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Category Archives: TV-G[eek]
Sunday Morning Sidewalk #39
Spoilers
“Open Casket”
That insect coming out of the mouth of that little dead kitten…. that was horrifying.
The second episode of The Haunting of Hill House was all about death and the after effects for those who were left behind.
Grief is a powerful emotion and this episode really shows the realistic ways people grieve, all mixed with the strange supernatural goings-on surrounding this family.
With Nellie’s suicide being the backdrop of the storytelling, the episode’s focus was on Shirley and her own problems. Shirley insists on preparing Nellie’s body for the funeral, something that everyone around her feels is a bd idea. We get flashbacks to the Hill House when Shirley discovered a group of deserted kittens and tried to help them. However, the kittens were sick and ended up dying (except for the last one, which was taken away by her parents).
We saw several moments when dealing with death, particularly with the idea of an open casket. I have to say that I, personally, hate open caskets. They kept referring to “fixing” the body, but I have never seen an open casket where the body seemed right.
I thought this episode was strong, but I would be lying if I said that the non-linear storytelling isn’t difficult to follow still. I am still trying to understand who is who during these moments. It felt a little better this week, but I know that I was more into the present storyline than I was with the flashbacks because of that.
When that insect crawled out of that kitten’s mouth…. man, that caught me totally off guard.
The Haunting of Hill House is on Netflix.
Gen V S2 E7
Spoilers
“Hell Week”
The penultimate episode for season two of Gen V brought the goods and the answers to a couple of major mysteries of the season.
In particular, we discover who the old man being held by Cipher was… and it was Thomas Godolkin. However, there was more to it than just that. Marie healed the old man, and then we discovered that Godolkin was using Cipher as a puppet. Turned out Cipher was actually some schlub named Doug.
Now, Godolkin is all better and out, ready to wipe out those supes who are not worth the time.
Marie, it seems, has made some poor choices moving forward. Her attempt at “protecting” her friends led her to using her powers against them. As she is becoming more powerful, it feels as if Marie is becoming more of a jerk. Is that just the way all powerful heroes are in this world?
This episode seemed to be quick, but it was impactful, with Cipher taking on Polarity and some of the other heroes.
Everything is set up for one banger of a finale next week, leading into the final season of the Boys.
FYC: Best Picture Update
Only Murders in the Building S5 E8
Spoilers
“Cuckoo Chicks”
It’s Ladies’ Night on Only Murder in the Building and the mystery gets a new twist.
Mabel, Loretta (back from waiting with a delay at the airport) and Williams went to a “Ladies’Night” at the secret room in the Arconia in an attempt to figure out what happened and to get a confession out of Camila White.
Meanwhile Charles and Oliver went above ground in an attempt to convince their neighbors not to sell their apartments to Camila. At 49%, Camila only needed one more apartment to set her casino plan into motion.
However, none of those things work out.
Thank heavens for Loretta and her “psychic” abilities. She got a ton of info from Camila, via flashbacks in an intriguing format, that helped point to some new facts.
And Lester’s wife, Lorraine joined in and picked out a major clue from the, admittedly small, clue box. It led to a video of our new suspect, Randall, the new doorman. The video showed Randall picking up the bloody elevator crank, which Loretta discovered in Nicky’s office, and taking off.
Meanwhile, Oliver and Charles have a therapy session in their attempt to convince therapist and neighbor Dr. Stanley. After some deep character introspection, they were able to convince him not to sell. Sadly, it was too late as escro closed at 12 and it was 12:15.
Camila has the 51% she needs, so what is heading for the final couple of episodes? I don’t know, but I do love this series. It always keeps you guessing. This week we have a bunch of Oscar winners plying their trade together (four Oscar winning actresses).
Bonus Action Vol. 3 E2
I have not had a chance to watch this yet, but I figured I would get it posted.
Sha Na Na S1 E8, E9, E10
I feel like I need to mention this every episode of this show… I hate the canned laughter and canned cheers. They really do not make the show more enjoyable.
