Arrow SN4 EP16 – ‘ Broken Hearts ‘

It’s time to cover episode 16 of Arrow and this week we see the return on Cupid and we also get to see the preliminary hearing to see if Damien Darhk will have to face a court case against him for all his crimes in Star City.

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So after seeing Felicity walk out on Oliver in the last episode it’s only fair to bring Cupid back into the fold to kick love while it’s down on it’s knees and she has a plan to destroy love once and for all by killing happy couples on there wedding day. She starts of by killing her first couple after asking them how much they love each other and the couple state that they love each other to death probably the wrong choice of words considering the situation they are in and Cupid draws back two arrows and fires them into the couple.

Captain Lance contacts Oliver and advises him that there has been a double murder and the person responsible is someone he knows, Oliver appears at the crime scene and Captain Lance shows Oliver one of Cupids trademark arrows. The team try and figure out what the link between the victims and Cupid might be, Thea advises the team that the pair that were killed are a celebrity couple but they cannot figure out what the reason for killing them may have been.

The team get a tip off that another couple have been kidnapped and the team head off to try and stop Cupid from killing again it appears that she has stolen the wedding limo with the couple inside. Wiggle pulls up beside the limo with Thea on the back and she takes the leap and ends up on top of the limo until Cupid crashes through a garage door knocking Thea off onto the ground. Oliver ignores Felicity’s advise to not go after Cupid and to check if Thea is alright by chasing after her in the warehouse he manages to catch up with Cupid he manages to capture her with a trick arrow tying her up but as Oliver is distracted she manages to cut herself loose and knock Oliver down before escaping out of a window.

The team manage to track down Cupids hide out and it’s no surprise that it is a abandoned wedding dress factory and when the team arrive they find that she is targeting famous couples in a bid to destroy love it appears she really didn’t take  the apparent death of Deadshot very well. The team also find a picture of Oliver and Felicity so it appears that the pair have escaped by breaking up, Oliver comes up with a rather odd suggestion by asking Felicity if she will marry him in a bid to draw Cupid out into the open. Felicity eventually agrees to the crazy idea and Thea sets to work spreading the rumour about there secret wedding onto a message board.

The pair arrive at the wedding venue and get the fake wedding under way the pair are left to say there own vows Felicity’s are short and to the point and Oliver takes the chance to poor his heart out to Felicity. The pair are about to get to the I do part of the ceremony and they are then interrupted by Cupid just as she draws and Arrow at Oliver Felicity steps in front of him and starts to walk towards her and with tears in her eyes has a heart to heart with her about the true meaning of love before Cupid fires an arrow into Oliver. The team jump into action and eventually capture Cupid before Oliver gets up off the floor before revealing to her that he was wearing body armour.

We also see in this episode the beginning of Damien Darhk’s preliminary hearing before the judge to see if Laurel has enough evidence to take him to trial for all of his crimes. The trial does not get off to a good start with Darhk’s lawyer advising the court that his clients name is not even Damien Darhk and it is in fact Kenneth Bender and is a citizen of Markovia and that he was being held prisoner at the scene where William was being held. Things go from bad to worse when Diggle takes the stand and Darhk’s lawyer brings up the time that Diggle help Thea Queen buy and massive supply of Vertigo he tries to justify why he did this but before he can answer the question the lawyer then brings up the fact that he seems to work for Oliver Queen but does not understand how he is paid to do so as Oliver has no money.

Captain Lance has seen enough to make him think that Darhk is going to walk so talks Laurel into putting him on the stand and he will tell the court everything Darhk had him do while he was working for him even if it means the end of his career. Laurel agrees to put him on the stand after some persuasion, Captain Lance takes the stand and tells the court how he helped give Darhk police route schedules and even helped him plant a virus in a FBI server farm all because Darhk threatened to kill Laurel if he didn’t do as he was told. This testimony is enough to convince the judge that the case should proceed to trail and that Darhk will be held in prison until the date of the trial is set, we see the officers take him to his cell and once they have left he produces a gold wedding ring from his mouth and places it on his finger and has a big grin on his face.

At the end of the episode we see Felicity and Oliver are back at HQ alone and the pair begin to talk with Oliver apologising again and telling Felicity he does not want to loose her, Felicity tells Oliver that she can never forgive him for what he has done and places the wedding ring down before telling Oliver she can no longer be with him at night doing what they do and not be with him romantically before leaving.

As always for all your Vigilante needs stick with Deadpool_1984 only at skatronixxx.com

The Flash SN2 EP16 – ‘ Trajectory ‘

So it’s time for this weeks review of The Flash and this week we see Barry trying to improve his speed with the help of the team and we meet a new speedster in the form of Trajectory and the team uncover the identity of Zoom.

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So this week centers around Barry’s quest to get faster in case the team manage to find a way back to Earth-2 as well as dealing with another speedster in the form of Trajectory. The first attempt is to get Barry to build up enough speed to clear a canyon on the outskirts of the city, the attempt fails and we see Barry hurtling towards the river but is saved by Cisco and his and of drones holding a net.

