Wasn't a fan of Brie Larson, and that might have been influenced by how social media depicted her... regardless, began watching this expecting not to like it... given her character having a robotic personality, being socially clueless, and seemingly preachy, I thought this was going the same way that I had expected from the oddball that she, as an actor, was painted to be... infact, episode 2 being a dog's POV had me heaving a sigh of relief, to not have to deal with the actress...
Then imagine by surprise by end of episode 3, I was totally invested in the character, and her ordeals... so much so that, by end of episode 4, I couldn't stand to wait anymore; and picked up the book it was based on... it is one of the very few instances, when I have picked up a book, mid-series... by the end of episode 8, the series had sufficient changes to the book's narration, regardless, it was all in character... though I must confess to have liked the book ending better, I can't fault the choices that the character of Elizabeth Zott, makes in this series... very very plausible...
The rest of the casting is brilliant at the role they play... and have great chemistry between them (pun intended)... this is one mini-series, where I have felt the need to update my rating, almost every week... I might possibly rate this a 10, if I ever revisit this... my favourite show in 2023 by a mile...
Episode S04E03
It's getting harder and harder to ignore the Woke nonsense coming from the show. In the first scene of the episode, they have people who are essentially interviewing for a job(New residents looking to get hired by the hospital) talking about their sexual preferences. Why would anyone go: "I graduated from so and so, did so and so projects, and also, I'm gay." Why?
Later Browne and Reznic are having a heated argument and a guy tries to diffuse the situation, so they snap at him for 'mansplaining' after which they forget about their argument.
And then later, they asked the residents an open question and one of them hesitates goes like "Emm...." so the same guy steps in and gives his answer. What do they do? Of course, chastize him for daring to interrupt a woman. Even though the woman didn't say anything besides 'emm' they tell him that "He doesn't always need to be the one to speak first". And who chastised him? Dr. Reznic. A character who has 'do whatever it takes to win" personality and will do anything to advance her career even at others' expense. Suddenly this character cares sees something wrong with being the first to speak, when she did the exact same thing to Claire Browne when they were residents.
Later the senior residents talk about the new residents, they say they want to convince Dr. Lim not to hire the mansplaining guy. Because he's arrogant. Yet they praise another doctor(a woman) who is more opinionated than the mansplaining guy as confident. And that's a plus. So when a guy talks first and gives his opinion, he's a bad doctor, because he's arrogant. Yet when a woman does the same thing, it's good, because she's confident.
Also, can you guess what ethnicity this 'asshole' guy is? Do you really need to guess? It's obvious it's the only white straight male in the resident pool. And of course in the end they did not hire him, because he's 'obnoxious' and 'arrogant'. As if Dr. Mendez wasn't obnoxious and arrogant and as if arrogance isn't a common trait in surgeons.
I don't really know what to make of this show or how to rate it. Two identical twin sisters who constantly swap their lives back and forth, all apparently because of some incident that triggered their bizarre behaviour. The story starts off OK, to such an extent that I thought it might actually be good, for the first 3-4 episodes but in the later episodes, where they actually start to explain (some!) of the story it starts to tail off drastically. The acting isn't particularly good, which doesn't help, but there are just too many things that just aren't explained. At first we are led to think that there's some reason for their behaviour and some sinister secret that the story is heading towards but as the story unfolds there are just too many threads that are revealed only to go nowhere. It then changed from being confusing because likely there's some plot and a reason to just plain confusing where the confusion, rather than the story (which largely gets ignored and dropped mid-stream), becomes the whole point of the show, such that, other than the confusion over who is who at any given time, there's no actual point to watching as it constantly goes nowhere. The show was definitely at least 2 episodes too long and identity switching just isn't a compelling enough story in its own right to make for good viewing, that coupled with the lame acting and poor writing (the incompetence of the Sheriff's Dept in the final episode is beyond belief, along with the totally eyebrow raising vanishing and re-appearance of one or both of the twins with zero thought given to how credible it is) means that I certainly won't be around for any season 2! I find it also quite surprising that for a mini-series, the ending seems to be a set up for a season 2, either that or ending was even more lame than I thought!
Yet another show by Netflix that's sub-par. Superhero nuns fighting demons and monsters shouldn't be this dull of a dud.
It starts with a massive bang with a squad of women wearing stealth suits, crashing into church shouting about being ambushed by mercenaries. They pull an angel's halo out of their wounded leader. A nun dies to protect this artifact from a demon possessed solider. The opening scene felt like a mix of John Wick with John Constantine stories.
