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.

Agents of SHIELD SN4 EP02- ‘Meet The New Boss’

Several shocking twists signalled the show’s move into exciting new territory.

With all the exciting developments in the season premiere, it would have been understandable for ‘Agents of Shield’ to slow down a bit this week. Apparently they didn’t think so, as this week’s episode was jam packed with crazy twists, and saw several stories move forward at a surprising pace.

This episode finally introduced us to the new Director of Shield. In all the promotional photos it was clear he was hiding something, as a guy that smiley cannot be trusted, except the secret he was harbouring was completely unexpected. Seeing as the show is working towards re-legitimising SHIELD, it makes sense to introduce a public facing Director that maybe hasn’t got the murky past that Coulson does. It makes even more sense to make the Director an Inhuman, showing the world they are still people you can trust. That’s a generalisation of course as there is no reason at all to trust Director Smiles. It seems his Inhuman secret was initially hidden from most everyone except Coulson, and even he is being kept in the dark about some things. Though he may be a great asset, his patronising politician-esque way of speaking to the team immediately places him as a man to be wary of. Couple that with the questionable way he was ‘helping’ May at the end there, and I doubt it’ll be too long before a rebellion is started against him.

In between introducing us to Director Smiles, several other stories were moved along at significant pace, eventually overlapping. Fitz, Mack and Simmons discover the existence of the ‘ghost’ that infected May, and with it brings some great moments for the trio. Everything in the MCU is rooted in science in some way. Even the ‘magic’ in Thor is explained as advanced science, so as the show moves in to more mystical grounds, it places Fitz and Simmons in the unusual position of not having an explanation. Whilst Mack bluntly states that it could be an actual ghost, a hilarious scene sees FitzSimmons try make sense of it in any scientific way possible.

It helps that this mystical element has already been grounded with some real stakes. The deterioration of May throughout the episode was harrowing to see. Given all she’s been through, she is one of the most mentally strong characters on the show, so to see her driven insane by this mysterious entity amplifies the threat in a way that just wasn’t possible with the Chinese gangsters. The introduction of more of these ghosts heightens this threat further, especially given how angry they seemed, but we were also presented with a way to defeat them within the very same episode in the form of Ghost Rider. This fast pacing keeps the show exciting, but it runs the risk of rushing through interesting material. Seeing May’s deterioration throughout one episode proved what a threat these ghosts are, but it could maybe have been more effective to see her degrade over time. These are just thoughts though, and so long as the pacing isn’t too fast the show should continue to be exciting.

Another example of an accelerated story was with Daisy and Robbie. It was certainly fun seeing her pressure Robbie into talking, but at the same time a little disturbing. It revealed some dark qualities of Daisy that emphasised how much Lincoln’s death affected her. Even as part of the Rising Tide back in Season One she was never outwardly bad, but the way she handled things here, slowly revealing personal information about Robbie’s past, spoke excellently to the development she’s had. The performance by Gabriel Luna here should be commended, as you could tell with each bit of information he was fighting to keep the Ghost Rider inside of him. For them to go from the point of manipulation and fighting to a potential partnership within the same episode then was slightly jarring. It’s within the nature of both to help people where they can, but given how much they initially despised each other, things seemed to move a little too fast.

S.H.I.E.L.D Zephyr One Report Log_Events of Interest and Enquiry:

• The stunt with Daisy clinging onto Robbie’s car was awesome. The almost empty streets made it a little anti-climactic, but it was still a fun moment to watch.

• The Shotgun-Axe is back!

• It was nice to see Fitz and Mack team up again, as their pairing was one of the strongest elements of Season Two.

• Mack: “Why do we never search brightly lit places full of nice people?”

• I was sceptical anything would happen to him, but I admit my heart missed a beat when Mack was knocked into the primed to explode reactor core.

• Lots of Mack this episode, which was awesome. So did anyone else’s heart break when he realised Daisy and Yo-Yo had been in contact for ages?

• Fitz just losing it with Daisy was a great moment. She’s acted really selfish and everything he said rang true.

• Daisy continues to injure herself with her powers. Bet that’ll cause some tragedy down the line.

• They namedropped Peggy Carter. Such an emotional moment.

• Any ideas what Director Smiles plans to do with Agent May?

Overall then this was an exciting episode of ‘Agents of Shield’. The fast pace brought about mixed results, as the action stayed ramped up, but some moments felt like they needed more time to develop. The introduction of an intriguing new Director and the continuation of the mystical storyline produced some exciting twists and turns, whilst the storylines started to intersect. It’s not clear where ‘Agents of Shield’ is going with all this, which is an exciting prospect indeed, as the show is only likely to get crazier from here on out.

Tina McIntyre’s Alive! Michelle Keegan Confirmed For The Crystal Maze Revival

Channel 4 have announced the celebrity line-up for Stand Up To Cancer’s Crystal Maze revival…and among the celebrity contestants is actor Michelle Keegan, famous for her role in Coronation Street as Tina McIntyre. Since leaving Corrie, Michelle Keegan has appeared in numerous television shows including Armed Forces drama Our Girl and six-part series Ordinary Lies. She also married The Only Way Is Essex star Mark Wright in 2015.

