Monday, November 14, 2011

Dexter season 6 episode 7 : Nebraska

Summary : Pivotal subtle revelation, refreshing but too short roadtrip, percussive guests, twisted but slapdash writing, interesting alternate realities

Score : 8/10

Spoilers

I cut my thumb and blood drops spoiled my immaculate ivory keyboard when I smashed the spacebar to kill the thirsty vampire bats that were standing on it like mocking birds on an electric cable. Yes this is a Dexter review, not some funny animated film one. Dark Passengers are everywhere. They're all around us waiting for a weakness, a sign that they can take over our body and soul.

Some people had quickly figured out who was Professor Gellar but I'm not one of them. I wish I hadn't read a review that revealed it to me because it made this episode less exciting. Still the two brothers roadtrip was entertaining and definitely enlightening. I can only suppose it had references to season 4's 9th episode, Road Kill, because I haven't seen it. But it was impossible to miss the one to Hello, Dexter Morgan's cult encounter. Brand Eaton's comeback as Jonah Mitchell deserved more than one episode in my opinion but the actor's performance was energetic and until the very end I had no idea Becca had committed suicide. So the writing was unpredictable but sadly it obviously screamed "Dex, you're in big trouble" ! I mean he made so many mistakes that it's not even interesting to count them. I don't expect it to be as accurate as the best cop shows but its lack of attention to details has become annoying.

The good thing about this subplot is that it should arise suspicions around him, specially in Deb's neighbourhood. Fucktopia ? I have met an ant that knows where it is ! Let's hope Masuka's new sidekick will design a level inspired by it. For the moment I don't get his role. Is he destined to replace him ? He's so useful to their department that I can't see how they wouldn't want to hire him ! As for Batista it was funny to see him as a video game character. It's interesting because like in Caprica it's possible to imagine that Dexter could be a virtual reality program. The ghosts who haunt its characters are nearly as real as them. The way they're filmed blurs the lines even more but in the end it's their contribution that matters. That's probably why they had waited so long to finally mention Rita and specially Lumen, to confirm that Dex has what it takes to slice and drown his Dark Passenger. The candles of their love still burn within him and if the Ice Truck Killer wasn't able to blow his bubble of light, no one will.

Fringe season 4 episode 6 : And Those We Left Behind

Summary : Killing humor, entertaining time paradox, fascinating bubbles, cheap Faraday cage, emotional story and empathic Peter

Score : 9/10

Spoilers

Clatto Verata Marmota Monax ! They shouldn't have summoned Groundhog Day, now we're all going to die of televisual happiness. Both killing hilarious and heartbreaking this episode added an other arc to the virtuous spiral the audience walks on. I couldn't help giggling every time Walter ignored Peter so it seems his fun factor is a constant. I really digged the concept of the time bubble. Moreover beside the well polished visual effects it's really a spherical and elemental triptych that was painted on our TV : Fire, rainbow and water. However I found Peter's electromagnetic suit very cheap and unrealistic because a Faraday cage should surround its subject entirely. Why didn't they get a real one from Walter's dusty attic ? It would have been a great homage to its inventor and appealed science freaks. As for the time jump Peter experienced it was by far my favorite part. What a brilliant reference to the film but sadly it was too short. That's the comment of a five years old boy addicted to Apollo, the candy you won't found at a store near you. More seriously even if the time paradox element reminded me of the wormhole from season 3 it's different enough and definitely fascinating. After Lost we'll see what's the next step in the time travel revolution, the film Back to the Future being one of its finest. Last but not least the story was also driven by emotions. Of course I'm refering to the Alzheimer disease because health issues motivate thousands if not millions of scientists around the globe. But of course it isn't good to sacrifice humanity for someone you love. The man wasn't selfish, he just tried his best to save his wife. The other sequences that moved me concerned Peter's nightmare and his entrance in Walter's abandoned house with Olivia. The first because it was linked to the recurrent dreams she had before his arrival. The second because the house is charged with memories like the cult Naked Pancake Show™ ! But the ending was sad because it confirmed that Peter isn't home, like Quinn Mallory in Sliders, and has no idea how to get back. Is he trapped in some sort of parallel time bubble ? Let's hope it won't explode or destroy the two universes we're familiar with !

