T E L E V I S I O N / Broadchurch 201 - 204 Review

“I can still feel the weight of her, water dripping off her clothes all down me. What sort of a person leaves a child like that?” God, Broadchurch is back with a second series after the whirlwind that was the first and I am so freaking happy. SO HAPPY. There were a lot of directions I thought it would go, but none compared to what actually happened. My first few guesses dealt with a new murder case in town or exploring other crimes, but I'm glad it didn't really do that and instead focus on the next part of an arrest, that being the trial and flesh out more of the tensions and problems that will take place with such a dangerous and unpredictable outcome.  The writing and execution for this series has been superb on everyone's part. I can't even tell you how many times my jaw fell when a twist came up--like Joe pleading not guilty for one thing. I actually screamed right after. And in my head while it was still in its flurry was trying to answer what are they doing? How are they going to write this when we've already seen the entire murder fleshed out at the end in the last series. I was so nervous I thought I was going to puke. I'm so amazed with the direction they're taking it. Bravo, everyone, bravo.   This series also features a not-so-new new side plot featuring Hardy's old and unsuccessful case in Sandbrook. It's nice to see that resolved and add that tension with the current tension in the courtroom. Plus, it also offers us a shirtless and often sweaty James D'Arcy. I mean, who can complain about that? It's nice that we're also seeing more to Hardy such as his ex-wife and his daughter and his desperation with the Sandbrook case. My stomach is twisting though with the real murderer (I'm assuming) and whether or not he's going to be caught. Broadchurch definitely does suspense right and that's what I appreciate most about it.  With all the good bits said, and I hope this isn't a nitpick thing, but are we ever going to see why they threw in Paul's break of celibacy in the first episode if they're not going to go anywhere near it afterwards? Is it just a throw away point or like gasoline to priestly Arthur Darvill fantasies? I mean, I don't mind but I would just like it to have the same continuity as everything else.  Can't wait to see what episode 5 has in store!  Ratings: ★★★★★ B R O A D C H U R C H | Mondays, 10PM → ITV

T E L E V I S I O N / Suspects 303 - 304 Review

“Mr. Forrester, some days are good days.” Just as quickly as it came, Suspects series 3 is now gone and done. It was fleeting and I'm sad that each series is so short, but what can you do? So, here are my thoughts on the final two episodes.  While episode 3 was good, there wasn't anything big or unique or different in the world of procedurals and I suppose that's fine. Episode 4 and the way it introduced not only one but two transgender characters and appropriately navigated in using the correct pronouns for the boys was amazing. I think I appreciated episode 4 the most in the series in its message of the realities of transphobia and violence against transgender people. A common theme that connected these final 2 episodes is the idea of the protective mother who hide or flee with their children aka the ones who committed the crimes. It's a nice and sentimental touch, I think, in order to prolong the suspense.  Series 3 wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. It felt like Suspects just fell into its footing it found in series 1, but didn't follow through with the fantastic building we saw in series 2. While self-contained episodes are great, I think I prefer the two episode arcs simply because we get more insight. I was also hoping that since series 2 featured Jack's background pretty heavily in this world, I was really hoping to get more of Charlie, but alas we did not and I think that's a real loss. Maybe, series 4 will give Charlie Steele her much deserved background and screen time. While I love me some Jack, I also love Charlie and she's just as critical to breaking cases as Jack and Martha. She deserves her limelight, goddamnit. C'mon Suspects writers, I'm begging on my knees here!  Ratings: ★★★★☆

