Holy crap. Awesome first episode. This is definitely going to draw comparisons to Attack on Titan. Same studio, art style and "humanity is screwed" themes. But zombies and steampunk!
We even have Sawano Hiroyuki doing the soundtrack again.
The first episode really hit the ground running with the action and introduction to this world and the characters. Definitely can't wait to see more.
I can't believe people are praising this awful, boring episode. Your standards must be low when you watch a Netflix series.
This should have been a 10 minutes long story told by one of the characters, intertwined with flashbacks. Not an entire episode dedicated to it, ffs.
They didn't do much at all with Sigan in this episode - supposedly "the most powerful sorcerer that ever lived." Does anyone agree?
so sherlock is over, and these are my thoughts on the finale in order of appearance:
since when the show is a horror movie and why was there a fucking clown.
the motion sensor was activated after the drone had landed and mycroft obviously knew enough about those explosives to realise that’s how they work, so why the hell did they wait for that to happen instead of immediately running away? oh wait. the drama.
they actually put that horrible cgi explosion from the trailer into the episode… why. later, in the very end, i will be reminded of it while watching sherlock and john run in slow mo.
why couldn’t mycroft, an important government figure and a relative of eurus, officially check up on her instead of the whole dress up game? and then he obviously shows us that he can fire or order around anyone in that prison which makes their shenanigans even less relevant. it’s really sad to see non-existent problems beings “solved” just to use screen time and mindlessly entertain the viewers. detective stories are supposed to be reasonable.
okay, i’m sorry but i’m not buying that “enslaving” bullshit. i want to know how she does it, because all we were given is some pieces of weird bullshit that wouldn’t faze anyone in their right mind. it reminds me of the cabbie from the pilot episode that supposedly talked his victims into killing themselves. but in the end we learned that he just threatened them with a fake gun. ah those good old times when the show had its wits and integrity still intact…
they sure like to deliberately make sherlock obtuse. i just don’t buy him missing that there’s no glass when he’s close to it and there’s still no reflexion. and shouldn’t the music sound muffled too or did the fiddle had its own voice modulator installed? interesting.
i know moriarty being alive would make no sense, but the show is guilty of occasionally doing that already, and he’s such a believably smart and psychotic character that’s interesting to watch that i would have gladly used my suspension of disbelief card.
i thought the girl on the plane was an idiot because she kept giving useless answers to important questions, but the reveal in the end explained it. 1-0, touche. then again, surely eurus would be imagining herself as the young version of herself and the sole reason they used another child actor is to keep the mystery up, which is a pretty cheap trick. 1-1.
now the real idiot (or more like a dumb plot device) here is undoubtedly molly. she fucking knows what sherlock does and in what kind of situations he sometime ends up being, and he obviously sounded nervous and agitated from the get go and eventually resorted to fucking begging, so why the hell couldn’t she trust him and just say what he asked her to? oh i know why. the drama. again. also her making sherlock “confess” his love for her she knows he doesn’t have literally came out of nowhere and had fanservice written all over it. and that conversation was so unrealistic and forced for the sake of plot progression it honestly made me cringe. god i wish they were more subtle with molly and her sad love for sherlock and all the irene adler mentions before it instead of jamming them into the storyline and reinforcing their awkward attempts to bring to life sherlock’s absent libido. they even made him destroy that coffin in a melodramatic fit, which was ridiculous because compared to the other experiments the molly incident surely warranted that kind of emotional outburst the least, no one had died after all. but wait, some fans are gonna love using that as proof for sherlock’s romantic feelings for molly, so that’s why it happened.
mycroft goading sherlock into killing him was painfully obvious, considering he’s the one who has been quite vocal about his brother not being a pragmatic automaton but a quite emotionally driven creature, and that he would never kill john, regardless of his intellectual capabilities.
so the lesson here is that you should pay more attention to your little sisters?..
you can’t just switch psychopathy on and off. but of course eurus was able to. in once instance she’s a cold blooded murderer that doesn’t understand the difference between killing someone innocent and someone guilty, in general she has a spontaneous child murder on her record, but oh no, the episode is almost over and we can’t possibly kill john watson (like we couldn't blow up molly or shoot mycroft, but had no problem axing mary, a character that no one gave two shits about, dead or alive, or moriarty, who had basically been the best character; good job on fucking up twice), the fans would rage, so let’s make our villain a crying scared little girl that longs for brotherly love and make her suddenly change her evil ways, so we could wrap this shit up and move on.
and why did they put her back in the place she can easily break out from? what even has changed? can’t she make the staff into her bitches again just by talking to them (eternal eyeroll) like she did before? yeah she’s not mad at sherlock anymore (because he gives her attention now! how cute), but she’s still a mentally disturbed person and the cage must get boring when you have a fiddle as your only source of entertainment.
so yeah, i basically wrote a fucking essay or more like a hateful ode to the show, but i don’t actually hate it, i still adore first two seasons, tolerate the third and i have been relatively entertained by the last one, this episode included, even if i undoubtedly think the show hasn't been clever for a long time and it's finale was less a detective and more a weird left-field saw tribute without everything that actually makes saw enjoyable. i'm writing this as a former fan that for the last few years has been mostly disappointed by the show they once loved, that’s all. i’m also bored and writing this kept my mind busy. that makes this otherwise useless “review” worth it, i guess.
