TV Previews/Reviews

Arrow Review: 1.17 - "The Huntress Returns" - aka The Verdant Arrow?

Tuesday, 26 March 2013 11:06 | Last Updated on Tuesday, 26 March 2013 11:36 | Written by Alice Jester |

Before I begin today’s analysis, does anyone know what Verdant means? I had no clue, so one trip to Google fixed all that.

Verdant: 1. Green with grass or rich vegetation. 2. Of the bright green color of lush grass.

Oh, I get it. The Green Arrow! I suppose that’s better than him being The Verdant Arrow and his nightclub being called Green.

Right, on with the analysis. You know how much my heart jumps every time I see Guy Bee in the credits as director. It’s no secret, I love the man’s work. I’m especially excited to see he got the huntress episode, because there was plenty of great action in this one. There was also plenty of character thinky stuff, which very likely will be relevant later. At least I hope.

Revolution Ramble On...Webisode Part 4: Enemies of the State

Tuesday, 19 March 2013 21:02 | Written by Nicole Murray |

Well, it’s time for me to haul my butt over to Comcast to get myself a new remote control as I haven’t been able to use mine for the last couple weeks. My television has been stuck on Syfy ever since I turned it to watch some SyFy movie I think during a natural disasters Saturday weekend...or maybe it was ice creatures...I don’t remember. I just really want to see Chupacabra vs. The Alamo next weekend...But I digress….

Person of Interest Review: 2.18, "All In"

Saturday, 16 March 2013 20:37 | Last Updated on Sunday, 17 March 2013 10:59 | Written by Elle2 |

"All In" is the perfect example of how to allow the case of the week move the larger emotional storyline forward. On the surface, this is a straightforward case of protect the innocent and everyone goes home happy; underneath is the heart, Finch’s heart, in all its brokenness. If that’s not enough to keep fans happy, HR rears its menacing head, and we see the full reach and dedication of Quinn, chief of staff to the mayor of NYC, as he gets his own hands dirty, very dirty (RIP Szymanski!) and then takes one in the shoulder to protect the cover.

Usually Reese connects with the person of interest, not Finch. But All In was all about Finch’s pain over losing Grace and how it continues to haunt him. Emotions are tricky and can get you into trouble. In a move that surprised Reese, Finch threw caution to the wind, announced Lou couldn’t possibly be bad and tailed him; quickly getting spotted.

While John and Harold have bonded a bit over their respective ‘lost loves’ ("No Good Deed") and they did so again, here Harold’s full connection over his pain happened with Lou. The three scenes shared by Finch and Lou mesmerized. Both actors played off the other wonderfully, giving and taking and upping the emotional ante each time. While I love a good fight, shootout or kneecapping, the scenes between Finch and Lou are captivating; both actors made me ‘feel their pain.’

Revolution Ramble On...Webisode Part 3: Enemies of the State

Monday, 11 March 2013 22:38 | Last Updated on Monday, 11 March 2013 22:49 | Written by Nicole Murray |

I’m doing something unprecedented! Well, for me anyway...I’m writing my review on the day that the new episode (webisode anyway) aired! Why you ask? Well, I’m just that enraged...

And because of my rage, I feel that I should put a disclaimer...The views of this author are not necessarily the views of www.tvfortherestofus.com , or anyone else for that matter, but solely the views of the writer, who is very angry, and may need to watch something completely escapist and non-thinky to chill out...like say Sea Patrol...

Revolution Ramble On...Webisode Part 2: Enemies of the State

Sunday, 10 March 2013 16:47 | Written by Nicole Murray |

Part Two of the Enemies of the State webisodes went live last week. No Monroe, so I had a total sadface going on. The scene occurred about the same time frame as Part One, eleven years after the blackout, and Neville is out trying to find the people Miles worked with to try to overthrow Monroe.

The scene was about a minute shorter and took place in a whorehouse...Which I found not entirely dissimilar to Ben Horn’s “One Eyed Jack’s” in Twin Peaks. Neville, acting like a militia officer looking for a little bit of fun (in a very incredibly dry, stoic way), questions the Madam of the house. Or at least the woman known for being the “eyes and ears” of the house. She claims not to have any idea who Miles is at first, but we all know Neville’s insurance adjuster skills at figuring out who is lying.

Promo Photos and Video: Revolution 1.11 - Returning March 25th

Saturday, 09 March 2013 23:02 | Last Updated on Saturday, 09 March 2013 23:16 | Written by Alice Jester |

Courtesy of NBC, here is something to tease you more until Revolution returns on March 25th. Promo photos! They don't really tell us much, but it's something to keep us guessing!

Person of Interest Review: 2.17 - "Proteus"

Saturday, 09 March 2013 22:32 | Written by Elle2 |

In Greek mythology Proteus is an early sea god, elusive, capable of constant change and assuming many forms. It is said he can foretell the future, something Carter and Finch pondered: “I don’t know what the future holds.” (Carter) “I wish I knew what that meant for the future.” (Finch)

The movie Rashomon influenced Proteus, specifically in the opening of the episode when it is raining and the end when the clouds part and the sun shines; identical to the movie. Lighting is also used to great extent in this episode, particularly with the chilling but effective shot of Finch deducing that FBI Agent Fahey was, in fact, Declan; all while the lightning illuminates Declan’s menacing presence behind him.

If you want to know more about Rashomon, hit Wikipedia. It sounds interesting, bound to keep one guessing as to what is real and what isn’t especially as it is told from the perspective of the individual, and each individual’s perspective is real to him or her but may not be reality; yeah, a bit of a mind bender.

Proteus was an homage to Greek mythological gods, Japanese films, a little bit of Batman (note the awning in the background as Finch and Reese leave the movie theater, it says “Gotham”) and a definitive nod to Agatha Christie. What I long ago learned is, pay attention to the little things that seem out of place, file them away, likely they’ll payoff in the end. That happened here as well. When Agent Fahey rebuffed Carter’s call, I wondered why and filed it away. I was right to.

Revolution Ramble On...Webisode Part 1: Enemies of the State

Friday, 01 March 2013 21:24 | Last Updated on Friday, 01 March 2013 21:54 | Written by Nicole Murray |

For the joyous return of my reviews on Revolution, I thought I’d jazz up the title a little to be a more REVO, less everything else, kind of title. So there you have it.

The news of NBC not airing the second half of Revolution until late March and the reduction of the episode order for Season One to twenty episodes came pretty much at the same time. This was a bit disheartening, but I still feel that Revolution performed so well the first ten episodes that they would have to lose quite a considerable amount of viewers to ruin their chances for a second season.

Arrow Review: 1.16 - "Dead To Rights" aka Why am I Rooting For the Merlyns Now?

Thursday, 28 February 2013 11:42 | Last Updated on Thursday, 28 February 2013 13:24 | Written by Alice Jester |

Whoa, was that epic or what? When I heard that Geoff Johns was writing a solo episode for Arrow my mind instantly went back to one of my all time favorite Smallville episodes, “Absolute Justice.” I knew this guy could do something big, and boy did he.

This is what I’ve always believed “Arrow” is capable of, going all out with a mini movie of the week to deliver us something thrilling. Not only was it exciting and emotional, but we have a game changer! Granted I know doing episodes like this each and every week is impossible, but the last several weeks with the poorly developed villain plots, stagnant character stories, and all in all lackluster pacing had me a bit worried the show was losing it’s grip. My faith is restored.