TV catch up part 1
Nov. 14th, 2017 05:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jedi_of_urthI was going to try and catch up on some things now that baseball season is over but I for some reason didn’t account for NaNo in that assumption, so not as much catch up as I had thought would happen.
Also, I’m going to forgo The Good Place reviews until/unless something that actually commenting on happens. Until then assume my reaction is always “This is good, I like it.”
Jane the Virgin 4x01
So, starting to catch up on some stuff and this picks right up. This episode was fun with the competing narrators and does well to show what I’ve long said that comic books and soap operas are basically two side of the same coin which is why the CW has been so successful at pushing them together.
Except in really big episodes (or the fallout of big episodes) I doubt I’ll have a lot to say and this one was not a very big episode. It was just resuming the story where we left off, and that was fine.
Supergirl 3x04
I can’t really say how I felt about that episode, it’s kind of a weird one. I come really close to liking it, but I’m not quite willing to say I definitely did. Alex’s stuff is brilliant if fully expected, it’s probably the most connection Kara and James have had in quite a while, parts of it are very moving, and I feel like some of it I find very logical to happen in this world.
But the theme is still so muddled. Half the time the moral seems to be that it doesn’t matter what you believe but faith is powerful; the other half the time it needs people of faith to be villains or misguided sheep. As much as I might have said it was a little predictable I was at least expecting that the young woman Kara had saved was going to step up and help save the day in the end, thus showing that while the cult that was going on was misguided Kara had been an inspiration to others doing good. And that didn’t happen so I guess we’re not supposed to see this as a complicated thing, Kara’s condescension can’t be challenged. Sure, I’m glad this series doesn’t embrace the Superman (and girl) is Jesus mentality that we get in especially the recent movies; but that Kryptonian powers and that these people are acting as saviors would be something the people get religious about and that could have made a fascinating background story, but I never really thought this series would actually provide one so I’m having a hard time being disappointed that it turned out to be such a mess.
It’s just making me muddled trying to make sense of it, but I know I didn’t really like it. Plus I really don’t understand how deep Kara could have eye-drilled that hole that no one even knew anything had happened, that was not a good resolution.
The Flash 2x03
So I actually didn’t mind that episode; that it was effectively a comedy episode probably helped, even if I didn’t find it terribly funny it wasn’t taking itself very seriously so I had less to object to. That I found the drama/arc elements to be quite hit or miss was more of a problem than having the same reaction to the comedy.
I will definitely own that I didn’t give Wally a second thought during the climax so he’s absolutely right about that. However, the fact that I never really latched onto the Wally/Jesse ship started it in a weird place for me. In some ways I’m glad we’ll get Harry back as our yearly Wells, but in other ways I don’t trust that the writers appreciate the character the way I do. I like the grouchy mean guy among all these stupid kids (and if that scene at the beginning didn’t highlight that these are dumb kids I don’t know what to point was) and this show wants everybody to be quirky and fun and I just end up finding them annoying so I appreciate having Harry dislike them as much as I do.
I’m not even going to touch the final thing; I don’t see this going super well, but I don’t expect this show to go the tragedy route with it either, so we’ll see.
Legends of Tomorrow 3x04
I liked that one quite a bit, I don’t even think I’ll end up spending all my time talking about Rip with this one. Although when I say it was a really good team episode that carries with it the sad fact that Rip isn’t really part of them and hasn’t been for a while and I really want that to change...actually this whole point probably deserves a lot of meta-ing through it, but that’s really not for this episode (next week though, maybe).
It always seemed pretty clear what Stein’s sideplot was; Lily and the baby were definitely set up to be a concern for him and the previously on segment helpfully reminded us of that so there was no reason to think it would be anything else. I don’t know if they will end up splitting up Firestorm, Stein has always been sort of a weird fit on this show, and Victor Garber is probably the most pricey actor if I had to guess so I can see reasons for it; but those same reasons are ones that I don’t really want him to go. I also think it’s a mixed bag if they do find a way that for some reason Ray could solve a problem the Star Labs crew couldn’t, but he does have access to a lot of resources that group doesn’t. Also, I aww-ed at naming the baby Ronnie, that was sweet of them.
