Breaking Bad 4x03 Review

Episode Title: Open House
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: B+

This week was an interesting episode. I'm going to call it a "Walter/Jesse Light" episode. The two are not the focus of the story this week, and the two appear only very briefly in a scene together. The episode follows Skylar and Marie mainly this week as each of them deals with their current situations in very different ways. The rating for this week is not due to either of them, but rather Walter. I will get to that later. Marie's story brings back an old idea from season one that allows her to actually do something for once. Skylar on the other hand continues her bad ass attitude from last week, and adds a little more evil genius.

I'm surprised how little actually happened in this episode, and if you're a fan of the arc involving Walter and Gus, we get only small(and understandable) change on that front. This may be shocking to some, but I think this was a very weak episode for Bryan Cranston. There are several scenes where I don't buy his attitude, and feel it's either his acting, or the writing. More specifics later in the episode recap.

Cowboys and Aliens Review

Overall Rating B

I know this movie looks ridiculous, and you may not think it's worth your time. I beg to differ. Let me first, list off some of the people involved in the making of this movie. Jon Favreau, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Alex  Kurtzman, Robert Orci, DAMON LINDELOF, Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde. If at least some of those names don't get you super excited, then you can't call yourself a movie fan, and most definitely not a science fiction fan. This group comes together and creates an exciting, moving, and fun filled SciFi-Western.

The idea of a Western with Science Fiction qualities is not a new idea. Joss Whedon's Firefly showed how well the two genres really go together. What is new in this movie though, is that it's a Science Fiction movie about an alien attack, that just happens to take place in late 1800s America. I won't give it away, but we do learn a lot about the aliens, and why they are interested in Earth. I feel this attack could have happened at anytime in human history, and the filmmakers simply thought it would be cool if it was Alien advanced technology vs. Cowboys on horse back with revolvers. Turned out they were right, it is very cool, and makes for some excellent panoramic shots of the old west.

Alphas 1x03 Review

Episode Title: Anger Management
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: A-

Alphas is turning out to be a pretty heavy show. So far all three episodes have dealt with much more serious issues than I imagined. These are not fun adventures they go on, these are dangerous missions. Along with the powers, the show also deals with the psyche of the characters. We get deep exploration of the good guys, and the bad. Last week we had a man who had been traumatized by his treatment at the hospital where Rosen sends most of the Alphas he meets. This week, we meet a kid who has to deal with anger and violence following him where ever he goes. He too it seems had a very traumatic past.

I hope the show doesn't shy away from this aspect in later episodes. I think it's a strength, and sets it apart from the many shows about people with powers that have come and gone in recent years. These are not super heroes, or people altered by something crazy. This is a group of regular, and troubled people who have special abilities. I like that so far, none of the abilities are really out of this world. They all pretty much just have enhanced human skills. That makes it very real, and allows us to understand their struggle.

I want to apologize for there being no review last week.

Read on for the episode recap

Weeds Episode 7x05 Review

Episode Title: Fingers Only Meat Banquet
Overall Season Rating: B-
Episode Rating: B

This week we get a much more emotional episode than normal on Weeds. Silas has some very nice things to say about his mom, and with recent events in mind it's a very nice scene. Nancy goes through a rough time, but it does turn out well for her. Andy has a strange episode where he too has a couple important character moments. Doug beings to learn more about his new place of work, and it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. As for Shane, I don't even want to guess what he's doing but as always I'm concerned.

I'm starting to think that the comedy this year has been lessened on purpose. There was only one or two moments that were even jokes. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Weeds always has been a very dark comedy. People have died, and we've watched as Nancy systematically destroyed the lives of everyone she knows. This past week's Breaking Bad had more jokes, and that's a similar show plot wise. I do hope the jokes come back, but I am willing to give the writers the benefit of the doubt. I think they know what they are doing.

I also want to apologize again for no review last week. 

Read on for the recap.

Eureka Episode 4x13 Review

Episode Title: Glimpse
Overall Season Rating: B+
Episode Rating: B+

This week, we got a look at the real beginning of the arc of the second half of the season. The Astraeus Mission to Titan is both very cool, and sad. It's cool because well, a manned mission to Titan is friggin awesome, but it's also sad because in reality we are no where even close to something like this. The technology in Eureka always has been crazy, and super advanced, but usually it's something fun. The tech used in this episode for example are a pair of super contact lenses that give you a computer read out of security risks. Very cool, but that's Eureka. I know a space mission to Titan is science fiction, and belongs in a show like this, but I find it sad that in reality it many not happen for many decades.

We also get more development with Allison. Last week we saw her kidnapped, and changed in some way. We don't really get more information on that, but it's clear this also is a major issue this season. The relationships on the show also are given a lot of screen time, and I am starting to get a little sick of them. That may sound bad, but every week it's the same story with Jo and Zane. The time line reboot appears to be an annoying way to go back to the beginning with the two, and go through this all again. Finally, we get two amazing new people this week. One of them has to be one of the greatest cameos in TV history. I'll get to that a little later though.

Read on for the episode recap.

Falling Skies 1x07 Review

Episode Title: Sanctuary(Part 2).
Overall Season Rating: B
Episode Rating: B+

It's rare for shows to have two part episodes in the middle of a season like this, and I think it was a cool idea here. Doctor Who does it all the time, so why not Falling Skies. This episode continues to show the improvement of certain characters, but also has several moments that make you scratch your head. I want to point out here, that last week I called Clayton "Clinton" by accident. The fact that no one pointed this out suggest either no one cared, or no one read the blog. Since I know the latter is not the case thank you for understanding a simply mistake.

There are a few surprises in the episode too. One of them is shocking, and really shows what the show is willing to do. This is not a nice happy show where everyone comes home at the end of the day. The other surprise was suspected beforehand, but was revealed in a very creepy way. Read on for the episode recap.

Breaking Bad 4x02 Review

Episode Title: Thirty-Eight Snub
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: A-

This episode really highlights the two vastly different paths these two men are taking after their most recent ordeal. It's hard to imagine that these are the same two from the first, or even second season of the show. Walt now is a full on mobster wannabe. He talks to men who have done horrible things with true confidence, and power. That is of course until they sock him in the face. Jesse on the other hand, is totally falling apart. He is understandably having trouble with what has happened during the past couple days, and Aaron Paul once again is showing that he'll have another Emmy in his pocket next year. The most interesting aspect of this for me, is that Walt ran two men over, and shot one in the head. He appears to feel nothing about it. Who would have guessed at the beginning of the series that it was Jesse, not Walt who would be emotionally traumatized by their actions. That just proves why this show is the best on television.

Read on for the episode recap.