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KimikoFox
Reviews
Mob City (2013)
Love it but have no clue who people are...
Since I am married to someone who deeply loves organized crime shows, I try to keep up on the latest mob shows. This one looks very promising but I cannot keep people straight or really know who they are...
The first episode was helpful and had a voice over and flashbacks to explain characters, but beyond the first episode the only person I know the name of is Jasmine. I had to come here to figure out the names of characters but a lot of the character bio's are empty.
It took me a while to figure out that the young kid that helped out in the convenience store hold up was Neal McDonough/William Parker because they didn't really fade from the kids face to his "current" face.
Would it kill the writers to have the other people address each other by name?? Hopefully they can add in typewriter overlay with peoples names if they decide to edit the show for clarity, but good lord am I confused.
I watched the first 2 episodes twice, and the last 4 once. I've even asked other people if it was hard to follow and they agree (had to confirm I wasn't missing something).
So far I really like the pace, the plot and the sets, I just really wish I knew who people were... still a fan but a little frustrated at needing to do homework for a TV show.
Downton Abbey: A Journey to the Highlands (2012)
Why?!
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER!!
I have never written a review on IMDb before, but since I follow this series and watch episodes repeatedly... I am so disappointed in this one.
This episode did make me feel strongly for the characters involved:
- Edna, the new maid that was far too pushy and preying on a widowers confused feelings (Branson).
- Susan, the overbearing mother of Rose who smothers her daughter into rebellion.
- Rose, trying to figure out what she wants (other than what makes her mother mad). (My husband believes she is to fill the void left by Sybil).
- Jimmy, who is still flamboyant as ever and still keeps Thomas at arms length.
- Mary, who is now pregnant in her 8th month and wanting to do anything but rest.
-Mrs. Patmore even gets a fancy man he he. (Unfortunately he is just after her cooking).
- Edith... oh Edith... when will you stop flirting with men who are married or too old?! (I keep secretly hoping that she will look after Baby Sybil and her and Branson end up together, a fan can hope...)
Most of the former main characters (Anna/Bates, Matthew who has been the center of most of the plot, even Lord and Lady Grantham) take a bit of a backseat. (Will Anna and Bates have a child?)
While there was a lot I truly enjoyed about this episode, views of Scotland and the new castle we all get to drool over is Beautifully captured (they even do a pretty good job showing how patient hunters must be when on open land), the ending though...
I didn't think Downton was a "Shock drama" program till I saw this episode. It was enough that the writers allowed Sybil to die (and possibly the actress playing her had other engagements), BUT WHY IS IT THAT WHEN A CHILD IS BORN IN DOWNTON... SOMEONE HAS TO DIE?!
Mary who has been pregnant and told repeatedly to rest, decides to go on a bumpy wagon ride, dancing, and 2 train rides before finally going into labor right when returning to Downton. Thankfully with Sybil's death on everyone's minds... she delivers safely (I'll leave the sex of the baby out). Matthew (who has taken a backseat through most of the episode) comes in and glowingly welcomes the new baby while professing that he is more in love with Mary with each day. Such a happy and joyful moment that will fill you up with tears of hope... then the end happens... (and stabs you in the heart and makes you want to yell at the TV like when you're favorite sports team looses to a bad call...)
Driving in any age is hazardous... a ton of metal on wheels is convenient but still dangerous. Back in that age, most routes were single lane (both directions on the same road). So, convenient as driving cars are... it's also a convenient way to die...(No denying he's dead. Eyes wide open with blood coming out of his ears... they can't even just bring him back with a back injury.)
...a child is born and a main character dies /facedesk.
The 2 most liberal/progressive characters gone. Branson lost his fight when Sybil died, is Isobel alone now?? or will Rose fire everything up?
I'm sure fans who follow this story since Episode one were a lot more hopeful that Downton would be an ethereal place of escape... where bad things happen but this family, with grit and a bit of suspense eventually figure it out with a "happy ending". I am glad that I did not see this on Christmas for that would have put a huge damper on my day... THEY COULD HAVE AT LEAST WAITED TO KILL HIM OFF TILL THE FIRST EPISODE OF SEASON 4!!
While I'm sure that they have a plan for Season 4, I am already disappointed with just this one episode... I know that this was probably finished weeks if not months ago... and that England may not keep up with US current events... but with all the tragedies in real life followed by this one in my favorite "Escapist" show... I guess I'll have to cheer myself up watching cat video's and meme's cause mainstream media is disappoint. (Yes I used the wrong grammar on purpose).
**This was just my opinion/synopsis. I hope that everyone expresses their points of view and look forward to reading them... maybe someone will be able to change how I feel on the plot progression so far, but as of right now, I doubt I could re-watch this episode again :(