The Positively Positive

Elizabeth Mitchell and Joel Gretsch in V, season 1, episode 2 “There Is No Normal Anymore”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

This week’s episode of V was all about trust. In the beginning, Anna and the rest of the Visitors are seen trying to get diplomatic rights to visit the countries of Earth. This brings up trust for us an entire race. Would we allow beings from another planet to do what they did? Then again, why wouldn’t we if they offered everything the V’s are offering? It certainly makes you think.

Later in the episode, as I watched FBI agent Evans walk through her precinct and Father Landry go back to his church, I was again struck by the theme of trust. After what they’d seen, these two people knew that they could trust no one and we as the audience can’t either. At this point, literally anyone we don’t know too well could turn out to be a Visitor. The fact that Dale (played so wonderfully by Alan Tudyk) turned out to be a V in disguise, proved that.

Unlike the original series, so far we haven’t seen any of the V’s sneaking around in dumpsters eating mice. Yes it was a rather silly way of showing us who the V’s were but you have to admit, it was effective. When we saw someone, who we thought was human, snarf down a cute little mouse (tail and all), we knew immediately that they were a V.

Not so with the new 2009 update. It gives the series a cool sense of mystery and I will definitely be watching every character carefully to see if any are hiding scales.

Overall a good second episode of the series, setting up what could be some great storylines to come.

More V….

V, season 1, episode 1, “Pilot”

Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion in Castle, season 2, episode 8 “Kill The Messenger”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

I never liked mysteries as a kid, never read Nancy Drew, never watched mystery movies – none of that. So I had to wonder why it is that I am enjoying Castle so much. Then I realized that it’s that cast that I watch, not necessarily the mysteries that they solve. Take this group of people and plop them in a hospital, in a lawyer’s office, heck put them on a beach and I’d still want to watch.

From Castle and his family, to the group at the precinct, everyone in this cast is simply fun to watch. The more they interact, the more I like it.

Last night for instance I particularly enjoyed when Castle answered “not yet” and Beckett “not at all” when both were asked if they were involved. It reminded me so much of that other mystery solving duo so many years ago on a little show called Moonlighting. Yes, I’m aware the comparison has already been made, but I don’t care. Last night was the first time I saw it myself.

I also laughed my head off in an earlier scene where Castle was seated between detectives Esposito and Ryan as a bunch of cats crawled all over them and they sipped tea from pretty little cups.

But the best part about last night’s episode is that for one second it had me believing that a dotty old lady actually killed someone. Turned out it was her personal manservant but hey, I like surprises so I still enjoyed it.

Overall another great mystery tied up in the end with some good laughs and a touch of “will they/won’t they?” along the way.

More Castle…..

Castle, season 2, episode 3 “Inventing The Girl”

Castle, season 2, episode 4 “Fool Me Once”

Castle, season 2, episode 5 “When The Bough Breaks”

Castle, season 2, episode 6 “Vampire Weekend”

Morena Baccarin in V “Pliot”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

It’s been a while since I saw the original series of this show so I didn’t remember a lot other than the fact that the Visitors came and eventually The Resistance was formed against them. I wondered what kind of changes would be made from the original and what part of the story would be the same.

This new version of the series has been made very relevant to current times, with references to the economy and even terrorism. FBI agents begin tracking a terrorist cell that turns out to be a cell of Visitors who have been hiding in our midst for years. When one of the FBI agents turned out to be a Visitor I was so surprised that I gasped out loud.

I enjoyed getting to know the various characters, from a mother who is part of the Resistance, her son who is enamored with the “V’s”, to the Visitor who disagrees with his people and is rebelling, to the priest who finds himself joining the Resistance.

The acting and writing so far are superb and I find myself very much looking forward to this series now.Overall a very strong pilot to what looks to be a good show.

Nathan Fillion in Castle, season 2, episode 6 “Vampire Weekend”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

As a diehard Browncoat (a fan of the show Firely), last night’s episode started out with what will probably be the best scene ever for me on this show. Castle comes out in his costume and is asked by his daughter what he’s supposed to be. He replies a “space cowboy” to which she tells him there’s no such thing and didn’t he wear it five years ago? He says he likes it and she tells him to get over it already.

I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe, for we all know that Alexis’ comments were not directed at her father (even though Nathan did of course play the famous Captain Mal Reynolds on the show) so much as they were to us, the Browncoats.

Get over it? Nah! Never happen.

The rest of the episode was a typical murder mystery with lots of Halloween twists as they first discover the body of a “vampire” and then a “werewolf”. Along the way, pumpkins are carved, more costumes are worn and there is even some family drama as Alexis’ friend imbibes at a party. One of my favorite moments of the night came when Castle got to be the great dad that he is by picking them both up, no questions asked, and taking care of the girl before her parents arrived.

I waited in anticipation for the final scene, knowing we’d see some more cool outfits. Castle had on a great Edgar Allen Poe (one of my personal favorite authors) costume, but it was Beckett who stole the spotlight. Showing up in an overcoat, she begins to unbutton it as Castle eagerly awaits to see what’s underneath. What can only be described as a frog-like alien pops up and it wasn’t just he who jumped at the gag, it gave me a fright too.

Overall an awesome Halloween episode that allowed us Browncoats to have a little laugh at ourselves before moving on to loads more Halloween fun.

More Castle….

Castle, season 2, episode 3 “Inventing The Girl”

Castle, season 2, episode 4 “Fool Me Once”

Castle, season 2, episode 5 “When The Bough Breaks”

John Cho and Joseph Fiennes in FlashForward, season 1, episode 4 “Black Swan”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

I’m still getting used to this show so I haven’t been reviewing it as much as some of the other shows I’ve been watching. This week’s episode had a lot of interesting stuff in it so I felt compelled to come up here and say something about it.

First off I am really enjoying what they’re doing with the music. Not only does the music help to tell the story, but the unique song choices are anything but boring. In the opening sequence we see yet another person’s story of what happened during the flashforward, all played out with Bjork’s “Oh So Quiet” in the background. On its own this song is very interesting, but paired with the eerie scenes of death and destruction it takes on a whole new meaning.

I also liked how the chase through the trailer park happened to the tune of a saxophone being played by a man on the steps of his small home.

It’s little touches like these which make me realize how much I am enjoying this show. We are delving further and further into the mystery and as we do so, we see more of what happened without really seeing why.

Ned’s storyline was fascinating to me as I thought for a minute there he actually was going to die and if he did, would that prove that people’s visions could be wrong? I’m sure I’m not the only one hoping  (along with the characters) that a few of the visions won’t come true – from Agent Benford’s marriage falling apart to Agent Noh’s death. But as Ned lived I guess we’ll have to wait and see if anyone can actually change their future.

I for one will be sticking with this show to find out.