‘Don’t let the World spoil you’ – Lori (The Walking Dead)

If I could pick one word to sum up episode 4 of season 3 of The Walking Dead I would chose traumatic; because for me the entire episode had me on edge. This episode combined both the group in the prison, and the group in the town…it focused predominantly on emotions, however still contained a fair amount of zombie action. It was the second half of this episode that particularly got to me; the first half I guess was meant to be a little sentimental, showing that the world can still be a safe place. Inevitably though the zombies come and the World goes to shit again, but we as the audience are warned of this impending doom in the opening scenes of this episode (where we see an unknown person open the gates and welcome the zombies in). It is an attempt to keep the audience on edge, which if I’m honest I didn’t find particularly shocking…after all watching The Walking Dead we know that eventually the zombies will ruin it. So it’s the second half of the episode that we see the zombies over-run the prison, and suddenly no-one is safe and the group scatter. It is during this separation that we see Lori say the lines from the title of this piece, she has gone into labour and it’s all gone wrong. She is aware of her impending death and offers words of advice to her son…just before she is sliced up and shot (this is not recommended for those of you who are squeamish, I was gagging at this point). Whilst the divide has happened all the characters are in danger and some get killed, eaten and go missing- this is an interesting set up for which I will be interested to see how the characters develop after this crisis. I enjoyed this episode however, after the last episode with the focus on the town I expected to see more action from both sets of stories. Even though this episode did show the town and the Governor, it wasn’t particularly memorable, as once again the focus is back on to Rick and the prison…this was a little disappointing to me as I would like to see the focus to be on both stories rather than predominantly focussing on one or the other.  

‘Not to worry Jack you won’t be lonesome long’ - Emerson Hauser (Alcatraz)

The final words of Emerson Hauser as the pilot episode of Alcatraz comes to end…and all I’m left with is one question, what the fuck?! I have just watched the first episode of Alcatraz and somehow am left wondering what the hell is going on, I’m already questioning the characters and their motives, who is good and who is bad. The most intriguing character for me was Hauser, my opinion of him kept changing throughout the episode; first I thought he seemed like an idiot, then like he had something to hide, then I felt like he was a good ally to main character Rebecca Madsen, and then this his closing line made me feel like he has something to hide. I am intrigued by this series, I felt like this pilot was kind of all over the place…yet it still had my attention. To me it seems like a mix between prison break and CSI, a new crime/ prisoner to hunt down each week, all with a back story, all linking back to the Alcatraz prison. The series also has an interesting cast; the guy from Jurassic Park, the girl (not Kiera Knightly) from Bend it Like Beckham, and the fat guy from Lost, they all team up to hunt down the missing prisoners of Alcatraz. This series seems to have an interesting story with a lot of scope; there are many routes which the writers can take with each of the characters. Because of all the characters and the story so far, I will be interested to see where the series takes us, and for that reason I will continue to watch Alcatraz.

‘You’re a dirty little whore and I’m going to send you home to your parents covered in cum’ ‘oh don’t do that they are gonna be so angry’ - Adam and Hannah (Girls)

The title of this piece comes from the opening scene of season 1 episode 2, where naturally as normal for their characters Adam and Hannah are having the most awkward sex I think I have ever seen. I have never watched something and felt so uncomfortable as I have whilst watching this new (what I assume is meant to be a comedy) show from HBO. Its so awkward yet its hilarious…every time I have seen Adam and Hannah have sex its been awful, she is so matter of fact, and he is so in his own world that the pairing is just bizarre and so is there sex life. I think by far Hannah is my favourite character from this series, she is so open and awkward that she just simply makes me laugh…especially in the opening scene of this title. I started watching the girls at about 11 o’clock last night and I only have 3 episodes of this series left, its highly addictive and highly amusing…its Sex and the City but with real people, its not glamorous, its how living in New York would actually be. Ironically one of the characters Shoshanna is obsessed with Sex and the City and compares her life and her friends to each of the characters. 

