by Lee Padrick, November 27, 2013
The Blacklist S1E9
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Lizzy comes to work on her day off and channels her inner badass.
The promos for the latest episode of The Blacklist suggest that the show is stepping up its game. So I tuned into "a very special Blacklist," expecting an unknown international turkey smuggler being the target. Because its Thanksgiving. What I got was much better.
It is fun and cathartic to watch the highest rated new show of the season. The characters are over-the-top, the plot makes absolutely no sense, and there is a big budget which translates into lots of stuff blowing up. A great release for those of us who watch prestige drama.
by Lee Padrick, November 25, 2013
Walking Dead S4E7
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
The results are in, and it appears the Governor has been re-elected to a second term.
Scott Gimple, how could you? You inherited the most popular drama in cable TV history. A popular drama that, mind you, has faced criticism and accusations of, well, ... just being boring. You turned the franchise around in the first five episodes, by introducing new characters and developing existing characters into real people, not cartoon characters. This fantastic fourth season was firing on all cylinders. So what did you do? You brought back Cotton-Eyed Joe, made him almost human, then turned him back into a cartoon character. Within a two hour span. Two hours that I could have spent watching a rerun of Roadhouse.
by Lee Padrick, November 25, 2013
Boardwalk Empire S4E12
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Witness the ebb and flow of organized crime.
Going into the season finale of Boardwalk Empire's fourth season, the viewer knows that someone that is germane to the series is going to die. The second double-cross of Nucky by his brother Eli suggests that Eli is not long for this world, set in the 1920s. And Eli does everything in his power to earn a bullet between the eyes. He has turned on his brother, not once, but twice. One more time, and we have a Roaring 20's Peter on our hands.
by Lee Padrick, November 23, 2013
Masters of Sex S1E8
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Lots of unhappiness in relationships as Masters of Sex finds its raison d'etre.
by Lee Padrick, November 18, 2013
Boardwalk Empire S4E11
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
A great penultimate episode, as Chalky finds shelter with his mentor.
About this time every year, a war in brewing in Atlantic City. And its usually resolved by the end of the penultimate episode. But not this year.
by Lee Padrick, November 18, 2013
Walking Dead S4E6
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
The Governor is back, and he is participating in no-shave Movember.
This episode of a fine season of The Walking Dead focuses entirely on the Governor (David Morrissey). Last week, the Governator is seen standing in the shadows outside the prison. This week, we are treated to a flashback of what happened to the infamous psychopath immediately after his defeat (and mass murder) at the prison last season.
by Lee Padrick, November 15, 2013
The Blacklist S1E8
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
This episode's theme is about fatherhood. Or not.
The opening scene where a father and son are playing in the park as aircraft parts (and bodies!) fall from the sky is terrifying. Later, we find out that the father and son died as a result of the aircraft bombing by a group of nutcases calling themselves "General Ludd." The General Ludd group appear to be the illegitimate lovechild of WTO protesters and the Unibomber. And their main guy, the newly-blond Bradley Holland/Nathaniel Wolf/Arthur Denning (Justin Kirk), a familiar look-a-like, is busy planning more attacks in hopes of bringing down the country's financial system. Because his daddy was laid off, found comfort in a bottle, and committed suicide. Sure, why not destroy your country's financial system if a family member develops a substance abuse problem and suffers from depression? Makes perfect sense. If you are Carlos the Jackal.
by Lee Padrick, November 14, 2013
Boardwalk Empire S4E10
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
The endgame of Season 4 is in sight, and all of the various storylines are coalescing. There is going to be a war in Atlantic City (as there is this time every year).
Narcisse and Chalky want each other dead. Chalky tries to take out Narcisse at the Universal Negro Improvement Association office, but Narcisse escapes. Mainly because Chalky did not see the job through, and he gets a shot in the shoulder for his failure. And Narcisse wants Nucky to trade Chalky for a third of the proceeds of the heroin that Masseria is shipping alongside Nucky's Florida booze. Nucky plays along with Masseria and Narcisse in an effort to give Chalky some time to get out of town. But Mayor Bader is no longer on Team Nucky, and sends two police officers to "help Chalky get out of town," which turns into an attempt on Chalky's life. An attempt that goes badly for the police officers, as Chalky takes them both out, while Daughter gets the car stopped.
by Lee Padrick, November 13, 2013
Masters of Sex S1E7
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
I think Masters of Sex is entering the plateau stage.
