"I've been trying to get them into counselling." — T'Challa
Wakandan guard: "My friend, that sounds an awful lot like genocide."
Thanos: "No, no, no. Because it's random."
[Clicks his fingers]
What an episode! I'm loving this one more than Captain Peggy's since it's not trying to hit the same beats as "The First Avenger," and they can really do some whacky things here! It's a pleasure to hear Chadwick Boseman's voice again, and the set-up for this T'Challa is very interesting! When T'Challa was just a child, he wanted to see the world. But because of Wakanda's secrecy, his father forbids it. But after Yondu found him, he was free to roam the universe.
Thanos' character here was charming and hilarious, and the cameos by Howard the Duck and Cosmo the Spacedog were great, too. This episode is so different from the first, and I hope it continues this trend! Sticking to the beats of a better story (in my opinion) isn't ideal when we could have this original blend of an adventure!
7/10
Mogami: "So what you're experiencing is a parallel world that could've easily come to pass had your circumstances been slightly different. I'll just sit back and observe how you fare in this environment without your powers."
Mogami: "You had many relationships in real life, and you were fortunate enough to be surrounded by good people. But situations like that are rare."
Mogami: "You're extremely talented brother is just a stranger here."
Mob: "It'd be so much easier if I was stronger."
Mogami: "I'm sure this seems incomprehensible to you,"
Mogami: "But she's bullying you to secure her position in society."
Mogami: "But after living in this world for six months without your powers,"
Mogami: "After my demise, I became an evil spirit and decided to use my powers for myself this time..."
Mogami: "You are allowed to use your powers for yourself. You should use them for yourself."
Dimple: "You're not staying here? Shigeo's done for. You gotta accept that. Why not run away?"
Reigen: "Because I still have faith in him."
Dimple: "In this situation? You're not really that stupid, are ya?"
Reigen: "Yup, actually, I am. Let me guess: this is the first time someone's placed so much trust in you too, right?"
Mob: "Apologise."
Mogami: "And that's why I didn't want you to travel the same path I did."
Dimple: "Yo."
Mogami: "The six months you spent here are forever etched into your heart and mind."
Mob: "I'm surrounded by good people. I need to be more thankful for them."
Mob: "When you interact with other people, it can have an effect. And because of that, I was able to change. Thanks to them, I'm stronger. Much stronger than if I'd been on my own."
Mob: "Wait... That's right."
[Grabbing hand.]
Mob: "I remember now. I came here to save someone."
Dimple: "He really has changed huh?"
Narrator: "The powerful blast created from Mob's positive emotions at 100 percent annihilated the great and powerful evil spirit Mogami."
Mogami: "No matter how much you struggle, your path will lead you to the same place mine did. To ruin."
But he's doing the opposite of yours, Mogami. Yours led to ruin because you started using your powers for yourself (to save your mother). Mob is using them to help people (which you did before you went down the ruinous path)
God damn, the animation though
Mob: "That people are able to change. Mogami and Minori both taught me it's possible. The people around me changed me as well. Now I understand I can do the same thing for others too."
Mob: "I don't get it, Master. Why aren't you claiming your reward?"
Reigen: "Just look at how many people got hurt. Not exactly a big success. You should never accept money that you feel you haven't earned. If you do, you'll start taking the easy way out every time."Reigen: "You know... You're better off working part-time for me than becoming famous or powerful. I hope this serves a good lesson for ya."
Dimple: "Come on, give me a friggin' break..."
Review
I know that all sounds like a bunch of nonsense, so let me make this simple. I interpreted this episode's message as, "positive emotions will trump negative emotions and that people and positivity can enable you to change." The problem is that this is what the episode propagates in the second half, but in the first half, it's exploring way more ideas like privilege, bullying, and selfishness. But it's forgotten in the second half? Also, the final message still disregards the earlier one on privilege. I guess it's addressed by Mob pledging he'll use his powers to help people?
This episode is really convoluted, unfocused and confused. It's trying to juggle all these different ideas under the guise of "positivity beats negativity" but it comes off as undercooked.
6/10
This episode is alright. Not as strong as the others, but it's still fun. The action scenes are cool, and Loki and Sylvia's banter is fun to watch. Although I enjoyed them venturing down this planet , some scenes seem either too easy or like a waste of time. They could pay stuff off later, but I'm unsure.
Anyway, I'm still invested, but I'm not in as much suspense as I was in the previous two episodes. Wondering "who is this variant Loki?" and "where did they go?" is a lot more intriguing than "how will they survive?!" Like, I don't believe they'll die, or that they'll use character instead of plot convenience to get them out. We'll see.
