Another TV rundown
I’m not really watching a lot of shows right now, though I keep watching TXF and there’s baseball most nights.
Arrow 6x20
I think I may have actually liked that one. I don’t think I hated anyone in this one; well, except Diaz and that’s kind of a split between hating the villain as one should and hating the presence of a character I find super annoying and not very well written/performed.
I kind of thought Anatoli was going to be killed at the end; having him bring Oliver medical supplies calls back to how they first met so I thought it might also be how their story ended. I’m glad not, because I still love Anatoli, and I love the relationship between him and Oliver and I don’t want it to end, but if it was going to end I thought this would have been a valid way for it to go out, not quite being sure if they were friends or enemies, but having earned both possibilities. Also, that you Anatoli, for pointing out that Oliver is being a moron with this back to basics idea.
This episode highlights part of the problem with the B-team, they never really had a leader. Who was actually in charge of Team Arrow tended to alternate between Oliver and Felicity, and John always had a hand on the reins, so if anything they had an over-abundance of leadership; while the B-team kind of had none. Then John showed up and just took command like he was born to it and the team suddenly makes a lot more sense.
I even liked Siren more this episode than usual. It may be that it involved a lot of good Quentin stuff, but she wasn’t bad in it either. I’m not completely sold on the writing of her arc overall, since she’s so changeable depending on the needs of the episode, but I will say they maybe found a version Cassidy seems a bit more comfortable performing.
I also kind of just want to give this one credit for having three distinct plots and none of them being terrible. I wish that didn’t feel like an accomplishment.
Agents of SHIELD 5x19
So I eventually made the call that, especially since they had moved the release date for Avengers there couldn’t be much in this episode that would be spoilery, and it was all brushed aside as ‘something going on in New York’ as if this doesn’t mean there’s two alien invasions going on at the same time.
But this episode just flew by. It’s non-stop action, but I think it’s mainly because I didn’t hate anybody in this one. Deke was only annoying rather than hateable, Hale wasn’t around at all, and Daisy was kept to a minimum. There was plenty of Piper, *I* want to know what Davis’ story is, I’m scared for Talbot (btw, if I didn’t ship May/Coulson so much I would seriously be thinking about shipping Coulson/Talbot after the last couple weeks) but I like that they’re using him, the show seems to be taking Yoyo’s side more than I thought it would (repeatedly comparing it to May in Bahrain sure seems like saying killing Ruby was the right and necessary choice). Also I think the show just admitted Daisy shouldn’t be charge of SHIELD, which is what I’ve been saying all along (I’m still not putting her back as Skye; Skye was a character I didn’t exactly like, but I didn’t hate the way I’ve hated her most of the last three seasons; I hated her plot in the back half of s2 but I thought I just hated her parents, hence thinking if she could just go back to being Skye I’d like her better, but it never came). All in all, a lot to like about this one, as long as it doesn’t screw up a lot of these things I’m giving it credit for here by reversing the positions in the coming episodes.
Also, there’s a good about of Philinda stuff. Not necessarily stuff I want to get into, but it was good that it was there. Even if May is mostly wearing her “Fuck you, Phil (and even though I love you I don’t mean ‘fuck me, Phil’ at the moment)” for a good chunk of the episode.
Arrow 6x21
When I was reviewing Arrow episodes I found myself really angry at the way State v. Queen went down (as the courtroom drama); in that regard it just didn’t work as court proceedings or as drama. I don’t know how this episode will feel on repeat viewings, but it does avoid some of the problems I found on examining that episode. I’m pretty sure this is still a terrible representation of legal proceedings, but at least it works to wring the drama out of a court-set story. We see a lot of people put on the spot and the choices they make; relationships are developed and furthered through this crucible; we see people’s previous decisions come and bite them in the ass as they get caught in traps of their own making.
In a way I kind of feel like this isn’t a terrible outcome for Diaz’s plan, and if he was smarter he would recognize it, might have even planned it to go this way. Oliver is found to not be the Green Arrow, now he can just be killed and not be a martyr to the vigilante cause, he’s just another victim. Even if it’s known that he dies because someone refused to accept that he wasn’t the Green Arrow (and as he’s no longer mayor he doesn’t have protection), officially he’s just a guy, one the Green Arrow will have gotten killed and therefore the Green Arrow legacy is further tarnished. And it’s not like Diaz has a problem killing, so I wonder why he didn’t have a more nuanced plan for how to deal with this problem.
Had I given it much thought I might have realized of course it was mask man as soon as ‘Tommy’ was in last week’s preview. But as soon as Digg pulled someone out of Kaznia I knew where this was going. Using Tommy’s ID is pretty brilliant actually, because Oliver absolutely would have gone to the mat for him if he knew real Tommy was the Green Arrow; plus Malcolm’s reputation explains how Tommy would have had the necessary skills and why he would have faked his death after the Undertaking, yet still had the resources to carry on as a vigilante. The soft spot in this plan is not telling Oliver that they were going to have Chance play Tommy; because Oliver looks at him like he’s surprised when his story is that he’s known for a while who the Green Arrow was. But while it’s terrible from a secret identity/cover story perspective, as a viewer I get what that meant to Oliver; even though he knows it isn’t real, seeing Tommy come and defend him, that can’t be easy for him. Tommy’s death, the fact that the never really got to make up before he died, and especially his absence from Oliver’s life the years since, are wounds Oliver still lives with.
