Category: Television

Science fiction and fantasy television from a fan’s perspective.

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Television

Missed It the First Time Round-up

Recently I’ve had to opportunity to catch some science fiction and fantasy television I missed the first time around. A few of these have been very popular shows, but I just never got around to watching for one reason or another. Here’s a short summary of what I tried and my thoughts.

True Blood

I wasn’t as excited by this as I thought I’d be. Although I watched about 4 episodes, I never did get into the story enough to want to keep going. I finally went to an online source, read a bunch of spoilers and then decided this one just wasn’t for me. I fall much more to the science fiction side of SFF television.

Wolf Blood

I know, it’s a show aimed at a younger audience. But you know what? I really like it. I haven’t finished the first season yet, but I know that when I get in the right mood, I’ll be revisiting this one.

The Originals

I’ve watched almost half a season of this show, but I think I’m done. I’m not sure what it is, but maybe it’s the excessive drama. I’m not a fan.

Bitten

I liked the first season of Bitten, a lot! But something happened over the break and now that I have access to the second season, I’m not finding myself so interested in continuing. I started the first episodes of season two and bailed within ten minutes. Something about the opening just turned me off in a major way and at this time, I don’t know that I’ll ever bother to watch more.

The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D

It’s hard to define my reaction to this one. I’ve liked what I’ve seen of the first season, but I haven’t found myself tempted to watch more. I don’t think I’m done with this show, but I also don’t feel any sort of compulsion to keep watching. I think… and this is just my gut feeling… I just don’t like the main female lead, Skye. I don’t know, but since I’m only through four episodes, I’m going to say I’ll probably watch more, eventually, when the right mood hits me.

And that’s it for this summary. I’m always looking for that next big obsession when it comes to the television shows I watch. It turns out none of these are that for me, but maybe in the next batch!

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Television

Quick Reviews: Grimm Season 4 Episodes

Here I’m posting some quick thoughts on the episodes of season 4 of Grimm. I haven’t gotten to all of the episodes I’ve watched just yet, but eventually I’ll catch up! :) Links at the bottom of the post give you places to watch the show. Also, I’m not good at avoiding spoilers so don’t read past the descriptions if you’re worried about being spoiled! Descriptions are first after the episode titles.

Season 4 Episodes

Episode 1: Thanks for the Memories

Grimm S4 E1 Truble and Juliette

After the events at Monroe’s and Rosalee’s wedding, Nick is faced with losing his identity as a Grimm. Hank and Juliette join Nick as they try to figure out how to deal with Trubel as she faces the consequences of a heinous murder she committed. Meanwhile, when Wu arrives at the scene, his discoveries bring back images of his traumatic encounter. A new threat arrives in Portland to steal the memories of its victims, leaving them in a state of dementia. Elsewhere, Captain Renard’s life hangs in the balance and Adalind falls into Prince Viktor’s trap as she desperately searches for her baby.

Picks up where the season ender for season 3 left us hanging. Captain Renard is rushed to the hospital, Nick has to face losing his abilities, Trubel makes herself useful (I’m so glad she’s back), Wu gets curious, Juliette eases up, and Hank shines.

I particularly liked Trubel in these first two episodes of the season and I definitely hope they keep her around.

This was a great episode, but watch out for the nasty cliffhanger!

 Episode 2: Octopus Head

Grimm Hank and Nick

As Nick and Hank turn their attention to a string of attacks where victims are left without their memories, Nick weighs whether or not he should regain his Grimm abilities. Trubel joins the investigation and puts herself in harms way. In Vienna, Adalind is being held captive and learns that she is more connected than ever to Nick. Meanwhile, Captain Renard continues to fight for his life as a mysterious visitor arrives to help him.

Picks up the cliffhanger from “Thanks for the Memories” and runs with it. This episode has a lot of Trubel (Teresa Rubel) in it, but I didn’t mind. I’m loving this character more and more all the time. I’m just left wondering if the actress playing her character is a bit better than David Guintoli with action scenes because my mind boggles at how much better her action scenes are than his!