Barry also uncovers the fact that Jay was dying before Zoom apparently killed him at the end of the last episode due to his use of a speed enhancing drug called Velocity 7. Caitlin also tells Barry that she was working on Velocity 9 and that she had seen positive results with Jay’s cells regenerating after only one use. This also leads Barry to take the sample and is considering using it to improve his own speed but Dr Wells had spotted that Barry had taken the sample and after a heated discussion Barry smashes it on the floor.

This is where the new speedster Trajectory comes in it appears that Caitlin enlisted the help of an old lab partner from Mercury labs for help as she was having some issues with the bonding element but she only sent her 4 out of the 9 genetic parts of the formula. This however is all her old lab partner needed to make a full copy of Velocity 9 and use it on herself and she uses her new power to rob a nightclub and all the party goers cash in front of Barry and the team due to having crushing debt issues.

During the final show down where Trajectory has collapsed a large portion of the bridge to stop Barry from reaching her we see Barry really tap into his speed force and make the jump and sending her crashing into a power station. Barry tries to talk some sense into her and advise her that she is killing herself, Trajectory is not willing to listen and she starts to run off into the distance but as she does so her speed force starts turning from red to blue something Barry notices before she completely evaporates.

This all eventually links into Cisco having a rather strange vibes throughout the episode every time he is near or touches the case where Jays flash helmet is kept, the vibes consist of Cisco being stood in a dark room with Zoom about to take his mask off. After Barry comes back from the fight with Trajectory he mentions to the team that her speed force was turning blue the same as Zoom. This leads to the team uncovering that Zoom is also dying and this is why he needs to steal other speedsters speed force very much like the symptoms Jay was experiencing.

Cisco then tells this team that this may be a bad time to bring something up but he has been vibing zoom every time he is near or touches the case containing the helmet the team begin to realize that there was more to Jay than they first thought. Caitlin does not want to hear this but the team advise her that it is not the first time a speedster has been in one place at the same time, Barry then walks up to the case and says there is only one way to be sure and smashes the case and passes the helmet to Cisco. Cisco then grabs hold and vibes back to the dark room with Zoom and this time is there long enough to see the face of Jay once it is removed, he comes back around and states that the teams fears are true and that Jay is in fact Zoom.We then see Barry run off and end up back at the canyon he failed jump and let out a scream of anger and the episode comes to a close.

As always for all your Scarlet speedster needs stick with Deadpool_1984 only at skatronixxx.com

 

 

Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. SN3E17 – ‘The Team’

This review contains spoilers.

Last weeks episode saw the capture of the team by Giyera, Hive’s new right hand (Inhu)man and also saw a look into Malick’s backstory. We discover that Malick has been following the belief in the exiled Inhuman his entire life – and then we see it cost him his beloved daughter, Stephanie.

This weeks episode sees us gather some previously introduced Inhumans – Joey, from the opening episode of this season, and Elena (AKA Yo-Yo) from SN3E11 (Bouncing Back). Joey and Elena are called in by Daisy and Lincoln, in order to take back the SHIELD bus from Malick’s grip.

This episode was amazing. Remember last review when I said that SHIELD were launching pieces forward? This week, it was kind of like we were having a really pleasant, fast paced game, and all of the sudden the other player has flipped the board and started beating you with it, whilst jamming the pieces up your nose. In a good way.

The Kickass Stuff;

The Secret Warriors were absolute badasses this episode. Their rescue of the team and capture of Malick was fantastic – it looked great, and it was just awesome to see a team of all Inhumans going on the mission. They worked amazingly together, in incredible sync. Seeing Yoyo and Joey work together and take down six men at once in one hallway? Awesome.

Lincoln making his electricity into lassos and holds to throw his adversaries into the air? Awesome.

Daisy in general, but especially swinging down on that chain and sending Giyera flying? Awesome.

Malick had some really great lines this episode too, about religion and faith. I really liked two in particular;

“I believed I could resurrect a God; but instead, I freed the Devil.”

“Oh no, Mr Coulson, it is a God. It’s just not ours.”

I really like these lines because it really is about his faith and how awry it’s gone. All of his and Phil’s interrogation scenes this episode are like that. Phil asking Malick what he expected from bringing back a creature like this, and Malick explaining he was brought up in the faith that it was a God due to bring him good fortune – a God he thought he could work with for power. The breakdown of all of the Malick belief systems has been a great watch, and I love it.

There was also more fun, violent grossness that Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. seem to be piling on lately, including but not limited to Simmons cutting open Lucio’s head to examine his brain, us being treated to his scalp being pealed back, his skull pulled off and his infected brain placed on show. But, alongside this grossness, comes the solid evidence that Malick is telling Coulson the truth – Hive can infected Inhumans, make them part of his hive, and control them under his bidding.

Family;

Malick’s grief over Stephanie is absolutely heart breaking to watch. He’s so blatantly devastated by his loss, and it’s hard to watch him talk about her. When he tells the story about her riding Arabian horses, and how he felt so proud she could tame such a difficult breed of horse to ride, it was just really damn sad. I never thought I’d feel this awful and sympathetic to a member of Hydra, but the writers managed to do that with Malick and Stephanie.

The relationship between FitzSimmons is just so wonderful now. It’s developed so naturally, and in the beginning, I never would have wanted this relationship – but now that it’s happened like this, for all these good reasons and through a lot of character development, I’m really happy. And their adorable little interaction near the end of the episode; “I have a magnificent thing right here…it’s the painting, my painting of space.” It’s such a sweet, funny couply moment.