Where was Sydney in this episode, how much younger than Ray is this unseen brother supposed to be? I don’t know how much they would have been competing over video games if there a 10-12 year age gap. On the other hand there was a fair amount of focus given to young-Ray’s only child status, kind of like it’s a point that Sydney isn’t around; I thought briefly that it might be that Palmer-mom did hook up with Nate and Nate turns out to be Sydney’s father; or it could be a time aberration that Sydney is supposed to be here but no one noticed that fact.
While I noticed the ET parallel early on (I hadn’t seen the title until afterward, and I’ve never actually seen ET) so wasn’t surprised when they followed through on it, the main plot was fairly sweet and I enjoyed it. So, good going episode.
Arrow 6x04
I really liked that episode too, this season is off to a pretty good start. I am inclined to be a little cautious about making big declarations about quality here, because I thought I liked s5 much of the way through, but when I look back on it I really don’t think I did. Still, for now I say I really liked this one, it was sweet and good building on threads from last season and I approve of making villains tied in with the good guys’ choices so I like that development.
I even liked Black Siren a bit better here. Maybe I like her better as a henchwoman than the focus of an episode, although that doesn’t quite feel like why I prefer this to the premier. It may come back to the premier just being overcrowded, but that doesn’t quite cover it either. Maybe this was just a better episode so it elevates even elements I don’t usually like.
Like I said last time I really like this whole role reversal thing with Oliver right now. This episode is very explicit with that element where it was a bit more subtle last time, but it works both ways. Thing is that back at the beginning of season 4 it was very clear that Oliver needed a break, maybe even a permanent one, from the vigilante life, he’d been doing it then eight now ten years and he is burned out. Yes he still wants to protect people he cares about but walking away isn’t a hardship for him the broader sense. And this is probably the perfect version of it, he’s still sort of part of the team and can help out either practically or emotionally if needed, but he doesn’t have to be the one carrying that weight.
I am a little annoyed that we still haven’t seen Oliver and Felicity talk about Havenrock. They sort of toed at the edges of Felicity’s feelings on that last season with Rory (where the hell is Rory and does anyone on or behind the show actually remember him?) but the conversation we get here is something we absolutely should have seen before, if the writers had been playing fair with their relationship last season. But like with finally course-correcting on what are people doing for money I’m going to try and be happy with what we are getting instead of focusing too much on being bitter about last season’s mistakes.
My first thought at the end was being excited to see Slade again, but as I write this I realize it could be a chance to have the team work completely without Oliver around for an episode, which would be just as interesting. Either way I’ll be excited for next week.
The Flash 6x04
Obviously my intent to just not watch this show for a bit didn’t really last, but since 4x03 wasn’t discouraging I stuck with it for this one and...it was actually okay. For an episode of Flash I just about liked it. Barry actually got taught a lesson regarding his holier than thou attitude (though I have several things to say on that) and was also marginally less annoying than usual. The Cisco B-plot was distracting and kind of dumb but I didn’t hate it so...whatever.
I sort of feel weird about the show falling back on the moral that good people don’t destroy other people lives and call it righteous. Because this episode brings up Oliver and that was pretty much his whole shtick at first (less so now) but no one points out the fact that it’s not just getting powers that can change a person, time just does that. Also do you guys consider what Team Arrow will do to people who pose a problem for Mayor Queen? Basically all the people that the episode looks down on are basically Oliver, and while in the Mayor’s case it ends up as justified I hate Barry enough that I’m taking Ralph’s side on principle.
Except that I’m not because this is a carefully constructed situation where I do understand why Barry as triggered by what Ralph did wrong back in the day (which really would have only been a year or so before Barry got struck by lightning), if not so much why he’s still butthurt over it. Because it would have set off bells for Barry regarding his mother’s case and what happened with his dad. And yes what Ralph (I know how to spell it so I’ll keep using it) did was wrong but as Barry says (though doesn’t really seem to absorb) is that at this point they have no room to talk (and not just because they pal around with Oliver).