T E L E V I S I O N / Suspects 301 - 302 Review

“I’d press that panic button now if I were you.” I'm so glad Suspects is back and that I'm watching it before the entire series is over! Granted, I missed the first two episodes on the day it originally aired, it probably wouldn't have made much difference since I'm in geographically restricted from watching this show. But, two--now three--series in and that has yet stopped me from this!  A noticeable difference from this series right off the bat compared to last series is that the writers have decided to have each episode be self-contained again (a hark back to series 1). I'm not sure I'm fond of it to be quite honest. With series 2 having the plot arc span over two episodes instead of fitting into just one allowed the characters--specifically the suspects themselves--to be fleshed out as the interrogation progresses. Whereas having a self-contained story per episode may give the story a more adrenaline and suspenseful narration (and it did keep me on edge the whole time), I prefer character driven rather than plot driven scenarios, you get me?   Episode one featured a serial psychopathic college teacher while episode two featured a convoluted missing persons' arc. While both were very suspenseful and shocking in their revelation, I obviously have some qualms. One, after last series and Jack's forced vacation from the force, he seems so happy and cheery and unaffected by the past in this series. Like they make references to it once or twice in the beginning and end, but that's it. There's no side eye wariness. There's no true consequence outside of what happened in series 2 and it feels...strange. Two, there's no build up to the suspect--this issue is presented differently in the episodes. In the first, Rory (the teacher) transitions from reasonable frightened and aggressive teacher who wants to keep his student affair hush to this sudden serial psychopathic killer with a trauma. The second half felt so unnecessary. It would have been fine, honestly, to leave it with just a teacher trying to keep his secret hush hush. In episode 2, the build up to Mike, the father, being the culprit was totally out of left field and after it was revealed, it was never fleshed out. Are we supposed to believe that the kidnap was because he lusted after his 8 year old daughter? The entire situation felt very...unresolved and I suppose, that was how the episode was meant to be considering he committed suicide before his arrest.  I hope this third series works out its kinks. It was doing so wonderfully in the second series too! I hope Charlie takes the center stage this time around and it seems like that's where it's headed considering the amount of screen time she's getting and the focus on her reactions and emotions and her abilities as a detective.  Ratings: ★★★☆☆ S U S P E C T S | Tuesdays, 10PM → Channel 5

T E L E V I S I O N / Glue 107 - 108 Review

“I just want to go back to the beginning. All I want to do is go back to the beginning.” I swore to myself that I would write a finale review for a show and stop my track record of never writing finale reviews (looks sadly at Mr. Selfridge & MMFD posts) by writing this one. Though it's incredibly late and my mind is a bit fuzzy on the specifics and details of what took place in the penultimate and final episodes, I still vaguely remember what I felt when I watched it. This won't be as in depth as the other reviews I've done since, like I said, it's been a while since I watched the episodes, but it'll be a overview of my thoughts. Well, let's start with the biggest reveal from these episodes: Who killed Cal? Like I said in the last review, I honestly thought Ian would have had a hand in it, but since he died before the end, that was crossed off. Part of me wants to say I never really suspected Eli would be the killer and part of it is the way the story was told and I tip my hat off to the writer for this. Because we see Eli desperately investigate Cal's pass, there's this automatic assumption that Eli is looking for Cal's killer and to piece the story together as the police and as we the audience are doing. But Eli's definition of Cal's murder is not his physical murder but the murder of the brother he once knew before foster care. That familial drive and aspect to Eli's character was so present from the beginning that it was nice to see it played out in a dangerous matter. I wish, however, since family played such a critical role to Eli's life that we got to see more of it with his father, and his mother. There were lots of talking and threats and too much telling than showing--of course, this could all be for suspense's sake. Despite this, seeing Eli as the killer definitely surprised me to a certain degree though I wish it didn't since all the signs were there! Watching it a second time, I'm sure there will be very subtle hints that form an arrow pointing to him.  Another favorite arc of mine was Ruth. I don't know if it's a regression or progression of character. I'd like to say it's a progression because from the beginning we see her deny her background as a Roma consistently, especially with her physical separation from the camp. By the end, she's living there with her daughter, immersing herself in the environment again. I also loved the development of Ruth and Tina's re-budding friendship. Honestly, I wish there was more of this. Their bonding in the flat pulled my heart strings and wished there was more since 80% of the show consisted of them glaring at each other. A lot could have been developed in terms of backgrounds and characters, but given the length of the show, I guess I can't find much fault with it.  This is total an aside fan thought, but I would have really loved Eli and Ruth to get together over Eli and Tina, but whatever. I'll take them separately since they're both independently great characters involved with a pretty good story.  Ratings: ★★★☆☆

