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matt_zimmerAlso reviews for the latest episodes of Teen Titans Go!, DC Super Hero Girls, DC Super Hero Girls Super Shorts, and Arrow, the season finale of Black Lightning, and the latest episodes of The Flash, Gotham, Marvel Super Hero Adventures, Marvel Rising Ultimate Comic, Mickey Mouse, Elena Of Avalor, Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy, The Orville, American Dad!, Riverdale, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Blacklist, and Blindspot.
Star Trek: Discovery "The Red Angel"
I'll give the show this: It does relationship drama better than any other Star Trek series. Maybe that isn't saying much, because the only decent relationship stuff was on Deep Space Nine, but I will concede this is also better than that.
I love the scene of Leland baldly confessing everything to Burnham. In that moment, I liked and trusted him for the first time ever. While believing he had earned those two punches.
I think the crew should have suspected the Angel wasn't actually Michael. If it was Michael, the trap never would have worked. The Angel supposedly IS Michael, so she'd already know the entire plan, and when and where to save herself without getting caught. It's the same reason the Federation Doomsday weapon against the Borg in "The Best Of Both Worlds" didn't work: Picard already knew about it. It's interesting they decided to make the Angel her mother instead, but I would think somebody should have pointed out the real reason this never would have worked.
I don't like the idea that Stamets and Culber were pansexual in the Mirror Universe. They don't like it either and find it offensive for the same reason I do. It implies being gay is a choice or an affectation that can be switched on and off depending on the Universe. And it's not enough for me that Culber and Stamets are properly offended. The series never should have raised the idea to begin with. I get that the show wants to have some juicy social disorder with Mirror Georgiou, but if I were then, I wouldn't be trying to show the series' relationships through the lens of a genocidal cannibal. Stamets is the first gay Star Trek crewman. I think the producers have to be extra careful with what messages they send. Although I will confess I found it funny when Tilly wondered what had just happened.
Tilly was fun all throughout the episode. And I liked how Georgiou kept getting under Red's skin.
I liked Spock's scene with Michael, and thought it was nice. A little TOO nice, if you asked my opinion beforehand. Were I in charge of the show, I wouldn't have Spock give her that much after everything she put him through. Not for a second.
Speaking of which, when they "figured out" the Red Angel was Michael, I was like "Oh, Spock's gonna LOVE this." And his reaction did not disappoint. Burham thinks the entire Universe revolves around her and her decisions. And if it actually DID I could understand Spock's fury.
A favorable impression this week. Maybe I'm being too generous because I'm rooting for this show, but I still liked most of it. ***1/2.
Teen Titans Go! "The Chaff"
On paper this sounds like a perfect alternative to a clip show. It's all unaired material, but it's also already made footage, which allows the episode to be done on the cheap. Genius, right?
Except clip shows rerun great clips. This is presenting lousy ones that the show cut for either time, or because in the case of the stupid Brother Blood thing, the entire episode seemed to suck. And the poop song was a terrible way out of the episode, simply because I do consider myself a fan, but if I were on the fence, THAT would have been the thing to get me to change the channel. That was all kinds of embarrassing cringe.
The show has been on the air for four and a half seasons. Are they really telling me those were the best deleted scenes they had? Maybe showing good ones would be counter to Control Freak's mission, but it's clear from the poop song that what is and isn't considered good is arbitrary for the characters. It's a bit alarming that Teen Titans Go never had an episode so great that it was merely paired down for time. Too bad. The episode (and the deleted scenes) sucked. *1/2.
DC Super Hero Girls "Hate Triangle"
Mixed feelings about this. It's like it ALMOST got things right, but pulled back on the correct moral at the last second. And it did that a couple of times.
First off, I have always hated the concept behind Star Sapphire and think she is one of the most clueless characters ever created by DC Comics. I don't mean the character is clueless. I mean the writers who decided to turn the awesome Carol Ferris into a clingy jealous evil ex needed their heads examined. And yeah, it helps that for this version, we didn't meet Carol ahead of time, and already know and like her, and find her an independent woman, but this is why the character sucks. Because of the exact jokes they are doing.
I love the notion of Jessica deciding the way she needed to hurt Sapphire in the fight was to hug her and tell her the truth. That was a wonderful moment and I would have forgiven everything if they had stuck to it. But instead they had Carol go laughing off crazy at the end. And I suppose Jess punching Hal was funny and appropriate, but if she hadn't done it, it would have actually made her values of violence never being necessary in a conflict true. I think the writers wanted me to think that Jessica saved it for someone who actually deserved it. But that's not what pacifism is about at all. The thing that forgives it for me as least is that the punch is half playful and doesn't really hurt Hal. But definitely pulls back the moral they were trying to teach the entire episode.
This Killowog is no fun. Which is a crying shame because I always considered him the most fun Lantern.
I'll give that a passing grade but I was unsatisfied on several levels by that. ***.
DC Super Hero Girls Super Shorts "Buzz Kill"
Is it just me or is this Hal a total bully? He's also a fraidy cat about nonexistent ghosts.
Loved Superman's "Who dis?"
I'm betting Hal Jordan fans are gonna rip that to shreds. I never liked the character so I didn't mind. ***.
Arrow "Star City 2040"
Honestly, I have been relentless in my ragging on the season because of the flashforwards, but this episode relieved a LOT of my tension about them. What annoys me is that the tension raised earlier in the season (that Felicity had turned evil and then died) wasn't actually necessary because it wasn't true. I suppose TV shows love misleading viewers like that, and consider it part of the rollercoaster. Consider me a viewer who doesn't like being misled, and that I don't think I'm being done a huge favor in hindsight just because Felicity is alive and good. I probably will not have as much problem with the future stuff as before. But the earlier part of the season still sucked for the exact same reasons I previously said it did, whether it worked out after all or not.
My other complaint about the flashforwards is that it made the present stuff seem irrelevant. Unfortunately, that is still true, and I still think the format weakened the show greatly, even if the storyline wasn't as bad as I feared. It's the concept itself that did the most damage.
