Doctor Who "Rosa" Review (Spoilers)
Oct. 23rd, 2018 07:07 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matt_zimmerAlso reviews for the latest episodes of Supergirl, and Arrow, the season premiere of DC's Legends Of Tomorrow, and the latest episodes of Teen Titans Go!, Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers: Cyberverse, Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel, The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, The Good Place, Blindspot, and Van Helsing.
Upcoming reviews include Twin Peaks: The Return (Blu-Ray), Doctor Who: Series 9, Doctor Who: Series 10, Doctor Who: Twice Upon A Time, Class: Series 1, The X-Files: Season 10, The X-Files: Season 11, Avengers: Age Of Ultron (Blu-Ray), Ant-Man (Blu-Ray), Captain America: Civil War (Blu-Ray), Doctor Strange (Blu-Ray), Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (Blu-Ray), Spider-Man: Homecoming (Blu-Ray), Thor: Ragnorok (Blu-Ray), Black Panther (Blu-Ray), Avengers: Infinity War (Blu-Ray), Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 2, Marvel's Agent Carter: Season 1, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Blu-Ray), X-Men: Days Of Future Past: The Rogue Cut, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse (Blu-Ray), Logan, Deadpool 2, Legion: Season 1, The Gifted: Season 1, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 1, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 2, Zootopia, Moana (Blu-Ray), Mickey Mouse: Merry & Scary, Inside Out (Blu-Ray), The Good Dinosaur (Blu-Ray), Finding Dory (Blu-Ray), Cars 3 (Blu-Ray), Coco (Blu-Ray), Once Upon A Time: Season 5, Once Upon A Time: Season 6, The BFG, Tomorrowland, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Blu-Ray), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Blu-Ray), Star Wars Rebels: Season 2, Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures: Season 1, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (Blu-Ray), Static Shock: Season 4, Justice League Action: Superpowers Unite!, Justice League Action: Battles From Beyond!, Teen Titans Go!: Get In Pig Out, Teen Titans Go!: Recess Is Over, Teen Titans Go!: Lo-Tech Heroes, DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games, LEGO DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain, The LEGO Batman Movie, LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash, Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman: Rage Of Atlantis, Batman Vs. Two-Face, Scooby Doo! & Batman: The Brave And The Bold, Batman: Gotham By Gaslight, Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay, The Death Of Superman, Batman Ninja, Suicide Squad (Blu-Ray), Wonder Woman (Blu-Ray), Justice League (Blu-Ray), Arrow: Season 4, Arrow: Season 5, Arrow: Season 6, The Flash: Season 2, The Flash: Season 3, The Flash: Season 4, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 1, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 2, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 3, Supergirl: Season 1, Supergirl: Season 2, Supergirl: Season 3, Vixen: The Movie, Black Lightning: Season 1, Gotham: Season 2, Gotham: Season 3, Gotham: Season 4, iZombie: Season 1, iZombie: Season 2, iZombie: Season 3, Lucifer: Season 1, Lucifer: Season 2, Samurai Jack: Season 5, Be Cool Scooby Doo!: Spooky Kooky Fun!, Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Prod.: Hare-Raising Tales, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies: Extended Edition, The Simpsons: Season 18, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Beyond The Known Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Earth's Last Stand, Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Super Shredder, Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Wanted: Bebop & Rocksteady, Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Final Chapters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, Power Rangers (2017), Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 2, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers Turbo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Turbo: Volume 2, Power Rangers In Space Volume 1, Power Rangers In Space: Volume 2, Power Rangers Samurai: The Complete Season, Power Rangers: Megaforce: The Complete Season, Power Rangers: Super Megaforce: The Complete Season, Transformers: Robots In Disguise: Season 1, Stranger Things: Season One, Heroes Reborn: The Complete Series, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 1: Water, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 3: Fire, The Legend Of Korra: The Complete Series, The Ren And Stimpy Show: Seasons 1 & 2, The Ren And Stimpy Show: Seasons 3 and a Half-ish, The Ren And Stimpy Show: Season 5 & Some More Of 4, Haven: Season 5 - Vol. 1, Haven: The Final Season, The Dark Tower, IT, Under The Dome: Season 3, Sleepy Hollow: Season 2, Sleepy Hollow: Season 3, Sleepy Hollow: Season 4, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 2, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 3, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 4, Airplane! / Airplane II: The Sequel: Double Feature, The Jurassic Park Trilogy, Jurassic World (Blu-Ray), Back To The Future: The Complete Animated Series, Shaun The Sheep Movie (Blu-Ray), Shaun The Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas, 12 Monkeys: Season 1, 12 Monkeys: Season 2, Grimm: Season 4, Grimm: Season 5, Grimm: Season 6, The Wonder Years: Season 4, The Wonder Years: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 6, The Peanuts Movie, Peanuts By Schulz: Go Team Go!, Peanuts By Schulz: School Days, Bob's Burgers: Season 5, Home Movies: Seasons 1 & 2, Home Movies: Season 3 & 4, Ghostbusters: Answer The Call, Community: Season 6, Danger Mouse: The Complete Series, Game Of Thrones: Season 5, and Game of Thrones: Season 6.
Doctor Who "Rosa"
This is the first great episode for the Thirteenth Doctor.
There have been many debates over the years about whether Doctor Who qualifies as science fiction or fantasy. Because of the time travel, aliens, and spaceships, it has a lot in common with sci-fi. The difference is that the science and the logic behind those things are fantastical and not real-world scientific the way Star Trek tried to keep things. Even the science in Star Wars is more grounded than Doctor Who.
But that's not the personal reason I think maybe Doctor Who is fantasy. It's because Doctor Who almost never uses the science fiction platform and tropes to make allegories for real-world events and politics that are easy for people of a different political opinion to understand. The reason Doctor Who has never been sci-fi to me is that until very recently all of the monsters were unrepentantly evil and people the Doctor always had to stop. The morality, at least until the relaunch was very black and white. As such, they did much less exploring of political ethics than most science fiction does. On most science fiction that is routine. I remember one of the reasons I was so amazed by Remembrance Of The Daleks back on the Original Series, wasn't just because they improved the effects on the show for the last two seasons, or because Sylvester McCoy stopped being the clown and became the Dark Chessmaster. It's because that episode explored racism in the 1960's. Granted that was all in the background, but I remember that episode so vividly not only because Ace beat a Dalek to death with a baseball bat, but because the show acknowledged real-world ugliness and Seven and Ace's disgust at it.