This episode of Masters of Sex is possibly the best hour of the young series thus far. The slow, meandering plot seems to find its course as most of the storylines of the series intersect this episode. The characters' development is reaching a critical mass where the direction of the show is becoming more clear.
Masters and Virginia have now moved into the study themselves, WITH EACH OTHER! But its not the romantically-tinged scene you would expect; instead, they are hooked up to wires as they awkwardly perform, as Masters narrates each of the four stages of arousal. Kinda icky to watch. Virginia does not orgasm during this first experience, so Masters takes this as license to continue "researching" with Virginia from different positions, so that she can achieve a clitoral orgasm.
Dr. Haas (Nicholas D'Agosto), the slap-happy protege of Masters, is continuing his relationship with Vivian Scully (Rose McIver), the daughter of closeted Provost Scully (Beau Bridges). Whose neglected wife Margaret (Allison Janney) is busy boning Dr. Langham (Teddy Sears). Provost Scully is planning an "out of town" trip, which turns out to be an encounter with the male homosexual prostitute that outed him to Masters a few episodes ago. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Margaret is giving Dr. Langham free tickets to ride her Ferris wheel. Provost Scully ends up the victim of some gay-bashing and gets a knife wound for his indiscretion. When he returns home from his "business trip," Margaret tells him to go to his room (Provost and Margaret have separate bedrooms, that's just plain weird), implying that she has some company in her bedroom. Provost does as requested, and never inquires about Margaret's activities the next day.
Meanwhile, Virginia has hired Jane (Helene Yorke) as Masters' new secretary. And she is very good at the job. Jane's addition of working in close proximity to Masters and Virginia should prove to be fun over the upcoming episodes.
Libby wants to get pregnant again, and she begins working with Dr. Haas without Masters' knowledge, using his frozen sperm. Ethan gets her to engage Masters in regular sex, so that Masters will not know that any pregnancy likely resulted from insemination. But Masters is busy servicing Virginia for the sake of science at work, so he and Libby's sexy time at home is suffering (more than usual). Virginia encourages Masters to engage his wife in some alligator dancing, after a worried Libby asks Virginia to help get Masters home earlier each night so that he will have energy (and desire) to jump rope.
This episode focuses not on sex itself, but the aftermath and effects that sex can have on peoples' lives. And the show is better for it. Looking forward to seeing where we go now that Masters and Virginia are spinning the dials together.
Random Thoughts:
- Jane as Masters' secretary should prove to be awesome!
- Dr. Langham did not seem as excited about his older plaything once she started expressing some feelings for him.
- Langham's therapist is none other than Alan Ruck of Ferris Bueller's Day Off!
What did you think?
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by Lee Padrick, November 13, 2013
Masters of Sex S1E6
WARNING: This review contains spoilers!
We're going to Florida! Is this Boardwalk Empire or Masters of Sex?
Libby (Caitlin Fitzgerald) and Masters decide to take a vacation to Miami, to clear their minds after the loss of their unborn. Libby is game for some fun in the sun; Masters is more interested in the old couple having sex on the other side of the thin-walled hotel room. He even gets caught glancing at the clock as Libby tries to get him in the mood for sexy time. She finally gives up on Masters, and sends him home, so she can enjoy the rest of the week without her uptight husband serving as a buzz kill.
by Lee Padrick, November 8, 2013
Boardwalk Empire S4E9
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
The return of Nelson Van Alden!
Lots of stuff happens during this episode of Boardwalk Empire, fairly important stuff to the season's story arc. But everything shades in comparison to the return of Nelson Van Alden (Michael Shannon).
by Lee Padrick, November 11, 2013
Walking Dead S4E5
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
"Cleanup in A-Block!"
Meanwhile, back at the prison ...
This episode is the companion of last week's "Indifference". While "Indifference" focused on Darryl and gang's search for antibiotics, this week's episode shows the struggle to stay alive until the cavalry shows up with the drugs.
by Lee Padrick, November 8, 2013
The Blacklist S1E7
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
The beauty of The Blacklist is that it is a satire of other popular TV dramas.