And, for the record, the prosecution’s attempt to invalidate Felicity’s case by bringing up Noah is pretty weak. She was what, five when he walked out on them? Are they saying a five year old should have been able to spot that her father was a super hacker? Now, I think there’s probably plenty of evidence that she is also a hacker if they’d dug into her past, but they didn’t. And that particular point they tried to score was just dumb. Also, as usual I am very aware of the way the Arrow writers deal with the JJ-not-Sara issue, and I notice they deliberately refer to Digg’s wife and -child- rather than his son; oh Arrow writers, your unwillingness to acknowledge that change makes me so happy.
We can now add Jean and Raisa to the list of people who know Oliver is the Green Arrow. Of course most people at this point are well aware he could be, it was a super indecisive trial, but those two we can say definitely know. I had kind of assumed it was an open secret from Raisa all season anyway.
Agents of SHIELD 5x20
So I’m back to hating everyone this week. Great, the show proves me wrong for all the times I’ve said I wanted the characters to take some moments and try talking to each other, apparently when they do they all make me hate them. Because Yoyo is wrong to blame Daisy for going off to try and find a cure for Coulson, that is just as much May’s fault. Douchy sanctimonious Mack has never been my favorite; even if Fitz does sound a little too close to embracing his dark side. Last episode May and Yoyo were connecting over having to make hard calls but now they’re being dicks to each other. Everyone is still being a dick to Yoyo for making the only right call. Deke is back to being hateable rather than just kind of annoying. Talbot isn’t any fun or sympathetic to watch anymore.
I can’t decide if Talbot is aware of the Philinda minefield he’s wading into at the end. Part of me has always figured he just assumed they were together and so him locking them in a room together next week is maybe him doing his part to make them talk through their issues. But in the moment I don’t get quit the same vibe I got from say Garrett and his knowing May would follow Coulson to the grave (and no, I’m never letting go of the fact that Garrett knew that) that of course he knows how deep their relationship is.
Also, the Infinity War references don’t work. Because Earth was only at risk any more than anywhere else because two of the gems were on Earth. On the other hand it does seem like they’re compressing the timeframe of these last few episodes so the dusting only happens at the end of the season; though that would be a really cheap way to end the series if they don’t get picked up for s6.
And yes, I did see IW, but haven’t written up a reaction to it. I have thoughts certainly, but they aren’t really gelling into anything discussable.
Arrow 6x20
I think I may have actually liked that one. I don’t think I hated anyone in this one; well, except Diaz and that’s kind of a split between hating the villain as one should and hating the presence of a character I find super annoying and not very well written/performed.
I kind of thought Anatoli was going to be killed at the end; having him bring Oliver medical supplies calls back to how they first met so I thought it might also be how their story ended. I’m glad not, because I still love Anatoli, and I love the relationship between him and Oliver and I don’t want it to end, but if it was going to end I thought this would have been a valid way for it to go out, not quite being sure if they were friends or enemies, but having earned both possibilities. Also, that you Anatoli, for pointing out that Oliver is being a moron with this back to basics idea.
This episode highlights part of the problem with the B-team, they never really had a leader. Who was actually in charge of Team Arrow tended to alternate between Oliver and Felicity, and John always had a hand on the reins, so if anything they had an over-abundance of leadership; while the B-team kind of had none. Then John showed up and just took command like he was born to it and the team suddenly makes a lot more sense.
I even liked Siren more this episode than usual. It may be that it involved a lot of good Quentin stuff, but she wasn’t bad in it either. I’m not completely sold on the writing of her arc overall, since she’s so changeable depending on the needs of the episode, but I will say they maybe found a version Cassidy seems a bit more comfortable performing.
I also kind of just want to give this one credit for having three distinct plots and none of them being terrible. I wish that didn’t feel like an accomplishment.
Agents of SHIELD 5x19
So I eventually made the call that, especially since they had moved the release date for Avengers there couldn’t be much in this episode that would be spoilery, and it was all brushed aside as ‘something going on in New York’ as if this doesn’t mean there’s two alien invasions going on at the same time.
But this episode just flew by. It’s non-stop action, but I think it’s mainly because I didn’t hate anybody in this one. Deke was only annoying rather than hateable, Hale wasn’t around at all, and Daisy was kept to a minimum. There was plenty of Piper, *I* want to know what Davis’ story is, I’m scared for Talbot (btw, if I didn’t ship May/Coulson so much I would seriously be thinking about shipping Coulson/Talbot after the last couple weeks) but I like that they’re using him, the show seems to be taking Yoyo’s side more than I thought it would (repeatedly comparing it to May in Bahrain sure seems like saying killing Ruby was the right and necessary choice). Also I think the show just admitted Daisy shouldn’t be charge of SHIELD, which is what I’ve been saying all along (I’m still not putting her back as Skye; Skye was a character I didn’t exactly like, but I didn’t hate the way I’ve hated her most of the last three seasons; I hated her plot in the back half of s2 but I thought I just hated her parents, hence thinking if she could just go back to being Skye I’d like her better, but it never came). All in all, a lot to like about this one, as long as it doesn’t screw up a lot of these things I’m giving it credit for here by reversing the positions in the coming episodes.
