notar0b0t

New Amsterdam: Right Place (2022)

5x12

A great episode.

I, contrary to the other reviewer, liked that Helen did that. Yes, it's unethical, but also quite romantic. I mean, from the top of my head, one other character did something unethical (ignoring a patient's DNR) and nobody was up in arms about that.

I also loved that they included her in this plot because it means they're not trying to act like she had never been in the show (I know she was in the previous episode, but my point stands).

Wilder said « When you love someone, you will do anything to protect them. Even this. » and that sums it up well.

What Helen did was wrong but if you put yourself in her shoes, it's almost understandable. The chemo was not working and she was losing Max. In terms of values and character, I'd go so far as to say that this trial is a lesser deal than leaving Max at the altar alone and ending their engagement with a phone call. The latter is much more unforgivable.

I am glad that Max has moved on from her and that he has found love again with Wilder.

The plot with Bloom and Casey apartment hunting but constantly getting interrupted by EMT calls was also entertaining. Solid episode for a solid season.

Now off I go to watch the series finale!

New Amsterdam: Sabbath (2020)

2x14

Let me preface this by saying I'm as liberal as they come, but could this episode have been any more heavy-handed? Tumors caused by racism? I don't mind shows wagging their finger at me, telling me everything that's wrong in the world. Heck, most shows I watch have some sort of activism/"woke" thing going on. New Amsterdam usually does it well: racial profiling, medical bias, uninsured patients... I'm sure I'm forgetting some topics they already covered. But this? Too much. You wanna change people's minds? Show, not tell. Show us how racism is affecting the characters we're watching. Frankly, this whole "racism caused tumors in this patient" is diminishing the real impact racism has on people. It's silly, it's almost a mockery. Within the last few years, plenty of shows have portrayed racism, and other serious and important subjects (rape, inequality, homelessness, etc) much better than this episode did.

Also the writers should tone down Iggy's savior complex a little bit, he can't fix the world in one fell swoop. Same with Max. Two pretty bad episodes in a row. Hope it's not a clue for what's coming for the remainder of this show.

New Amsterdam: In the Graveyard (2020)

2x13

Great use of classical music! I loved Adele, Max's new assistant. She really added humor and depth to this episode. I also like where Ella and Kapoor's relationship is heading, although he can be overbearing. Casey's a great character, the writers should use him more. Max' palliative care unit is a good story.

I was gonna give this episode a solid 7. Then came Bloom ignoring her patient's DNR! So unethical, even if it was "for the right reasons" (that's not how the law works). At least the writers have moved on from her addiction story and equating hydrocodone (opioids/pain pills) to adderall (amphetamines/adhd medication), right?

This whole DNR debacle brought down my rating to a 3. That's not bending the rules to help a patient: that's simply breaking the rules.

I like this show, and I will finish it and watch every episode, but I have to say the highs are high and the lows are low. You can have the most engaging, high impact and heartwarming episode followed by the most boring, agonizing one. I don't know how episodes can vary so wildly in quality.

Westworld: Que Será, Será (2022)

4x8

Fantastic! I was hesitant to watch this season because of how underwhelming season three was. I figured "How much lower can it go?" So I gave it a try and I'm glad I did. Worlds apart... sublime, I would say if I made poor puns. It is much, much better than season three. As good as the first, if not better. I think part of what I liked most about this season is that Dolores was kept away from the other characters. Stark contrast between my ratings of 3x8 and 4x8 (two versus nine stars). I'm sure Westworld will get a fifth and final season, and I hope it stays this good. I hope it goes out with a bang.

Class (2016)

Class

I was quite surprised to read the reviews for Class after I was done watching it; I really liked it. It's refreshing sci-fi.

The characters are interesting, they're not boring although the romantic relationships seemed forced at times.

Ram and April was just a way to push forward the story and give him a stake in how everything unfolded. They had no chemistry either.

Now, Charlie and Matteusz had chemistry, I liked them. I liked how Matteusz reminded Charlie to keep his moral compass on course, and not to stray too far. Remind him of his "humanity", so to say.

Jordan Renzo seems like a good actor. Greg Austin, Katherine Kelly and Fady Elsayed shone here too.

