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This week Bones was a little boring. In the past I always liked seeing Dr. Brennan and Dr. Filmore together, because she is so competitive and he is a very proper Canadian. In this episode they we're cute together but not as funny, as they have been in the past. On the other hand, I did enjoy watching Dr. Sweets take the lead of the case. It was like the "Grass-Hopper" has now become the " Master" it was very cute! The way Sweets solved the case was just brilliant. He read Tim's mind and realized what he has done, by the way he was playing chest. Sometimes I think we forget how smart Sweets really is...
I think its great that Cam got that award, but she should really have kept it for herself. It was really big of Cam to share the aware with Angela and Brennan but Cam works really hard and she needs to be recognized for all the good work that she does for Science.
So yes this wasn't the best episodes of Bones, but it was okay. The story was solid, the acting was good and there wasn't too many gross scenes. The ending was cute with Booth and Brennan playing a drinking game with their daughter's board game. Speaking of Christine, we have only seen her in one episode this season, whats up with that? I hope we get to see more of that cute little girl this season.
Three in a row? My cautious optimism is becoming less cautious by the episode. While it’s still a touch too early to safely declare New Girl back, I think we can safely say that it’s in the realm of possibility. Let’s jump right in and talk about “Birthday.”
As the title suggests, this episode centered around Jess’s birthday. I have to admit, I was shocked that Nick realized he should make their first birthday as a couple special and went through all the hoops of planning her a surprise party. What doesn’t surprise me is that he didn’t think about the rest of the day leading up to the party. We can’t expect perfection from Nick, but he definitely gets an A for effort.
Alas, Nick really should have thought about it, because Jess is Jess after all and has high expectations for people under normal circumstances. Make it her birthday and her expectations go through the roof. So, in order to prevent her from disappointment, she has developed a pattern of spending the day alone at the movies. This year, however, she says she’s going to be a cool girlfriend that goes with the flow of whatever Nick did or didn’t plan.
But this is Jess we’re talking about. After Nick’s plans to prolong breakfast and some morning delight don’t work out like he hoped and a trip to the drugstore (for a free diabetes test), Jess is starting to feel the disappointment. That is until they happen to come across a party set up in the park and Jess thinks it’s for her. Nick doesn’t have time to tell her the truth before she’s diving into the cupcakes and the real party shows back up. An increasingly disappointed Jess runs off to be alone.
While Nick is busy distracting Jess, Winston, Coach, and Schmidt have their own assignments. Winston accidentally picked up the wrong cake (apparently we’ll all see Boomer in Hell), so Nick tasks Coach with helping to fix the situation. This led to what was probably my favorite part of the episode. The two decide to have a bake off to see who makes the better cake. Given the competitive nature of these two it’s no surprise that it immediately goes to Food Network competition extremes. Ultimately, their cakes merge in the oven, and the two actually end up bonding over said cake. I loved this part because we got crazy Winston antics, some more insight into Coach and Winston’s competitive past, and we have Coach fitting into the flow of the loft more with each episode.
Schmidt’s assignment (that he ended up giving himself – flash drives are pretty easy to keep track of) was to keep an eye on CeCe during her first Nick-less shift at the bar. She really is a HORRIBLE bartender, and their other coworker, Mike, was just waiting for her to screw up so he could get her fired. But Schmidt walked her through a couple drinks and tried to help her tap a keg, which was working until CeCe sprayed beer all over Mike. Schmidt talked her up and got her to have some faith in herself, and focus on all the things that she can do and can do well. I liked this storyline as well. We are really starting to see CeCe and Schmidt move into a realm where they’re friends, something that haven’t truly been up to this point. And we are again getting some more characterization for CeCe.
Side Notes:
--- "Behind!" Yup, definitely my favorite part of the episode.
--- I don't know how Coach and Winston pulled off distracting Jess enough to hide all those presents and decorations. AND they got her to buy that story about the bakery explosion. An upset Jess is a completely non-observant one.
--- Yeah, Nick managing to pull all that off isn't super high on the realistic scale (how did he even beat Jess there) but that was sickeningly sweet and men the world over hate Nick Miller now.
All in all, this was another strong offering. If New Girl can keep this up, I will definitely entrench myself firmly in the “It’s Back!” camp. We sure them further addressing the issues that plagued the first half of the season, and putting out episodes that highlight the entire ensemble. It’s a very huge step in the right direction and I sincerely hope they can keep this momentum going. Hit the comments and let me know what you thought of the episode and if you think that New Girl is headed in the right direction.
Just a reminder that we have a brand new episode Sunday after the Super Bowl (WITH PRINCE!!!!!!) and then ANOTHER new episode on Tuesday. I’m still not 100% sure if I’ll do two separate reviews this week or one large one so just keep your eyes peeled!
Set over one long, sweltering weekend, Labor Day tells the story of an agoraphobic woman named Adele (Kate Winslet) and her caring and protective son, Henry (Gattlin Griffith). Henry has come to care for his mother and be the man of the house since his father (Clark Gregg) left and re-married several years earlier. The effect on Adele was catastrophic, turning her into a shell of the formerly upbeat woman with a penchant for dance that she once was. Instead, Adele spends every day locked in her house, venturing out only – and with much difficulty – for the monthly trip into town for supplies.
