True Detective - "The Secret Fate Of All Life" Review

by Lee Padrick, February 17, 2014
True Detective S1E5

Life is like a box of chocolates.  And sometimes, chocolate sucks, brother.

WARNING:  This review contains spoilers.

As Pink Floyd once said, "Hey Reggie, leave those kids alone!"

This episode of True Detective offers us some character development on Mr. Reginald LeDoux.  And then, LeDoux is LeDone.  Offed by an irate Marty Hart after finding two children in the shed, one of whom is dead.  Reggie LeDoux and his partner DeWall are two twisted individuals, and Cohle's snatch of Ginger last episode yields a meet-decline-follow meeting with DeWall, who obviously is the business manager for the chemical genius that is LeDoux.  Hart and Cohle follow DeWall back to the meth lab and take down LeDoux and DeWall.  And that story that Hart and Cohle have been feeding the 2012 cops (Papania and Gilbough, they finally have names) about the epic shootout at the 1995 meth lab?  Well, that's all bullshit to cover up for an enraged Hart's murder of LeDoux after seeing what sick stuff LeDoux was up to with the kids.  And DeWall decides to run away and ends up blowing himself up on one of the perimeter booby traps.  So a little cover story later, and Hart and Cohle are celebrated as heroes.

And everything would have been fine.  If only Guy Leonard Francis had decided not to rob a drug store in 2002.  A time shift from 1995 to 2002, and Hart has been promoted and Cohle is the most sought-after interrogator in the state.  So Cohle gets called in to interrogate Francis about a PCP-influenced drug store robbery/murder, and Francis confesses.  Except he mentions at the end that he knows who Cohle is, mentions the Yellow King, and tells Cohle that the 1995 killer is still out there.  Cohle tries to beat more information out of Francis, but is stopped by the cops.

Meanwhile, the older 2002 version of Marty's eldest daughter is caught playing FingerCuffs with a couple of boys in a car.  Hart does not handle the situation well, and he ends up striking his daughter in the face.  There is some dark secret that will unfold concerning his daughter, who has been acting out since her first introduction, but Hart has yet to put the puzzle pieces together.  But he keeps telling the 2012 detectives, "It was right under my nose and I didn't see it."  

Cohle revisits the abandoned school after his visit with Francis, and he finds another of those wicker devil's trap constructions.  And a revisit to the original Dora Lange murder scene yields a circular wicker wreath.  Not sure what the significance of these wicker things are.

Back in 2012, Papania and Gilbrough finally show their hand, and as expected, they suspect Cohle of being the killer.  They even have Hart beginning to doubt his old partner.  But that is too cliche.  We will have to wait to find out the "who" in whodunnit, but I suspect that Cohle is still pursuing this case and using these detectives to gain additional information.

This show is the best thing I have witnessed on television.  I want to rewatch it immediately following an episode, and I find myself thinking about it for hours afterward.  A show that can stimulate that kind of interest is rare.  Looking forward to our upcoming last three hours with Hart and Cohle.

Random Thoughts:

- Hart and Maggie are back together, but the 2012 interviews suggest not for long.

- Speaking of 2002, its about time we found out why Hart and Cohle went splitsville.

- Lawnmower Man at the abandoned school is due to show up again soon.

- Something bad is going to happen to Hart's oldest daughter.

- My money is on Maggie's father as a ringleader in the Satanic cult.  It would explain the doll-gangbang scenario we saw earlier in the season with Hart's daughter (plus the pee pee drawings).

What did you think?

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True Detective - "Who Goes There" Review

by Lee Padrick, February 10, 2014
True Detective S1E4

WARNING:  This review contains spoilers.

After teasing the audience with a tighty-whitey-clad freak in a gas mask and holding a machete, True Detective comes back after a two-week break.  And does not pick up back where you would expect.  Before we confront the underwear-attired nutjob, we must find out how we found the underwear-attired nutjob.  And that is what "Who Goes There" brings to the table.  At a faster pace that we have seen thus far.  

This episode offers us a quick look at how Hart met his mistress, who turns out to be a court reporter assigned to cases where Hart occasionally is called to testify.  After his previous drunken escapades, Hart is trying to ratchet down their relationship, but his spurned mistress does not fade away.  Instead, she (off-camera) tells Hart's wife Maggie about the affair.  Maggie in turn packs up the kids and goes to stay with her parents.  After reading a "I'm outta here" note from Maggie, Hart tries vainly to convince his wife to come home.  He tries over the phone, and when that avenue does not work, he decides that a drunken visit to her workplace is a good idea.  Luckily, Cohle is called to come get Hart before he gets arrested.  So Hart and Cohle are now crashing over at Cohle's unfurnished apartment.  The same apartment that Hart chided Cohle about previously.  

