Once Upon a Time SN6 E3 – The Other Shoe

ONCE UPON A TIME – “The Other Shoe” (ABC/Jack Rowand)

So far, I’ve been complaining about the episodes this season.  They’ve left me saying … meh.  But, this week they finally finished a story that I’ve been wondering about since Season 1 Episode 4!  I wanted to know how Cinderella … Ashley ended up in Storybrooke and (like Paul Harvey always said) ‘the rest of the story’.

So, even though I’ve been anxiously awaiting the Aladdin – Jasmine story line that they’ve teased us with all Summer, I was happy with last night’s episode.  And also… they gave us a really romantic Captain Swan scene which I may or may not have been watching repeatedly since last night.  Go ahead… judge me.  I don’t give a f … oh sorry, the boss doesn’t let me say words like that … OK.  I don’t give a flip.  I mean, come ON.  She’s gonna move aside some of those red leather jackets and make room for his black leather.  It doesn’t get much more romantic than that.  I wanna see her move the yellow bug over to make room in the driveway for The Jolly Roger!

I do have one criticism though.  I wanted an evil Evil Queen.  So far, she’s just been kind of comedic relief.  This whole thing with Regina trying to stay one step ahead of herself is just … well…. hilarious.  Give me some evil.  Ya know, like Gold in the first season.  Hell, like Regina in the first season.  But, her wardrobe is (as always) awesome AF.

Hook teaching Henry how to sword fight was beyond awesome.  It was really kind of sweet and cute.

In the upcoming attractions portion of the program, they said we’ll get Aladdin and Jasmine in TWO weeks.  YAY!

MacGyver SN1 E3 – Awl

Photo: Guy D’Alema/CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

I’ve decided not to call Lucas Till’s character MacGyver.  I just think of him as Angus (which is Mac’s given name).  That way I can enjoy this show without constantly comparing it to the original show.  There.  Easy peasy.

Because in reality, other than the glaring absence of RDA as Mac, this is a pretty good show with lots of action and cracking dialog.  And, the music’s pretty awesome too.  Also… b-t dubbs, I love the new and improved version of Jack Dalton.  George Eads totally makes this show for me.  Riley’s pretty kick ass too.

This week, the Phoenix team (see how I did that? No reference to Mac) had to go into Malaysia and extract an “asset”.  Ralph was the guy that handled the money for a terrorist group.  The Phoenix team hoped that he’d have some kind of intel that would help stop whatever the terrorist group was planning next.  Ralph was a pretty funny guy… well, I laughed at him a lot.  No… not with him.  AT him.  After getting shot, Ralph became the albatross around Angus’ and Jack’s neck while trying to get to their extraction point on time.  Angus even had to perform major surgery  with the windshield wiper fluid tube from Ralph’s SUV… after bandaging his wound with a driver’s license and some black electrical tape…. all while being directed by a surgeon that didn’t speak English that Riley grabbed off a golf course.  Thank God for translator apps.

All that and then Angus had to play the monster in Bozer’s indie film.  But, it’s all in a day’s work for … oh,  OK… MacGyver.

**please notice the bowl of paper clips on the table in the picture above… that is probably the best running gag in this show!

Once Upon a Time SN6 E2- A Bitter Draught

She’s back.

That’s right, The Evil Queen in all her glory and scene stealing wardrobe is back.  And, I loved every minute of it.  Nobody does villain better than Regina, and I’m really liking having her as both a hero and at the same time a villain.

Although, watching her coming on to Gold was a little uncomfortable to watch.

I was excited for the arrival of The Count of Monte Cristo, but sad he isn’t sticking around.  I’m really unhappy that they teased us with a peek at Aladdin and Jafar but haven’t shown us any more about them.

Hook helped Belle because he’s trying to become someone he can like (and forgive), and Emma had some appointments with “The Cricket” to talk about her Savior issues in hopes of ending the tremors in her hands.

Last week, I said that the premiere left me feeling a little meh.  Well, I’m still waiting for things to get moving.  Things seem to be moving slower than a sloth on Xanax.  I understand that they’re building … but come on, hit me with a hammer already.

MacGyver SN1 E2 – Metal Saw

Things didn’t start off all that well for Mac & Company in the latest episode of MacGyver.  But, if you were a fan of the original then you know that’s kind of the formula.  Early in the first season of the original show, they called them the “Opening Gambits”.  They usually involved MacGyver escaping single-handed from some impossible scenario.  The only difference in the new version of the “Opening Gambit” is that Mac’s not alone… insert hero sidekick Jack Dalton here.

I’m glad that the powers that be on this one have been listening (even if only slightly) to the fans of the original series.  I know that they completely re-tooled the pilot and re-shot everything.  They have several members of the original team on staff… and they pay homage to the original every chance they get.  And yet, something still feels off.  Perhaps, it’s just me pining for Richard Dean Anderson, but maybe not.  I read recently that RDA refused to be a part of this reboot because he felt like CBS & the team behind this revival were ignoring the wishes of the loyal fans of the original series.  His refusal came before the re-tooling and re-shooting.  So, I’m still holding out hope that he’ll come on board eventually… in some capacity.