“The seal gonna hold?”

“I hope so, it’s chlorine gas. If not, we’ll all go blind.”

“What?”

Elena and Joey really shined in this episode. Them two speaking Spanish to one another was a lovely touch – shows and movies tend to overlook this small detail, and often make two characters whose first language isn’t English, speak it even when they’re alone together. I like that SHIELD gave them these moments, which are very real and how they would communicate naturally.

MACK AND ELENA. They’ve clearly been keeping somewhat in touch – and I find it beyond sweet that whilst Elena has been learning English, it isn’t all on her to learn how to communicate in his language – Mack has been learning Spanish for her. How cute can two people possibly be?

It makes it all the more devastating when later this episode, she no longer speaks to him. The team had this amazing synergy and togetherness, and it was ruined in one episode.

Witnessing the secret warriors team, who flew into this episode being so kickass and having this really great team dynamic, be torn about. Hive manipulated them horrendously easily, by turning their very fears on each other. It destroyed the trust the team had for each other, by aiding in trying to show that it was Humans vs. Inhumans in this episode. Hive played on all their insecurities and drove this really great start just straight into the ground. The paranoia even spreads to the human agents – May instantly pointing out that Lincoln tried to “pump her full of meds” and Mack having to point out that Lincoln is a doctor and she was injured.

The “OH MY GOD” part;

Yeah, I replaced the “Meh” section with an “Oh my God” part, because this episode deserves it more than anything else. That reveal at the end was absolutely heart-breaking, and it was a huge deal. This episode is just pure, everything people love about this show, because when it kicks it up a notch, it kicks really damn hard. The utter betrayal and loss of someone who is their own is so evident, and it’s a pain we haven’t felt since Grant Ward’s betrayal to Hydra.

After all that happened this episode, Daisy is the Inhuman who’s been infected by Hive. She frames Lincoln, using memories of his violent and short tempered history to manipulate how everyone sees him, destroys her team, steals alien tech and destroys their base – their home. She’s also the one revealed as killing Malick.

I do love that Hive isn’t just controlling Daisy – she’s not totally brainwashed or unaware. She’s completely aware, but it’s more like a heavy inclination – a euphoria and desire to do what she’s told. It’s insanely creepy She’s also so dangerous – she’s a formidable Inhuman, and her fighting skills alone without her Inhuman abilities make her scary enough – throw in the fact she’s a master hacker and that she’s been alongside Phil to know some seriously deep info, and the team are hugely screwed.

If anything, I think this is worse than the Ward betrayal – Ward was in complete and utter control of his senses, and he made the decision to go undercover and hurt the people he was with. Daisy is infected, and doesn’t have a choice in what she’s doing, and no one knows how to cure her or if she even can be cured. It’s a precarious situation for her to be in, especially when we know someone from Team SHIELD is going to die by the time the finale rolls around.

I also noticed this fits in with a recurring theme that’s been going on since season 1 – once again, it’s Grant Ward trying to bring Daisy onto his team. It’s been happening since the beginning, with Ward trying to convince Daisy that his side is the right side, that they could be unstoppable together – and now it’s two seasons later, and Hive possessing Grant Ward’s body goes after a woman he still refers to as “Skye” – it’s pretty sickening, actually, that this need to have her on his team never seems to end regardless of how much they change in-between.

I’m just so absolutely blown away by this weeks episode. It was absolutely excellent, with some of that cold-hearted betrayal I’m somehow still unused to after three seasons. It had awesome acting, great fight scenes and just really flung our story forward full force. I can’t wait to see what more this show has for us, as we are only four episodes away from the two part finale.

The Singularity will air 26th April 2016.

 

 

 

Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. SN3E16 – ‘Paradise Lost’

This review contains spoilers.

Last weeks episode, ‘Spacetime’, finally saw the rise of Hive over Malick, and Daisy was shown a horrifying vision of someone on a shuttle in space being killed in an explosion.

‘Paradise Lost’ opens on a mansion, with a lot of black, old school cars leaving it’s grounds. We’re then informed the year is 1970, and that the two boys are in fact Nathaniel and Gideon Malick – and that this is their fathers funeral. They’reordered into a car and taken to none other than Whitehall. As the car rolls by, we’re brought back to the modern day .

This episode was absolutely fantastic. Filled with wonderful acting, intense scenes and a phenomenal ending. This episode not only moved pieces for the finale forward, it flung them at the audience with a lot of aggression.

The Kickass Parts;

I loved seeing Hydra’s belief system broken down – it’s finally made Hydra look like a larger organisation with different belief systems and branches, rather than just one cult-esq driven united front. It added some serious depth to these guys, making them more like separate forces rather than just hashing out the same murderous villain each time.

I also enjoyed seeing Whitehall again – he was scary as all hell, and he helped add to that layered belief system of Hydra’s – he absolutely mocks the Malick family beliefs, and asks the boys to join his Hydra. Gideon vehemently refuses this.

