T E L E V I S I O N / My Mad Fat Diary 205

"I’m thinking about moving away.‘Cause I’ve got no other reason to stay. Have I?" I hate it. I hate it, but my God, this episode was incredible. I don't think I've ever watched a show or a movie that had made me so uncomfortable or so disgusted at myself for watching it afterwards. With episode 5, My Mad Fat Diary definitely crossed that line. And you know what the worst thing was about all of this? With the train of events that have happened so far, you can completely see this happening. I think the greatness but also the troubling aspect of this series is that it's so intimate and it is displayed so realistically that it drags the audience in. As a viewer, I sympathize and about 99% of the time, really relate to Rae and even see her as her own person. This is where episode 5, for me, drew that barrier between audience and character. I couldn't help Rae. She's fictional, but she's also so very real. And the fact that I couldn't be there for her and help her out through the times where she needs it makes me feel incredibly gross, as if I became a bystander to a crime. But let’s back up and start from the beginning before we get into the nitty gritty. The episode started off as a normal MMFD episode would. Cheery happy, just usual Rae comparing her life to others and her and her mom getting into a bit of a spat that you would THINK would get resolved by the end of the episode in normal episodic fashion. I think this was one of the great things about the writing of this episode in contrast to the series we’ve seen so far. We have expected the formula of problem > Rae working it out > happy solution > another problem to lead into the next episode/an emotionally driven twist in the last 5 minutes that would lead into the next episode. This episode followed the general beginning but 2/3rds in, everything got f***** up fast. We get to see more into Chloe’s life a bit more, her family especially. We also see the new group of older guys that she hangs out with. At first glance, you can see the sleaziness written all over their faces. I figured it would be a one off thing, and would be resolved when Rae could see past their bull, but I was wrong. There’s also Finn’s new 24 year-old girlfriend, Olivia who he has started seeing. When I learned that she was that old, I started wondering, how in the world did these two meet and is Finn really that much of a lady magnet? Either way, Chloe’s older guy friends and Finn’s older girlfriend pushes Rae to act like an adult in a span of quite a short time. There, a guy starts taking interest in her (the ugliest wanna-be Aaron Paul look-a-like of the 90s) and they laugh and hang out. This leads to issues with her mom and general butting of heads. At this point, I was ready for a scene to take place—probably when Rae takes her to get the ultrasound done—for their relationship to be mended. I mean, their arguments have never gone to the extent of Rae being kicked out, but it always seemed to be headed in that direction especially with people as stubborn as these two. This led to Rae learning more about her father, what he looks like and where he lives. Though I had always wanted to know who Rae’s father was, after this episode, I didn’t care for him at all. He has simply been out of Rae’s life for too long that it’s obvious he may call himself a father but will never actually accept all the responsibilities and characteristics that a proper father should have. He, like the general first half of the episode was relatively forgetful or dulled in comparison to the second half. The pivotal scene was definitely the one that required the most trigger warnings. It should have been plastered all over the screen just before Rae went into the bathroom, to be quite honest. Maybe even a announcer to exclaim: WARNING WARNING. But, I went in blind and watched strangely as Rae and Chloe participate in this older crowd, trying to play up to the stereotypes and obviously on Chloe’s part, seizing the attraction of a guy by engaging in a female-female kiss. I watched as Rae went into the bathroom, expecting her to wash up and leave, return to a nice warm bed and day dream of Finn and his loveliness. If there was something I was wrong about, this would be it. This would smash all my wrong guesses to ashes. I started crying as I watched her struggle, heard her voice crack as she pleaded no and almost wanted to simultaneously puke and castrate the guy whose name I don’t even want to know because he’s not worth my memory space. It was even worse when Chloe (who has been great up until this point) told her to engage in sex with the guy and then later for her to leave because she was staying. However, despite my temptation to view this as a deterioration of character for Chloe to that static figure, I found it as just a revelation of her own problems and insecurities. We have seen consistently Chloe’s own problems and just because she did a few things that might be redeemable in our eyes, no one has helped Chloe fix these problems, so it’s only natural that these conflicts would stick around. The hardest was watching Kester give Rae the sudden “professional” shoulder to Rae despite her assault and despite her completely distraught nature. Kester since series 1 has been developed as a moral, supervising figure. We trust Kester, just as Rae trusts Kester. In fact, he seems to be straddling this line of therapist and friend, leaning more on the friend side. Their relationship have developed this way since series 1 as a way for Kester to reassure Rae that she can always come to him. So, it made me distress that when this girl, recovering from a mental illness, comes to him again after being nearly sexually assaulted and he—because of his own personal life—steps back and decides not to help her unless she was actually physically hurt or on the verge of hurting herself seems problematic. Similarly, when he shuts the door in Rae’s face when she tries to seek help again after Finn leaves. Of course he should try to create a boundary between private and professional life (even if he didn’t make this boundary clear at first), there are other ways to turn down someone with mental problems that wouldn’t be so devastating or harming their self esteem. On the same note of adults who were at fault in aiding in this spiral is Rae’s mom. Though I understand the necessity to enforce rules and restrictions on children, I thought Rae’s mom was treating her with little to no sensitivity. You would think knowing about Rae’s background of mental illness so intimately as she, would evoke some kind of balance in being both a parent in the form of supporter and guider. But, I suppose two people who are so similar to each other will often butt heads with each other, viewing their opinion as the right one above all, first and foremost. Maybe, the pregnancy may have added to this overreaction, but treating Rae so coldly seems out of hand. Despite everything, she’s still your daughter. I think that’s the struggle she faces when I try to sympathize with her. She loves Rae so much, it’s so clear but sometimes you get so fed up and the filter just vanishes. But you don’t want to stoop down to apologize no matter if it’s the right thing to do. This is getting quite lengthy, so, I’ll make short comments about other plot points. Archie is great for calling out on Chop’s silence and generally standing up for himself. GO ARCHIE! I’m not sure why Izzy kissed that guy if she wasn’t attracted to him at all. Maybe, Chop was too suffocating as a boyfriend? Hopefully, this will be explored though with two episodes, I’m not quite sure how well it will be touched upon. Finn needs to return, a.s.a.p. I can’t have the group dissolved like this. I barely got them this series and I don’t like it. Lastly, I have lost my once profound admiration and love for Liam that had been lighted in me last week. Goodbye, puppy eye MMFD shots. Goodbye, bad boy turned nice guy storylines. He was just a douche inside and out with a thin veil of niceness. I hate that I fell for it, and I hate that this episode was so devastatingly good. Ratings: ★★★★☆ M Y   M A D   F A T   D I A R Y   » Mondays, 10 PM → E4