Also entering the Crystal Maze are footballer Rio Ferdinand, TV presenter Sara Cox (Top of the Pops), comedian Josh Widdicombe (The Last Leg) and Paralympics sprint champion Jonnie Peacock. 

The Crystal Maze revival will be hosted by comedy writer Stephen Merchant (The Office UK) and filmed at The Crystal Maze Experience. It is hoped that if the one-off charity special is successful, the show will be picked up for a full series. The Stand Up To Cancer charity telethon will air on 21st October on Channel 4, so it is likely that this is when The Crystal Maze will air. On the other hand, Bear Gryll’s Celebrity Island – a series made in support of the charity – is currently airing Sundays at 9pm on Channel 4, so it is possible it could air sooner. Hopefully it won’t be long before we see Stephen Merchant on our television sets, asking politely for the fans to start in the Crystal Dome…

Come and Grab your friends for a good cry, Adventure Time ends in 2018

The year after Regular Show and The Amazing World of Gumball Ends, Adventure Time is also closing its curtains. This is really quite astounding that in a pretty short time three of the best Cartoon network shows are ending.

Adventure Time is really something to be admired as it did open the door for better cartoons. Before Adventure Time cartoons were stagnating. The old school violence of Tom and Jerry was thrown out and the cartoons were just trying to push funny.

Then Adventure Time began and suddenly a young boy of twelve was yelling how sexy women were. The violence was back along with amazing songs, a gripping and often emotional story, and honestly just plain old fun.

Really if you haven’t watched Adventure Time watch it now, I’m sure even if you watched an episode a day you could finish it before the show ends. This show really did open up a new world of cartoons and the fact that it lead the charge for shows like Regular Show, Amazing World of Gumball, and Steven Universe makes it that much greater.

Of course there is still some time for us all to enjoy the amazing world created by the master Pendleton Ward. I will stay tuned to the rest of Finn and Jake’s adventures and  will most likely cry when the show ends.

I will be really sad when this show ends but luckily I have bought the DVD’s so I will always be able to re watch my favorite duo’s adventures. So again, if you haven’t watched this show I implore you to find a way to watch it and you will find something enjoyable about it I am sure!

You’re the Worst S3 E5- ‘Twenty Two’

Edgar is troubled by the world and can’t sleep so he ends up dancing in his room.Edgar is such an interesting character because he is just like so many of us just trying to get by. He decides to go out for a run and sees someone running from a van though its just the newspaper boy. His hands start to shake as he brings the pancakes for his friends.

Edgar is very troubled by so many things and is paranoid when he locks eyes with a telephone wire worker. This episode is interesting because it takes place during the previous episode but from Edgar’s perspective.

Edgar goes to buy all of Jimmy’s treats and sees a woman in a burka.He is freaking out and tries to get out of the store as quickly as possible.He goes to see his girlfriend and is forceful with her. She is often afraid of him because of his looks and attitude. She wants him to really try at the VA because they can fix him.

He goes to the VA and has his appointment. The woman likes him and decides to put him in 10 sessions of Virtual Reality therapy. He has stopped taking the drugs he was prescribed and that stops her in her tracks. Sudden;y he flips out and starts breaking chairs. She tells him to make another appointment once he is medicated even though the first one took him a month to get.

His paranoia is really something to see as I think it is quite realistic. The fact that he keeps seeing the same man everywhere he is goes is unnerving even as the viewer. He decides to get drunk and tells Jimmy that he can’t drive Jimmy and Gretchen home.

For a moment it seems like he is going to contemplate suicide until he sees a little paper boat. He is suddenly stopped by a young film crew and they he think he has a good look.He runs back to his car to find it being towed. He gets high with the tow truck driver and finds out twenty two vets jump off the overpass every day.

The man helps him with good conversation about other vets and he drives him home.Edgar realizes the face he has been seeing was from his tape case. Quite funny because he really is freaking but it is just something that makes him laugh.

The end of the episode shows Edgar in a the kids silent film.

This episode was rather interesting. Something that isn’t really shown on TV. It even has a good message thrown in, if you stop asking for help all the time and just start living for yourself you will be happy. Edgar has been just looking for help and hasn’t looked within. Now, he will be working himself to make his life what he wants and should be happier for it. Excited for the next episode but will be sad if it really is “The Last Sunday Funday.”

Regular Show:In Space S8 E5 ‘Lost and Found’

The episode begins with Mordecai and Rigby having lunch. Their captain decides to cover them but lost his wallet so he is covered in a force field. He tasks Mordecai and Rigby to find it on Mantis Planet.

There are customs they have to learn but when the guards come to lead them in they don’t learn them. Clearly this is going to cause trouble later on.

They pull out a lost and found box which does in fact hold the wallet. Before they are able to take it they must take part in a feast. The feast is of course a disgusting bug food feast. Our heroes vomit at the flavor and must eat course after course. Though they end up getting rid of the food in other ways.

The last course is “vanilla ice cream” and he offers it to the princess which is a marriage proposal. Mordecai isn’t going to marry her which makes her cry. Due to tradition they are told to execute him.