But the episode did really well balancing that out in the end, and it made me wonder if the writers have noticed the same issue. They seemed to be making the point by the end of the episode that although Trubel has the skills, she’s lacking the experience Nick has and that Nick is still a better Grimm even without his abilities. I was glad to see that.

But again, watch out for the cliffhanger at the end of the episode! It was mild compared to the premiere’s cliffhanger but I’m still waiting anxiously for the next episode.

Episode 3: Last Fight

After Nick has a bizarre, unsettling vision, he and Hank find themselves on a case that takes them into the world of boxing. Trubel finds herself under the watchful eye of Agent Chavez before jumping into the ring to help with Nick’s investigation. Meanwhile, Monroe and Rosalee get some unexpected help in figuring out a way to restore Nick’s Grimm abilities. Elsewhere, Adalind encounters a mysterious visitor in her dungeon cell.

Oh, Juliette. I think it’s obvious she’s a problem these days. I know she wants a normal life, but I have to say I don’t have a lot of respect for her after what she told Monroe and Rosalee. I’m enjoying Trubel, but I want Nick to get his Grimm vision and abilities back. The sooner the better. I also want him to have that talk with Wu. Basically, this episode was a bit of filler to drag out all the different story arcs that are going on, and the little forward progress involved Adalind’s story. Oh, and there’s a subplot involving Trubel now that I’m not that happy about.

Episode 4: Dyin’ on a Prayer

Episode 5: Cry Luison

Episode 6: Highway of Tears

Episode 7: The Grimm Who Stole Christmas

This … had a plot hole that even I had trouble letting slide. I mean, it was huge. The good news was that I didn’t really notice it until the episode was over, but then it hit me and yeah, I … don’t know what the writers were thinking with this one. :o

Episode 8: Chupacabra

This episode almost made me cry! (Really.)

Episode 9: Wesenrein

Episode 10: Tribunal

Episode 11: Death Do Us Part

These episode titles came from Wikipedia and hadn’t aired at the time I made this list. If something changes, I’ll fix it. :)

Links:

Watch season 4 of Grimm at the NBC website

Categories
Books Fantasy Television

The Grimm Novels

Although there are a lot of book tie-ins for Grimm, this updated list is for the Grimm novels.

Don’t these look fantastic? So far the series includes 3 books: The Icy Touch, The Chopping Block, & The Killing Time.

Grimm The Icy Touch - John Shirley Grimm The Chopping Block - John Passarella Grimm The Killing Time - Tim Waggoner

The Icy Touch (Grimm, Book #1)

Back in the 19th century a Wesen and a Grimm fight to the death. The Grimm wins, but the Wesen’s son escapes and vows revenge. In the present day, Captain Renard sends Nick and Hank to investigate an international crime cartel named Le Touche Givre (The Icy Touch). They discover this deadly gang is run by Wesen, and is involved in various illegal activities, including forced prostitution and drug pushing. As they close in on the gang, Nick begins to realize that their charismatic and dangerous leader is just as intent on tracking him down…

Grimm Book #1: The Icy Touch

The Chopping Block (Grimm, Book #2)

A cache of bones is found in a shallow grave in local woods… Meanwhile missing persons cases in Portland seem to be on the increase. As more bones are discovered, Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt and his partner Hank Griffin investigate – but there seems to be no connection between the victims… A brand-new original story set in the Grimm universe.

Grimm Book #2: The Chopping Block

The Killing Time (Grimm, Book #3)

A mysterious creature stalks the streets of Portland, looking for a new identity. With one touch it can dissolve its victims, assuming their appearance, personality, and memories. When Portland homicide detectives Nick Burkhardt and Hank Griffin are called in to track down a missing person, Nick comes face to face with the changeling, but its powers have an unexpected effect on the Grimm, unleashing a deadly Wesen plague and untold chaos.

Grimm Book #3: The Killing Time

Categories
Books Television

Newest Grimm book! Grimm: The Killing Time

There’s a new Grimm book that I somehow missed when it was released by Titan Books on September 30, 2014. The cover is seriously appealing to me right now. I couldn’t bring myself to post a tiny version, so here it is in a size we can appreciate. :)

Grimm The Killing Time - Tim Waggoner

Grimm: The Killing Time by Tim Waggoner

A mysterious creature stalks the streets of Portland, looking for a new identity. With one touch it can dissolve its victims, assuming their appearance, personality, and memories. When Portland homicide detectives Nick Burkhardt and Hank Griffin are called in to track down a missing person, Nick comes face to face with the changeling, but its powers have an unexpected effect on the Grimm, unleashing a deadly Wesen plague and untold chaos.