But other than that, I would say that traditional Doctor Who engaged more in fantasy and even horror tropes than science fiction. And that's probably still true today. But this episode struck me as genuine science fiction for viewing the Jim Crow South from a modern perspective of 2018 people of color, which is amazing, because the villain is human, there are no other aliens than the Doctor, and the only spaceship is the TARDIS. And yet, because it explores that aspect of humanity, it's more science fiction than the series usually is.
For the record, the Deep South back then sucked. As a Masshole, I am well aware that Northerners are just as racist, even now, if only behind closed doors, but the Southern Gentleman frame has always been utter b.s.. I never bought the Confederate flag debate thing being about heritage. Because that is some sucky heritage and nothing to be proud of.
The fact that Yaz is called a Mexican despite having a posh British accent shows something about racists that most people are unwilling to point out for fear of being mean. Racists are dirt stupid. The advocates of the Master Race are all brain-dead morons. And nothing demonstrates that more than Yaz off all people being mistaken for a Mexican. I love that the show played the button of how ridiculous racism is, just because it is guided by stupid and evil people. It's not only appalling it got as entrenched as it was. It's even more appalling it's as entrenched as it currently is. And I love that this episode does not treat the white bigots in the episode as misguided people capable of learning from their mistakes. They simply suck. And the people on the bus back then did too.
I specifically love that Graham did not want to be a part of this specific bit of history, for the reason he was. But the Rosa Park on the bus thing was an amazing moment in history, because as it was happening, it was the suckiest thing possible. But in hindsight it's one of the greatest moments in American history because of what we learned from it. It's like the boycotters on Montgomery took one of the most painful moments in Parks' life, and used it as the springboard for a revolution in how people should be treated. And while maybe Graham does not want to be in the role he is, because he is IN that role which is why society changed for the better.
I have a sneaking feeling this isn't the last we've seen of this particular villain. I think Ryan probably made a mistake in randomly stranding him thousands of years in the past. A guy who has killed 2000 people should probably not have all of that history ahead of him to mess up. I have a feeling the TARDIS is going to bring Thirteen back to him more than once.
I love that Grace told Graham specifically not to be like Blake. I never knew the bus driver's name before but now I real-world hate him.
First five star episode of Thirteen's run. Amazing. *****.
Supergirl "Fallout"
I am not going to like this season. I'm debating just ducking out entirely for this specific season, and start up again next year (assuming the show is renewed). Unfortunately as the show is serialized (and connected to the Arrowverse) I kind of need to keep caught up for whenever this horrible plot is over with, so I don't know how feasible temporarily dipping out is. It's just tough to watch. Real life is horrible enough. I am beyond bummed that sort of toxicity is effecting shows I like just because the show feels the same way I do. It's a bummer. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Trump ruins everything. *.
Arrow "The Longbow Hunters"
Good week. I mean, yeah. Good week. Let's pick through the nitty gritty.
I found Oliver framing the guard for stabbing him to be highly unethical, especially since the guy had a previously spotless record. But do you know why it was clever (besides keeping the guy alive?) First off, it was the best situation of no good options. It was either that or the guy dies. At least this way, the guy lives, and Oliver collects his favor from Brick. The second smart thing about the solution is that from what I know and have seen of Brick, self-sacrifice and being willing to do whatever it takes on his behalf is something Brick values. He's the kind of guy who respects men who bleed for him. So while he may have ordered Oliver to handle that an entirely different way, I have to think that would have secretly impressed him more.
Oliver's buddy thinks he's untouchable. It untrue, but it's endearing. I love that he calls their hijinks Green Arrow missions. That isn't what they are, but if I were working with Oliver Queen on a random project I'd call it that too.
Emily Bett Rickards sounds like she has a cold, or at least a sore throat. I don't know why this is, but for some reason she is emoting better than usual because of it. Is it possible because colds are frustrating and draining which is why Felicity is able to channel that so perfectly? Or does the cold simply make her voice sound deeper, raspier, and harsher? It's hard to say, but were I John Diggle I would have taken a couple of steps back from her during several points in the episode.
Laurel claims she is not That Person any more and actually cared about Quentin. While I think the Quentin thing is true, the truth is she WAS That Person less than a year ago. It's way too soon to be claiming a triumph of personal growth in that short an amount of time. I think her apology to Dinah was a good start. But that's all it was: A start. As far as I'm concerned she is owed no benefit of the doubt by Dinah merely by her own sayso.
Good to know the flashforwards won't take place entirely on Lian Yu. That would have been beyond frustrating to me if they had taken a whole season on the island. The flashforwards in Lost were amazing because they could take place anywhere with any character, and you were always surprised and learned new things. I hope and think that's what Arrow is going for.
Very cool William is gay. But it sounds like he hasn't seen Oliver or Felicity since she shipped him off to that boarding school.
One of the things I have to keep in mind about the flashforwards boxing things in is that this is the Arrowverse. If the flashforwards this season get a bad reception from viewers, I am encouraged that they could simply have Flash or the Legends undo it via time travel if they mess up the story too badly. I was really worried last week, but I forgot that there is an escape hatch built into two of the main premises of the Arrowverse. I hope they don't eff things up so badly they'll need to use them. This is Berlanti so it could go either way. But a retcon is possible if things get too big a mess.
As I said, it was a good week. ****.
DC's Legends Of Tomorrow "The Virgin Gary"
Don't take the brown unicorn glitter snot. Is a sentence I just typed.
How was it? Well, it was a lot better than last year's first episode. The whole thing with Zari is a little too real-world for me, but the truth is it's gonna have to be resolved soon. John Diggle is ankle deep with Argus on Arrow and this is about the time things went to hell. I expect it to be addressed sooner than later.
Wow, Biff Tannen let himself go. And this is me acknowledging Biff was never all that truly cut in the first place. Do you know what Hank Heywood needs? A jogging suit. That would be like perfect.
Nate trying to get Rory to rob his parent's house is incredibly weird. Even Rory thinks so.
Nate and Ray dapping over being Bronies was one of the most cringey pop-culture references the show has ever done.
I kind of feel like upon Gary's nipple being bitten off he should actually be screaming his head off until he gets actual medical attention. That is not a pain-free injury one can just walk off quietly. I like Constantine noting the nipple went to Hell. It is a very weird thing to notice, and I appreciated its the first place Constantine's mind goes.
