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Reviews
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Subspace Rhapsody (2023)
Calling Gene Roddenberry
We need Gene to fix this dumpster fire. This is not in the same galaxy as Star Trek. Can we not just get back to fighting aliens or solving universe-altering problems? I felt a couple of the earlier episodes were stretching credulity but this takes the cake. I'm not sure I'm going to watch this series any longer. At least not until we return to scientific storylines that don't feature cartoons and / or song and dance. What really gets me is this a really good cast and I feel like this series has a ton of potential. I sincerely hope that as they assess this season, and plan for the next one, they get back to the basics of what makes Star Trek, well, Star Trek.
SEAL Team: Fair Winds and Following Seas (2022)
Decent
This was a fairly decent series ender (if that's what it was). Given the complete boneheaded writing decisions of Aces and Eights, you couldn't expect much other than what they brought to this episode. I think the message sent at the end of the episode was great. However, this season in my opinion demonstrates why most series like this should call it a day after 5 seasons. Series like Law & Order are different, they carry virtually nothing over from show to show, they can go forever. Seal, and shows like it, are different. And so, they tend to run out of steam by the end of 5 seasons. They should've cut this one off after S5.
SEAL Team: Aces and Eights (2022)
Of course they did
I guess I've gotten used to series like this jumping the shark. Think Ozark, for any of you who watched that series ending. Naturally we expected death throughout the series given what it is these men and women do. Hated losing Metal, but it happens. Spencer? Ridiculous. They had Clay overcome significant challenges and he got to the point where he'd finally found his niche and some peace with Ray's center for Vets. Then they introduce this veteran who was wound so tight you knew something bad was coming. But why kill Clay off that way? Better to have let him die on the battlefield. Writers chose this simply for some stupid shock and awe - or maybe to stick it to him for leaving the show. But congrats though, shark jumped.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Alloyed (2022)
A little better...
This episode was a bit better than a few of the others, if for no other reason than it answered a couple of questions. The writing in this series has been less than stellar and that's being very kind. There's been little action in the series with the exception of one episode. Where there is little action in a series such as this then the story and the writing had better be top shelf to maintain interest and for me that simply hasn't been the case. The characters weren't all that strong. More than anything the story just stunk. I thought the intention was not to stray too far from Tolkien and I felt they did. Sorry, but very disappointed with the series.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Partings (2022)
Finally a bit of promise?
This series frustrates. The initial four episodes were plain dull. Boring, even. All dialogue, zero action. I keep watching, thinking each episode will build to something greater, but then nothing. Episode 5 leads us to believe something may finally ensue in E6. Galadriel is meant to be one of the central character, and while there is some promise there I don't think they've taken full advantage. This series feels aimless at times - wondering all over the place. I had very high hopes for this as I am a big LOTR fan. I thought this would be a great opportunity to build on that success. So far - and we're halfway through - no dice. Highly disappointing.
The Old Man: I (2022)
Awesome beginning
Two of my favorite actors, Bridges and Lithgow, are riveting in this initial episode. I'm intrigued as to how this plays out. Also, I loved the camera angles and slow pans, made the performances even more engaging. Love it so far!
Ozark: A Hard Way to Go (2022)
Head scratcher...
For 3+ seasons, I considered Ozark to be brilliant. Then we hit the back half of S4. So many incongruities. The Richard Thomas storyline was weird (though, his performance was excellent). The Mel Sattem thread did have some potential, but I think they wasted it in the end. But it's the final :15 of the series. You knew there would be some type of shock & awe. There were a myriad of ways they could've gone with this. They chose to kill off the one person who was trying to make an honest go of it, instead of someone who probably deserved it more. We have Marty (who cared a lot for Ruth) who stood there and let it happen. You have Wendy, who deserved just about anything other than what she got. Jonah, who clearly saw his mother for who she was, does a mind boggling 180 which culminates with him doing something completely out of character. In Breaking Bad, there was only one logical ending, the suspense was how it would happen. Here, what should've happened did not. I could've easily lived with Wendy getting nailed for killing her brother, for example. But, Marty & Wendy get to go on.
Outer Range: The Soil (2022)
The plot?
This show is so slow. I mean, almost nothing happens. Star performers with nothing to work with in terms of story or script. Maybe something changes in the last three episodes, but it's not looking promising.
Perry Mason: The Case of the Witless Witness (1963)
Beyond reproach
This is certainly one of the very best episodes of the Mason catalogue. A judge who is considered beyond reproach and a model of integrity gets framed while running for office. The courtroom drama was great. The scene prior to the courtroom where Perry quotes one of the judge's writings to convince him to fight back and not resign was very good. This is probably my favorite episode.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall? (2022)
Great end to a frustrating season
This episode saved the season for me and I look forward to season 5. What a frustrating ride, watching Midge choose to work a strip club of all places and just generally self-destruct. But enter Lenny, and he (with help earlier from Abe's obit scene) saved it. Kirby's performance was absolutely brilliant and at least nomination worthy. Yes, this season's episodes had funny moments. For me, however, Midge wasn't the only one in a slump - the show's writers were right there with her most of the season. As I said, frustrating.
Law & Order: White Rabbit (1994)
A definite favorite
This is one my favorites. Start with the title, which is a great song. Growing up in the 70s, this brings back a lot of memories. Then we have Lennie and Jack who, initially, kind of want to let this go (Lennie - "you had to be there, Mike"; Jack - "it was the 70s, Claire"). All around great episode.
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: The Arizona (2020)
Maybe the best of NCIS...
This may have been the best episode I've seen. This great story and great acting exemplifies NCIS. Just superb.
The Sinner (2017)
Balloon pops in S3
Found S1&2 really good, but S3 was a real letdown. Story was not engaging and found it boring, to be honest. Here's hoping they regain their mojo in S4.
Another Life (2019)
Disappointing
The writing in this show is terrible. This series could've been so much more. Very disappointing (and I really like Katee Sackhoff, she was fantastic in Longmire). I don't think I can even finish this. The storyline is terrible.