On this trip, though, Adele and Henry encounter Frank (Josh Brolin), who has escaped from a prison hospital and needs a place to hide. In the most respectful, but still threatening, manner possible, Frank tells them he’s going to lie low in their house just until he can find a way to get out of town. Far from dangerous, Frank treats Adele and Henry as he would treat his own family. He cooks dinner, fixes things around the house and waits for his moment to escape. Over that time, however, Frank and Adele begin to develop feelings which affect the trajectory of all three lives involved.
There’s no argument that Reitman is a very good director, producing films that touch on universal themes while having a unique bent to them. His last film, Young Adult, was the only bad film he’s made so far, with his others (Thank You For Smoking, Juno, Up in the Air) all being funny and insightful with earnest insights into how people relate to one another.
Labor Day, on the other hand, has as its central conceit the way relationships develop and how they affect our lives, but it is ultimately a disorganized mess with little actual resonance. Based on the novel by Joyce Maynard and adapted for the screen by Reitman himself, Labor Day is just one big lump of generic interactions which strive to be shrewd about the nature of people. The film is overly romantic, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Reitman films the movie with soft, tender camera work that is intended to not intrude into the lives of the characters. Instead, it keeps the audience at arm’s length and never allows us to truly engage with the story. Reitman does deserve credit, though, for challenging himself by taking a Soderbergh-esque approach to Frank’s mysterious past, intercutting his backstory with the present to keep the suspense going. This works and is the film’s only real success.
The acting by the three leads is all very strong, though the characters verge on being hollow outlines of people. Winslet, as always, is quite good, conveying Adele’s frailty as real and tangible. We see the anxiety in her eyes when she steps foot out of her house and the terror she encounters being around large groups of people. Brolin is decent, though is monotone, lockjaw delivery is getting slightly old. Frank speaks almost entirely in metaphorical platitudes, reducing him to an amalgam of little more than homegrown wisdom and advice. The young Griffith manages quite well with his older co-stars, but the character of Henry is underwritten and lackluster for an actor of his talents.
Labor Day is a movie to skip in the theaters and to watch only casually when it makes it to HBO later this year.
Grade: C
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This week’s episode of Arrow, “Tremors,” was written by Marc Guggenheim and Drew Z Greenberg and directed by Guy Bee. This episode demonstrates everything that makes Arrow one of the best shows on television: great writing, great action, great acting, and terrific direction to make it all hang together.
As with all the best Arrow episodes, at its core is a single theme that bleeds into each storyline. This week its one of the lessons that Oliver (Stephen Amell) learned on the Island from Sara (Caity Lotz): “Love’s the most powerful emotion. And that makes it the most dangerous.” Oliver reiterates that love is the most powerful emotion at the end of the episode, bookending and underscoring its importance. Love of Tommy (Colin Donnell) has had a profound effect on both Oliver and Laurel (Katie Cassidy). It’s love for Tommy and respect for his memory that changed Oliver’s focus from seeking revenge and saving the city to honoring his friend by becoming something other than the killer he once was – he’s become Arrow. The shot of Tommy’s picture in Malcolm’s house underscores his importance to this episode – nice touch Guy Bee!
We see that Laurel has continued to spiral out of control, fueled still by her guilt over Tommy’s death. Quentin (Paul Blackthorne) finally intervenes because of the love he has for his daughter and tricks Laurel into going to a support meeting. He appeals to her through his love of her as his family by telling her he misses her. As someone else who has experienced addiction, Quentin understands that he’s missing Laurel both physically and spiritually as the addiction has changed who she is. This is also a nice parallel to what the Mirakuru is doing to Roy (Colton Haynes) and did to Slade (Manu Bennett).
Laurel puts him off but agrees to dinner because of her love for him. Meanwhile, she learns she isn’t getting the job with Joanna (Annie Ilonzeh) and is under investigation to be disbarred, losing even the job she loves. Quentin practices tough love, pointing out to Laurel that she’s not the only one who has experienced loss and disappointment in her life. Laurel refuses to even stay to listen at the meeting, running away to go and get drunk at Verdant. Thea (Willa Holland) calls Oliver as Laurel is ridiculously drunk. Kudos to Cassidy who turns in one of her strongest performances on the show. She clearly shows Laurel’s spiral and her fear of what’s happening to her and her inability to stop it. Oliver knows who wields enough power to stop Laurel’s downward spiral – the person who came back to help her before – Sara. When Oliver calls, she returns to Starling City and reveals herself to Laurel because of her love for her sister.
Again, Tommy’s picture helps to remind Oliver of one friend he failed, just as he failed Slade and is determined to save Roy where he failed Slade. Amell is once again fantastic in this episode. We see Oliver’s quiet desperation and determination to save Roy, his frustration at his own failures. It was fun to see Roy as frustrated by slapping water as Oliver was when Shado (Celina Jade) made him do it. Diggle (David Ramsey) tries to tell Oliver that some people are too damaged to be able to save them. Oliver tells Roy that he was unable to save Slade and had to put an arrow through his eye – so we have it confirmed.
