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: 🎬🎬🎬🎬🎬

‘WWE’ & ‘E!’ Announce ‘Total Bellas’

With WWE and Total Divas alumni Nikki & Brie Bella sidelined from in-ring action, It seems that the veterans of pro-wrestling are moving onto pastures new with their own reality series Total Bellas.

During WWE’s broadcast of Monday Night RAW’s overseas trip to the UK; E! released the debut trailer for the Total Divas’s spin-off show. “We are excited to build on one of our most successful franchises with this new series that goes exclusively inside the world of WWE fan favourites The Bella Twins,” revealed Jeff Olde, EVP of Programming & Development at E!. “Nikki and Brie Bella have an undeniable charm and wit that matches their irrefutable beauty, and we are thrilled to get an intimate look into what it’s like to be in a relationship with some of the hottest sports entertainers in the world.“

The six-episode series will also feature WWE superstars John Cena and Daniel Bryan, with John ‘Big-Johnny’ Laurinaitis joining the Bella’s clan after becoming engaged to the twin’s mother, Kathy Colace, in September last year.

It had been reported last week that E! had trademarked the name Total Bellas with reference to the title being used for a reality based show, leading many outlets to suspect that the Twins would be departing the Total Divas brand. E! confirmed today however that the pair will remain on the cast when the show returns for Season Six in the fall, alongside new cast members Maryse, Lana, Naomi and WWE announcer Renee Young.

For all your Reality-Era-Wreslting-News, stick with @mitch_rated only on Skatronixxx

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow SN1 EP11 – ‘ The Magnificent Eight ‘

The Magnificent Eight

When last we left our heroes, Rory was advising them to “Run!”.  And for very good reason.  He knows that the Time-Masters have now sent a trio of mercenaries called the Hunters after them, himself included.  These Hunters will stop at nothing to erase them from the face of history.

The WaveRider lands at the town of Salvation in 1871, an attempt to hide from the Hunters in what Rip calls a “fragmentation”.  Even the geek twins (Martin Stein and Ray Palmer) are stumped by the terminology.   Much to my delight, only Rory understands the reference.    A fragmentation, as explained by Rory, is a temporal blind spot, a place and time where the Time-Masters cannot see.  Pretty smart for a guy with “the IQ of meat”!

The team want to go see the Old West, but Rip won’t go with them, saying that he wants to plot their next move against Savage.  Rory promises that he will behave, and the rest promise to stay out of trouble.  Sure.  Since when has that ever happened??

In the Last Salvation Saloon, Rory, Sara and Kendra belly up to the bar for shots.  Kendra notes that the alcohol tastes like gasoline and walks away, bumping into an older woman, which prompts a glimpse of memory.  Rory tells Sara that time is different in the Vanishing Point, and that it has been years since he saw the bottom of a glass.  She wants to know what happened to him there, because he is different, but she is not sure if that is good or bad.  Rory notes that she can hold her liquor.   She reminisces about other bars, where guys had tried to get her drunk, but laughs that they all ended up under the table.   Rory challenges her.  Meanwhile, Professor Stein is winning at a card table, surprising Len.  Martin tells him that he had watched his father, a degenerate gambler, and had picked up a few things, but then chose a different path.  He tells Len that “like father, like son” is not inevitable.  Meanwhile, a sore loser takes his anger at losing out on one of the saloon girls.  Martin objects, the loser draws, and Snart shoots him.   A man at a different table stands up, causing the patrons to scatter.  Stein tries to defuse the situation, but is interrupted by Snart.  “Your friend drew first, got put down, it was a clean shot.”  To which some smart ass asks “Do we look like we care about clean?” Too funny! And it’s on like Donkey Kong!  Rory doesn’t get to participate as he is asleep face down at the bar.  Sara wins!!  Lol.

A shadowy figure in the corner decides playtime is over and fires into the air.  He introduces himself as Jonah Hex (Johnathon Schaech).  Hex tells them they stick out like a sore thumb, so why don’t they tell him where they are really from, or rather WHEN they are from.  The shock on the teams’ faces is priceless, as they realize that they are not the first time travelers he has run across.  And there is more shock when Jonah wants to know where Rip is.

The team brings Hex to the ship, making Rip wonder what it is about them that they need to pick up strays everywhen they go.  Then he realizes who it is.  Hex compliments Rip on the look of the coat he had given Rip last time they met.

He tells Rip that he got the team out of trouble when one of them shot a member of the Stillwater Gang, which has been terrorizing Salvation for the last 3 months.  He thinks this will bring a whole lot of hell on the town.  Ray doesn’t aim to let that happen. Rip says they’ve already done too much, and they have probably already alerted the Hunters.  Ray argues that they signed on to be heroes.

