REVIEW - True Blood - S06E02

What’s on the menu for True Blood this week? A recipe of drama and complete chaos, of course.

The episode begins with Sookie tossing in bed, dreaming about a figure appearing from shimmering air. Assuming this must be Warlow.

Back to Jason’s storyline, he is in the car with a creepy man who he suspects is Warlow but with a strange twist he turns out to be his faerie god father.

Remember Patrick who tried to kill Arlene and Terry but ended up dead in season 5? His wife finally enters the picture looking for her husband in Merlotte’s . Arlene handles the situation by claiming Patick ran away with another woman.

We are then introduced to a new character (a half faerie) named Ben and Sookie takes him in, assisting him with his injuries caused by a fanger. Will he be Sookie’s new victim to fall for her Southern charms? Most likely. It seems just yesterday Sookie was in love with Bill and Eric. Then there is the unspoken feeling for Alcide and sexual attraction. Ben parts ways with Sookie to find the fairy safe house.

Sam is still recovering from his loss of his love Luna who recently died after saving her daughter Emma from Russell Edgington. The wolf pack come for Emma and a fight breaks out. Unfortunately, Sam loses and Alcide walks away with Emma over his shoulder.

Following from serious comments made the Governor that vampires are to stay inside after sun down. He has pretty much asked for a war between the humans and vampires. Eric goes undercover as a geeky lobbyist from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to visit the Governor. How does Alexander Skarsgard still look attractive even as a dork? Eric attempts to glamor the vampire hatin’ governor to let his vendetta against vampires go but little did he know that the Govenor was one step ahead. Apparently, people are now wearing contacts that prevent hypnotising. “Its time for humans to bite back,” the Governor says.

Returning back to Jason’s storyline, the faerie god father informs Jason and Sookie that Warlow is there. The new bad guy is not a force to be reckoned with and has been obsessed with their family for generations. He was the cause of many deaths before but faerie god father has taken on the mentor role. Also hes the king of the faeries which makes Sookie related to royalty. This could help them survive another season or lets just see what happens.

The episode also looks at Jessica and Bill’s relationship; it’s the whole ‘maker’ connection thing. Although, Jess is trying her best, Bill’s mind is elsewhere. One of best parts was Veronica (human) a walking meal delivers her blood to the Compton residence. Bill (or Billith) uses his new powers to twist and snap her body while sucking all the blood out of her. Has Bill really become some kind of god? Lost…without her real maker Jessica prays for all those she cares for (including Jason, Sookie, Pam, Tara, Eric, Sam, Lafayette, Nora, Bill and Hoyt wherever he is).

Bilith can see the future now and he foresees a group of vamps (Jess, Eric, Pam and Tara) in a facility with a large light burning them. I guess the question is will this new Bill do anything to prevent this from happening or has he completely changed?

This weeks episode was not overly exciting but provided us a more information on Warlow and preparing us for what is going to be one hell of a bloody fight. From what I can tell, the writers are running out of good ideas to keep the viewers from declining. As a fan of the truly gory True Blood, it would be nice to see it last at a couple more seasons.

What do you see happening next?

Review by Jessica Tisdell

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E04

This week's episode was once again, of course, brilliant. The introduction of a new character, and the death of an old one, causes the mystery to deepen, while Sam and Jesse are still wrapped up in Michael's CIA undercover mission and Fiona again feels compelled to help Michael. The episode focuses around a kidnapping in Miami, and the escaping of a woman from a kidnapping in Cuba.

Throughout this episode, viewers begin to see this cover that Michael has taken on envelop him even further, and we are left wondering if the old Michael really still exists as he points a gun at a sleeping child. This change in Michael this season is unsettling and does not sit well, however, that seems to be the aim of this season. Michael's quick wit however continues to be everyone's saving grace as Michael, as always, takes one for the team and endures torture to keep the others safe.

This idea of selflessness is better used to describe Burke, oddly enough. Throughout this episode, viewers are shown a different side of this criminal that causes us to almost feel sorry for and admire him. His love for the people around him, including Michael, is brought out through one very courageous and selfless act.

When Fiona gets a call from Michael for help, she can't help but become involved, and even she doesn't know why. She hides her involvement from her boyfriend Carlos, and instead enlists the help of Maddie yet again. Maddie is getting a taste for the spy life, as a natural talent for this line of work shines through whilst she is helping Fiona kidnap a Russian man.

