Tag Archives: TV

The Walking Dead “30 Days Without An Accident” Review (4×01)

14 Oct

627-4The Walking Dead has always been a bleak show, taking the opposite end of the spectrum from shows like Falling Skies. Optimism and cheer haven’t been very present in the show, which makes it all the more surprising when the season 4 premiere opens with characters smiling, cracking jokes, and working together. Some time has passed since the Governor declared war on the prison, and our characters are now settling down, learning the rudimentary skills needed to survive in a post-apocalyptic world (like knife-using, as taught by Carol). On the one hand, it’s great seeing these people act more like human beings, but on the other hand, the cast is so large that most of the supporting characters feel like plot devices. Who knows? Maybe one day, the show will become an engrossing character drama. Yeah, probably not.

What the show excels at is the zombies, as to be expected when the entire premise is zombies. The scene in which a bunch of them crash through the ceiling is extremely entertaining, and this proves that the show still hasn’t run out of ideas in regards to walker deaths. The gore hasn’t let up and neither have the visuals.

This is our only action sequence in the episode, though, one that consists of a lot of talking. One of these plots involves Rick and a woman he meets in the woods, and it’s a compelling story that serves to comment on the show’s themes of humanity and survival. She attacks him impulsively because of a need of survival, and this brings up the question of whether isolation is best for survival or not. There’s a lot of weight in these scenes, and it’s disappointing that it only lasts for one episode.

Ultimately, the episode plods along at a snail’s pace. While I’m happy about the character work, the characters just aren’t compelling enough to sustain a whole episode’s worth of entertainment.

GRADE: B-

OTHER THOUGHTS:

-So, Daryl and Carol, huh.

-Speaking of, Daryl’s a celebrity now!

-I like how the walker with no legs is the only walker able to see the guy whose leg is pinned.

-Rick’s a gardener now!

-Glen and Maggie are doing alright.

-If, after the “Humans kill other humans, and they have names.” line, Carl went “You’re right!” and shot her in the face, then I would forgive the show for a lot of things.

-So, there’s apparently a virus of some sort that’s killed one person in the prison already. It’s all the pig’s fault!

-I’ve never watched Talking Dead, and I have no idea what can possibly be discussed for half an hour.

Credit to AMC and The Walking Dead for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Strike Back “Shadow Warfare, Episode 9” Review (3×09/4×09)

12 Oct

Strike-Back-Season-3-Episode-9-Preview

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR MY SEASON FINALE (EPISODE 10) REVIEW, HERE IT IS: https://polarbearstv.com/2013/10/19/strike-back-shadow-warfare-episode-10-review-3x104x10/

“So they all just kill each other, huh? Makes you wonder why we even need to be there!”

The penultimate episode of this season ramps up the intensity and the action, delivering shocks and thrills at every turn. It’s hard to believe that we’re already nearly finished with the season, but here we are.

Let’s talk about Ester. As Kamali’s daughter, she imbues a sense of reality into the proceedings; she’s just an innocent girl caught in a web of lies, betrayal, and violence. Scott recognizes this, and she serves as his “other side”, a side that wants to escape from this web. Amidst all the action in this episode, he sits down to have a revealing conversation with her after informing her of her dad’s death. It’s a quietly heartbreaking moment, as Scott opens up about his lack of connection to his child. He’s the kind of guy that’s always needed someone to connect with, and that’s why he turns so often to sex. Stonebridge fills his professional and brotherly needs, but Ester inspires his paternal instincts.

As for Kamali, who’s outed as Al-Zuhari at episode’s end, I’m not sure about this decision. On the one hand, it sets up for an explosive season finale in which Scott and Stonebridge come face to face with a supposed ally; on the other hand, it’s much more powerful to have Kamali go out with his motives ambiguous. He was just a regular person in a tight spot before now. Now, however, he’s a criminal mastermind that’s outsmarted everyone, and it winds up being Dalton that was right the whole time. We don’t see much of him here, so I’ll wait till next week to pass judgment on the decision.

Still, even with the uncertainty over that final reveal, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. It’s pretty much nonstop action, the location moving from a carnival to a building to a train and improving each time. One thing that never goes bad is the action, and it’s good to know the show’s still got it.

GRADE: A-

OTHER THOUGHTS:

-The Section 20 folks can’t seem to catch a break in this episode. When you think about it, they’ve actually been outsmarted at every turn; they haven’t been very successful: Dalton went off the rails, Scott and Stonebridge can’t keep anyone alive in this episode, and Kamali’s Al-Zuhari. It’s smart of the show to parallel this with Scott and Stonebridge’s slivers of hope at leaving.