But can I be blunt? Constantine's mind sucks. I mean, really. Do you know what Constantine is doing by constantly saying his life brings pain to other people and it's best if he works alone? Do you?
He's putting on airs. Totally. Take that as the huge slam it is, John.
Maybe John's life wouldn't automatically suck so much if he didn't believe it did. Maybe he wouldn't hurt so many innocent people if he simply chose not to do that, and found a third way with his magic besides letting evil win or destroying good people. Maybe the only reason Constantine is the damned soul he is because he chooses to be a jerk. Maybe that's all it is. And it's already starting to work my last nerve. It was okay on his solo show. But this show is killer unicorns and Mecha Beebo. He's already wreckin' my buzz, man. And at freaking Woodstock! Grrr!
But the ending was fascinating and makes me hope the show will eventually tie up some loose ends from his own show, and maybe give some closure for some of the plots and characters. I wanna know what happened to Chas and Zedd, even if it was a sad ending. And Manny showing up eventually would knock my socks off too.
Solid premiere. ****.
Teen Titans Go! "Monster Squad"
I love Cyborg's psych-out to the kid with the Karl.
I laughed at Star talking about the Boo Boo Boos causing the Boo Hoo Hoos. I also laughed that she carries a baby on the front of her Mummy costume. Lord knows she's trying. Quick question: Where did she get it?
Moon Rabies is like my favorite description for Werewolfism ever. I'm kicking myself I never thought of it.
Um, no, Raven, you NEVER mentioned the Ghost Apocalypse. Not once. Usually I'll accept her I Told You So's but not this time.
Fun episode. ****.
Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "Mrs. Cuddles"
There will be a certain segment of Turtle critics who will think Raph being afraid of a stuffed animal is dumb. The 2012 version's fear of roaches is MUCH more relatable. I partially agree with that, but looking at all of the pros and cons of each, that's why I think the stuffed animal fear is better.
The problem with Raph being afraid of roaches is that it's TOO relatable. It's not as funny as the 2012 show thinks it is. Roaches are gross and dirty and spread filth and diseases. It is not unreasonable to be afraid of them. And because of that, I always was mad at the other Turtles for giving him a hard time about it. But the one good thing about the roach phobia is that because roaches are half-scary, the show could come up with a good Mutant to exemplify that fear in the Cockroach Terminator. It's easier on a psychological level to instinctively give the audience reason to fear the Terminator.
And while that is definitely the main selling point of doing the roach, I can't but help be more impressed with this show for doing the stuffed animal. I'm already a little afraid of roaches. While the show WAS tapping into a deep primal fear people have, that's not always a good thing. I love Doctor Who, which gets kids to be scared of things that aren't usually scary. That's a much more impressive trick to me, and while I don't think this show had Mrs. Cuddles be as scary as a Doctor Who Scarecrow or person wearing a gasmask, Mrs. Cuddles was scary ENOUGH. They DID the heavy lifting to make Mrs. Cuddles unnerving with the wildly bright rainbow ears, and the Powerpuff Girls eyes that never close or move. Yeah, the Cockroach Terminator scares me more if you want to be technical. But Mrs. Cuddles scares me SOME, and that's the bigger ask, and thus in my mind, the bigger accomplishment. I think a lot of horror shows have gotten great mileage out of making people even more afraid of things they already feared. But it's shows like Doctor Who and characters like Mrs. Cuddles which are savvy enough to make people afraid of things they previously considered neutral.
For the record "Holy banana pancakes!" is my new favorite G-rated expletive.
Great episode. It's wasn't as scary as Cockroach Terminator, but it was scary enough to make me think they worked for the scares more. ****.
Transformers: Cyberverse "Terminal Velocity"
Hot Rod and Blurr! I can't believe they killed Blurr off in his first appearance. I also can't believe he doesn't talk fast. They should have just hired back John Moschitta.
Seeing Bumblebee, Hot Rod, and Blurr together in a scene reminds me of how colorful the Autobots are, and why I gravitated to the franchise in the first place. Blurr's death reminded me of why I wound up hating it.
A total mixed bag. ***.
Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel "Monster Mix-Up"
Was this a rerun? I feel like I've seen this exact episode before, but with the Dino Charge Rangers.
So the Pumpkin Judges punish lying, but admire Mick for his dishonest trick at the end? Not buying it. Bad writing.
The Rangers still go trick or treating and believe in Santa. These "Teenagers with attitude" are incredibly lame.
My favorite part was the Pumpkin Judges correctly noting that just because you have a great singing voice, that doesn't mean you aren't a monster. That was funny but it became hilarious when they were revealed to be in a barbershop quartet. The joke was so funny I'll even forgive the plothole that there are only three of them.
Why do we always only get clips shows for Halloween and Christmas? It's like the show is playing a trick on us by cheaping out. ***1/2.
The Simpsons "Treehouse Of Horror XXIX"
Opening:
Scary Tombstones are back! I guess after 25 years they had time to think of some new ones.
For the record, actually seeing a whale on a whale-watching tour is exactly as valuable as the show is painting it as. That and immortality are pretty much equal and equally rare gifts.
For the record, you are NOT as scary as Kavanaugh, James L. Brooks. Better luck next year. ****.
Intrusion Of The Pod-Y Snatchers:
I love Planet Express Ship being destroyed by The Orville. That's the producers correctly reading the current mood of Fox and Comedy Central, and giving credit where it was due. I give Al Jean a lot of cr*p for the amount of unfair smack he talks about Family Guy and Seth MacFarlane. I can recognize him being magnanimous when I see it.
Also the cameo of Luci from Disenchantment felt relevant too.
Yay! A happy sci-fi ending! But is it really? Are any endings really happy when you gets right down to it? Deep stuff.
Good segment. *****.
Multiplisaty:
Oh, my GOD! I'm gonna be THAT Guy! And nobody hates That Guy more than me. And if I wasn't That Guy before this moment, I'm gonna be. Buckle up. I'm about to wreck your buzz and harsh your mellow. But apparently I'm That Guy now. Because there is no other Guy I can be when commenting on this.
Dissociative Disorder, more commonly known as multiple personalities, is NOT good fodder for entertainment. Because I knew a woman with it and it sucked. And for most people, the other personalities are not evil or anything. Hollywood and this episode suggest that this is something that happens to a person who finally snaps, and that they were a terrible person deep down, and this is their way to indulge those impulses without their conscious mind having to take responsibility for it. Hollywood seems to think people who have this specific disorder are violent people deep down, who go crazy so as not to have to examine that part of themselves. And Hollywood likes using it as a nifty high-concept, and it's not that. It's about as depressing in reality as an A.A. Meeting.
