'notha TV post
So I caught Sherlock yesterday, being a fan of Moffat's writing on Who I had to give it a shot. I generally really like the series - I think the cinematography is great, the performances are stellar, the dynamic between John and Sherlock is pitch perfect, and the writing and dialogue are good. So yeah, I really do like it overall. There are a few things stopping me from loving it, though.
+ First episode was a fantastic introduction to Sherlock and Watson. Cumberbatch and Freeman's portrayals won me over completely. But there were few ladies and what we saw of them was kind of problematic. The case revolved around a dead woman -- common enough in procedural shows but still not a trope I like. Sherlock made a point of Dead Woman being clever and all that's fine, but still. As for the women who were alive, Sally in particular made me cringe - she was generally treated with derision, but particularly the scene where she gets called out in a derogatory way for her sexual relationship with Anderson(?). I know Sherlock's a bastard and that's who he is -- I think that's fine, and mostly entertaining. But his is one of the only perspectives we get, so yeah, wasn't happy with that scene. Then there's subservient Mrs. Hudson (despite lip service to the contrary) and pining Molly set up as a joke... IDK, IDK. The mysterious chick working for Holmes' brother was kind of cool but not much of a character.
+ Second episode did a little better with females. I really liked Sarah, and Soo Lin was competent, though of course she died. The plot, though? Seriously cringeworthy and disappointing from the very beginning. Definitely not a fan of playing up the ~exotic mystical Chinese culture and evil Oriental gang stereotypes. It was gimmicky, lazy, and most of all offensive.
Swinging back to the main characters, John wasn't really well-matched with Sherlock this week, skills-wise, and it bothered me because he's my fave and I want to see him more competent with less screwing up to serve the plot. Gives me Arthur flashbacks. *pets them both*
Both eps failed Bechdel spectacularly. :/ Me being me, I need decent female characters in my genre shows, certainly before I even think about seeking out a fandom for them. Sorry Moff, that was weaksauce. I'll watch the final episode if only to round things off, but I'm much more looking forward to that Who Christmas special. ;-)
True Blood remains crazy but there were some definite bright spots for me this week.
+TARAAAAAA. She is so BAMF I can't take it. I can't. Take it. Especially compared to Sookie who mostly did a lot of screaming. (this is not to trash Sooks, I've always loved her -- but she's not been the most effectual this season. Neither was Tara before last week. It's kind of a running problem with all the women this season). ANYWAY. TARA. She broke my heart and was so brave after having been through such a nightmare. Also, I'm shipping her with Alcide like nobody's business.
+ So Sookie's a fairy. ...Okay I guess? I hadn't read the books but I've been sort of spoiled on that point. I'm vaguely interested in that other fairy's warning about Bill, and just generally wanting to find out whether Sookie gains control of her powers and whatnot. But it's not the most super-interesting thing going on right now.
+ I'm still annoyed at the revisionist bullshit they pulled with Sophie Ann/Eric, and it made me really mad seeing her in that cage. On the other hand, HOW IS SHE SO GORGEOUS/FABULOUS/ETC. No really, she's kind of mesmerizing. Also, I love her and Hadley so much. Sophie Ann confides in her, and it looked like her heart was breaking when Eric tortured her. Screw Eric, though. ugh. except for when he's around Pam.
That's all I've got. Love Lafayette as usual. It was good to see Pam. And I was glad to see Sookie freaked out by Bill - made total sense given what he did. Tara's reactions to Bill were awesome too.
Finally, Mad Men 4x02.
+ LOL, I never wanted to see Glenn on my screen again. Poor Sally. See Don, this is what happens when you don't come home for Christmas, your daughter starts to crush on junior creepers who call her house in the middle of the damn night. Also, I love Sally Draper you guys.
+ Speaking of Don, how pathetic is his life right now. That he's continually turned down and viewed as pitiful by smart competent women he would've had no trouble getting with before is a clear sign by the show that he's hitting bottom. It's weird though, seeing him with ZERO game, lol. I had to cringe when Joey called him pathetic after he forgot his keys, but I cringed even more when he moved in on the secretary. There was a moment where I thought they were moving into trigger territory. It's just ... endlessly gross the way he behaves sometimes. Ugh, what a mess.
+ Peggy is still fascinating and awesome and kind of heartbreaking. They're doing a good job showing all the casual bullshit she has to put up with just to work there as a copywriter, and balance that with her personal life in terms of others' expectations as well as her own. I enjoyed her interactions with Freddy immensely.
Also: "I want to be your first." LOOOOOOOOOOOOL. LOL. LOLOLOLOL. You silly tiny man.