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Walking Dead season 2 episode 4 : Cheerokee Rose

Summary : Dumb Behavior II : Zombitris, irresistible Glenn, predictable Lori subplot, thoughtful connections, optimistic spirit, intriguing rules, smart dialogs

Score : 8/10

Spoilers

And the walker of the week is… Gorezilla ! Their plan to get it out of the well was silly and with Save the Last One, where Daryl and Andrea went for a walk at night, I worry that we will have to endure more stupid situations. I mean the cord is the oldest one trick pony, it always break. So the precious minutes lost to follow Glenn's predictable descent in hell could have been used for something more important. It leads us to his hilarious and sexy escape with Maggie. The awkward way he got laid was well staged and it was obvious Steven Yeun and Lauren Cohan were having fun. Surviving with their characters would make a post apocalyptic world less painful to live in. Moreover their arc was connected to Lori's search for a pregnancy test so even if I saw it coming the writing knows where it's going. In addition her sensual moment with Rick in front of the mirror was similar to the one Glenn and Maggie shared. It proves that there's still hope despite the pessimistic dialogs between Lori and her husband last episode. The slow pace also proved that The Walking Dead excels in all departments, from frightening situations like the horde to heartwarming reunions. They're all together now and only Sophia is missing. But it seems Daryl is on her trail even if it wasn't explicitely stated, a subtlety I'm quite fond of. The hopeful story he told the mother was also quite moving and the rose as beautiful as the landscape Rick and the old man contemplated at the creek. As for their man to man discussion in front of the house it opened a whole new set of possibilities. Shouldn't Rick ask the others what they want to do ? What are the rules to stay ? Covering topics like religion and education issues was also quite enlightening. Last but not least a bold Shane reminded me of Of Mice and Men because the character has reached a certain complexity and makes me uncomfortable. Of course he had to lie but if he hadn't shoot the fat guy well he would just be a pile of bloody meat on the road.

Now I only have one question left… How many condoms did Glenn use ? Considering the super bright smile he had on his face I bet on seven, one for each heaven they reached. Naughty survivors !

Monday, November 7, 2011

Dexter season 6 episode 6 : Just Let Go

Summary : From mercy to forgiveness, Deb is the boss, double-edged generosity, exciting investigation, dreams and nightmares

Score : 8/10

Spoilers

I hate previews ! They should just be forbidden because they're vicious spoilers and usually I manage to avoid them but not this time. Still Just Let Go was a lot about forgiving so let's say Showtime isn't such an evil network after all. More seriously this episode felt like a sequel to one of my favorite Dexter episodes, Easy as Pie. I can't help mentioning it from time to time because it was just heartbreaking and I still haven't forgotten Camilla's mercy swan song. What Brother Sam asked Dex was similar because they both had to leave the world of the livings. If you don't free your soul it remains grounded and the only solution left is to… watch Ghost Whisperer ? I'm no Melinda Gordon, played by Jennifer Love Hewitt in the series, but one thing is sure is that Mariana Klaveno makes one charming teacher as Clarissa Porter. It was a guilty pleasure to watch Batista and playcop Quinn trying to avoid falling in their own trap. And the best part is that Deb had no idea what was going on so she just objectively did her job. Men are idiots and she's the boss ! As for Masuka's student I found it interesting that he was actually a video game developer but a girl like Batista's sister digging geeks is almost science fiction.

As for Deb's psy sessions I'll definitely miss them because they reminded me of Being Erica. However they're apparently not over considering she looked at the shrink's business card. Maybe she has decided to give up on men for a while. Sorry I watched Les Poupées Russes a few days ago and Cécile de France's hilarious performance as a lesbian had an apocalyptic impact on my mood and libido. It leads us to the wicked Travis who has apparently thought a lot about Dex's words of wisdom. It's funny because it's easier to help others, try our best to give them good advices for instance, than to help ourselves. Deb thought way too much for her own good when the most efficient to succeed is probably to just be and do things as authentically as possible. It's a way of life, making mistakes is as normal as drinking water or framing someone for murder. What ?! At least it's what happened to Brother Sam because he found the light and for some people it was just unbearable. And sadly Dex made the mistake of drowning his killer in sacred water. That's probably what summoned you know who. He was so close to let go and finally get ride of his Dark Passenger ! Even Harry believed it could be done. But this installment investigation was twisted so he's Dex's life. The black supercop thinks he well solved the case probably because he's over confident. Travis adorable sister has no idea what's going on and teaches children to paint their dreams in order to make them come true once they're older. We'll see if he finds a way to finally put and end to his misery and transform his nightmare.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Fringe season 4 episode 5 : Novation

