A truly inspired idea.
A prequel episode using animation from the original 1967 Birdman series. It proports to be an episode from that show, but with several different villains (who are now recurring characters in the new show).
Plenty of the jokes are at the expense of the very basic animation.
8/10
Jon Cypher, Les Lannom.
Not as good as recent episodes.
First in a while to feature whole ensemble again, though focus is largely on Goldman and Ruiz.
The a-story and b-story come together well in the end.
But major plot points feel contrived, such as the identity of the main villain.
7/10
It’s a story we’ve seen on other cop shows before, but this is a decent take on it. It eschews sentimentality and instead opts for a strictly procedural approach. Also, we know what the bad guys are up to, every step of the way.
One thing, I wish we could have see an ending to the widow’s story.
The epilogue, where Hunter talks to the audience, is very funny.
7/10
Back on form in a big way.
The match between West Ham and Richmond was the a-story, of course. But behind all of that the episode was really about Ted and Nate. Except… behind all of that the episode was really, really about Ted and Michelle.
An episode about betrayal, hurt, pain, and… confrontation without anger.
10/10
Hilarious.
This was one of those exceptional episodes where absolutely everything clicked. Every scene, every character, every line… it was perfect. All the things that are great about the show in one episode.
Having Nathan Fillion join the cast as this universe’s Spider-Man was bliss. As was the Sound of Music reference that he made.
10/10
It never ceases to amaze me to easily this show shifts from genre to genre. These last 3 episodes have been nothing alike.
The hook here, lasting most of the episode, was gripping. Could they pay it off? I wondered. Could they make everything make sense? At the end, not every question was answered, but the foreshadowing of where it was all going to go was exceptional.
And the big twist/reveal at the very end was beautiful.
10/10
Funny and smart.
While Phil battles the dinosaurs brought back at the end of the previous episode, Harvey represents Captain Caveman’s son against Creationism (as taught in his school). There’s a big musical number, with Harvey in a ball gown, and our hero finally tells Peter Potamus that he did not, in fact, get that thing he sent him. Wonderful.
9/10
Gigi Rice, Julia Duffy.
Delightful season finale with funny moments for everyone, callbacks to the original show, and a jaw-dropping reveal at the very end. Really did not see that coming.
My 285th TV episode of 2024. Averaging 1h13m of TV per day.
9/10
A low-key episode. No major developments until the final scene. It’s mostly doubling down on things we know, or setting stuff up for later on.
Terry continues to be evil without being any fun to watch.
Super-nice Linda gets more likeable the more we see of her. I was wrong about her.
7/10
Lighter tone than the pilot movie.
There are two cases, one for Hoffs and one for the guys. Both are smartly told. The details in the car theft storyline are clever. And the crooks are very likeable.
It’s not an episode to set the pulses racing but it’s enjoyable.
Peter DeLuise as Penhall is a lot of fun.
6/10
Definitely not as good as the pilot movie. The actual Hit Car is stupid. It belongs on a dumber show. But the story delivers a decent twist near the end, and many of the character interactions are funny. Particularly whenever Bill clearly isn’t listening to Ralph droning on and on. Ralph’s flying mishaps are very funny, too.
7/10
Charles Cyphers.
Another average adventure, lacking the charm of Shazam!
It’s a busy, fast-paced plot driven by coincidence and some basic detective work (that works far too easily).
The cast is likeable and the location filming (in a junkyard) is good.
6/10
Not a lot of big laughs in this one. Brooke’s storyline was goofy but predictable. It took up a lot of scenes. Cary’s was marginally better. His quickly cobbled-together group of friends was funny. With Pat’s announcement at the end, it feels like the show is gearing up for an endgame.
7/10
The show has crossed over with various Hanna-Barbera Productions, but this instalment might be the most impressive as Harvey and Peter Potamus suddenly/inexplicably travel back - using a Hot Tub Time Machine! - to meet characters from Valley of the Dinosaurs!
Love the cliffhanger with Captain Caveman in the background…
8/10
Not the funniest episode. And for most of the runtime I wasn’t overly impressed. But, my god, the storytelling in the final scenes was fantastic. The revelations and twists really packed a punch.
And how about that cliffhanger!
8/10
Lovely send off for Gina (Chelsea Peretti). Some funny moments, some sweet moments. I think they pretty much nailed what they were trying to do.