Second, the comedy bits are just not good. Episode 10 did something different, which I liked a lot. They did a Sha Na Na dance contest on the main stage and they, supposedly, grabbed three women from the audience to dance with Donny, Denny, and Santini. I don’t know how real this was, but the winner was chosen by the audience and was definitely the best of the three.
Edgar Bergen was in episode 8, but barely appeared. I also did not remember how much Edgar Bergen moved his mouth when doing his ventriloquist act.
Episode 9 & 10 featured actual musical acts in guests with Jim Stafford and Theresa Brewer. These were so much better than the comedians that they have had before. Both did a song with Sha Na Na and it was entertaining.
In episode 8, Jane Dulo, who played the woman in the window, yelled down to Denny that his father “worked like a slave.” That shocked me and it was never referenced, but I can’t believe someone didn’t notice that comment.
Denny got a couple of songs in these episodes with “The Lover’s Question” and a intro to “Jailhouse Rock.” Screamin’ Scott was featured on “Splish Splash” and “Rock and Roll is Here to Stay.” Johnny did several of the final songs of these episodes. I still like how they moved lead singers around. Jocko got to do “Chantilly Lace” as well.
Sunday Morning Sidewalk #38
Spoilers
The Haunting of Hill House
“Steven Sees a Ghost”
The ending of this first episode gave me chills.
We start a new series this week for the Sunday Morning Sidewalk, and, in honor of the creepy season, I chose The Haunting of Hill House.
What a great start to this series.
I have to say, I think this series does an admirable job of introducing these characters to the viewers. With so many major characters, it can be difficult to know who is who. Then, not only do we met these people in the present day, but also in flashbacks to the time they lived in Hill House. It could easily be very confusing, but I have to say that the show did a solid job of connecting the characters from the past and the present. It did require my attention though.
The show does an especially good job with Steven, as we see him both as a young boy, the oldest of the kids and his protective nature, and an older man, skeptical and struggling.
Then, Nell and the moment at the end was an amazing shock. When Nell stood in that apartment staring blankly at Steven, I knew what was going on (I mean, when you title the episode “Steven Sees a Ghost” and he hasn’t up to this point, well, it is not rocket science), but it did not make it any less impactful.
The middle two girls are the characters that I got the least from during this episode, and I hope they will come into focus more are the series progresses. Luke is a fascinating character and I feel like I have a good grasp on him even with the limited amount of screen time he received.
The father has clearly been affected dramatically and I feel as if we are going to dive deeper into the mother’s suicide in Hill House.
I am intrigued by the mysterious events that the show has introduced to us and, with the mind of writer-director Mike Flanagan, who also was the force behind Doctor Sleep, Gerald’s Game, and The Life of Chuck, I believe this could lead to something special.
This series is loosely based on the novel of the same name from 1959 by Shirley Jackson.
Peacemaker S2 E8
Spoilers
“Full Nelson”
After seven successful episodes, the finale of season two of Peacemaker felt a little flat.
Episode seven was sensational. Episode eight just felt like a lot of wrap up/falling action. We get some flashbacks to Chris and Harcourt’s relationship, but none of those had as much energy as some of the other scenes.
The whole Chris depression angle was over quickly. He wanted to be left in jail. Then, when he was bailed out, he was going to leave town. Soon, the 11th Street Kids found him and talked him into working together.
The whole crew got together to set up an organization, which also included Judomaster and Agent Langston Fleury and Sasha Bordeaux. Now, there are no real reasons why Judomaster and Fleury join up with the 11th Street Kids. Sasha was at least shown to have lost her belief in Flagg.
Flagg used the door Chris had given him to find a planet to use as a prison. He found the planet of Salvation, which is tied to Darkseid in a way. I am not that familiar with DC Comics material like I am with Marvel, when Chris is stranded by Flagg Sr. in a moment of pure revenge, it looks like something that will be major in the DCU.