T E L E V I S I O N / Mr. Selfridge 209

"There is nothing in the world I want more than to smash your smug little face into the middle of next week." This episode was bloody amazing, with the exception of Victor, Mr. Grove and Loxely. They put the worst damper on everyone’s cheerful moods. But let’s start off with the man who has been perfect so far, Florin DuPont. The scene opens with Mardle and Florin, naked but covered by white sheets in bed together. I nearly fell out of my seat; I probably would have if I didn’t grab my desk for steady support. Who knew a kiss could escalate so quickly? But, I’m glad it did. You see Mardle filled with joy and happiness again, for a moment, she’s a young girl. And Florin, he’s still such a boy driven by this passion and love for this incredible woman, moved to kiss her in public though it may seem indecent. He has to, because he can’t contain it. Love is so beautiful, isn’t it? Too bad Grove had to be filled with jealousy and reprimand Mardle about her relationship with Florin. It angers me to know end that this man who abandoned her for a younger woman and married her instead of Mardle who gave away the prime of her life for him still feels that he has the authority to tell her who she can and cannot see. It breaks my heart also to see the effect Grove’s opinions still has on her because no matter what, she did love him and I believe that she always sort of will simply because of the lack of closure she got from the end of the relationship. And at that point in the elevator, you see her compare her age to Florin’s again and believing that she’s clutching at her youth through him and that she’s probably draining him. He’ll probably love another, someone his age and more beautiful. And it breaks my heart that this insecurity is rooted in Grove and not likely to be done away with so easily. Mardle, baby, stay strong! Speaking of strong women, Agnes was recognized for her strength and talent as a window designer. I’m honestly proud that Henri believed that she was the best for Winifred’s article. My heart warmed when Winifred praised Agnes’ talents too because she’s quite insecure about her work in comparison to Henri’s, and I think having female recognition is important because that is, after all, the demographic these displays are supposed to appeal to. Similarly, her strength when she anxiously waited for George. I screeched with her when he showed up at the door. The relief, the joy, the happiness, everything encompassed in that brief moment. Her chasing down that soldier in the store showed just how important George is. So, I’m glad he’s not killed off after all because God, that scene was painful. Never again, writers. Never again. This episode also gave us the weekly dose of the how-badly-do-you-want-to-kill-Loxley scene. I’m glad that Rose and Harry welcomed Mae into their home. I found it pivotal that Mae shared with Harry the hint about her abusive relationship with Loxely. She’s an incredibly private person, and one that tries not to show any sort of vulnerability. So, by sharing this fact, it reveals how far their relationship has grown, how much trust Mae has in Harry, and how good Harry as a person is. And when Loxley showed up at Harry’s home and Harry threatening to punch the little man, I applauded so much. FOUR FOR YOU, HARRY. YOU GO, HARRY. This friendship has grown so organically from the once skeevy business pact they made in series 1, that I absolutely hope it never goes away, especially when Mae has Harry’s back in all matters, especially with that pest, Delphine. So happy that the ~*~spirit of Delphine’s~*~ is finally out the door. Don’t need that woman anymore, trying to weasel her way between Rose and Harry’s marriage. The arc about Rose though is going to kill me softly, I can feel it. I wish I could step through the realm of television and hug her because she’s so afraid and has yet to tell Harry. I wonder if she will. Knowing Rose, she probably won’t just so he doesn’t worry about her. I’m honestly scared, I don’t want anything bad happening to her, but I have a feeling something will especially with how worried she is and the narrow scope of medicine and technology back then to help. This episode is basically me worrying about all my lady loves. I hope the finale will bring them all the greatest happiness because I can’t handle them being sad. Ratings: ★★★☆☆ (wish there was a code to give it a half star. just pretend it says 3 1/2) M R.  S E L F R I D G E » Sundays, 9 PM → ITV