The Girls explores the lives of 4 different women in their early 20s; I have already discussed the awkwardness of Hannah, her best friends are perfect Marnie, wild Jessa, and Jessa’s cousin Shoshanna. The series thus far has seen Marnie struggle with her boyfriend of 4 years, whom she is no longer attracted to and has started to see him as an uncle. Jessa going for an abortion, arriving late for everything, and having a sexual attraction with her boss. Shoshanna attempting to loose her virginity and become an adult. And as for Hannah, she’s in a weird relationship, her parents have cut her off, and she’s being sexually assaulted by her new boss. The thing I like most about this series is that the characters are relatable in situations that I can imagine being in, they are realistic and represent what life would actually be like living in New York in your early 20s. I had this series recommended to me, and I can see why, for anyone who hasn’t yet experienced HBO’s controversial new show Girls I would recommend you get yourself in front of the TV and watch it, I’m sure you will become as engrossed as I have…and lets just hope and pray for a second season!!

‘Now, how’s about a hug for your old pal Merle’- Merle Dixon (The Walking Dead)

So episode 3 of the Walking Dead and interestingly there seems to be a strikingly less amount of action and zombie over kill than the previous 2 episodes, and yup as the title suggests they have brought back Merle. This episode focuses predominantly on Andrea and Michonne with no appearance from Rick and his gang of zombie beaters. This episode was particularly intriguing as it focussed more on plot progression and introduced new characters to us, the most obvious of which is the character of the Governor. What is most interesting about this character for me is that we meet him with Andrea and Michonne, and much like them at first we don’t trust him, why would we he’s a stranger who is seemingly hanging around with a rough crowd (particularly with the re-introduction of Merle, who we know is bad). But as the episode progresses I for one was more on Andrea’s side slowly warming to this new character that has provided a safe haven and built a town of survivors. For me that was what was so brutally shocking when he gave orders to kill innocent men who were not yet infected with the curse. I shouted at the television set as they brutally gunned down and murdered men who were about to trust them. What was most infuriating for me though is the fact that the towns people have no idea…the only one who seemingly suspects the Governor id Michonne and he has somehow managed to drive a wedge between her and Andrea. I have enjoyed this season so far as the two plots working in parallel with each other seems to work well, it suggests that maybe Rick and his team may at some point cross tracks with Andrea and the town in which she’s living. This is particularly evident with Merle in search for his brother Daryl, whom the Governor also seems interested in. Although this episode didn’t particularly show as much gore as the previous episodes of this series, it was my favourite so far as it shows that there is room for progression of characters, and I will be interested to see where the story is going from this point…quote simply I want to know more about the Governor and what on earth he plans to do with those heads! (Watch the episode you will see what I mean!!) 

‘Remember who you are trust your instincts and nothing else’ - Marie Kessler (Grimm)

The dying words of an old lady with a secret, this is how episode 2 of season 1 of Grimm ends. After having watched Once Upon a Time, I decided to watch Grimm and see how the two compare…having watched two episodes of Grimm I think it is safe to say the two are not comparable, although they both focus on a fairy tale theme both programmes do this in very different ways (see my previous blog on Once Upon a Time for comparison). Grimm is set in modern day and focuses on a police officer who has just discovered he is a Grimm, an ancestor from the brothers Grimm who wrote fairy tales to explain the real life danger of the monsters they see. The first episode focuses on the big bad wolf, and the second on the three bears, this program is a mixture of crime and fantasy and has me on edge all the way through with its almost horror like element. The creatures aren't particularly impressive, but I was still scared of them…for me the most horrific element is that only a Grimm can see them, it plants the idea that these creatures could actually exist, this combined with its crime genre sets up for some very tense viewing. Whilst watching these couple of episodes I was trying to think what it reminded me of, Grimm for me is an up to date remaking of Buffy the Vampire Slayer- and who doesn't want that! I will definitely continue watching season 1 to see where the story takes us.