Kendra wants to find the woman who prompted the memory flash, and so Sara goes with her.  They have some much needed girl time on the way.  Kendra is being drawn to the woman’s home, but is not sure why.

At the Sheriff’s office, the sheriff is hastily packing to get out of Salvation.  As he leaves, he makes Ray the new sheriff.

Stein has gone back to the saloon to buy information on the Stillwater Gang’s location.  While he is waiting for a map, he sees a woman crying and asks why she is drinking alone.  She tells him it is tonic water that she has bought for her dying son, Bertie (Glen Gordon).  He has consumption, and they came west in the hope that the change would help him, but the local doctor says that he has a day at most.  Martin goes with her to see the boy.

The Stillwater Gang rides into town and starts shooting it up.  They rein up in front of Ray, who is standing in the middle of the street.  He introduces himself as the new Sheriff, John Wayne.  Jeb Stillwater (Brent Stait), leader of the gang, explains the arrangement they have with the town.  Ray says the arrangement is over, so Stillwater draws.  Snart is on a balcony with a rifle, and shoots the revolver out of Stillwaters’ hand.  Ray tells him he has sharpshooters posted all around, and they had best get out of town, or the next one will go in his eye.  The gang leaves, and the townsfolk cheer.

Back at the ship, Jax celebrates Ray’s badass actions.  Hex notes that they keep poking at the hornet nest.  He asks if they have thought about what happens when they leave and warns that Salvation will end up like Calvert, with a glance at Rip that speaks volumes.  Rory wants to know about Calvert, Rip says it’s a closed matter, and takes Hex aside for a word.  The team has Gideon show them Calvert, a town that was decimated in 1868.

Martin can’t stand the thought that a child is dying when he could so very easily be saved.  He has Gideon manufacture streptomycin, which is 70 years in the future away from being invented.  Rip points out that he is mucking with the time stream again, but Martin argues that Ray is doing the same.  Rip agrees that he is, but that he is doing so with 19^th century technology.    Martin argues that Rip hasn’t a leg to stand on because of Calvert.

Rip explains that he had been on a mission for the time-masters and when the mission was done, had become so attached to the era that he had begun to suffer from time-drift.  He had to tear himself away.  Calvert had been terrorized by the Turnbull Gang, led by Quentin Turnbull, and Rip and Hex had done what Ray was doing with Salvation.  The day after Rip left, Calvert was destroyed by the gang.  Stein refuses to back down from helping Bertie, because he won’t live with the regret that he sees on Rip’s face.  Hex has found where the gang is hiding, thanks to the information Martin bought.  The team saddles up to go arrest Stillwater, but Rip still refuses to go.

Kendra and Sara find the mystery woman’s cabin.  Kendra realizes that the woman is an earlier incarnation of herself.  She advises Kendra against ever trying to love anyone except Carter, who was Hannibal Hawkes in this life.  After Savage killed Hannibal, any other love she had never ended well.  While they are looking at a sketch of the earlier Kendra and Hannibal, Kendra notices a bracelet in the sketch that she remembers, and asks about it.  The bracelet was present in her first life, but is lost, having been taken by bandits.  Kendra remembers that things present in her first life can be used to kill Savage.

Martin has given Bertie the medicine, and he is rapidly healing.  Stein makes his mother, Sarah Neal (Anna Galvin), promise to burn all of the leftover medicine and the vials when Bertie is better.

At the gang’s campsite, bullets are flying everywhere but Ray arrests Stillwater (and Mirandizes him, lol).  The gang regroups and captures Jax.  However, the team is out of ammo so they beat a hasty retreat, leaving Jax behind but with the intent to use Stillwater as leverage.

Hex suggests a quick draw at high noon.  If Ray wins, they get Jax back, but if he loses, they must release Stillwater, and Ray will be dead.  Rory approves of the plan, since he still enjoys as much havoc as possible.  Hex suggests using future tech to cheat, but Rip will not allow it.  Hex wants to know if Rip would have stayed if he had known what would happen to Calvert, and then punches Rip when he finds out Rip did know. Rip explains that the reason he had to tear himself away was because the era presented too many opportunities to be a hero, he needed to get back to his soon to be wife before he forgot all about her, and if he had stayed he would no longer have been a time-master.  But since he no longer is a time-master, he will be the one to face Stillwater in the quick draw.

At high noon the gang rides into town with Jax.  Snart marches Stillwater out into the street, and gives him a revolver.  Rip and Stillwater draw, and Rip wins.  The gang releases Jax and rides off, just as the Hunters appear.