People who have that disorder, usually woman, develop it after suffering trauma or abuse, violent and often sexual, and often by a family member. It's the way the person survives the hell they live in. And if they are ever taken out of that abusive hell, they are stuck with the disorder when they are in regular society.
But it's not not something a person's mind invents because they are mad at somebody. It's having a different and often stronger personality take control to withstand rapes, and incest, and horrific tortures that the person suffering the abuse cannot rationally process. It's the next best thing to actually not being there. And all of these movies like Split And Psycho think it's like a horror film for the people who know the person. It's not. I was not frightened of my friend. I was frightened FOR her whenever she got triggered into retreating into that because it meant something so bad just crossed her mind and I half thought it was my fault. I'm not gonna say jokes about it should be more off-limits than Holocaust, 9/11, or AIDS. But it's ultimately about as entertaining a scenario those three things. It's just that most people don't know it.
I actually like the sequence of Miss Hoover being unimpressed by Duffman the morning after. This is the kind of joke Mrs. Krabappel was used for, and I don't mind the role being transitioned to her at all. But that was the only thing in this literal tragedy of a segment I liked.
So my advice to you upon finishing this section of the review, is don't drink the punch. I left a turd floating in the bowl. **.
Geriatric Park:
You know your Treehouse segment is bad when the premise is based upon a random word pun that has nothing to do with anything. Those are specifically the worst segments and this was no exception.
I will grant it this. Grandpa Dinosaur's dentures falling out was a funny, and cute, and charming moment. But that's all I'll give the segment.
Why DID Jurassic Park have doors anyways? Now that will always bug me from this point forward. Which is not something to love the episode for. Quit being That Guy, Al Jean. That's my job. *.
Episode Overall: ***1/2.
Bob's Burgers "Nightmare On Ocean Avenue Street"
Ganking candy on Halloween is a total d-word move. So of course it turns out to be Dr. Yap who is the totalist of total d-words.
I love Linda telling the kids Bob won't pick the candy next year, and giving another set of kids a jar of sugar as consolation. I don't say it enough, but Linda is a pretty good adult to the kids on the show. At least compared to all of the other adults besides Bob and Teddy.
Speaking of Bob he only would have said the guy's body is the only thing that made him handsome if he had actually noticed. He's not fooling anyone.
I love Louise telling the bus-driver to chase after the skateboarding gorilla. And I love that he actually does it, until he realizes he possesses dignity, and tells the kids to get lost.
Good Gene Deepness:
"Money is just candy that hasn't been born yet."
Bad Gene Deepness:
"Newt Gingrich was right!" I'mma call b.s.. How does Gene even know who Newt Gingrich is? Bad joke, show. Bad joke.
Love Regular-Sized Rudy's Paul Rudd costume. It just perfect and funny because he think it's iconic rather than ironic. Which is what I love about Rudy.
Good episode. ****.
Family Guy "Big Trouble In Little Quahog"
A good week. Seriously. I don't ask for much. And while the episode didn't deliver much, it actually delivered all I needed. I'm not a quality hog. A little bit of good stuff will do me.
The 80's movie lattice thing is the precise reason I watch the show. It was magnificent. When the show isn't doing lavish musical numbers, the observational moments are the only real reason to watch. It sounds like a true statement that there were a lot of lattices in 80's movies, but the best, immediate example is Home Alone, and Brian is movie savvy enough to point out that came out in 1990. See, I actually knew that. But I love the show because it ALSO knew that and also knows the different between a manatee joke that sounds true, and a manatee joke that IS true.
Water Bears A.K.A Tardigrades are amazing creatures. I learned from Neil DeGrasse Tyson that these weird lookin' things can survive in space and are the only species on the planet to survive all five of Earth's extinction level events. They look goofy and gross but you can't argue with those results.
What IS with the gay names in recent Tom Cruise moves? Granted the show only had two examples, but considering the rumors that have plagued Tiny Tom Cruise for years, he's the precise guy who should be more careful about that. I love that they avoided the lawyers by calling it the Church of Spaceship Beep Boop. For the record, South Park having everyone in the end credits go by the pseudonym "John Smith" or "Jane Smith" is a funnier gag, but this is funny for the precisely same reason. Another reason for South Park to hate this show.
Are petting zoo animals getting erections really a huge problem for parents? The farm animals that freaked me out were the ones who literally pooped in front of me, but I never noticed that other thing before. Maybe because I wasn't enough of a weirdo to look?
I'm sure there are young kids who don't quite understand WHY an action star like Jean-Claude Van Damme is considered the punchline he is. If they ever ask, point them to this episode. The only bigger joke of an action star is Steven Seagal. And after seeing that dance I hope you understand what a statement that is.
The writers on Family Guy are probably the only people on the face of the Earth who actually miss Alan Thicke. I don't wanna be crass, but the first weepy tabloid headline I saw mourning his passing made me say "So?" Maybe I'm a bad person, but Thicke was involved in a LOT of bad television, so he left the world in the state it was. Came up with a couple of catchy theme songs though. I'll give him that.
I have no complaint this weeks. ****.
The Good Place "Jeremy Bearimy"
This is how they get to the Good Place. Being good while being sure there is no reward. There should be double-points attached to that.
I love that Eleanor describes the kid as untalented. That was funny.
Funniest part of the episode was that the dot over the "i" is the thing that seems to have broken Chiti. Chiti is somehow weirdly and surprisingly cut too.
Good episode. ****.
Blindspot "My Art Project"
Boston is turning out to be quite a little weasel. For the record, I'm rooting for Rich.
Jane making sure Kurt took the shot was cold-blooded if you ask me.
I love the scene of Zapata putting her finger to her lips to make sure the kid was spared. That was awesome and more than a little bit spooky. That is clue one that she's secretly still on the FBI's side.
Pretty good episode. ****.
Van Helsing "I Awake"
This did not go full Dark Shadows and have the rest of the cast playing the characters in the 19th Century. I would have accepted that (it WAS a dream after all) but I wouldn't have liked it.
The Elder should have suspected something immediately. Once Vanessa released him from his promise I was like, "You're dead."
First mention of Abraham Van Helsing. Getting closer to Dracula every week.