-The train scene is awesome. It reminds me of the opening sequence of “Skyfall”, which is impressive considering this show has very little money compared to that movie.

-What’s up with Richmond and Stonebridge?

-I want to see Scott fight in a vat of cotton candy.

-Locke has had his ups and downs, but I’m warming up to his character more.

-Stonebridge slicing that guy’s artery…I shudder to think about it. Looks like he’s all right now.

-Season finale next week, followed by the six episode “Chris Ryan’s Strike Back” starting October 18th

Credit to Cinemax and Strike Back for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Thursday TV Round Up 10/10/13: Parks and Recreation, The Vampire Diaries, Parenthood

11 Oct

Due to my lack of time to write 3 separate reviews, I’ve decided to introduce TV Round-ups to provide abbreviated thoughts on shows I’ve watched.

DATE: October 10, 2013

SHOWS COVERED: Parks and Recreation, The Vampire Diaries, Parenthood

627-4PARKS AND RECREATION, “DOPPELGANGERS” (6×04)

Now here’s a much better way to handle Leslie Knope. Last week, she bordered on insufferable because 1) No one called her out on her actions, and 2) Her relationship with Eagleton isn’t as deeply personal as her relationship with Ann. While at times she may seem childish, her actions here are understandable. She’s acting out because her best friend has told her she’s leaving (the scene where Ann goes to Leslie with waffles and a picture of Joe Biden is sweet and hilarious).

We also have a bunch of Eagleton Doppelgangers joining the proceedings, and it’s absolutely fantastic. I like that all of them aren’t really straight up “rivals”; there’s a spin on each that subverts my expectations of what the show would do with the character. Billy Eichner and Sam Elliott are wonderful here.

GRADE: B+

627THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, “TRUE LIES” (5×02)

This is a slower episode than last week’s, seemingly more of a “move the pieces into place” episode. It’s not bad, but there seems to be a bit of wheel-spinning going on. It’s always entertaining to see Silas-Stefan, especially when he’s battling it out with Jeremy, and I think Bonnie’s storyline is better handled this week. Her scenes with Matt are touching, and she doesn’t feel as superfluous here. In addition, Katherine is becoming increasingly entertaining; I could watch her complain about her sinus infection all day.

However, I’m finding that the Damon-Elena scenes don’t work for me. Elena’s made her choice, and bringing up the Stefan drama again is tiring.

GRADE: B

627-2PARENTHOOD, “Nipple Confusion” (5×03)

The episode has its ups and downs. I love the Crosby storyline; it really details the difficulties of parenthood in a moving, realistic way. In addition, the Zeek and Camille storyline shines; they never get enough to do, and this episode shows exactly why they’re great. It’s a very relatable and realistic conversation to have, and I’m looking forward to where this goes.

As for Sarah, I hope that she can settle down and focus on photography. I love that Hank calls her out on her “flightiness”, and I like that he doesn’t sugarcoat things too much when she visits him later with the photos. She has a need for validation from others, and I like that Hank just compliments her on her photography, not her person.

The Drew college adventures are pretty inconsequential, mainly used as an excuse to have Matt Lauria act all badass. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun to watch. Joel and Julia’s spat seems a little excessive, but it’s still rooted in reality. I hope that Julia’s relationship with Ed doesn’t turn romantic, as I think it’s an extremely interesting premise to explore an emotional connection, not a physical one.

Now, on to Kristina. She acts childish in this episode; I’m having a hard time believing that she wouldn’t worry about their finances. Also, it’s unrealistic that she would get going this quickly. I love Monica Potter, but this storyline’s dragging a bit.

GRADE: B

Credit to NBC, The CW, Parenthood, The Vampire Diaries, and Parks and Recreation for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Scandal “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” Review (3×03)

11 Oct

627-1

Huck and Olivia. Olivia and Eli. There’s an interesting dynamic going on here that’s based upon trust: Eli’s the person who Olivia should be able to trust; he’s a dad, and dads are supposed to care for their children. Now, I have no doubt that he cares about Olivia, but his way of caring for her is pretty much emotionally abusing her and using her career as a justification. He probably has some kind of endgame here, and he’s definitely her biggest enemy because he knows how to hurt her: hurt those around her. He’s the kind of guy that always gets what he wants. On the other side, we have Huck, someone who someone like Olivia shouldn’t need to trust. Yet, she’s able to relate with him more so than anyone else, and she needs him as much as he needs her.

