expect. I'd heard great things, but just haven't been in a mindset to watch a sitcom. That was my loss. I laughed so hard throughout this pilot that I had years. It usually takes me a full season to really get into a show but I'm already hooked. I can't wait to see what the rest of the show brings.

Parks and Recreation: Recall Vote (2013) Season 6, Episode 7

Pawnee Doesn't Deserve Leslie Knope

[7/10 · 22 September 2021]

The town of Pawnee sucks and can eat itself into oblivion after Leslie hopefully gets a job in DC. Rated a 7 purely based on the amazing cast. One of the weaker episodes of the series, in my opinion.

Grimm: Tree People (2017) Season 6, Episode 9

I Am Groot

[3/10 · 27 August 2021]

If Groot were a vengeful tree-hugger. This episode came across more like a smug PSA than it did an important piece of the final season (though I agree with the sentiment). All filler, and not great. Then again, anything would have been a letdown after the epic previous episode.