The two scenes that really stood out for me, were the ones between Roy and Oliver and Slade and Oliver at the end of the episode. All three actors, Amell, Haynes, and Bennett brought their A-games. Oliver puts himself completely on the line when he reveals himself to Roy, but he has to do it in order to appeal to Roy’s love of Thea. Oliver’s own love for his sister was the only way to reach Roy. Roy is stunned to learn that Oliver is the Arrow. He tells Oliver that he’s already saved him – not just physically, but really saved his very being. Perhaps this gratitude and hero worship combined with Roy’s love of Thea will be enough to help Roy succeed where we know that Slade has failed. The scene ends with a beautiful shot of the two shaking hands, silhouetted against the burning remains of the device . The earthquake device is clearly one of the tremors referred to by the title. The tremors in Roy’s hand and the tremors in Slade’s hand also nicely tie the two scenes together and to the title.
Bennett is fantastic in the scene on the Island as he crumbles from rage to fear of what is happening to him. Amell, likewise, is once again impressive in this scene and we see Oliver take another step in his transformation. Amell continues to be brilliant playing multiple facets of this character. I loved the way this scene was shot with tight close ups and nice reaction shots of Sara as she shows by her eyes her fear that Oliver is about to tell Slade the truth about Shado. Of course, Oliver does tell Slade the truth – just another truth. He uses Shado’s love of Slade and her desire for him to be reunited with his son – another love for Slade to hang on to – to reach Slade. Oliver then assures Slade he will still have his revenge when they take the freighter! Oliver has grown a backbone!
While Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) and Diggle are mostly in the background in this episode, we also know that at least part of Felicity’s reason for being a part of Team Arrow is her love of Oliver. I loved the scene in which Amell is doing the salmon ladder as he briefs the team and tells them he’s determined not to make the same mistakes with Roy that he made with Slade. We learn that Oliver thinks that Slade is dead. Also in that scene, when Felicity says she’s hacked the prison, Oliver expresses surprise. When Felicity asks if she hears judgment in his voice, he clarifies that it’s pride – love it! Felicity and Diggle are both concerned that Roy now knows Oliver’s secret, yet when Oliver brings Roy to meet them, they welcome him to the “team.” They continue to stand behind Oliver.
It’s also love for Thea that ultimately convinces Moira (Susanna Thompson) to run for Mayor. Thea convinces Moira that she can do more than simply feel sorry for what she did, she can play an active role in making up for it. Part of Moira’s motivation has to be her love of Walter (Colin Salmon) as well. It was great having Salmon back. It was also great to see that part of her campaign team is going to include Nicholas Lea as Mark Francis. Lea will be familiar to many from his long run on The X-Files. Of course, having his mother run against Sebastian Blood (Kevin Alejandro), his friend, is going to create complications for Oliver. I am curious as to exactly how Walter and Moira are going to keep her OB quiet about Thea’s true father. Will they be as ruthless at Blood in her campaign for Mayor?
The episode also sees the return of Bronze Tiger (Michael Jai White). As an aside, I loved Felicity pointing out that his name is lame because tigers aren’t bronze! We see another thread picked up as Cynthia Addai-Robinson returns as Amanda Waller from A.R.G.U.S. On Facebook, Amell promised a moment that would give comic book lovers a “boner,” and Waller recruiting Bronze Tiger for the Suicide Squad was that moment. It’s great to see the show really capitalize on the seeds it’s sown throughout the season – that’s good story-telling.
I've managed to get all the way to the end of this review without even mentioning the terrific action sequences which we seem to simply take for granted on this show, thanks to the great work week in and week out by James Bamford and his team. I'm including praise here not only for the fight scenes but the great training exercises as well - and really, any episode that features the salmon ladder gets a thumbs up! Maybe we should see Diggle and Roy training on that too...
What did you think of the episode? Will Oliver be able to keep Roy under control? Was it a mistake to reveal himself to Roy? Did you enjoy the return of Walter? Do you think Moira can become Mayor? Do you think Sara can get Laurel to sober up? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Overall it was a fun, standard episode of Parks, though there’s no hint of the emotional storm that’s going to hit this week as Ann and Chris leave Pawnee for stupid Michigan.
Line of the week: “I AM SUPER CHILL LIKE ALL THE TIME!” - Leslie Knope
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Another week, another superb episode of Beauty and the Beast. In fact, this one was even better than last week's fascinating "Ancestors." The strange and wonderful appeal of this show is that even as I completely disagree with many of the characters' decisions (more an issue with earlier Season 2 episodes) and can't quite get my mind around what the writers could possibly be thinking with certain angles (i.e. the entire character of Gabe), I'm constantly laughing, having my heart broken and put back together, shouting tirades at the screen, and thoroughly enjoying it. This is the mark of truly great t.v. anyway you slice it.
"Held Hostage" had some awesome twists and turns that finally brought VinCat to a more positive forward momentum. Meanwhile, the affair of the necklace and those who want it for mysterious and nefarious reasons continues to grow more intriguingly complex. Here's what went down and what I thought!
I had to give out immediate kudos to BatB for using one of my favorite songs, the fantastically angsty "Stay Away" by Charli XCX, to open this episode. It really got me thinking because while I had previously thought this song referred to a darker and more damaging relationship than VinCat, there are aspects of the lyrics that apply perfectly to the dynamic between them. It deals with overwhelming and consuming love and the desperate desire to shake that love off to survive another day on one's own terms. This does speak to the difficult yet epic origins, powerful emotions, and currently troubled nature of the VinCat connection...and when VinCat first met, he did tell her to stay away. Since their break-up this season, it's been Cat's turn to try and push her love for Vincent away...clearly, an impossible task.