I haven't seen Camille Mitchell in much since Smallville. It's weird hearing a British accent come out of her instead of a Southern drawl.
Lillian's husband was such a d-bag. I don't know how she put up with him.
Good episode. ***1/2.
Upcoming reviews include Twin Peaks: The Return (Blu-Ray), Doctor Who: Series 9, Doctor Who: Series 10, Doctor Who: Twice Upon A Time, Class: Series 1, The X-Files: Season 10, The X-Files: Season 11, Avengers: Age Of Ultron (Blu-Ray), Ant-Man (Blu-Ray), Captain America: Civil War (Blu-Ray), Doctor Strange (Blu-Ray), Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (Blu-Ray), Spider-Man: Homecoming (Blu-Ray), Thor: Ragnorok (Blu-Ray), Black Panther (Blu-Ray), Avengers: Infinity War (Blu-Ray), Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 2, Marvel's Agent Carter: Season 1, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Blu-Ray), X-Men: Days Of Future Past: The Rogue Cut, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse (Blu-Ray), Logan, Deadpool 2, Legion: Season 1, The Gifted: Season 1, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 1, The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Season 2, Zootopia, Moana (Blu-Ray), Mickey Mouse: Merry & Scary, Inside Out (Blu-Ray), The Good Dinosaur (Blu-Ray), Finding Dory (Blu-Ray), Cars 3 (Blu-Ray), Coco (Blu-Ray), Once Upon A Time: Season 5, Once Upon A Time: Season 6, The BFG, Tomorrowland, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Blu-Ray), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Blu-Ray), Star Wars Rebels: Season 2, Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures: Season 1, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them (Blu-Ray), Static Shock: Season 4, Justice League Action: Superpowers Unite!, Justice League Action: Battles From Beyond!, Teen Titans Go!: Get In Pig Out, Teen Titans Go!: Recess Is Over, Teen Titans Go!: Lo-Tech Heroes, DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games, LEGO DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain, The LEGO Batman Movie, LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash, Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman: Rage Of Atlantis, Batman Vs. Two-Face, Scooby Doo! & Batman: The Brave And The Bold, Batman: Gotham By Gaslight, Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay, The Death Of Superman, Batman Ninja, Suicide Squad (Blu-Ray), Wonder Woman (Blu-Ray), Justice League (Blu-Ray), Arrow: Season 4, Arrow: Season 5, Arrow: Season 6, The Flash: Season 2, The Flash: Season 3, The Flash: Season 4, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 1, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 2, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 3, Supergirl: Season 1, Supergirl: Season 2, Supergirl: Season 3, Vixen: The Movie, Black Lightning: Season 1, Gotham: Season 2, Gotham: Season 3, Gotham: Season 4, iZombie: Season 1, iZombie: Season 2, iZombie: Season 3, Lucifer: Season 1, Lucifer: Season 2, Samurai Jack: Season 5, Be Cool Scooby Doo!: Spooky Kooky Fun!, Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Prod.: Hare-Raising Tales, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies: Extended Edition, The Simpsons: Season 18, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Beyond The Known Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Earth's Last Stand, Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Super Shredder, Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Wanted: Bebop & Rocksteady, Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Final Chapters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, Power Rangers (2017), Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 2, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers Turbo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Turbo: Volume 2, Power Rangers In Space Volume 1, Power Rangers In Space: Volume 2, Power Rangers Samurai: The Complete Season, Power Rangers: Megaforce: The Complete Season, Power Rangers: Super Megaforce: The Complete Season, Transformers: Robots In Disguise: Season 1, Stranger Things: Season One, Heroes Reborn: The Complete Series, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 1: Water, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 3: Fire, The Legend Of Korra: The Complete Series, The Ren And Stimpy Show: Seasons 1 & 2, The Ren And Stimpy Show: Seasons 3 and a Half-ish, The Ren And Stimpy Show: Season 5 & Some More Of 4, Haven: Season 5 - Vol. 1, Haven: The Final Season, The Dark Tower, IT, Under The Dome: Season 3, Sleepy Hollow: Season 2, Sleepy Hollow: Season 3, Sleepy Hollow: Season 4, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 2, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 3, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 4, Airplane! / Airplane II: The Sequel: Double Feature, The Jurassic Park Trilogy, Jurassic World (Blu-Ray), Back To The Future: The Complete Animated Series, Shaun The Sheep Movie (Blu-Ray), Shaun The Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas, 12 Monkeys: Season 1, 12 Monkeys: Season 2, Grimm: Season 4, Grimm: Season 5, Grimm: Season 6, The Wonder Years: Season 4, The Wonder Years: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 6, The Peanuts Movie, Peanuts By Schulz: Go Team Go!, Peanuts By Schulz: School Days, Bob's Burgers: Season 5, Home Movies: Seasons 1 & 2, Home Movies: Season 3 & 4, Ghostbusters: Answer The Call, Community: Season 6, Danger Mouse: The Complete Series, Game Of Thrones: Season 5, and Game of Thrones: Season 6.
Doctor Who "Rosa"
This is the first great episode for the Thirteenth Doctor.
There have been many debates over the years about whether Doctor Who qualifies as science fiction or fantasy. Because of the time travel, aliens, and spaceships, it has a lot in common with sci-fi. The difference is that the science and the logic behind those things are fantastical and not real-world scientific the way Star Trek tried to keep things. Even the science in Star Wars is more grounded than Doctor Who.
But that's not the personal reason I think maybe Doctor Who is fantasy. It's because Doctor Who almost never uses the science fiction platform and tropes to make allegories for real-world events and politics that are easy for people of a different political opinion to understand. The reason Doctor Who has never been sci-fi to me is that until very recently all of the monsters were unrepentantly evil and people the Doctor always had to stop. The morality, at least until the relaunch was very black and white. As such, they did much less exploring of political ethics than most science fiction does. On most science fiction that is routine. I remember one of the reasons I was so amazed by Remembrance Of The Daleks back on the Original Series, wasn't just because they improved the effects on the show for the last two seasons, or because Sylvester McCoy stopped being the clown and became the Dark Chessmaster. It's because that episode explored racism in the 1960's. Granted that was all in the background, but I remember that episode so vividly not only because Ace beat a Dalek to death with a baseball bat, but because the show acknowledged real-world ugliness and Seven and Ace's disgust at it.