Also, there’s a good about of Philinda stuff. Not necessarily stuff I want to get into, but it was good that it was there. Even if May is mostly wearing her “Fuck you, Phil (and even though I love you I don’t mean ‘fuck me, Phil’ at the moment)” for a good chunk of the episode.
Arrow 6x21
When I was reviewing Arrow episodes I found myself really angry at the way State v. Queen went down (as the courtroom drama); in that regard it just didn’t work as court proceedings or as drama. I don’t know how this episode will feel on repeat viewings, but it does avoid some of the problems I found on examining that episode. I’m pretty sure this is still a terrible representation of legal proceedings, but at least it works to wring the drama out of a court-set story. We see a lot of people put on the spot and the choices they make; relationships are developed and furthered through this crucible; we see people’s previous decisions come and bite them in the ass as they get caught in traps of their own making.
In a way I kind of feel like this isn’t a terrible outcome for Diaz’s plan, and if he was smarter he would recognize it, might have even planned it to go this way. Oliver is found to not be the Green Arrow, now he can just be killed and not be a martyr to the vigilante cause, he’s just another victim. Even if it’s known that he dies because someone refused to accept that he wasn’t the Green Arrow (and as he’s no longer mayor he doesn’t have protection), officially he’s just a guy, one the Green Arrow will have gotten killed and therefore the Green Arrow legacy is further tarnished. And it’s not like Diaz has a problem killing, so I wonder why he didn’t have a more nuanced plan for how to deal with this problem.
Had I given it much thought I might have realized of course it was mask man as soon as ‘Tommy’ was in last week’s preview. But as soon as Digg pulled someone out of Kaznia I knew where this was going. Using Tommy’s ID is pretty brilliant actually, because Oliver absolutely would have gone to the mat for him if he knew real Tommy was the Green Arrow; plus Malcolm’s reputation explains how Tommy would have had the necessary skills and why he would have faked his death after the Undertaking, yet still had the resources to carry on as a vigilante. The soft spot in this plan is not telling Oliver that they were going to have Chance play Tommy; because Oliver looks at him like he’s surprised when his story is that he’s known for a while who the Green Arrow was. But while it’s terrible from a secret identity/cover story perspective, as a viewer I get what that meant to Oliver; even though he knows it isn’t real, seeing Tommy come and defend him, that can’t be easy for him. Tommy’s death, the fact that the never really got to make up before he died, and especially his absence from Oliver’s life the years since, are wounds Oliver still lives with.
And, for the record, the prosecution’s attempt to invalidate Felicity’s case by bringing up Noah is pretty weak. She was what, five when he walked out on them? Are they saying a five year old should have been able to spot that her father was a super hacker? Now, I think there’s probably plenty of evidence that she is also a hacker if they’d dug into her past, but they didn’t. And that particular point they tried to score was just dumb. Also, as usual I am very aware of the way the Arrow writers deal with the JJ-not-Sara issue, and I notice they deliberately refer to Digg’s wife and -child- rather than his son; oh Arrow writers, your unwillingness to acknowledge that change makes me so happy.
We can now add Jean and Raisa to the list of people who know Oliver is the Green Arrow. Of course most people at this point are well aware he could be, it was a super indecisive trial, but those two we can say definitely know. I had kind of assumed it was an open secret from Raisa all season anyway.
Agents of SHIELD 5x20
So I’m back to hating everyone this week. Great, the show proves me wrong for all the times I’ve said I wanted the characters to take some moments and try talking to each other, apparently when they do they all make me hate them. Because Yoyo is wrong to blame Daisy for going off to try and find a cure for Coulson, that is just as much May’s fault. Douchy sanctimonious Mack has never been my favorite; even if Fitz does sound a little too close to embracing his dark side. Last episode May and Yoyo were connecting over having to make hard calls but now they’re being dicks to each other. Everyone is still being a dick to Yoyo for making the only right call. Deke is back to being hateable rather than just kind of annoying. Talbot isn’t any fun or sympathetic to watch anymore.
I can’t decide if Talbot is aware of the Philinda minefield he’s wading into at the end. Part of me has always figured he just assumed they were together and so him locking them in a room together next week is maybe him doing his part to make them talk through their issues. But in the moment I don’t get quit the same vibe I got from say Garrett and his knowing May would follow Coulson to the grave (and no, I’m never letting go of the fact that Garrett knew that) that of course he knows how deep their relationship is.
Also, the Infinity War references don’t work. Because Earth was only at risk any more than anywhere else because two of the gems were on Earth. On the other hand it does seem like they’re compressing the timeframe of these last few episodes so the dusting only happens at the end of the season; though that would be a really cheap way to end the series if they don’t get picked up for s6.
And yes, I did see IW, but haven’t written up a reaction to it. I have thoughts certainly, but they aren’t really gelling into anything discussable.