Oh Maeve's so very clever!!! <3 her!!
Luke... I am your father!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
So "His Dark Materials" is quite amazing.
It's not just the visuals, and aesthetic which are amazing, it's that as a staunch and stolid lover of the books, it is utterly glorious to see the story come to life and so faithfully.
The monstrosity that was the film version of this story, which although beautiful, was horribly truncated while being overpacked and veered so wildly from the source material in some crucial ways, I was glad they never made the remaining parts of the story as it would have been excruciating. Even with Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman, it was just not the story I had hoped to see.
For me, it was that the actress who played Lyra, was far too pretty, far too pretty even in her 'scrappy' running around Jordan College as a hoyden of chaos and ruin.
In all the major ways that the film failed, this single first episode of the HBO series succeeds and with the most thrilling reaction in me as a fan.
I know the story. I've read the trilogy at least once a year since 2004.
But this still makes me want to sink deep into this visual retelling. And oh, oh my, the visuals... Lyra's world is exceptionally realised, and we still are yet to see much beyond Jordan College.
I love the added scene of Lord Asriel delivering baby Lyra and Pantalaimon to the Master of Jordan College, during the Great Flood. This was a beautifully added detail, that in the books was only retold to Lyra in a second-hand fashion by Ma Costa. Here we're given a snippet of this, at the beginning, where we're well into the first story before we get anything real about the amazing Lyra Belacqua aka Lyra Silvertongue.
This episode, whets the appetite of even the most ardent and devoted fan of His Dark Materials (like myself). I and eagerly awaiting the second episode, and thoroughly enjoyed watching it with my thirteen year old son last night.
I must say that James MacAvoy is looking RATHER distinguished! Plus he manages to convey the ferocity and intensity of Lord Asriel in a way I never got from Daniel Craig who was merely cold.
This and Carnival Row, both exceeded my expectations! Do watch!
My boy Earn... progress sometimes looks like a storage locker and $200 extra.
This episode still makes me cry.
That's the sound of the man, working on the chain gang... #GoVan
Right now... Delores and Maeve are my girls. I have all the feels for 'em.
Paris: ...now the vial is sitting on a small pedestal next to the throne.
Janeway: I'll keep an eye out. (salutes) Thanks for the briefing.
Paris: I'll see you at the Fortress of Doom! And remember: You're the Queen!
Star Trek: Voyager: Season 5, Episode 12, "Bride of Chaotica"
I am STILL laughing my ass off and loving this episode. I named one of the makeups from "Quirked" after Janeway's performance in this episode. What a hoot.
https://www.facebook.com/kikolife/photos/a.10152286041746486.1073741852.121960011485/10152286042246486/?type=3&theater
Ive watched this episode (indeed all the episodes of BSG) and this remains one of the finest hours of this show. I will never, ever not be awed by Galactica dropping out of the atmosphere, or the demise of the Pegasaus.
When I do my Best of BSG, this is always the number one episode... shit, when I do my best of TV, this episode is always right up there.
The sequencing of the club scene and the 'handover' that was more like a scramble, was one of the tightest of this entire show, with a single shot fired. I thought it was beautifully done.
Teaaarss!!!! Teaaarss!!!! I was so moved! Such a well written episode! One of the best of this season thus far.
Although the scenery moved backward and forward, the story was unbelievably coherent. Caitriona Balfe's performance in this episode, from first shot to last was exceptional. Her face was a complete mirror for Claire's inner world, and the drama was tautly written across every tremulous emotion Balfe put on display.
This character's ability to withstand turmoil is incredible, and her resilience and loyalty to be admired. Say what, she is clearly the soul of this show, and Balfe is perfectly cast.
At the end my last thought was, if Randall's been poked in the willie, then how is he supposed to father the lineage that leads to Frank? But the answer is obvious. Mary & Alex.
Ok! Back to Scotland! Hurrah!
Oh... yes! Where ever in space and time you are Jomo, this space battle is for you! #RIP (It's another Janeway!!! Kinda! You'd love her!!)
Ralph Angel's transformation over the course of this season has been beautiful. I was moved to tears in the final moments of the finale to see him come so far from where we found him in episode one. Kofi Siriboe's growth over these 13 episodes has just been beautiful and restorative to watch.