T E L E V I S I O N / Suspects 105

"Sometimes people deserve another look." Usually if I feel a bit unsure about a show after 2 or 3 episodes in, I quit it. Especially if nothing is really keeping me from staying. I would have done the same for Suspects if it wasn’t for Damien Molony’s slight aversion it seems to television series performances (I see him being announced in like 10+ theatre shows than television ones). The premise of the show was interesting—improv procedural. It certainly felt natural; sometimes I even forget it’s not scripted. But, nothing was completely eye-catching about the show. In the first 3 episodes, most of the suspects remained relatively predictable, and easy to figure out about 2 or 3 interrogations. Episode 4, however, was suddenly Suspects finding its firm footing. It was suspenseful and gripping. I honestly couldn’t figure out who the killer was until the end when the detectives themselves began to realize it! Episode 5 also followed this good upward trend, but it also highlighted another problem that doesn't seem like it’ll be fixed, especially since there are only 2 episodes left. Like episode 4, this one also featured a bit of a twist on who the real murderer is. I enjoy this because it not only builds the suspense, but keeps me intrigued to continue following the dialogue—rather than focusing my attention on Damien’s lovely face and hair. These sort of twists keeps up the pace, moves the plot along without being tiring and it, in a strange way, fleshes out more of the characters both the guest characters and the main characters. For me, I was unsure of who the real perp was. Was it Max? Was it Jason? Was it Carrie? I honestly let the detectives do the work because I was completely clueless. But just as I didn’t fully know, neither did Charlie, Jack or Martha and they have to go back to the victim (Anna) and ask her. It’s through this return to the victim that we learn more about her and her father in small gestures and scenes. We see, despite their strained relationship, that they do really care for each other. Anna’s sense of security in Shaun shows the extent of love that they have for one another. It’s also through this uncertainty that heightens the personalities and relationships between the main characters—Jack, Martha, and Charlie. That outburst between Jack and Martha reveals Jack as a rash detective, very gut instinct kind of guy. Charlie on the other hand steps back to get facts and truths before doing anything, yet she’s always questioning. Martha is surrounded by pressures to remain and act under protocol, but she still has this strive for justice above all (i.e. her little chat with Shaun after they pumped him to get his okay on testing Anna). However, where this characterization bloomed, the relationship between them—outside of the plot of finding the murderer—always seems to fall short. We get small scenes of them on the rooftop or in the hallway or in the car where they step out of these roles of detective and it seems to be the writer’s attempt to show how close these people are to one another, but it still seems very professional and distanced. We’re supposed to believe that these people who have worked several years together on the force don’t develop a sort of friendship? They try to drop small and subtle hints that they are, but their interactions speak otherwise. I just want them outside at a pub or each other’s house just hanging out. I understand the premise of the show is about finding the real suspect and finding the truth, but surely we can step back from it and enjoy and appreciate the detectives outside of their work. With the announcement of the renewal for not just a second but a third (!!!) series, I’m hoping some these issues will be resolved and we get to see an added dimension to the characters. Ratings: ★★★☆☆ S U S P E C T S » Wednesdays, 10 PM → Channel 5

