Dates - Episodes 8 & 9 Reviews

Fourth and final week of the dating saga and while I did usually place these reviews on a Thursday, I had to delay this one to catch up with a few other shows but I have watched the last two episodes of Dates first series and well, here are my thoughts on them ...

Episode 8: Jenny & Christian

It's been a while since we've seen the kleptomaniac Jenny (Sheridan Smith) and with other characters being seen more than once this series, it was only fair we'd get a return from her too. This time around she's on a date with the somewhat religious Christian (Andrew Scott), who's got the Perfect 10 (commandments that is) and it's a date that goes well for them. So well, they end up sleeping together and having a very adult and mature conversation in relation to their respective beliefs and then things go to crap. Yeah, it seems that Christian has a wife called Helen (Amanda Hale) who's fed up of his wandering eye and turfs him out before Jenny tells him to fuck off as well. It's a good story with some nice moments between Smith and Scott but it also seems that a lot of Jenny's lingering issues (her stealing and inability to get over being ditched by her ex) are still holding her back. Other than that, a fantastic episode though, 9/10.

Episode 9: Mia & David

Well the series did start off with Mia and David, slotted them in the middle along with Ellie and Stephen, so it makes sense that it would end with three of the characters, doesn't it? In this episode Mia manages to annoy both David and Stephen over her erratic behaviour with children but she does manage to end up with at least one of them while the other resolves to be a better parent to a kid we meet for a few minutes. It's a great final episode with some nice moments from both Chaplins and Mellor but it also kind of feels that if the show returns for a second run that Mia and David are probably two characters we might not need to see more of. Stephen on the other hand could be up for discussion though, 8/10.

After nine episodes, we've had a great series with Dates. A nice mixture of stories, interconnecting and otherwise, great performances and some interesting debates on what can bond or drive people apart from each other as well. Channel 4 - commission a second series, please. Give Heidi, Callum, Jenny and Ellie other episodes with new characters, an episode with two guys on a date without the usual cliches and another episode for Erica and Kate, told from the latter's POV. You know you want to.

You can watch the series on 4OD right now if you've missed it.

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My Review of Dexter's 8x01: "A Beautiful Day"

Written by Scott Buck
Directed by Keith Gordon

Deb (to Dexter): “I shot the wrong person in that trailer.”

It’s the beginning of the end and there’s a part of me that wants to prolong this season as much as possible. While I’m definitely of the belief that now is the right time for the show to conclude, I am certainly going to miss this series and this opening episode reminded me of why to be honest.

Dexter’s journey has gotten messier and messier over the years with his actions always having consequences and last season, Deb’s protection of his secret compromised her in a big way and has now widened the gap that was growing between her and Dexter. Watching her in this episode alone was quite sad in it’s way.

Deb’s always had a good head on her shoulders but shooting Maria has resulted in her leaving Miami Metro to work for a private detective agency with Elroy (who didn’t really do much in this episode), sleep with the same creep that she was hired to bring down in a sleazy motel and numb the pain through booze and drugs while activating avoiding Dexter like the plague.

Much as I sympathised with Dexter for being rejected at several points by Deb and more so when his attempts of protecting her resulted in her target being killed by him, there’s no denying that this is all his fault. She killed Maria to protect him and now she can barely live with herself. On top that, Deb also managed to get a hit on her head with El Sapo, who was also meant to kill Andrew Briggs.

I’m not sure if Dexter and Deb can repair their relationship or even should be able to either because right about now, I can’t see either of them getting out of the series either alive or scot free from their actions and adding Evelyn Vogel into the mix only seemed to add to my suspicions on that matter.

I liked Vogel from the off – the neuro-physiatrist with a speciality in serial killers. I knew she was going to be trouble for Dexter and I liked that this episode didn’t waste any time in having her reveal to him that she knew about his code and macabre childhood drawings too. If anything she’s clearly being designed to be a part of Dexter’s undoing and he’s got every right to be worried about her.

I have a feeling this season is going to result in more people becoming suspicious about Dexter. Maria’s death got Angel back into Miami Metro and there’s no doubt he’ll want more answers and even Matthews seemed a little too nonchalant about Vogel being a presence in the brain surgeon case as well.

I like the whole thing with the victim of the week having the part of his brain where empathy comes from being removed. It might have been a little obvious along with the needling Vogel gave Dexter but it’s an interesting plotline and an appropriate one too for the show’s final season. However I don’t think I’d be too shocked though if it turns out that Evelyn herself is the brain surgeon considering that she’s just returned to Miami and she certainly seems to have a bit of a Dark Passenger herself, doesn’t she?

Also in “A Beautiful Day”

Aimee Garcia (Jamie) and Geoff Pierson (Tom) are regulars while Charlotte Rampling (Vogel) is a special guest star.

Dexter (to himself): “There’s nothing like a crisis to help define who you are.”