Miss Charlie though... I still don't know if I'm horrified or proud that she literally bet the farm, left Prince Charming hanging, manipulated a 'friend' to declare her own sovereign state. Dawn-Lyen Gardner's performance has in my opinion the most consistent of the three leads.
Nova... I am left wanting more. I'm not sure what it is, but of all of the performances on this show, her's is the only one that doesn't quite sit right with me. The last episode's nonsense invoking Oshun... after I had a massive belly laugh, I asked out loud why Ava Duvernay couldn't have asked someone a question instead of making up some shit to say.
However, my issues with Nova's character, narrative and in particular Rutina Wesley's performance, aren't limited to just this. There's just something that doesn't feel right about it. I may be able to articulate what that is eventually, but right now I'm noting that something is just off. That said, Wesley is stunningly beautiful, and despite the little quirks in her portrayal she's got an (over) expressive face that's often a pleasure to watch.
Quiet as it's kept, there's some quietly epic stuff going on with this show. It's been a season of some great writing and character development on this show. I'm very eager to know when the next season is due to air. I also think I am adding this to my rewatch list. I can see myself really going hard on all thirteen episodes some week when spring 2017 starts to warm up properly, and Being Mary Jane's next season wraps up.
I saw that coming... Bernard was clearly a host from the nature of the conversations he was having with Delores. This was an exceptional piece of story development though.
I watched this episode literally in tears for portions of it... this was an amazing, well written, well acted, heartbreaking episode.
Hap is monstrous for what he's doing to these people. Homer (Emory Cohen), is tragic, sad, indeed Homer being the lynchpin and Hap mercilessly using him to manipulate the others, break the trust between them... just ugh! Jason Isaacs is doing a magnificent job of making me loathe this character.
The OA is amazing. She's amazing. The 'movements' and the celestial portal... yeah, I'm down. I get it. I SCREAMED when I got it!!!! And regardless of what he's done, Homer remained a soldier and a believer in what they were doing.
Oh this show just slipped into a whole level of weirdness that I super appreciate. The OA, who as I previously noted, while appearing to everyone else to be 'unhinged', is proving to be a strong, tough, relentless pursuer and believer in love and freedom and truth. At the end of this episode, we see just how strong and truly powerful she is.
Oh my, what a good episode this was! Oh how I loathe Hap, but one has to ask this question: If we are working with the holographic universe model, and that which is observed changes to produce the effect that the observer requires, desires, or simply as a reaction to being observed, how much of what is happening with these five people is being made possible by the evil, twisted, horrible, disgusting, awful Hap Hunter?
Oh my... This is certainly one of the best written shows I've seen in awhile. As weird as the ride has been, it's remained consistent and engrossing throughout.
I get how this would never have worked on network television, but finds a perfect niche with the Netflix crowd. Long live the Internet!
From last episode’s eye popping escapes, and amping up story wise, we come to this lovely little point in the tale.
Although it lacks the action of the previous episode, it provides this clever counterpoint theme around Miller’s lack of drinking and Holden’s hunt for a cup of coffee, which is perfectly expressed on Holden’s face during the final moments.
Our wider view grows of “The Butcher of Anderson Station” and what does and doesn’t lie in wait at Tycho Station grows, as does the newly minted crew of the Rocinante’s loyalties and clearly democratic structure. For now at any rate.
I do think Miller’s haircut is ridiculous, and his hat foolish, but there’s something dogged and admirable about his character regardless of his jaded anti-hero leanings. His now blatant adoration of Julie Mao is making him a better man already as is evident with his laying off the drink, and he’s on her trail still, getting closer and closer. Dangerously close, I’d say.
I continue to adore Holden’s stubbly jawbone, and crinkly laugh lines. Amos and Alex, I am also digging, and Naomi’s still so damn mysterious as any self-respecting woman should be, that it’s hard not to cheer and gasp at their twists and turns of fate. Despite last episode’s shocking kill off of Shed, I doubt we will lose any more of the survivors from the Cant, at least not this season. This is clearly the core group of antagonists.
All in all this episode tautly advances the story without ever slipping into exposition for it’s own sake. It maintains a tight focus on the next layer of the story, while the flashback elements are perfectly integrated, making it perfectly clear that our rag-tag band of survivors (get it!?) are nowhere near out of the woods yet.
This show gets better and better.