Leading off from this, I absolutely loved watching Malick’s belief system be so utterly shattered. Usually, Hydra are pretty damn unwavering in everything they do – because most of what they do is murdering and leading the way for world domination. The Malick Family belief was that someone would bring back the exhiled Inhuman and that this would grant them untold amounts of power and control. Granted, it’s still world domination, but it’s very much a deity method of doing so. So watching that firm, almost arrogant belief he has be pulled apart is fascinating – Agents of SHIELD has always been great at character development and emotional stories, so this is just awesome. Top it off with the fact that Malick’s beliefs are being torn to shreds by the very thing he worships – Hive.

Hive taking over Malick’s house – damn. He’s shown in this episode he is in total control over Malick, and it’s so very obvious how frightened Malick is of Hive now. He has absolutely no trust in him, and he’s completely devoid of the arrogant happiness he had earlier this season. I also really love watching Malick’s daughter, Stephanie, and how she interacts with Hive. She follows him with the same awe and devotion that Malick began with, and it’s fascinating to see that contrast of an intense believer vs. someone whos faith has been shaken.

We can also see exactly why Malick fears Hive so much in this episode. Malick reveals the vision that Charles showed him in the last episode; the vision is of his own painful, violent and bloody death. I do really feel like the writers are turning up the violence this season – the vision, which we also get to see, involved Malick’s eyes full of blood and swelling to the point of bursting, while he screams with blood pouring down his head. It’s really intense and creepy, and it’s genuinely understandable as to why Malick’s more terrified of him than anything else. It’s not just that this idol he discovered is more powerful and out of his control – it’s that he saw a future where this idol, who he was promised would grant him an incredible life, is tearing his body to shreds.

We’re also part way to finding out what Hive is, and as we all probably predicted when Ward’s gross skin-crawling corpse showed up in the mid-season finale, it’s not good. Simmons inspects some data and finds out that the way in which Hive is tearing these bodies apart, is that he’s sending parasites to feast on them. Worst part – these little parasites aren’t controlled by Hive – they are Hive. Which is about a thousand times worse and disgusting.

We also kind of get a reveal of Hive’s “true self” – and it isn’t looking pretty, even from the back. The Malick’s and their audience didn’t look overly thrilled at the arrival of this HYDRA Alien they’d all been waiting for, for all these years.

We’re also introduced to a would-have-been Inhuman, James. He’s Australian and clearly beyond paranoid, with minefields planeted around his trailer property, a huge barbwire fence, and a gun in his hand upon arrival. It’s absolutely fascinating to watch him, because he is angry, and he’s clearly feeling the emptiness Lincoln mentions all Inhumans have before they go through the change. Lincoln dangles the Terrigan Crystal right in front of his eyes, and when he pulls it away, James is furious – lashing out and spitefully telling Daisy nods to Lincoln’s past. He’s clearly bitter, and has some drinking and trust issues brewing. I would like to see more of Jiaying’s failed Inhumans explored, and find out just how banishment or denial has affected them.

Of course, to finish off this section – the fight scenes. The fight scenes always get a mention in these reviews, but that’s because they always look absolutely fantastic. This weeks episode had one particular fight scene I adored – May vs. Giyera. This scene was excellent in every single way. The scene looked fantastic for one thing – it was in a stark white room with two people in black gear, who also have dark hair. It just looked awesome. And then the choreography is utterly mind-blowing – Giyera’s fighting style is one I haven’t seen in this show before, and it was so inventive and painful looking. Let’s also give a massive shout out to Melinda May running up a wall and using it to backflip over Giyera. Iconic.

Family moments;

There were some great bonding moments in this episode, and not all of them SHIELD related.

In the SHIELD department, I thoroughly enjoyed Phil and Fitz’s talk about Ward – about whether or not Ward “deserved” to die, and if that’s what SHIELD is about. It’s an interesting conversation to see them have – by all accounts, Ward was vicious and dangerous, putting him down most likely was the right choice. But in Phil’s eyes, it was the right choice done for the completely wrong reason – once again, it’s SHIELD discussing openly about doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, and doing something that could lead to positive results but doing it for personal reasons.

I also really liked this small interaction between Daisy and Mack (yay, Mack’s back!) where he gives her a nice hug and they just talk. It’s so small, but it’s because it’s so casual and looks so comfortable that it’s so important in showing team dynamics.

Also on team Daisy, there was a really great moment between her and Lincoln. I like seeing Lincoln break down – not because it’s funny to see someone try and rebuild their whole life, but because it’s so interesting. Lincoln was a vision of pure calm and serenity when he was at Afterlife – after that all ended, we’ve watched Lincoln react with fear and in some cases violence. He’s not in control the way he was in Afterlife, when his days and life were planned and everything was fixed and perfect. Now he’s been flung full force into the real world, and it’s a lot to take.

I also enjoyed finding out more about him, and this episode featured some pretty dark stuff. It explains that Lincoln was once a violent alcoholic, struggling to fill this empty depression inside him, and that he caused a collision drunk-driving that nearly killed the last girl he was with. Luke Mitchell brings a lot to that confession, with so much emotion in every movement. I’m really enjoying his performance as Lincoln, and I’d like to get to know more.

Honestly though, the family that truly stole the show this episode? The Malick family.

The writers of SHIELD did such an incredible job on this, and I’m beyond pleased Malick isn’t some schmuck Hydra villain they churned out – he had a family and a lot of raw emotion went into it.