Because the problem even in an episode that sort of tries to knock Barry down a peg is in the end it is saintly Barry that is supposed to grant forgiveness and a second chance. I’ll have to keep an eye out next episode to see if they’ve erased villains on the board in favor of victims, because that’s the most obvious lesson they needed to learn. While the show does seem to about half recognize that Barry’s an asshole, it can’t quite commit to that fact. Season 1 of Arrow had that problem, but that was season 1, Barry’s judgmentalness and hypocrisy are rarely actually called out. And while this episode was a start, I have no faith in this show at this point to actually carry through and change the character they’ve seemed so unwilling to change before.
I also don’t imagine Ralph is going to stick around, unless he’s Caitlyn’s doomed love of the season (why exactly did Julian leave?). I’m also a little surprised the news of Cecile’s pregnancy went down that well, I kind of think there would have been more shock and uncertainty at something like that; also kind of bothered that Wally wasn’t there for the news, I think he would have an interesting reaction (if the show wasn’t so committed to everyone just being happy all the time), since he missed out on having his dad for so long and now there’s another new kid in the family.
Also, give me more Harry, always more Harry.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend 3x04
So this continues to be super uncomfortable. The music wasn’t really in character stuff, it was more a soundtrack beginning and ending the “movie” they had going on here; I liked both songs but I don’t exactly have a ton to say about it.
What I am going to speculate about is what’s going on with Greg. I feel like the only reason I assume his dad is telling the truth about him falling hard for someone else is that apparently I was wrong (at least it seems so) and him calling wasn’t that Paula called him so that he would call her and Paula could get a trace on Rebecca’s phone that way. Also I don’t think this was the bar that Greg did his study drinking at, at least not the one we saw him at back in s1 (he might have had multiple study bars), so that was a little weird. It’s not so much that I think Greg is likely to come back into this story (although I still feel things are a little unfinished with him), and if he does, coming back having gotten his life put together is a valid narrative choice, but I’m also very confused about the time frame this show takes place in so I have a hard time judging if I think it likely that he’s moved on quite so much.
Of course the last song is partially about how things don’t always make narrative sense, so there’s that. And yes it is super messed up that this is now part of the show’s canon.
Also, I’m going to forgo The Good Place reviews until/unless something that actually commenting on happens. Until then assume my reaction is always “This is good, I like it.”
Jane the Virgin 4x01
So, starting to catch up on some stuff and this picks right up. This episode was fun with the competing narrators and does well to show what I’ve long said that comic books and soap operas are basically two side of the same coin which is why the CW has been so successful at pushing them together.
Except in really big episodes (or the fallout of big episodes) I doubt I’ll have a lot to say and this one was not a very big episode. It was just resuming the story where we left off, and that was fine.
Supergirl 3x04
I can’t really say how I felt about that episode, it’s kind of a weird one. I come really close to liking it, but I’m not quite willing to say I definitely did. Alex’s stuff is brilliant if fully expected, it’s probably the most connection Kara and James have had in quite a while, parts of it are very moving, and I feel like some of it I find very logical to happen in this world.
But the theme is still so muddled. Half the time the moral seems to be that it doesn’t matter what you believe but faith is powerful; the other half the time it needs people of faith to be villains or misguided sheep. As much as I might have said it was a little predictable I was at least expecting that the young woman Kara had saved was going to step up and help save the day in the end, thus showing that while the cult that was going on was misguided Kara had been an inspiration to others doing good. And that didn’t happen so I guess we’re not supposed to see this as a complicated thing, Kara’s condescension can’t be challenged. Sure, I’m glad this series doesn’t embrace the Superman (and girl) is Jesus mentality that we get in especially the recent movies; but that Kryptonian powers and that these people are acting as saviors would be something the people get religious about and that could have made a fascinating background story, but I never really thought this series would actually provide one so I’m having a hard time being disappointed that it turned out to be such a mess.
It’s just making me muddled trying to make sense of it, but I know I didn’t really like it. Plus I really don’t understand how deep Kara could have eye-drilled that hole that no one even knew anything had happened, that was not a good resolution.