This episode is one of the best of the season, the writing and tension superb. There is not a single extraneous or wasted scene or moment, and the focus on the story unfolding remaining very sharp.
The salvage mission on the the Anubis by now feels familiar, but I'm glad it's the crew of the Rocinante doing the blowing up rather than running. What they uncover of course are more questions, and almost few answers.
The moment the crew of the Rocinante and Miller meet up in the Blue Falcon, in search of Lionel Polanski, is one of the high points of this season, and one that still thrills me although I think I've seen this episode three times at this writing.
Somehow, and there's a little voice that is telling me this, they will be together for a minute.
One has to feel some type of way for Miller. His heartbreak at finding his answers is heart wrenching. This is some major turning point for Miller. I'm not certain what is coming for him, but Julie Mao will be for him, what the Cant is for the crew of the Rocinante, and maybe for the whole solar system. Either way, this looks like kismet. Never mind the whole, "touch me again and there'll be another body on the floor," bit. It looks like kismet.
One of the things to appreciate with the season winding down, is how it has used detail and visual textures to build a convincing world and story. The little clues we've been getting are beginning to add up.
Listen, I am really digging Amos. He's the last of the Rocinante crew that I've gotten attached to, but I am really digging him.
This episode is a bridge. It cements the link between all six of the group, it creates a fundamental break between The OA and her parents, while at first seeming to forge it.
Brit Marling continues to be exceptional in her performance, and in the writing of the screenplay. Although we have no Dastardly Hap to hate, we find ourselves losing some sympathy for Nancy, and gaining immense respect for 'BBA', who not only goes to mat, she puts everything she has on the line for Steve.
Steves breakthrough, while at first seeming to be a betrayal, allows The OA to really shine.
I love seeing the team learn the five movements, and how naturally Steve learns the movements, similar to the way The OA and Homer form a strong understanding around the first two movements.
I am deeply impressed with this show. I understand there are some folks who apparently don't 'get' it. It's ok. Those of us that 'get it', 'get it'. It's just not for you. It's clearly for us.
Exceptional episode, that perfectly preps for the finale.
The pace slows a bit in this episode, but again the highlight here is the characters in play.
Again I am struck by Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo), and not in a good way. Although her accent is beautiful, I don’t believe Aghdashloo’s portrayal at all. She doesn’t seem to penetrate the character’s motivations and what I am perceiving is her delivering her lines, not so much acting. Consequently, her role seems off and aloof rather than a woman of passion that Chrisjen clearly is, at least on paper.
Which is a pity. Her role is such a juicy one for a woman, that it is a shame she feels like bad casting, and the role could have gone to an actress with more chops. I can see Tilda Swinton playing this role with gelid-eyed ferocity.Hers is the only real problematic portrayal, everyone else is doing a great job.
All of that said, this episode continues to build the story relentlessly from the previous episode.
We have an interesting additional ‘backstory’, that of Diogo (Andrew Rotilio), who we saw in earlier episodes in scenes with Miller where he was warned to 'Stay away from the aqua!’, and his uncle Mateo (Alex Karzis). This sequence gives us an emotional and tense story line, giving you some of the grit and determination of the Belters to make a sacrifice for what’s right, even though it’s clear they’re mistreated and taken advantage of. Although it doesn’t appear as though this character is important, the fact that this dramatic little side story appears, leads me to believe that Diogo, who we last see floating on his own, will become an important secondary character later on.
Regardless of the vicious machinations going on way above their heads, the Belters clearly deserve some justice.
We also get further evidence of the growing close knitting of the crew of the Rocinante. The handle Fred Johnson and his demands deftly, and head into God knows what by the end of the episode. Holden continues to display wit, and his team loyalty.
The byplay between Miller (Thomas Jane) and Octavia (Athena Karkanis) is also looking like something we will watch play out later on in the story. The chemistry between them is there, and I like all the scenes between them. Jane plays his character’s bitterness perfectly with her, and she hits her character’s notes perfectly. Tough but vulnerable, willing to stretch, but not quite bend the rules. Her rescuing of Miller in this episode definitely deserves a brownie point or two.
It is clear that this is a series that requires you to pay attention. It’s easy to miss some details on the first watch, so you cannot ignore anything or anyone at this point.
As we say in Barbados, this episode 'up de ting'. The last twenty minutes of this show was beautiful, organised chaos.