Gina was sometimes the funniest part of an episode. She will be missed.
8/10
The final Columbo episode is one of the very best. It’s full of great detective work, and Peter Falk comes across as a grizzled and dogged investigator. Sometimes amusing, but never buffoonish. There’s a real edge to his scenes with Matthew Rhys, who is also excellent. The astonishingly sexy Jennifer Sky makes for a sympathetic co-conspirator.
Great score, too. And a visual style that kicks new life into the series.
10/10
Steven Moffat returns to the show and delivers one of the show’s best-ever episodes. Again.
It’s an ingenious high-concept idea, and there are several nail-biting moments of unbearable tension.
Really loving Ruby and the new Doctor. They are fabulous together. Wish this season had 15 more episodes instead of 5.
10/10
Lightweight stuff.
Great to see Ed Begley Jr. back as Harold.
Also the second episode for Roddy McDowall, this time playing a different villain, but he’s criminally underused.
The scheme of the villains isn’t particularly interesting/exciting. They are stealing art and turning real people into statues. The more you think about it, the less sense it makes.
The episode has no notable action sequences either.
5/10
A light-hearted episode which finds Jaime partnered with an untrustworthy art forger in Paris.
Some of the comedic stuff falls flat, but most works well because Rene Auberjonois and Lindsay Wagner are good at comedy.
Wagner appears to be having fun, and she looks stunning in some sexy outfits.
6/10
Delightful.
A genuinely original premise, and a very funny script.
The three main characters have very distinctly different voices and the casting is perfect.
The a-story concerns a plot to kill the American President but it’s skilfully balanced with the realistic aspects of Ralph’s life as a high school teacher.
10/10
A well-written and very enjoyable pilot movie. Hanson is immediately a very likeable character, the villains are excellent, the action sequences are good, and the status quo for the series looks interesting and original.
Really enjoyed Frederic Forrest as Captain Jenko.
Great music, too.
9/10
Not as good as recent episodes.
It’s got a wildly inventive and epic-scale storyline, and it contains some genuinely significant character moments for Henchman 21, for Doc Venture, and for Hank.
But somehow some of the magic is missing. Laughs and cool moments are few and far between. Henchman 21 kicking ass is the best.
7/10
A simple story that resonates.
A teenage girl feels her mother is too strict, forbidding her to hang out with the boy she likes. Something very relatable for the target audience, I’m sure.
The guest cast are earnest and everything is played with conviction. Charming.
This is our first time to see John Davey as Captain Marvel. He acquits himself well.
8/10
Weakest episode in a long while. The storylines are dull and/or contrived, and there are very few laughs in the mix.
Why would Rosa turn to Charles for advice? Why would the squad waste time on a radio contest?
6/10
Magnificent!
This is the episode that introduces Paget Brewster as Birdgirl. It’s an inspired idea and the execution is perfect.
More than that, the script is choc full of hilarious gags. Wonderful.
This is one that gets an instant rewatch. Watch, rewind, watch again.
10/10
Very Enid Blyton.
This final episode wraps up the two remaining story arcs of the season. They are connected in an amusing and delightful manner.
There’s also some real danger for Darrell and June, who are trapped in a cave with the tide coming in! In these scenes, the tone feels very close to The Famous Five. Which, of course, I loved.
9/10
This was another high-concept episode with a loosely tagged-on plot. But it was fun. Unique, distinctive, and the opposite of bland. There is nothing else on TV quite like this.
Highlights include: Jinkx Monsoon, the period setting, the Doctor’s suit (and swagger), the hints of things to come, and the big musical number at the end.
My 265th TV episode of 2024. Averaging 1h13m of TV per day.
8/10
First half dragged. It was all about Zava, the new player, not fitting in and doing his own thing, etc. It was fine but there was just too much.
The winning streak that came later was fun to watch. And the team excursion to Sam’s restaurant.
Good scenes for Colin here.
And (the gorgeous) Ellie Taylor is back as Sassy. Yay!
8/10
One of the more memorable episodes, as X the Eliminator wins Harvey’s crest.
Mentok and Reducto are involved, and Mark Hamill voices Ricochet Rabbit in the case-of-the-week.
X’s pal Zardo is a comedy highlight.
8/10