Feels like they got rid of Mary just because (((?)))
Like wtf
And then the early-in-the-season big bad teams up with the good guy to take on the end-of-season big bad.
All the leveling up talk makes this feel a lot like a video game.
It's cool to see all the other residents of Trollmarket team up with Jim! And finally the mark of Angor Rot is overcome!
NotEnrique did NOT save Claire's life! He barely did anything!
The useless Toby character causes Aaarrrgh's death. Bah.
I did like Draal getting his dad's approval, though.
The writing uses the word "quarry" wrong in that prophecy thing. I think they meant to say quarrel? Or something else that means to fight/battle. Quarry means a place where you extract rock or to extract rock.
Misa: "I would never dream about living in a world without Light!"
L: "Yes that would be dark."
I knew that was going to happen at some point
This finale was mostly fine until the last few minutes when the treacly music started and the tone jarringly shifted into oversentimental territory. Critic Mark Harris was bang on when he referred to the show as "This is Dead Us."
[7.6/10] I like the vibe they’re going for with each “Elements” land here -- where each realm exemplifies a certain emotion. Candy is obviously joy. Cold seems to be sadness or even existential despair. Fire is presumably anger (if the angry bee we see in the credits is any indication.) And I’m not sure what slime will be. (Fear? Disgust?). It’s all very Inside Out but I dig the Adventure Time spin the show puts on everything. Feels like we’re headed to a “balance is important, in emotions and elements” ending, but this is a show that knows how to surprise me with off-kilter solutions to things, so we’ll see.
I definitely liked the creepy depiction of the rejiggered Ice Kingdom. Having the profound darkness is not an approach the show usually takes, and it made the atmosphere appropriately unnerving. There was a desolate quality to the place, like the elemental wave had sucked the life out of it, which dovetailed nicely with the despondency of everyone there.
Everyone that is except for Ice Carol (nee Cloud Carol)! Her perturbed disposition and being disturbed, and angry declaration that yes, she likes to draw elves, tickled me pink. We also get some more detail about what happened, with Patience acknowledging that she went too far and the elements overran the princesses and became something “monstrous.” Again, there’s a real haunting melancholy throughout the new Ice Kingdom that’s subtly affecting. The foxes’ song in particular was chillingly beautiful (no pun intended).
Again, the design elements really worked, with Patience looming large in her dry ice dress after the transformation, and the statue of the four elementals in the middle of her lair. It really gives the place a distinctive quality, and contributes to details like Jake starting to feel down and useless as the ice starts to consume him. All-in-all, a nice ep that brings Betty back (whose voice actress has been upgraded to Felica Day!) and fills in another elemental zone.
Whoa. Not gonna lie. Azula looked pretty fiiiiiiine in her nightgown at the end. Wincest incoming?
I haven't missed Gina one bit!! For me she ruins the show....
Honestly, Gina was the one part of the show, that I very rarely enjoy and got on my nerves very regularly. So this one kinda suffers from her return.
Fun fact: Puzzle maker Melvin Stermley is played by Melissa Fumero's (Amy Santiago) real-life husband, David Fumero.
I have not missed Gina one bit this season. She lifts out surprisingly easily and her absence allows for more streamlined storytelling.
And Holt is back!... Really, they need to put some more cases with Holt and Jake working together, was so funny and Gina was great, her entrance at the end was the best.
The tickle storyline is the most ridiculous thing in Riverdale. I mean, it tops all previous storylines and is so unnecessary. They're ruining Kevin. What I do like is that Toni dealt with Nick.
It continues to baffle me that most of the investigative police work in town is done by Betty. A teenager with the help of her mother in this case. How are they not taking this to the actual police? O right, FP is busy dealing with a mercenary out to kill Archie and his uncle because Archie can't ever catch a break from people going after his family.
Brett can stay. I mean, I hate him but I love to hate him. He is the best addition to the story and the Stonewall Prep storyline remains interesting with a hint of mystery. I would love to see more of Brett and hope for a redemption arc in the future.
Also, where the F is Charles? They casually dropped the bomb on us that he is working with Chic to do Lord knows what but we don't ever see him do anything.
This is getting too ridiculous but I can't stop watching, I'm too invested.
Betty having to dismantle a bomb. Betty going on a solo mission to rescue her mom from a cult. Betty working with the FBI.