The monsters are good and entertaining, the only exception being the dragon in episode 2; it was a little too gore and clashed with the mood the show had established. Bringing the Weeping Angels in episode 8 was genius!

Class had great potential, it's a shame it didn't get a chance to grow into it. It gave us a peek into an amazing world.

Ending after a single season, what a pity. If the crew suddenly said they're doing another season I'd watch it in a heartbeat! For now the audio stories will do. Class made me a fan of Patrick Ness as a writer. He knows his stuff.

For the sake of comparison, Torchwood had little potential (selfish and annoying characters, useless romance, underdeveloped characters, overly ambitious stories, I could go on), but went on for 4 seasons. This irks me.

If you're on the fence about whether or not you should watch it: yes, definitely watch it. Should you be up to date on Doctor Who to watch it? No, except maybe for the Weeping Angels part, and even then... not really. A broad understanding of what they are is enough.

Torchwood: Miracle Day: Immortal Sins (2011)

Best episode of Torchwood

If you ignore everything but the flashback scenes in Italy, it's a very engaging, beautiful and entertaining story.

Daniele Favilli, who plays Angelo, and John Barrowman, who plays Jack, have very intense chemistry. That alone makes it worth a watch: you see them and you can believe they're really falling in love; they make you forget they're actors.

Now the story itself, while I loved this episode, didn't matter much in the larger picture as it seemingly was a way to introduce the idea that three Italian families are behind the Blessing. Half an episode dedicated only to this reveal wasn't warranted. It felt a little bit like it was a way to throw some gratuitous sex and violence scenes in there. (Although the sex scenes were shot and directed beautifully).

We see Angelo once more in 4x8 (spoilers) as an old man, bedridden. He was inspired by Jack to find a way to live forever, evidently so he can be with him. That's quite romantic, isn't it? But no. Boom, he dies. Jack mourns him briefly, which is more than can be said about Ianto (or Tosh, or Owen, or his grandchild whom he killed himself).

So we see Angelo die, then never he is never mentioned again. Not by Jack, not by anyone, even in passing. I don't get how you spend an entire episode building a character only to throw him out after barely using him. Admittedly that's one of the writers' biggest fault (as seen with Tosh, Owen, Ianto, etc: they die and everyone moves on quickly) but I digress.

I based my 10/10 rating solely on the Angelo part of the story, which frankly was the best part of the entire Torchwood run, albeit dedicating half an episode to him was a weird decision (as I said earlier).

Torchwood: Greeks Bearing Gifts (2006)

1x7

One of the best Torchwood episodes. Interesting story, I think we all have, at some point, imagined what hearing others' thoughts would be like. This delves into that, and it does it quite well. The CGI for Philoctetes was very well done, too.

On another note, you can really see how selfish and a douchebag Owen is. This episode really cemented for me how unlikeable and annoying he is.

Gwen is not much better, she has been selfish as well, but at least at the end she admits it and apologizes to Tosh. I can appreciate that.

Now the whole anecdote about Jack's friend who transitioned from male to female, that was in poor taste. Especially in a show created by Russel T Davies, a gay man and starring John Barrowman, another gay man. They probably know, as gay men, what it means and how it feels to be ostracized, mocked by society, and somehow this subplot/"joke" made it into the final script? It's disappointing.

Still, even with that, it is one of the best Torchwood episodes. The pilot was okay, but episodes 2 to 6 weren't to my taste. It felt silly, but not like Doctor Who's enjoyable silliness: just plain silly.

It feels like they tried so much not to make it like Doctor Who that they forgot it's still supposed to be somewhat linked to Doctor Who. (Read: the swearing, the sex scenes, the uncomfortable sex jokes, I could go on.)

I am not surprised to learn that Toby Whitehouse penned this awesome episode, as he wrote Doctor Who's School Reunion, another awesome episode of the... Whoniverse, I guess?

I don't think anybody will ever read this review as it's an episode that aired in 2006, exactly 15 years and 1 day ago, but here's my review.