T E L E V I S I O N / My Mad Fat Diary 204

"The relief on Archie’s face, he’d earned that by standing up, by doing the right thing." At this rate, I could probably write a ballad about how much I love My Mad Fat Diary. It's so refreshing but also disturbingly intimate to see a character like Rae as the focal point of a show. But, let's talk about the newest episode that seemed slightly more bearable in terms of feels than the past three. Episode 4 featured more of Liam, Archie, Rae, and Finn (hurray his lovely face and bum has been thoroughly missed)! Also, Izzy and Chop have returned to the screen and they have been thoroughly missed. Izzy is basically my baby and Chop brings this rough and tough grounded-ness to the show. This episode picks up where the last left off, with Rae isolated and finding a strange connection in Liam, the ever looming mistake of Rae outing Archie to Louise, and the not forgotten relationship between Rae and Finn. I honestly did not like or enjoy Liam in the first three episodes with the brief amount of time we had scenes of him. But, with some fine tuning, a little bit of diving and MMFD's notorious male puppy eye shots, I was swayed to not just like him but to LOVE him. He brought this sense of comfort and ease to Rae that I thoroughly enjoyed. Maybe it was because they were alike that made it much easier to accept him. At least, for the first half of the episode. The second episode after Amy's threat to beat Rae up and their set fight, Kester as the guardian presence in the show slipped a little detail (or stopped himself short of) that Liam has been going through his own problems and needs Rae to stay away. Is he dangerous? Probably. There might be something both Liam and Kester are refraining from revealing that might lead to something more critical in the episodes to come. I like the idea of the platonic friendship that this had started out with, but I worry about what their shared kiss might lead to. Rae definitely does not need someone similar to her. She's recovering and though it may seem logical to be with someone who is going through the same experience as you have, it's obvious that Rae is leagues ahead of recovery than Liam is and entering a relationship with him might cause her to pile up on burdens. Rae is essentially a very empathetic and compassionate character, but sometimes that can get out of hand to the point where it becomes a danger to herself. Liam is a friendly and acceptable person from a distance. I really hope she doesn't make the mistake of dating him--especially not if it's to be a Finn rebound because let's be quite real, the fire between those two are far from smothered. If I have to talk about this episode, it's only critical that I talk about Archie because he is, arguably, just as much of a star to the show as Rae is. My jaw dropped when Rae outed him to Louise (no amount of her sorrys and justification on that area could sway my heart) and it basically broke off when Louise gave him an ultimatum to tell everyone else. Wow, is college toxic there. I enjoyed how this developed and expanded from his attempt at running away and then to his eventual coming out scene to his friends. That was by far the best scene in the entire world because it brings so much more depth and light to the story that we're all familiar with while watching the show. Archie and Finn's relationship is filled with so much love, expressed through actions so minute as Finn knowing about Archie's orientation and not speaking a word about it because his sexuality is his sexuality and that does not define him as a person. Thinking about this, I remembered Finn being upset with Archie and Rae temporarily dating. Though it seemed he was jealous, it was actually the same anger Rae had when she saw Archie and Louise! However, despite all this greatness regarding Finn, this scene also seems to be reducing him into a slightly static character, he's becoming a Gary Stu. He's literally free of any flaws and the embodiment of perfection. It'll get tiring if we don't see some sort of problem with him--or maybe because this is told through the perspective of Rae who basically glorifies him, we'll see a break soon before it gets old. It was also nice that Archie coming out isn't brushed over as if his life will be as it used to, especially through the figure of Chop. Not all people, especially in the 90s, were as liberal and accepting towards homosexuality and it's great to see this conflict in a character we are familiar with. He doesn't outright show his hate, but it's realistic to see his distress: on the one hand, Archie is one of his best mates, on the other hand, this isn't something he is necessarily okay towards. I hope this isn't dropped and Chop comes back with real progression towards accepting Archie (or even leaving the group, who knows!) The rest of the episode seem to fall a bit flat (aka the Amy storyline). I understand that Amy originally embodied the aggressive, clique bully and MMFD through this episode was trying to break through this trope and give her this rounded quality to her. But, not everyone needs to be redeemed. I think we need "bad" characters who don't suddenly reveal their true colors at the deep insight that Rae has. It just doesn't work out that way all the time. We need a variety of good, bad and gray characters because that is how the world works. Sometimes, it gives more impact if the "bad" characters stay bad. If writing and acting are good enough, you'll see their "good/redemptive" qualities. Can't wait for episode 5 and all the shenanigans that are going to go down (because they will), especially with Finn's new girlfriend. Ratings: ★★★☆☆ M Y  M A D  F A T  D I A R Y » Mondays, 10 PM → E4