But then the action & show grinds to a halt. Nothing really happens for the first 5 episodes. Things slowly pick up & we get to last 10 mins where bad ass action once again picks up only to end with a massive cliffhanger (you will literally say "what the fuck").
This show was a waste of 10 hours of my life. What great potential this show had, but as usual Netflix gives you dud.
The entire 10 episodes are designed for the show creators to get budget for season 2 (where hopefully something happens that moves the story forward).
I would say wait for season 2 or even season 3 to be released before wasting your time watching this show.
Watching order
Because there are some issues with watching this, here is the order.
Copying from the site in case it ever goes down, but this info came from here: http://thunderpeel2001.blogspot.com/2010/02/battlestar-galactica-viewing-order.html
It's probably more confusing here on trakt, so go to the above linked site for a better layout.
The Miniseries
Night 1
Night 2
Season 1
1.01 33
1.02 Water
1.03 Bastille Day
1.04 Act of Contrition
1.05 You Can't Go Home Again
1.06 Litmus
1.07 Six Degrees of Separation
1.08 Flesh and Bone
1.09 Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down
1.10 The Hand of God
1.11 Colonial Day
1.12 Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I
1.13 Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II
Season 2
2.01 Scattered
2.02 Valley of Darkness
2.03 Fragged
2.04 Resistance
2.05 The Farm
2.06 Home, Part I
2.07 Home, Part II
2.08 Final Cut
2.09 Flight of the Phoenix
2.10 Pegasus (56 minute extended version)
2.11 Resurrection Ship, Part I
2.12 Resurrection Ship, Part II
2.13 Epiphanies
2.14 Black Market
2.15 Scar
2.16 Sacrifice
2.17 The Captain's Hand
Razor (101 minute extended version - not the 81 minute broadcast version)
Important note: This was originally broadcast just before Season 4, but chronologically it fits here, telling more of the Pegasus's story. Some people argue it's better to watch after Season 3, as originally broadcast, but it makes most sense to watch it here.
The reason that the placement of Razor is a hotly contested issue among BSG fans is because of a bit of dialogue at the very end (in the last 10 minutes) which sets the tone for Season 4 (barely even a spoiler). Everything else in this TV movie is not a spoiler.
So why place it here, and not where it was originally broadcast, if there's any sort of issue? Because, chronologically, the story is set here, and by the time you reach the end of Season 3, the story of Pegasus will feel like ancient history. Indeed, that was the complaint echoed around the internet from fans after Razor originally aired -- it had nothing to do with what was going on in the story at that time.
As a result of this, most fans agree it's better to watch Razor here. In doing so, you'll appreciate the story more and it will have greater emotionally resonance. In short: I highly recommend that you follow my advice and watch it here.
There is one small caveat, however: In order to deal with the above dialogue issue, and so not to unintentionally alter the tone of Season 3, I have two, very specific instructions that I recommend that you follow for your absolute optimum enjoyment.
I will try not to spoil anything with these instructions, so pay attention. You need to press MUTE on your TV (and/or turn off any subtitles) in the following two moments. Both of these moments occur in the last 10 minutes of the story, so you can relax and enjoy the first 90 mins before you need to worry.
Press MUTE when:
and shortly afterwards:
That's it! That's all you have to worry about. Two very small moments, and even if you don't unmute it, it's not a huge spoiler, it just unintentionally alters the tone of Season 3 if you don't, so do try your best to follow my instructions.
2.18 Downloaded
2.19 Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I
2.20 Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II
The Resistance
A 10 episode web-based series bridging seasons 2 and 3. (25 mins.)
Season 3
3.01 Occupation
3.02 Precipice
3.03 Exodus, Part I
3.04 Exodus, Part II
3.05 Collaborators
3.06 Torn
3.07 A Measure of Salvation
3.08 Hero
3.09 Unfinished Business (70 minute extended version - Note: Not included on Region 2 DVDs, but is included on ALL Bluray releases.)
3.10 The Passage
3.11 The Eye of Jupiter
3.12 Rapture
3.13 Taking a Break From All Your Worries
3.14 The Woman King
3.15 A Day in the Life
3.16 Dirty Hands
3.17 Maelstrom
3.18 The Son Also Rises
3.19 Crossroads, Part I
3.20 Crossroads, Part II
Razor: Yes, this again. (Well this is where Razor was originally broadcast, after all.) Remember the last 10 minutes where I told you to MUTE two small moments? Well, guess what, now is when you get to go back and hear what was said. Watch the last 10 minutes of Razor here.