SCORE: 7/10
You know, as time passes, the more I fall in love with... INVINCIBLE. Maybe my rating is too harsh because my feelings for it are immense. I love this show, it's one of my favourite pieces of media already, and I'm pumped for Seasons 2 and 3.
I hope the animation improves! It's great already, but if it gets better, I can't imagine what kind of images we might be getting! More frames, maybe? More detail or shading? Who knows?!
Aw man, that final episode is crazy, and I really want to see more from this universe. Not only does it flesh out Mark and Omni-Man, but they introduce and follow characters that leave their orbit. I want to see more of the new Guardians of the Globe! I want to see more of Atom Eve! But most importantly, I want episodes that focus on individual characters other than Mark.
Anyway, that's my ramble. Again, maybe my rating is too harsh, but it's an arbitrary number anyway, so who cares?! What I care about is how much I enjoyed it. Hopefully, these feelings will stay with me for a while. Also, after looking at the show's IMDB page, I can't believe who's in this cast! J.K. Simmons, Walton Goggins, Zachary Quinto and Mark Hamill are in this series! How did I not notice!?
SCORE: 8/10
Notes
Review
Now that I'm 3/4 of the way through this show, I think I'm ready to spew some thoughts before I finish it.
Right now, no matter how unremarkable the writing is, this series will always have me hooked. Just the premise and the animation is enthralling enough; I will watch it until it's cancelled (I hope there's a Season 2)!
After all the Marvel and DC superhero stuff these days, a show like this is refreshing. There's no "make the funny joke and move on" bull crap; these characters go through crises and grow. And it isn't like the DC universe with its edginess and gore for indulgence's sake, but for character development that emphasises its impact. Yes, the animation's limited budget shows itself now and then, but other times, it impresses.
I really like this show, and it's becoming one of my favourites quite quickly. And yes, my ratings for it aren't that high, but they're still respectable. I respect this show. Anyway, that's enough for now, I can't wait to see how the season ends, and I hope season 2 is green-lighted soon.
Yours truly — C. Clobsters
SCORE: 8/10
Notes
Review
Man, that was a wild ride. I was half-expecting there to either be a disaster or a feel-good ending that would make me cheer or something. Instead, this episode presents it like real life. There's no melodrama, no drama at all, really, just catch-up, cocktails and closure. It's beautiful, and I'm glad BoJack doesn't have a closed ending.
I expressed my fear in my previous review that once I finish this show, it'll feel like these character's lives are over. If I never reach the end, it seems like they're living their lives without me. Thankfully, the series is open-ended, and so there are unlimited possibilities. Unlimited. Anything could happen from here on out, and it isn't overly optimistic, sappy or depressing, but it's more hopeful than when the series started.
BoJack Horseman is good at depicting human emotions and real-life moments. Despite 3/5s of their main cast being anthropomorphic animals, each one feels distinctly human. With each meeting and chat with the other four—Mr Peanutbutter, Todd, Princess Carolyn, and Diane—the closure they all share is so mundane that it's relieving.
This ending is perfect. BoJack's finally ready to reintegrate into society, Princess Carolyn has found happiness, Todd has rebuilt his parental relationships, Mr Peanutbutter has looked inward, and Diane has found someone she trusts. They've all grown, changed, and are ready to move on with their lives. Man, I can just imagine what amazing things they will do in the future.
Well... it was nice while it lasted. :)
SCORE: 7/10
With BoJack's perceived death in his own TV show, it leaves me shocked. Not because they actually did it, but because I can't imagine how this show will end. How will everyone else react after everything BoJack's done? Will they see it as only a matter of time? Will they feel sad or happy? What if someone ignores it completely?
I took a long break between seasons, so not every episode is fresh in my mind. I binge-watched the last two seasons, too, so I'm on a BoJack high but haven't given the series much thought. At this point, I think it's time to reflect.
BoJack Horseman is an unusual series that pushes animation and TV's boundaries to the brink. Its storytelling prowess is unimaginable, and the feats it pulls off leave me speechless. Even though I know nothing is like something else, I will never see anything like BoJack Horseman, again, ever.
To follow five characters, develop them and explore their backstories to see how they inform each character is rare. Few shows, movies or books can pull off such a feat, but this show makes it look easy.
I'll never see another show like BoJack Horseman, and I can't wait to hold on to it, forever. I can rewatch this series, entire episodes, and I will, but once you finish a show for the first time, it feels like the journey's over. When I refuse to finish it, it's like their lives are still happening without me. But once I reach the end; that final chapter, this delusion shatters and it feels like a goodbye. Whenever I rewatch an episode and know how it ends, it reminds me of my absence, how I'm a viewer taking a peek into a snapshot of their lives.
