Television Reviews

The Walking Dead: ‘When the Dead Come Knocking’ Review

November 26, 2012 — 1 Comment

On last week’s episode of The Walking Dead, Rick figured out a way to cope with the lost of his wife. Thankfully he didn’t completely lose himself because they are really going to need Rick at his best for the events to come. With the arrival of Michonne to the prison,the group has little time to celebrate on the fact that Carol has survived.  Michonne wasn’t exactly a bearer of good news but rather came to the prison carrying nothing but baby formula.

This was the same formula that Glenn and Maggie were carrying before they were captured. After a discussion with Michonne, Rick finds out that Glenn and Maggie have been taken hostage. Unfortunately, Michonne doesn’t know that the person who shot her and captured Rick’s friends is Merle. The group is oblivious of what they are getting into with Merle, a guy still holding a personal vendetta against Rick. Rick and Carl decide on naming the baby before heading out. Carl names her Judith, after a teacher he had in 3rd grade.

Back at Woodbury, the governor tasks Andrea to help Milton with his research. An elderly man on the verge of dying from cancer has volunteered himself for research. Milton’s research is to try and establish whether the unconscious mind of  a walker still retains memories. The test involves Milton asking the elderly man questions about his family and whether or not he recognizes their faces. When walkers turn they won’t be able to verbally communicate so Milton practices with raising his hand as a confirmation.

The result of the experiment is disappointing for Milton. This comes as no surprise for Andrea because she has seen the transformation before. Yet, the results still affect her more than she thought they would. I believe perhaps on some level she wanted to believe that there was still hope for the living dead. The same hope she held for her sister she probably saw in Milton.

Meanwhile, Merle interrogates Glenn to try and find the group’s camp. This proves more difficult than Merle has expected. Glenn has become quite hardened by the world, since the last time they met. Merle’s brutal physical interrogation won’t be enough. One thing he does find out is that Andrea was part of the group and he relays the fact to the governor. Annoyed by Glenn’s perseverance, he brings a walker into the room. Merle wants Glenn to relive the feeling of desperation that he  felt when he was left to die on the roof.

Luckily, Glenn survives the encounter by managing to break the chair he was tied to and used it as a weapon against the walker. The governor decided to take matters in his own hands and interrogates  Maggie. When his attempts fail, he brings them together and threatens to shoot Glenn. This is the folding point for Maggie. She gives up the group’s camp.

I feel nervous for what is to come for Andrea. When she finally opens herself up to someone, he happens to be the person that will betray her trust. The suspense is killing me for the infiltration of the governor’s town in next week’s mid-season finale. I have a feeling it won’t be a easy snatch and grab operation.

Review Score: 8.7/10

AHS: Asylum: ‘Origins of Monstrosity’ Review

November 22, 2012 — Leave a comment

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After delivering the bombshell of the identity of Bloody Face last episode; American Horror Story delivers another solid episode. My expectations were a bit high for this episode. As the title of the episode implies; this episode examines the origins of some the characters in the show.

This week we see Bloody Face and Lana spending some quality time together. B.F reveals to Lana why he does what he does; his mother or lack thereof. This plot point is pretty predictable but it makes sense. Psychologically we all are shaped by our upbringing so if you were abandoned and never touched of course you would find yourself seeking some affection.

His character not only needs affection but he needs that sense of touch. Which he was refused his whole life from the system he was forced into. So he takes the warmth and affection of people who he sees as potential mothers by force; hence the mask.

I would have preferred to see Lana being cut to bits and pieces but somehow she convinced him otherwise. She is now forced into the role of mommy. I don’t see how things can get any worse for her character; as we see her character forced to do a certain maternal deed.

I think I was disappointed in seeing Shelly(Chloe Sevigny) being written off but I see there wasn’t much else you can do with her character after her exit from the asylum the last episode. Fortunately a new character has arrived to take her place.

I look forward to seeing if the alleged demon kid is actually telling the truth or if the writers of this show have another twist up their sleeve. An emotionless killer child would also please me as well though.

Pros

  • Bloody Face’s temper problems
  • Sister Jude’s Determination to reveal Dr. Arden
  • Opening up for more storytelling in the present
  • Sister Mary grooming the young demon

Cons

  • Sam Goodwin’s fate

This episode didn’t offer any twist like last episode but still offered ample entertainment through character interactions and flashbacks to the past and present.

Review Score: 8/10

Homeland: ‘Fly Away’ Review

November 21, 2012 — 1 Comment

This week’s episode of Homeland delved into the guilt felt by Dana about the hit and run that she took part of. In her time of turmoil, she turned to Mike for help.  Earlier on in the series, I had a small  dislike for Mike’s character. He has begun to grow on me now though.  He seems to genuinely care about the family and misses them. Hopefully there is a place for him in the family, sometime in the future. When I say that, I don’t  necessarily mean as a love interest with Dana’s mother. Fatherly figure seems more suitable for him, after all he has done for Jessica.

Meanwhile, it seems that all the lies and deception in Sgt. Brody’s life is finally taking a toll on him . His life as a double agent has forced him to make hard decisions that leaves his daughter angry with him. When his wife Jessica confronts him about lying about Carrie being out of the CIA, it can only get worse. All this pressure is causing him to lose his will to continue. I feel sorry for the guy. His family is falling apart despite his best intentions.

Because of these feeling, Brody ruins his meet up with Roya Hammad. If only it was that easy. If only he could walk away. But It isn’t that easy. The C.I.A needs him and without Brody as an asset, he’ll probably be spending some time in Guantanamo Bay(A thought he considers to be not all that bad if he can just stop all the lies). Still, the cogs turn and Carrie is still in play. After all, a threat is imminent. Carrie takes matters into her own and takes Brody off the radar. She convinces him that all his sins will be forgiven if he becomes this hero, who stops this attack on the U.S . Even the sins, against her she tells him will be forgiven.  All this eventually leads to them making sweet,sweet, love which is hilariously and masterfully cut into Saul and Quinn listening in.

It’s hard to tell whether Carrie is getting too attached with Brody, or if she is just doing it for the job. Saul shows his disapproval and asks her about it but she shoves it off as just being part of the job. Time will only tell how genuine Carrie’s feeling are towards Brody. Meanwhile, Brody sets up another  meeting with Roya Hammmad. Roya drives Brody out to the middle of nowhere and in a change of events her and the man from the Gettysburg massacre drags him out to a grass field where a helicopter is in the wait. It takes Brody off the radar for good. But unfortunately, this time he isn’t off the radar in the safe hands of the C.I.A. He’s now off the radar, in the hands of Abu Nazir.

I predict we will see in the next episodes of Homeland, whether Abu Nazir still has an effect on Brody. Will his memories of Issa, take him back to the other side? Only time will tell. I for one am looking forward to a conflicted Brody who can’t see right from wrong.

Review Score: ★★★★½