Invincible 2x04: This episode was solid. I liked that we got Omni-Man back, and got to see a new side of him. I really liked how his request tested Mark's morals. I have to say, I'd probably react like Mark did in that situation. I'd probably use fewer F-words, though. The Debbie subplot was not as good this time, but that's okay. We got an Eve subplot to make up for it. The Viltrumites are clearly the overarching Big Bads of the series. I wonder how long they'll last.
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Quantum Leap 2x06: This was possibly my favorite episode of the season thus far. It seems like Eliza Taylor is exactly what this show needed. We found out that her Hannah is not another leaper, but is something else that was unexpected, a love interest for Ben. If we can't have Ben and Addison be endgame, I'm not mad at it. They have passable chemistry. I also liked how she helped defeat Donovan at the end. That was a fantastic use of Chekhov's gun, or more accurately, Chekhov's stellarator. They also fleshed out Tom more, which was great. I had been waiting for that. I like that everyone gets a turn as the hologram this year. I wonder when (and how) Hannah will come back. Ben can't go to the 1950s every other week.
Invincible 2x03: This was my favorite episode of the season thus far. I liked the focus on Allen in the first half. He was one of my favorite guest characters from season 1, so I was glad he got more screentime. I was also glad he didn't die, or at least not yet. Thadeus seems determined to make that happen. My first thought was that Telia was the mole, but I quickly figured out that it was him. The narrator was a nice touch, too. Debbie's subplots continue to ground the show extremely well. Mark's dialogue doesn't come across as forced. We even got Omni-Man back. I suppose it could be another shapeshifter, or even a multiversal variant, but I'm inclined to believe it's really him. I am intrigued. Loki 2x06: This was a pretty good finale. I've said it before, but Loki's development on this show has been amazing. He literally risked starting a multiversal war for someone who wanted to kill him minutes prior. I also thought the music was really good in this episode. It really helped set the mood. I thought it was an interesting choice to basically give Loki an engineering degree over centuries. Speaking from experience, sometimes it does feel like it takes that long. But it didn't really help. Even though Timely was successful, they still failed. I'm glad Mobius got to see Don the jet ski salesman. That was one of my wishes after season one, that he would get to ride a jet ski. This is the next best thing. If this is the last season, I'd be satisfied. But the ending, with the potential setup for the next two Avengers films, just proved my theory that this show should have been two movies instead. They would be able to cut down on the plot, and people would be less likely to complain.
Invincible 2x02: This was another solid episode. Mark's one-liners are much better this season. They also had more dramatic scenes like the one with Mark and Debbie at the end. It was very effective. I could do with more of those. They also did what I wanted and gave us more Eve scenes. I have to wonder, though, why the construction workers started constructing the building there in the first place. It's almost as if they were using Eve as a scapegoat. I wonder if Eve and Mark are going to get together this season. It seems like we're just telling the same story with Amber. But the show's creator, Robert Kirkman, says that he wants to go for seven or eight seasons, so it might take a little while. Cecil is more interesting than he was last season as an off-brand Nick Fury, but I still wish he would just let Mark have a life sometimes. Loki 2x05: This was a much better episode of Loki. The writing was much better, particularly when they focused on Loki. The character development this version of the Asgardian deviant has gone through in just two seasons of television is astounding. He went from not giving a damn about anyone to needing to bring back the people with whom he belonged. I also liked the looks at all the branched-timeline versions of our favorite supporting characters. We finally got to see Mobius (or should I say Don) on a jet ski. Ke Huy Quan was great as usual. He is really carrying this season. I still don't understand everything that's happening, but it was better. I also thought it was hilarious when Loki was time-slipping and he looked like the balloon man.