Huck finding out about Liv’s father blows up this whole situation. Not only is it detrimental to Olivia, but it’s sure to leave deep and painful marks on Huck’s psyche. What else, really, is keeping him going aside from Olivia and his job? He’s lost his wife. He’s lost his son. He’s now lost Olivia. You can see the pain in his eyes in that parking garage, and it’s heartbreaking because we know what this will do to him.

That sense of loss is contrasted with the events surrounding Jeannine. In a sense, everyone wins here: Jeannine’s going to make a ton of money, Olivia gets Jake back, Fitz gets to be the hero, and Cyrus and Mellie are successful in pinning the affair on Jeannine. In a sense, everyone loses here. Olivia has to endure so much and agree to so much, all just for Jake, Fitz doesn’t get to reveal to the world his love for Olivia, and Fitz and Cyrus are set to be under Eli’s manipulative net.

Speaking of Fitz, he’s now starting to take back the power a bit. Cyrus has held off because he knows that he’s on thin ice, and Mellie isn’t really adapting to Fitz’s slight personality change. As Fitz continues to feed his delusions, he’s gaining power. Yet, we know that he could come tumbling down any second, presidential balls or not.

The episode as a whole seems quieter, but it really moves the plot forward while filling in the blanks of the past. Everyone’s losing something and gaining something, and this constant cycle doesn’t bode well for our characters in the future. Maybe that suicide bomber will blow everything up next week, and Harrison will be left standing there, not knowing what to do with himself. Maybe he’ll eventually find some farm animal somewhere to become completely devoted to.

Other thoughts:

-Joe Morton’s killing it as Eli; his interactions with Washington are thing of beauty. Even if the plot and the character shifts are a bit too fast at times, the actors make it work. Also, I’d watch a whole episode of him giving intense speeches.

-David Rosen’s flashback goatee.

-The show should get Toby Ziegler to rant and point out everyone’s flaws.

Credit to ABC and Scandal for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Boardwalk Empire “Erlkönig” Review (4×05)

7 Oct

627-2This is going to be very brief, but I wanted to say a few things about this episode.

-Eddie Kessler’s death is one of the most heartbreaking scenes of the year, which is really impressive for a character that has only come into his own in the last few episodes. Just as Nucky has finally started to take notice of him, so do we. It’s understandable, though, why Eddie jumps off that balcony. He’s been shunned his whole life, forgotten, ashamed. He spends his final days in an interrogation room, truly alone, and it’s better for him to end it all. Devastating.

-Van Alden, Al Capone, and Frank Capone is a powerhouse trio that I never would’ve become tired of seeing. However, Frank is gunned down here in a powerful scene; Nelson’s about to try and distance himself from his current puppet-like role, but this happens, causing Al to turn him into an ally in his quest for revenge.

-Nucky essentially interrogates William in an episode in which Eddie is being interrogated. Although I’m not a big fan of William’s storyline, his scene with Nucky is extremely well done. It also shows that he’s a Thompson at heart.

-It’s hard not to feel sorry for Gillian, who’s trapped by her own addiction. Gretchen Mol is fantastic in this role.

-Fantastic camera work by Tim Van Patten. The riot scenes are beautifully filmed.

-Now we’re getting going. The first part of the season was a little slow, but it’s now kicking into high gear.

Credit to HBO and Boardwalk Empire for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Homeland “Uh… Oh… Ah…” Review (3×02)

7 Oct

homelanddThe writers have written themselves into a corner with Carrie Mathison, but what an intriguing corner it is. She’s deluded herself into thinking she needs to save everyone, yet also is wary of anyone that shows one inkling of kindness toward her. It’s truly a fascinating look into a case of paranoia, and like I said last week, it’s not an imitation of what she’s been through before. I’m interested in seeing how Brody factors into all of this next week.

The episode closes with a devastating shot of Carrie, mumbling a simple epithet at Saul before turning away and squeezing her eyes shut. It’s a quiet moment, unlike the previous 45 minutes of her going bonkers. It’s clever what the show is doing here, making it seem more and more deserving of our main character to receive the accusations that have been piled upon her. There are no villains in this season; there may be assholes, but what’s interesting is that they’re justified. There’s a tug-of-war battle going on between Saul and Carrie, as well as the CIA and Carrie, and it’s hard to fully sympathize with her because what she did really is unforgivable.