Here is how Rene should have known there would be no evacuation: The plan wouldn't have been secret if there was. That sort of thing takes a lot of time and planning, and if it were actually happening, that company would be trying to get people used to the idea as early as possible. That sort of thing is broadcast far and wide, if only for safety concerns. It is not the sort of thing done in secret. Rene is a dope.
I loved William hugging Felicity. I just did. Screw Mia. She sucks.
I liked that a lot, and I didn't expect to, so I'm giving it a higher than usual grade. ****1/2.
Black Lightning: The Book Of The Apocalypse: Chapter Two: The Omega"
Last week definitely did not feel like a penultimate episode of the season, but this one definitely felt like a finale.
"I think you got her." But Lynn pounding Jace just feels so darn GOOD!
Don't trust O'Dell, Pierces. He's a murderer. Granted, so is Gambi, but I don't think Odell murdered the people he did to protect the Pierce's secret because he is actually looking out for them. Gambi did some monstrous things in the name of protecting his family. Odell is simply a monster.
Speaking of which, Tobias strangling Cutter and then telling her he could get a dozen more just like her when she dumped him is why Tobias is such a lousy villain, and probably the biggest reason he found himself in the fix at the end of the episode he did: He has no friends left. He takes the rare gift of a person who cares about him and is looking out for him, and destroys the relationship and the trust when he loses his temper over nonsense. Frankly, that ending for him was long overdue.
Very happy to see Kahlil is alive and will be back next season. I was wondering why Jordan Calloway was still credited every week. It's because he didn't actually leave the show.
I was not as happy with Lala as a potential Black Lightning ally as the show was hoping I would be. Simply because Lala was a total monster in his own right in season 1. He is NOT someone I would ever want to see redeemed.
I feel like both the metahumans stumbling outside of the pods, and Black Lightning's gestures as he electrified the bad guys in that fight seemed, what's the word? Empty? Forced? It felt like the show was having the characters do arch postures and gestures when nothing much of note is actually happening. The worst part about Black Lightning's powers from a visual stand-point is that Black Lighting does not need to get into a brawl or even exert himself to use them. I am well aware the show was trying to make his victory at the end seem less effortless than it really was.
The other false thing I noted was Anissa's perspective on riots. She's all "Well the guy who stole the TV sucked, but everyone else is simply making their voices heard." I'm like, "What? Seriously?" There is nothing positive about a riot. Nothing. It is society failing on every level possible. It's people destroying their own homes and communities without realizing that more likely than not, the government's not going to bother to rebuild the area. I understand the show takes a bit of a measured look at controversial parts of black history. But I don't think riots are a black or white thing. White idiots in other countries riot all the time, and I don't see anyone acting like soccer hooligans are anything but morons. There is no "two sides to a riot". It's what happens when society breaks down and fails.
The scene of Gambi watching Jen fly out of the van with wonder in his eyes was outright amazing. I don't particularly like either James Remar or the character of Gambi. But that moment was cool.
My biggest regret of the season was there was never any proper fall-out from Henderson learning the truth. Basically in every scene between him and Jefferson earlier in the season he's all "Someday we're going to have to sit down and talk about this." Silly me, I thought an amazing scene filled with pathos was in our future. Instead they never actually have one. Biggest missed drama opportunity of the season.
This wasn't the most mindblowing or devastating finale ever, but it left things off on a good place, and resolved the major stuff it needed to resolve. My opinion is largely favorable.****1/2.
The Flash "Time Bomb"
The scientific, technical term for that was "A Dang Good Episode". It was not mindblowing, or the greatest episode ever. But it did everything it needed to do in every single one of its plots. The Arrowverse does NOT do that very often. It is a rare episode where the B and C plots work equally well as the A plots.
Let's start with Orlon. I feel bad for the guy, but I'm more like "What did you think would happen by saying these things to her?" The thing that makes me think he couldn't have predicted this was that a few weeks ago it was clear little girl Grace was a sociopath. Orlon had no way or means of knowing that when filling her head with the poison he did. And she is clearly a far bigger sociopath than even he was. Iris had it right. His love for her prevented him from crossing certain lines. But a sociopath on her level can't actually love him back. The biggest difference between the two is that when Orlon's worldview is challenged by learning Grace is a metahuman, he adjusts his views on metahumans. Conversely, when Grace's worldview is challenged by learning he changed his mind, she kills him instead. I don't think Orlon could have predicted creating such a monster, simply because she is far worse than he could ever imagine a person could be. Especially a person he loves.
I like that his last request before he died was for Team Flash to save Grace. I think it's more than she deserves, but it does say everything.
Ralph was being annoying with Cisco, but I like that Cisco was able to correctly point out why Ralph was sucking. And it's open-ended by the end whether Ralph's perspective is even wrong. Things going as sideways as they did with Nora hints he might not be.
I love the instant that Barry learns Nora is working with Thawne, he puts her in a cell before she gets her bearings, and realizes he's going to do it. Opinion: Knowing what he does? That is actually the smart play. Where I think he's dumb is walking off and leaving her to stew. It is prudent to immediately lock up any ally of the Reverse Flash until you understand why they are allies in the first place. But were I Barry I'd be searching for answers immediately instead of walking off in a snit.
Speaking of smart plays, Sherloque impressed the heck out of me this episode. He was so great, I didn't even mind that he was the one who twisted the knife in Nora at the end. It's interesting that he probably took things a little too personally simply because Thawne shares his face. And I don't blame him. That's infuriating.
I think the thing in the episode I didn't like was Nora being forced to use the perspective that it's okay to keep secrets to keep your family safe. I mean, isn't that the entire reason she hates Iris in the first place? I get that she actually has a selfish reason for advancing this argument now, but were I Barry I'd be like "Seriously? After all that?" The hypocrisy not being remarked upon bugged me. But it was pretty much the only thing in the episode that did, so I forgive it.