SCORE: 8/10
IS IT MY FAVOURITE EPISODE SO FAR? IT'S MY FAVOURITE EPISODE SO FAR.
After being grounded by her mum, Hilda discovers her neighbour mysteriously disappears and reappears in the blink of an eye.
This episode was a thrilling time travel tale about regret, reminiscing on what could've been and the consequences of your actions. Because GOD DAMN, HILDA DIED TWICE. Speechless noises. It was just so sudden, distressing yet heartfelt. You can see Hilda means well, but since she doesn't think it through, it all goes to hell. I mean, and I can't stress this enough, she got herself killed, twice, as well as several versions of Mr Ostenfeld, as well as Tildy! This episode has so much death!
I like how they imbued the episode's themes with the other two characters, and it was exciting to see Trolberg back in the 20s? No, the themes & premise aren't anything new, but the way the episode presented them struck a chord with me. Bella Ramsey gives another charming performance, and Rasmus Hardiker's Alfur is just as endearing. Seeing the contrast of second-trip Hilda and the third one, hardened and bitter by time, was heartbreaking; I won't forget her sacrifice.
Hilda: "And all things considered, it didn't work out too badly."
Alfur: "We saw our selves die... twice!"
It's heartwarming, tragic and powerful. I've no issues with this episode, and I think it encapsulates what I love about Hilda so much. This episode is beautiful in every sense of the word.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 8.5/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 9/10
NOW THAT WAS AN EPIC MID-SEASON EPISODE!
Ahlberg's back at it again, with a devious scheme to install an automated bell system all over Trolberg. But in doing so, every creature—woffs, elves, nisse and trolls—are struggling to live in peace. So Hilda and the gang set out on a daring mission to shut it down, once and for all!
This episode had a fun operation that brings together Hilda, Frida, David, Alfur, Tontu and the lost clan! But not only that, we learn more about the bell keeper. We get a little glimpse into his psyche and what's made him so bitter after all these years. After he saves Hilda's life, he convinced me he was someone we could trust. I loved seeing that character's growth and Hilda unite a group of her friends to come together to stop a common enemy: Ahlberg.
Bartell Bragga, the leader of the lost clan, has a few fun little gags, involving Alfur and combat!
Bartell: "We've declared war on the bell tower. We'll take it down brick by brick. Or die trying!"
It's just all-round fun, epic and satisfying to see Ahlberg crushed by one of the bells he had installed, much like Ernesto de la Cruz from Coco. Except Ahlberg doesn't die.
David: "The pigeons are in the coop. Bartell and Agnes look ready for battle. Alfur... not so much. Over."
It's vast in scope, fun and gathers a large cast to fight for the wilderness' creatures. That twist at the end is very menacing. I also hope Hilda gives Johanna more attention in future episodes; she seems worried all the time.
TECHNICAL & ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
POOR MYTHROL!
Another fun episode following Mando and the Child back to Nevarro. I've got to say: I like how Nevarro has changed. Not only has Cara Dune cleaned up the town, but they've established a school in place of the cantina! How awesome is that?
Baby Yoda's (the Child) shenanigans were fun. First Mando gets him to help rewire the ship (I'm surprised he didn't die from the electric shock) and later steals some macaroons from a kid at school. Just all-round hilariously cute!
This episode also gave us some insight into Moff Gideon's plans. He's got some weird science experiments going on and when Doctor Pershing says "M-count", I'm guessing he was talking about Midichlorians. I mean, they're stealing midi-chlorians from Baby Yoda and injecting them into other people?. Is Moff Gideon trying to make force-sensitive super-soldiers?
My only complaint about this episode would be the conflict. Although the episode delivers a crap ton of new mysteries, our heroes kill stormtroopers way too easily, with the sense that there wasn't any tension and I never felt they were in any peril.
Overall, it's a fun episode, with new mysteries that I can't wait to find the answers to in future episodes. Also, I haven't forgotten about Ahsoka! PLEASE, SHOW ME AHSOKA!
IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK ON NEVARRO.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 7/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
Notes
Fennec Shand: "That was fast."
Boba: "We'll lockdown at the palace."
Skad: "It's a bad idea."
[Boba turns.]
Boba: "Is that so?"
Skad: "...it is."
Boba: "And where do you propose we wait for reinforcements?"
Skad: "...here."