The finale was not what I was expecting and I was a little disappointed. James Gunn had mentioned a big cameo and I am not sure what that was (maybe it was the planet Salvation). This did not feel like a finale of a series. It does feel like this set up for future stuff instead of a conclusion for season two.
Gen V S2 E6
Spoilers
“Cooking Lessons”
The latest episode of Gen V was just slowly moving along… and then…
There was Giancarlo Esposito.
We haven’t seen Stan Edgar in awhile and there he, and his tentacled-mouth granddaughter, was rescuing Marie and her friends.
With only two episodes left, there are a bunch of things dropped this week sending things rushing towards the finale.
What we learned:
- Marie and Homelander were the only two survivors of the Odessa Program.
- The show basically confirmed that the old man in Cipher’s house is Thomas Godolkin.
- Annabeth is a supe, though she does not know when it happened.
- Polarity had a big conflict with Cipher. It seemed like Cipher had complete control, but Polarity got the upper hand.
- Cipher tells Polarity that his plan is to weed out the weak Supes, saving only the strong ones. He expects to have 25% of God U.
- Cate asked Marie to fix her powers.
Things do feel like they are on the fast track right now. I did love seeing Giancarlo Esposito once again.
Bonus Action Vol. 3 E1
“The Final Lockdown”
The role playing troop returns to YouTube with their third volume (“season”) of their game. The pReview’d boys, Jay Schmidt and Adam Lash, who have been reacting to shows and movies for the last few years, brought their gaming group for two seasons of playing Dungeons & Dragons to YouTube.
However, season three is now different as they have a sponsor. Their new sponsor is Darrington Press, and they announced that they would be starting a new role-playing game. Instead of D & D, this season, they are playing in the Daggerheart system.
They are all learning the new system and it is an exciting new challenge for the group who are so enjoyable with their characters and their skilled playing of these characters.
Along with the pReview’d boys, the other players include the Game master David Armstrong, and players Amanda Nichols, Ja-Ron Young, Josh Hurley, and Jason Spina.
This has always been so fun and I am looking forward to the rest of this season.
Only Murders in the Building S5 E7
Spoilers
“Silver Alert”
I can’t believe this season of Murders in the Building is up to episode seven already. It has gone very quickly and it has been fabulous.
We returned to the billionaires as suspects as Oliver, Charles and Mabel got a tip from the Mayor (Keegan-Michael Key) who dropped a hint about Bash Steed.
The episode kicked off by seeing Oliver seemingly confused and scared, coming up to an unknown couple in a country area. There had been a silver alert sent out about a man with a purple scarf.
It was a weird beginning, but it made total sense later after we went back over the events that happened leading up to this.
Our podcasters arrived at Bash Steed’s mansion and met his oddball son. Oliver’s belief that everything was like a horror film made this all the funnier and would lead to his deserting of the case.
They found Bash Steed, Camila White, and Jay Pflug playing Operation, which was strange. Apparently, they play games to challenge each other and take out their frustrations.
They split up again, and Charles’s interactions with Bash were sensational. Steve Martin and Christoph Waltz have amazing chemistry with each other and they bounced the dialogue off each other brilliantly.
Charles and Mabel are able to recover the finger, which was what the billionaires were playing for. Turned out that it was about who would get to have the casino bid. Jay told Mabel that the finger was more dangerous than she knew.
Great cliffhanger too as we learn that Camila White was the person who had made the offer for Oliver’s apartment because she wanted to turn the Arconia into the casino.
This was a fabulous episode and it was excellent seeing the three back together facing off with the three billionaires once again.
Sha Na Na S1 E6, E7
I watched two more episodes of Sha Na Na on YouTube tonight and it has become apparent that the first season of this show had the same strength and weaknesses in them.
Strengths: The songs are great. Specifically, the songs the group does on the stage in front of the studio audience. Donny did a cool rendition of “Come and Go With Me” and led the singing in “Rock Around the Clock.” Johnny, whose voice is so heavenly, did “Teen Angel” and gives an epic sob in the middle. Then, one of the best street songs so far was “Breakin’ Up is Hard to Do” with Donny and Chico taking the main part of the song. This was one of the better choreographed songs so far. Great basketball pass at the end of the song from Santini too.