Seriously good week. *****.
Gotham "I Am Bane"
Didn't dig that. Didn't feel like the third to last episode, and as if the show were wrapping up like it should. Plus there is going to be a four week hiatus until the last two episodes, which strikes me as badly planned and timed. That is not the time for the show to take a break. It's weird that Fox thinks it is.
Why is Barbara not in a hospital gown when she is in labor? Why is she clearly wearing a dress and pantyhose? And why is she still in that same outfit after the baby is born?
Nyssa Al Ghul interests me because the character as seen last week on Arrow is one of the few to survive the various network character embargoes that are screwing the Arrowverse up. This version is bad while Arrow's is good, but DC loosening these types of restrictions at all is a good sign.
Alfred vs Bane is like the most asymmetrical fight ever. Again, didn't dig it.
Weak third to last episode. **1/2.
Marvel Super Hero Adventures "Spidey Remix With Miles!"
I would totally play that videogame. ***1/2.
Marvel Rising Ultimate Comic "Inferno"
That was a little too dark and not fun enough. **1/2.
Mickey Mouse "You, Me, And Fifi"
Fifi looks like a giant rat.
Mickey's "I'm obsessed with you," was super creepy.
Loved all of the Disney dog cameos. Never thought I'd ever see Tito again.
Mickey's various pratfalls and injuries reminded me strongly of Roger Rabbit, particularly when he was tussling with Baby Herman.
Catch the OnDemand version rather than the aired one because of the funny mayhem noises they play over the end credits.
Good episode. ****.
Elena Of Avalor "Not Without My Magic"
It was nice to get a little redemption going for those two naughty Jaquin twins. They never struck me as sinister to begin with.
That dragon looking guy looks more and more like a Muppet each episode.
I was hoping for more from the villain family drama, especially because of their last appearance. Oh well.
I feel like that was the least appropriate time ever for a song. Forget the fact that the song sucked. I think singing should only occur during moments the characters SHOULD sing to express themselves. That was not what that moment was. It was an emergency and a tense moment. Which the song gutted.
This was still pretty good. ***1/2.
Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy "Screen Time"
If the world needs to be saved by these rank amateurs, the world is doomed.
So Wes basically gets trapped in an abandoned mine for literally stepping two feet off of the path. Either the show is lazy, or doesn't respect the kids' in the audience's intelligence. That's okay. I don't respect the show either.
The Bots made an interesting comment about phones. Why text someone when you can just talk to them? And that's how I feel about texting. I don't own a cell phone or a touchscreen because I think texting is stupid, and is someone putting effort into something worthless that they could just speak over the phone. I resist getting smart phones and the like simply because I see what an ultimate time waster the functions on those devices seem to be and I don't want to go near them. The bots noted people are dependent on them now. I do not want to ever become dependent on something that wastes my time. The internet is dreck enough for me.
Blah. *1/2.
Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy "Fright At The Museum"
Why is it the Bots are stopping an art thief? They aren't actually cops. Bueller? *.
The Orville "Lasting Impressions"
A classic Star Trek scenario is a man falling in love with a hologram. And on this show it's problematic. Because the characters are more grounded and recognizable to modern audiences than the somewhat aloof and measured Star Trek characters, they have to be a bit self-aware that the scenario is probably only romantic to the guy himself. Everyone else thinks it's creepy. And it's tough to show but I think the episode found the right balance and instead of being an example of the show using a modern problem such as porn addiction to make fun of sci-fi tropes, it's just as earnest as Star Trek itself, except the other characters are able to recognize that in reality, Riker is just as damaged as Barclay.
Good to see Tim Russ again. This and Supergirl last season prove the Star Trek actor isn't dead, but Voyager gave him quite the dry spell due to typecasting. It would tickle me if he got a tenth of the comeback George Takei did years later.
My favorite part of was the argument over whether or not she's real. Personally, I think it's possible for a hologram to be a person. Vic Fontaine and the EMH both qualified on Star Trek. But both of those characters knew what they were and what their role actually was. This girl didn't. And I liked Ed forcefully saying that self-perception isn't reality and that the truth actually matters. And dang it, that's a good moral. I don't know if it's a Star Trek moral but it's definitely a real-world one that is true.
And because of Star Trek, I didn't even find the scenario as bizarre as Malloy's crewmates. I even accepted the idea that because it came from her, this was more than a simulation and she was a version of a real person. Until he deletes Greg. An action of no actual moral importance that feels like the most ethical violation ever. Basically Grayson nailed it that the second he did that, the entire selling point of this coming from her went out the window and it's suddenly just a masturbative fantasy of his. And I like that they went there.
I liked learning Gordon had singing lessons as a kid, but they are fooling themselves if they think that actually explains Scott Grimes amazing voice. I understand Seth MacFarlane is the great singer he is due to years of voice lessons and practice. You can hear the effort he put into every number he belts out and nails. Grimes is something entirely different. The dude has raw talent and nothing that can be learned from a voice coach. It was a nice explanation for the show that I didn't buy from Grimes for a second.
I didn't like the stuff with Clyden and Bortus smoking simply because I've stopped finding the Maklans even the least bit funny. Their culture is horrific, and even if I think Bortus is sometimes okay as a person, I can't enjoy any of their Earth culture shock while the subtext of their entire society is so dark. It bums me out.
Isaac was MIA this episode and a bare presence in the last one, which is totally a Star Trek thing to do. On the occasions Odo revealed his love for Kira and then betrayed the Federation and made up with her, he was a bit player if not completely gone for the couple of weeks after those events as well. Star Trek (and this show) knew we wanted to get to the fall-out of what the character was thinking and going through immediately, and wisely made us wait for it a bit. I think that not only makes the show more addictive, but it also makes sure not to turn the show into something it isn't. Frasier became so much about the tiny little baby steps of Niles and Daphne that it was unrecognizable from its original premise. And whenever the show tried to get back to focusing on Frasier the audience was still a little disappointed since Frasier was NOT a great character in his own right while the Niles and Daphne thing WAS great. But as great as it was, I think it hurt the long term viability of the show. Frasier ran for a long time. But I stopped watching the last few seasons which stepped away from Niles and Daphne, and I might not have done that if the show hadn't foolishly become about them. This show is not about Isaac and Finn, and they are just part of the ensemble. It's important to keep things balanced on the bridge and the show, even if it means we sometimes get frustrated some weeks. I got frustrated during The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine too. But I also watched their entire runs because they knew the precise way to keep me hooked.