These effects continue to reverberate throughout the show, starting with Saul and his always magnificent beard. I feel like the show goes too far this week, as he berates a Muslim aide in his office. The xenophobia is understandable, but Saul’s never been the kind of person who gets angry over these kinds of things. Not to mention, it all makes him look like a complete jerk.

On the homefront, we devote tons of time to Dana and her boyfriend. Now, I think I appreciate the Brody family more than I enjoy it. The family was always more compelling when it was a foil for Brody, and now that he’s gone, I appreciate the show exploring the fallout. However, Dana’s boyfriend is annoying, and the fact will always remain that they were all more interesting when Brody was around. Still, an extremely powerful moment comes when Dana lays it all out in the bathroom to Jess. Dana’s turning elsewhere because she feels like she can’t trust the people around her, especially those she used to be close to. Jess is extremely frustrated because Dana’s boyfriend is becoming the very thing she wants to be: Dana’s emotional savior*. That’s expected, of course.

Dana’s storyline ties into Carrie’s really well, although the two characters haven’t crossed paths much. They’re both lost and emotionally drained, and there’s no way out.

GRADE: B-

Other thoughts:

-*That does only work for Jess’s side, though. I’d say Dana’s boyfriend is more of a crutch; he’s holding her up, but it’s pretty flimsy. Dana’s afraid that if he leaves, she’ll have to go through what she went through all over again. She fancies the idea of him more than she does the actual person.

-The episode is once again pretty slow, although it’s too slow for me. I get what they’re trying to do, but Season 1 proved that the show could deliver high quality intensity without falling into the thriller/action tropes.

-Quinn’s the moral center of the show now. I don’t know how to feel about that.

-Chris is just all “Hey, what’s up. Dana not eating? Chill, Mom. Loss of appetite sure has nothing to do with suicide; let her go sulk in her room. Dana disappearing? Chill, Mom. She just attempted suicide a few weeks back, let her run away into the rain at night.”

If there’s anyone that needs therapy, it’s Chris. Hopefully Brody’s first action back is to rid us of this kid.

-Nice title.

Credit to Showtime and Homeland for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Strike Back “Shadow Warfare, Episode 8” Review (3×08/4×08)

5 Oct

Strike-Back-Season-3-Episode-8-Preview-Scene

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR MY SEASON FINALE (EPISODE 10) REVIEW, HERE IT IS: https://polarbearstv.com/2013/10/19/strike-back-shadow-warfare-episode-10-review-3x104x10/

Let’s talk about Leo Kamali. Is he a traitor? Is he a hero? The answer is no.

What Kamali is is a man that just wants to survive. Yes, he’s working with Section 20, but he sells Scott and Stonebridge out to save himself. Yes, he sells them out, but it’s out of necessity. He isn’t exactly loyal to anyone but his daughter, and while he does have a set of morals, what ultimately trumps all is his need to live. It’s completely understandable, and it’s what makes his character more interesting, more human, amidst all the chaotic action and cartoonish villains. Don’t get me wrong, Scott and Stonebridge are two of the most entertaining characters on television, but Leo Kamali portrays what it is to be human in an inhumane world.

This inhumanity is in full force tonight. Kamali is shot in the head at episode’s close as a necessary, yet tragic, end for his character. Stonebridge finds out that his captors are weaponizing a Smallpox variant for Al-Zuhari. Richmond and Martinez grapple with the inhumanity of allowing a woman get murdered in front of them. All contribute to the theme, one that lends itself to the bigger idea of escape: escape from Section 20, escape from our moral blinders, escape from our lives.

Stonebridge talks about this when he remarks that he wished it would all just end. Yes, there’s no doubt that he’ll make it out alive, but the poison really allows him to reflect on his life, allowing us more insight into his character. Last week, the prison lent itself to the constricting situation, and this week, the mysterious lab does the same. It really brings him to the breaking point.

A breaking point is where we’re at this season. Locke makes an impassioned speech about avenging Kamali’s death, one that is an exciting lead in to the final two episodes of the season. It’s hard to believe we’re already here, but here’s hoping to an exciting finish.

GRADE: B+

OTHER THOUGHTS:

-“I feel better already.” “Really?” “No.”

-That shot of the guard falling off the guard tower is strangely beautiful.

-Stonebridge’s ass makes an appearance.