But other than that, I would say that traditional Doctor Who engaged more in fantasy and even horror tropes than science fiction. And that's probably still true today. But this episode struck me as genuine science fiction for viewing the Jim Crow South from a modern perspective of 2018 people of color, which is amazing, because the villain is human, there are no other aliens than the Doctor, and the only spaceship is the TARDIS. And yet, because it explores that aspect of humanity, it's more science fiction than the series usually is.
For the record, the Deep South back then sucked. As a Masshole, I am well aware that Northerners are just as racist, even now, if only behind closed doors, but the Southern Gentleman frame has always been utter b.s.. I never bought the Confederate flag debate thing being about heritage. Because that is some sucky heritage and nothing to be proud of.
The fact that Yaz is called a Mexican despite having a posh British accent shows something about racists that most people are unwilling to point out for fear of being mean. Racists are dirt stupid. The advocates of the Master Race are all brain-dead morons. And nothing demonstrates that more than Yaz off all people being mistaken for a Mexican. I love that the show played the button of how ridiculous racism is, just because it is guided by stupid and evil people. It's not only appalling it got as entrenched as it was. It's even more appalling it's as entrenched as it currently is. And I love that this episode does not treat the white bigots in the episode as misguided people capable of learning from their mistakes. They simply suck. And the people on the bus back then did too.
I specifically love that Graham did not want to be a part of this specific bit of history, for the reason he was. But the Rosa Park on the bus thing was an amazing moment in history, because as it was happening, it was the suckiest thing possible. But in hindsight it's one of the greatest moments in American history because of what we learned from it. It's like the boycotters on Montgomery took one of the most painful moments in Parks' life, and used it as the springboard for a revolution in how people should be treated. And while maybe Graham does not want to be in the role he is, because he is IN that role which is why society changed for the better.
I have a sneaking feeling this isn't the last we've seen of this particular villain. I think Ryan probably made a mistake in randomly stranding him thousands of years in the past. A guy who has killed 2000 people should probably not have all of that history ahead of him to mess up. I have a feeling the TARDIS is going to bring Thirteen back to him more than once.
I love that Grace told Graham specifically not to be like Blake. I never knew the bus driver's name before but now I real-world hate him.
First five star episode of Thirteen's run. Amazing. *****.
Supergirl "Fallout"
I am not going to like this season. I'm debating just ducking out entirely for this specific season, and start up again next year (assuming the show is renewed). Unfortunately as the show is serialized (and connected to the Arrowverse) I kind of need to keep caught up for whenever this horrible plot is over with, so I don't know how feasible temporarily dipping out is. It's just tough to watch. Real life is horrible enough. I am beyond bummed that sort of toxicity is effecting shows I like just because the show feels the same way I do. It's a bummer. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Trump ruins everything. *.
Arrow "The Longbow Hunters"
Good week. I mean, yeah. Good week. Let's pick through the nitty gritty.
I found Oliver framing the guard for stabbing him to be highly unethical, especially since the guy had a previously spotless record. But do you know why it was clever (besides keeping the guy alive?) First off, it was the best situation of no good options. It was either that or the guy dies. At least this way, the guy lives, and Oliver collects his favor from Brick. The second smart thing about the solution is that from what I know and have seen of Brick, self-sacrifice and being willing to do whatever it takes on his behalf is something Brick values. He's the kind of guy who respects men who bleed for him. So while he may have ordered Oliver to handle that an entirely different way, I have to think that would have secretly impressed him more.
Oliver's buddy thinks he's untouchable. It untrue, but it's endearing. I love that he calls their hijinks Green Arrow missions. That isn't what they are, but if I were working with Oliver Queen on a random project I'd call it that too.
Emily Bett Rickards sounds like she has a cold, or at least a sore throat. I don't know why this is, but for some reason she is emoting better than usual because of it. Is it possible because colds are frustrating and draining which is why Felicity is able to channel that so perfectly? Or does the cold simply make her voice sound deeper, raspier, and harsher? It's hard to say, but were I John Diggle I would have taken a couple of steps back from her during several points in the episode.
Laurel claims she is not That Person any more and actually cared about Quentin. While I think the Quentin thing is true, the truth is she WAS That Person less than a year ago. It's way too soon to be claiming a triumph of personal growth in that short an amount of time. I think her apology to Dinah was a good start. But that's all it was: A start. As far as I'm concerned she is owed no benefit of the doubt by Dinah merely by her own sayso.
Good to know the flashforwards won't take place entirely on Lian Yu. That would have been beyond frustrating to me if they had taken a whole season on the island. The flashforwards in Lost were amazing because they could take place anywhere with any character, and you were always surprised and learned new things. I hope and think that's what Arrow is going for.
Very cool William is gay. But it sounds like he hasn't seen Oliver or Felicity since she shipped him off to that boarding school.
One of the things I have to keep in mind about the flashforwards boxing things in is that this is the Arrowverse. If the flashforwards this season get a bad reception from viewers, I am encouraged that they could simply have Flash or the Legends undo it via time travel if they mess up the story too badly. I was really worried last week, but I forgot that there is an escape hatch built into two of the main premises of the Arrowverse. I hope they don't eff things up so badly they'll need to use them. This is Berlanti so it could go either way. But a retcon is possible if things get too big a mess.
As I said, it was a good week. ****.
DC's Legends Of Tomorrow "The Virgin Gary"
Don't take the brown unicorn glitter snot. Is a sentence I just typed.
How was it? Well, it was a lot better than last year's first episode. The whole thing with Zari is a little too real-world for me, but the truth is it's gonna have to be resolved soon. John Diggle is ankle deep with Argus on Arrow and this is about the time things went to hell. I expect it to be addressed sooner than later.
Wow, Biff Tannen let himself go. And this is me acknowledging Biff was never all that truly cut in the first place. Do you know what Hank Heywood needs? A jogging suit. That would be like perfect.
Nate trying to get Rory to rob his parent's house is incredibly weird. Even Rory thinks so.
Nate and Ray dapping over being Bronies was one of the most cringey pop-culture references the show has ever done.
I kind of feel like upon Gary's nipple being bitten off he should actually be screaming his head off until he gets actual medical attention. That is not a pain-free injury one can just walk off quietly. I like Constantine noting the nipple went to Hell. It is a very weird thing to notice, and I appreciated its the first place Constantine's mind goes.
But can I be blunt? Constantine's mind sucks. I mean, really. Do you know what Constantine is doing by constantly saying his life brings pain to other people and it's best if he works alone? Do you?
He's putting on airs. Totally. Take that as the huge slam it is, John.