This was a good episode I think. ***1/2.
American Dad! "Top Of The Steve"
That pretty much nailed the tropes of 80's sitcoms even if it wasn't entirely like one specific sitcom. I think the Spunky Brewster portion was the eye-opener for me. When they say some of the plots Punky Brewster engaged in out-loud, she sounds legitimately horrible and annoying. It is amazing what passed for acceptable in the 1980's. Really, Punky being homeless again probably should have happened by the end of Pilot. That girl did some SERIOUSLY shady stuff. Be afraid.
What's interesting about Roger recognizing he's in a spin-off is that in this episode at least, he isn't aware he is actually fictional, it just disturbingly lines up. That presses against the fourth wall without breaking it.
They weren't even allowed a second note from Hey, Jude. Here is something you may not believe, because I'm 43 years old. But I know most of my music from movies and TV shows. I don't tend to buy albums from a specific artist and almost all of the CD's I own are Soundtracks. What that means is that I am barely familiar with The Beatles. I sort of know PART of Hey, Jude, and I DO know Life Goes On from the family drama, and Little Help From My Friends from Joe Cocker's version on The Wonder Years, but I have rarely ever actually heard a Beatles song when sung by the Beatles themselves. It's because they are so expensive for TV and movies to license. Which strikes me as the stupidest move ever for the longevity of the band. And I'm 43. I can't picture how young kids are supposed to hear and dig the songs and want to buy the albums. Yeah, they sold a ton of music in the past. But if nobody is actually allowed to hear their stuff in everyday media, they won't attract any new fans. Honestly music licensing issues for movies and TV shows strike as the stupidest and most damaging thing ever for artists who would otherwise be given free exposure for people to hear and like their stuff. And nobody is stupider about that than the estates of the Beatles. This show isn't even allowed anything past the Hey. That's crazy and shows that copyright laws in this country are messed up.
It was certainly an interesting week, to say the least. ****.
Riverdale "Chapter Fifty-One: BIG FUN"
That was awful. That was embarrassing. How shall I put this? I reject this episode. I reject the entire premise. Forget the terrible musical stuff for a minute.
I reject the notion that both Cheryl and Betty would willingly go to a keg party at the asylum where they were both tortured and abused. I reject that the principle joins and approves of a cult that goes around drugging kids without their knowledge. I reject that a high school would remotely think Heathers is an appropriate musical for their students. I reject the notion that Veronica is surprised her father is leaving after (correctly) learning Hermione tried to kill him twice. I feel so strongly about how terrible this story is that I am actually quite a bit offended as a thinking person.
I will not deny the one thing I liked: Betty and Jughead setting the trailer on-fire. That is worth half a star on an otherwise zero-starred episode. But lord, this was bad. Seriously and disturbingly so. How did something this stupid ever make it air? 1/2.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine "The Therapist"
I thought some of Jake's therapy session with the killer at the end was funny, but the part with him pretending to have multiple personalities was ridiculous. A real therapist would instantly know he was faking. Mostly because people with that disorder cannot flip personalities on and off like a switch. If they could, it wouldn't actually be a problem or as debilitating as it is.
For the record, as badly as that episode botched that it gets points for correctly pointing out mentally ill people are more likely to be the victims of crimes, rather than the perpetrators.
Good moment for Scully impressing Terry by his lack of shame. It's weird how much I hate Hitchcock but love Scully.
The stuff with Rosa trying to keep Holt from meeting her girlfriend was all right.
Decent episode but not very authentic to mental illness. ***.
The Blacklist "Bastien Moreau: Conclusion"
That was encouraging.
They aren't going to do a Trump allegory after all. This is way better. The Trump stuff has been called by some people "Stupid Watergate" and what would happen if the worst criminals in America were idiots and didn't know how to hide their crimes. That they were so dumb that they did them openly, in public, and often on camera.
This is different. This conspiracy is clever. It's complicated. It's hard to suss out, and will make the rest of the season harder going forward. And since it isn't doing a real-world allegory I can actually freaking shut off my brain and enjoy it. What a concept.
I loved Red's scene with Moreau when he's talking about magic tricks. Is that true about the white tigers? If so, Siegfried and Roy deserved to be mauled. Think that comment is in poor taste? That's what I find the idea of what they supposedly did to the tigers to make them docile. Without fail, whether it's those jackasses or a jerk like Steve Irwin, people who rile wild animals to entertain other people deserve every bad thing they get. Same goes for that woman trying to manipulate the Corsican. She got lucky, but I sincerely don't think Red will be so easy to take down.
Promising episode that gives me hope for the rest of the season. ****.
Blindspot "The One Where Jane Visits An Old Friend"
Come on, now. Who keeps track of this cr*p? Last week Jane (correctly) believed she was responsible for the huge messes she made, and in this one she think Remy is an entirely different person. I realize different writers on a show approach things in a different way, but that is a h*lluva thing to be inconsistent about. I also don't believe Borden was the only one who could help her. She wasn't even trying to put in the work with the other therapists and expected instant answers and solutions. In real life, it doesn't work that way. I think not only was the "breakthrough" with Borden a cop-out, but I also think it's something a non-crazy person would be able to work out for themselves. The clean slate thing only applied when she didn't have Remy's memories. Now that she does, she is the exact same person, and responsible for every single one of her previous actions. It's weird she thinks she isn't.