Summary : Jaw dropping shapeshifter, convincing guests, exciting ripple effect, perfect format, promising season but lazy security

Score : 9/10

Spoilers

How dare they leave us for two weeks after such a cliffhanger ! But Novation didn't disappoint, as expected. So far I had been quite pleased by the visual effects but this time they pushed the barrier even further because the shapeshifting was just mind blowing ! It actually reminded me of Terminator 2 : Judgement Day but in a more disturbing way. As for The Matrix-like walking on the wall it was quite surprising ! Also the actress was convincing in her dual role and it also applies to the guest playing the scientist. Discovering things through the eyes of Peter is also quite promising. From the new breed of shapeshifters to all the rippled characters the journey was exciting. As always the episodic story also served the main one so it proves that Fringe has merged the best of both worlds and its format should be a model for future productions. The reunion between Peter and Walter was also quite moving and I'm glad the writers made the second not to repeat the same mistake as his other personas. So it's intriguing to determine who will trust Peter enough to help him. Olivia ? Probably but when it comes to the show there're an infinite number of possibilities to consider. Still the Fringe Division security system is cheap and Broyles and his team left Peter way too much freedom. It would have been far much more interesting and thoughtful to see him struggle for a few episodes. Last but not least it was nice to have the vintage typewriter back and I can't wait for the shapeshifters to arrive. I'll be back !

Friday, November 4, 2011

Dragon : The Bruce Lee Story

Summary : Inspiring story and characters, excellent leads, decent action, rushed training, well developed teaching arc, thoughtful mysticism, fan candy, interesting racism

Score : 8/10

I'm more a Jackie Chan fan than a Bruce Lee one but it didn't make Dragon less inspiring. Indeed even if it's only a fictionalized biographical film the story and its characters feel real enough. Jason Scott Lee is great as the legendary Bruce Lee and Lauren Holly perfect as Linda Emery, his future wife. In fact their romance is far much more interesting than the action scenes. Their choreography is over the top and weakens the humanist bond other sequences try to develop between him and the audience. Some are relatively good but the precious minutes wasted with the crazy cooks could have been spent on his training for instance. One minute he's a kid, the next he's a young adult and martial artist. It could also apply to the part covering the opening of his first school but the teaching elements are great. From his tragic accident to the writing of his famous book, The Tao of Jeet Kune Do, it can only warm the heart and soul. There's also something dramatic about the confrontation of his dream to reality. It's probably symbolized by the samurai who chases him in his nightmares. This mystic element is actually one of my favorite with the empathic Linda. Their connection is magnified by the cult labyrinth of mirrors sequence and such a strong and beautiful woman is every man's dream. So Holly did an excellent job and it also applies to the athletic Scott Lee because from the screams to the moves from beginning to end it's almost like watching the master. To entertain and appeal the fans there're also plenty of fan service, like the hilarious The Green Hornet stunt. It leads us to racism because the issue has a major element and witnessing Bruce struggling to succeed and change the way people see things, only in white or yellow, is quite moving and thoughtful. So it has a few weaknesses but overall it's a mandatory experience for martial arts fans. Moreover it can only convince you to learn more about Bruce Lee and appreciate the tremendous impact his life had on millions of people around the world. The Dragon is eternal and its constellation shines every night !

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Revenge season 1 episode 7 : Charade

Summary : Finale-like, entertaining evil Tyler, inspiring Declan, interesting duality, promising new character, confusing flashbacks

Score : 8/10

Spoilers

What an overwhelming episode ! So many pivotal things happened that it could have been a finale. Getting Frank so quickly out of the picture was gutsy so it seems Victoria will carry his torch and investigate Emily. I already knew Tyler was gay considering how he Martha Stewart behaves around Daniel but I didn't see his negotiation with Nolan coming. It's surprising what he's capable to do in order to help Emily but I'm sure he won't leak the videos. As for Tyler's intention to get back in the game at all cost it's interesting because in some way he's not so different than Emily.