-Scott gets it on with Nina.

-I’ll miss Zubin Varla as Kamali. That final conversation with the daughter is, although cliched, heartbreaking in retrospect. I fully expect Scott to remedy the situation.

-I wonder what the chances are that the show would kill off one of its leads. It’d be a gutsy move, but I’m not sure it would work.

Credit to Cinemax and Strike Back for all pictures. I own nothing.

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Scandal “It’s Handled” Review (3×01)

4 Oct

627In just one season, Scandal managed to transform itself into one of television’s biggest shows, delivering the twists, the juicy characters, and the ratings that have also transformed it into one of television’s best shows.

The premiere picks up right after last season’s finale, immediately throwing us into a conflict between Olivia and her dad, Eli Pope. The two are very similar in mannerisms, and it seems as if her own father is her greatest adversary. Yet, he’s also her greatest ally. He doesn’t back down, he doesn’t take BS, and he truly cares about his daughter. In a moment of brutal honesty, he remarks that she’s “twice as good, and half as far.” It’s a surprising and insightful comment on race relations, and it has a profound effect on Olivia; she’s always been brilliant, but the fact is, she’s still a black woman in a white world.

Everything is closing in around her; her clients have all fired her, Cyrus is putting together a kill file, and the press is hounding her everywhere she goes. This is an Olivia that’s been backed into a corner, trapped, much like Fitz and Mellie. She decides to call both of them into a bunker to discuss strategy. That scene is absolutely phenomenal, really showcasing these actors’ talents and bringing that tension through the roof. Everything is on the table here, and it is just cold and brutal all the way through, clearly reflecting the toll this has all taken on everyone. The negotiation over the number of times Fitz and Olivia had sex is hard to watch. It is classic Scandal.

The members of Olivia’s team recognize that she’s losing hold of who she is, so they decide to shift attention to an intern. It’s a move that reminds us, and Olivia, what this is all about: saving others’ lives. She takes this intern on as a client because that’s who she is. She’s Olivia Pope, and the white hat’s on even when it’s off.

GRADE: B+

Other thoughts:

-I didn’t talk much about Fitz in the main part of the review, so here goes. He’s a frustrating character to root for, because although his love for Olivia is genuine, he’s a guy that’s had everything his whole life. He’s used to getting his way, and he expects everything to turn out just the way he wants it to turn out. Fitz, for this reason, comes across as manipulative; take, for example, his hug with Olivia in the bunker following that secret meeting. It’s a genuine hug with underlying emotion, but you can tell he enjoys being that savior.

-Fitz and Sally’s scene is well done. I like the mutual respect there, and it’s a moment of vulnerability for the president. Yet, once again, there may be some hidden motivations there.

-Bellamy Young deserves an Emmy. Fitz vs. Mellie should be awesome to watch.

-“I am the hell AND the high water!”

-“Are we Gladiators or are we bitches?”sss

Credit to ABC and Scandal for all pictures. I own nothing.

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The Vampire Diaries “I Know What You Did Last Summer” Review (5×01)

4 Oct

650x434xready-to-move-in_650x434.jpg.pagespeed.ic.BQxKEga0ey“I just have a feeling that something bad’s about to happen.”

In Mystic Falls, that’s a guarantee. Season 5 of The Vampire Diaries opens several months after the events of the season 4 finale, sending Elena and Caroline on their way to college, Matt off to have some threesomes, and Stefan off to his watery “grave”. All in all, it’s a solid premiere that successfully sets the tone for the rest of the season.

First off, we have Elena, Caroline, and their new roommate Megan. As per “new character” rules, Megan has connections to our main characters; this is not what’s surprising. What’s surprising is that she’s killed off this early, a move that paves the way for some potentially intriguing storylines. Yet, this college setting can go either way; I’m not entirely sure how to feel about it yet.

The other main storyline of the episode involves Silas-as-Stephen single-handedly taking control of Mystic Falls. I’m grateful that we don’t have to endure half a season of wheel-spinning, as the character just comes right out and tells everyone else who he is. Paul Wesley is always much more interesting as a villain than as a protagonist, and it’s extremely entertaining to watch him ham it up in his interactions with the rest of the cast.

Speaking of the rest of the cast, Katherine, Jeremy, and Bonnie round out the rest of the proceedings here. I’ve always loved Katherine and continue to do so, and watching Evil Dobrev and Evil Wesley on screen is certainly a treat. I hope the show digs deeper into Katherine’s psyche as a human, as we’ve never really had the pleasure of exploring a character who has transformed from a vampire to a human. This is already an interesting arc that has been set into motion.