Season 4
4.01 He That Believeth In Me
4.02 Six of One
4.03 The Ties That Bind
4.04 Escape Velocity
4.05 The Road Less Traveled
4.06 Faith
4.07 Guess What's Coming to Dinner?
4.08 Sine Qua Non
4.09 The Hub
4.10 Revelations
Season 4 Continued (aka "Season 4.5" or "The Final Season")
4.11 Sometimes a Great Notion
The Face of the Enemy
A 10 episode web-based series (although it plays together like an intense mini-episode). (36 mins.)
4.12 A Disquiet Follows My Soul (53 minute extended version - only on Bluray releases)
4.13 The Oath
4.14 Blood on the Scales
4.15 No Exit
The Plan (DVD/Bluray movie)
A stand-alone movie that shows (approximately) the first two seasons from the Cylons' perspective. (You finally get to see "The Plan", mentioned all those times in the opening sequence!) Although The Plan was originally released after the show had finished, it is generally agreed that it should be watched here, so that everything is all tied up when you do reach the end.
4.16 Deadlock
4.17 Someone to Watch Over Me
4.18 Islanded In a Stream of Stars (62 minute extended version - only on BluRay releases and Region 1 DVDs)
4.19 Daybreak (150 minute extended version - only on BluRay releases and Region 1 DVDs)
The Plan : This is where this DVD/Bluray movie was originally released (after the show had finished). It seems universally agreed that it's preferable to watch this after No Exit, instead of after you've finished the entire series, but there's no harm in waiting until now.
Then Caprica the series: http://trakt.tv/show/caprica
This show has definitely lost it's charm. I was really hoping to find some of the spirit of the first iteration but as the "CW" logo in the corner would already tell you... it's just a generic/cheesy fantasy show now with nothing to show for it. The new sisters have a dynamic I just don't care much about and where as the Halliwell's had a lot to work on, including their powers these ladies already decide after the first episode that they have to science the heck out of magic (which hardly ever comes up anymore). No one really cares about the "Book of Shadows" anymore (which was turned into a voice activated search device) or exploring witchcraft since their power level is just too convenient (and that is not even relying on the power of three). Heck, they even added in Phoebe's premonition power in form of a device now... Maybe it's because I'm bored at this point but they really cram a lot into the episodes but it's all moot story threads. There have been multiple episodes now with major mood whiplashes too so yeah... it's bad; and this is not even mentioning the "woke" writing which can be in a league of it's own. I should have dropped this way sooner...
The concept of the show kind of perfectly represents the show itself. You go out with a bunch of old friends thinking it's going to be a great time, and in the end, things don't turn out the way you were expecting and everybody just kind of ends up disappointed.
I went into this expecting a laugh out loud comedy with a great cast, and there was some of that, but by the end it became more drama, and nothing really ended in a satisfying way either.
I do think the cast was good, and there are some good funny moments, and well done serious moments, but I think overall the show has a weird balance, and doesn't really pay off in a way that leaves any of the characters or audience satisfied. But then again, that's very similar to the night out with old friends from college the show describes, so maybe it achieved exactly what it wanted to achieve.
On one hand I do kind of hope there's another season, only because there's so much left unresolved in the end, but you're never going to get a resolution that satisfies everybody, so I'm not sure if the show should have one either. It's just a strange show. It definitely kept me interested enough to binge it though, so I'll give it that.
Now that I’ve watched the entire series in literally one sitting, I’m ready to go back and go through it more slowly. Maybe take notes on each ep about the things I love and things that might trigger others.
There is just so much world-building for all that it is set right here and now. The layers of detail and the breadth of the world created is just fascinating.
Each location truly feels separate, probably because they did actually film on location heh. And each culture feels very distinct which creates such a sense of realism.
I am genuinely impressed with the technical aspects of this show: directing, writing, editing, cinematography, etc. But the heart of it is the chemistry between the main cast and how well they demonstrate the sudden intimacy that their new situations create.
Nothing felt inevitable, there was always a sense of risk and possibility. At the same time, the things that do happen feel right and true to the characters and situations. It’s masterful.
I feel so fortunate that this show exists and that I got to see it.
All that said, there are some incredibly intense moments in the show. There is a suicide in the early part of episode one. Later there is various levels of gore and violence. And if you have any bodily issues, the fact that the show in no way ignores the biological issues of cis women’s bodies might shock you.
As far as I can recall, however, there is no animal harm or rape/attempted rape. I specifically recall a scene where I was like, “oh thank fuck! he’s only trying to murder her.”
At the end of the day, the people I cared about survived and/or triumphed enough that the hardships they went through felt worth it. Intensity level-wise (language, sex, violence, plot) I would compare it to Starz’s Spartacus series. Quality-wise too, it’s that good.