'The world is about to end and we are all standing around having a fucking conversation' - Carrie Mathison (Homeland)

So I have finally watched the last few episodes of Homeland season 1, all the build up of a big terrorist attack, and surprise, surprise nothing happened. That is not to say that the episodes weren't interesting, I fact I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Brody was going to bow up the Vice President…I think I was more on edge about how it was going to look, after Brody’s detailed description of his body being obliterated but his head remaining in tact. Aside from the immanent assassination of the Vice President, our other main character, Carrie is having a mental breakdown after being taken out by a bomb on a mission that turned sour. Carrie is in hospital and therefore away from her meds, Saul visits her everyday, and after her release begins to recognise her illness. Carrie under strict orders is told by her sister to relax, and predictably goes against this and continues to work…this is ultimately her downfall as now everyone recognises her lies, and no-one, not even Saul believe what she’s saying (hence the title of this piece). 

The last few episodes of Homeland were if I’m honest a bit of a disappointment to me, I was expecting a big explosion and the department to be in disarray as they try and work out what happened. I accept that if they kill off Brody in a suicide bomb, the series would pretty much end but surely a man like Nazir would have other plans if the first should fail. I also found it hard to believe that Nazir would just let Brody get away with not following the plan, however I can see from a scriptwriter’s point of view how this will allow the story to progress. Another point of frustration for me was Carrie piecing everything together just before she underwent shock therapy, I think this was meant as a cliff hanger for the next season, but I don’t think it was particularly well executed as it should have ended on this, but the program somehow seemed to continue for a little longer. I have to say, as much as I’m complaining about details, the final episode was two hours long, but did not feel like this at all. The whole episode I was in anticipation of what was about to happen, and although the story predictably didn’t flow the way I wanted it to, it still had my full attention. For this reason and many more I will continue to watch Homeland, and intend to fully catch up with season 2. 

'Then get used to living in a brothel because hookers and bangers are gonna be your only family' Jax (SOA)

Season 5 episode 8 follows on after Gemma has crashed into a tree with the two boys in the car and the Sons were attacked at roadside. The episode follows Jax and the Sons trying to discover who attacked them, and most importantly to Jax who attacked his family. Although this episode was not particularly striking, as unlike most other episodes of sons this did not have anything horrific that I had to turn away for, however it still had me hooked. This episode should have been titled vengeance, as it follows Jax getting slowly more ruthless and out of control, in an attempt to re-gain control of the club. With Clay trying to sabotage Jax’s reign and take the gavel for himself, Juice being threatened as being declared a rat, the death of the nomads, and the inevitable death of Tigs, I can’t help but wonder if anyone will be left at the Sons of Anarchy table by the end of this season. This episode suggests that Jax has finally found a way to take down Clay; through the prostitution of his mother, he will get Clay to pass on all his little secrets. The final line of the episode is where this piece takes its title from, Jax is offering Gemma an ultimatum, family or nothing. It is the first point in the series where I have had a sense that Jax is really in control, but I can’t help but ask at what cost. He seems a shadow of his former self, and you can see that shit is about to go down- series 5 just got really interesting.

'Where every story book character you have ever known is trapped between two worlds' - Once Upon a Time

This past week I have dedicated my time into watching all of season one of ABC’s Once Upon a Time. Yet I have put off writing this review for some days now…this is mainly because although I watched the episodes back to back (almost additively  I have almost nothing to say on the series. Firstly I should explain what the program is about, in fact the key purpose of the plot is summarised in the title of this piece; it is a modern twist on the fairy tale where the evil queen has cursed all the characters to forget ho they are and to live in our world. The two plots are cleverly intertwined with each other and give a real unique modern day twist on the traditional fairy-tales  As each character develops you see how each of their lives combine in both the story book world and our world. The show itself is relatively harmless and easy to watch, I do not feel any particular attraction to any of the characters, but equally I do not strongly dislike any of them. This is the type of thing that you would sit down and watch on a lazy Sunday morning. As I write this I find myself asking why I became so addicted to it, as much as it pains me to say it I saw the show almost as a soap opera, you know the characters and your invested in their lives (because of childhood memories not the way they are portrayed in this series!). It was the familiarity of the program that I enjoyed, however I do think it could be made more interesting by being a little darker. I would be interested to see how this show compares to NBC’s Grimm which I am intent on watching next. All I can say about Once Upon a Time is that it has made me realise (once more) the appeal to fairytales…and although not a particularly gripping show I will continue to watch and see what season 2 has in store for me.