Boba: "...here? In these ruins?"
[Skad nods.]
Boba: "Nonsense."
Boba: "The palace offers greater protection."
Drash: "If you want to abandon Mos Espa and hide in your fortress, go ahead. We're staying. The people who live here need our protection."
Mok Shaiz: "Does Fett have any other resources to call upon? He used to live in a Tusken Raider tribe in the desert."
Peli Motto: "It's an X-wing. What's an X-wing doing here?"
Peli: "Well look who it is!"
Boba: "I thought I smelled something."
Cad Bane: "Before you get any ideas. I've got back shooters too."
Drash: "Hey... Thank you."
Fennec: "Manners. I like it. You're welcome."
The Mandalorian: "It's against the Creed. I gave you my word. I'm with you until we both fall."
Boba: "You really buy into that bantha fodder?"
The Mandalorian: "I do."
[Boba nods.]
Boba: "Good."
The Mandalorian: "We got real problems."
The Mandalorian: "Our energy weapons can't get through, and our kinetic weapons have too much velocity."
Pyke: "Sleemo!"
The Mandalorian: "Okay, little guy. I'm happy to see you too."
Drash: "Can you pick off some of the fighters?"
Freetown fighter: "I'm used to desert hunting. Can't miss at this range."
Peli: "Peli's got you covered."
Cad Bane: "What's your angle?"
Boba: "This is my city. These are my people. I will not abandon them."
Cad Bane: "Like the Tuskens."
Cad Bane: "Let's find out."
Boba: "This is my city!"
Cad Bane: "You tried to go straight."
Cad Bane: "I knew you were a killer."
Freetown Bartender: "The rancor's on the loose!"
The Mandalorian: "It's gonna be okay."
Peli: "Where'd you go, kid?!"
Boba: "Thank you."
The Mandalorian: "All right. But this is the last time."
"Directed by ROBERT RODRIGUEZ"
Review
Btw, I still like this episode. And I've gotten complaints that I'm just being negative for no reason, but to preemptively combat this, let me say it's because I'm trying to study the shows I'm watching because I'm a screenwriter. I also criticise stuff I like.
6/10
Jeff: "Hey, it's the 'Aw couple.' "
Annie, Britta & Shirley: "Aw."Abed: "And she knows my Netflix password, Jeff's Netflix password."
Jeff: "Damn it. I'm changing that."
Abed: "I changed it."
Jeff: "To what?"
Abed: "Nice try."
Dean: "Payday is postponed until next week. So this..."
[Rap music playing.]
Dean: "Is my freestyle rap apology."[Dean's sobbing.]
**Dean: "I don't know what that was, I don't. I don't know what that was."
[Dean hyperventilating before leaving.]
Annie: "Anthony said he could fix our cabinets."
Abed: "Rachel used to mop floors at Kmart. She mops good."
Rachel: "Is this a real conversation or are we being bugged by the feds?"Chang: "Hey. Look, if something sketchy is happening, I don't care. So I'm just gonna back out of the room now and..."
Shirley: "He can't leave."
[Jeff running after Chang. Chang running away, screaming.]
Chang: "No! No!"
Chang: "I love textbooks. That's why I stole these."
Britta: "All right, knock it off."
Chang: "What?"
Buzz: "You gotta make it sound believable or you're not getting outta here."
Chang: "I'm trying!"
Buzz: "Try harder!"Jeff: "I can't do this anymore."
Shirley: "What?"
Jeff: "I'm out. It's gone too far, it's too... Evil. Look, you guys can split the money. I'm just gonna leave quietly. Goodbye."
[Jeff walking away. Shirley nodding at Buzz. Buzz ropes Jeff.]
Jeff: "Ow! Oh! What the hell?!"
[Rachel looking at Anthony. Anthony looking back with concern.]
Rachel: "Abed, I don't like this side of you, and I do not like that side of VCR technology. I am glad that it's a dead medium. That was very uncomfortable."
[Rachel leaves.]
Annie: "You're packing?"
Anthony: "Yeah."
Annie: "You're leaving?"
Anthony: "Yeah."
Annie: "Because of last night?"
Anthony: "Yeah."Man: "Where'd you get these?"
SCORE: 5.5/10
What a fantastic series! I really hope Amazon greenlights Season 2! As a superhero fan, "Invincible" is a breath of fresh air. Ah... it's good to have superhero stories that aren't just the DC and Marvel line-up.
SCORE: 9/10
Reggie? Rickie? Ritchie has one messed up business. The cops definitely need to shut him down.