As Andy Greenwald describes it, television is cannibalizing itself. In this new era of Walking Dead Miami and Better Call Saul, The Blacklist stands out as a big-budget over-the-top hour of wickedly nonsensical badassery, driven by the riveting performance of James Spader as Raymond Reddington. As I have mentioned previously, the best way to view the show is to suspend logic until after the credits roll.
by Lee Padrick, November 4, 2013
Homeland S3E6
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
I have no idea what this show is about anymore.
The first season of Homeland was great television. Suspense, thriller action, spies! That's the stuff folks love to watch.
But when spies turn mopey, hands are reaching for the remote control. Carrie is pregnant (likely with Brody's baby) and Saul's wife is stepping out on him. "We were on a break!" Only works on Friends.
by Lee Padrick, November 4, 2013
Walking Dead S4E4
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
He may be a farmer and hunter/gatherer now, but the Ricktator still holds unilateral authority over the band of survivors.
"Indifference" takes a different tact than the previous episodes this season on the Walking Dead. While the main party of Prison-ers is back at "home" suffering from disease, caring for the inflicted, or just holding watch, this episode focuses on two groups: 1) Darryl, Michonne, Tyrese, and Bob; and 2) Rick and Carol.
by Lee Padrick, November 2, 2013
Boardwalk Empire S4E8
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Lots of danger comes to Atlantic City. And not everyone will survive.
This episode delivers that slow burn tension that is the hallmark of Boardwalk Empire. There are many dangers in this gangster life, and not all of them involve an underling with a gun and a contract.
by Lee Padrick, November 2, 2013
Boardwalk Empire S4E7
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
The return of Mellon, Remus, Esther, Means, and Torrio. That's good Boardwalk Empire.
This episode covered a lot of ground, from Chicago to New York. Al Capone (Stephen Graham) is trying to provoke a war in Chicago with the cops! And he wants O'Bannion's head on a stick. Johnny Torrio (Greg Antonacci) puts a leash on the vengeful Capone and continues to work a deal with O'Bannion. Torrio buys a brewery from O'Bannion, but as he is closing the deal, the cops show up and arrest everybody. When Torrio gets out on bail, he orders O'Bannion's demise to a gleeful Capone. Something tells me that George MuellerAlden (Michael Shannon) will be updating his LinkedIn account soon.
by Lee Padrick, November 1, 2013
Boardwalk Empire S4E6
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Nucky (Steve Buscemi) is in a different place, and not just geographically. He is looking for something in Tampa, and it appears he may have found it in Sally Wheet (Patricia Arquette).
He meets with Margaret (Kelly MacDonald) in New York City as he is travelling to Tampa, and the reception he receives from his estranged wife is lukewarm, to be kind. He leaves her the gift he bought for Teddy's birthday, then continues his journey.
by Lee Padrick, October 31, 2013
Masters of Sex S1E5
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Tragedy strikes Masters of Sex, and Masters is powerless to stop it.
Masters (Michael Sheen) and Virginia (Lizzy Caplan) are moving to the next stage in their research, couples. Dr. Langham (Teddy Sears) eagerly signs back up, hoping for more research with Jane (Helene Yorke), the young woman who is only interested in a tryst with a married man if its for "scientific research." But Masters and Virginia are experimenting to see if there is more than just the physical condition during sex; the hard-to-quantify chemistry variable. So they match Dr. Langham with an unknown partner, and he is unable to perform. When they rematch him with Jane, he is still unable to perform, offering a comedic subplot to an otherwise dark episode.
by Lee Padrick, November 1, 2013
Homeland S3E5
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Homeland delivered the best episode of the season this week. Trouble is, the bar was set very low.
We continue down the path of the great Saul/Carrie operation. Carrie (Claire Danes) is in contact with the Iranian bad guy, Javadi, and she requests a face-to-face meeting. She is being followed by the CIA and the Iranians. But when the tails disappear, she and Saul are concerned that she has been compromised and the operation will not continue.
by Lee Padrick, October 31, 2013
Homeland - S1E4
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Here's a life lesson for folks. If you ever find yourself cornered, just think of where you would rather be. Then go there. If it works for Homeland, it will work for you.
This episode's twist is totally unexpected, at least for me. So Carrie has been working with Saul all along? And the plan was to get the Iranians to contact Carrie about providing them with sensitive information? Sure, that makes sense. Consider that Carrie has risked her life for her job and country multiple times in the past, so naturally she will jump ship and commit treason at the first opportunity that she gets to exact revenge on Saul's harsh treatment of her. Or not.