Mr. Mayor (2021)

Season 1

I liked the pilot. Episodes 2 through 6 were so-so. A few good jokes here and there but nothing hilarious. Most of the jokes however rely on name-dropping and/or dunking celebrities, which is low-hanging fruit and weak. (The writers seem obsessed with NCIS and Shonda Rhimes, I counted 4 for the former in only 2 episodes and 3 for the latter in only 2 episodes, which is a lot). Then episodes 7 through 9 are slightly better.

I think this is a show you have to watch a certain way to appreciate: not one episode a week, but a season at once. It reminds me of Parks & Recreation because obviously, public service, but also because their first season was also.. so-so. Then I grew to like it. Maybe this will happen here as well.

I liked the guest stars, especially Natalie Morales. If Ted Danson didn't star, I wouldn't bother watching more of this show, and I probably never would have watched this in the first place. But because it does, I will keep watching. Maybe it gets better, like episodes 7 through 9 did.

I originally rated this 4 stars, but bumped it up to 5 because of Ted Danson.

Dexter: New Blood: Cold Snap (2021)

America's favorite serial killer is back

As with the original, great music score. Great photography, too. Some great shots. The idea of hallucination Debra is interesting, but I liked hallucination Harry better. (I hope James Remar will guest star!) The opening credits are nowhere near as good and catchy as the original, but the closing ones are flawless. Glad they still have the sex scenes and the bloody ones. Purely esthetic, but I'm not a fan of the « reduced » screen ratio, it's too narrow and restricting. The donuts! Nice touch. We already had plenty of reasons to hate Matt but him killing the white deer, "Dexter's deer"... sealed it. Good effing riddance. Grown Harrison's actor looks talented. I can't wait to see where his story goes. Same for Angela, she looks promising. Her daughter Audrey, too.

A much better episode that the series finale.

Yeah, I'm excited.

Not a very smooth review, as I wrote my thoughts as I was watching it instead of writing it after I'm done. I expected to have a lot to say; I was right.

Tacoma FD: Quarantine (2021)

3x1

Absolutely the best episode of the entire show. Top notch from every angle. My favorite parts were Granny with the brie and Lucy with the lasagna. The sideburns, though, were all terrible.

The Neighborhood: Welcome to the Porch Pirate (2021)

4x4

More episodes like this one, please! Such a great one. Great depiction of loss. This proves comedies can deal with real life stuff and be funny, it isn't the first time they have done so though. Veterans struggling with substance abuse, homelessness, racial issues, etc.

Meg DeLoatch wrote this episode and she is the new showrunner. This gives me great hope for the future of this show!

Dexter: Remember the Monsters? (2013)

Series finale

This series finale has been reviewed so many times, but that's not gonna stop me for leaving a review as well. (Long review ahead)

In my opinion, the worst decision the writers made this season was to bring Hannah back for so long. It would have been better if they didn't bring her back at all, or if they brought her back but Dexter and her didn't have sex in 8x8.

But then, there was Vogel and her son. That's another bad decision.

Both were underwhelming characters (and she had a pitiful ending to boot).

Her son as the main villain of the last season was underwhelming as well. He's so dull! He didn't seem that threatening and Dexter really had no personal moments with him apart from the fact that he was a threat to him and to Vogel, whom he met 5 minutes ago. Not the most engaging, or dangerous, villain.

Season 8 should have focused more on LaGuerta's death. I did hope everyone would find out who Dexter really is and that it would be the focus in season 8 (a manhunt, maybe?). Alas.

Not to mention the whole Jamie/Quinn relationship, what, wasn't it just a stepping stone to getting Debra/Quinn back together? Was it for the gratuitous sex scenes because Aimee Garcia is attractive? Or was it just to give Quinn something to do as to not repeat the second half of season 7 where he wasn't that important/had any storyline worth mentioning? Also, Debra was a self-described wreck, and so was Quinn, but she deserved better than him.

Let's not forget the whole 'Masuka donated sperm 20 years ago and somehow that instantly makes him a father'. Whew. Was this, like Quinn, to keep him busy/give him something to do?

The good thing is that Angel finally got a well-deserved promotion.

And that they quit the incest-y path they were on in season 6.