With the death of one character comes the introduction of another, however, a very brief introduction before she manages to slip through the cracks, with the episode ending upon yet another great mystery.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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REVIEW - Pretty Little Liars - S04E03

Melissa is back and the girls have found a mask with Alison’s face on it. The mask leads Hanna, Emily and Aria to a cabin where a strange man creates props for horror films. He explains that Aly wanted to make masks for all of her friends but no one had ever received one.

Caleb finally makes his first appearance for Pretty Little Liars season 4 this week. Concerned for Hanna, he visits Mr Marin (her father) to ask him to support Hanna with the Wilden ‘situation’. Mr Marin shares with Caleb that he was visited by Ashley on the day and coincidently, his gun has gone missing.

A is slowly pushing each girl’s family to the edge by targeting their mothers instead. Emily’s mother, Pam had family services called on her due to a little incident she had with Emily in front of the high school. Not to mention, Emily’s injuries are severely suss and it had the doctor asking a lot more questions about Emily’s life.

Ashley is still behaving weird and omitting the truth, she lied about not attending a show in New York with her colleagues. To Hanna’s dismay she also discovers a map of everyone who is connected to Wilden in the police office which included lines drawn to her friends and mother.

A sends a text to Aria saying “Cleaning up Rosewood, one mean mommy at a time. Dig we must.” As a result of all the drama lately and A targeting their mothers. Aria decides to encourage her own mother Ella (played by Holly Marie Combs) to take a holiday with the guy she has been dating.

As for Toby and Spencer they have been playing detective to figure out what really happened to Toby’s mother the day she died and by visiting Radley. The files about Toby’s mother and the window made the pair suspicious of whether it was a suicide or not.

The girls manage to find a mask with Melissa’s face which is just more evidence proving that she is very much involved. Besides that, this week’s episode was not overly exciting but I guess its slowly building the drama for something tragic occur once again. Toby says A preys on you when you’re at your weakest. What do you think A will do next?

Review by Jessica Tisdell

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REVIEW - The Borgias - SERIES FINALE - S03E10

In Micheletto’s continued absence Cesare relies on the sneaky Machiavelli as he plans his next move to carve out a Kingdom of his own and become a ‘Prince’. Forli will be taken by force and under Cesare's own terms. The problem is the Pope is not quite ready yet to hand over the reigns and has his own designs for his surviving son.

Catarina Sforza's busy little spies inform her that Rome’s army is descending on Forli. This, she thinks, gives her 10 days to bunker down and protect her domain. However, she has no idea that Cesare had already dispatched his French Army and she is surrounded. Will she surrender or go down in legend as a women who never backed down, even in the face of death and destruction.

The finale we have all been waiting for is here. Cesare is well and truly out of his father's shadow, the Pope managed to survive multiple poisonings and assassination attempts and Lucrezia leaves another fated marriage. As you would expect, loose ends are tied up but not all. There needs to be a thread or two to the next season, if there is to be one.

Season 3 did not disappoint and is another classic series to add to the Borgia box set.

Review by JoAnn Duff

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REVIEW - Teen Wolf - S03E04

Last week I was pretty unapologetic in my disappointment but I’m excited to say that this week Teen Wolf is back on track. “Unleashed” was a fun and enjoyable episode that reminded me of all the things that made me fall in love with this show in the first place.

This week on Teen Wolf, Stiles is on a mission to prove his theory about the virgin sacrifices and gains a little help along the way from Lydia and the mysterious town vet, Dr Deaton. Isaac, Allison and Scott team up against the alpha twins and Derek gets a visit from Deucalion, it’s not exactly a pleasant experience.

While it wasn’t my favourite episode it was so much better than last week that I can’t bring myself to care, besides there was a lot to love. We finally got some character development for the alpha twins, Ethan and Aiden, who have up until now been walking gimmicks. The interaction between Derek and Jennifer Blake, which felt forced in the previous episode, was actually kind of sweet. And the developing relationship between Allison and Isaac is only getting more and more intriguing.

 

There was still an excessive use of slow motion in the fight scenes, it’s like they have a new toy and they don’t know when to put it down, but as it was accompanied by an interesting storyline it didn’t bother me as much. I always love the classic horror homages, like the cold-open death, and Deucalion’s over the top villain’s speech was just kitsch enough to be fun.