I'll tell you what I did like. I liked that Boston and Rich were both far healthier in their contentious relationship than Patterson accused Rich of being. Patterson dated Borden after all. She isn't a font of wisdom about healthy relationships, even if David was kind of cool.
That kind of aggravated me. **.
Star Trek: Discovery "The Red Angel"
I'll give the show this: It does relationship drama better than any other Star Trek series. Maybe that isn't saying much, because the only decent relationship stuff was on Deep Space Nine, but I will concede this is also better than that.
I love the scene of Leland baldly confessing everything to Burnham. In that moment, I liked and trusted him for the first time ever. While believing he had earned those two punches.
I think the crew should have suspected the Angel wasn't actually Michael. If it was Michael, the trap never would have worked. The Angel supposedly IS Michael, so she'd already know the entire plan, and when and where to save herself without getting caught. It's the same reason the Federation Doomsday weapon against the Borg in "The Best Of Both Worlds" didn't work: Picard already knew about it. It's interesting they decided to make the Angel her mother instead, but I would think somebody should have pointed out the real reason this never would have worked.
I don't like the idea that Stamets and Culber were pansexual in the Mirror Universe. They don't like it either and find it offensive for the same reason I do. It implies being gay is a choice or an affectation that can be switched on and off depending on the Universe. And it's not enough for me that Culber and Stamets are properly offended. The series never should have raised the idea to begin with. I get that the show wants to have some juicy social disorder with Mirror Georgiou, but if I were then, I wouldn't be trying to show the series' relationships through the lens of a genocidal cannibal. Stamets is the first gay Star Trek crewman. I think the producers have to be extra careful with what messages they send. Although I will confess I found it funny when Tilly wondered what had just happened.
Tilly was fun all throughout the episode. And I liked how Georgiou kept getting under Red's skin.
I liked Spock's scene with Michael, and thought it was nice. A little TOO nice, if you asked my opinion beforehand. Were I in charge of the show, I wouldn't have Spock give her that much after everything she put him through. Not for a second.
Speaking of which, when they "figured out" the Red Angel was Michael, I was like "Oh, Spock's gonna LOVE this." And his reaction did not disappoint. Burham thinks the entire Universe revolves around her and her decisions. And if it actually DID I could understand Spock's fury.
A favorable impression this week. Maybe I'm being too generous because I'm rooting for this show, but I still liked most of it. ***1/2.
Teen Titans Go! "The Chaff"
On paper this sounds like a perfect alternative to a clip show. It's all unaired material, but it's also already made footage, which allows the episode to be done on the cheap. Genius, right?
Except clip shows rerun great clips. This is presenting lousy ones that the show cut for either time, or because in the case of the stupid Brother Blood thing, the entire episode seemed to suck. And the poop song was a terrible way out of the episode, simply because I do consider myself a fan, but if I were on the fence, THAT would have been the thing to get me to change the channel. That was all kinds of embarrassing cringe.
The show has been on the air for four and a half seasons. Are they really telling me those were the best deleted scenes they had? Maybe showing good ones would be counter to Control Freak's mission, but it's clear from the poop song that what is and isn't considered good is arbitrary for the characters. It's a bit alarming that Teen Titans Go never had an episode so great that it was merely paired down for time. Too bad. The episode (and the deleted scenes) sucked. *1/2.
DC Super Hero Girls "Hate Triangle"
Mixed feelings about this. It's like it ALMOST got things right, but pulled back on the correct moral at the last second. And it did that a couple of times.
First off, I have always hated the concept behind Star Sapphire and think she is one of the most clueless characters ever created by DC Comics. I don't mean the character is clueless. I mean the writers who decided to turn the awesome Carol Ferris into a clingy jealous evil ex needed their heads examined. And yeah, it helps that for this version, we didn't meet Carol ahead of time, and already know and like her, and find her an independent woman, but this is why the character sucks. Because of the exact jokes they are doing.
I love the notion of Jessica deciding the way she needed to hurt Sapphire in the fight was to hug her and tell her the truth. That was a wonderful moment and I would have forgiven everything if they had stuck to it. But instead they had Carol go laughing off crazy at the end. And I suppose Jess punching Hal was funny and appropriate, but if she hadn't done it, it would have actually made her values of violence never being necessary in a conflict true. I think the writers wanted me to think that Jessica saved it for someone who actually deserved it. But that's not what pacifism is about at all. The thing that forgives it for me as least is that the punch is half playful and doesn't really hurt Hal. But definitely pulls back the moral they were trying to teach the entire episode.
This Killowog is no fun. Which is a crying shame because I always considered him the most fun Lantern.
I'll give that a passing grade but I was unsatisfied on several levels by that. ***.
DC Super Hero Girls Super Shorts "Buzz Kill"
Is it just me or is this Hal a total bully? He's also a fraidy cat about nonexistent ghosts.
Loved Superman's "Who dis?"
I'm betting Hal Jordan fans are gonna rip that to shreds. I never liked the character so I didn't mind. ***.
Arrow "Star City 2040"
Honestly, I have been relentless in my ragging on the season because of the flashforwards, but this episode relieved a LOT of my tension about them. What annoys me is that the tension raised earlier in the season (that Felicity had turned evil and then died) wasn't actually necessary because it wasn't true. I suppose TV shows love misleading viewers like that, and consider it part of the rollercoaster. Consider me a viewer who doesn't like being misled, and that I don't think I'm being done a huge favor in hindsight just because Felicity is alive and good. I probably will not have as much problem with the future stuff as before. But the earlier part of the season still sucked for the exact same reasons I previously said it did, whether it worked out after all or not.
My other complaint about the flashforwards is that it made the present stuff seem irrelevant. Unfortunately, that is still true, and I still think the format weakened the show greatly, even if the storyline wasn't as bad as I feared. It's the concept itself that did the most damage.