The opening sequence saw Dexter flying kites with Harrison, coaching his soccer team, setting up the bowling club again, sleeping with a blonde woman and Hannah’s flower wilting.

Harry (re Deb): “She asked you to leave her alone.”
Dexter: “For how long? I haven’t talked to her in a month.”

Dexter (to himself): “Is this how I’m gonna find Deb – dead and alone?”

Angel sorting out through Maria’s things was a lovely gesture, though I don’t think he should’ve asked Miranda about taking Maria’s clothes though.

Jamie (re Maria): “That’s who she was, Angel – a cop.”
Angel: “That’s who she was.”

Vogel: “I look forward to working with you, Dexter Morgan.”

Jamie and Quinn are now sleeping together. I really cannot make myself even remotely interested in this storyline.

Deb (to Dexter): “So why don’t you go back to your little life and pretend everything’s fine but I can’t do that because I am not fucking like you.”

Vogel: “You can’t kill me.”
Dexter: “Why?”
Vogel: “Because I don’t fit Harry’s code.”

Chronology: Six months since where the previous finale left off.

“A Beautiful Day” probably was a misleading title for this episode but it was certainly a great opening for a show that definitely seems determined to deliver one hell of a final season. Will anyone get out of this alive?

Rating: 9 out of 10

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The Sarah Jane Adventures - CBBC Wanted A Gay Character

You heard right. In relation to the no longer with us The Sarah Jane Adventures wanted a gay character and the character in question ...

Luke Smith as played by Tommy Knight (who is now a regular in Waterloo Road). In the commentary for the story Death Of The Doctor on The Green Death Special Edition DVD it seems that Luke's friend Sanjay (mentioned in the story) would've been revealed as Luke's boyfriend and according to writer Joseph Lidster, the fourth series opening story The Nightmare Man would've had a line where Luke might have suggested his preference for men as well but it was cut at the last minute.

I have to admit there were times in the show when I did wonder a bit about Luke so the fact that CBBC themselves were keen on having a gay character on The Sarah Jane Adventures is rather encouraging. Perhaps maybe we'll eventually see one in the likes of Wizards Vs. Aliens or Wolfblood or something else down the line but either way, it's an interesting reveal and a further example of how The Sarah Jane Adventures really was ahead of other shows in it's genres.

More Information: http://blogtorwho.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/cbbc-wanted-sja-gay-character.html

The Green Death Special Edition is available on DVD from August 5th.

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Doctor Who - Top 50 Companions: Part 2

And here's the second part of my Top 50 companions of Doctor Who list where this segment at least has two on-off guest companions in the mix.

41: Mickey Smith (Noel Clarke)

Being the boyfriend of one companion (Rose Tyler) and the eventual husband of another (Martha Jones) might be something of an unique selling point but when Mickey Smith started off he was a bumbling, cowardly idiot of sorts. Of course that was mainly in his first episode and since then, he's grown nicely as a character, becoming more a hero than a zero throughout his time with both the Ninth and Tenth Doctors.

42: Ben Jackson (Michael Craze)

Well, who doesn't love a man in uniform, eh? This show has a knack for coming up with some great male/female companion team up with respective Doctors and for a small while, Ben was a brilliant addition along with Polly and both the First and Second Doctors as well. He's possibly one of the most underrated companions as well.

43: Grace Holloway (Daphne Ashbrook)

She might have only been in one movie and legal ramblings may have hindered her from being in any of the Big Finish productions (though Daphne herself has played another character) but long before Martha Jones appeared on the scene (and after Harry Sullivan of course), Grace was the perfect doctor for the Eighth Doctor in a movie that IMO is a lot better than other stories I can mention. Plus, she did start the whole companion kissing trend too.

44: Jackson Lake (David Morrissey)

If anyone could be the Doctor, then Jackson Lake certainly had the memories and potential to do it. The Next Doctor was something of a clever idea, nicely done around the time we knew the Tenth Doctor was heading towards his Eleventh incarnation and Morrissey played the role with a genuine heart and spirit in one of the show's best Christmas specials as well. He's also one of those one-off companions I wouldn't mind seeing have an adventure with another Doctor at some point too.

45: Canton Everett Delaware III (Mark Sheppard)

Another one-off companion of sorts, only this time around one from the Series 6 opening two-parter The Impossible Astronaut/Day Of The Moon (and keeping with Steven Moffat's love of timey wimey - we met the older version in 2011 before the younger one in 1969), Canton certainly made a great impression as he did his best to help the Eleventh Doctor, Amy, Rory and River defeat the Silence. Canton was also one of a few impressive LGBT companions/characters that we've seen within the series as well and he's definitely a character I wouldn't mind seeing one more time too.

Parts 3 and 4 of this countdown will be up next week. Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think of the rankings so far.

