"Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Gotham City Break-Out" Review (Spoilers)
Also reviews for the latest episodes of Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D., Marvel's Avengers: Ultron Revolution, Once Upon A Time, Girl Meets World, Elena Of Avalor, The Lion Guard, Disney's Descendants: Wicked World, and Transformers: Robots In Disguise, the latest episodes and series finale of Power Rangers: Dino Super Charge, and the latest episodes of The Simpsons, Bob's Burgers, Son Of Zorn, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, and Family Guy, the first two episodes of the season of American Dad!, the latest episode of The Last Man On Earth, The Scream Halloween Special, and the latest episodes of Scream Queens, Van Helsing, The Blacklist, and Blindspot.
Upcoming reviews include Doctor Who: Series 9, The X-Files: Season 10, Avengers: Age Of Ultron (Blu-Ray), Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 2, Marvel's Agent Carter: Season 1, Ant-Man (Blu-Ray), Captain America: Civil War (Blu-Ray), Daredevil: Season 1, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Blu-Ray), X-Men: Days Of Future Past: The Rogue Cut, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse (Blu-Ray), The Lion Guard: Return Of The Roar (DVD), Zootopia, Inside Out (Blu-Ray), The Good Dinosaur (Blu-Ray), Finding Dory (Blu-Ray), Once Upon A Time: Season 5, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Blu-Ray), Star Wars Rebels: Season 2, Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales, Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow (DVD), Teen Titans Go!: Eat, Dance, Punch!, Batman Unlimited: Mechs Vs. Mutants, Justice League Vs. Teen Titans, Batman: The Killing Joke, Batman: Return Of The Caped Crusaders, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice (Blu-Ray), The Flash: Season 2, Arrow: Season 4, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 1, Supergirl: Season 1, Constantine: The Complete Series, Gotham: Season 2, iZombie: Season 1, iZombie: Season 2, Lucifer: Season 1, Be Cool Scooby Doo!: Spooky Kooky Fun!, Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Prod.: Hare-Raising Tales, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies: Extended Edition, Star Trek Beyond (Blu-Ray), Airplane! / Airplane II: The Sequel: Double Feature, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Beyond The Known Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Half-Shell Heroes: Blast To The Past, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 2, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers Turbo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Turbo: Volume 2, Power Rangers In Space Volume 1, Power Rangers In Space: Volume 2, Power Rangers Samurai: The Complete Season, Powr Rangers: Megaforce: The Complete Season, Power Rangers: Super Megaforce: The Complete Season, Transformers: Robots In Disguise: Season 1, Heroes Reborn: The Complete Series, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 1: Water, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 3: Fire, Haven: Season 5 - Vol. 1, Haven: The Final Season, Under The Dome: Season 3, Sleepy Hollow: Season 2, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 2, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 3, The Jurassic Park Trilogy, Jurassic World, Back To The Future: The Complete Animated Series, Tremor 5: Bloodlines, Shaun The Sheep Movie (Blu-Ray), Shaun The Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas, 12 Monkeys: Season 1, Grimm: Season 4, Grimm: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 4, The Wonder Years: Season 5, The Peanuts Movie, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 2, Ghostbusters: Answer: The Call, Community: Season 6, Red Dwarf XI, Hannibal: Season 1, Hannibal: Season 2, Hannibal: Season 3, Game Of Thrones: Season 5, and Game of Thrones: Season 6.
Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. "The Good Samaritan"
I think Ghost Rider's origin was ineffective. Because just based on what we saw, there is no proof or even real reason to believe Robbie made a deal with the devil. He could be crazy. He could be gullible. But there is no evidence whatsoever shown to the viewer about the most important aspect of the Ghost Rider mythology. As far as we know, it was the first Ghost Rider who passed on his curse, and Robbie mistook that for Satan because he's superstitious. I like that the first Rider has a motorcycle though.
I really wish we had figured out Eli was evil earlier. If we had known that already, the heroes would have won.
I don't like how suddenly sinister the series is portraying Mace as. Because that was never how he was portrayed until this week. It's fair to reveal to the audience that it's possible Mace's motives are bad. But just because WE now know that doesn't mean Mace needs to have a personality transplant in front of the rest of the cast. In fact, it makes even less sense. Because if he IS bad, he should be trying to hide it, especially considering how successful he was at doing that earlier in the season.
I like that May is against Robbie for what he did to Mace. Honestly? I don't blame her. Even if Mace ultimately turns out to be untrustworthy, that was uncool.
I kind of loved Gabe telling Robbie in disgust that he shouldn't be blaming him for all of the people he killed. He didn't ask for that, and it's crazy for Robbie to try and make him feel responsible for his own actions. It's amazing that Robbie never looked at it that way before. Which tells me Robbie is pretty thick because that is a pretty obvious moral.