There was obviously the relationship with his brother – he put a lot of work into defending that relationship, and trying to keep the truth about their father. There was then the awful moment he betrayed him, and the look on their faces as it happened. It’s clearly a stand-out moment in Malick’s history, one he’s kept hidden all these years. It was so painful to watch Nathaniel talk to Malick through Hive – the horror only coupled by Brett Dalton nailing it by completely changing the tone, by matching this young man Hive met in the 70’s perfectly. It’s a raw, wonderful moment and I loved/hated it.

Then, of course, there was Stephanie Malick. This episode well and truly mastered the art of presenting a deep, loving relationship to it’s audience, before absolutely decimating it. We spend the whole episode watching Stephanie support her father, and her talking about how he’s supported her too. It’s made very obvious that through high and low, in his own way, Malick has supported and raised his daughter with only the best intentions, with love and the need to make her strong and independent. Stephanie then spends this episode bonding with her dad, teasing him and reminding him of the lessons he taught her – they share a scotch in front of the fire and he thanks her, for reminding him of how he should be. It’s incredibly touching and loving, and not what I expected from a family built on Hydra values.

It’s what makes this episode all the more utterly horrifying when it rips your heart out as Hive murders Stephanie in front of her father. First, he completely breaks down her trust in her dad and outs him as a traitor and a coward. Then, when the moments right, he just straight up kills her from the inside out, messily and painfully right before Malick’s eyes. To then add to this, he drops her corpse on the hands with a non-chalant wave of his hands and this statement; “now you know the true meaning of sacrifice.” It’s so beyond cold, and vicious.

I’d like to also take this moment to mention the music choice for this episode, for one particular scene, was perfect. Malick is drinking a scotch in his daughters chair, sitting in front of the fire they were looking into not that long ago. The music playing is this sad, slow piano tune – then as Hive rests his hand on Malick’s shoulder, and tells him he no longer has anything to fear, the music takes this jarring drop. It’s so perfect, and the delivery of the line after the events of this episode gave me absolute chills.

I am pleased to say I have absolutely zero “meh” moments this episode – this was a really solid, exciting episode from beginning to action packed ending.

The ending then leaves us with this; all of our team aboard the bus have been captured by Hydra, taken in by Giyera. The only two outstanding members are Daisy and Lincoln – and Lincoln and Daisy agree it’s time to call in the people on the Secret Warrior’s Initiative. This episode also leaves us with a reveal from Daisy that the vision she had, of the SHIELD agent aboard the exploding space craft, is actually a member of their own team.

This episode was beyond solid, and with an episode focused entirely on Daisy’s recruited Secret Warrior’s only a moment around the bend, I am so excited for this action and fantastic story-telling to keep building on this show.

 

Vampire Diaries SN7 EP17 – ‘ Somebody I Used To Know ‘

SN7 EP19: Somebody I Used To Know

Written By: Holly Brix (teleplay) & Matthew D’Ambrosio (story)

Directed By: Chris Grismer

So, way back at the beginning of the season, when they were showing us glimpses of “Three Years From Now”, we saw that Bonnie and Enzo were a couple.  I’ve got to admit that my mouth fell open and the words “Bonnie and Enzo? How the hell did THAT happen?” fell out.  Well, this week, they showed us.  And, I gotta admit… I’d’ve fell for Enzo too.  Yep, sure would’ve.  So… Go Bonnie!

Also this week, Damon has a plan for how to save Bonnie… what do you mean “from what?”  Ya know, cause Enzo’s been giving the woman he loves pills that will kill her.  Jeebus, keep up for crying out loud.

So, anyways…. Throughout the episode we see glimpses of The Romancing of Bonnie.  Enzo did a really good job of that bt-dubbs.  These glimpses are sprinkled like sugar throughout Damon, Enzo, and Bonnie’s carrying out of Damon’s plan.  Damon and Enzo made Rayna an offer she couldn’t refuse.  They’ll hunt and kill the vamps that escaped the Phoenix Stone in exchange Rayna will give up her last life and let Bonnie have it.  So, as Damon calls them … Bonnie, Clyde and Clyde go vamp hunting.

Meanwhile in Dallas, Stefan goes to see Ric.  The younger Salvatore brother is trying to suss out a few tidbits about Caroline’s life the last three years.  During this enlightening visit, Damon calls.  He needs help helping Bonnie.  Stefan and Ric agree to help cause… well… it’s Bonnie.  So, they go searching out other vamps that Rayna can see what they see.

Throughout the vamp hunting and the sugar sprinkling, we periodically see that Bonnie still has Damon’s letter.  Ya know, the one he wrote her to say goodbye before he went off to desiccate in a coffin next to Elena’s for the past three years.  For the past three years, Bonnie has refused to open it… she’s carried it around UNOPENED for THREE FREAKIN’ YEARS.  I mean, how in the hell hasn’t the curiosity killed her yet?  Seriously, am I the only one absolutely DYING to know what’s in that damn letter?  Also, throughout the hunting and the sprinkling, Ric and Stefan have some serious heart to hearting going on.  Stefan throws a big huge barb … “Who’s sleeping in the second bedroom?”  That’s right, Stefoline shippers… Caroline isn’t sleeping with her fiance.  Nope.  And, there’s a Justice of the Peace appointment on “Friday”.  And, Stefan asks Ric if after the appointment, Caroline is going to start sleeping in his bed.  I said ouch for Ric…. but inside my Stefoline shipping heart was giggling with maniacal glee.