Throughout the episode, I thought the mystery was going to be something profound, or there would be a big revelation, but it turns out it was a huge waste of time. Well, almost.
Mr Peanutbutter and Diane's relationship is on thin ice. Princess Carolyn has to try to keep Mr Peanutbutter from tearing his house apart, and Diane is trying to keep in contact with Mr Peanubutter, making sure he knows she's safe. But it's then when they find Cuddlywhiskers. He talked about his time as a filmmaker and the moment he won an Oscar.
Up until this point, BoJack has been juggling solving this mystery with Diane and attending all his meet and greets to help him win an Oscar. Along the journey, Diane's been getting calls from Mr Peanutbutter and keeps refusing them. But when they find Cuddlywhisker's home, Diane finally picks up, and Mr Peanutbutter is furious.
"I'm glad you're safe, but I was worried about you."
"You have to call me. It doesn't matter what's happening. It doesn't matter if it's the middle of the night. You can't keep doing this to me."
- Mr Peanutbutter
Cuddlywhiskers then finally arrives and sits down to drink tea and talk with BoJack and Diane. He talks about how he found no happiness in winning an Oscar yet felt even more miserable. Diane tells Cuddlywhiskers that "Everyone was worried" about him, how he "can't just disappear" and how he "really hurt a lot of people."
"Sometimes you need to take responsibility for your own happiness."
"It takes a long time to realise how truly miserable you are, and even longer to see it doesn't have to be that way. Only after you give up everything can you begin to find a way to be happy."
- Cuddlywhiskers
Cuddlywhiskers' words resonate with BoJack and Diane. For BoJack, because he's trying to win an Oscar and has been told it'll be "the happiest moment in his life." And for Diane, she's started to think about her own happiness and how she's been leaving Mr Peanutbutter disconnected from her life.
IT'S REFRESHING.
TECHNICAL SCORE: 7.5/10
ENJOYMENT SCORE: 8/10
Robert Singer: "V24 huh?"
Butcher: "Your whole's life's a compromise."
Hughie: "Hey, at least I have a fucking life!"
Butcher: "Everybody's losing their fucking minds!"
Hughie: "Or maybe they're just trying to be happy."
Hughie: "I thought it sounded great."
Aw :)
Damn, Butcher watching that video of the plane with the kettle :|
Edgar: "I am offering you real power. You should think about it."
Butcher: "And what makes you think that me, of all people, would want to turn into one of you?"
Maeve: "This is our best chance to kill Homelander. Don't fuck it up."
7/10
"No we need you!"
Haja: "You have my word."
Owen: "Beru, what are you doing?"
Beru: "We both knew this day might come."
[Beru chucks Owen a blaster.]Beru: "She'll come when the suns go down."
Darth Vader: "Anakin's gone. I am what remains."
Darth Vader: "You didn't kill Anakin Skywalker. I did."
Reva: "I couldn't do it."
Obi-Wan: "Who you become now, that is up to you."
Obi-Wan: "Both were exceptional people... who bore an exceptional daughter. I wish I could tell you more."
[Leia looks at her parents.]
Leia: "It's okay. You don't have to."
Obi-Wan: "Hello, there."
Qui-Gon: "Well, took you long enough."
Qui-Gon: "Come on. We've got a ways to go."
6.5/10
Norma's mum: "Call me before you go in. And after. And maybe during, too?"
Norma: "Bye, mum."
Barney: "Torpe-dog!"
Norma: "Excuse me, does this job have any benefits?"
Unknown: "Uh... wings, blood made of fire, immortality?"
Norma: "Okay, but what about dental?"
Barney: "If you want me! Come and get me!"
Barney: "Thank you, Norma. You didn't have to help us."
Norma: "Oh, no. I did it for Pauline."
Review
Not gonna lie, pretty boring. There isn't any internal conflict (they set up some for I'm presuming later, tho?) and quite a few leaps in logic combined with deus ex machinas and zero character change or moral/psychological theme. A disappointing start; style over substance at the moment.
5/10
Bruno: "I like Baazigar."
Nakia: "My whole life I've either been too white for some people or too ethnic for others."
Mr. WIlson: "You're the lead character. I'm Meryl Streep."
Nakia: "You wouldn't kill our dreams, would you?"
"Somebody help him!"
Man: "Yo! It's Night Light!"
Kamala: "You good?"
Kid: [Terrified.] "...Yeah."
Woman: "Kamala, I've been waiting a very long time to meet you."
6/10
Notes
Instructor: "How about you start by turning the car on?"
Aamir Khan: "Don't mess up those errands."
