Where's my breath?!
Things really explode in episode 4. The previous two episodes did feel a lot like a build up to something, and that 'something' is one hell of a detonation.
I'm really liking the storyline of Dex so far, especially when you get extraordinary scenes like the one involving CCTV. The way those deep, cold eyes stared into the camera was unbelievable and sent shivers down my spine. I just can't get over how amazing Vincent D'Onofrio is as Fisk.
I just have to mention the fight scene though. This is, without a doubt, my favourite long take fight scene of the show. It's just pure adrenaline that doesn't seem to end. It's even more realistic than the hallway scene in season 1. The effort and preparation they put into this must be off the Richter scale. Well, it looks like the show's going to pick up another Emmy nod for stuntwork... ...and just when you think your jaw couldn't fall any lower, the episode ends like THAT and proves you wrong, sending your jaw to another world. I guess it's lucky these don't release weekly, because I wouldn't be able to handle the week after this ending.
Seriously impressive stuff; I'm addicted.
I mean, OK… The Mona Lisa has been on permanent display in the Louvre Museum (in France, not New York) for over two centuries. All of the paintings on display are probably reproductions, anyway, which begs some questions, like whether all other copies of the Mona Lisa (including the original) now have the necklace, or just that one. Did the subjects disappear from the other copies while they were in the real world with Alex? (The shoes following The Scream back into his painting was a great gag, though.)
The physics with the charmed football (and the Atravesandus Spell in general) make about as much (or as little) sense as when characters in Star Trek series "phase" out of normal—see https://trakt.tv/comments/161466 for more of my thoughts on that nonsense. (Seriously, if the ball is charmed to pass through objects, how does it splash into the pot of soup? How do Jerry and Max even throw or catch it? Hold it? How does a charmed person breathe, even? Wouldn't their lungs pass through the air molecules instead of absorbing the oxygen? So many questions!)
I do have to admit, this is a actually pretty good episode from a story standpoint, but I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough. A great story can be (and was, in this case) let down by technical problems in how it was actually portrayed.
[8.6/10] It's amazing how an episode about a hot-button issue like homosexuality from ~25 years ago can still feel so well-done and relevant today, without ever seeming overly preachy. The gist of how "Homer's Phobia" accomplishes this is simple -- it delves into Homer's fears about gay people but (a.) always depicts John as a decent, charming, and endlessly patient guy, and (b.) depicts Homer's anxieties as ridiculous and harsh but also realistic for someone of his age and upbringing. It makes Homer seem believably boorish and overblown about the whole thing, while John is consistently delightful, making Homer's rudeness toward him and homophobia seem all the more misguided.
Beyond that, it's a really funny episode. John Waters is a natural as a voice actor, and he brings John to life while giving him a rhythm of speech that makes him engaging and immediately sets him apart from the rest of Spingfield. The steel mill is an all-time great sequence. And the show pokes such fun at the idiocy of Moe, Barney, and Homer trying to "stop" Bart from turning gay that it manages to make their concerns seem hopelessly backward but also wrings comedy from it.
Again, it's so impressive that an episode that tackled an issue that's changed a lot in the public consciousness over the past couple of decades still manages to thread the needle to where it seems sensitive and still funny.
What.the.actual.fuck.
"I am the Flash, and I don't exist anymore".
Seriously, what the hell was that? Anyways, I'm not gonna say it was horrible, cause it wasn't. Sure it had some writing issues (aka Speedforce), but it's not the worst I've seen. At least we didn't go back to Barry's house the night his mom got murdered so I'm calling it a win. It wasn't as good as the other two finales, but it was entertaining and we got to see a shot of the three Flash running together which got me too hyped.
Savitar, the God of Speed, a guy who can time travel, who can vibrate his hand through your chest and kill you in a heartbeat, gets downed by a freaking bullet? Like seriously? I couldn't believe it, then I realized he's still Barry and I understood. Bullets and tranq darts got to be Barry's worst enemy.
H.R., I was ready to watch another Wells die. He's the real hero. He fucking sacrificed himself to save Iris. He alone changed the future in just a second. Like he once said, a hero among heros. Drumsticks up for him! And then, everyone was just chilling with his death? He died and they got over it too fast.
Savitar kills Iris everybody: "oh no, you horrible monster. My life is ruined. What do we do now? I'm depressed"
Savitar kills H.R. instead Everybody: "oh it's ok, everything is fine. Don't you worry, we're gonna get you some help". The only person who understood him was Tracy. She was the only one with common sense.
I'm royally pissed off that Black Flash got killed by a single cold blast. Like what the hell, RF has been trying to escape from him for a whole season and he get kaputt like that? No way in hell. And Savitar is defeated by a freaking bullet? For God's sake. RF, one of the smartest people in the multiverse couldn't figure out that freeze was the only thing he needed to survive.