Again I am amazed by the production ethics of this show. The gritty 'movie-like' quality and pacing is wonderful, and this episodes twists were well executed.
I like that we get to see a little more of the Martians and the ethos, and the mysterious warship and it's blue masked invaders, all deepen the mystery of what's really going on. We see the hypocrisies and machinations of the Earthers as well as the set up for Belter culture.
We're introduced to OPA head man, Frederick Johnson who has just the right amount of passion and cool nerve, and I am very amused at how he handled the Mormon representative. I am also deeply intrigued by their generational ship.
This episode gives us even more backdrop for the politics at play in the solar system, and nicely sets up the enduring loyalty of the survivors of the Cant. Bless Holden and his matinee idol jawline and pretty, squinty eyes and lovely pouty mouth. Yes, I had to point all of that out. I positively begs to be pointed out.
This episode was well acted, the action sequences were exceptional, the special effects were fucking EYEPOPPING,
It's so nice to see the Sy Fy gave a show some budget and talent. I had given up hope after Battlestar Galactica left the air, but this show gets better, and this is my second time watching this first season.
After a lifetime of love for the Star Trek universe, it's hard to be impressed by some of the iterations between the end of Voyager, and the start of the recent movie reboots. As much as I love Scott Bakula, I panned "Enterprise" sometime after the first season, unable to find a way into the story or caring about that crew.
However, as if the showrunners of Discovery knew what, my intersectional heart was longing for. A powerful new female lead of colour (wearing her natural hair), in a very different take on the Federation and enemies of old. When I realised which enemy of old it was being reimagined—indeed, the extent to which the Federation has been a little reimagined—I became deeply impressed, moment by moment.
I'm uncertain if I like the makeup and costume design for the new 'Others' in the story, and the very 'colourfulness' of their ship interiors, but you know, I might just let it grow on me and see how it goes.
A word here on Sonequa Martin-Green's performance: Yes muh girl! Yes! I like you... A nuanced and compelling performance.
That said, this was an impressive opener. Oh CBS.. you play too much. They banned reviews to pique interest, and I am in for it. Here for it. I'm glad I took the chance and watched, and I'm glad to be so pleasantly surprised. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I screamed at several points... the tension was beautifully unbearable throughout. Well made, and pitch perfect.
By far the most illuminated episode of the season thus far. Clearly they are now working hard to get the fifth movement, they're to the point where they want the experiment and are participating, but the dread of Hap finding out becomes now possibly the thing that's holding them back.
Jason Isaacs plays Hap with an almost palpable sense of his rationalisations for his psychosis. Yet, without him there would be no story, right?
The OA continues to show her grit and determination, Homer continues to be the other focal point. Yet, the other three... we get almost nothing about them other than Hap's machinations to enslave Renata in the last episode, and we're two episodes from the end of this season (or whatever the hell Netflix calls these binge watches) my point is, the other three are still sketches.
Still, it's hard to fault the story. The pacing is excellent and remains consistent through all the episodes I've seen so far, and I am really enjoying Brit Marling's performance. She wrote this character for herself and it shows just how deeply she is into the work that The OA is really all you see on screen. I'm very impressed with the way she's built this story, and the execution, although it's not flashy, it's really well done.
With two episodes to go to the close of this clutch of episodes (I like 'clutch' better than 'season' for Netflix stuff), I'm very much curious to see how this comes to a close, and if we will be tortured for another season, the way we're being tortured for more Sense8 episodes.
Still, what a treat this has been to watch.
Oh Jax... you're breaking my heart. Heart hurts for you brother...
Oh my hot damn! Karen girl... I don't know just how crazy you are. I hope to find out.
I've watched the entire series multiple times, regardless of my Trakt count, and this is always one of the most heartbreaking. Everyone's grief is so palpable, and Sybill's character such a softening middle ground... the aftermath so very nearly sundering.
Alas... the sweetest sprite is gone.
One of this show's best episodes in terms of performance.
Excellent start! Kofi Siriboe is stunningly beautiful and delivers such a nuanced but electric performance. Wasn't as impressed with Dawn-Lyen Gardner, but Rutina Wesley is also turning in an interesting performance. I want to see where they go with the script, but this was a good start. Waiting for tonight's episode.
Oh Elliot... I'm rooting for your crazy ass.
That final fight scene in the hallway was one of the tightest I've seen on television. #realtalk
