Tellyvixen Reviews

Doctor Who (2005–2022)

This is the definition of entertainment

[9/10 · 12 May 2024]

To be honest, I didn't really like the show in the beginning but I thought it had potential and I was right. It is really a whole lot of fun and I love everything about it. The music, the cast, the main villains The Cybermen and the Daleks. Currently there isn't much I find wrong with it.

I do admit I've only done 3 seasons and would love to do more but Amazon Prime is pulling the show soon. (I'd give Prime a -9 if I could review them. And not just over them pulling Doctor Who. In my country the service is pathetic.) I really would have liked to have at least finished David Tennant's era but I can't see how I'm going to do 14 episodes in 2 days. This is really a binge worthy show. And though I'm hoping Prime will get the show again so I can finish the David Tennant's reign as The Doctor and explore the others that came after.

Reacher (2022– )

2nd season syndrome

[4/10 · 19 April 2024]

2nd season syndrome. Where a tv show fails to carry on the same quality of storytelling as season 1. I'm seeing far too many of these shows and unfortunately Reacher is one of them.

I'm going to be honest. The days of me liking Lee Child's books are over. I couldn't even get past chapter 1 of the last book I got. I did however like season 1 of Reacher. It felt like a Lee Child book. The story and supporting cast for that story were great. It held my interest far more than season 2.

Season 2 is another matter. Nothing about this is great, I haven't finished the season yet. I probably will since I've made it through most of it. I don't like the supporting cast. They keep insisting on bringing. Neagley back. She was the only supporting character who I didn't like in season 1, so of course she is there in season 2 and I see season 3 as well. Reacher in the books didn't have this backup and I don't think she should be here either. It defeats the purpose of the Reacher character. The story for season 2 is meh.

I may give season 3 a chance but I find when a show has 2nd season syndrome they normally don't improve again.

The Equalizer: Eye for an Eye (2023) Season 3, Episode 18

Really bad finale

[1/10 · 26 November 2023]

I never like the CIA part of The Equalizer and this episode showcases why. Over the top, a lot of senseless fighting with a very basic plot to it (this episode didn't even have that). So many things did not gel at all. And it finishes with the near death of 3 out 4 of the main cast members with 4th close behind. Maybe the writers just like to have fun with the CIA episodes but they never any good. There has been too many shows that follow the same type of CIA theme to it. Like another reviewer said the public shouldn't be expected to watch such a bad story. Meanwhile Vi and Delilah are now hostage negotiators. Very poor ending to the season.

FBI: International (2021– )

Meh

[6/10 · 20 November 2023]

Season 1 was actually good enough to have me looking forward to season 2 but season 2 has so far been bad. That seems to be the trend with the FBI universe. Season 1 generally starts off good but the next season starts faltering. I didn't think I would be I miss Christiane Paul. The new lady is no good, I can't stand her. The show itself is lacking something. Guts, coherent plots and even though the actors themselves are not bad, there is nobody really all that strong helping to pull it together. Most of the time the FBI team is just stampeding over the locals, if the locals raise any concerns even legitimate ones they are ignored. Perhaps if the team was forced to obey the laws of the country the are in and in more episodes have a better working relationship with the locals it might improve things. As it stands the FBI charges in, takes over, fights with the locals nearly all the time. It is getting tiresome.

FBI: International: Yesterday's Miracle (2022) Season 2, Episode 5

Fails a logic test

[1/10 · 20 November 2023]

A wealthy British couple decide to kidnap a baby being born via surrogacy with the help of the woman that owns the surrogacy agency. Why? If they rich enough to do this why not do their own surrogacy in Romania? Or find an adoption agency that would help them. Basically it would have been the same result, they would have had their own kid adopted in another country because they couldn't in Britain. And why would the woman that owns the surrogacy clinic even risk her lucrative business attempting this? I know at the end the team speculated this was the beginning and the end of a black market affair. But with the amount of unwanted children around, why take paid for and wanted children where she would be more likely to be caught? I know one shouldn't engage one's brain with these shows but sometimes these plots just begged to be analyzed.