The introduction of Druid and Celtic mythology broadens the scope of this series significantly. It also asks an intriguing question, who is this mysterious bad guy giving Druids a bad name and what is their connection to Lydia? All kinds of theories are speculating already, popular picks include Sassy Uncle Peter Hale and Gerard “MOUTIAN ASH” Argent. But the truth is at the moment it’s anyone’s game.

I am still rather disappointed by the treatment of Erica’s death (and Boyd’s trauma). I’m not the only one hoping for a little bit of closure but as the season is progressing at breakneck speed that much needed closure looking less and less likely. Then there’s the small issue of the increasing number of plot holes that I’m desperately hoping are actually part of a magnificent master plan but maybe I am expecting too much from this silly little MTV show about werewolves.

All in all this was an entertaining episode that perfect-showcased Teen Wolf’s ability to mesh the superficial teen years with seriously traumatic adult issues like PSD. As long as the rest of the rest season has more of that and less menacing growling I’ll be happy.

Review by Yvonne Popplewell

More of Yvonne’s work can be found at her blog.   

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Review : Devious Maids S01E01

Marc Cherry is best known for Desperate Housewives, and what better way to follow up with a similar style show but substitute housewives for latino maids and you have his new show pretty much down pat.

The show revolves around four maids working in Beverly Hills. Marisol (Ana Oritz - Ugly Betty) finds employment at the home of the Westmore's, an insecure newly married couple as their maid while also looking after the Delatour family whose maid is killed in the opening scene of the show (it is one of the most amusing things I have ever seen!)

Carmen (Roselyn Sanchez) starts working for Sam (Wolfe Parkes) and is trying her best to kick start her music career but must fight against the personal assistant to get her music noticed.

Mother and Daughter Zoila (Judy Reyes - Scrubs) and Valentina (Edy Ganem) work for a vein, pill addicted mother and son. Valentina is in love with the rich son, but Zoila is intent to convince her that nothing will come of this.

The four stories sort of all link in together, delivering what has been one of the best pilots of the mid season. If you loved Desperate Housewives you will love this show. This show has Marc Cherry all over it, and with Eva Longoria as executive producer a lot of the humour rings true to Housewives.

There is murder, humour, deception, suspense and a whole lot of drama that will keep fans on the edge of their seats in every minute of this show. If you like these kind of shows you will really love this one.

This is my pick for the summer's hottest show! Catch Devious Maids on Lifetime every Sunday.

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REVIEW - Burn Notice - S07E03

This week's episode certainly didn't disappoint, with all the action and suspense of an end-of-season cliffhanger. We are only three episodes into this final season, and already another complex, mystifying and suspenseful plot line beginning to unfold.

Sam and Jesse are incorporated into the CIA mission that Michael is working on in the Dominican Republic, and the audience are, I'm sure, welcoming this renewal of the kick-ass trio that is Michael, Sam and Jesse. This resurrecting of the trio however leads to Micheal pulling the guys into his problems, problems which results in moral conflict, particularly for Sam, as he chooses what is more important - his best friend, or innocent bystanders. There is, however, the gaping absence of Fi that feels like the elephant in the room as she is never mentioned, although, there hasn't yet been the need for a huge, spontaneous supply of C4.

Fi is still a big part of Maddie's life however, and when Maddie calls with trouble from Nate's old 'bookie', Fi resolves the problem in the way only she knows best - a big explosion. There is an all time first for Fi however as she lets Maddie press the button, which results in a priceless look of satisfaction plastered all over Maddie's face.

When Michael is again in a sticky situation (when is he ever not, right?), he uses that good old cunning and connection with his friends that makes everyone laugh and admire him at the same time. There is however the revealing of yet another mystery, but not the mystery itself, just the fact that there is one. This leads to one hell of a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting so much more.


All in all, this episode starts to feel like the good old days of the earlier seasons, with the more prominent roles of Sam and Jesse, and the absence of Michael's facial hair. There is however the missing of Fi, as well as the Miami landscape, and the lack of small subplots that used to be in each episode - Michael is no longer helping people, and in fact, does more killing than helping, which we all know is not Michael Weston's style at all. The reason for this however, is revealed in this episode.

Review by Emma Laarkamp

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