“It’s fun to pretend. It’s as simple as that.”
Hollis is on death row. He had people searching for answers, believing in him until the evidence came out, standing by who they thought was an innocent man. It’s a situation that’s very similar to that of Daniel’s stint in prison, but it’s clear that this man is in no way the man Daniel is. Their world views are polar opposites, one looking at all humans as able to be saved, the other lacking regret when the truth comes out about the lie he lived.
“You’re a pretty amazing horrible sister, too.”
Kristen was far from the most endearing character early on in the show’s run, but the writers slowly started to shade her in and build upon the foundation of her being Ryan’s sister. In “Loyalty”, she reverts to the behavior she was known for in the past, but thankfully, it doesn’t prevent the episode from being thoroughly enjoyable.
“So, is that enough small talk to make you comfortable?”
Nathan For You is a show that doesn’t rely on a restrictive script or manufactured drama to function. Rather, Nathan Fielder–one of the funniest guys around right now–crafts a general set-up for what he wants to accomplish with whatever business he’s “helping out”, then pokes and prods until the underlying humanity shines through. It’s not so much about making people angry or playing a prank or attempting social commentary as much as it is about showing us unique and hilarious exchanges, all guided by the hand (and small penis) of Fielder. Continue reading
“I can assure you: full immunity is not on the table, but your hand is.”
24 has always utilized a similar formula across each season and, for the most part, has done it well. Of course, you’d think by the time a ninth season rolled around, there’d be significant diminishing returns, but it’s not the case because Live Another Day is managing to feel fresh and exciting as it progresses. Take, for example, this episode, one which features a bundle of vintage 24 elements that complement a story that’s barreling toward its finish.
“Hey. We’re still here.”
When 2% of the population mysteriously vanishes in what’s known as the Sudden Departure, we’re left with a bleak, unforgiving world, one permeated by crushing despair as people attempt to come to terms with what’s happened. Yet, this is a series that deals with the cold, hard truth: we’ll all disappear one day; we’ll all die, and we simply can’t ignore this fact. The Leftovers brings its characters face to face with the grim reality of existence, and in doing so, it crafts an intriguing look at the way society functions when its people experience loss on such a magnitude.
Some people simply belong in prison. It’s been established that Vee’s a heartless and conniving woman, but this week’s flashbacks ramp it up to a whole new level, turning our hatred of her into a flaming ball of ‘willingness to push her off a cliff’; you see, she not only seduced RJ–the guy who was shot at the end of Taystee’s flashback episode–but she also had him killed when she found out he was going solo and competing with her business in her area.
EPISODES COVERED: “The Farm”, “Home Part 1”, “Home Part 2”
ARC 2–Let’s go find Earth!
When Adama wakes up, to say that things are different would be an understatement. Like I said in the last review, everything’s been turned on its head, and the Commander is forced to face the fact that much of his fleet has left him, that his own son has abandoned him during this time of turmoil, that someone he knew and respected would take out a gun and shoot him twice in the chest. “Why?” he asks as he stands over Sharon’s lifeless body.
The prison system is supposed to be about both punishment and rehabilitation, but in reality, those goals can sometimes get lost in a wave of corruption, of facades, of weak attempts to move forward and change things for the better. When people are incarcerated, they oftentimes become people they’re not, and in order to keep up with everyone else, they have to assert themselves, changing how they’d normally act.
“Well, Daniel Holden, it’s time to bring you back to the land of the living. I hope you’re ready for it, because it’s a shit show.”
Sleeping giants always wake up. This is what Jon Stern tells Hollis, a prisoner about to be executed, someone who Jon wasn’t able to save, someone whose impending death takes a personal toll on the death row lawyer. We didn’t see him in the premiere, but here he is, looking like he hasn’t slept in a week; therein we find the prevalent theme in “Sleeping Giants”: exhaustion.
EPISODES COVERED: “Scattered”, “Valley of Darkness”, “Fragged”, “Resistance”
SEASON 2 ARC 1–Tigh’s in command!
As the chaos resulting from Adama’s shooting rages on, the characters of the Galactica are becoming scattered both physically and emotionally, their world turned upside down yet again. Adama’s laying in a hospital bed dying, Roslin, Lee, and Sharon are all in jail, and there’s a group of people stranded on Kobol. A leader is supposed to keep everything together, but when that leader is out of commission, who’ll step up and start to patch together the pieces? Will it be Colonel Tigh, someone who has to take on responsibility here that he never wanted to have, who constantly measures himself up against his friend?
Polar Bears Watch TV 