I do think Debra dying and Dexter disappearing into the storm was a good idea, and a well-executed one. Same for Hannah not having her happy ending with Dexter.

Him becoming a lumberjack is a hilariously bad idea, though. He looks like Ron from Parks & Recreation if he let himself go.

All in all, not a good final season. This is not the show I grew to love.

I knew before watching the finale that it was very divisive, you either loved it and hated it, no in-between.

Maybe New Blood premiering in November will fix it. I hope so.

What We Do in the Shadows: The Siren (2021)

The Siren

The other review pretty much covered everything I was gonna say (and then some), so I really don't have anything to add!

Except maybe the Scott Bakula cameo was hilarious and I hope they can somehow bring him back in the future.

There's a reason this is my favorite show currently on air. It's funny, clever and heartwarming. I love it.

Chicago P.D.: The Other Side (2021)

8x16

Congratulations to the writers on making Ruzek even more insufferable, I didn't think that was possible. Him assaulting Atwater because how dare he say to follow the law? Please. That's way beyond redemption. When they argued about proving culpability first, then getting warrants, Voight agreed that they had to do it right, do it that way. If Voight's the voice of reason in this scenario... (Obviously I wrote this before finishing the episode... but my point stands.)

And at the end, you can't convince me Voight didn't orchestrate Roy being within reach of his weapon, thus putting Hailey in the position where she has to shoot him, getting him the result he wanted from the start: Roy dead. I do wonder what they'll make of that in the future, her seemingly following into Voight's footsteps.

Oh, and amazing use of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Tombstone Shadow.

Chicago Fire: One Crazy Shift (2021)

9x10

One of the best episodes in a while! Dare I say... ever.

The humor (Mouch, his Scottish accent & the bagpipes, particularly), the plot (fire-inducing laundry detergent? Heck yeah ! + Stella meeting the Deputy Commissioner) and everyone's acting, I loved it. More episodes like that, please!

However, I rated it a 9 not a 10 because of Casey acting cagey and potentially putting others in danger.

The Mentalist: White Orchids (2015)

Series finale

I'm amazed. That's how you make a series finale. Hats off to the writers and everyone involved. Not many shows can boast about having such a great ultimate episode. I guess, if I had to point one flaw to season 6 and 7, it's that Patrick's Citroën DS never appears again nor is it mentioned again. Its last appearance is in 6x6.

I won't repeat what the positive reviews already talked about, but I had to leave a review to say how much I loved it. It seems 7x10 was just a fluke, and I'm glad it was.

I especially love how they waited until the end of the episode to have Teresa reveal she's pregnant. I love that this didn't take center stage like it so often does in other shows. Kudos for that.

Truly a unique show. One of the greats.

The Mentalist: Nothing Gold Can Stay (2015)

7x10

I've never been disappointed by The Mentalist, until now. It's been a brilliant show and clever tricks, amazing cast and even the characters I found annoying in the beginning grew on me.

This episode, however, was a slap in the face: everyone is profoundly affected by Vega's death. Wylie? Okay, he had a thing for her. Cho? Yeah, he was like a mentor to her and you could tell he liked her. Patrick, eh, they had a playful 'I don't know what' going ("Don't call me sir"). But Abbott and Teresa? Had Teresa and Vega ever shared a scene, just the two of them?

And from a viewer's point of view: we've known her for 11 episodes. 11!

While I liked her, that's not nearly enough time to warrant half an episode, in the show's final season, to her death and getting the culprits and her funeral.

Also, isn't her death, mainly caused by Cho and on his watch, gonna mess it up for him to take over the team when Abbott leaves for D. C?

I was very hopeful this last season was gonna be the cherry on top, the icing on the cake, because up until now it had been perfect, but after this episode I'm doubtful. I guess I'll see, three episodes to go.

MacGyver (2016)

MacGyver series review

I wasn't expecting to like this series finale: it was filmed before the cancellation was announced, so I was dreading that they'd finished the season with a cliffhanger (it's CBS, after all).

Watching MacGyver, you had to cut them a little slack on the science and the hacking stuff. Same thing you do with police procedurals who just catch the luckiest breaks. Putting that aside, MacGyver was enjoyable and entertaining, whether that be in the relationships (platonic or romantic), the plots or the actors. Levy Tran and Tristin Mays are terrific actresses!