Shut up!  Do NOT burst my bubble.

Anyway, back to this episode…. Mac & Company have to go save Jack’s ex-partner (ya know, from when he was in the CIA) who’s gotten in a bit of a jam in Venezuela.  I think the line of the episode award goes to Riley (played by Tristan Mays).  After being told to wait in the car, she comes in just in time to knock out the bad guy with a car door… And she says, “What?  You told me to wait in the car; technically I did.”  Of course, they save the ex-partner (played by Person of Interest alum, Amy Acker) while throwing around phrases like “hashtag” and “Uber” pointing out all the modernizations of a classic, and they manage to catch the bad guy as well.  Oh yeah, and we learn in this episode that what Mac and Jack have in common is they’re both unlucky with women.

The action in this new version seems … well…. more.  And, I gotta say, they blow a lot of stuff up.  And I do like to watch ’em blow stuff up.  I miss RDA’s narration though.  Don’t get me wrong Till still has some narrated bits, but RDA just had a sarcastic wit that’s missing in this one.

The best gag of the episode is the bowl of paper clips on the table… but I don’t want to say anymore than that.

OUAT – Robin Returns in SN6

When last we saw Robin Hood, played by Sean Maguire, he looked like the pics above.  I’m not afraid to admit that there were tears shed in my living room… not mine.  Really.

Whatever.

In my review of the OUAT SN6 premiere, I told you that I thought they were working up to bringing Robin back.  Some of you judged me.  Oh, c’mon, ya know ya did.  Some of you said… It won’t happen.  Don’t lie.  I won’t name names… but you know who you are.  Well, guess what…

I. Was. Right!

OUAT muckity mucks have announced that Sean Maguire will be returning to Storybrooke in SN 6 for a few episodes.  However, they’re keeping mum on the wheretos and the howfores of Robin’s return.  They did say that Robin was not returning from the dead, and that they’re hoping that how he returns will be a surprise and unexpected.  Here’s what I’d love to see… a whole “Wonderful Life” thing for Regina with Robin as her Clarence, where he helps her to let him go and move on.  That would be just awesome.

The only thing that would be awesomer (shut up, if Trump can make up words, so can I) would be if Robin came back from the dead with a “Just kidding, I’m fine” thing.  ‘Cause seriously, I need …. never mind, it doesn’t matter what I need.  They gave me Hook back, and I know I should be happy with that.

But, I do miss Sean… soooooo glad he’ll be back, even if it’s just for a few episodes.

Once Upon A Time SN6 E1 – The Savior

I felt like I’d been waiting for … well… forever, for this premiere.  To be honest, I wasn’t all that impressed.  I mean, yeah, we got some Captain Swan moments and got our first glimpse of Aladdin and Jafar, but other than that it was really kind of …. meh.

We saw the return of a few of our favorite things… the yellow bug, the red leather jacket, Granny’s.  And then, right at the end, we got a real good dose of The Evil Queen.  She and Zelena are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season.

I really enjoyed the Rumple/Sleeping Belle story line.  I caught myself singing along to the instrumental version of Beauty and the Beast while Rumple and Belle danced in a magically changing castle.  That was a great nod to the movie and made me a little misty eyed.  I have to admit, I was shocked to discover who Morpheus really was!

Oded Fehr makes a great Jafar!  I caught myself actually liking him better than Aladdin (Deniz Akdeniz).  And, he told us something about Saviors that spells problems for Emma.

I totally distrust “The Oracle”… something just doesn’t seem right there.  And all of the refugees from The Land of Untold Stories?  Yeah, I got the feeling that was metaphorical for the current political issues (and I’m not sure how I feel about that).

They even hinted that we might see Robin again!  Shut up!  It could happen!

Yes it could!

All in all, they set up the season very nicely with a lot of turmoil and trouble for Swan & Co.  And, I’ll be waiting to see how this all plays out.  Hopefully the rest of the season will give me more than a …. meh.

MacGyver SN1 E1 – The Rising

Just a friendly warning…. this review may contain spoilers!!

I will admit that I went into this as a skeptic.  I mean, I was absolutely sure that there was no way that this reboot would be as good as the original.  In fact, I was completely pissed off that they would even dare to touch something that I loved so much as a kid.  But, then as time went on and I saw more and more promos and trailers for the show, I had to admit that they were wearing me down.  I was happy to learn that Lee David Zlotoff (the creator of the original series) and Henry Winkler (who was an executive producer on the original) were going to be involved with this version. That’s when I was willing to give it a fair shot.  In fact, I can tell you the exact moment that the scales were tipped in this reboot’s favor.  It was the moment I saw this trailer on CBS….

100% reason to remember the name indeed.

There were a few predictable moments.  In fact, when Nikki got shot, I totally said “She’s not really dead.  We’ll see her again.”  I have witnesses…and I was right.