As for Bonnie and Jeremy, though, I’m finding myself detached from the show when they are on screen. I don’t hate their characters, but their storylines seem superfluous. First of all, since the show decides to just keep Bonnie around, it underscores the emotional impact of last year’s “body switch”. I suppose it can improve, but as of right now, I’m not all that invested.

Still, it’s a very enjoyable opening hour that has me excited for the rest of the season.

GRADE: B

Other thoughts:

-I haven’t watched “The Originals” yet. I’m not sure if I want to.

-Somerhalder is, as always, excellent.

-“How many people can die and still talk to their best friends?” Yes, Bonnie, exactly.

-As I’m not a big fan of Bonnie, her dad’s death doesn’t have much of an impact. In addition, her dad hasn’t been fleshed out enough at this point, and anyway, parents seem to be doomed in Mystic Falls.

-Alaric should return.

-“If I have to hear the word ‘doppelganger’ one more time, I might have to look up how to spell it.”

Credit to The CW and The Vampire Diaries for all pictures. I own nothing.

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The Bridge “The Crazy Place” Review (1×13)

3 Oct

bridgeeSo we have come to the end of season 1 of The Bridge, an ambitiously structured, wholly entertaining set of episodes. This finale doesn’t exactly feel like a finale, and that’s because it really isn’t; it’s more of a transition piece into season 2, setting up new roads for the characters rather than wrapping storylines up. There’s not much to wrap up, though, and I do have to commend the show for handling the season in an unconventional manner.

As for the episode itself, the storyline with the most heft once again belongs to Marco, sending him and Sonya to investigate Eva’s disappearance. Sonya’s determined to follow through on this case, and she’s able to get her way; in addition, Marco’s back as her partner. However, he’s a changed man, resorting to violence to satiate his thirst for revenge. Sonya notices, and she’s clearly disturbed. An essential part of Marco’s growth is the character of Sonya Cross, a woman who’s been a social outcast, but desperately wants to incorporate Marco into her life. Not only do we experience Marco’s grief through his eyes, but we also experience it through Sonya’s eyes, adding weight to the whole situation. She recognizes what he’s feeling, but she’s never viewed that feeling as able to manifest itself the way it does in Marco. This idea is the basis behind her connection to him and our connection to this relationship, and it remains a strong focal point for the episode and season to revolve around.

What is Marco feeling, though? He’s angry and depressed, sure, but the most prevalent feeling is one of isolation. As he remarks to Galvan in that final scene, he doesn’t care anymore about what happens to him; he’s set on one goal: killing David Tate. I’m not all that optimistic about where this storyline will end up, as I’m sure the writers can highlight the nuances of grief without emulating the David Tate storyline. Who knows? Surprise me, writers.

Elsewhere, Charlotte’s starting to come into her own as a character. For much of the season, I felt like her arc was superfluous (a title I’d now assign to Ray), and I’m happy that she’s become more than a person that slept with Marco. She’s just another piece to the puzzle. Of course, we also have Linder, who doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere. He’s great, and he essentially saves Eva, but that doesn’t change the fact that he seems like an outlier amidst all the proceedings.

The Bridge really does a nice job of introducing a new direction for the show to take, though. We’re essentially already at the beginning of next season’s arc, and it seems as if the show will now be able to touch on some of the sociopolitical aspects of the border. It’s what the show set out to do.

627-3The show has touched on death, grief, greed, and revenge. It’s delivered thrills, hilarious Sonya moments, and genuine character relationships. It’s one of the better new shows of the year, and it will hopefully remain that way.

Grade: B

Season Grade: B

Other thoughts:

-I also really enjoy the Sonya-Hank relationship.

-One other storyline in this episode: Frye and Adriana searching for Millie Quintana. This is an intriguing storyline, and the Frye-Adriana dynamic is so good that I’d watch the two of them watching paint dry.

-Seeing the mom waiting by the bus is a pretty heartbreaking scene.

-Cesar’s cool.

-The cover of “Living On A Prayer”…I don’t know what to think of it.

-I’d say I enjoy this finale for not trying to do too much, but I’m also a bit underwhelmed.

-It’s been a pleasure recapping this show. See you all next year for Season 2.

Credit to The Bridge and FX for all pictures. I own nothing.

 

 

 

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