The MacGyver fandom itself was fun, and even the love triangle of Mac/Desi/Riley wasn't divisive as you would think. Fans of MacRiley and fans of MacDesi were pretty chill compared to other fandoms/ships.

I wasn't a fan of the show in the beginning (think Season 1), even finding Lucas Till a... lacking actor, but I stuck with it and he really grew into the character over the years. Heck, I found Matilda annoying when they introduced her, and I love her now!

It had its high and its lows, its ugly and its pretty, but I can say with certainty I will miss MacGyver.

MacGyver: Abduction + Memory + Time + Fireworks + Dispersal (2021)

Series finale

I think, given the circumstances, it was an okay finale. It wrapped wrap everything up. It wasn't the send off I would have wanted but it gave us closure.

Sure, they didn't show flashbacks of Jack when Mac was in the hyperbaric chamber having his life flash before him, but they didn't show Samantha or Leanna either. Heck, they didn't show Mac's dad or his aunt or Bozer's parents... and they had just as much impact, if not more, on Mac as Jack!

I do not think it was intentional, but even if it was, Jack had been gone since Season 3, for 2 entire seasons! Just like Samatha, gone since Season 2, for 3 entire seasons. And Leanna, gone since Season 3, for 2 entire seasons.

A good episode.

NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: Rule 91 (2021)

Season finale

This season, every imdb review I've read said one thing: they ruined NCIS, it's dying, it's jumped the shark, etc.

Please! People already said that when Sasha Alexander left. They said that when Michael Weatherly left. Cote de Pablo left? Same thing. Maria Bello left? You know it... it's ending. Every time an actor leaves? Oh, the show is ending! While I do agree that some episodes were not as good as before the pandemic, it is certainly not that bad. NCIS has not taken the hit other shows have because of the pandemic. It is still NCIS.

Now, let's dig into this season finale! I liked Katrina Shaw and I think if she were to join NCIS full-time, I'd like it. In no way could she replace any of the previous characters, but that's not what the writers tried to do: for that I am grateful.

I was a fan of Bishop and Torres for a long time, they have a unique chemistry, which is why I was eagerly awaiting the moment they, as a couple, would happen. They "had the talk" in episode 14, in an elevator, behind closed doors. I was excited! Well, not about the not seeing it part of it, but at least it happened.

We had to wait two more episodes, almost at the last minute of this season finale, to learn what they had said. We didn't even really, but with Torres worrying about Bishop the way he did this episode, we could guess they hadn't ended things and he still had feelings for her.

Later, we learn she's going undercover and she says they cannot be together, she says goodbye and they kiss. That's it. The end. Pretty sudden and lacking, and not just as a fan of both their characters, but as a whole: it was underwhelming, anti-climactic. The writers had been building up to them being a couple so much? I'm disappointed. We did get a kiss, though, so that's that.

Great acting by both Emily Wickersham and Wilmer Valderrama!

I may be disappointed by the way their relationship ended, but her leaving NCIS and going undercover working for Odette makes sense. I'll give the writers that.

And Marcie? Before looking it up here, I thought she had no chemistry with Gibbs in any way whatsoever. Then I learned Pam Dawber and Mark Harmon were married in real life? No way. Maybe it speaks to their acting chops, the way they can act like total strangers. No matter why that is, I can't wait for her character to disappear... Come on, of course she's gonna be the next serial killer victim she and Gibbs are chasing! How could she not be?

And that ending? The boat blowing up and Gibbs seemingly swimming away? I cannot wait for Season 19. And I hope we can see more of David McCallum!

Now that I've finished writing all of this, it's become a very long review! So yeah, a mixed bag; parts I liked, parts I didn't and parts that could have been left out. But overall, pretty good, a solid 8.

Prodigal Son: The Last Weekend (2021)

De facto series finale

Other people have already said everything I was going to say; it was a beautiful episode and a great show. One thing I'm gonna say is, I would have loved to see how they move forward with the story and how Malcolm deals with having killed his father and « being the same as him ». Or even, if somehow Martin doesn't die and... who knows? We'll never know. We were robbed of that. In my other review, I said that Prodigal Son reminds me of The Following, which is ironic 'cause that's another great Fox show that also ended on a cliffhanger, never to be resolved.