In the meantime, the two detectives have a lead on an associate of Reggie LeDoux, and Hart gets information that LeDoux is exclusively cooking meth for a biker gang called Iron Crusaders.  Cohle happens to have a contact from his old undercover days, so he and Hart formulate an off-the-books takedown operation of Cohle's contact, in hopes of locating LeDoux.

Cohle has to descend back into the underworld, taking drugs, drinking, and generally breaking laws in order to establish bonafides with his old contact and mark, Ginger.  Ginger insists that Cohle help him with a drug heist, and Cohle finds himself in a housing project where the only certainty is that the heist will not success, thanks to the lack of planning by Ginger and his associates.  A 6 minute tracking shot of Cohle making an escape with Ginger as everything around him crumbles ensues, and offers the viewer likely the best scene that anyone will see on television this year.

In just four episodes, True Detective has delivered the most compelling show currently on television, and may well end up as one of the most exciting seasons of any show in recent history.  This is not a television show, but more of an eight-hour film.  And its good.  Very, very good.


Random Thoughts:

- Cohle, after four episodes, has become more likable, and Hart has become more unlikable.  A significant role reversal for these two characters.

- Checking his pulse before the shit hits the fan, Cohle's actions offer great foreshadowing for what's coming.

- As Hart's world collapses, he seems more willing to bend rules and break laws.  Interesting to see where this will lead in the second half of the season.

What did you think?

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Walking Dead - "After" Review

by Lee Padrick, February 10, 2014
Walking Dead S4E9

WARNING:  This review contains spoilers.

The Walking Dead is back after a mid-season hiatus, and the survivors have all been uprooted from the prison.  Much like last season's "Clear," this episode is focused on three people:  Rick, Carl, and Michonne.

Rick and Carl are on the move after the prison battle.  And Carl is experiencing typical teenager angst.  Except the Zombie Apocalypse is a bad time to have your pubescent meltdown.  Because while you are confused, hating your parents, and having a hormone imbalance, dead things are trying to eat your face off.

Rick is seriously injured from his fight with the Governor.  He needs a place to rest and recuperate, so he and Carl hole up in a nice suburban home that has some Cornflakes in the cupboard.  Rick is also trying to get Carl to make smart decisions, like conserving ammunition and not being a stoic douchebag.  And trying to wean his son from his psychopathic ways.  But its the Zombie Apocalypse, so psychopathy is kinda the "in" thing right now.  

Carl is angry at his father's failings as a leader, and blames Rick for the deaths of his baby sister and others that Carl had grown to like.  While Rick rests, Carl goes out exploring the suburban neighborhood.  He almost gets turned into #zombiechow, but he dispatches of the threats with some well-placed gunshots.  But this is the South, so there's likely little chance that Carl can't find more .38 ammunition.  While exploring, Carl comes upon a stack of video games, a big television, and an XBox.  But the only thing of value to Carl, in this world, is the HDMI cord, which can be used as rope.  So Carl decides to play his own video game, and puts himself into harrowing situations where he must defend himself against the undead.  After losing a shoe in a narrow scrape, he returns homewhere his resting father is.  Only Rick is not waking up, and Carl begins to think that Rick has died.  But he can't shoot his father in the head, and waits for the inevitable munching to come his way once his father turns.  Thankfully, Rick wakes up and mutters "Coorrlll!!"  So Carl understands that he is not quite a man yet, and he needs his old, boring, and lame father.  

Meanwhile, Michonne is also displaced and leashing armless, jawless zombies as camouflage, a throwback to our earliest introduction to Michonne.  She dreams/hallucinates about her life prior to the world going to hell, and the viewer gathers that the two #zombs she used to protect herself during her introduction were her boyfriend and her brother.  We also get a glimpse at the baby son she had, and get the idea that her boyfriend possibly killed the baby in a murder-suicide.  Hey, some folks have a hard time coping with the end of the modern world.

But Michonne perseveres, takes out some aggression on a rather passive zombie horde, and follows muddy footprints and empty pudding cans to the home where Rick and Carl are holed up.  So at least there's something good happening in a world gone to hell.