T E L E V I S I O N / Mr. Selfridge 208

"I need to destroy him, before he destroys me." I think the end of my spring break/ the morning of going back to university again and episode 8 of Mr. Selfridge speak perfectly to one another: emotionally gross. Literally, the effort that is required to wake up at 6:30 after waking up at around 8:30/9 tops is probably equivalent to wake the dead. Speaking of dead, George isn't that either! (Great segway amirite?) In fact, he's just missing in action and though that perhaps isn't a happy message, it certainly doesn't mean dead  either and that's a blessing especially when it comes to british television and their sadistic desire to kill characters to stir up the emotions (and invoking a waterfall on my face as a result). There's still hope! This episode, compared to last episode, was pretty average and standard. It was not as bad or better than 207. It certainly had a few standout arcs and story lines. It's only appropriate if I continue my ~*~ladies~*~ loving that I mentioned in the last review because the backbone of this show is the ladies and by God, I'll give them the respect and spotlight they deserve. Let's start off with the darling Rose (and of course in conjunction with Delphine). I'm glad that she has this gut off sense feeling regarding Delphine, showing that she's much more perceptive than what she gives off. I think that's the beauty of Rose. She's so kind that cruel people slightly drop their guard or underestimate her and she is able to see right through them. I hope she slaps Delphine before the woman snakes deeper into their lives. Rose and Harry have got a thriving and healthy relationship again and I (and certainly not Rose) will not stand for it! However, my attempts at pinpointing when Rose started drifting away from Delphine feels a bit off. What happened to their friendship? Was this ever addressed? Maybe, I blanked out at one point and forgot about it. Either way, I'm glad Rose is keeping her relative distance. Then, there's my lovely Mae (& Pimble), trying to get the hell away from Loxely, only to be found again. That whole scene in the lobby just made my skin crawl and I wanted to tear Loxely away from Mae as he kissed her hand. Man's a no good sleazeball that needs to be stabbed and thrown into the darkest pits of hell. Besides that disgusting human being, I love the relationship we see between Mae and Pimble. Even though it's presented as a lady/servant type of relationship, we also know and can see that it's much more. Mae is willing to give up her luxurious life for the well being of the both of them. They're very much interconnected. Pimble is like Mae's rock, and reminder of her once humble life. Something I'm glad is being developed more as the series continues. Last great thing about ~*~ladies~*~ is Miss Mardle standing up for Kitty. It's a great F*** YOU towards Grove when Mardle firmly tells them that Kitty should not be defined by her relationship with the man. And it shouldn't and Mr. Grove can just jump off a cliff for all I care. He's basically a rabbit anyways with all those children. Also on the note of Miss "flawless" Mardle, can I just scream about the loveliness of her and Florin kissing? It's so gentle and a bit hesitant and nice, but there's this bubbling of emotion and you can just tell that the passion is rumbling underneath for the two. I want more! Onto more pressing matters: Henri and the American Embassy, or Henri/Agnes/Harry dream team. I love that there's this sense of family between these three despite their relative distance towards one another--more of that on the part of Agnes/Harry. They see and believe the best in one another and they try to bring hope when it doesn't seem like there is one. And, speaking of Henri, I'm glad that whole debacle was cleared up and I am so prepared for Henri to sweep Agnes off her feet with the glaring respect and overwhelming love that he does have for her because let's be real, Victor is the worst possible man for Agnes, romantically. He's very controlling, giving Agnes little room to be her own person and expects her to fit into his standards of what a woman is and his relationship with them. Problem his idea is pretty skewed and it obviously smothers her. I'm prepared for Agnes to call the entire engagement off and by its dramatic extension, I'm pretty sure it will. If the writers are merciful on my soul, they will. Ratings: ★★★☆☆ M R.   S E L F R I D G E » SUNDAYS, 9 PM → ITV