Kamala: "Knock, please."
Aamir: "I brought you some chai."
Review
Although the story loses its focus near the end, Ms Marvel is the MCU's most stylistic thing ever. The VFX, the score, the editing, it's all breathing with life and creativity. The story too centres on a teenager and she feels way more like one than Tom Holland's Peter Parker.
Overall, intrigued. Hope things get interesting!
6/10
Gus: "Why does this keep happening?!"
Gus: "I don't know what you're going through but that much Hex Mix can't be good for your stomach."
Gus: "Don't trust him! He's hiding behind an illusion!"
Adrian: "How are you doing this?!"
Amity: "Lucky shot, Willow!"
[Amity runs ahead. Willow frowns.]
Coven Scout: "Hey, don't listen to her. You totally got me."
Hunter: "Oh, Titan! He's looking for me! He'll know I'm here."
[Hunter kneels down, hands in his hair.]
Hunter: "I gotta run. I gotta hide! I g-- I gotta--"
[Gus puts a hand on Hunter's shoulder. Gus looks at him, terrified.]
Gus: "Hey. Try to breathe. Like this."
Adrian: "Severine!"
[Severe squeaks in fear.]
Adrian: "You had your chance and you blew it! Not that I'm surprised."
Severine: "But I-- I followed all your notes."
Hunter: "I'm not lying! Gus was showing me around. There was a sandwich. He showed me this breathing thing."
[Willow looks up.]
Hunter: "Please, you gotta believe me!"
Adrian: "Now, where were we?"
Coven Scout: "Enough! I will not be cowed by a group of students!"
Hunter: "I promise, I wouldn't mess with you."
8.5/10
Darius: "You're very good at doing exactly what you're told."
Willow: "I can do this! ...Right?"
Luz: "Back, back, back, back!"
Boscha: "You guys aren't cute! I still have more friends than you!"
Hunter: "Hey!"
Willow: "This is Gus Porter, and I'm Willow Park, future captain of Hexside's first Flyer Derby team."
Hunter: "Nice to, uh, meet you."
Viney: "Now I'm only scarred emotionally."
Hunter: "Gus, that was amazing!"
Hunter: "I can't believe I almost bailed on you guys. Today was amazing! Thanks for giving me another shot."
Hunter: "We can forget all about that when we play next time as a part of the Emperor's Coven!"
Willow: "I thought I could be good at this. ...But we're here because I made a bad call. I'm just half-a-witch Willow!"
Steve: "Steve is beginning to regret his choices."
Amity: "Tinella Nosa?!"
Darius: "You befriended them? And then you disobeyed me to protect them?"
[Hunter braces himself. Darius lands a hand on Hunter's head.]
Darius: "I'm impressed. I had you all wrong."
Hunter: "Huh?"
Darius: "You're what? 16? It's about time you had connections outside the castle."
8/10
Unknown: "Have a good trip, love."
Steven: [In the knife's reflection] "Marc. Don't do it, Marc. Stop it. Stop."
Thug: "Just let us go, man."
Steven: "I swear, that wasn't me."
Marc: "Then who was it?"Khonshu: "Take him to the ledge."
Marc: "He's just a kid."
Khonshu: "He'll talk."Kid: "Praise Ammit."
Marc: "No, kid."
[Kid cuts the garment and falls.]
Khonshu: "Conspiracies to release Ammit!"
Harrow: "Take action now before it's too late."
God: "This man has committed no offence. This matter is concluded."
Marc: "So what exactly are we gonna do here? What's the plan?"
Layla: "Oh. It's not pleasant being left in the dark, is it?"
Marc: "...Okay."
6/10
Steven: "It's like Area 51, like MI6 bonkers, bruv. Yeah?"
Steven: "I did find things hidden in my flat. I swear. I'm not— I'm not joking."
Khonshu: "Give it back, you fool."
Officer: "Of course you didn't, 'Steven'."
Arthur: "It's all right, it's all right. That's all he can do without your help. Come."
Arthur: "You're a vegan, right?"
Steven: "Yeah."
Arthur: "Yeah, so am I."
Arthur: "I was his former Avatar. Before you, I was his fist of vengeance."
Arthur: "She's out there, waiting, longing to be freed."
Steven: "Hi."
Arthur: "While the cruel masses deserve to face her judgement. And in the wake of their screams, evil eradicated."
Steven: "What about a child? Would she kill a child for something they might do in 30 years?"
Arthur: "...I'm glad you mentioned that."
Steven: "Sorry, is that... Is that what... You're all into that, like, killing children and that? Maybe that's just me, but that's... I kind of draw a line there at child murder."