"You choke my throat
With words of wonder
You make it hard to breathe
Your love's so cold
Just like an arrow
Pierced through my skin I bleed
I knew you were no angel
But god, what did I do?"*
Cat was irritated to see pictures of Vincent and Tori in the newspapers as they paraded the necklace around to attract those who may have more information on it. She met up with Gabe to plan a surprise birthday for Tess, and her boss / potential b.f. was curious about Cat's residual anger towards Vincent. Did it mean she was "unresolved" about her ex? (Yes.) Cat then went off on an explanation composed of complete lies that cracked me up: "I'm over Vincent. I can't believe I was ever with someone like that." The level of self-persuasion Cat was trying to impose on herself with these words formed a theme that continued throughout the episode.
Even though Cat claimed she was done with Vincent (her favorite topic, haha) and only wanted the necklace because of its ties to her own past, and even though she put the mega-big-eyes / lean-in-for-the-kiss moves on Gabe, he wasn't having it. It's moments like this that make Gabe's "changed man" persona and his feelings for Cat seem so genuine that he must be a total genius if he's actually been evil the whole time. I am more inclined to suspect that Gabe is a character torn between good and evil at all times, but which way is the pendulum swinging now? For almost the first time all season, "Held Hostage" raised some questions about Gabe's intentions that made the blend of sweet and suspicious in him more remarkable than ever.
We got a fabulous face-off - the first of many in this episode - when Gabe, Cat, and Tess showed up to get the necklace from Vincent and Tori. The teams were divided almost evenly (J.T., where were you this week?) but Cat ended up arresting Tori after she and Vincent wouldn't give up the necklace.
It was awesome to finally get a couple of feisty head-on confrontations between Cat and Tori this week. As annoying as Tori often is, at least she's a fun character to have around in situations like this. Cat was sassily priceless and quite correct in telling the she-beast that Vincent's taking Tori out on the town to draw out dangerous villains does not equal a date.
Tess got some great quips in as well, such as suggesting that Tori avoid ending up in a lab, "you know, like E.T. at the end of the movie?" In fact, just overall, Tess was on fire this week. She had numerous hilarious and poignant moments in the episode that underscored what a fabulous character she is.
A motley and violent crew of baddies showed up to hold everyone in the station hostage and steal the necklace. As officers circled outside to try and help, Gabe discussed the problem with Vincent, who acted as if he only cared about getting the necklace and wasn't concerned with saving the lives of the hostages. "Catherine was right," Gabe noted, "you are unrecognizable." But once Gabe indicated that Catherine was involved...
"Is she in there?" Vincent asked, practically apparating into the station at the mere suggestion of Cat's being in danger. I loved the abrupt switch from Vincent's veneer of insensitive selfishness to leaping into the fray to save Cat.
Meanwhile, Cat had to try and get Tori to beast out in order to help with the hostage situation, amusingly swapping her gentle, keep-the-peace tone to an aggressive one to help Tori get in the mood: "I hate you, and you and Vincent don't stand a chance." That was some satisfying dialogue.
Gabe didn't mince words in telling Cat that Vincent obviously still cares about her and went rushing into the building when he heard she was in trouble. But then he followed that up by telling Catherine that when the current peril was over, he wanted to be with her: "I'm in." I think the first thing you said kind of undercut the other idea, Gabe.
Cat ran into Vincent after escaping from her cell, but the two quickly began to argue, once again about "that stupid necklace." More than a plot device, the necklace has come to represent everything that's come between VinCat, which amazingly happens to also be the same everything that will always bind them inextricably together.
Vincent had an awesome line in this scene that seemed a bit like a direct message to the show's fans who have been disheartened with the changes in him this season - "You wanna know what happened to 'The Old Vincent'? He was deceived and hurt by almost everyone in your family tree." It was terrific to have an outright acknowledgement that the Season 2 Vincent is different from the one we met in Season 1, and to have him give some explanation of the pain that sent him down that dark path.
"Do you remember what I said
That first time we met
Stay away, why couldn't you stay away?
I never needed anyone
But now that you are gone
Stay away, won't you just stay away?"*
Still under gunpoint with the other hostages, Tess was having a fairly unfun birthday, also being semi-interrogated about Tori's beast-out by the rather emotionally manipulative Agent Landon. I adored the way that after listening to the profiler's cutting words about her enthusiasm for birthdays representing some kind of inferiority complex, Tess came back with some tart retorts at the end of the episode. Nobody puts Tess in the corner, even if the villains did eat her cheesecake.
Poor Tess then had a gun to her head while Catherine feverishly whispered a plea for Vincent to channel his "Old Vincent" self and rescue her best friend. Of course, Vincent later said he didn't actually hear Cat when she was "like, praying" to him, but what a beautifully intense scene and lovely performance by Kristin Kreuk.
"I climbed a wall
To touch your shadow
I hear you call for me
But you're not there
You're just an echo
Why did you fall for me?"*
When Cat called Gabe back and told him about her plans to shut off all the lights in the station, his hesitance and/or runaround in telling her where the breakers were was weird. He's always portrayed himself as pretty much entirely obedient to Cat (to the point where she's almost his boss), but here he acted sketchy. Of course, whether or not Gabe made a sincere reinvention at the start of Season 2, he'll always be sketchy and suspicious in motives because of the way he was in Season 1.