The highly positive reviews for this one say it’s a great addition to the series. I’ve already sent the sample to my Kindle and can’t wait to read it! If I like, I’ll be picking up the paperback to add to my collection of TV tie-in novels. Right now it’s overrun with books for Stargate Atlantis, Psych, and Castle.

Wikia says this 272 page book falls between “A Dish Best Served Cold” and “One Night Stand” in the show’s chronology / timeline. “One Night Stand” is the episode with the mermaid like creatures and “A Dish Best Served Cold” had the chef who was killing Blutbaden with his food.

You can find a paperback or ebook edition of Grimm: The Killing Time at most online book stores.

Categories
Fantasy Television

The Almighty Johnsons

The Almighty Johnsons

One of my favorite new shows is The Almighty Johnsons. The series is TV-MA so don’t go into it thinking it’s family friendly fare (although to be honest, I wouldn’t have a problem with my teens watching—it’s certainly better than them watching people dying at every turn a la The Walking Dead). Then again, the series is airing on Syfy too, I believe, and that version might be (probably is) edited so you can catch it there if you want.

What I like most about the show is the humor. I’ve watched the first three episodes and figure I’ll end up binge watching the rest because it’s just that irresistible. :D It’s laugh out loud funny in places and I love it.

Set in New Zealand, The Almighty Johnsons is a series about norse gods with very limited powers living among humans and Axl’s (Odin’s) quest to reunite with the goddess Frigg so they can regain their full powers and … well … not die. ;)

Can’t wait to see where this show goes.

Update! I finished out season one and I loved it. This is a great show. Seriously. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend you give it a shot.

Links:

Watch The Almighty Johnsons Season 1 on Amazon Instant Video (US/Canada)

Buy The Almighty Johnsons Season 1 on DVD or Blu-Ray (US/Canada)

The official The Almighty Johnsons website, which indicates there are already 3 seasons (series in Kiwi terms) of the show

Categories
Television

Should I give Scorpion another try?

ScorpionI have the pilot episode of Scorpion waiting in my Amazon Instant Video queue. I didn’t make it fifteen minutes into the show before I bailed, deciding instead to watch something else with a little more life in it.

I can’t really drum up the interest in revisiting the show, but there’s a part of me that hates knowing I bought this episode and haven’t watched it.

So… does the show get better? Would it be worth my time to revisit?

Update! I finished the episode and … eh. I think I’ll pass. It was definitely a more crime oriented series than science fiction-ish, so I probably shouldn’t have even included this here. Ah well. If it gets significantly better after the first episode, though, feel free to let me know.

Categories
Television

Teen Wolf: Young Derek Will Be Missed

Spoilers. Although if you’re reading this, you were probably looking for them.

Young Derek = Adorable

I saved up the first three episodes of the new season of Teen Wolf so I wouldn’t have that horrible cliffhanger hangover later, and I’m so glad I did. After the plot twist at the end of the first episode “The Dark Moon,” I would have been so disappointed to have to wait for the next, “117.” By “Muted,” I already missed young Derek.

It would have been so fun to see that plot twist hang around for a few more episodes, although I admit, when it first happened, I wanted the real Derek back ASAP. But, wow, that one grew on me in like thirty seconds flat.

Using the same actor from last season’s “Visionary” was a great choice and it was cool to see him a bit more grown up looking. He’s adorable and he’s a good actor. And although I’m too old to be thinking that kid’s a hottie, my much younger daughter isn’t. :D The fact that he looks so much like Derek gave both those episodes some really awesome realism.

Teen Wolf’s second episode of season 4, “117” had some excellent moments. I love that the writers have brought some of the humor of the first season back so strongly this season. I’ve missed that. I loved season 3, don’t get me wrong, but the levity of a little humor does add something special to the show, making the episodes much more re-watchable.