Quantum Leap 2x05: This was a great episode of Quantum Leap. I think Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's riots episode was better, but this episode did really well by focusing on the micro and Daniel and his family. The other thing that I thought the episode did really well was expanding on Magic's character. I always like when they flesh out the other members of the team. It's fascinating to see how Ben can be completely fine, and the others have to grapple with how they lost him for three years. It looks like Eliza Taylor is back next week, so I'm looking forward to that. Invincible 2x01: This was a solid premiere. I think it has much more of an established tone than the first season. It's not trying to be a dramedy anymore. What was even better, though, was that it seemed to finally be character-driven rather than plot-driven. There was still a lot of plot, some of it involving multiverses like every superhero show these days, but Mark's guilt was the primary catalyst for the story. I did want to see more of Eve, though. We got a whole special, and then she's just in two scenes. That was kind of lame. Quantum Leap 2x04: This episode was really good. Tim Matheson nailed his performance as Neal Russell. I could feel the charm oozing from him, but I also felt his vulnerability at the prospect of his daughter rejecting him. I also liked the comedy in the episode. Ben's new penchant for going off-script this season, much to Addison's dismay, is hilarious. I hope he has a good dynamic with whoever his new hologram will be. If I remember correctly, he had good dynamics with both Ian and Jenn when they subbed in previously. Tom ... existed. I need more from him. I need flashbacks or something. He's just there. I kept waiting for Eliza Taylor to show up, too. I wonder if she'll be Hannah's daughter in present-day. That would conform with my theory of her taking over as Ben's new companion - I mean, hologram. Next week's episode looks interesting.
Loki 2x04: This episode, much like the last one, was kind of mid and hard to follow. Don't get me wrong, there were some good parts. One of them was Sophia Di Martino's performance as Sylvie. I thought she was done, but now that Sylki is seemingly a thing of the past, I guess she can stick around. Jonathan Majors did well as Victor, too. The scene of him and O.B. geeking out over each other was funny. The best line, though, would have to be Mobius' "That sounds like a noise you'd like to hear from farther away." There's just too much plot in this show. It's too hard to deduce what each character's motivation and alignment when there's a new timeline-ending plot every episode. I feel like this show would have been much better as two movies, especially considering how important it apparently is to the Multiverse Saga. I feel like people would've complained less if that happened. But who knows. Some people just complain to complain. Our Flag Means Death 2x08: This was a pretty good finale. Was there a lot of violence? Yes. But there was also a lot of humor. Stede, Ed, and Zheng have a lot of potential as a chaotic trio. I hope the show gets renewed so we can see that happen. But most importantly, Stede and Ed got back together. If we do get another season, I hope they stay together this time. I've never understood the belief that healthy relationships don't make good television. Superman & Lois is some of my favorite TV of recent memory, and the two titular protagonists have never been more in love after fifteen years. I did think it was weird that Ed just abandoned piracy - again - for being an innkeeper after he seemed to decide to heed Pop-Pop's advice to do what he's good at. He was good at piracy. He wasn't good at innkeeping. He was mediocre at best. I know it'll be funny, though. I Woke Up a Vampire 1x01-1x08: As a Disney kid, I remember the oft-forgotten Canadian series My Babysitter's a Vampire. I liked how it depicted vampires as real people, who were caring, funny, and brave, not just scary and sexy like most shows. So when I learned that Netflix had acquired the Family Channel original series I Woke Up a Vampire, I was wary, as lightning rarely strikes twice. However, the one-part-Buffy, one-part-Ms. Marvel series easily stakes its place in the vampire canon thanks to a game cast and a witty script. With these types of shows, it often comes down to the charm of the lead performer and if they can sell the material. I am happy to report that Kaileen Chang has plenty of charm and charisma. Her Carmie is easy to root for. It also helps that she has a killer voice. The main appeal of the vampire genre is the outsider metaphor, and I Woke Up makes great use of this. Couple this with the Spider-Man-esque adolescence allegory, and you have an effective combination. These shows also need good supporting characters, and Kev, Dylan, and Madison are all multidimensional and developed characters in their own right. Even Carmie's nemesis Leanna gets character development. Are there things the show could have done better? Sure. They could have emphasized Dylan's loneliness and make that a family trait. They also could have made the Collector more fearsome. Dylan didn't have to come back to him every time. He could have easily taken his business elsewhere. But there's enough witty dialogue and mythology to satisfy me. The Rick Astley cameo was hilarious. I think it was one of my favorite celebrity cameos in recent memory. It's not often that celebrity cameos are integral to the plot. I wonder if he'll come back.