L I F E / 2K15 Resolution

I don't have a long list of resolutions for this new year. I find that whenever I try to do that, I overwhelm myself a bit and I just don't touch the list at all. So this year, I only have one important resolution I want to achieve. For 2015, I am going to write at least 1000 words per day. Just for the sake of writing. Just to remind myself that this is indeed what I still want to do and to train myself to do it no matter what. I hope everyone has a great year! I also need to write the finale for Glue. I swear I don't know why I just don't write reviews for finales. I will write it! I swear!

T E L E V I S I O N / Glue 104 - 106 Review

“So, she did what desperate people do. She called on the devil and the devil came.” Hey guys, here’s round three of Glue reviews. Even though I don’t post the episode reviews in a timely order (like episode 4 after it airs, etc), I do watch the shows on the day of. I just don’t get the time to really sit down and flesh out my thoughts…if you could describe these posts as fully fleshed out. So, here’s my low down on episodes 4-6. Episode 4 |  A lot happened in this episode and likewise, a lot didn’t. I think this is the theme of Glue. You take 3 steps forward and 2 steps back per episode. The focus of episode 4 relied heavily on loyalty. Just as Eli asks Ruth, where does it lie for each character? Episode 4 was Tina’s passion for horse riding vs. her skewed sense of commitment to Rob; there was Ruth’s sense of justice and also her duty as a mother. We see Tina throw the race and Ruth chase after the yellow car. I really liked these struggling conflicts that both fall into their characters, especially since the two choices reflect heavily on who they are as a whole. But, I won’t lie. I did get a bit frustrated watching Tina throw the race simply because this is her passion and a sacrifice like this means a sacrifice for her whole career whereas her relationship with Rob is already on a tightrope, incredibly uncertain and unbalanced. It was kind of hinted that at some point, Tina would have to choose between Rob or her future and I like how it was slowly built up, though I would have preferred to see Tina practicing and riding horses more to prove to the audience that she is a very talented jockey and not just have it said through the mouths of other characters. With all narratives (both in the visual and the written), show don’t tell should still apply. There’s more impact and emotional connection. Ruth’s struggle has been stated outright from the get go of the show. Family (her identity as a Roma) vs. Society (her sense of duty and justice). We see her unable to really fulfill the mother role. Throughout the show, it seems her drive for justice overtakes the balance she should have (granted, she doesn’t really try to make much balance for it). And, we see this negligence affect her daughter. She could have nearly been killed if there was a car nearby while she was out on the road—I was holding my breath the whole time in hopes that nothing bad would happen. Ruth can’t raise her daughter on her own because she doesn’t seem to be very aware that she is indeed a mother now. Everything other than the case seems to take a backseat. Other things are brought up with this episode, the biggest one being Ian’s involvement with Cal. At this point in the show, I honestly wondered if perhaps he was the killer. Like he and the other kid from foster care teamed up and killed Cal. Of course, this will be abruptly (not really) resolved in the later course of the series. Problems I’ve had or just general confused questions I’ve had after this episode finished. First off, really? I know I’m up for morally ambiguous characters/villains, but did this have to be applied to Dominic? It felt very left-field and very cliché. I would have preferred if Dominic remained the untrustworthy sideline villain that he is. He didn’t need to have that whole sap story of doing what he does to own the land, etc. And he suddenly loves Ruth???? Where did that come from? How did he go from “I have a contact in the police force, so trust” to “What about us? You were