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breemichaelwarner
Reviews
This Is Us (2016)
Season 5 is a total derailment and disappointment So far.
My husband and I have been obsessed with this show and binged watched every episode these last few weeks to get caught up for season 5. We've loved everything about the series until now. What a huge disappointment to see it suddenly take a massive left turn with corona virus and race wars overtones as if I'm simply reliving 2020. Which by the way most of us would rather move forward or least have a momentary reprieve from. This show has always been such a beautiful escape from current events or if it did incorporate historical events they did so with neutrality, letting the audience formulate its own opinions. Not this season.
The jump from season 4 to season 5 seems like the series has completely derailed from its originally intended direction and storylines. Problem is the previous season included flash forwards sans Covid that they are now trying to mash together in a rewrite and it shows. "Trying too hard" comes to mind and its obnoxious. Every scene just about becomes focused on social distancing, masks, the 'world on fire' and how the Pearson's apparently are racially ignorant according to Randall.
I thought I had seen somewhere that the series was designed for 6 seasons but honestly if the show keeps going in this direction I have a feeling there won't be an audience for a 6th season. The storytelling is utterly biased in season 5 and the tone has dramatically changed. Makes me wonder if they have new writers or are just more concerned about being socially relevant than staying true to the format.
If Covid restriction made things difficult for filming (ie no additional actors on set then necessary, limited sets or locations, socially distanced actors etc...) I would have rather waited on season 5 until Covid subsides than trying to make a show revolve around the virus. Because again, it's obvious and annoying.
Then when you add in the social commentary on the BLM movement with no balanced perspectives... it becomes the narrative "you're wrong, I'm right" attitude that's clearly biased and one sided. I don't want to give spoilers but there were a number of moments in season 5 so far that show how Randall, his kids and his wife suddenly perceive their white family members as completely ignorant to their struggles based on skin color.
Ironically just last season when he was running for Councilman he was told he couldn't possibly relate or understand the needs of the community he wanted to serve because he lives in an affluent community, had a prestigious education and essentially grew up in a two parent loving and supportive family. But now he tells Kate the very same thing as if he was the oppressed and she was part of the problem. To me that seems like a stretch or at least a commentary by the writers that they are not interested in telling both sides of the story but merely placing blame. There are three sides of a story He said, She Said and somewhere in the middle The Truth.
Sadly this season isn't interested in the truth anymore, they just want to jump on the bandwagon of being socially relevant and that's disappointing,
Block Island (2018)
A fun Ride No Matter Your Generation!
I'm a sucker for suspense thrillers and I have to say this was such a pleasant surprise! Despite my being part of Generation X, I completely enjoyed the dynamics between the younger Millennial crowd, as some things always remain the same. The Have and Have Not's of young adult social networks permeate every generation and you see a lot of that playing out in the undercurrent here. We've all been there, Jocks, Trust Fund kids, Prom Queen and that everyday Joe that somehow becomes lucky enough to be invited into the inner sanctum. So what happens when you slam them all together in a flight or fight scenario on the water?
Particularly notable performances include Jeff Kober (as to always be expected), the salty source of unease which juxtaposes well against the frivolities of youth, especially wealthy unbridled youth. Also worth mentioning is the always quirky offbeat humor of Matty Cardarople (Stranger Things) and the shadowy ominous performance of John Bellman as Bobby, Jeff Kober's first mate on this boat destined for hell it would seem. We follow this cast on a unplanned adventure into deep waters where no one can hear their screams and their their wallets can't pay asking price for survival. It's definitely a fun watch especially for those who secretly always wanted to see the popular kids have a dose of reality.