Cheryl patching up her brother, reading the paper to him, keeping him as a creepy doll. Toni finding them together and instead of screaming her lungs out she simply says 'what the hell?' as if she caught her girlfriend cheating instead of talking to her dead brother.
Moose changing his name to Marmaduke, like wtf? Is it a must to have a ridiculous name in Riverdale?
And to top it all off, Edgar has built himself a rocket.... a rocket!? Sure, why not.
Right in the start idiot Veronica complains (to her "daddy") how she didn't get into her backup school and doesn't know why, then proceeds with telling him the next one that she is going to try to get into, duh, who do you think is stopping you from getting in, wake the hell up Veronica!
That smug little punk Archie making the comment to FP that people die every day, even changing a tire, at least he would die with a bit of honor. I guess he thinks that his dad didn't die with honor? I would give Archie a good smack for that one!
Why must Veronica sing every damn episode?
When you think it can't get any more insane... introducing: killer hypnosis. I must say, I like seeing Evelyn again. I don't really know why but I always thought she was the only good thing that came from this Farm storyline and I was a little bit sad to see her go. But seriously though... Tangerine? So IF Jughead is really dead (which is a big IF... the writers would be crazy to let the most beloved main character go) it's because Betty is under hypnosis on a killing spree to kill her dark self. Can we just let dark Betty go already? It never worked.
Good seeing Mama Blossom again. We could have seen that one coming. I'm glad Cheryl didn't kill her. Penelope has always been one of my favorite characters. Glad they finally got rid of creepy Jason... I can't believe this entire storyline though. Toni is all up in that crazy, seemingly okay with it. This ruined the sweet romance between Cheryl and Toni for me. How would she be okay with her girlfriend keeping the body of her deceased twin! Glad it's over.
Veronica does not learn. She continues to blab all of her plans to Daddy dearest and ends up being surprised by his comebacks. Girl, just stop talking. At least this episode didn't feature the words 'Daddykins' or 'Archiekins'... cringe
Speaking of Archie... I hope the writers give him something else to do now. All this beating up people is getting old. I love the moment he had with his mom though and I'm interested in seeing who his uncle is.
getting real tired of the veronica hiram hermione hate triangle - how many times are they going to run the same story?
Gina Torres, YES! She's always a delight to see on screen. That said: I feel like Mrs. Burble is there to put all of our fan feelings out there. Telling it how it is.
Veronica with her daddy issues.
Cheryl, no you're not crazy (but you will be if you keep this sh*t up) someone is messing with you.
Jughead, show some love for your old man
Betty and Alice.... I can't even.
And last but not least: Archie. Finally an adult telling him to stop being a frickin' vigilante because that is some very dangerous stuff he is doing. Not that he is going to listen. Archie does what Archie does.
I have a feeling that either Penelope Blossom is messing with Cheryl or Toni. Could it be Toni? I don't want to think it but my mind went straight to it after Cheryl's heart to heart with Mrs. Burble.
Finally she's out. That whole assumed awesomeness of Gina thing was in fact just very annoying.
Excellent mini series all around. Almost makes me want to run out and grab the book to read (but that list is considerably longer than my movie list). If the last episode doesn't convince you of her guilt, I'm not sure what will. Ultimately it is a shame she never ran off with Jeremiah but that wouldn't have made a good story now would it?
I dislike literally every man on this show except Jeremiah.
cba haha! WHAT are they doing with Cheryl and Toni, and trying to make them all cute like 'look, we work so well together' NO , you both need help you're wheeling a corpse around the house!
This episode pisses me so much. Everybody is so annoying with Ross.
I'm usually not a fan of musical episodes (though I hate black-white episodes even more), but I didn't really worry when I heard about the musical episode because so far Riverdale has really nailed all music scenes.
The only complaints I have is that some scenes had some really bad lip-syncing, and that Jughead's camera scenes seemed weirdly out of place and pointless the whole time. It was just a bit too much - I would have rather seen a different episode where they focused on these camera scenes instead of a musical episode and the reality show camera at the same time.
Some random comments/thoughts:
- I have to admit Archie made me laugh again - Once again he's overshadowed by all the other actors who have impressive voices while he sounded so... normal.
- Why does the whole Hiram/Archie story seem more and more like some weird love relationship? "A young man never forgets his first car" - Hiram made it sound like he just stole Archie's first kiss, Jesus.
- Ugh, why did Hal and Alice have to get back together. I feel like they have no chemistry at all (and Hal no personality) and I would rather see them separated and see how Alice slowly starts a relationship with FP (which would make Betty/Jughead awkward, but it wouldn't be the weirdest thing we have on this show).
- Also, we're still not considering therapy or any kind of help for Cheryl? Really? No one? Well, then...
- What the fuck was that ending? It was so absurd and so typical Riverdale, Jesus Christ.