Maybe John's life wouldn't automatically suck so much if he didn't believe it did. Maybe he wouldn't hurt so many innocent people if he simply chose not to do that, and found a third way with his magic besides letting evil win or destroying good people. Maybe the only reason Constantine is the damned soul he is because he chooses to be a jerk. Maybe that's all it is. And it's already starting to work my last nerve. It was okay on his solo show. But this show is killer unicorns and Mecha Beebo. He's already wreckin' my buzz, man. And at freaking Woodstock! Grrr!
But the ending was fascinating and makes me hope the show will eventually tie up some loose ends from his own show, and maybe give some closure for some of the plots and characters. I wanna know what happened to Chas and Zedd, even if it was a sad ending. And Manny showing up eventually would knock my socks off too.
Solid premiere. ****.
Teen Titans Go! "Monster Squad"
I love Cyborg's psych-out to the kid with the Karl.
I laughed at Star talking about the Boo Boo Boos causing the Boo Hoo Hoos. I also laughed that she carries a baby on the front of her Mummy costume. Lord knows she's trying. Quick question: Where did she get it?
Moon Rabies is like my favorite description for Werewolfism ever. I'm kicking myself I never thought of it.
Um, no, Raven, you NEVER mentioned the Ghost Apocalypse. Not once. Usually I'll accept her I Told You So's but not this time.
Fun episode. ****.
Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "Mrs. Cuddles"
There will be a certain segment of Turtle critics who will think Raph being afraid of a stuffed animal is dumb. The 2012 version's fear of roaches is MUCH more relatable. I partially agree with that, but looking at all of the pros and cons of each, that's why I think the stuffed animal fear is better.
The problem with Raph being afraid of roaches is that it's TOO relatable. It's not as funny as the 2012 show thinks it is. Roaches are gross and dirty and spread filth and diseases. It is not unreasonable to be afraid of them. And because of that, I always was mad at the other Turtles for giving him a hard time about it. But the one good thing about the roach phobia is that because roaches are half-scary, the show could come up with a good Mutant to exemplify that fear in the Cockroach Terminator. It's easier on a psychological level to instinctively give the audience reason to fear the Terminator.
And while that is definitely the main selling point of doing the roach, I can't but help be more impressed with this show for doing the stuffed animal. I'm already a little afraid of roaches. While the show WAS tapping into a deep primal fear people have, that's not always a good thing. I love Doctor Who, which gets kids to be scared of things that aren't usually scary. That's a much more impressive trick to me, and while I don't think this show had Mrs. Cuddles be as scary as a Doctor Who Scarecrow or person wearing a gasmask, Mrs. Cuddles was scary ENOUGH. They DID the heavy lifting to make Mrs. Cuddles unnerving with the wildly bright rainbow ears, and the Powerpuff Girls eyes that never close or move. Yeah, the Cockroach Terminator scares me more if you want to be technical. But Mrs. Cuddles scares me SOME, and that's the bigger ask, and thus in my mind, the bigger accomplishment. I think a lot of horror shows have gotten great mileage out of making people even more afraid of things they already feared. But it's shows like Doctor Who and characters like Mrs. Cuddles which are savvy enough to make people afraid of things they previously considered neutral.
For the record "Holy banana pancakes!" is my new favorite G-rated expletive.
Great episode. It's wasn't as scary as Cockroach Terminator, but it was scary enough to make me think they worked for the scares more. ****.
Transformers: Cyberverse "Terminal Velocity"
Hot Rod and Blurr! I can't believe they killed Blurr off in his first appearance. I also can't believe he doesn't talk fast. They should have just hired back John Moschitta.
Seeing Bumblebee, Hot Rod, and Blurr together in a scene reminds me of how colorful the Autobots are, and why I gravitated to the franchise in the first place. Blurr's death reminded me of why I wound up hating it.
A total mixed bag. ***.
Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel "Monster Mix-Up"
Was this a rerun? I feel like I've seen this exact episode before, but with the Dino Charge Rangers.
So the Pumpkin Judges punish lying, but admire Mick for his dishonest trick at the end? Not buying it. Bad writing.
The Rangers still go trick or treating and believe in Santa. These "Teenagers with attitude" are incredibly lame.
My favorite part was the Pumpkin Judges correctly noting that just because you have a great singing voice, that doesn't mean you aren't a monster. That was funny but it became hilarious when they were revealed to be in a barbershop quartet. The joke was so funny I'll even forgive the plothole that there are only three of them.
Why do we always only get clips shows for Halloween and Christmas? It's like the show is playing a trick on us by cheaping out. ***1/2.
The Simpsons "Treehouse Of Horror XXIX"
Opening:
Scary Tombstones are back! I guess after 25 years they had time to think of some new ones.
For the record, actually seeing a whale on a whale-watching tour is exactly as valuable as the show is painting it as. That and immortality are pretty much equal and equally rare gifts.
For the record, you are NOT as scary as Kavanaugh, James L. Brooks. Better luck next year. ****.
Intrusion Of The Pod-Y Snatchers:
I love Planet Express Ship being destroyed by The Orville. That's the producers correctly reading the current mood of Fox and Comedy Central, and giving credit where it was due. I give Al Jean a lot of cr*p for the amount of unfair smack he talks about Family Guy and Seth MacFarlane. I can recognize him being magnanimous when I see it.
Also the cameo of Luci from Disenchantment felt relevant too.
Yay! A happy sci-fi ending! But is it really? Are any endings really happy when you gets right down to it? Deep stuff.
Good segment. *****.
Multiplisaty:
Oh, my GOD! I'm gonna be THAT Guy! And nobody hates That Guy more than me. And if I wasn't That Guy before this moment, I'm gonna be. Buckle up. I'm about to wreck your buzz and harsh your mellow. But apparently I'm That Guy now. Because there is no other Guy I can be when commenting on this.
Dissociative Disorder, more commonly known as multiple personalities, is NOT good fodder for entertainment. Because I knew a woman with it and it sucked. And for most people, the other personalities are not evil or anything. Hollywood and this episode suggest that this is something that happens to a person who finally snaps, and that they were a terrible person deep down, and this is their way to indulge those impulses without their conscious mind having to take responsibility for it. Hollywood seems to think people who have this specific disorder are violent people deep down, who go crazy so as not to have to examine that part of themselves. And Hollywood likes using it as a nifty high-concept, and it's not that. It's about as depressing in reality as an A.A. Meeting.
