It’s no secret that the show has been in a bit of a sophomore slump and it showed massive strides in turning that around for its last batch of episodes. There was definitive forward momentum in the overall arc of Liz and Red’s connection and the evidence continued to point to him being her father. Clearly this is the most obvious reason and it’s the only logical one that really works.
Why else would a man like Red go to the lengths he has to
protect Liz? Why would he keep a high school picture of her? How would he have
a picture of her as a kid with a mystery woman? Why would he hire a man like
Tom to protect her 24/7 and then fire him when he got intimate with Liz? That
is a total dad move. Why the show is playing possum with revealing it, is
befuddling. They won’t be losing anything story wise. Exploring who her mother
is and why he’s kept his distance, only to draw her back into his life when she’s
a grown adult, still leaves a lot of story to be told.
Side Notes/Burning
Questions: The reveal of the mole was predictable and a letdown. They were the
most likely suspect to begin with. Tom’s speech to Red was very telling and a
positive sign for a Liz/Tom reunion. Red holding off baddies in spite of his
condition was classic Red, fearlessly bad ass.
The Vampire Diaries |
Elena’s facial expression when Damon said he would take the cure with her was
one of the most confusing mixed signals in the history of “Vampire Diaries”. It
was a blend of surprise, hesitation, repulsion and ‘how can I keep this from
happening?’ Nina Dobrev’s exit story is clearly in full swing and with Elena complaining
more than usual about no longer being human it seems that exit will include fulfilling
her long held wish.
The issue with that is if Elena were alive and human, there’s no real reason she wouldn’t remain in Mystic Falls. So she’ll either die or inexplicably leave town to hang out with Jeremy for a while and never be discussed again a la Peyton on “One Tree Hill”. The most interesting thing that could come from this storyline would be Damon actually becoming human and playing with a different side of his personality. It would also give Ian Somerhalder something to play besides Damon’s one-note angst.
The issue with that is if Elena were alive and human, there’s no real reason she wouldn’t remain in Mystic Falls. So she’ll either die or inexplicably leave town to hang out with Jeremy for a while and never be discussed again a la Peyton on “One Tree Hill”. The most interesting thing that could come from this storyline would be Damon actually becoming human and playing with a different side of his personality. It would also give Ian Somerhalder something to play besides Damon’s one-note angst.
Side Notes/Burning
Questions: Why didn’t Elena, a pre-med student with an ample history of
vampires who’ve turned off their humanity switch, make a copy of Caroline’s
mom’s letter? Why couldn’t Stefan reveal his humanity switch had turned back on
before he burnt up the letter? It was so nice to see Bonnie
standing up to Damon. It’s about time she fought for her own happiness.
Reign | While he began
the episode framed for a crime he didn’t commit, Conde was eventually revealed
for what he really is, a royal opportunist. Mary won’t be able to sweep his
latest deed under the rug and Francis’ spot on analysis of Conde’s taking
advantage of her, should rattle her resolve. Why Mary feels she owes a low life
like Conde any loyalty is gob smacking.
The guy is guilty of everything Francis accused him of and his comeuppance cannot come soon enough. It was great to see Catherine springing into action to draw justice closer and by episode’s end he seemed to be cornered. As for Mary, only a sharp rebuke of Conde and a complete withdrawal of her feelings can save what remains of her character. There is definitely a willingness to sympathize with her as a victim of his manipulations. However, only when she admits what Conde’s done to her, will her redemption come into play.
The guy is guilty of everything Francis accused him of and his comeuppance cannot come soon enough. It was great to see Catherine springing into action to draw justice closer and by episode’s end he seemed to be cornered. As for Mary, only a sharp rebuke of Conde and a complete withdrawal of her feelings can save what remains of her character. There is definitely a willingness to sympathize with her as a victim of his manipulations. However, only when she admits what Conde’s done to her, will her redemption come into play.
Side Notes/Burning
Questions: Lola and Narcisse’s chemistry continues to be a refreshing
sight. Nonetheless, Catherine and Narcisse are a perfect match given their
penchant for the diabolical. Has Bash really moved on or is he trying to make
Kenna jealous? Despite Bash’s bravery and heroic rescue of kids, Kenna was
still making eyes at another man, sigh.