This episode was on the slow-paced side, but it serves as a good, calm break in the story as the survivors try to finding their footing again (pun intended) after the prison ouster.  Hopefully, a few upcoming new characters can add a spark to the show. 


Random Thoughts:

- Why doesn't anyone shut the door whenever they enter a building?  Zombies seem to have a hard time opening doors.

- Carl trying to knock the door open, and instead knocking himself down was the highlight of the show.

- OK, here's a Public Service Announcement:  During the Zombie Apocalypse, never, ever walk backwards.

- Why is Rick Grimes the dirtiest person in the entire world?  Why can't he clean himself up?

- Watching this show immediately after watching HBO's True Detective is not even remotely fair.  

What did you think?

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Justified - "Shot All To Hell" Review

by Lee Padrick, February 6, 2014
Justified S5E5

WARNING:  This review contains spoilers.

Holy cowboy hats!  That was an excellent episode of Justified!

After a couple of slower-paced episodes, Justified roars into the Season Five plotline with blood, violence, and supreme badassery.  This is Art Mullen's time to shine, and our favorite Chief Marshal notches a few accomplishments on his gunbelt as he prepares for his impending retirement.

Raylan is busy running around and trying to cover his own ass.  First, he jogs down to the Social Services office, just in time to see Wendy Crowe picking up the younger Crowe and chiding Raylan for his harassment of her family.  And his new girlfriend piles on as well.  But scolding is the least of Raylan's worries; there is a certain Mr. Picker who is talking with Art about the night that Nicky Augustine was killed.  Raylan somehow gets a few minutes alone with Picker and threatens the career criminal.  Which is not an easy feat, considering that the only reason Picker is talking to the Feds is so he can get some protection from Theo Tonin's hitman, Marcos.  

Speaking of Marcos, an encounter with Art leads to the best scene of the episode.  Marcos, after executing one of the Canadian drug runners, goes to Kentucky to hunt down Picker, who is having breakfast with Wynn Duffy and Mike.  Only Art is there, too, and confronts Marcos.  Marcos wisely decides that Art will likely shoot him if he continues his mission against Picker, and backs down.  Only to reappear later at a warehouse when Art and Raylan go looking for Marcos and Tonin.  Marcos takes a few shots at the Marshals with an automatic shotgun (yep, even Art is impressed with this weapon!) before succumbing to a Raylan bullet.  But a search of the warehouse yields a sickly Theo Tonin, and Art arrests one of the nation's most notorious fugitives.  So Art is having a good day.

Meanwhile, Boyd is out killing people, making deals, and righting his own ship as he tries to spring Ava from jail.  And his plan is working, as he eliminates Paxton, Mrs. Paxton, Mooney, and even makes a deal with Hot Rod Dunham to get access to Johnny AND a supply of heroin.  A good day at the Crowder household.  Except that short prison guard has not gotten over his humiliation, and decides to fake an attack on himself and blame Ava.  So Ava is not coming home any time soon.  

Cousin Johnny is showing off his own smarts, too.  While Hot Rod was out negotiating with Boyd, Johnny has been busy paying off the Harris brothers, who decide to turn on Hot Rod and back Johnny.  So Hot Rod may not be long for this world.

And over at the Crowe's, Dewey is exploring existentialism with a couple of his employees, while Darryl Jr. is out threatening Boyd.  As expected, neither Crowe is successful in his endeavors.  And we get to know more about the psychopathic Danny Crowe, who shoots Jean-Baptiste after a slight regarding Danny's work ethic.  

Finally, Vasquez informs Art and Raylan that Picker fingered missing (and deceased) FBI Agent Barkely for the Nicky Augustine killing.  But Raylan suddenly develops a conscience and confesses (well, sort of) to involvement in the Augustine killing.

Whew!  An action-packed episode of Justified, and likely one of the best of the entire series.  I can't wait to see how Art processes this new information regarding Raylan.

Random Thoughts:

- A brief Tim/Rachael sighting at the end of the episode.

- I can't decide where we are going with the Big Bad this season.  Is it Darryl, Jr.?  Danny?  Or Cousin Johnny?

- I have concerns whenever a supporting cast member gets an episode to shine.  That usually means that character is short for this world.  Please, writers, don't be predictable!

What did you think?

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Justified - "Over The Mountain" Review

by Lee Padrick, January 31, 2013
Justified S1E4

WARNING:  This review contains spoilers.