W I S H / The Current Covet

Left to Right:
WALLET | SHIRT | LIPSTICK | SHOES | COAT | BOOK

T E L E V I S I O N / Mr. Selfridge 207

"We only take what we came with. No more, no less." I’ve realized I don’t often write episode reviews because of the sheer binge watches that I participate in. But, perhaps this will not only up the opportunity of me being active blogging wise, but more engaged with the episodes I watch—well, at least for shows that are currently airing. It’ll make much more sense. Anyways, I’m writing this after watching last Sunday’s episode of Mr. Selfridge and I only have one word: sh*t. If you follow me on Tumblr, you’ll know I use more colorful language and much more explosive charged swears, and all of that inner-pirate in me wants to be unleashed as I write this review but, I’ll try to control myself for this. The episode picks up a day after with Harry gone and Henri “escorted” to jail. You can see the distress and worry that the staff is facing. It’s nice to see the growth from last time Harry was abruptly unable to attend to the store in the first series. Grove and Crabb take on the task together rather than Grove’s previous arrogant seize of leadership. As the episode unfolds, we learn what’s up with Henri’s secrecy, we hear of the first employee death who joined the war, we get clear proof of who accused Henri and we see more of Lord Loxely’s sliminess—ugh just thinking about him makes my skin crawl. With the complete absence of Harry—both visually for the audience and the presence for the characters in the show—this episode gave viewers a chance to see how well a show is without its crucial main character. I give a hearty round of applause for this episode of the second series, despite my former wariness. The drama continued, the pacing remained as quick as any other and the characters interacted with each other with the same fluidity. It shows that these characters have been developed well enough to sustain themselves without the critical figure of the main, but also balanced it well enough to point to us how necessary the main character and similarly other characters are to the show. So let’s break it down what the show actually featured or my favorite aspects of Sunday’s episode. First and foremost, let’s talk about all the loveships floating around during this episode. We obviously have the main love triangle: Victor, Agnes and Henri. I grudgingly admit that Victor was more tolerable this episode than his entire run in the show because he finally allows Agnes to be an independent person from himself. He trusts her and that’s quite important to any relationship. However, nothing will sway me away from Agnes and Henri, despite the attempt to drive this wedge between the two by using this Valerie problem and slithering more of Victor in there. I seriously hope the extension of such an engagement in the show means that it’s going to be broken off at some point. I mean, it’s so clear that Agnes is still very emotionally attached to Henri, perhaps more than what a friend would have for another. Next ship is between Miss Mardle and Florin DuPont—the Belgian lodger. My God, I love them. I love them so much because he has fallen in love with her and it feels so realistic that Mardle would be so confused—how could anyone so young love her? It shows how insecure she is as a result of Mr. Grove taking away most of the years of her youth by luring her into an affair that she would not be rewarded in the end. I really want Mardle to find happiness and have life be breathed into her again and I think Florin’s presence does just that. Next we talk about the ladies: Mae, Rose and Delphine. I find it interesting how Mae and Delphine, as the series advances, begin to switch roles. Delphine who we thought was going to be a sincere friend to Rose is a selfish, two-faced, backstabber. And Mae who we assumed as this sort of villainous character in the first series begins to get a much more sympathetic and humanistic light. Though, Mae is not yet the best friend that Rose deserves, she’s certainly growing and hopefully this aspect of their relationship is repaired despite Mae’s discretion about Loxely. And as Harry was completely gone this episode, Rose stepped up, showing her leadership capabilities, which I’m sure was what made Harry so attracted to her. I pray that Rose gets the better end of the stick by the finale because I do love her so much, her warmth, her trust, and her fragile optimism. The last thing that I won’t delve too much on but has to be mentioned is that foreshadow of the bad news about Dave Fletcher reflecting the bad news of George Towler. I have this sliver of hope that the telegram isn’t one sending condolences and that it’s actually something like he’s alive and coming home or something. Because honestly, the death of George would mean the death of Agnes. They’re so interconnected and it’s clear that George represents Agnes’ hope and if he’s gone, that’s gone too. And we simply can’t put Agnes in a terrible situation again. She deserves the world and more goddamnit. Ratings: ★★★★☆ M R.   S E L F R I D G E » SUNDAYS, 9 PM → ITV What did you guys think of the episode? Loved it, hated it, still want Mae to skin Loxley alive as much as I do?