+ Joan and Roger still have ridiculous chemistry and need to dump their loser spouses. I'm excited for next week because it looks like Joan's going to have quite a bit to do. :D
crossposted like yeah |
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+ First episode was a fantastic introduction to Sherlock and Watson. Cumberbatch and Freeman's portrayals won me over completely. But there were few ladies and what we saw of them was kind of problematic. The case revolved around a dead woman -- common enough in procedural shows but still not a trope I like. Sherlock made a point of Dead Woman being clever and all that's fine, but still. As for the women who were alive, Sally in particular made me cringe - she was generally treated with derision, but particularly the scene where she gets called out in a derogatory way for her sexual relationship with Anderson(?). I know Sherlock's a bastard and that's who he is -- I think that's fine, and mostly entertaining. But his is one of the only perspectives we get, so yeah, wasn't happy with that scene. Then there's subservient Mrs. Hudson (despite lip service to the contrary) and pining Molly set up as a joke... IDK, IDK. The mysterious chick working for Holmes' brother was kind of cool but not much of a character.
+ Second episode did a little better with females. I really liked Sarah, and Soo Lin was competent, though of course she died. The plot, though? Seriously cringeworthy and disappointing from the very beginning. Definitely not a fan of playing up the ~exotic mystical Chinese culture and evil Oriental gang stereotypes. It was gimmicky, lazy, and most of all offensive.
Swinging back to the main characters, John wasn't really well-matched with Sherlock this week, skills-wise, and it bothered me because he's my fave and I want to see him more competent with less screwing up to serve the plot. Gives me Arthur flashbacks. *pets them both*
Both eps failed Bechdel spectacularly. :/ Me being me, I need decent female characters in my genre shows, certainly before I even think about seeking out a fandom for them. Sorry Moff, that was weaksauce. I'll watch the final episode if only to round things off, but I'm much more looking forward to that Who Christmas special. ;-)
True Blood remains crazy but there were some definite bright spots for me this week.
+TARAAAAAA. She is so BAMF I can't take it. I can't. Take it. Especially compared to Sookie who mostly did a lot of screaming. (this is not to trash Sooks, I've always loved her -- but she's not been the most effectual this season. Neither was Tara before last week. It's kind of a running problem with all the women this season). ANYWAY. TARA. She broke my heart and was so brave after having been through such a nightmare. Also, I'm shipping her with Alcide like nobody's business.
+ So Sookie's a fairy. ...Okay I guess? I hadn't read the books but I've been sort of spoiled on that point. I'm vaguely interested in that other fairy's warning about Bill, and just generally wanting to find out whether Sookie gains control of her powers and whatnot. But it's not the most super-interesting thing going on right now.
+ I'm still annoyed at the revisionist bullshit they pulled with Sophie Ann/Eric, and it made me really mad seeing her in that cage. On the other hand, HOW IS SHE SO GORGEOUS/FABULOUS/ETC. No really, she's kind of mesmerizing. Also, I love her and Hadley so much. Sophie Ann confides in her, and it looked like her heart was breaking when Eric tortured her. Screw Eric, though. ugh. except for when he's around Pam.
That's all I've got. Love Lafayette as usual. It was good to see Pam. And I was glad to see Sookie freaked out by Bill - made total sense given what he did. Tara's reactions to Bill were awesome too.
Finally, Mad Men 4x02.
+ LOL, I never wanted to see Glenn on my screen again. Poor Sally. See Don, this is what happens when you don't come home for Christmas, your daughter starts to crush on junior creepers who call her house in the middle of the damn night. Also, I love Sally Draper you guys.
+ Speaking of Don, how pathetic is his life right now. That he's continually turned down and viewed as pitiful by smart competent women he would've had no trouble getting with before is a clear sign by the show that he's hitting bottom. It's weird though, seeing him with ZERO game, lol. I had to cringe when Joey called him pathetic after he forgot his keys, but I cringed even more when he moved in on the secretary. There was a moment where I thought they were moving into trigger territory. It's just ... endlessly gross the way he behaves sometimes. Ugh, what a mess.
+ Peggy is still fascinating and awesome and kind of heartbreaking. They're doing a good job showing all the casual bullshit she has to put up with just to work there as a copywriter, and balance that with her personal life in terms of others' expectations as well as her own. I enjoyed her interactions with Freddy immensely.
Also: "I want to be your first." LOOOOOOOOOOOOL. LOL. LOLOLOLOL. You silly tiny man.
+ Joan and Roger still have ridiculous chemistry and need to dump their loser spouses. I'm excited for next week because it looks like Joan's going to have quite a bit to do. :D
crossposted like yeah |
comments