People who have that disorder, usually woman, develop it after suffering trauma or abuse, violent and often sexual, and often by a family member. It's the way the person survives the hell they live in. And if they are ever taken out of that abusive hell, they are stuck with the disorder when they are in regular society.
But it's not not something a person's mind invents because they are mad at somebody. It's having a different and often stronger personality take control to withstand rapes, and incest, and horrific tortures that the person suffering the abuse cannot rationally process. It's the next best thing to actually not being there. And all of these movies like Split And Psycho think it's like a horror film for the people who know the person. It's not. I was not frightened of my friend. I was frightened FOR her whenever she got triggered into retreating into that because it meant something so bad just crossed her mind and I half thought it was my fault. I'm not gonna say jokes about it should be more off-limits than Holocaust, 9/11, or AIDS. But it's ultimately about as entertaining a scenario those three things. It's just that most people don't know it.
I actually like the sequence of Miss Hoover being unimpressed by Duffman the morning after. This is the kind of joke Mrs. Krabappel was used for, and I don't mind the role being transitioned to her at all. But that was the only thing in this literal tragedy of a segment I liked.
So my advice to you upon finishing this section of the review, is don't drink the punch. I left a turd floating in the bowl. **.
Geriatric Park:
You know your Treehouse segment is bad when the premise is based upon a random word pun that has nothing to do with anything. Those are specifically the worst segments and this was no exception.
I will grant it this. Grandpa Dinosaur's dentures falling out was a funny, and cute, and charming moment. But that's all I'll give the segment.
Why DID Jurassic Park have doors anyways? Now that will always bug me from this point forward. Which is not something to love the episode for. Quit being That Guy, Al Jean. That's my job. *.
Episode Overall: ***1/2.
Bob's Burgers "Nightmare On Ocean Avenue Street"
Ganking candy on Halloween is a total d-word move. So of course it turns out to be Dr. Yap who is the totalist of total d-words.
I love Linda telling the kids Bob won't pick the candy next year, and giving another set of kids a jar of sugar as consolation. I don't say it enough, but Linda is a pretty good adult to the kids on the show. At least compared to all of the other adults besides Bob and Teddy.
Speaking of Bob he only would have said the guy's body is the only thing that made him handsome if he had actually noticed. He's not fooling anyone.
I love Louise telling the bus-driver to chase after the skateboarding gorilla. And I love that he actually does it, until he realizes he possesses dignity, and tells the kids to get lost.
Good Gene Deepness:
"Money is just candy that hasn't been born yet."
Bad Gene Deepness:
"Newt Gingrich was right!" I'mma call b.s.. How does Gene even know who Newt Gingrich is? Bad joke, show. Bad joke.
Love Regular-Sized Rudy's Paul Rudd costume. It just perfect and funny because he think it's iconic rather than ironic. Which is what I love about Rudy.
Good episode. ****.
Family Guy "Big Trouble In Little Quahog"
A good week. Seriously. I don't ask for much. And while the episode didn't deliver much, it actually delivered all I needed. I'm not a quality hog. A little bit of good stuff will do me.
The 80's movie lattice thing is the precise reason I watch the show. It was magnificent. When the show isn't doing lavish musical numbers, the observational moments are the only real reason to watch. It sounds like a true statement that there were a lot of lattices in 80's movies, but the best, immediate example is Home Alone, and Brian is movie savvy enough to point out that came out in 1990. See, I actually knew that. But I love the show because it ALSO knew that and also knows the different between a manatee joke that sounds true, and a manatee joke that IS true.
Water Bears A.K.A Tardigrades are amazing creatures. I learned from Neil DeGrasse Tyson that these weird lookin' things can survive in space and are the only species on the planet to survive all five of Earth's extinction level events. They look goofy and gross but you can't argue with those results.
What IS with the gay names in recent Tom Cruise moves? Granted the show only had two examples, but considering the rumors that have plagued Tiny Tom Cruise for years, he's the precise guy who should be more careful about that. I love that they avoided the lawyers by calling it the Church of Spaceship Beep Boop. For the record, South Park having everyone in the end credits go by the pseudonym "John Smith" or "Jane Smith" is a funnier gag, but this is funny for the precisely same reason. Another reason for South Park to hate this show.
Are petting zoo animals getting erections really a huge problem for parents? The farm animals that freaked me out were the ones who literally pooped in front of me, but I never noticed that other thing before. Maybe because I wasn't enough of a weirdo to look?
I'm sure there are young kids who don't quite understand WHY an action star like Jean-Claude Van Damme is considered the punchline he is. If they ever ask, point them to this episode. The only bigger joke of an action star is Steven Seagal. And after seeing that dance I hope you understand what a statement that is.
The writers on Family Guy are probably the only people on the face of the Earth who actually miss Alan Thicke. I don't wanna be crass, but the first weepy tabloid headline I saw mourning his passing made me say "So?" Maybe I'm a bad person, but Thicke was involved in a LOT of bad television, so he left the world in the state it was. Came up with a couple of catchy theme songs though. I'll give him that.
I have no complaint this weeks. ****.
The Good Place "Jeremy Bearimy"
This is how they get to the Good Place. Being good while being sure there is no reward. There should be double-points attached to that.
I love that Eleanor describes the kid as untalented. That was funny.
Funniest part of the episode was that the dot over the "i" is the thing that seems to have broken Chiti. Chiti is somehow weirdly and surprisingly cut too.
Good episode. ****.
Blindspot "My Art Project"
Boston is turning out to be quite a little weasel. For the record, I'm rooting for Rich.
Jane making sure Kurt took the shot was cold-blooded if you ask me.
I love the scene of Zapata putting her finger to her lips to make sure the kid was spared. That was awesome and more than a little bit spooky. That is clue one that she's secretly still on the FBI's side.
Pretty good episode. ****.
Van Helsing "I Awake"
This did not go full Dark Shadows and have the rest of the cast playing the characters in the 19th Century. I would have accepted that (it WAS a dream after all) but I wouldn't have liked it.
The Elder should have suspected something immediately. Once Vanessa released him from his promise I was like, "You're dead."
First mention of Abraham Van Helsing. Getting closer to Dracula every week.
I haven't seen Camille Mitchell in much since Smallville. It's weird hearing a British accent come out of her instead of a Southern drawl.
Lillian's husband was such a d-bag. I don't know how she put up with him.
Good episode. ***1/2.