The Flash 2x03
So I actually didn’t mind that episode; that it was effectively a comedy episode probably helped, even if I didn’t find it terribly funny it wasn’t taking itself very seriously so I had less to object to. That I found the drama/arc elements to be quite hit or miss was more of a problem than having the same reaction to the comedy.
I will definitely own that I didn’t give Wally a second thought during the climax so he’s absolutely right about that. However, the fact that I never really latched onto the Wally/Jesse ship started it in a weird place for me. In some ways I’m glad we’ll get Harry back as our yearly Wells, but in other ways I don’t trust that the writers appreciate the character the way I do. I like the grouchy mean guy among all these stupid kids (and if that scene at the beginning didn’t highlight that these are dumb kids I don’t know what to point was) and this show wants everybody to be quirky and fun and I just end up finding them annoying so I appreciate having Harry dislike them as much as I do.
I’m not even going to touch the final thing; I don’t see this going super well, but I don’t expect this show to go the tragedy route with it either, so we’ll see.
Legends of Tomorrow 3x04
I liked that one quite a bit, I don’t even think I’ll end up spending all my time talking about Rip with this one. Although when I say it was a really good team episode that carries with it the sad fact that Rip isn’t really part of them and hasn’t been for a while and I really want that to change...actually this whole point probably deserves a lot of meta-ing through it, but that’s really not for this episode (next week though, maybe).
It always seemed pretty clear what Stein’s sideplot was; Lily and the baby were definitely set up to be a concern for him and the previously on segment helpfully reminded us of that so there was no reason to think it would be anything else. I don’t know if they will end up splitting up Firestorm, Stein has always been sort of a weird fit on this show, and Victor Garber is probably the most pricey actor if I had to guess so I can see reasons for it; but those same reasons are ones that I don’t really want him to go. I also think it’s a mixed bag if they do find a way that for some reason Ray could solve a problem the Star Labs crew couldn’t, but he does have access to a lot of resources that group doesn’t. Also, I aww-ed at naming the baby Ronnie, that was sweet of them.
Where was Sydney in this episode, how much younger than Ray is this unseen brother supposed to be? I don’t know how much they would have been competing over video games if there a 10-12 year age gap. On the other hand there was a fair amount of focus given to young-Ray’s only child status, kind of like it’s a point that Sydney isn’t around; I thought briefly that it might be that Palmer-mom did hook up with Nate and Nate turns out to be Sydney’s father; or it could be a time aberration that Sydney is supposed to be here but no one noticed that fact.
While I noticed the ET parallel early on (I hadn’t seen the title until afterward, and I’ve never actually seen ET) so wasn’t surprised when they followed through on it, the main plot was fairly sweet and I enjoyed it. So, good going episode.
Arrow 6x04
I really liked that episode too, this season is off to a pretty good start. I am inclined to be a little cautious about making big declarations about quality here, because I thought I liked s5 much of the way through, but when I look back on it I really don’t think I did. Still, for now I say I really liked this one, it was sweet and good building on threads from last season and I approve of making villains tied in with the good guys’ choices so I like that development.
I even liked Black Siren a bit better here. Maybe I like her better as a henchwoman than the focus of an episode, although that doesn’t quite feel like why I prefer this to the premier. It may come back to the premier just being overcrowded, but that doesn’t quite cover it either. Maybe this was just a better episode so it elevates even elements I don’t usually like.
Like I said last time I really like this whole role reversal thing with Oliver right now. This episode is very explicit with that element where it was a bit more subtle last time, but it works both ways. Thing is that back at the beginning of season 4 it was very clear that Oliver needed a break, maybe even a permanent one, from the vigilante life, he’d been doing it then eight now ten years and he is burned out. Yes he still wants to protect people he cares about but walking away isn’t a hardship for him the broader sense. And this is probably the perfect version of it, he’s still sort of part of the team and can help out either practically or emotionally if needed, but he doesn’t have to be the one carrying that weight.