Here is how Rene should have known there would be no evacuation: The plan wouldn't have been secret if there was. That sort of thing takes a lot of time and planning, and if it were actually happening, that company would be trying to get people used to the idea as early as possible. That sort of thing is broadcast far and wide, if only for safety concerns. It is not the sort of thing done in secret. Rene is a dope.
I loved William hugging Felicity. I just did. Screw Mia. She sucks.
I liked that a lot, and I didn't expect to, so I'm giving it a higher than usual grade. ****1/2.
Black Lightning: The Book Of The Apocalypse: Chapter Two: The Omega"
Last week definitely did not feel like a penultimate episode of the season, but this one definitely felt like a finale.
"I think you got her." But Lynn pounding Jace just feels so darn GOOD!
Don't trust O'Dell, Pierces. He's a murderer. Granted, so is Gambi, but I don't think Odell murdered the people he did to protect the Pierce's secret because he is actually looking out for them. Gambi did some monstrous things in the name of protecting his family. Odell is simply a monster.
Speaking of which, Tobias strangling Cutter and then telling her he could get a dozen more just like her when she dumped him is why Tobias is such a lousy villain, and probably the biggest reason he found himself in the fix at the end of the episode he did: He has no friends left. He takes the rare gift of a person who cares about him and is looking out for him, and destroys the relationship and the trust when he loses his temper over nonsense. Frankly, that ending for him was long overdue.
Very happy to see Kahlil is alive and will be back next season. I was wondering why Jordan Calloway was still credited every week. It's because he didn't actually leave the show.
I was not as happy with Lala as a potential Black Lightning ally as the show was hoping I would be. Simply because Lala was a total monster in his own right in season 1. He is NOT someone I would ever want to see redeemed.
I feel like both the metahumans stumbling outside of the pods, and Black Lightning's gestures as he electrified the bad guys in that fight seemed, what's the word? Empty? Forced? It felt like the show was having the characters do arch postures and gestures when nothing much of note is actually happening. The worst part about Black Lightning's powers from a visual stand-point is that Black Lighting does not need to get into a brawl or even exert himself to use them. I am well aware the show was trying to make his victory at the end seem less effortless than it really was.
The other false thing I noted was Anissa's perspective on riots. She's all "Well the guy who stole the TV sucked, but everyone else is simply making their voices heard." I'm like, "What? Seriously?" There is nothing positive about a riot. Nothing. It is society failing on every level possible. It's people destroying their own homes and communities without realizing that more likely than not, the government's not going to bother to rebuild the area. I understand the show takes a bit of a measured look at controversial parts of black history. But I don't think riots are a black or white thing. White idiots in other countries riot all the time, and I don't see anyone acting like soccer hooligans are anything but morons. There is no "two sides to a riot". It's what happens when society breaks down and fails.
The scene of Gambi watching Jen fly out of the van with wonder in his eyes was outright amazing. I don't particularly like either James Remar or the character of Gambi. But that moment was cool.
My biggest regret of the season was there was never any proper fall-out from Henderson learning the truth. Basically in every scene between him and Jefferson earlier in the season he's all "Someday we're going to have to sit down and talk about this." Silly me, I thought an amazing scene filled with pathos was in our future. Instead they never actually have one. Biggest missed drama opportunity of the season.
This wasn't the most mindblowing or devastating finale ever, but it left things off on a good place, and resolved the major stuff it needed to resolve. My opinion is largely favorable.****1/2.
The Flash "Time Bomb"
The scientific, technical term for that was "A Dang Good Episode". It was not mindblowing, or the greatest episode ever. But it did everything it needed to do in every single one of its plots. The Arrowverse does NOT do that very often. It is a rare episode where the B and C plots work equally well as the A plots.
Let's start with Orlon. I feel bad for the guy, but I'm more like "What did you think would happen by saying these things to her?" The thing that makes me think he couldn't have predicted this was that a few weeks ago it was clear little girl Grace was a sociopath. Orlon had no way or means of knowing that when filling her head with the poison he did. And she is clearly a far bigger sociopath than even he was. Iris had it right. His love for her prevented him from crossing certain lines. But a sociopath on her level can't actually love him back. The biggest difference between the two is that when Orlon's worldview is challenged by learning Grace is a metahuman, he adjusts his views on metahumans. Conversely, when Grace's worldview is challenged by learning he changed his mind, she kills him instead. I don't think Orlon could have predicted creating such a monster, simply because she is far worse than he could ever imagine a person could be. Especially a person he loves.
I like that his last request before he died was for Team Flash to save Grace. I think it's more than she deserves, but it does say everything.
Ralph was being annoying with Cisco, but I like that Cisco was able to correctly point out why Ralph was sucking. And it's open-ended by the end whether Ralph's perspective is even wrong. Things going as sideways as they did with Nora hints he might not be.
I love the instant that Barry learns Nora is working with Thawne, he puts her in a cell before she gets her bearings, and realizes he's going to do it. Opinion: Knowing what he does? That is actually the smart play. Where I think he's dumb is walking off and leaving her to stew. It is prudent to immediately lock up any ally of the Reverse Flash until you understand why they are allies in the first place. But were I Barry I'd be searching for answers immediately instead of walking off in a snit.
Speaking of smart plays, Sherloque impressed the heck out of me this episode. He was so great, I didn't even mind that he was the one who twisted the knife in Nora at the end. It's interesting that he probably took things a little too personally simply because Thawne shares his face. And I don't blame him. That's infuriating.
I think the thing in the episode I didn't like was Nora being forced to use the perspective that it's okay to keep secrets to keep your family safe. I mean, isn't that the entire reason she hates Iris in the first place? I get that she actually has a selfish reason for advancing this argument now, but were I Barry I'd be like "Seriously? After all that?" The hypocrisy not being remarked upon bugged me. But it was pretty much the only thing in the episode that did, so I forgive it.
Seriously good week. *****.
Gotham "I Am Bane"
Didn't dig that. Didn't feel like the third to last episode, and as if the show were wrapping up like it should. Plus there is going to be a four week hiatus until the last two episodes, which strikes me as badly planned and timed. That is not the time for the show to take a break. It's weird that Fox thinks it is.