Rip did bring two new tech revolvers from the ship, the sneak! He gives Hex one.  Ray puts his suit on, Martin and Jax merge, Kendra hawks out and the fight is on. Rory fistfights with one of the Hunters who calls him a traitor.  Rory says not possible, as he was never on their side, he was always on his own side.  Before Rory stabs him with his own knife, the Hunter tells Rory that the Omega Protocol has been initiated and the Pilgrim is on the way.  When the Hunters have all been put down, Hex and Rip talk.  Hex has to leave, but would be okay with meeting them again.  Martin says goodbye to Bertie Neal, but Bertie corrects him.  His last name is his father’s – his mother adds that his full name is Herbert George Wells.  How about them apples?

Back at the ship, Kendra insists that she has told Ray everything, and that the rest is not important since it was just what the woman thought. I am not convinced she told Ray the woman was an earlier incarnation.

So what is the Omega Protocol and the Pilgrim?  Rory and Rip tell the team that she is the time masters’ deadliest assassin.  Snart thinks they can handle her and Rip agrees, but says this is why the Pilgrim will go after their younger selves.

The last scene in this week’s episode is of a young boy, sitting in a field watching a house burn.  Although we don’t know for sure, it is probably Rory, given his penchant for fire.  The boy doesn’t know there is a mysterious and menacing woman stood behind him, with her weapon trained on him.  Fade to black as we hear a shot.

My Favorite Moments:

I didn’t see the Jonah Hex movie, so I can’t compare Johnathon Schaech’s performance to Josh Brolin’s, but I can say that this Jonah Hex is IMHO, perfect casting..  I am looking forward to future guest appearances.  It seems to me that he could even become an addition to the team.

Rory!!!  OMG!!!  The man has definitely been changed by his time in the Vanishing Point, and it is a good change!  Although it seems like he is still on no side but his own, he will be an asset for as long as their interests coincide.  I have hopes that he will eventually become a whole-hearted member of the team.

Sara actually smiles!!!

Ray is a tall glass of water, togged up in Old West gear, and Len looks damn good too. Hey, a little eye candy never hurts!!

Discovering that Rip’s son Jonas is actually named after Jonah Hex.

The Originals SN3 EP18 – ‘ The Devil Comes Here And Sighs ‘

SN3 EP18:  The Devil Comes Here and Sighs

Written By:  Kyle Arrington & Michelle Paradise

Directed By:  Jesse Warn

The backdrop of this episode was the NOLA Jazz & Music festival which added a sense of fun even if The Mikaelsons were dealing with dire straights.  The Win10 hybrid Lucien was trying once again to romance, in his totally unstalkerish creepy way, Klaus’ crazy ex-girlfriend by giving her a jar of blood.  How romantic.

In said jar was the blood of a Mikaelson witch (Freya) and a little extra to make Aurora a Win10 hybrid too.  Aurora totally has him wrapped around her finger, saying she’ll drink the blood if he agrees to save her brother or end his suffering.  Which of course means that Lucien would have to kill Elijah.  Ya know, since his sire bond is still intact.

Klaus goes after Lucien.  Now, you gotta understand here.  Klaus isn’t used to being anything but the Baddest of all the BAMF’s on the planet.  I mean his mantra has always been “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death… blah blah blah… I’m the baddest S.O.B in the valley.”  And shock of all shocks, he gets his BAMF ass handed to him….and Lucien ties him up with some chains and stuff that has come kind of witchy stuff going on so that Klaus can’t escape.  Kinky, I know.

On the Kol front, Davina gets help from Marcel and Vincent.  But, Vincent gets knocked down to size when he finds out he’s no longer The Ancestors’ choice for regent.  He’s been voted out of the cemetery and there’s a new Regent in town.  But, Marcel convinces Kol to “do the right thing” and leave NOLA and get out of The Ancestors’ power range.  As soon as Kol crosses the city limit sign though he starts to desiccate and has to come back into the realm of The Ancestors.

Back across town, Lucien leaves Klaus in the company of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Aurora while he goes off to take care of Elijah.  Now, Elijah has agreed to meet Lucien even though he knows it’s a trap.  But, he doesn’t come alone.  He brings Freya and a whole lot of Strix members with him.  And, although Freya temporarily binds Lucien to a spot on the floor… they eventually have to run for their lives, since The Ancestors like Lucien more than they like any of the Mikaelsons.

In the meantime, Cami and Hayley try to save Klaus.  They have a lot more luck accomplishing their goals than Elijah, Freya and The Strix do.  Before the Cami/Hayley Calvary arrives, Klaus gets Aurora to admit that shes just using Lucien (and his hidden camera catches it all).  Aurora drinks the blood from the jar and hopes that Cami and Hayley will kill her and finish her transformation to Win10 hybrid status.  But, they fool the hell outta her by just knocking her out.  So now she’s playing Sleeping Beauty inside the Mikaelson Compound so that Freya can try to find a cure for her (and Lucien’s) bite.

And the best part?  Klaus knows that Cami really does love him, but we have to wait two weeks to get to see the make up stuff.  Darn it!