Weaknesses: Comedy. The comedy on the show just feels too forced. I hate the crowd noises they add because there are several times where it just intrudes on the song. In the comedy song bit “Along Came Jones” the can laughter and applause made it hard to hear the song. Pamela Myers’s acting in this song was atrocious (though she was a Tony-nominated actress). I do not think I have laughed once with the back stage skits from Kenneth Mars, Philip Roth or Jane Dulo. At least Avery Schreiber’s cab driver character has a few laughs.
Two comedians were the guest stars on these episodes with Charles Nelson Reilly and Phyllis Diller. Both had some good moments. I am a big fan of CNR, especially during his days on the Match Game, which he referenced in the episode.
I remember being a fan of Lennie Baker as a child. Being a chubby kid, I related to Lennie. I have to say though, watching him do his background dancing is always funny. Lennie has a tremendous voice though.
I have really enjoyed the musical parts of these shows so far, but the rest have been a bit of a trudge to get through. The music is absolutely the stand out from these talented musicians.
Sunday Morning Sidewalk #37
Spoilers
“Full Circle”
Our fifth series for the Sunday Morning Sidewalk ended today with the tenth and final episode of HBO’s Lovecraft Country.
I wonder what H.P. Lovecraft would have thought about this series?
I did not see the ending of this show coming. I was very surprised with the death of Atticus in that ceremony, and the victory at the end, bonding Christina from using magic… and all white people… was a cool end.
I especially liked the use of Ji-ah in the finale. I have been wondering the purpose of this character for much of the series and to have that pay off in such a meaningful way makes me feel positive.
Of course, we had the best scene of the series in this episode too. Atticus, Leti, Montrose, Ji-ah, Hippolyta, and Diana were in the car, driving to Ardham, when the song “Sh-Boom” comes on the radio. Diana starts to sing along with the song and, before too long, the entire carload was joining in. It was my favorite moment of the series, giving us a flash of innocence and joy before the final spell.
Couple of things: Ruby’s death off-screen was a bit of a waste, I think, just for the surprise twist of Christina being one step ahead. Then, I am not sure how I feel about Diana crushing Christina’s throat with her bionic arm at the very end.
There felt to be a bunch of dangling threads or things that happened over the course of the show that felt insignificant. Why did Hippolyta have to go on her adventure through time?
Lovecraft Country, for me, was very up and down. Some weeks the show was tremendous, but I do think it lacked a comprehensive vision of what story they wanted to tell. It had some real highs and some lows too, all capsulized in this final epsiode.
Next week, in honor of the month of Halloween, we start the sixth series in the Sunday Morning Sidewalk. It will be Netflix’s series, The Haunting of Hill House.
Gen V S2 E5
Spoilers
“The Kids Are Not All Right”
Another rough Gen V episode as Marie, Emma, and Jordan went to try and break Cate out of Elmira after she was being punished for the plan from last episode. Their attempt was not successful, but they found more than they anticipated.
Annabeth. Marie’s missing sister.
Annabeth is a pawn for Cipher, and he is trying to turn Marie into the “salvation,” as he said. During their escape, Marie found Annabeth in a pool of blood, and she was able to use her powers to bring her back. That was a stunning moment and we’ll have to see where this goes from there.
Sister Sage made her appearance here, in a shocking flashback. She showed up with Cipher and they had sex in front of his burnt up father. What is Sister Sage’s plans and how will these affect the final season of the Boys. Is she going to be in Gen V season two more?
We get some good scenes with Sam and his parents. We discover that Sam’s mental illness predated the Compound V.
Cipher is a shockingly evil character that has some dark secret waiting for us. When he plunged that knife into his own hand in front of Andre’s dad, it was an unbelievable moment. He is absolutely someone I want to see come down.
EYG- Embrace Your Geekness 