magical, Ruth. I really fell for you” when they had little to no interaction after dispersed sex scenes/morning after scenes/indirect interrogation scenes. Second problem, what is up with that little boy appearing in places so conveniently? Like he just so happened to be at Janine’s house and now he just so happened to be driving a car. Can someone explain? Unless he’s the killer, it seems kind of pointless. Episode 5 |  Since episode 4 recap was a bit long, I’ll try to make this one shorter and it’ll be easy because only two main (actually that’s a lie 3 but I'm leaving the third one for episode 6) thoughts filled the inside of my head. First, did anyone see that Cal and James relationship coming? I sure as hell didn’t. That was why I was so confused when hallucination!Cal was saying how much he loved him and how they were going to get away. To be honest, when that first came up, I thought it was James’ delusions of what he wanted Cal to say, but was never said. Think of a unrequited love on James’ part towards Cal. But, the longer this acid trip progressed, the more I realized that this was indeed very sincere, and very real and it made me so sad because James’ hope for a happy future disappears. Episode 2 then feels a bit of a lie. James wanting to leave, but already realizing that without Cal, it’s pointless. If anyone deserves a break, I think it’s James because he lost more than anymore. Well, maybe not as much as Eli. The second plot point was Rob’s whole internet stalker. Last time, I said that maybe it was Cal messaging from his grave. Wouldn’t that have been something? Instead, we got the girl we’ve seen brief glimpses of throughout the show get her 15 minutes of fame. It’s starting to really irk me with the way the writing has been going for this minor characters. All of sudden we are thrown a load of information about why the girl did what she did, for another girl Rob slept with who was also a traveller and someone it seems to hint that she had an unrequited love for as well. I think it was too big of a bomb to drop without foreshadowing it a bit. There are twists you should have seen coming and then there are twists that are meant for pure shock value and hold nothing else and this was certainly the latter. You can make the backstory as developed as you want, but it doesn’t excuse the poor writing on that front. Episode 6 |  If each episode became more centrally focused on one character, episode 6 was definitely a Tina episode (Tina/Rob but more Tina than anything). We finally learn more of their history, their past and how they met. Despite how destroyed they are now, they did seem to really like one another, maybe not love, but a very intimate like. And I loved how this arc of the story has been handled. Tina is removing herself, with the help of Rob, to get out of her comfort zone and move on. There are some parts of your life that you just have to end despite how great the past used to be and this is what she had to do with Rob. The problem I have regarding this break with Rob and this hop into Eli is that Tina herself does not get a break. She’s jumping from one relationship to the next. I know it was inevitable for her to end up with Eli from the start but girl needs time for herself, to understand herself and who she is as a person now before she dives in again. Tina’s character should not be driven by the relationships she’s with or is going to be with. Episode 6 also gave us more dead characters and more questions. Ian is dead. Janine is dead. Like I hope the last two episodes are done well to resolve the murder or else the writing would have spiraled out of control. You only have 8 episodes and even though suspense is good and all, you have to acknowledge to start dropping in hints and clues or bits of foreshadowing to wrap the whole thing up neatly. Unless, it’s going to be one of those open ended cold cases. My theory is that Ian and the other foster care kid teamed up and killed Cal. Or maybe it was Annie, I’d like to see her more than just comedic relief really. And…that’s it. All three episodes in one very long post. Ratings: ★★★☆☆ G L U E | Mondays, 10PM → E4