Quantum Leap 2x03: This episode was kind of mid. The storyline with the sheriff and his granddaughter was sweet, and I liked the spin on the classic UFO story. I thought that it didn't hit the same emotional beats that season 1 hit, mainly because I can't believe that Addison just simply moved on. She seemed so devoted to him in season 1, and he to her. I can't believe that their relationship is just over. I am intrigued by Hannah. I wonder how she'll pop up going forward. I half-expected her to leap with him at the end. I loved Ian's line, "You know, you standing there actually will make the results come faster." That was hilarious. Loki 2x03: This episode was slightly weirder and more difficult to follow than the first two. I didn't get why what Ravonna wanted with Timely was different from what Loki and Mobius wanted with him. She also wanted him brought to the TVA, but for evil reasons, I guess, which stinks of the "same-goal-but-evil" trope that pervades the superhero genre and the MCU in particular. I forgot how evil Miss Minutes is. She is the most nefarious cartoon clock I ever did see. I'm also not clear on how she figures into Loki and Mobius' plan, but I assume that will come into focus now that Timely is back in the TVA. Jonathan Majors did well as Timely, but even he couldn't save the material. I actually liked Sylvie in this episode. She showed some character development for the first time. I don't know why she did that with Ravonna, though. I'm not sure what danger she's in at the End of Time, but again, I'm sure that will come into focus. If this is the last time we see Sylvie, I'll be fine with that. I would've wanted more of her, Loki, and Mobius as a chaotic trio, but it seems like her character arc might be done. You know who I do want to see more of? O.B. My dude was just in one scene in this episode. We needed more of him. Our Flag Means Death 2x06/2x07: I didn't care for these two episodes as much. I liked that Stede got to be an actual pirate. That was cool. I just didn't find them as funny as the last two. This season seems to be very much a mixed bag. I also think Stede and Blackbeard are going in the wrong direction. They just got together, and now they're gonna be apart again? You have to have them together for at least a season. I also don't buy that Blackbeard is done being a pirate. He's Blackbeard. He's legendary. The cannonball scene was really cool, though. Wolf Like Me Season 2: Peacock's Wolf Like Me impressed me with its first season that uniquely blended dramedy and horror elements. I came away from season one wishing for more comedy, and season two does a little bit more on that, but it really ups the ante on the drama and horror, with the end result being an even more engaging script. In just seven episodes, the series allows us to see where each and every character is coming from, which makes it all the more heartbreaking when Ray and Sarah attempt to take Emma away from Gary and Mary, only to be interrupted when Mary's water breaks. Season two also gives Emma much more to do than season one did, which really boosts the narrative as we are able to see how good Mary is with her. Two things that I like about this show are its music and the role that coincidence plays in it. Both of them are used to great effect this season. The one good running joke the show had this season was the door. However, I also like that no one on the show seems to be able to drive. Quantum Leap 2x02: This episode was a bit of a downgrade compared to the premiere, I thought. There wasn't as much comedy. I did like Ben's Pilates joke. That was good. They needed more of that. I liked that the team was in it more as well. I was scared that Addison would leave, and they would go the Doctor Who route and introduce a new companion in Eliza Taylor's character. But fortunately, they didn't go that route. I am interested to see different people like Ian in the chamber instead of her, though. The other thing I could've done without was the love triangle with Peter Gadiot's Tom. I hope we get flashbacks of him and Addison, because he just seems boring to me. I don't know why she would fall for him. And lastly, Ian, why you gotta keep secrets? You know that doesn't end well on this show.