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All Grown Up

This is somewhat shorter than usual but here's a roundup of some shows I've watched over the last few weeks ....

Banshee: Not a bad finale. In actual fact probably one of the better episodes of the series but I'm not sure if this is a show I'll bother really watching next series. It's not been bad but it's not been as gripping as I had hoped it would be either and while Lucas and some of the characters have grown and we've had decent antagonists (Proctor more than Mr Rabbit), I realise that I don't really care enough with the series to keep with it. Anyone else feel the same way or is it just me?

Skins: The seventh and final season started last night on TV and the first part of Fire certainly was an interesting return to form of sorts. I know some fans might have trouble getting used to the new format but personally I found it easy to get into. Effy was both more sensible than she was in fourth series and yet at the same time on the verge of making some blunders with her sleazy new boss and the company she was working for. However, it was Naomi's plot that ended up being the shocker of the episode even if the moment was ruined by a terrible use of music but at least Emily will be back for the second part of this saga. Overall, an interesting opening episode for the series.

The Americans: Five episodes in and while this show might not be as gripping as Homeland for instance, it's definitely great viewing. I still think it's unwise for ITV1 to be relegating this to a Saturday night and it probably wouldn't kill them to promote it a little better. Gripes aside there, at least Philip and Elizabeth's complicated web of lies seem to provide some interesting scenerios for the two of them as the lines between their cover and actual feelings for each other keep getting blurred. Another pleasant surprise is how the show has managed to make one of their most potential threats in neighbour Stan one of the more sympathetic characters too, especially given his protective relationship with Nina. Overall, this is a show that is shaping up quite nicely.

The Returned: Sunday nights have become a better place with this show. I know the critics are perhaps gushing a little too much about it but the last few episodes have not only built on the impressive opening episode but actually surpassed it as well. The backstories for the likes of Simon, Julie and Victor have been impressive to watch as has the growing rivalry and strangeness surrounding both Camille and Lena (what is causing that gash on the latter's back?). Plus, the gruesome moments in this show manage to be genuinely unsettling, especially with that stomach eating serial killer. Easily the best thing on television for the time being.

- Melissa George will be appearing in the fifth season of The Good Wife in a major recurring role.
- Chilean actor Pedro Pascal has been cast as Oberyn/Red Viper for the fourth season of Game Of Thrones.
- Mare Winningham will be guest starring in Revolution.
- Happy Endings is indeed over as the search for a new network has ended.
- David Bowie has been offered a role on Hannibal.
- Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. will have lots of crossovers according to actor Clark Gregg.
- Brian Austin Green will be a regular in the next season of Anger Management.
- Expect to see more DC characters in the second season of Arrow.
- Neil Gaiman has shot down rumours that HBO are adapting American Gods for a TV series.
- Rhys Ifans will be playing Mycroft Holmes in the second season of Elementary.

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My Review of True Blood's 6x03: "You're No Good"

Written by Mark Hudis
Directed by Howard Deutch

Sarah: “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter. I’m in politics now.”
Steve: “Seriously?”

I think in terms of revelations Sarah Newlin being in politics isn’t that much of a stretch and this episode was a nice reminder how much fun she can actually be as well as a character too. The glamorous look for the former wife of Steve certainly seems to suit her new vocation in life and the current situation he’s in was a nice display of role reversal here too.

Steve really has no-one in his corner, does he? The main vampires of the series hate him and the humans are probably glad to have a high profile figure to experiment on and get information out of, so in a bizarre way I actually feel a little bad for Steve but just a little though. However I certainly don’t blame him ratting on Eric in order to avoid being tortured either but I’m also hoping that he’s not a goner just yet though.

It’s nice to see that the human threat actually does more than the Authority did last season. Here, they dragged in a bound and gagged Steve and got him to squeal while at the same time upping their laws against vampires, spreading more dissent and even tracking Eric when he took a captive Willa Burrell to Ginger’s place.

Now getting to the Eric side of things here. I notice with him there’s an alarming double standard within fandom. Throughout this episode Eric threatened to kill and have his way with Willa and yet certain segments of fandom acted like it was the hottest thing ever. Of course this would be the same segment of fandom that would’ve gone apeshit if it had been Bill holding Willa prisoner and threatening all kinds of violence on her. It’s stuff like this that does make me a little worried about this show’s fan base in general.

This however isn’t an Eric bashing review and I do get the impression that he probably has no actual intention of hurting Willa given that he neither bit her nor allowed her to ingest any of his blood but at the same time, Willa turning out to be a vampire sympathiser did seem a tad predictable, didn’t it?

I’m not really sure if I totally believe that Willa is for the vampires but I definitely believe she’s got a strained relationship with her father. The same father in this episode who seemed less concerned for his daughter’s safety and more fixated on just capturing Eric. The funny thing was that it was Tara who ended up defying both Pam and Eric and taking Willa away to safety.