The Good Doctor (2017–2024)

They've run out of things to say

[6/10 · 19 November 2023]

I'd say the first two to three seasons were good to watchable. Season 4 was just watchable but season 5 really went bad. There has been casting/character changes that haven't really worked. And I feel that the writers/producers have run through the story that is Shaun Murphy. He not on the way to becoming a fully functioning adult, he is a fully functioning adult. He has a job and is now married. I feel the show has lost its way to what it is about. Obviously they couldn't have left Shaun as he was from episode 1 he needed to be able to adapt and prove he could make it in the world. But I feel he is just a normal but quirky character now. The other character have also had their stories told and don't have much to offer and the newer characters are just annoying. If you remove the cliffhanger from season 5 last episode. It would have been a really excellent place to have ended the show. I probably will. I'm not looking forward to season 6, I may watch to resolve the cliff hanger but not the full season.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)

Maybe a hint of Tim Burton

[5/10 · 6 June 2021]

Heavy use of color or light filters doesn't give the film atmosphere, it just makes it feel cheap. Most of the production cost must have been used on special effects as those are pretty good. There is a hint of Tim Burton with the monsters and the attempt at atmosphere but he just missed the mark with this film. Though I like the invisible boy, I didn't think much of any of the other child or teen actors. They just fell flat. Eva Green is the highlight of the show, Samuel L. Jackson really hams it up and I think he did enjoy himself in the role but he somehow doesn't work here as the main villain. Unless she really wanted to be in the film I don't know why Judi Dench was there, she had maybe 5 minutes screen time & anybody could have played her part. The general plot got lost along the way and they never found it. There is some entertainment value to it and you could do worse to waste an afternoon away. Teens will probably enjoy it the most.

Magnum P.I. (2018–2024)

Should be called Higgins P.I

[4/10 · 3 April 2021]

This is actually my second review of this show. I've done it because my ideas on this show has changed.

The first season is entertaining. A light, action packed detective show, with a good cast. But I am not keen on Higgins but for a while I accepted her because I was liking the rest of the show so much. Come season 2 about half way through I'm not enjoying the story lines as much and by the end of season 2 I can't stand it anymore.

Part of it was the story lines but they have taken Juliet Higgins from being Master Robin's property manager. Who helps Thomas Magnum the then main character get information he needs from the net. And occasionally came out to partner with him on jobs when he needed it. In other words a character that you didn't see to much of, but was helpful enough not to feel like a waste of space. Now she is collecting the information as per usual, but she is also out there interviewing, following up leads, beating up baddies. Magnum is there for the ride. When does she find the time to run the estate? It looks like a full time job to me. If they wanted Magnum to eventually have a female business partner they should have had a better actress/character.

And before I forget, the bickering. They did this with Hawaii 5-0 Danny and Steve bickered there way through 10 seasons. It got old quickly. Same with Magnum and Higgins. They virtually bickering through every scene they in. The producer/writers need to get rid of the idea that constantly bickering with somebody is a good relationship trait. It isn't I wouldn't want to work or live with somebody if I was having a go at them all the time.

I will probably try season 3 and see if it improves but I reckon I'm most likely done with it.

All Creatures Great and Small (2020– )

Very entertaining

[10/10 · 11 March 2021]

It seems like a long time since I've finished a season of a tv show and have actually been sad to do so. Most of the time I'm just to happy to see the end of it or just neutral to its ending.

There is a good mixture of warmth and humor in this show. The story lines are entertaining, as well as the characters and the actors who bring them to life, gel well together. There are no real villains in this show. It is generally people with problems trying to solve them and live their lives. Everything feels authentically 1930s and the scenery shoot are lovely as well.

And above all it is great to see that it is still possible to put out a show with these characteristics. With actual likable characters, a warm atmosphere, no politicking, no action or sex. Just a reliance on good writing, production and acting, for some good entertainment.

Westworld (2016–2022)

Another overhyped show

[1/10 · 8 February 2021]

Yes the first season is fairly good with excellent production value, good acting & plenty twists and turns to keep you watching. I'd probably have rated this show far higher if I did a review after that season (maybe a 7) but I've just finished season 2 and did half of the first episode of season 3. And I have had more than enough of the show. I don't think I can bear watching anymore.

Even in season 1 there are weakness in this show. The characters are not likeable. The violence for violence sake (yes I get that is part of situation in Westworld but it gets too much even in season 1) but the excessive violence is made more bearable with a strong story line. Perhaps season 1 had that new novelty value. Great sets and costumes and special effects & one was more willing to overlook the flaws.

Any plot in season 2 is 2nd to the violence. Any surprises in the story line just feels like desperation to keep the story going. I did still have a desire to see what happens, will this character get killed or make it out of the park? What is that character up to. Where is this fitting into the timeline?

I tried season 3 because there were going to be big changes, but I don't care anymore. I don't want to spend time with the old characters, I don't care for the new ones. Any questions I do still have can be answered with a search engine.