In fact, I figure I’ll be re-watching “117” sooner rather than later. If you haven’t caught it yet, do as I did, and buy it on Amazon. Or watch it on MTV’s website when it’s available (link).

Categories
Television

Under the Dome Is Back! New Episodes Airing Now

I was excited to see Under the Dome return to television. I’ve been looking forward to seeing where the story goes in the second season.

Under the Dome - Instant VideoOn June 30th the first episode of season 2 aired. If you want to catch up you can see all the episodes on Amazon. If you’re a member of Prime, you can watch them for free. If not, Amazon has all the episodes of the season that have aired available to purchase.

Barbie’s fate lies in Big Jim’s hands, and the Dome presents a new threat when it becomes magnetized. Meanwhile, Julia seeks out the help of a stranger to save the life of a mysterious girl who may hold clues to origin of the Dome. The premiere episode was written by bestselling author and executive producer Stephen King, and who also makes a cameo appearance.

 

Categories
Television

Juliette: It’s time to go

Juliette - Grimm - Blonde AmbitionJuliette Silverton is Nick Burkhardt’s girlfriend/almost fiancée on Grimm. Whoever wrote her part in “Blonde Ambition” certainly doesn’t like her.

As someone who’s quite fond of Juliette most of the time, I was unbelievably disappointed to see her act so irrational, immature, and unlikeable in the Grimm season three finale.

(1) A crazy hexenbeist pretended to be Juliette and slept with Nick. What does Juliette do? She gets mad at Nick.

(2) In reaction to the news that the crazy hexenbeist has in effect raped Nick, Juliette decides that’s the time to tell him she just doesn’t know if she can handle him being a Grimm.

(3) Captain Renard called Juliette and in a very reasonable tone asked to discuss issues that were very pertinent to both their lives, but because she’d talked to the crazy hexenbeist first, she goes off on him and hangs up on him. Because, you know, the crazy hexenbeist told Juliette Sean was crazy. Even though crazy hexenbeist girl (Adelind) is crazy.

Frankly, at the moment, I just hope Juliette leaves Nick, and Portland, and doesn’t look back, because right now, I don’t like her.

Categories
Science Fiction Television

Defiance season one is on Amazon Prime Instant Video

I had avoided watching Defiance, because I’d seen some photos prior to the airing of the show, and frankly, I wasn’t impressed. I also didn’t know if the show would make it past a first season, and over the last few years, I’ve gotten extremely leery of Syfy and their ability to stand behind a promising series. So, long story short, I chose to wait and see.

Defiance

Then I forgot about the show.

Yeah.

Last weekend, however, I saw it pop up on Amazon Prime Instant Video and was like, wow, totally missed that one. I watched the Pilot and then more than half the season, and although it’s not the best thing ever, there are definitely aspects of the series that I enjoy and certain themes I’d like to see explored in the rest of the first season and in season 2 when it comes (season 2 of Defiance premieres June 19, 2014).

The most underdeveloped part of the series, in my opinion?

Christie and Alak. Their interspecies relationship has a ton of  conflict and while the show touches on that story every so often in the first season, it hasn’t really broken out. (I’m not quite finished with the season, so if there’s something I’m missing here, I’ll update later.)

The most overdeveloped parts of the series, in my opinion?

Kenya. This is really the most glaring, uninteresting part of the show. I can’t even really think of how this could have played out better, although I’m sure someone could have figured it out. I’d accept this a lot better if the prostitute angle had played some kind of integral role so far, but it hasn’t. It’s mostly been set dressing, and bland at that.

Irisa’s badassery. She kind of annoys me. I mean, horrible childhood = bitch with issues. I want to like her and I think I could if she softened up a bit. She could give some of her bitchery to Amanda. That’s one I’d like to see toughen up. I find her mommy vibe as annoying as I find Irisa’s bitchiness.

And that’s the thing. The female characters on the show, with the exception of Stahma, all seem to be a tad too cliche for me. The men? Not bad at all, well rounded and interesting. The women? Not so much.

All that said, though, I’m enjoying the show, and I’m willing to overlook the trite and cliché for the good stuff.

Sci-fi fantasies