The apparent changes to Gabe's character this season reminded me of the similar switch around that happened with Dr. Peter Burns on the O.G. Melrose Place. After trying to kill Amanda, Peter was brought back the next season and transitioned into a man who was more of a moral gray area, and quite often good, rather than a downright villain. With the character of Gabe, are BatB's writers similarly changing a character for the convenience of the story in having him become a good guy, or is Gabe just a total fake? For me, it's a win either way. I enjoy Gabe whether he's playing nice or plotting wicked schemes...I think the time has come, however, for the reality to be revealed, and I suspect we'll see this solved soon.
What a gorgeous VinCat scene we got when the two met up once more and he protected her from a sniper's bullet. "You turned the lights off," Vincent acknowledged to Cat, since her doing this had helped him immensely. "You didn't leave," Cat replied, showing that he's failed to disappoint her for the first time in several episodes. Something - a remnant of trust and a flicker of the love that still burns between them - was reborn in that moment. The chemistry between Cat and Vincent as they stared at each other was amazing.
This peaceful moment led them to a truce and a decision to perhaps even work together on the issue of the necklace. Vincent even acknowledged that he and Cat are possibly "meant to" unite in this task. Why else, after all, would each of their pasts have such strong ties to the necklace, and hence to one another? It's destiny not only in the sense of each of their journeys of self-discovery, but also for their journey back to one another.
While telling Gabe that she's not ready to be with him (I get a sense she's never going to be ready for that, especially given the sliceable tension as Vincent hovered around and resisted an invite to Tess' party), Cat also explained that she now understands that she can't be too hard on herself for having loved Vincent. Seeing a glimpse of The Old Vincent that night reminded her of the positive aspects of that love. Now that some of her flimsy self-deceit has ebbed away and she and Vincent are back on friendlier terms, VinCat seem much closer to a long-awaited reunion.
We got a sneaky little peek of the supposed mere drunk vagrant from the station handing the stolen necklace off to a mysterious person in a car. Who was it? I am not sure when this scene is meant to be timed and if it overlaps with Gabe being back with Cat and Tess at the station...or not. If it isn't a perhaps morally relapsed Gabe, who else might the perpetrator be?
Who do you think is behind this theft of the necklace? What did you think of this week's VinCat developments? Share your thoughts on this episode in the comments!
I love this case because it speaks to real life issues, most episodes do, but let me explain. The club owner hired runaways, got them hooked on drugs, brain washed them and made them think this was the only life. When they wanted to get off the drugs or quit dancing the money would stop, so in most cases the girls would go back. There are so many young women out there in the same situation.
I think the writers do these kind of episodes to draw awareness towards sex trafficking. To teach us it doesn't just come in one form. Meaning anyone can be traded as a sex slave, men, women, or children. It could also happen right in your own back yard. That's what makes Law and Order Special Victims Unit so special and such an important show.
So I think this was an awesome episode, even though Amaro was acting like a baby because he was on desk duty, and Rollins was sneaking off to Atlantic City every chance she got to gamble. Not to mention Clara kept getting passed around New Jersey because her rapist was framing her for credit card fraud. And Olivia was dealing with the stress of being Commanding Officer for the first time, and it lead her to drinking.
- Agent Cooper speaking of Red to Agent Malik
Since the start of the season Red has aided Liz in countless indirect ways. Helping her and the FBI solve cases they would not have even known without his vast knowledge of the comings and goings of the criminal underworld. He never tells Liz the answer she needs but rather leads her to a solution she surmises herself. Many people, I'm sure, have seen Red do this countless times and along with some other clues have speculated that maybe he is Liz's father. I am one of those people. I thought for sure Red was Liz's dad since the start of the season and even after hearing him deny it when asked directly by Liz. Now, after watching this episode, I'm not sure he is anymore. More on that later.
One of the first scenes is Liz and Tom watching a 3D sonogram of the baby they want to adopt. A cute little
What I find interesting about the relationship between Red and the FBI is that Red is always in control. At the start of the season when we see Red in hand-cuffs and inside a security box inside a black-site, he was still right where he wanted to be. He now gets plush living quarters and comes and goes as he pleases. The best part of his dealings with the FBI is that he alone can choose the next name given on the titular blacklist. We are still not sure if he is orchestrating all this and having certain names released in a certain order to his advantage or not. What we are sure of though is that this week he definitely wanted The Cyprus Agency to be the next organization investigated by the Liz and the FBI. Red knows that Liz and Tom are planning to adopt a baby and he believes that having Liz see, first hand, how difficult adopting a baby can be for all the people involved could perhaps sway her from doing so. While the very nature of Tom has yet to be revealed to us, Red knows that he is not who he says he is and would like very much for Liz to not be with him. Having Liz and Tom adopt a baby would definitely bring them closer and at the same time remove Liz from Red's life and counter-productive to whatever Red has planned for her.
"You are arriving at a point of no return Lizzy. If you have any doubts about your husband you can't go through with this adoption. When you get there, if there is even one shred of doubt..."
- Red speaking to Liz before he is abruptly cut off to her saying "There isn't"
(okay, sometimes Red is a little more direct with the point he wants to get across to Liz)
The investigation leads Liz and Ressler to a couple that, for a brief period of time, fostered Michael Shaw, a.k.a. Owen Mallory, the mastermind behind The Cyprus Agency. They acquire more intel from Aram, and one humorous drug-dealer encounter with Red, that brings our team to where the abducted women are being held captive. There is a stand-off and Ressler saves Liz from being killed by Mallory by wounding him before he could get a shot off.