Marc: "Oy, Steven, what the hell are we wearing?"
Steven: "So this is what it's like? Being on the inside?"
Marc: "...Yeah."
Steven: "It's horrible."
Marc: "It's all right. You're all right."
Steven: "...I feel like I can scarcely move."
Marc: "It's all right, just breathe through it. It gets easier."
Steven: "How long you been doing this?"
Marc: "I don't know. It's... A long time."
Marc: "SHUT! UP! YOU! SHUT! UP!"
Review
Quite the improvement. I'll be honest, I forgot everything that happened in the last episode, but I think I'll remember this one for a while.
Steven's conflict between him and Marc, him and Layla, and him and Arthur is good. Unfortunately, it seems the antagonists are just "the flaw in our ideology is that we kill people", which appears to be the standard MCU trope.
Otherwise, I'm glad we dived into the plot straight away this episode, got exposition and got the coolest moment of Marc stamping out Steven.
7/10
Hop Pop: "A Plantar, Frog of the Year, I'm so proud."
Anne: "Sprig, you have the most important job of all: the spectacle!"
Sprig: "Oh, my frog, oh, my frog, oh my frog!"
Anne: "At the party..."
[Sprig squeals.]
Anne: "You're gonna tell Ivy how you feel about her."
[Sprig frowns.]
Sprig: "Wha— Huh?"
Polly: "I'm just kidding, Wally. Get in there!"
Wally: "Validation!"
Ivy: "Oh, hey, Sprig."
Loggle: "At least the party's lit now, Anne."
Anne: "You were right about me, Mayor. I am selfish. I got so obsessed with proving I deserve this, I ruined everything. I'm not Frog of the Year. Why did anyone even vote for me?"
Hop Pop: "Anne, we didn't vote for you because you're flawless. Eh, far from it. We voted for you because of how far you've come. You've grown so much in your time here, and this town just wouldn't be the same without you."
Grime: "Nice to finally meet you, Anne Boonchuy."
8/10
Notes
Stranger: "No, you're bloody useless unless you're actually doing what you're paid to do, which is to sell these to children."
Steven: "Got it."
Steven: "Sorry."
Steven: "What am I doing? What am I doing? I don't even have my license."
Steven: "Charming."
Voice: "Truck, stupid!"
Steven:"What?!"
Voice: "Truck!"
Steven: "Sorry, what day is it today?"
Waiter: "Sunday, sir."
Steven: "No... Is it...? Really?"
Arthur: "By even her own Avatar."
Steven: "'Avatars.' Blue people. Love that film.
Arthur: "By avatar, I mean..."
Steven: "You mean the anime?"
Marc: "Steven. You gotta give me control."
Review
Somehow watching a guy be confused for forty minutes was very entertaining.
Already the cinematography, colour grading, the acting, the sets; everything looks and feels way more visceral and tangible than the usual MCU fest. No, it didn't blow me away, but it's solid enough to really stand out, in my opinion.
Overall, a good start. Plenty of mystery, tons of conflict, and we get to follow a non-rich character. That's nice.
Also, at the end of the credits, they link the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Just thought that was cool.
7/10
Hooty: "It is so nice to be surrounded by all of Lulu's dearest friends."
Coven Scout: "Yeah! All hail Lulu!"Lilith: "All I ever got to do was desk work while she goofed off riding wild snake horses and..."
[Luz gasps.]
Luz: "'Snorses'!"
"HISTORY'S TOP 10 PLOT HOLES"
Eda: "Back in the day, I was a bit of an urban-legend junkie. Twigfoot, Lender Man, possums."
Luz: "Those are real."
[Eda snorts.]
Eda: "Yeah, sure, kid."
"If encounted in the forest, do NOT approach. Seriously outsized sense of own importance. They'll be super eager to know 'What the kids are saying about the legend of Twigfoot these days.' They'll get all offended if you haven't heard any and act like you're just really out of the loop and uncool. ACCORDING TO LORE, the name 'Twigfoot' comes from their foot, which is made out of twigs."
"As you approach the teller's window, a figure welcomes you with open arms...so long, they're so long. Too long.
But the terms he's offering you are too good to pass up, the pile of snails too tall, the interest rate too tempting! You don't know what's come over you, you accept on the spot.
And that's when you realise the figures you saw were nothing but an introductory rate. You reach for the snails in your own pocket, but they're already gone. Now they belong to...
THE LENDERMAN."
Lilith: "Was it my tools? Are they broken?"
[Lilith takes off her glasses and sniffles.]