Loki 2x02: This was a good episode. I liked the twist of Mobius losing it instead of literal God of Mischief Loki. The two of them work so well together. The scene when they got lost because they were both following each other was hilarious. We got more Sylvie this time, but it seems like they are done with the selfcest storyline. Mobius making fun of it was funny. Ke Huy Quan was once again great as O.B. Rafael Casal wasn't bad as Brad, but I kind of wish they got someone famous. They got Hiddleston, Wilson, and Quan, so they have the budget. My next question is what Sylvie was holding at the end. I bet that's going to come into play later. Our Flag Means Death 2x04/2x05: These episodes were a lot better than the first three. They were actually funny. Blackbeard singing Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again" was hilarious. That's what the first episodes were missing, was him being funny. He was too serious. I also liked when Stede failed spectacularly at all of the required skills to be a pirate, and Izzy was amazed that he was even alive. The suit storyline felt more like a conventional sitcom than the dramedy that the rest of the season has been, and it was great. We need more storylines like that. The rest of the crew was funny, too. I liked when Frenchie told Ed to shut up, and how Frenchie and Roach had to leave yeast for the fairies. Only Murders in the Building 3x10: This was a solid ending to a solid season. (Spoilers) I was certainly not expecting Cliff to be the killer. This show really brings the twists coming until the very end. I'm glad they were able to bring back Paul Rudd for a bigger role in this episode. Oliver and Charles' banter was once again on point. But I'm just sad that Mabel seemingly had to break up with Tobert just when she was starting to be happy with him. I want her to have a love interest who lasts for more than a season. They almost had me convinced that the show would move to LA for season 4. It could still happen. It certainly seemed like there could not be any more murders in this particular building, but boy, did that turn out not to be the case, as Jane Lynch's Sazz found out. I liked her, but I was beginning to wonder what else they could do with her. I don't know. I just wanted the season to be funnier. If it does get another season, I hope they find that balance again.
Ahsoka 1x08: This was an amazing episode. I can't call it a finale, as it was very much a stepping stone for possible future seasons and movies to come. It also built upon storylines introduced in previous shows like the Night Troopers from The Mandalorian season two. But, throughout the whole thing, it felt like Star Wars, more so than any Star Wars project in a long time. There were cool action scenes. There was quick-witted banter. There were heroes with nothing but themselves and the Force up against seemingly insurmountable odds. They even had the Force theme play. Lars Mikkelsen brings the same stoic energy to Thrawn that made him such a compelling antagonist in the book series. I can't wait to see these characters again. Quantum Leap 2x01: This was a great premiere. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again: the show is so much better when it acknowledges the weirdness of its premise. The soldiers thinking that Ben hit his head was hilarious. Ben saying MacGyver was his uncle was also funny. Melissa Roxburgh killed it as LT. I'm so glad she's still getting good roles now that Manifest is over. The other thing I really liked about this episode was the flashbacks. Flashbacks are always a killer way to expand on characterization, and it worked effectively here as Ben's team was largely absent from the present-day narrative (if you can call it that). My favorite line from the episode was when Ian showed Ben the results of Ziggy's simulation, and he said, "That just made things so much worse. Thank you so much." I can't wait to see what the rest of season 2 holds. Loki 2x01: This was a really solid premiere. There is a lot of plot, and I mean a lot, like somehow more than last season. You know when people say something has lost the plot? Loki probably has it. We've got Temporal Looms, Aural Extractors, 400-year-old characters, characters slipping through time, and branching timelines up the wazoo, and somehow Loki (and his variants) figure into everything. But the cast sells it all, in particular Owen Wilson and new cast member Ke Huy Quan. Wilson is hilarious as the perpetually-confused Mobius, while Quan brings a manic energy to his every line as the mysterious Ouroboros, whom Mobius nicknames O.B. (though he doesn't remember doing so). My favorite line was when Mobius described Loki's time slipping as looking "like you're being born, or dying, or both at the same time." Sophia Di Martino's Sylvie, easily the most controversial character of season 1, is sidelined until the very last scene in favor of Wunmi Mosaku's Hunter B-15, who gets much more to do than she did all of last season. Jonathan Majors' He Who