After seeing all that has transpired and speaking with the foster parents about how they were not ready and their marriage was troubled, Liz comes to the realization that her and Tom are not ready for a baby themselves. She confronts him at home and basically paraphrases what Red asked her earlier in the episode, "...you can't tell me that there is not one shred of doubt? One shred that wonders if this is...broken?"
Very crafty Red, very crafty indeed.
The other story this week was the issue of the mole we have been so intent on figuring out. Meera convinced Red that she was set-up and if he gave her time she could find out who the real culprit was. Red agrees and Agent Malik retrieves for him the document revealing the name he needs, absolving herself of any wrongdoing. The writers have led us down so many paths regarding who spilled the secrets that ended up getting Red kidnapped and Luli killed and now we, along with Red, have our answer. Fowler signed a directive, ordering a mandatory security upgrade at the Post Office and that's how she got the blueprints into enemy hands. Many of you have guessed correctly that it was Fowler who gave Red up but I had no idea that Red was going to kill someone of such high status. I thought the scene was great and James Spader did a wonderful job of making such an important scene funny as well as serious.
"I can see her lying back in her satin dress in a room where you do what you don't confess"
- Gordon Lightfoot, Sundown
The biggest reveal, however, came from Fowler's final words to Red after he shot her once, "I know the truth Red, about that night. About what happened to your family. You want to know the truth?" To which Red replies, "more than anything in the world. But if you know the truth Diane, then somebody else does too." Immediately shooting her three more times after that Fowler dies without revealing the truth about Red's family. Which brings us to my first point of the article; if Red doesn't know the truth about his family then that must mean that Liz is not his daughter, right? We know he wants to protect her and keep her safe but maybe Red was telling the truth when he said he wasn't Liz's father on the payphone that night.
I thought the episode was great and tied up a few loose ends for us. We finally figured out who the mole inside the FBI was as well as knowing that Meera did not betray Red or the team deliberately. We know that Red is still searching for the truth about his family where I suspected he knew some truths about them. The Liz/Tom story line is getting richer and we could clearly see in this episode that Liz believes Red and it would seem that she is starting to heed his warnings about her husband. Speaking of Tom, he obviously is close enough to Jolene now that he goes to her seeking solace in his time of need. What we still don't know is Red's association with the Chosen One, Liz; is she his daughter? Are they related? Either way, we won't get any anymore clues for another FOUR weeks when The Blacklist returns with the next episode. Way too long.
If I find you been creeping 'round my back stairs
Sometimes I think it's a sin
When I feel like I'm winning when I'm losing again"
- Gordon Lightfoot, Sundown
Thoughts & Questions
- Did anyone notice that Red spoke to Liz in a more fatherly tone this episode? He only used the name "Lizzy" when speaking with her where in other episodes he used "Liz" sometimes.
- Do you think there is anything else that Agent Malik knows about? When she was approached by Cooper near the end of the episode it looked as though she was deep in thought.
- When watching the episode I search for clues about anything, which sometimes are hidden in names. In case any of you like this sort of extra information - Galatea, the name given to the office where the abducted women were held, is of greek origin. From Wikipedia: The story of Pygmalion appeared earliest in a Hellenistic work, Philostephanus' history of Cyprus, "De Cypro". It is retold in Ovid's Metamorphoses, where the king Pygmalion is made into a sculptor who fell in love with an ivory statue he had crafted with his own hands. - Which makes sense when associated with The Cyprus Agency and how they "craft" or customize babies for a parent's specific wants and needs.
- Another reference, and my favorite, is Galatea is the name given to a female Super-hero based on Power Girl. Galatea is a clone of Supergirl created by Emil Hamilton, who sees him as a father-figure, he sees her as a daughter. Hmmmmm? Sound like a similar situation? Am I stretching on that one? Yeah, possibly, but still, kinda neat.
- If Tom is a bad guy like Red is suggesting, then what will Tom do now that he and Liz are on the rocks?
- Is Red Liz's dad or not?!? I just can't stop thinking about all the clues we have and wonder. I guess that's what makes this show so appealing. Let's at least start putting a percentage on it. At this point in the series I would like to put the percentage of Red being Liz's father at 50%. What do you all think?
-What did you guys think of the episode? What do you think will happen between Tom and Liz now? Will Red and Liz's relationship deepen as a result?
Thanks for reading everyone. Please comment below with your thoughts and/or questions and see you back here in FOUR weeks!
Long story short (aka a summary)
Beacon Hills is under curfew from the power outage; the teens throw a black light Halloween party; Scott tries to earn Kira’s trust.
Hey, Teen Wolf lovers! Can you believe we’ve already watched four episodes of season 3B? Are you bummed just like I am that we only have eight more to go? Well, let’s not dwell on that because there is a lot of great stuff to talk about and some awkward moments to evaluate. Let’s get started shall we?
So, in case you didn’t notice, the main theme was changed in this episode (and I’m pretty sure only for this episode) in honor of The Bloody Beetroots who was serving as the party’s DJ. The Bloody Beetroots came out with an amazing remix of Teen Wolf’s theme song (the one featured in the opening credits) back in early July of 2013. I don’t really do spoilers for Teen Wolf so when I saw who the DJ was, the credit changes made some sense. I thought it was a cool thing to do. I think I might be in the minority though.