A Public Service Announcement to all Webelos:  Maintain and/or replace your shovels.

After last week's rather flat show, this episode offers up what Justified does best.  Non-stop, well-written action.  And a poor sap that somehow perseveres.  You have seen this episode before.  But its fun, nonetheless.

Dewey is persuaded by his Florida kin to "make his bones" and deal with Messer's betrayal.  So a few gunshots and a fight scene later, Dewey is tracking an injured Wade Messer through the Kentucky woods.  While dazed and confused.  Well, more dazed and confused that Dewey already is.  After Messer finally bleeds out undiscovered, Dewey has completed his task.  He is now facing a decision on whether to work for Cousin Darryl or to demote him.

Boyd is still busy dealing with the responsibilities of a local crime lord.  He is playing both sides of the law, offering information to Raylan in return for unfettered continuation of his nefarious enterprises.  Boyd gets a face-to-face with Cousin Johnny, who is now partnered with Hot Rod Dunham.  And Boyd is collecting bodies for Mara's mysterious plan.

Raylan is continuing his relationship with Allison, and their time together has an effect on the Deputy Marshal.  Raylan uses the young boy working behind the bar as a way to stir up Darryl and his brother by playing the role of social worker, as he removes the youngster from the Audry's environment.

Art is travelling to Detroit to meet with some colleagues about the death of Sammy Tonin, and the tip from one of the Canadian drug dealers about a "Kentucky Lawman's" involvement in the murder of Nicky Augustine.  Art's success with his investigation will play a major role as the season progresses.  In Art's defense, he is vetting the man that will likely replace him when he retires, so it is understandable for him to show curiosity.  

This penultimate season of Justified is moving toward some major changes in the show's world.  And episodes like "Over The Mountain" offer what is great about the way Justified is written.  In lesser hands, "Over The Mountain" would not likely work.  But this great team of writers and actors take the familiar and turns it into something that comes across as excellent.      


Random Thoughts:

- Tim was in this episode!  And running from a dog!

- Raylan appears headed for dark, troubled waters.

- Another Vasquez sighting.  Not good for our protagonist.

- The return of Hot Rod Dunham.  Can Steve and Wood Harris be far behind?

What did you think?

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Justified - "Good Intentions" Review

by Lee Padrick, January 31, 2014
Justified S1E3

WARNING:  This review contains spoilers.

"Good Intentions" is an appropriate name.

This episode offers a neat, tidy hour of television.  It did not slow this season's story, but it felt a little flat.  Granted, a "flat" hour of Justified is often much better than most serialized series, but this transition episode was reminiscent of several episodes in early Season Four.  Although last season came together in the second half, so the writers get the benefit of the doubt. 

Raylan is again pushing limits of authority.  While he is living in Monroe's confiscated mansion, he is sexing up Allison and being accosted by angry big guys.  Raylan turns the angry big guy on Wynn Duffy, and the threat is eliminated.  This tendency to get adversaries embroiled in violent confrontations is likely not conduct becoming of a U.S. Marshal.  Especially when Art is looking into the Sammy Tonin thing, with Vasquez hanging around the office.  Raylan's self-destructive choices continue to lead to a darker future.  And considering his troubled past, this can't fare well for the trigger-happy protagonist.  

Boyd, on the other hand, is trying to balance the mechanics of distribution with his attempt to ascend to the top of the Harlan County underworld.  And he is doing a poor job of it.  His fiancee is in jail, and he is sexing up Mara, the mail order wife of his rival, Paxton.  And there is the not-very-interesting character of Sheriff-wannabe Mooney.  The cliffhanger of Cousin Johnny on the phone promises to quicken the pace of Boyd's story.

Meanwhile, Dewey is trying to hold together his business, AND maintain curb appeal.  His Florida cousins have smelled fear and money, and have settled into Audry's.  Dewey is the ultimate mark, so his bumbling of dealing with this week's revelation that Wade Messer is skimming money for Boyd does not bode well for his longevity.

This episode offered a good, tight stand-alone story, but did not offer much in terms of the season arc.  Like a beautiful Chamber of Commerce day on Tuesday.  Nice, but not a lot going on.  


Random Thoughts:

- Was hoping that the Raylan-Rachael roommate pairing would be sustainable.

- No Tim?

- Vasquez hanging around suggests that he may have a larger role to play this season.  Like investigating a certain Deputy Marshal.

What did you think?

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