Why is Barbara not in a hospital gown when she is in labor? Why is she clearly wearing a dress and pantyhose? And why is she still in that same outfit after the baby is born?
Nyssa Al Ghul interests me because the character as seen last week on Arrow is one of the few to survive the various network character embargoes that are screwing the Arrowverse up. This version is bad while Arrow's is good, but DC loosening these types of restrictions at all is a good sign.
Alfred vs Bane is like the most asymmetrical fight ever. Again, didn't dig it.
Weak third to last episode. **1/2.
Marvel Super Hero Adventures "Spidey Remix With Miles!"
I would totally play that videogame. ***1/2.
Marvel Rising Ultimate Comic "Inferno"
That was a little too dark and not fun enough. **1/2.
Mickey Mouse "You, Me, And Fifi"
Fifi looks like a giant rat.
Mickey's "I'm obsessed with you," was super creepy.
Loved all of the Disney dog cameos. Never thought I'd ever see Tito again.
Mickey's various pratfalls and injuries reminded me strongly of Roger Rabbit, particularly when he was tussling with Baby Herman.
Catch the OnDemand version rather than the aired one because of the funny mayhem noises they play over the end credits.
Good episode. ****.
Elena Of Avalor "Not Without My Magic"
It was nice to get a little redemption going for those two naughty Jaquin twins. They never struck me as sinister to begin with.
That dragon looking guy looks more and more like a Muppet each episode.
I was hoping for more from the villain family drama, especially because of their last appearance. Oh well.
I feel like that was the least appropriate time ever for a song. Forget the fact that the song sucked. I think singing should only occur during moments the characters SHOULD sing to express themselves. That was not what that moment was. It was an emergency and a tense moment. Which the song gutted.
This was still pretty good. ***1/2.
Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy "Screen Time"
If the world needs to be saved by these rank amateurs, the world is doomed.
So Wes basically gets trapped in an abandoned mine for literally stepping two feet off of the path. Either the show is lazy, or doesn't respect the kids' in the audience's intelligence. That's okay. I don't respect the show either.
The Bots made an interesting comment about phones. Why text someone when you can just talk to them? And that's how I feel about texting. I don't own a cell phone or a touchscreen because I think texting is stupid, and is someone putting effort into something worthless that they could just speak over the phone. I resist getting smart phones and the like simply because I see what an ultimate time waster the functions on those devices seem to be and I don't want to go near them. The bots noted people are dependent on them now. I do not want to ever become dependent on something that wastes my time. The internet is dreck enough for me.
Blah. *1/2.
Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy "Fright At The Museum"
Why is it the Bots are stopping an art thief? They aren't actually cops. Bueller? *.
The Orville "Lasting Impressions"
A classic Star Trek scenario is a man falling in love with a hologram. And on this show it's problematic. Because the characters are more grounded and recognizable to modern audiences than the somewhat aloof and measured Star Trek characters, they have to be a bit self-aware that the scenario is probably only romantic to the guy himself. Everyone else thinks it's creepy. And it's tough to show but I think the episode found the right balance and instead of being an example of the show using a modern problem such as porn addiction to make fun of sci-fi tropes, it's just as earnest as Star Trek itself, except the other characters are able to recognize that in reality, Riker is just as damaged as Barclay.
Good to see Tim Russ again. This and Supergirl last season prove the Star Trek actor isn't dead, but Voyager gave him quite the dry spell due to typecasting. It would tickle me if he got a tenth of the comeback George Takei did years later.
My favorite part of was the argument over whether or not she's real. Personally, I think it's possible for a hologram to be a person. Vic Fontaine and the EMH both qualified on Star Trek. But both of those characters knew what they were and what their role actually was. This girl didn't. And I liked Ed forcefully saying that self-perception isn't reality and that the truth actually matters. And dang it, that's a good moral. I don't know if it's a Star Trek moral but it's definitely a real-world one that is true.
And because of Star Trek, I didn't even find the scenario as bizarre as Malloy's crewmates. I even accepted the idea that because it came from her, this was more than a simulation and she was a version of a real person. Until he deletes Greg. An action of no actual moral importance that feels like the most ethical violation ever. Basically Grayson nailed it that the second he did that, the entire selling point of this coming from her went out the window and it's suddenly just a masturbative fantasy of his. And I like that they went there.
I liked learning Gordon had singing lessons as a kid, but they are fooling themselves if they think that actually explains Scott Grimes amazing voice. I understand Seth MacFarlane is the great singer he is due to years of voice lessons and practice. You can hear the effort he put into every number he belts out and nails. Grimes is something entirely different. The dude has raw talent and nothing that can be learned from a voice coach. It was a nice explanation for the show that I didn't buy from Grimes for a second.
I didn't like the stuff with Clyden and Bortus smoking simply because I've stopped finding the Maklans even the least bit funny. Their culture is horrific, and even if I think Bortus is sometimes okay as a person, I can't enjoy any of their Earth culture shock while the subtext of their entire society is so dark. It bums me out.
Isaac was MIA this episode and a bare presence in the last one, which is totally a Star Trek thing to do. On the occasions Odo revealed his love for Kira and then betrayed the Federation and made up with her, he was a bit player if not completely gone for the couple of weeks after those events as well. Star Trek (and this show) knew we wanted to get to the fall-out of what the character was thinking and going through immediately, and wisely made us wait for it a bit. I think that not only makes the show more addictive, but it also makes sure not to turn the show into something it isn't. Frasier became so much about the tiny little baby steps of Niles and Daphne that it was unrecognizable from its original premise. And whenever the show tried to get back to focusing on Frasier the audience was still a little disappointed since Frasier was NOT a great character in his own right while the Niles and Daphne thing WAS great. But as great as it was, I think it hurt the long term viability of the show. Frasier ran for a long time. But I stopped watching the last few seasons which stepped away from Niles and Daphne, and I might not have done that if the show hadn't foolishly become about them. This show is not about Isaac and Finn, and they are just part of the ensemble. It's important to keep things balanced on the bridge and the show, even if it means we sometimes get frustrated some weeks. I got frustrated during The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine too. But I also watched their entire runs because they knew the precise way to keep me hooked.
