This episode felt rushed and messy, obstacles being set up and solved almost instantly.
I can't possibly know what the show is running towards, but the ride doesn't seem worth it.
We get fun scenes, beautiful visuals and Doug Jones? Sure, but at the expense of really knowing these characters and getting enough time with them. Time to understand and feel with them.
Seems like Star Trek Discovery is establishing itself with nice peak moments, connected by a whole lot of nothing.
Discovery still has potential (and budget) to become a great sci fi show, here's to hoping they'll slow it down eventually.
Blade Runner 2049 is a film with memorable cinematography that overly depends on the audience to give it meaning.
If you think about which goals a movie sequel should have, expanding the original is a strong contender. To justify its existence, Blade Runner 2049 should update its predecessor's visuals and messages, specially since its story is set 30 years after the original.
Other commenters here (and everywhere else) have already praised cinematographer Roger Deakins, and justifiably so. Deakins did deliver a brilliant work that draws the viewer in and makes the alternate future look lived-in, dirty and unforgiving. This movie is a visual masterpiece and one can easily predict that it will have an influence over new sci fi releases.
However sitting through almost 3 hours of a movie needs more to be justifiable. Are Blade Runner 2049's messages and questions really deserving of all this investment?
Since Blade Runner's release in 1982, many sci fi movies have tackled questions about artificial intelligence and what it means to be real/human with much more emotional resonance. Not that the Blade Runner universe is famous for being warm, but 2049 isn't really bringing anything new to the landscape, neither feelings or conversations. If anything, the film's slow pace and meandering (sometimes redudant) plot overcomplicate its message. Screenwriters Hampton Fancher and Michael Green throw several ideas in the air, hoping at least one of them will stick. One could say it's a sign of respect for the audience, but it only shows a lack of commitment.
The intense attention to visual impact contrasted with an unfocused story results in a self indulgent film, too entranced by its own beauty to care about what its saying. Blade Runner 2049 heavily depends on the audience's nostalgia and projection – you have your own deep thoughts and assume they came from the movie.
So, despite being a feast for the eyes, this movie doesn't earn its running time, making it a hard pass for anyone not in love with the 1982 original.
What a fight!
Kerry Bishé, Mackenzie Davis and Toby Huss gave real weight to the scene. Davis' physical reaction was very affecting, even if (like me) you don't feel much sympathy for her. Writer Michael Saltzman gave everyone simple, short lines full of meaning – those buttons that can be pushed only by who is close to you. Director Karyn Kusama made sure that we witnessed everything, in all its uncomfortable glory.
Delivering such an intense scene is no small feat and the show did a great job.
Too bad that this whole conflict has been postponed for almost a season too long. Until now Cameron's maturity seemed to turn on and off based on the writers needs, not on what made sense for the character. It is very unlikely that Cameron wouldn't mature at all during years of working with Donna and running her own company. Cameron should have at least been able to figure out that she could be outvoted. Come on, they're the ones that keep saying she's a genius!
This would have all seemed like an almost realistic way of showing that conflicts tend to fester over time... if Gordon didn't forgive Joe so quickly on this very episode. It seems that while Donna and Cameron were locked in this loop, Joe and Gordon were the ones truly evolving, albeit at a very slow pace.
It seems like everything stayed suspended until Joe and Gordon were mature enough, had plenty chances to prove it and finally reunited. Then (and only then) Donna and Cameron could be released and finally have everything out in the open. All just in time for the season's final stretch.
Sometimes it doesn't seem like this show trusts that it's audience can keep up, so every conflict and theme is repeated several times ahead of its conclusion (also looking at you, Joe the new wave guru).
I get that taking things slow makes for compelling dramas, but this show really pushed the concept to its limits, at the characters' expense.
Well finally the inevitable has happened, we got a very cathartic scene from it and can hopefully move on from this mess.
On to the next episodes! :D
This episode features a scene that would have been great in Season 1. Cameron and Bos bonding, talking openly and showing their vulnerable side. We get a glimpse at what the relationship means for both of them, the trust and respect they have for each other.
Would have been great if something like this happened before all that 214 craziness, but it was a lovely scene to watch.
Solid season, even if some main characters aren't as fleshed out as others – we see motivations for Joe and Donna, but don't really get the same for Cameron and Gordon. Sure, all characters are callouts to things we've seen before (the desperate visionary, the obsessed wannabe, the infantile genius, the overwhelmed mother), much needed when you get a show full of technical references.