Rigby tells him to just go through with the marriage but their new robot friend tells him why it would be a bad idea. Of course Mantis women eat their mates to reproduce and thus if he married her he would die.

Using his attack pheromone the king sends the mantis after them, soon shooting a boulder down it crushes them. They bring the wallet back and find it is empty. Their captain wants them to go the wasp planet but they aren’t having it.

This show is still just as good as it has ever been and the ideas flowing through it are always stellar. Excited for more space adventures!

Ripper Street is Back 12th October

In a surprise move, fans of Ripper Street will be treated to two seasons in one year, as Amazon has announced the latest series will arrive sooner than expected. This will be a huge relief for fans, who were left with a gripping cliffhanger at the end of season 4.

The Victorian crime show was killed off by the BBC in 2013, but was later resuscitated by online streaming service. Now the show is ending on its own terms at season 5, which will see all six episodes arrive on 12th October.

The series will make up one single story and (according to Amazon’s publicity) “Our heroes become fugitives, forced to operate outside the law as they pursue the most insidious enemy they have encountered yet.” The enemy in question is “a serial killer with subhuman desires, but a superhuman ability to avoid apprehension”, played by Jonas Armstrong (Robin Hood). Is it going to be the eponymous Ripper they come across?

All the usual suspects will be returning, as well as a fan favourite from season 2 Detective Inspector Jedidiah Shine (Joseph Mawle – Game of Thrones).

Bad guy DI Shine (Joseph Mawle) makes a welcome return

Catch the whole thing on 12th October on Amazon.

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Luke Cage Delayed Marvel’s Iron Fist

The Netflix/Marvel series have been incredibly successful in the last few years, adding a new dimension to the Marvel Universe. In 13 episode runs, the characters are given room to breathe and develop, and the launch of the series every six months or so is considered to be a big event. Fans were delighted when it was announced that four solo shows – Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist – would be made in the run up to The Defenders, which would feature all four heroes. However, while Murdoch, Jones and Cage hit the screens fairly quickly, Iron Fist‘s Danny Rand seemed to be nowhere in sight. Some fans even thought they might not even get the series at all.

Luke Cage showrunner Cheo Coker is taking the blame for that one. In a recent interview with Complex, he explained that originally it was all going to be taken quite slowly and Iron Fist was scheduled to come before Cage, however the momentum built up by Daredevil and Jessica Jones meant they decided to jump in and make them quicker. Luke Cage’s popularity in Jessica Jones made him the obvious choice choice for the next new show. Coker said, “Marvel went from, ‘We’re gonna take our time’ to ‘Let’s flip it and do Luke Cage first. We’ve got this great concept and this guy is leaping off the screen, let’s follow the momentum.’”

Don’t worry Rand fans, you won’t have to wait too long! Game of Thrones star Finn Jones was recently cast as the leading man in the Iron Fist series, and it’s due to land next year. The trailer was shared at San Diego Comic Con, and if you missed it, here it is:

Luke Cage launches on Netflix TOMORROW!!! (30th September) Hooray!!

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Good Girls Revolt Trailer Lands on Amazon

Next month, Amazon launches the 1960s drama Good Girls Revolt, which tells the stories of female journalists fighting for equality. The series is based on the true story of 46 female members of the Newsweek staff taking legal action against the publication for “systematic discrimination” against women in terms of hiring and promotion. Although the series uses real events and Lynn Povich‘s memoir of the events, most of the characters and settings are fictionalised. Newsweek becomes News of the Week, and the leading roles are possible composite characters of real men and women involved in the events. The show is created by Narcos writer/producer Dana Calvo, and is pitching itself as a stylish, cool Mad Men style affair. This time though, the Don Draper types take a back seat and the spotlight on ladies such as Jane (Anna Camp – True Blood),  Patti (Genevieve Angelson – House of Lies) and Cindy (Erin Darke – Don’t Think Twice). The show will nod to real characters too, with Grace Gummer (Mr Robot) appearing as feminist powerhouse Nora Ephron.

Watch the trailer here:

The series launches on 28th October 2016

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‘The Tick’ And More Get Full Series Orders From Amazon

In a spot of awesome news today, Amazon’s video division has announced that superhero spoof show ‘The Tick’ is to receive a full series order for 2017. Alongside the announcement Amazon also picked up ‘I Love Dick’ and ‘Jean-Claude Van Johnson’.

All three shows were available to watch through the Amazon Pilots scheme, where viewers could vote on which shows they wanted to get picked up. Clearly all three did well, so fans of each series should be very happy. ‘The Tick’ is a superhero spoof that saw a short lived live-action series from Fox back in 2001, and has since gained cult status among fans. ‘Jean-Claude Van Johnson’ meanwhile stars, you guessed it, Jean-Claude Van Damme as a parody version of himself, whilst ‘I Love Dick’ is based on the novel by Chris Kraus. Helpful hint for that last one, it is safe to google search it, just maybe don’t click on images…

Having only watched ‘The Tick’, I can only really speak to its potential. However given the stellar casts each show boasts, as well as the fairly unique ideas each one brings, Amazon may have just stumbled upon a gold mine of comedy TV.