T E L E V I S I O N / Glue 102 & 103 Review

“In the old days, it was a bit of a tradition. They’d take all the things the dead person owned. They’d pile it all up in their trailers, douse it in petrol and set a match to it. They believed if you kept hold of the dead person’s things, they might come back to haunt you. ” Doing a bit of 2-in-1 episode reviews to catch up. Midterms week are upon me and whilst I procrastinate, I decided to get around to being somewhat productive and write this up because damn is the show getting good. Like most shows, the pilot usually helps you decide whether you want to continue. If I have some sort of interest (even the smallest amount), I usually end up watching the next 2-3 episodes and see how I feel after that. Thank God Eli's face kept me intrigued past episode 1 because I am mildly hooked. The series definitely got me with the second episode and amped up the volume in the third! Episode 2 fleshed out a lot of things like more about James life--his desire to go to university and leave the countryside for good, Ruth's family life, more about Cal's life and murder, and the kicker of this episode Janine. I like that they gave more insight into each character in fact it gives them the roundedness they need and also a drive for the entire plotline. Especially after the first episode, I was suspicious of James being the killer. I mean you can't just show him killing a calf and then drop it. But as episode two unfolded, the idea of James being the killer wouldn't make sense. Why would he start to reminisce about something Cal left behind/hid? I feel like James was just very connected to Cal, looked up to his free-spirit personality (though now we understand it was very much a heavy facade) because he could not under his sense of obligation towards his mother and the farm. Besides that, we are also introduced to his sister who splits the second the episode nears to an end. (This was one of the things that I didn't really like about this episode. Don't introduce a character and have them split 2 seconds later. I realize not all minor character's can't be developed and fully fleshed just for the sake of time, but it felt really odd to have this huge reunion in the family and see her book it. If they bring her back later on, I might forgive the writers, but right now, that's just poor decision making.) Next off, we have Ruth. I was mildly creeped out to hear that Ruth had an affair with Tina's dad and became pregnant because of it. It left me with a few questions as we are also introduced to Ruth's mother. Was the affair the cause of her break from the group? Was her pregnancy the reason she had to be essentially taken out of the camp? Hopefully, these will be answered. Out of most of the characters, Ruth is one of my favorites. We see her drive to be a good police officer/detective while struggling with her lost identity as a Roma and her new role as a mother. She, out of the few episodes that have aired, is the most developed and arguably the female protagonist of the show while Eli is the other. But even then, Ruth seems to take on more of the spotlight than he does and I don't mind it at all. Finally, Janine as the major twist of the episode. I did not see that coming at all with her identity theft. I mean, I could sort of see the faking horses to get more medication, etc. but the identity really punched me in the gut. For a moment, I also thought she was going to be the killer too, but similar to James' character, it didn't really add up. She was with Rob, and she doesn't seem like a killer type. Maybe a drug addict, and identity thief but definitely not a murderer. In Episode 3, we learn more about Cal--obviously through Eli--and his history, more Janine, and Rob. From what I'm piecing together, Cal was abused during his time in foster care, became mixed up with Dominic Richards--the drug dealer of the town, and became a teenage prostitute (this is my guess with the number on the wall). It's sad to see the misery he experienced while everyone just knew him as a great guy to be with. No one knew who Cal really was and now we get to learn through Eli who wanted to know him and protect him most of all. We also learn more about Janine's past, her family (her aunt specifically) and perhaps her reason as to why she took on a false identity and ran away. I started to feel sympathetic to her as a character. Actually, as each episode progresses, I start to feel a tinge of sympathy for each character more and more. Like Rob, who I just thought was the cheater/douche/head in the clouds kind of guy, actually was given some dimension with the introduction of his father, his father's affair, and his verbal abuse towards his son. Now, there's a reason why he's never home, why he keeps his distance from Tina but also turns to her the most out of everyone. Hopefully, we get to see more of the family dynamic. On another note, I'm not sure whether I'm down with the Tina/Eli relationship, but I don't mind it. I'd prefer Eli stay single though because I don't want him taken away from me even if he is a fictional character. My theory so far is that the sex tape of Rob and Janine was recorded by Cal--though whether he uploaded it and sent it or someone took it and now taunts Rob is still hazy. I want to say Annie might've been the one that killed Cal simply because we don't know anything about her. She's a character that hides behind her ditsy-ness compared to the rest. Unless we follow her in episode 4, she's one of my prime suspects. Also, I'm still reeling over Janine's attack. My mind is still trying to find a character who would fit the bill, but none come to my mind. Oh, and that kid that gets Cal's bracelet, having him pop up and around the area is kind of weird, especially in that last shot. For one thing, how close is Janine's house to the camp? Why was he there? I hope it wasn't just to make things eerie with the bad omen of the bracelet. I mean, come on now. Can't wait to see what episode 4 has in store being the halfway point of the show! Ratings: ★★★☆☆ G L U E | Mondays, 10PM → E4