Anyway, this week’s episode was written by the lovely and talented Alyssa Clark. Fun Fact: She served as the show’s editor during season 1. This episode was directed by Russell Mulcahy, by far the most prolific director in the show’s stable who also happens to be an executive producer and pretty much Jeff Davis’s right hand man. I must say that I totally noticed his subtle shout outs to some his 80’s music videos that he is known for. I mean what screams 80’s more than neon colors, body paint, strobe lights and a rave? It also showcased his love of using light and shadow. The man practically has a fetish for reflective light. I wouldn’t be surprised he himself pitched the idea for the villains of the season to be shadow lurkers
Left with no other choice Chris triggers him so that he can change and force the healing process. Chris reveals that he thinks the Shadow Lurkers are after him and asks Allison and Isaac to keep it quiet for 24 hours. Chris runs to his office and grabs a box. In that box is a creepy broken mask that has a striking resemblance to the mask the Shadow Lurkers are rocking. Cue the modified opening credits.
We see Kira doing a little experimenting. She lights a candle and takes a selfie. The picture reveals her face is surrounded by glowing flames. Love the special effects for that; by far the best ones of the episode. I’m eager to know more about Kira. Arden Cho is slaying this role!
In an unexpected treat we get some coach Finstock screaming with a bullhorn. I call shenanigans though, I grew up in the California school system, if the power was out no way were we going to be in school. Most public school districts in California are truly fearful of lawsuits and just simply wouldn’t risk it. Not to mention since the weather is usually very mild, any situation for a free day off is always welcomed. But I digress…
After Stiles snarks at Coach Finstock he discovers a mysterious set of keys. Stiles channeling his inner custodian he pockets them and will it out later. Scott comes in and he’s on a mission. He wants to chat up Kira. Stiles doesn’t think that’s such a great idea. They are for all intent and purposes living on a hellmouth and chances are if the person isn’t in the core group of friends the person is going to turn out to be a horrible monster. Hell, even if they are in the core group of friends, chances are they are some type of creature. With reveal at the end I wonder if it’s Stiles’ subconscious telling him to keep Scott away from Kira…
In the locker rooms, Danny is bummed having to cancel his party because of the power outage. As Ethan watches Danny leave, Aiden starts making fun of Ethan for being so smitten with Danny. He also ridicules him for wanting to help throw a high school Halloween party.
Lydia’s mom gets some action in this episode. She’s the new biology teacher although, Lydia’s book says Physics… I wouldn’t want my mom teaching at my school, especially not at Beacon Hills High. Teachers have a funny way of ending up dead. Fingers crossed Mrs. Martin makes it out of the season alive. Lydia high on the act of doing a good deed tells Aiden that all she sees when she looks at him is one third of the trio that helped kill Boyd. She goes on to say that she doesn’t want to be with a bad guy. This inspires Aiden to want to help Danny with his party.
Scott finds Kira during lunchtime, where she eventually opens up about what happened the previous night. She shows him what happens when a picture is taken of her with flash and explains that this only started a few months ago. Scott, the only person to ever see those flames besides Barrows. Barrow took a picture of it with her own phone. The phone that is now in the hands of the police. Scott tells Kira that they really need to get that phone back.
Stiles with rescue in the form of cloned keys, staff details and some entry advice. Kira and Scott are able to sneak into the police station to get Kira’s phone from the evidence locker. Kira just wants to take the whole phone. Scott says they should just delete the photos. Of course the battery is dead and needs to be charged. They find a cord and plug it into the laptop. Aww, Agent McCall has a baby picture of Scott as the desktop background.
Agent McCall shows up just as Scott and Kira are waiting for the phone to turn on, forcing Stiles to run in after and try to stall him in classic Stiles fashion. But Agent McCall makes a crack about Papa Stilinski’s abilities as an officer and Stiles ain’t having none of that. He responds by telling McCall that he knows the “real reason” he doesn’t like his dad. Apparently, Papa Stilinski knows something and Stiles knows too. Of course, we’re cute short and thus not able to gain that privy…Stiles has done what he came to do and Kira and Scott have safely made their way out undetected.
Meanwhile, Derek gets out of his car he is ambushed by some children yelling “Trick or treat!” He tosses candy into their buckets and wolfs out and roars at them. This just might be the cutest Derek Hale moment of the series (and honestly that’s kind of sad). Derek hears something but before he can react he is surrounded by the five Shadow Lurkers.
Well, you knew the kids were going to find a way to throw a party. Aiden offered up Derek’s loft that comes equipped with a handy dandy generator. Where was that thing when that plan with Kali went sideways… still bitter, don’t mind me.
The entire gang manages to make it to the party. Just as the party is reaching max potential we see glimpses of the Shadow Lurkers on the peripheral. There’s a shortage of ice and Ethan volunteers to grab some, ALONE. As he’s getting the ice the light bulb begins to flicker. He holds and it comes back on. After about 10 tries the Shadow Lurkers grow tire of it and just make their presence known and take what they want.
Meanwhile, Scott and Kira are alone on the roof discussing what her aurora looks like. Cut to Allison and Isaac getting it done on the dance floor when Allison notices a mark behind Isaac’s ear, one that looks a lot like the number five. In the bathroom, they find Ethan. Isaac breaks Ethan’s arm to help trigger his healing powers.