In this episode, we find out what’s in that vault in the deep dark bellows of The Armory.  Well, some of what’s in there.  Alex and Virginia St. John’s other sister.  Virginia forced Lucy Bennett to seal the vault.. and sister # 3 is also stuck behind door #1.  Alex needs a Bennett witch to unseal the vault to save sister #3.  Right after that, we learn that Bonnie only has about a week…maybe less.

And, once Bonnie, Clyde, and Clyde all get back to Enzo’s little hidden love nest, we get our best line of the episode.  It comes right at the end of the episode.  While Enzo and Bonnie … do we have a ship name for them yet? Cause, I’m leaning toward Bonzo.  C’mon, it just falls off the tongue, right?…. are getting all mushy romantic, Damon says, “Don’t mind me, I’ll just go get another name out of the job jar.”  It’s funny, cause ya know, the ‘job jar’ is Rayna.

Next week, it’s another new episode, and I’m not sure what excites me more.. another new episode or that during that episode we get a sneak peek at Captain America: Civil War!  My little ol’ geek heart just can’t decide.

Better Call Saul SN2 EP10 – ‘ Klick ‘

Chuck recreating the early TARDIS set

Welcome to the weekly coverage of Better Call Saul, starting at possibly the worst episode to start on. Expect a season wrap-up or a retrospective on past episodes because a single review for a show like this is downright blasphemous. Anyway, this episode deals with the fallout of Chuck’s speedy introduction to the pointier side of a desk, Jimmy’s consciousness catching up with him and Mike’s ill fated assassination attempt.  Lets get to it.

The Bates Motel SN4 EP 6 – ‘ The Vault ‘

Well this weeks episode hit me right in the feels! As my better half says I am emotionally retarded but this episode definitely got some of that salty liquid to leave my tear ducts that’s for sure. Before we go further into the episode here is a quick recap of last weeks episode incase you, like me are getting a little forgetful 😉

SN4 EP5 – ‘ Refraction ‘

Norman tries to confide in Dr. Edwards, but he worries he may reveal too much of his and Norma’s history. Norma hires an artisan to fix a window and Romero uncovers a crime that threatens his new life.

 SN4 EP6 – ‘ The Vault ‘

Troubled by her confrontation with Chick, Norma tries to call Caleb but the number she has for him is disconnected. Norma tells Romero how happy she is with him, it warms my heart that Norma has found a man who is good to her. Norman is having dreams of being trapped under a bed with the room shaking violently around him and items are falling to the floor breaking around him. In his session with Dr. Edwards, he is asked if he knows what happens when he blackouts but Norman has no idea, Dr. Edwards goes on to explains that when a child has a traumatic life experiences, they disappear inside them, Dr. Edwards also tell Norman that during their last session the person he spoke to wasn’t Norman but his mother Norma, he asks Norman if he was aware of slipping into her persona and Norman tells him that he was aware of it, Dr. Edwards tries to get him to talk about his early life, but he can’t remember much except for his dad being gone a lot and spending a lot of time with his mother.

Norma hesitantly meets with Chick at a diner and he wants her to admit the sins of her past. Dylan visits Norman at Pineview as they play croquet together, Norman asks about Emma and Dylan tells him she is getting better and says he has to tell him something, but Norman guesses they’re together and really seems to be ok with it. Norman quickly changes the subject and asks Dylan what his dad, Sam was like, Dylan tells him that he wasn’t nice to Norma. Dylan goes home and tells Norma that Norman seems to be doing well, he also says that he is leaving town in a few days with Emma and her dad, Norma asks if he has heard from Caleb or if he knows where he is but Dylan tells her to leave it alone but mentions the name of the motel Caleb used to work at.

Norman’s in therapy and is remembering being only 7 years old when his mother told him to hide in his room because his father had been drinking, Dr. Edwards wants to know more about Norman’s father, but “Norma” appears and tells Norman that he doesn’t have to talk about things that upset him and Dr. Edwards quickly realizes “she” is there and watches as Norman slips into his “Mother” persona, telling the good Dr that “she” needs to protect her son and that’s she doesn’t want Norman to remember these things. “Mother N” apologizes for not knowing the monster she married and revealed that one night her and Norman tried to leave one night but they couldn’t find Dylan and unfortunately Sam caught up with them and forced Norma to drive home with a gun to her head, he then Violently rapes her while they young Norman is hiding under their bed and heartbreaking he reaches out and holds Norma’s hand through the traumatic ordeal.

Norma meets Chick on a bridge that evening and attempts to shoot him but can’t bring herself to pull the trigger and drives off, she is pissed off and loses her temper while she’s cooking dinner and is interrupted by Dylan who has returned home to pack up some of his belongings. Dylan puts a photograph of himself and Norma in her room and stumbles upon the bunny toy and letter Emma’s mother wanted to be given to her, he goes into the motel office and checks the list of bookings and discovers Audrey had checked in but never checked out and takes note of the home address. Romero arrives home, but when he mentions that Chick has arrived with the repaired window, Norma’s mood changes and not for the better, She yells at Chick that’s she is still standing so do your worst, after Chick leaves Romero clearly confused asks Norma what that was all about and she breaks down and admits what happened in her past: her affair, her brother, how Chick knew Caleb and Dylan and threatened to expose her secret around town. She tells Romero that he should pack his bags and his reply is “where are we going”. He’s a keeper Norma, its nice to watch them become a couple in love.