Black Flash getting killed with a single cold blast and Savitar with a bullet was dumb as hell. I guess you can't lock up the darkness, but you can freeze it to death.
This whole episode was perfection. Except for 2 things:
Kara/White Bread bullshit
Yet another edition of "Where's Maggie, you know, the main character NCPD Detective Maggie Sawyer and why is Man-Hell on my screen instead of her?" Seriously, though. She only had like 5 minutes of screentime in this ep. This is bullshit.
I love Lena Luthor. And goddamn, her relationship with Kara is amazing. That feeling when two female characters basically fulfill every classic romantic trope (obvious Romeo and Juliet vibes because of the Super/Luthor conflict, Kara saving Lena more than once, Lena calling Kara her hero, Lena looking mortified when Supergirl gets hurt in front of her, Kara believing in Lena against all odds, Lena sending a million flowers to Kara's office, the list goes on) and look like they're about 2 seconds away from making out every time they share a scene, but heteronormativity exists and you know they'll forever remain strictly in the realm of subtext and fanfiction. That feeling sucks and I'm bitter.
I don't blame Lena for being kind of torn in this episode. Lillian played the mommy card very well. Katie McGrath and Brenda Strong are both awesome and they created a super interesting dynamic between the two characters.
I firmly believe that Lena is good. I need her to be good, otherwise Kara will be so disappointed. Get away from me with the staring-sinisterly-at-the-chessboard thing, writers. I don't accept it.
Baby Lena was so cute! What a beautiful genius baby. I want to adopt her.
Kara finally has her friends back. This is the kind of content that I watch this show for! It's good and pure, and Kara is a precious cinnamon roll. I just want her to be happy, have a good support system, be surrounded by people who love and care about her, and have a lifetime supply of potstickers. Is that too much to ask?
Also, shoutout to J'onn for being the most wonderful, supportive, telepathic Space Dad in the history of everything.
Thank you, Mr. Next-Episode's-Bad-Guy for saving us, at least temporarily, from the true villain this season: the forced romance between our amazing heroine and the "arrogant dude-bro" (Kara was spot-on, I actually cackled when she said it) who steals all of her screentime. Just burn this shitshow of a ship. Please. I'm so tired of white men being prioritized over everyone else, including the freaking main character. And is it just me, or did Kara seem awfully miserable in that last scene? Compare the way she looks at Mon-Ewww to the way Alex "Heart Eyes, Motherfucker" Danvers looks at Maggie. They couldn't be more different.
I'm a simple girl. If a show has anything to do with superheroes, if it's in any way connected to Marvel or DC, there's a good chance I'll watch it. And I'll probably love it, whether it's dark and gritty like Jessica Jones or charming and family-friendly like Supergirl. Legion is no exception to the rule.
I'm not a comic book reader. I didn't know the first thing about the character when I started the episode, and I had no idea what to expect. Having just finished it, I think I can safely say that this show is unlike anything I've watched before. In a good way. I enjoyed every second of the pilot. The cinematography is spectacular. The bright colors, the flashing lights, almost horror-like moments, blurring the lines between reality and David's delusions, scenes of people dancing - because why not?, seemingly random shots and flashbacks, and the general insanity all create a completely unique atmosphere. It's almost hypnotizing, making it impossible for you to look away, drawing you in. The plot isn't the most revolutionary, but the way the show is shot and edited still makes it feel fresh and original. I like the characters and I'm excited to see what will happen next.
I love this show and I loved this episode. The New Rogues aka "Harrison Wells Cast audition". He has to be the best actor in the multiverse. I loved the different versions but come on, I want Harry to stick around. He and Cisco are one true pairing. I love their dynamic together. So funny. I would've chosen Hells Wells. God, that was absolutely awesome.
Besides, I love Killer Frost's powers. I hope she doesn't turn evil, but helps Barry and the gang around.
Plus, Barry and Iris together, sure felt kinda weird, plus making out in front of your dad, who so happens to be the adoptive father of your boyfriend. I guess you have to cool it a bit Iris, although it wasn't like they were trying to shoot a porn film or something. it was just cuddling bit any old how, it feels weird.
And Start back. They sold me that Start was back and all we've got was a flashback and a hologram. And Mirror Master and Top were kinda awesome, I presume. Actually, I paid more attention to the subplot that to the actual metas. And what about this, Barry found a way out of this pickle without help from the gang. It also felt weird, though.
Looking forward to see Killer Frost next episode and that weird monster we've got now.
I love this show so much. It never fails to meet my expectations.
There were so many hilarious moments in this episode. Where do I even start? Barry saying "Oh my God, I've become Oliver"? Harry and Cisco's bickering? All the different versions of Harrison Wells? Barry getting kicked out of the house? I honestly can't pick my favorite.