Remains is gone, but the presence of his more notorious variant Kang is keenly felt across the whole premiere. I can't wait to see when he actually comes on screen. I honestly thought that the quest to get to the Temporal Loom was going to take all season, but that's not Loki's style. We only spent two episodes on Lamentis, and one each in the Void and the End of Time. This show is still as nuts as ever, and I'm here for it. Our Flag Means Death 2x01-2x03: I must say, I was not impressed with this premiere of Our Flag Means Death. The show seems to have undergone another tonal shift, this time from a character-driven comedy to a character-driven dramedy. It hasn't quite mastered the new tone yet, but I'm willing to give it a pass because the characters are still great. Rhys Darby is still as hilarious as ever as Stede. He really makes the show. I liked how Jim spared Izzy because she remembered how Stede valued life. I also liked how the soup was a running joke. I kept waiting for Blackbeard to be funny, but he was too busy being sad, manic, and then sad in a fantasy show, which was an odd choice, but I'm going with it. I'm sure he'll be funny eventually. This is just the middle of the story. It's the ugly chrysalis. It will pass. Only Murders in the Building 3x09: This episode was solid. The surrealist opening gave way to some of the best dramedy of the season, and they even came back to it later on. Mabel's wish to be "with her two besties doing murder stuff" was touching. She certainly seems happier than she was with either Oscar or Alice. I was worried that Oliver would be out of commission for the rest of the season, but luckily that turned out to not be the case. Charles and Oliver's banter was great in this episode. The trio being inserted into the interviews was inventive. I liked when Mabel asked Oliver to continue talking to the cookie, and Charles was like, "Yeah- Why?" I was initially concerned that they weren't gonna have enough material for the last episode, but this one ended things perfectly in the middle of the story. Donna came completely out of left field. It turns out this show still has some surprises in it after all.
Ahsoka 1x07: This episode was good. Once again, the best part was Ahsoka and Huyang's banter. Huyang is hilarious. I truly think the show doesn't work without him. My favorite line was when Ahsoka said, "We're not gonna need to land," and Huyang was like, "No, not this again." The show also continues to be effortlessly cool. The visual of twelve flying space whales appearing out of hyperspace was one of the best of the show. I do think we didn't need to have another debris field. It was cool at first, but now it seems like everyone and their mother is doing it, and there can be too much of a good thing. Heck, the episode even got fan service right. Not only was Ahsoka reunited with Ezra, but (Minor spoilers) C-3PO even made an appearance to save Hera from a court-martial. Xiono sure was a jerk, insulting her intelligence like that and doubting Thrawn's return. Thrawn is certainly a different kind of adversary than most Star Wars villains. He will surely be a great villain in Dave Filoni's movie. Only Murders in the Building 3x08: This was an awesome episode. I love this show. As I've been saying this whole time, the return of the trio made for one of the best episodes of the season for me. Charles intentionally being a dumbass with the weighted blanket was hilarious. Detective Williams' guest spot was great. She's the first returning guest star this season whose appearance I actually liked. I loved her line, "The killer is someone in this room. I've always wanted to say that." Apparently, Loretta did it, which was not my ideal outcome, but it did give the show an excuse to do some more flashbacks, which are always welcome. We also found out that Dickie is Loretta's biological son, which could have huge ramifications. The mild-mannered agent seemed to have a sad, possibly remorseful, look on his face when Loretta went away, so maybe she's taking the fall for him, despite what she said. Who knows. The ending was perfectly executed, I thought. This show has always excelled at integrating drama into its mystery-comedy base. One thing the episode didn't answer is why Mabel used the #BloodyMabel hashtag. It just doesn't seem like her.
Ahsoka 1x06: This was a good episode. I'm glad Sabine and Ezra got their reunion. I was gonna be pretty annoyed if Thrawn and Ezra were revealed to have been dead the whole time. I liked how Sabine said that Ezra always has a plan, it's just not always good. I thought Thrawn was very effective. I did think it was odd that he just let Sabine go out and find Ezra. He said he was just honoring her deal with Baylan, but I'm not sure if I buy that he was just being nice. I also thought it was weird that Ahsoka was only in one scene in her own show. I get that she was the focus last time, but she should be the focus every time. The show is called Ahsoka. |
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