FBI: Most Wanted (2020– )

How did they mess this up?

[3/10 · 4 February 2021]

When I saw the pilot in FBI season1 I didn't like it. But I decided to give it a try again. I begrudged this advert for a spin off taking up an episode of FBI, with the regulars of that show not even having 5 minutes of screen time. & wanted to give it a fair try again. That probably did form part of my first impression but my first impression was still correct. This show is dull and bad. The cast and their characters are unlikable, I'm not sure what most of them are doing there. (The new season 2 FBI boss lady that I don't like is in this one as well.) A 2 or 3 person team actually would have been enough.

I really liked the idea of a cop show that was hunting down the convicted/known criminal & bringing him or her back, to face justice instead the normal who done it. But they really messed it up.

Wolf & co should have rather carried on just focusing on FBI and maintaining a standard there for a couple seasons longer instead of rushing out a sequel to a then 1 season show.

FBI (2018– )

Isn't improving

[5/10 · 4 February 2021]

If I did a review after just season 1 I'd have given FBI a 7 or 8. Maybe because it was something a bit different and new but I enjoyed that season more. Season 2 has been a complete let down. I like the 2 leads and the supporting cast isn't to bad either, but I'm not mad about the new boss. The plots could be better and less political at times also. Being a Dick Wolf production it will probably carry on well past its sell by date but probably should be ended by season 3.

Magnum P.I. (2018–2024)

Mostly entertaining

[4/10 · 28 January 2021]

I say mostly entertaining because the episode I just watched, actually wasn't all that good. But that is with any show, your not going to like all the episodes. The main thing is that you like most of them and that I do with Magnum P.I. I like the cast and the characters, I didn't originally like Higgins but she has grown on me. Hawaii is promoted regularly & that to me is a good thing because I love the scenery shots. Lots of action and good story lines. I like the opening credits cut scenes and music. I look forward to this show every week.

Since everybody else does. I should mention that I have never seen the original Magnum P.I. I am a big fan of Tom Selleck. If my service provider ever shows the old version I'll definitely give it a try but it sounds like I shouldn't compare the 2 versions. I'd like to give the old one a fair try and carry on liking the reboot.

Tommy (2020)

Seen worse

[6/10 · 28 January 2021]

Maybe if it had some better actors, except for Edie Falco & Russell G. Jones the rest of the cast was okay to weak. & admittedly it took a while for it to find its stride but by the end of the series it was generally a good show.

The thing is I've watched far worse get a second and third season etc etc. I do believe Tommy would have grown as a show given more time.

Almost Paradise (2020– )

More of a comedy, action, detective show

[7/10 · 28 January 2021]

The first episode was bad but the show quickly improved after that with the odd dud episode. Lots of action, one man/woman army type of action. (For a guy with serious health issues, Alex Walker seems very fit) The scenery is great and a good ad for the Philippines but it isn't shy to show case the poor non tourist sections either. I don't think people gave this a chance, maybe Covid played a roll as well but it shouldn't have been cancelled.

Transplant (2020–2024)

Surprised it is so good

[8/10 · 28 January 2021]

I wasn't expecting much from it, partly because the last Canadian medical show I tried, Nurses was so bad. But this was a pleasant surprise. The lead Hamza Haq is great, I know others complain about his sister but she is being a typical teenager & sometimes there is a big age difference between siblings, it can happen. & she helps gives Bashir Hameds character some depth. The other characters are diverse & have their own problems. & Though I don't like everybody as much as the lead I don't hate anybody either. The cases it doesn't feel over the top & the stories aren't the soap opera types you can find with other medical shows. Definitely recommended

Van der Valk (2020–2023)

Awful

[2/10 · 28 January 2021]

Except for Job Cloovers (Elliot Barnes-Worrell) the rest of the cast and characters are unlikable. I have never been a fan of Marc Warren & he hasn't swayed me to become one with this show. The first story through wasn't bad so I gave the next one a try. The second story is unneccessary convoluted, I don't think the writers knew which way to go and were just throwing twists and turns in for the sake of it. I won't be watching the 3rd or any future episodes.

Batwoman (2019–2022)

Don't waste your time

[1/10 · 1 June 2020]

I first encountered Batwoman in the Elseworlds story line and I wasn't impressed with her there. Bad first impressions and reviews aside I still decided to give the show a chance and see how it goes. I tried for 5 full episodes and 10 minutes into the 6th before giving up.