Danny and Aiden also find Lydia passed out and freezing on the balcony and bring her inside. As Aiden tries to warm her back up, Lydia shakily tells him about the creatures who came out of the dark… and Aiden finds the number five marked behind her ear, in the same spot as Isaac’s. Quick flashes in the episode inform us that Ethan and Derek also have the marks, which follows the theory that anyone who is touched by the creatures becomes ‘marked’. For what? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
An even more Sour Wolf makes a triumphant return to his castle, only to find it packed with hot, sweaty, writhing teen age bodies and he is NOT amused. The Bloodbeet Roots body guard tells Derek that the DJ doesn’t take request. Yeah, that doesn’t go over so well and Derek throttles the poor guy, flips the DJ table and roars for everyone to get out of his loft. The kids scramble for the door and out of the shadows the rag tag team that is the McCall pack begins to come forth, as well as a whole gang of Shadow Lurkers.
They have their eyes set on Aiden and Aiden wants to know why they’re all staring at him. An awesome fight sequence ensues and I like it. They are using a different type of fight choreography and it works. These Shadow Lurkers even have katana blades hidden away where the souls should be. They seemed pretty unstoppable. As a matter of fact the only thing that did stop them was yet another case of insta-dawn. I won’t dwell on it… Before the scene ends, Isaac channels his best David Caruso and tells Allison that it looks like her father’s 24 hours are up.
Man Down! Papa Argent stumbles through the door of his house and passes out on the floor as Allison tries to call him on his cell. This is so not what I wanted for the Chris Argent arc. I hope he survives or Allison is going to truly be a wreck forever and ever and we might be forced to deal with Gerrad as her guardian.
Grade: B-
Character of the Night
This is a tough one. I went with Stiles. Stiles got the biggest range of interactions this week, as well as an epiphany that lead to a stunning reveal that has me giddy with anticipation. I guess the side effects from reviving the Nemeton side plot didn’t fall apart and disappear after all.
Best Character Interactions
Kira and Scott were just too cute together. Arden and Tyler have some great onscreen chemistry. I’m over the moon that Scott’s potential love interest isn’t human and her parents actually like him (for now).
Favorite Moments
• Stiles tells Agent McCall that he knows why he hates his father.
• Derek yelling at everyone to get out of his loft.
• Scott scanning the crowd for Kira with his ‘wolf vision’ and seeing her ‘foxy’ aura.
• Derek wolfing out on the little kids.
• Sheriff Stilinski laughing at Agent McCall as Stiles cracks wise
Favorite Lines
• Coach: CLASS STARTS IN FIVE MINUTES. JUST BECAUSE THERE’S NO POWER, DON’T EXPECT THERE TO BE NO SCHOOL.
• Ethan: You don’t get it, do you? Scott doesn’t care about power, he cares about people. You wanna be a wolf in his pack? Try being a human in high school.
• Mama Martin: Sweetheart, since this is my first class and I haven’t taught in five years, I just want to remind you of one thing. Try not to embarrass me.
Lydia: You should have thought about that before wearing those shoes.
• Scott: Did you steal these?
Stiles: No, I cloned them using an RFID emulator.
Scott: …Isn’t that worse than stealing?
Stiles: Smarter.
• Kira: That was awesome! I mean, terrifying, completely terrifying, but kind of awesome. God, I’ve never done anything like that before, have you?
Stiles: [trading looks with Scott] Um, yeah, once or twice.
• Isaac: Derek can never know about this.
• Allison: I’m frustrated.
Isaac: Sexually?
Favorite Scenes
• Kira and Scott talking on the roof.
• Lydia alone at the party making stray observations about her friends.
• The Shadow Lurkers fight scene
Awkward Moment Awards
• That awkward moment when Teen Wolf turned into Supernatural during the scene where Ethan goes to get the ice and the light won’t stop flickering. Did anyone else scream get the rock salt and a shotgun? Just me? OK then.
• That awkward moment when Teen Wolf reminded me of that overly hyped Arrow episode 1x17: The Huntress Returns that featured Steve Aoki.
• That awkward moment when the whole audience got annoyed by the Allison and Scott’s across-the-room- glare. Hasn’t it already been established that they are just friends and moving on with their lives for like the last three episodes. Plus, Allison has Isaac. Cue eye roll.
• That awkward moment when Teen Wolf begins channel Vampire Diaries and decides to start throwing parties/dances all the time. They never ever end well. Learn that lesson and learn it soon. Please and thank you!
Theory of the Week
• The Shadow Lurker took Lydia’s Banshee scream.
• Danny might not be so firmly placed on Team Human after all
Troll of the Week
• Stiles not answering whether he likes girls AND guys. Man did that scene light up my Twitter timeline!
Burning Questions
• Is Chris going to die this season?
• Was Chris once a Shadow Lurker?
• How is Kira going to react to Scott being a werewolf?
• What do the marks mean?
Shameless Plugs & Self Promotion
Dahne (the usual reviewer for Teen Wolf here on Spoiler TV) and myself are starting a Teen Wolf podcast. We’ll begin next week, with episode 3.17: Silverfinger.
Here’s the podcast’s social media info, we’re looking forward to connecting with fans and making it a fun and interactive experience.
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Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to sound off in the comments section below!
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