This was a good episode I think. ***1/2.
American Dad! "Top Of The Steve"
That pretty much nailed the tropes of 80's sitcoms even if it wasn't entirely like one specific sitcom. I think the Spunky Brewster portion was the eye-opener for me. When they say some of the plots Punky Brewster engaged in out-loud, she sounds legitimately horrible and annoying. It is amazing what passed for acceptable in the 1980's. Really, Punky being homeless again probably should have happened by the end of Pilot. That girl did some SERIOUSLY shady stuff. Be afraid.
What's interesting about Roger recognizing he's in a spin-off is that in this episode at least, he isn't aware he is actually fictional, it just disturbingly lines up. That presses against the fourth wall without breaking it.
They weren't even allowed a second note from Hey, Jude. Here is something you may not believe, because I'm 43 years old. But I know most of my music from movies and TV shows. I don't tend to buy albums from a specific artist and almost all of the CD's I own are Soundtracks. What that means is that I am barely familiar with The Beatles. I sort of know PART of Hey, Jude, and I DO know Life Goes On from the family drama, and Little Help From My Friends from Joe Cocker's version on The Wonder Years, but I have rarely ever actually heard a Beatles song when sung by the Beatles themselves. It's because they are so expensive for TV and movies to license. Which strikes me as the stupidest move ever for the longevity of the band. And I'm 43. I can't picture how young kids are supposed to hear and dig the songs and want to buy the albums. Yeah, they sold a ton of music in the past. But if nobody is actually allowed to hear their stuff in everyday media, they won't attract any new fans. Honestly music licensing issues for movies and TV shows strike as the stupidest and most damaging thing ever for artists who would otherwise be given free exposure for people to hear and like their stuff. And nobody is stupider about that than the estates of the Beatles. This show isn't even allowed anything past the Hey. That's crazy and shows that copyright laws in this country are messed up.
It was certainly an interesting week, to say the least. ****.
Riverdale "Chapter Fifty-One: BIG FUN"
That was awful. That was embarrassing. How shall I put this? I reject this episode. I reject the entire premise. Forget the terrible musical stuff for a minute.
I reject the notion that both Cheryl and Betty would willingly go to a keg party at the asylum where they were both tortured and abused. I reject that the principle joins and approves of a cult that goes around drugging kids without their knowledge. I reject that a high school would remotely think Heathers is an appropriate musical for their students. I reject the notion that Veronica is surprised her father is leaving after (correctly) learning Hermione tried to kill him twice. I feel so strongly about how terrible this story is that I am actually quite a bit offended as a thinking person.
I will not deny the one thing I liked: Betty and Jughead setting the trailer on-fire. That is worth half a star on an otherwise zero-starred episode. But lord, this was bad. Seriously and disturbingly so. How did something this stupid ever make it air? 1/2.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine "The Therapist"
I thought some of Jake's therapy session with the killer at the end was funny, but the part with him pretending to have multiple personalities was ridiculous. A real therapist would instantly know he was faking. Mostly because people with that disorder cannot flip personalities on and off like a switch. If they could, it wouldn't actually be a problem or as debilitating as it is.
For the record, as badly as that episode botched that it gets points for correctly pointing out mentally ill people are more likely to be the victims of crimes, rather than the perpetrators.
Good moment for Scully impressing Terry by his lack of shame. It's weird how much I hate Hitchcock but love Scully.
The stuff with Rosa trying to keep Holt from meeting her girlfriend was all right.
Decent episode but not very authentic to mental illness. ***.
The Blacklist "Bastien Moreau: Conclusion"
That was encouraging.
They aren't going to do a Trump allegory after all. This is way better. The Trump stuff has been called by some people "Stupid Watergate" and what would happen if the worst criminals in America were idiots and didn't know how to hide their crimes. That they were so dumb that they did them openly, in public, and often on camera.
This is different. This conspiracy is clever. It's complicated. It's hard to suss out, and will make the rest of the season harder going forward. And since it isn't doing a real-world allegory I can actually freaking shut off my brain and enjoy it. What a concept.
I loved Red's scene with Moreau when he's talking about magic tricks. Is that true about the white tigers? If so, Siegfried and Roy deserved to be mauled. Think that comment is in poor taste? That's what I find the idea of what they supposedly did to the tigers to make them docile. Without fail, whether it's those jackasses or a jerk like Steve Irwin, people who rile wild animals to entertain other people deserve every bad thing they get. Same goes for that woman trying to manipulate the Corsican. She got lucky, but I sincerely don't think Red will be so easy to take down.
Promising episode that gives me hope for the rest of the season. ****.
Blindspot "The One Where Jane Visits An Old Friend"
Come on, now. Who keeps track of this cr*p? Last week Jane (correctly) believed she was responsible for the huge messes she made, and in this one she think Remy is an entirely different person. I realize different writers on a show approach things in a different way, but that is a h*lluva thing to be inconsistent about. I also don't believe Borden was the only one who could help her. She wasn't even trying to put in the work with the other therapists and expected instant answers and solutions. In real life, it doesn't work that way. I think not only was the "breakthrough" with Borden a cop-out, but I also think it's something a non-crazy person would be able to work out for themselves. The clean slate thing only applied when she didn't have Remy's memories. Now that she does, she is the exact same person, and responsible for every single one of her previous actions. It's weird she thinks she isn't.
I'll tell you what I did like. I liked that Boston and Rich were both far healthier in their contentious relationship than Patterson accused Rich of being. Patterson dated Borden after all. She isn't a font of wisdom about healthy relationships, even if David was kind of cool.
That kind of aggravated me. **.