Lilith: "Am... I... broken?"
Lilith: "Stupid rock!"
Luz: "This doesn't look dangerous."
Hooty: "Hiya, Eda! Your pops is such a nice guy. Say, how'd he get that scar on his—?"
Lilith: "Eda's gonna kill me! Eda's gonna kill me! Eda's gonna kill me!"
Dell: "And give Owlbert my regards. Carving him with you is one of my dearest memories."
Philip: "It doesn't matter."
8/10
Luz: "This is a world of magic and beauty. Just look!"
Luz: "Aw, Amity. You're the sweet potato."
Luz: "Hmm."
Edric: "I call it the 'Ed Ricochet 11'. That's how many times I was sent to the Healing Coven."
King: "Ooh! Wait, are these legal?"
Edric: "Would that you more or less interested in buying them?"
King: "Hmm."
Amity: "I'm glad we can be like this again."
Raine: "You know I hate these things. Talking to people. Waving to people. People."
Kikimora & Raine: "Eugh!"
Scout: "Kill that monstrosity!"
Hooty: "Haha! Not the first time I've heard that! Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoot!"
Scout: "Head witch, are you hurt?"
Raine: "No, not badly."
Luz: "Amity, now!"
Amity: "But I can't help if I don't know what's going on."
Luz: "And I thought if I helped Kikimora maybe there'd be hope for me."
Belos: "I've always hidden my face out of fear, but because of your support, I can finally take off this mask."
7/10
Luz: "Have you told Eda about your decision to le—?"
King: "Shh!"
[Window closes. Luz & King look up.]
King: "I— I'm not ready yet."Eda: "I just... don't want to hear him say it, you know?"
King: "Stay away from me!"
Hooty: "Let me be your emotional support!"Perry Porter: "Welcome, everyone, to the Gland Prix!"
Eda: "So, that means..."
Raine: "We fell for their trap."
Darius: "All right. NO MORE PLAYING AROUND!"
Raine: "Look. We may not make it out ourselves."
Eda: "But it'll stop the Emperor, right?"
[Raine nods.]
Eda: "Then we play on!"Raine: "They probably need you more than you realise."
King: "But cranky or not, she's the one who raised me. Which is why I am legally changing my name to King Clawthorne!"
[King chuckles.]
King: "Surprise, Eda! Now we're connected for life, and there's nothing you can do about it!"
8/10
Gus Illusion: "Did we do bad?"
[Luz gasps.]
Everyone: "Whoa!"
Luz: [Pants] "Gus, you ran away so fast, but I didn't want to interrupt, so..."
[Luz inhales and puts her hand on Gus' shoulder.]
Luz: "I think you should go."Gus: "All right, I'm in. Where do we find these Galderstones?"
Amity: "If you give me back my hairband, I'll read you whatever book you want tomorrow."
Kid: "I can grow an entire forest and make my own butterfly sanctuary."
Amity: "Huh, the human world sounds... odd."
Luz: "Maybe it would be less odd if I showed you around someday."
[Amity sits up.]
Luz: "But, uh, let's turn back. I don't wanna push you."
[Quickly, Amity grabs Luz's arm and pulls her along.]
Amity: "We're getting that diary."
Bria: "Angmar!"
Angmar: "Hmm?"
Angmar: [Playfully] "I said you're on lookout duty. And if I catch you playing with any more bugs, I'll make you eat them! Okay? I believe in you!"
Gus: "No, this isn't right! I won't let you steal these."
Gus respecting the dead. I approve :)
I like the worldbuilding of past Illusionists and human citizens in Bonesborough. It makes the world feel more lived in
Malphas: [Deep voice] "Amity."
[Cut to daytime outside.]
Malphas: [Normal voice.] "I'm just, like, super disappointed in you. Like, I can't even process these feelings right now."
Stranger: "Oh-ho! I am the keeper of the Looking Glass Graveyard."
Amity: "Everything's changed since you came here. Being around you, it... makes me do stupid things and I wish it didn't."
[Luz & Amity tear up.]
Luz: "It's okay, I, uh—"
[Luz sniffles.]
Luz: "I-I do stupid things around you too, Amity."
Bria: "Why isn't my magic working?"
Amity: "So, how's it look?"
Edric: "It looks like you're about to get in big trouble with Mum."
[Emira slaps Edric.]
Edric: "Ow."
Emira: "I think it looks great. But, yeah, maybe don't tell her I helped."
Edric: "Bold move, sister."
Amity: "Uh, okay. Good to see you. Farewell forever."
8/10