I like that Tara’s compassion for humanity hasn’t disappeared even her feelings for Pam have intensified a little more here. Tara was probably the only person who was being sensible about what the gang should do with Willa and I actually don’t blame her for taking matters into her own hands as well. Maybe Eric and Pam should actually listen to Tara instead of being so impulsive with Burrell and company too.

Keeping with the vampires – not sure how to feel about Bill in this one. It was kind of funny that he nearly roasted alive when he thought he could walk in the sun but his scenes with Sookie stirred some mixed feelings for me. On one hand he behaved like a royal asshole when he wanted to synthesise her blood to save everyone but on the other hand, he did actually back away when Sookie made it clear that she wasn’t going to help him this time.

Of course it seems now though that the solution to Bill’s problems comes in the form of Andy’s ever growing daughters. I won’t be sad to see them go to be honest (and I’m not condoning Bill’s future actions here) but you think Andy would’ve kept his mouth shut instead of blabbing about his new parental role, wouldn’t you? Especially when Bill himself really does have a whole new set of handy tricks as demonstrated by his altercation with Sookie and Jason in this episode.

Last but not least – can we please meet Warlow already? Unless we already have and it’s Ben who seemed more suspicious with his interactions with Niall and Sookie in this episode but if Ben isn’t Warlow, can we just please meet him already? I want to get a good look at the guy now and see what really does set him apart from all other vampires we’ve had on the show at the moment.

Also in “You’re No Good”

Anna Camp has been added to the credits again, so I guess Sarah will be sticking around for a bit. Not surprised that she was damning of Steve in her book as well.

Jason (re Warlow): “Did I get him?”
Niall: “No, hotshot, you didn’t get him.”
Jason: “Did you get him?”
Sookie: “No, sweetie. The king of fairies did not get him either.”

I guess with Niall and Ben, we had to lose all of the fairies and that club from last season but Claude deserved a better exit than this one.

Scientist: “Ungag him will you? I’m curious to hear what he has to say.”
Steve: “Do you even know who I am? I’m the spokesvampire for the AVL. If you don’t release me, you’re gonna have vampires crawling up your asses.”
Scientist: “On second thoughts, let’s keep him gagged, shall we?”

Eric: “The world is changing Pam and we have to change with it.”

The werewolf plot continues to be dull with Rikki being a bitch to Emma (who Sam manages to get back), Alcide being an inept leader and the Vampire Unity Society getting slaughtered by the pack, though Nicole managed to escape.

Kevin (to Andy): “It’s called glamouring. My dry cleaner’s a vampire. She likes to talk.”

Willa (to Eric): “To answer you question, I do like vampires very much.”

Burrell’s wife cheated on him with a vampire, Jessica went after the scientist who came up with the synthesised blood, Andy gave Holly some shooting lessons and Jason kept getting bad headaches in this one. At least he addressed his extreme behaviour in this one though.

Sarah: “Oh, that’s good, you’re funny as a vampire. You were never funny as a human being.”
Steve: “We had some good times.”
Sookie: “How are you doing this?”
Bill: “I play by a different set of rules now, Sookie.”

Standout music: The Plasticines “You’re No Good”.

Bill: “You’re dead to me, Sookie Stackhouse.”
Sookie: “I’m good with that.”

Chronology: From where “The Sun” left off.

Three episodes in and it’s brilliant to see how much of an improvement this season has become. “You’re No Good” may not have given us a direct reveal of Warlow (and both Lafayette and Nora were underused) but it’s definitely the best we’ve had this season.

Rating: 9 out of 10

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Glee - Season 5 First News/Airdate

Well filming for the fifth (and possible penultimate) season of Glee has begun and thanks to Lea Michele, we've got a glimpse of a season cast with the gang in both McKinley and New York ....

It's been revealed that the fifth season will be promoting Melissa Benoist (Marley), Jacob Artist (Jake) and Becca Tobin (Kitty) as regular for the new season while Alex Newell (Unique) and Blake Jenner (Ryder) will have expanded roles in Season 5.

More to the point (and perhaps not as shockingly) it's also been revealed that Heather Morris (Brittany), Mark Salling (Puck), Amber Riley (Mercedes) and Harry Shum Jr (Mike) will not be regulars for the new season. Given that they barely factored in Season 4, it's not that much of a shock and Morris herself was given a pretty decent exit in All Or Nothing. They will pop up as guest stars in the fifth season as will Dianna Agron (Quinn).

While it's nice to have some news about the upcoming season, I was hoping for something a little more surprising though. Then again with production for Season 5 already in and an airdate confirmed for it's return, I'm sure more news will surface soon.

Casting News: http://www.gossipcop.com/glee-new-cast-melissa-benoist-jacob-artist-becca-tobin/

Glee Season 5 will air on Thursdays 9pm from September 19th.

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