This episode was full of emotions some were happy but some were absolutely heartbreaking which managed to get the salty liquid flowing freely and it takes a lot to get me to well up. We have some trouble brewing now Dylan knows Emma’s mother checked in but never checked out some very interesting episodes to follow. Well see you here the same time next week.

The week’s episode rating: 🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

Damien SN1 EP7 – ‘Abattoir ‘

It’s that time of the week again folks and to tell you the truth its my favorite time of the week, Don’t know about you guys but I’m really loving Damien and the dark direction it going in. For those of you that missed last weeks episode or need a refresher here is a quick recap.

SN1 EP6 –  ‘ Temptress ‘ 

Damien encounters a beloved figure from the past and has a confrontation with Rutledge as ge works to unravel the conspiracy surrounding him.

SN1 EP7 – ‘ Abattoir ‘ 

Damien is in the hospitals psych ward on an involuntary hold after his suicide attempt, once he is released he seeks out Lyons and accuses him of being in bed with Rutledge, during the heated exchange Lyons wheelchair, stroke stricken wife suddenly starts talking, she speaks to Damien of serpent and horned crown and pints him towards Lyons’ Black Church in the backyard, a shed filled with tools of torture.

Detective Shay is becoming obsessive with Damien and the so-called accidental deaths that seem to follow Damien, but he has a nagging feeling that something evil is at play here especially since the near drowning of Shay’s son in their backyard pool, so he decides to dig a little deeper into Damien past and stumbles upon Damien’s college days and rumors of the trouble he caused. Shay contacts his former roommate Charles Powell, he doesn’t have much to say but Shay knows he is hiding something. Another former college friend tells Shay about a secret club ritual backfired and left Powell covered with 3rd and 4th degree burns and guess who pushed the ritual?  You guessed right…. It was Damien.

Sister Greta watches Simone as she walks through the park, she tells Simone she believes that Simone has seen things and tries to recruit her to help stop Damien if he is in fact the Antichrist. Lyons now worried that Damien knows of his affiliations with Ann, he consults with her about the location of the Megiddo daggers. What do you think? His get out of jail free card? Ann offers Damien something he truly desires but neither of them go through with it in the end.

I can’t wait for next weeks episode, you never can guess what is going to happen next and for me I find that extremely intriguing. See you here, the same time next week!

This weeks episode rating: 🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

Lucifer SN1 EP12 – ‘ #TeamLucifer ‘

Welcome to this weeks recap and review of the ever so handsome Lucifer, so last week we learned that when Lucifer is around Chloe Decker he becomes vulnerable to mortality. This little issue will make for interesting future episodes! Right he is a quick recap for those that missed or needs a refresher of last weeks episode.

SN1 EP11 –  ‘St. Lucifer ‘ 

When philanthropist Tim Dunlear is found dead, Lucifer explores his good side by becoming a benefactor for Tim’s glitzy Los Angeles charity. Lucifer also learns he is vulnerable to mortality around Detective Chloe Decker.

SN1 EP12  –  ‘ #TeamLucifer ‘ 

A Satanic sacrifice is being performed but turns out to be just a couple’s weird game – untill it turns into a real murder when the girls boyfriend stabs her in the chest. Chloe in lists Lucifer’s help on this one but he is reluctant to help, he has been avoiding Chloe since they had their conversation about their vulnerability but he obliges and Chloe takes him to the young woman’s body that has “Hail Lucifer” carved into her back. Lucifer and Chloe meet the young victims Father at her apartment, where they find a hidden staircase and room behind a bookcase, the hidden room is full of Satanic memorabilia. Dan finds the artist that installed the young woman’s subdermal implants. They are revealed as letters which Lucifer quickly works out to be a Latin phrase meaning “Children of the Goat” a quick search lead them to a local meeting of this particular group.

Amenadiel is not happy and corners Malcolm in a car park only to learn that Malcolm knows Amenadiel has no powers to kill him but also Malcolm has Lucifer’s get-out-of-Hell-free card and is now on #TeamLucifer. At the Satanists meeting – which turns out to be a memorial service for their murdered friend but Lucifer is infuriated by the lame service, he and Chloe confront the group’s leader and he uses his mesmerizing-look on him but finds out that the leader actually wants to avenge the girls death. Police are able to locate the boyfriend and suspected murderer’s car near a warehouse, but inside they find the boy strung up in a gruesome, crucifixion-like pose, they also find the word “Morningstar” written in red paint, Chloe send Lucifer home and he tries to explain he punishes evil her doesn’t commit evil but that’s not enough to convince her. Chloe and Dan find a cufflink after Lucifer leaves, originally assuming it to be “M” for Morningstar but then realizes it belongs to a local reverend.