There were a ton of nods to the original series, too.  Including the aforementioned Nikki.  Nikki Carpenter was a character in the original, although she didn’t turn out to be a back stabber in that one.  There were plenty of paper clip and duct tape moments to keep any fan of the original series smiling.  There were characters from the old show, like Bozer (played by Richard Donner in the original) is Mac’s room mate in this new version.  The biggest one actually made me chuckle in happiness.  Remember the iconic pic of Richard Dean Anderson’s MacGyver with the missile thrown over one shoulder?  Here I’ll help ya out….

We got a shot of Lucas Till in the same pose.  That may have been the best moment of the show for me.  But, I’m going to have to let this one grow on me.  George Eads was the best part of this show, and he’s not the title character… that says something about this reboot and it’s not good.  Maybe once I get used to Lucas Till as opposed to RDA as MacGyver, I’ll be a bigger fan.  I’m holding out hope that we’ll see a return of the original Mac’s biggest nemesis … Murdoc (played by Michael Des Barres in the classic version).

I will say that if you never watched the original and you like to see them blow stuff up… then you’ll love this show.  Me?  I’m still reserving judgement.

I just can’t help it.  Richard Dean Anderson was one of my first big crushes when I was a kid.  Don’t judge me!  So, it’s going to take more than Lucas Till wielding a paper clip and a Swiss Army Knife for me to consider him MacGyver.

But, I’ll give the kid a chance.

Supernatural S12 Sneak Peek

You may have heard a tremendously loud and horrendously long squee earlier today.  It may or may not have been me.

Don’t judge me!

This was the sneak peek I’ve been waiting on.  It was a true joy to behold.  And, I’m really not sure what my favorite part of it is exactly, but Dean appearing to be trying to break loose from his chains to save the bad guys from his mom is probably somewhere at the top of the list.  Mary is perhaps more of a BAMF than Dean… and that’s saying something!

I love her already.

They have been giving us little tidbits throughout Hellatus.  They’ve teased us with the return of Adam Rose as Aaron Bass and fan favorite Kim Rhodes as Sheriff Jody Mills.  They’ve told us there will be a fight against Hitler and a Hunter’s Wake (with the death of someone close to The Boys).  And, Kim Rhodes tweeted this today…

I could be wrong… but that sounds a lot like a goodbye.  Now, don’t get me wrong, Kim is always very cryptic about her appearances on The Show and insisting on using #NotASpoiler or a derivative thereof, but this time… I just don’t know.  But, let me assure all of you that I will have the pitchforks at the ready and the torches lit if any of you Wayward Daughters wanna join me as we march on The Castle.

At the time of this writing there is 23 days, 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 5 seconds until the end of Hellatus!  But who’s counting?

New OUAT Promo: 1st Look at Jaladdin!

There’s a whole crap-ton of awesome in this little 15 second video!  I’m happy to see Zelena (The Wicked Witch) walking beside The Evil Queen.  And, here’s why… if they keep redeeming all the villains, then who will Emma & Co. spend all season fighting?  And, I love Zelena!  She’s a villain I can relate to, but her sister has the better wardrobe.

Another big piece of awesome is our first look at Jalladdin!  “Where are we going?” Jasmine asks… Why to Storybrooke, Princess… a lovely place where you must NEVER leave the city limits and heroes always get their happy ending, but it may take several seasons.  In short, a whole new world. (forgive me, I just couldn’t resist.)

At the time of this writing it is 6 days, 5 hours, 55 minutes and 50 seconds until the OUAT S6 premiere, and I’ll be sitting on the edge of my seat for the entire time.

Yes, I do have a countdown timer going for it.  Don’t judge me!

Supernatural S12 Promo Released

I wasn’t squee’ing.  You were squee’ing.  Yes you were.  Yes. You. Were.

Oh sayer of untruths, your trousers did precede to combust!

If you saw Sammy all tied up and your mind didn’t go straight to the gutter… then you’re a better person than me.  Maybe a little bit of prude too.  Just sayin’.

I think the best line of the promo award goes to (can I get a drum roll please?  Geez, I said please!)…… Rick Springfield as Lucifer.  “You’re either mad ….. or dim.”  The comeback to that of course is:  Maybe a little of both.

And the promo coming out wasn’t even the best news I have for you!

Sheriff Jody Mills (played by fan favorite and Wayward Daughter, Kim Rhodes) is coming back!  That’s right, she’ll be showing up in Episode 6.  Rumor has it that there’s going to be a Hunter’s Wake, and we’ll get to see Sam and Dean interact with other hunters.  I’m going to bet money right now that they aren’t well received.  We all know that most hunters blame The Boys for a whole laundry list of major f**k ups… including, but not limited to:  Opening the Hell Gate, letting Lucifer out of his cage, The Apocalypse, The Darkness almost ending the world, Bobby’s death… and that’s just the Top 5.

I do believe I hear squee’ing in the distance.

A crap-ton of questions will be answered when Season 12 premieres on Thursday, October 13th.  Yes, I said Thursday.  The Crazy Suits at The CW have decided in their unquestioning wisdom (I can’t seem to find the sarcasm font) to move The Show to Thursday nights.  Man, Winchester Thursday just doesn’t have the same ring to it.