T E L E V I S I O N / Period Shows Binge Watch #2

"If they come for us, we'll cut them a smile each." While the first post featured a savvy entrepreneur who developed family within a department store, intelligent and independent ladies taking down the worst of the worst, and infamous espionage writers, this post will introduce you to the world of the Irish gangster family, a family defined by brotherhood and two people at opposite ends of personality and characteristics, breaking the uncomfortable boundary of sex. Three things you need to know about Peaky Blinders: 1) Cillian Murphy is in it with ridiculously long lashes and paper slicing bone structure, 2) Irish gangsters being seriously badass gangsters, 3) Family above everything--literally. Honestly, I had no idea what Peaky Blinders was about except that Cillian Murphy was in it. I didn't even know it was about Irish gangsters until someone told me about it when I was craving my Irish fixation after Ripper Street finished its second series. Thank God, I did come around to watching the show because it's so incredibly brilliant from the use of modern music as the backdrop of a period setting. Just listening to Nick Cave & The Bad Seed's "Red Right Hand" as the theme music sends me to this space of both fantasy and reality. It feels so surreal, yet so contemporary. All the characters were so rich with complexity, but all driven by the same thing in the end. It's common to see the motif of family being emphasized in gangster films and shows, but Peaky Blinders just made it more...believable. The family has maintained themselves by sticking together and though we see these ties thin out throughout the show, it comes back stronger than ever by the end. I'm so excited for the second series, which just started filming. Tom Hardy will be making his debut in the show and I can't wait to see Murphy and Hardy reunited, since Inception and The Dark Knight Rises. These two will definitely be a force to reckon with. Also, honorable mentions that motivate me even more to live for the comeback, Sophie Rundle, as the fierce Ada Shelby (she's also my favorite character in The Bletchley Circle), Iggo Goldberg as our beloved Bolshevik, Freddie Thorne, and the fabulous Helen McCrory as Aunt Polly. Catch up on this show if you haven't. You certainly will not regret it one bit. Ratings: ★★★★☆

"Did you ever think we'd abandoned you? Never." I never had a strong interest in the stories of the Musketeers. And I didn't have a strong pull to watch the new BBC adapted show either until I learned Peter Capaldi was going to be in it. Anything with Peter is like gold to me. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see another favorite actor, Santiago Cabrera of Merlin fame, grace the screen. The series is currently 5 episodes in and it's not fantastic but it's not bad either. It's on the higher end of the entertainment spectrum though. I enjoy how Porthos, the show's token PoC, is actually developed and essential to the developments of the other characters and to the community that the show presents. He's not just a plot device--looking at you, The Vampire Diaries. Though, I would enjoy perhaps conflicts or problems that would span over several epsidodes, and not dropping critical drives for other characters and only to be used when the writers remember it, the show itself has a good footing so far. I hope these problems can and will be resolved when the show returns for its second run. Ratings: ★★★☆☆

"Men are such idiots, even the smart ones." I wouldn’t know what to say encouraged me to start watching Masters of Sex. I just knew I wanted to watch something in a more modernesque end of the period range and I vaguely remembered Masters of Sex was something I noticed while spending my time on Tumblr again. So, I gave it a go and I’m glad I didn’t have such a high expectation or standard because it would’ve been very disappointing. The main characters played by Lizzy Caplan and Michael Sheen felt stiff and despite their attempts at trying to make a deep emotional connection, it felt incredibly forced. For some reason, despite the numerous episodes, the characters felt incredibly flat though there was a guise of rounded-ness. The writers tried to emphasize on the opposite polarities of real life figures, William Masters and Virginia Johnson, but it felt too exaggerated. The only redeeming factor of the show was Caitlin FitzGerald and her portrayal of Libby Masters. I found there was much greater depth and perhaps thought in her character than anyone else or maybe the acting made me more compelled to be in tune with her character than any of the others. I’ll watch the second series, simply because I want to learn and see more of Libby’s arc, but other than that, I don’t have much attachment to what the show tried to sell, despite its risqué topic of sex and sexuality. Ratings:★★☆☆☆