But that doesn't mean the season couldn't squeeze some insight into Cameron's rebelliousness. Even her relationship with Bosworth feels like a shortcut, without really showing how that trust was built. Hell, we don't even see why Bos decided to get on board with the whole project.
And Gordon, what is up with him? Despite being reinvigorated by the project, we don't really understand much about him apart from his family. We get that he's obsessed and a little deranged, but why does he behave like that?
Here's hoping future seasons expand on these characters. It will be nice to understand what makes them tick, so we can see when – and if – they start to evolve and change.
At this point, it seems like the show is just checking boxes before moving on with its story.
Ted Danson has some really funny moments in this episode, but it has been four episodes already, this season must start getting somewhere.
Okay show, we get it, Nick has grown up and he's perfect for Jess now, just put them back together already!
At this point the writers are just filling time, holding back the characters' storylines until later in the season.
When this finally happens, it won't really work as payoff, instead going more along the lines of immense relief after so much annoyance.
If the show comes back and you haven't watched it yet, I suggest waiting until there is a second season to watch right after this one.
The first season was silly and very funny at times, but the final episode ended without any real hook for another season.
As one would expect, the characters are left in dire situations, but the episode is scripted and edited as if there would be another one right after it. Even if you don't think things need to be resolved (I don't need it either), it still feels like there is something missing - maybe a little of the excitement the season started with.
With so many shows airing today, this one simply didn't generate enough fun or intrigue to make season 2 a must watch.
Hopefully they'll get the chance to have a second season and bring back some of the show's early energy.
Heartbreaking to see Sister Mary Cynthia's treatment, but at the same time it's a relief that today cases like hers can be treated in different (and more compassionate) ways.
Looking forward to seeing this storyline develop further, it's always nice to see the show looking a little out of its rose colored glasses.
Which brings me to this nitpick: an attractive nurse and an attractive dentist bickering? Oh well, they must get together! This show always wraps everything with a bow, but this coupling was a little rushed. They even got to see each other working and the joy they brought to their (same) patient. Lots of googly eyes and happy smiles, but nothing of real value so far.
Well, I may have some issues with this show, but it still is my weekly dose of pure sugar. On to the next episode!
Trying to remember when Elementary morphed into Law and Order, but it was probably many seasons ago.
The scenes of witnesses explaining eSports were cringeworthy. Instantly remembered the Law and Order episodes about what's up with kids these days.
"That's how we do it in eSports" was an actual line in this episode.
I guess that's what I get for watching this show without really paying attention. I'm out.
Not outstanding but a very sweet episode. Always nice to see how Regular Sized Rudy brings out Louise's sweetness.
And man, if I ever start feeling like a special snowflake, leave it to Bob's Burgers to bring me back to reality. Sometimes it seems like Tina's lines are translated straight from my diaries :D
One day this show will run out of ways to twist itself and keep us on our toes - but not right now.
Michael's passing was incredibly sad and Brett Dier will be missed, but the show has built a strong foundation and have a lot to go on.
Maybe someday I will look back on this episode and think "This was the beggining of the end", but I'll always cherish the scenes showing Alba's tenderness while dealing with Jane's grief.
After three years with these characters, these scenes felt earned, a warm and gentle nudge from a grandmother but also a message from Jane The Virgin's writers to their viewers.
This show will be beautiful again, but in different ways :)
I'm a little heartbroken but it is so nice to watch a show that doesn't lie to the audience. The latin lover jokes about unreliable narrators, but they did warn us: this is a telenovela and we would see Michael dying.
Curious to see what comes next, I still trust this show to keep on bringing the fun and the (so many) tears.
This show was a nice surprise, since I'm always distrustful of multi camera sitcoms.
Even though the comedy (and performances) follows the rhythm one could expect, some jokes are very funny and there are very touching moments.
Sometimes the show can get a bit too didactic with its morals, but overall it was refreshing to see an old formula bring sensitivity to discussions about sexism, immigration laws, PTSD and sexuality.
As for the actors, Justina Machado shows she can handle a show like this and the kids show some promise but the real star is Rita Moreno. She is a great performer and responsible for all my biggest laughs - and even a few tears.
Wow that was a beautifully shot, deeply uncomfortable movie to watch.