On the flip side, he's shown a capacity for forgiveness with his willingness to give his brother several second chances and he's a pretty loving father. He's a higher evolved character, impossible to categorize as either a hero or a villain. He's a survivor that has the ambition to go further than just hanging on by his fingernails. He's a thrive-r, a thriving survivor working to enrich his and his people's quality of life through whatever suffering he believes needs bearing.
Earlier this season Ecbert asked whether he was a good man
to which he replied "yes". When asked whether he was a corrupt man, a
sly glint crept into his eye as he answered "yes". Clearly, those two
answers don’t go hand in hand but for a split second, Ragnar's genuine belief
that they could co-exist made one do a double take, his confidence almost
selling the mirage.
As well-written as the character is, actor Travis Fimmel has ripped Ragnar off the pages with a performance that constantly keeps you guessing. He embodies him with a wickedness that is unnerving and a compassion that is disconcerting in its sincerity. It's a daring portrayal that breaks the mold of what one would expect when thinking of a stereotypical Viking warrior and that's what gives the show a great deal of its edge.
Even after three seasons of watching this character do the most horrible things, you can't help hoping he'll somehow find redemption or an evolved level of humanity. "Vikings" wouldn't be "Vikings" without him and thankfully fans won't have to find that out through experience.
As well-written as the character is, actor Travis Fimmel has ripped Ragnar off the pages with a performance that constantly keeps you guessing. He embodies him with a wickedness that is unnerving and a compassion that is disconcerting in its sincerity. It's a daring portrayal that breaks the mold of what one would expect when thinking of a stereotypical Viking warrior and that's what gives the show a great deal of its edge.
Even after three seasons of watching this character do the most horrible things, you can't help hoping he'll somehow find redemption or an evolved level of humanity. "Vikings" wouldn't be "Vikings" without him and thankfully fans won't have to find that out through experience.
Arrow | In order
to save Thea’s life, Oliver relented to Ra’s Al Guhl’s demands, joining the
League of Assassins as Ra’s eventual successor. Of course, there were arguments
attempting to dissuade him and he continued regardless. The issue with any of
this is that Oliver at no point considered taking out the League of Assassins
with a sneak attack or bait and switch tactic. This is a coven of ruthless
killers who do nothing positive for the world; who knows if the “justice”
they delve out is truly that. Not to mention they pose a global threat, as
opposed to the isolated instances Team Arrow focuses on in Starling City.
Let’s move on to the relationship portion of the episode. Why
Felicity? Why? Perhaps the better question is how could Felicity choose Oliver
over Ray? The choice was sadly inevitable given Ray is headed for the big
spin-off in the sky and since reports haven’t placed Felicity in the cards to
join him; her decision was pretty much a foregone conclusion. It didn’t make
the bitter taste of her decision any less sour. Ray continued to prove he was
the bigger person, still loaning his private jet to Oliver and company so they
could fly to Ra’s Al Guhl’s hangout and revive Thea, Lazarus-style.
Felicity and Oliver’s hook-up felt rushed and not just the events leading up to it. Their tryst lasted .5 seconds before Oliver was recounting his latest flashback. Why would sleeping with Felicity enact flashback mode? Speaking of the flashbacks, they have grown more and more tedious, dragging the show’s momentum down exponentially. They have always been the series’ weakest link as they add absolutely nothing to the current narrative. There is enough story material going on in the present without having to weigh the proceedings down with these thankless plot points on the past.
Felicity and Oliver’s hook-up felt rushed and not just the events leading up to it. Their tryst lasted .5 seconds before Oliver was recounting his latest flashback. Why would sleeping with Felicity enact flashback mode? Speaking of the flashbacks, they have grown more and more tedious, dragging the show’s momentum down exponentially. They have always been the series’ weakest link as they add absolutely nothing to the current narrative. There is enough story material going on in the present without having to weigh the proceedings down with these thankless plot points on the past.
Side Notes/Burning
Questions: Can Olicity's "will they/won’t they" flirtation actually
sustain a full blown relationship? Will Oliver ever stop having flashbacks at
the most inopportune moments? Why did no one discuss the bizarre sight of Thea leaping
from the Lazarus Jacuzzi? The show captured the anguished dread of having to
leave Oliver behind with a sentimentality that didn’t completely overdo it.
Comments
Post a Comment