Prodigal Son (2019)

On a scale of 1 to 10, it's an 11.

From the outside, Prodigal Son may have looked like your regular, run-of-the-mill gritty procedural, but it is so much more. It is a show about family, related through DNA family and found family. Oh, and it involves murder, a lot of murder.

It feels like a cross between Hannibal, The Following and a police procedural, but stands on its own. Prodigal Son is clever writing, great songs and themes, amazing cast and great acting from everyone involved (particularly Michael Sheen, Bellamy Young and Tom Payne).

Last year, I was ecstatic when Fox renewed it for a second season, it showed so much promise, so of course, I'm disappointed Fox pulled the plug on it this year. I know the de facto series finale already aired, but I will hold onto a little bit of hope for a while that maybe a streaming service will swoop in and save it.

And I will in the future keep an eye out for projects involving Chris Fedak and/or Sam Sklaver, we've seen what they're capable of and it is goooood.

Private Practice (2007)

Private Practice

Private Practice had its moments. At times, I loved it, at times, I hated it.

What made me love it? The character development of Addison, Cooper, Charlotte, Amelia and Jake. They actually managed to be likable, interesting and grow.

What made me hate it? Well... almost everything else. The characters are so one-dimensional (excluding the ones mentioned above) and overall unlikable! They fall in and out of love so quickly, everyone's slept with everyone, they're shallow, materialistic and snobby! They're selfish and judgmental, too!

Naomi's the worst offender of them all, and the biggest hypocrite and judgmental person in this show:

• saying she's against abortion but then tries to force her 15-year old pregnant, MARRIED (!!) daughter have one,
• judging and essentially cutting off Addison for falling in love with Sam, her ex-husband whom she was divorced from at the time (by the way, is she punishing Sam for falling in love with Addison? No, because apparently Addison was the only one at fault here!)

I'm mad at the writers for getting Sam and Naomi back together in the series finale. It undid everything the show had worked towards. It takes back the sliver of character development Sam & Naomi had.

Remember when Addison wanted a baby and he didn't and apparently that was THE deal breaker? Well, no, it wasn't a deal breaker when Naomi was pregnant! He just didn't want Addison's baby and only wanted a baby with his ex-wife (whom he marries again).

He later states he never loved other women, scrubbing Stephanie and Addison from his memories. Did someone say trashy?

All this aside, the actors were good. Kate Walsh, Taye Diggs, Caterina Scorsone and KaDee Strickland really made their mark.

I don't understand people who compare it to Grey's Anatomy. It would be like comparing, say, chocolate cake and blueberry pie! It is not comparable.

This review is all over the place, which is somewhat fitting for Private Practice!

Fringe: An Enemy of Fate (2013)

Series finale

I have to say, I was not convinced they made the right choice by keeping the altered timeline (the one from S4 onwards) instead of the first one (S1 & S2). This episode almost convinced me, or rather made me dislike it less. I still wish they'd somehow made the first one come back and replaced the altered one. Eh, overall it's a minor flaw. Fringe was such a great series, and I absolutely love Astrid & Walter's friendship. It's so adorable and heartwarming. In my opinion it made the show stand out.

MacGyver: Resort + Desi + Riley + Window Cleaner + Witness (2020)

Season premiere

I've never reviewed a MacGyver episode, but I felt compelled to after watching this one. I loved it. It had the right amount of angst, joy and no too over the top, unrealistic stuff (as far as international spies go, that is). I loved that they paired Desi & Riley on one side, and Russ & Mac on the other. I know the love triangle we'll be getting at some point will be Mac/Desi/Riley, with Desi & Riley both pining after Mac, but think how interesting and refreshing it would be if they made Desi/Riley happen. That would put a new spin on that love triangle. You can see in this episode particularly how much chemistry they have together, even when they're arguing/giving each other the cold shoulder. But, it's CBS, and I doubt they will go that way, ever.