This is a badly done, gender bender of Batman. There wasn't an overused, stereotypical idea that wasn't thrown into this show. Ruby Rose comes across as an annoying, cardboard actress. If this is the fault of the show or the extent of her acting abilities I couldn't tell you, this is the first time I've seen her in action. Batwoman/Kate side kick Luke Fox is a near duplicate of the Arrow character Curtis Holt. And the rest of the characters are just as flat and wouldn't have been missed if they weren't in the show. The story line focuses way too much on the Alice situation, a gender bender Joker. Who in smaller quantities may have made for an interesting story line. But she is in every single episode, sometimes dominating the whole episode. The action is filmed in poorly lit areas probably to hid how bad it is.

I'm not wasting time with their shows anymore. DC older shows and their earlier seasons were good but lately they just can't get it right even from the first season. Even Superman and Lois which I was looking forward to I'm not sure of anymore.

Hereditary (2018)

Can't score this low enough

[1/10 · 21 March 2020]

Awful, awful, awful that is the only word to describe this. From the actors and their characters to the plot and to the so called music that is supposed to give atmosphere but sounds like your neighbor's party at 3 am when it gets too loud, doof doof doof. Can't believe this got such high scores.

My Life Is Murder (2019– )

Good cast bad storylines

[4/10 · 6 March 2020]

Basically what my heading says. The cast and their characters are generally likable but the cases are what killed the show for me. They are just bad and boring. I tried but I couldn't get through the 1st season. I'd say give it a try and see if you like it unfortunately I didn't.

Coroner (2019–2022)

Doesn't end

[1/10 · 6 March 2020]

The first problem with this show is that they focus way too much on Jenny Cooper personal life. Every person in her personal life, her father, her son, her dead husband and her new boyfriend are or were self destructing in some way. And her mental health issues they are depicting. I don't actually know how she is able to do the work she needs to as, those psychological problems are debilitating.

Second problem is that she is never actually seems to be working, she spends some time on the cases but mostly cleaning up or trying to keep together her personal life. In the first season she does spend some time in the morgue and does do an autopsies but by the second season she is hardly in the office. If the writers had her doing what she is supposed to be doing professionally this would have been a far better show.

I recommend Body of Proof similar concept but was far better than this.

Update: I made a mistake of watching this show to its end. It doesn't end. The last episode was bad and to top it off. All they had to do to finish the show properly was cut the very last scene. The show doesn't improve as the seasons go on either.

Bad Mothers (2019)

Not really a detective show

[5/10 · 14 February 2020]

Bad mothers is more about the women's personal lives which range from being dysfunctional and living up to the shows name, to just being a bad situation and doing the best they can. Otherwise than that the characters themselves range from annoying to okay but I never really liked anybody. The murder mystery takes second place to the drama and at times isn't even actively investigated.

It is not too serious, not that great and if you don't expect much and keep it in mind that this is more about the women than the murder, you'll probably watch it through at least to see who did it.

My Life Is Murder (2019– )

Boring and annoying

[4/10 · 14 February 2020]

I'm nearly half way through this series and I have had enough. The characters are bland and annoying, there is no character development nor do you get anymore insight into their history or lives than what you do in the introduction. The stories are your generic paint by numbers and you have a good idea who did it, assuming you can stay awake. There are also little personal incidents involving Alexa in an attempt make her seem more quirky and likeable but really just put the character in a worse light as she comes across arrogant and unlikable.

Deception (2018)

It just lacked something.

[6/10 · 11 February 2020]

I don't know what it was, but there was something lacking in this show that did not give it that extra oomph needed to make it a great show that would have had lasting power.

I liked most of the characters/casting but I wasn't so keen on the two leads. I think there they could have done better and the individual story lines were a bit hit and miss. But I was interested to see where they took the main plot of Cameron Black getting his brother out of jail. I did like the magic/illusion side of it and I was interested to see how the bad guys did it and what the good guys came up with. I also did like how they ended the season & even though the show wasn't 100% working for me I probably would have at the very least given a season 2 a try.

The Conjuring (2013)

Best horror film watched in ages

[10/10 · 2 February 2020]

In all honesty I didn't know what I was going to see when I spotted this on the TV guide. I've just about given up seeing a good horror show, the type of horror film that I love. One that is reliant on scares, dark, atmospheric scenes and great acting. I also liked that this was set in 1971, somehow leaving the story in that period helped up the scariness. I'm very happy that I did give this a chance as this was the most entertaining horror film I've seen in some time. And I'd highly recommend it for a good scare.