Malcolm follows Lucifer to LUX where he is totally sucking up to him, when Lucifer notices red paint on Malcolm’s hands, and Malcolm admits that he murdered the boy and he even framed the reverend, thinking Lucifer would be delighted by his work, the trouble now is that Malcolm is unafraid, knowing he has the coin but Lucifer claims he will bring Hell to him. Amenadiel and Lucifer fight, Amenadiel has been hurt by the manipulation with Maze, and Lucifer thinks Amenadiel has turned Chloe against him. Chloe goes to LUX to talk to Lucifer, he is reminiscing and possibly regretting his decision to leave Hell, as she gets closer she finds the reverend dead on the ground, shot in the head, she pull her weapon out and points it at Lucifer and says she has no choice.

Well that was an interesting episode, do you think Lucifer really did it or was it Malcolm’s doing? This episode has definitely got my brain ticking over. Check back same time next week for the next episodes review.
This weeks episode rating: 🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

Feature: Brooklyn Horror Fest

When you think of movie conventions you don’t necessarily imagine Brooklyn as your first choice of location. However, Brooklyn seems to have become the place to be in New York of late and something is heading to the borough in October that has got Horror fans from around the world booking their tickets to The Big Apple.

October 2016 sees the grand unveiling of the inaugural Brooklyn Horror Film Festival and we’ve been lucky enough to bag an interview with it’s creator – Justin Timms.

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1) This is the first year that Horror Fest has been brought to Brooklyn. Why did you choose Brooklyn for a venue this year?

There were a lot of reasons behind starting the festival here in Brooklyn, however the driving force is simply the people.  The artist and film community here rivals that of any other city. In addition to the artists, Brooklyn has a great audience and programming here presents an awesome opportunity to create an atypical event for an audience that’s always excited for new experiences.

2) Do you show only independent films at the festival, or will ticket holders be treated to some classics too?

We’re mostly going to show new independent films, but we have one or two surprises in store as well.

3) What inspired you to put together Brooklyn Horror Fest?

I’ve been going to film festivals for years and they’re great, but there are a few special ones out there who are doing a bit more on the event side of things that really make the fest a lot more fun in my eyes. We want to bring that kind of experience to Brooklyn.  That and we’re just a bunch or horror fans, and this seemed like a good excuse to nerd out on some rad genre films.

4) Have you always been a fan of horror and what attracted you to it in the first place?

Always. I’m obsessed. Honestly don’t know what attracted me to it. Starting in college I realized the library would let you rent movies for free so I started renting 7-10 a week and without even realizing it my pile of movies started to be filled with more and more horror flicks.

5) When do you start collecting submissions for the festival?

Submissions are open now! We accept short and feature films exclusively through FilmFree – there’s additional info on our site.

6) What criteria need to be met to be in with a chance of being selected? What are you really looking for when selecting for the festival?

We’re looking for the best independent films.  We don’t have a specific set of criteria that we’re looking for, it’s all about finding the films that will put the best possible cohesive program together.

7) Do you accept submissions from outside the US?

Yes, right now we have submissions from 47 different countries which is amazing to me, especially in our first year.

8) What process do you go through to select films for the festival?

Usually we turn the lights off and pop some corn.

9) What impresses you most in an independent horror film?

People that are pushing the genre forward. I think that horror still maintains a stigma in some people’s eyes but it’s my belief that they’re stuck in their old way of thinking and have not watched a lot of the new horror films that are really amazing.

10) What else can people expect from Brooklyn Horror Fest? Any special guests or unexpected events?

You can expect a lot of events and parties. We’re over sitting in the theater for 10 hours and watching films and Q&A’s all day.  We want an engaging social industry event where we can all have a great time and also watch some badass cinema.  We have one or two surprises, keep an eye on our social media and website for announcements.

11) What independent horror film has impressed you the most?

Really tough question so I’ll just narrow it down to last year’s ‘It Follows’ was very impressive.  The concept of the film was so amazing and simple, it’s essentially every horror movie’s plot boiled down into a single idea.

12) Do you feel that independent horror has a chance to break into mainstream cinema?

Absolutely.  I think people need to get over relegating horror to September and October.  There are tons of great films coming out all year long.  Mickey Keating’s ‘Darling’ is fantastic and was just released in theaters and VOD in April.  Baskin was just released last month as well.  I think if we just change the “old way” of thinking about horror and consider these as just films and not horror films it can go a long way.

13) Do you think there is still an appetite for horror now that comic book films have dominated the scene?

Horror films are actually the most financially stable genre. Well maybe Marvel has taken over that title, but horror is still very stable and there’s definitely an audience.

14) What are you looking forward to most about this year’s festival?

Our events.  We’re going to have some fantastic films for sure, but our parties and events are what is going set us apart from other festivals.

15) Is there anything happening/showing at this year’s festival that you are absolutely stoked to have pulled off?

We have some amazing things lined up but I can’t say just yet.  Thank you so much for the interview!

It was great to have an insight into both what Brooklyn Horror Fest has to offer, but also the passion for the genre from someone working in the industry. With such passionate people behind the project, its difficult to imagine this event being anything but spectacular!

More information about the festival can be found on the official website: www.brooklynhorrorfest.com. There you can find out how to buy passes for this years event (you’ll need them to enjoy all of the events that are on offer – or click here to get them) and how to submit a film for selection. Submissions are being accepted now, so if you’re a budding horror director, visit the site to get your flick in quick!

Everyone here at Skatronixxx.com wish Justin and his team the best of luck with the first Brooklyn Horror Fest. May it be the first of many to come! Hope to see you there one day!