I am a little annoyed that we still haven’t seen Oliver and Felicity talk about Havenrock. They sort of toed at the edges of Felicity’s feelings on that last season with Rory (where the hell is Rory and does anyone on or behind the show actually remember him?) but the conversation we get here is something we absolutely should have seen before, if the writers had been playing fair with their relationship last season. But like with finally course-correcting on what are people doing for money I’m going to try and be happy with what we are getting instead of focusing too much on being bitter about last season’s mistakes.
My first thought at the end was being excited to see Slade again, but as I write this I realize it could be a chance to have the team work completely without Oliver around for an episode, which would be just as interesting. Either way I’ll be excited for next week.
The Flash 6x04
Obviously my intent to just not watch this show for a bit didn’t really last, but since 4x03 wasn’t discouraging I stuck with it for this one and...it was actually okay. For an episode of Flash I just about liked it. Barry actually got taught a lesson regarding his holier than thou attitude (though I have several things to say on that) and was also marginally less annoying than usual. The Cisco B-plot was distracting and kind of dumb but I didn’t hate it so...whatever.
I sort of feel weird about the show falling back on the moral that good people don’t destroy other people lives and call it righteous. Because this episode brings up Oliver and that was pretty much his whole shtick at first (less so now) but no one points out the fact that it’s not just getting powers that can change a person, time just does that. Also do you guys consider what Team Arrow will do to people who pose a problem for Mayor Queen? Basically all the people that the episode looks down on are basically Oliver, and while in the Mayor’s case it ends up as justified I hate Barry enough that I’m taking Ralph’s side on principle.
Except that I’m not because this is a carefully constructed situation where I do understand why Barry as triggered by what Ralph did wrong back in the day (which really would have only been a year or so before Barry got struck by lightning), if not so much why he’s still butthurt over it. Because it would have set off bells for Barry regarding his mother’s case and what happened with his dad. And yes what Ralph (I know how to spell it so I’ll keep using it) did was wrong but as Barry says (though doesn’t really seem to absorb) is that at this point they have no room to talk (and not just because they pal around with Oliver).
Because the problem even in an episode that sort of tries to knock Barry down a peg is in the end it is saintly Barry that is supposed to grant forgiveness and a second chance. I’ll have to keep an eye out next episode to see if they’ve erased villains on the board in favor of victims, because that’s the most obvious lesson they needed to learn. While the show does seem to about half recognize that Barry’s an asshole, it can’t quite commit to that fact. Season 1 of Arrow had that problem, but that was season 1, Barry’s judgmentalness and hypocrisy are rarely actually called out. And while this episode was a start, I have no faith in this show at this point to actually carry through and change the character they’ve seemed so unwilling to change before.
I also don’t imagine Ralph is going to stick around, unless he’s Caitlyn’s doomed love of the season (why exactly did Julian leave?). I’m also a little surprised the news of Cecile’s pregnancy went down that well, I kind of think there would have been more shock and uncertainty at something like that; also kind of bothered that Wally wasn’t there for the news, I think he would have an interesting reaction (if the show wasn’t so committed to everyone just being happy all the time), since he missed out on having his dad for so long and now there’s another new kid in the family.
Also, give me more Harry, always more Harry.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend 3x04
So this continues to be super uncomfortable. The music wasn’t really in character stuff, it was more a soundtrack beginning and ending the “movie” they had going on here; I liked both songs but I don’t exactly have a ton to say about it.
What I am going to speculate about is what’s going on with Greg. I feel like the only reason I assume his dad is telling the truth about him falling hard for someone else is that apparently I was wrong (at least it seems so) and him calling wasn’t that Paula called him so that he would call her and Paula could get a trace on Rebecca’s phone that way. Also I don’t think this was the bar that Greg did his study drinking at, at least not the one we saw him at back in s1 (he might have had multiple study bars), so that was a little weird. It’s not so much that I think Greg is likely to come back into this story (although I still feel things are a little unfinished with him), and if he does, coming back having gotten his life put together is a valid narrative choice, but I’m also very confused about the time frame this show takes place in so I have a hard time judging if I think it likely that he’s moved on quite so much.
Of course the last song is partially about how things don’t always make narrative sense, so there’s that. And yes it is super messed up that this is now part of the show’s canon.