One little thing I really enjoyed was the exchange of "I love you's" between Barry and Joe in the middle of their awkward conversation at the precinct. It was such a small moment, but it literally made me go "Awwwwww". I love my beautiful family.
Mirror Master and Top were cool, I guess? As far as villains of the week go, they weren't outstanding, but the way they trapped Mirror Man at the end was pretty awesome.
No! Jesse and Harry! Come back! I don't want Harrison Wells with a sense of humor! Give me my Harry/CIsco bromance back!
Is Joe finally getting a love interest? Yay, you go, Dad Cop! You deserve it!
Caitlin, my sweet baby... Don't worry, everything will be fine, we still love you. Just don't turn evil, please. I mean, I really don't think the writers will go down that road. If they do, I'll be really, really angry. We have such a wonderful team dynamic on this show and Caitlin's an important part of it. There's absolutely no need to ruin that.
There's something about future-looking stories that feel special. Generational stories in genre works, whether it be Batman or Star Wars or Harry Potter have a certain appeal that comes from the idea that what we're watching is a link in a bigger chain, that each bad guy defeated or obstacle overcome is a ripple that's affected by the past and makes an impact on the future. A happily retired Batman, who has married Catwoman, passed the cowl on to Dick, and is raising a son is a detour from the crimefighter severely committed to the cause we so often see Batman as, and it's a welcome diversion.
There are, by necessity, a lot of narrative shortcuts in the episode. Alfred's voiceover works as a device to bring us up to speed and take us through the aftermath in a story that is, frankly, a little to big to be told in 22 minutes. But it works as a thumbnail sketch, with Damien Wayne's hesitance to take up his father's mantle firmly established, if not exactly explored, enough to sell the stakes of the episode. And the writing for The Joker (alongside his fourth wall winks) is the best it's ever been in this series, with his axe-crazy nihlism coming through beneath his gallows-humor exterior. Telling a generational Batman story in a half hour is a tall order, and while this episode isn't perfect in the effort, it builds on the backgrounds we already know for these characters to convey the import of individual choices, and the frame story of Alfred's novel gives the episode an easy out for continuity, while not selling short the story actually being told.
(Oh, and in the teaser, it's nice to have a hint at a conflict with Darkseid, and given The Question's connection Rorschach and his appearances in JLU, I've always had a certain fondness for him, so I enjoyed that segment as well.)
Maybe it's the fact that the end is nigh for B&B, but I really enjoyed this episode and the way it flashed back to how Batman had his first adventure with three of his most regular partners on the show. This was basically three shorts with a loose frame story, but as the opening teasers demonstrate, this show's great at shorts and each of them worked well. Green Arrow had the most standard adventure of the three, with Cavalier providing some comic relief and he and Batman engaging in their usual oneupmanship. Plastic Man's was the best, with a tightly-written little story and ample creative use of the hero's stretching powers. And Aquaman was great as always with his fish tale that got more and more harrowing the longer he told it. The frame story ending with Mr. Freeze felt a little perfunctory, but the end with Aquaman resuming his tale was the right comic note to end on.
As for the cold open with Space Ghost, I have to admit that I really only know the character from Space Ghost Coast-to-Coast, and so while I recognize the tropes of the old Hanna-Barbera superhero style (which the segment seemed to ape well, no pun intended) the segment didn't do much for me in particular beyond the novelty of seeing someone who, for me, is a pure absurdist comedy character teaming up with Batman.
S.S. Misery
It's obvious, that the whole Lapis-Jasper-Storyline is about toxic relationships. And they done it really well. People stay together not only for external reasons (for the kids etc.) but also for internal reasons. As Lapis say, she kind of misses Jasper. It is an unhealthy urge to surround oneself with people that drag you down. But i think the underlying motive of Lapis Lazuli is depression. First of all Lapis is blue, she is literally feeling blue all the time. Second she shows symptoms of depression (i am not a psychiatrist, though, so i could be wrong). No motivation to do anything, Steven has to urge her to come on the boat. Blaming herself for everything. Making herself miserable because she thinks she deserves it. Maybe, like Centi, she is corrupted in her own way. It isn't just fixed with repairing her gem.
It was a melancholic but also lovely episode. It was satisfying to see her stand up against Jasper. But i think that won't be the last of it. You can't overcome such unhealthy relationships with a bang, and i think the show runner know this.
I am not sure how i should interpret the title. Neither Steven nor Lapis nor Greg where alone in this episode. Maybe it's about Jasper, but i think it's more meta. Maybe Lapis is feeling alone at sea. She thinks nobody is there to help her, nobody can help her. But in reality she has a lot of people who like her (Steven, Greg, Peridot). She feels alone, but her friends are close, just behind the horizon.