T E L E V I S I O N / Period Shows Binge Watch #1

"We’re not the biggest attraction in town, we’re the third biggest behind Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London." I had a major period binge watch over the past few weeks and I just had to talk about it all because what's not to love about the drama of period shows? Let's start off with Mr. Selfridge. Drawn in by the talent that is Amanda Abbington and the angst I've been seeing through a user's posts on Tumblr, I decided to give the show a try. I did not read up or know anything about Harry Selfridge or know too well about the department store, so I just thought it was about a British man doing developing his marketing empire. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard Harry Selfridge's American accent and (I blush as I say this) imagined this little series being a BBC way of saying: we know we taunt you through most of our shows but really, we still love you. Or maybe that's my UK loving side whispering things.  I finished the first series pretty quickly and caught up on the few episodes that were released for the second. But, let's talk about the first series before we move onto the second because in my opinion, they differ quite noticeably. The dialogue and characterization were tight and good. It was so refreshing to see female characters with ambition and diverse characterization in such a small space. Though the story from time to time focuses on the men, the backbone really rests on the female presence and it's amazing. The plot was ripe and blended naturally together. But, something about the writing changed when it led into series 2 (currently airing). The focus shifted away from the developments of these characters and placed more emphasis on love triangles that really shouldn't be love triangles--lookingat you Victor. And characters who were once so freaking brilliant that are pushed to the side in terms of characterization for the sake of a plot device--my beautiful Henri. What happened? I mean I understand including the arc of World War II is a great task but it shouldn't be displayed as a burden to what once was great stories and character figures.  Despite the flop of this series, I wholly recommend that everyone check it out. I'm still tuning in because deep down within me, I'm praying that a light will come shining down and flip the show to the quality it once had. Ratings: ★★★☆☆

"Everything I write has a precedent in truth." Being completely honest here, I have not read any one of Ian Fleming's books nor have I fully watched any of the James Bonds films. So, why did I even watch Fleming? Simple. It was because of Lara Pulver and Anna Chancellor. So, I didn't have much expectation except knowing that Lara and Anna were going to rock whatever role they were placed in. And, thankfully, my expectations were low because the show itself was not all that great. I was barely intrigued by the war plot and the dialogue was subpar. The characters themselves, though trying to be fully rounded and well developed, fell completely short of that. They were so static and seemed to be cut out figures themselves, no matter how much charisma or passion Lara, Anna or Dominic tried to inject into them. Thankfully, this was just a 4-part miniseries, meaning I don't have to continue watching anymore but it was...an okay casual viewing experience. Ratings: ★★☆☆☆

"All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Or good women." Only one word can describe this beauty of a show: ~*~ladies~*~ Where other shows have a redeeming male presence, or like only one great female character, this show completely flips that on its head. The Bletchley Circle focuses on intelligent and independent ladies who rely on their friendship and love for each other over anything else. Following women who used to be code breakers during World War II, the series intermingles their secret lives with their life after the war, and their attempt to re-enter normalcy despite their extraordinary past. But, eventually, murder and cases that the police force are incompetent to solve, they take over--secretly of course. What's so great about this show is that the women take the forefront. All things that are good and intelligent are embodied within these women. Even the seemingly best of men are not even that great which is such a different take and perspective from what we see in television and film today. It's not a cliche procedural either. Each "killer" gets the span of the whole series which gives more development and much more of a realistic feel to it. Bad guys aren't captured in one day, no matter how good you are. The pacing keeps you entranced and the period makeup and fashion keeps me coming for more. Lucy, the photographic memory bank of the crew, makes my eyes water because I want to be her. There's only two series so far, but I'm crossing my fingers for a third because I desperately need it. Ratings: ★★★★★