In the romance department Declan stepped up his game and I can't see how a girl like Charlotte could resist someone who can call her mum Miss G. He's definitely funny and even inspiring because he defended his brother in front of everyone and people who tell what they really think are rare. As for the compass Emily gave Jack it made her love story with Daniel even more fragile because it seems she's really falling for him. I mean the last time I heard characters expressing their feelings out loud was while watching Dawson's Creek so it definitely proves that there's something fishy. In fact the voice-over was quite enlightening because Amanda should be her inside and Emily her outside but she apparently never expected her actions would blur the lines between them so much. Will she find the light in the darkness she created ? Is she becoming as evil as the people who framed her father ? The question deserves to be asked because the moving and Shakespearean balcony scene revealed that Victoria still has a heart. It's broken but she definitely loves Daniel.

Now the identity switch between Amanda Clarke and Emily Thorne was revealed I really wonder how they'll deal with Frank's corpse and of course Victoria's growing suspicions. Maybe the first will offer her a free lap dance. At least learning more about her should be interesting so let's hope she'll become a recurrent character. Seriously my only complain about this episode would be the confusing flashbacks. The transition between the present and the past was too sharp and the fact that young Victoria is also played by Madeleine Stowe doesn't help. So I wish they had been as polished and creative as Amanda's ones. Last but not least anyone has noticed how Reven8e's intertitle is similar to Lost's one ? They both feature a zooming logo and a mysterious tune.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Dexter season 6 episode 5 : The Angel of Death

Summary : Predictable and careless writing, anecdotic angel, sloppy editing, Baby Must Die but inspiring friendship, thoughtful duality, pivotal encounter, promising brunette fetishism

Score : 7/10

Spoilers

If only season 5 had been the last ! Dex and Lumen could have lived happily ever after and in my opinion it would have made sense even if optimism isn't what defines the show the most. My complain is about the relative predictability and lack of attention to details. After all these years how is it possible not to be picky ? Our favorite serial killer should know better than cutting a papersheet in a book Travis probably knows from beginning to end. Moreover bringing it to his lab in order to match it with the numbers was silly. Considering the episode title I was also expecting some references to comics but beside a split second shot featuring angel wings behind Dex its spirit was nothing like The Dark Defender from season 2. An other issue was how Brother Sam's shooting was rushed when it could have happened right after his bro session with Dex. In general the editing isn't continuous enough. One minute you wonder what Deb and the new detective are doing at the beach house and the next our favorite worshiper prays in a pool of blood. Last but not least most scenes featuring Harrison are enduring and reminiscent of what we had to digest during True Blood's season 4. The only enlightenment concerned the baby stumbling upon Deb's crime photos because it was an obvious reference to Dex's own childhood and of course their birth in blood.

But Dexter is far from jumping the shark because its controversial monster has still plenty to offer. First his friendship with Brother Sam quickly grew on us thanks to some crafty character development. Second their discussion reminded me of season 3 as Miguel was Dex's first true best friend. The dual theme of light and darkness is also thoughtful because it binds the story to his Dark Passenger and of course Lumen. An other great thing about this season is Travis because I'm now convinced they were right to cast Colin Hanks. For the moment his role isn't really special but it's easy to relate to his character as we all need to believe in something. It seems Gellar gives sense to his life and until he met Dex he was apparently convinced to work for the greater good. However I'm not satisfied with the fact that his sister has vanished into thin air. Still the introduction of Clarissa Porter (Mariana Klaveno) helped me forget about her because when Batista came for Quinn I really thought she was working for Gellar ! That part was really well staged and quite intense on my side. Will Klaveno be the Courtney Ford of season 666 ? I doubt she's as disturbed as Christine Hill was but she's definitely an interesting addition to the cast. However all these brunettes make things a little too predictable because it's obvious Deb will be involved. Also the fact that Quinn is still enslaved by his libido wasn't entertaining and like Batista we all already know that it will inevitably backfire. To sum things up these impressions of déjà vu and the cons listed prove that the show isn't as fascinating as it used to be. It's still good but when it comes to Dexter I expect to be challenged and shattered !