I like that the show seems to be trying to wrap up some of Agent Carter's loose ends. I want to see more of that. Would Agent Carter flashbacks with Hayley Atwell be too much to ask?
Look forward to the few week hiatus because that will give me plenty of time to see Doctor Strange in the meantime. The worst part about when Captain America The Winter Soldier and Civil War hit theaters is that you had to see them in the first week, otherwise the show would spoil some of the major twists. I honestly hope the show stops doing that altogether. It's a bad idea and makes everything less fun.
I wasn't feeling this one. **1/2.
Marvel's Avengers: Ultron Revolution "The U-Foes"
I'll be honest. When Hulk returned to Vista Verde and none of the other Agents of S.M.A.S.H. showed up, I was disappointed. And then BOOM, there's Red Hulk at the end. They better not make him a villain next week.
Hulk's perspective that he'll ALWAYS be an Avenger was very Zen, and a nice way to show that Hulk isn't out of control as Marsh thinks he is. But frankly it was too Zen. There is absolutely no reason that guy should be allowed to fire Avengers. He says he's on orders from the President. Do the Avengers even answer to the government? These accords they talked about sounded more like registering Inhumans and Mutants rather than regulating superhero teams. Did the Avengers even think to check his credentials? He never offered one shred of proof of his government bonafides, he just walks in and the Avengers do what he says. Something isn't right about that guy.
I love that the episode is consciously pointing out how terrible the U-Foes names are. Because those are seriously terrible supervillain names. If you're gonna poke fun at the source material, you should do like this episode did and make fun of the stuff that DESERVES to be made fun of.
Not terrible although I'm more interested in next week. **1/2.
Marvel's Avengers: Ultron Revolution "Building The Perfect Weapon"
I love Red Hulk. He was the ONLY good part of Agents of S.M.A.S.H., and they somehow made him even funnier here. What I like is that even though he's taking Hulk's place on the team and everyone hates him, the show doesn't portray him as malevolent. He's still a good guy and trying to do the right thing. Which I imagine will be made MUCH harder after what happened to him at the end of the episode.
A surprisingly strong episode. ****1/2.
Once Upon A Time "Dark Waters"
Refreshingly sweet ending with Hook, Liam, and Nemo. The show needs to do that more often.
And I can now say with absolute certainty that Gold's haircut is awful. He looks all wrong and always WILL look wrong in it until it grows back. The show is going to be tough to watch until it does.
I'm glad the show didn't have Belle walk in on that. It's gotten cruel in its later seasons, but I like that it isn't that cruel.
Without a conscience to disturb her, the Evil Queen is playful. She is happy. She is fun. We're NEVER seen her portrayed like this and it makes me realize that part of the reason she always used to be so angry was simply guilt. Without that she can have a blast.
And she is even smart enough to realize why she's been losing. The heroes are more forgiving than she is and she never plans for that. Her unwillingness to let things go IS a flaw and an insane flaw at that. The sooner she realizes that, the better off she'll be. Of course, once she DOES realize that she'll stop being evil so that moment of personal growth is a Catch-22.
Hearing Henry curse sounds weird and wrong.
Why is it neither Nemo or Liam noticed the Kraken while it was attacking Hook? He actually had to get Liam's attention to notice that, and then crazily after that Nemo doesn't notice anything until they call on him too. Seriously weird.
Pretty good week. ****.
Once Upon A Time "Heartless"
Mostly boring, but two things I liked:
1. I love the idea that the Woodcutter from Little Red Riding Hood is basically a sociopathic serial killer bounty hunter. As Stewie Griffin noted on Family Guy, it isn't clear if he's the hero of Red Riding Hood or just some random psychopath murdering strangers. Once's version is the latter.
2. Belle's withering put-down to Rumple at the end. I think Gold is a lost cause at this point, but if there IS a 1 percent chance he isn't, that is precisely what he needed to hear. If he wants his son to love him, he only needs to be worthy of it. For someone who claims to be smart, I don't think Gold has ever heard of Occam's Razor.
We'll see where this leads. ***.
Once Upon A Time "I'll Be Your Mirror"
Jennifer Lynch directed this? Cool!
Not a great episode in its own right but it gave me a lot of fodder for theories.
Theory The First: The Dragon is Mulan's father. This is the one I am positive of.
2nd Theory: Snow and Charming's complicated sleeping curse can be broken by Emma kissing both. Frankly, I'm astounded they haven't tried this yet.
Theory Number 3: The Evil Queen will refuse to kill Zelina. If bad can infect Regina, it stands to reason good can infect her double.
Theory 4: This one is a longshot, but I think it may be true. I think the reason Emma thinks it's Regina in the vision is because it is. Somehow Regina is going to decide that the only way to stop the Evil Queen is to merge themselves together again. But when she does that the Evil Queen will be too powerful and her nature will take over. The reason I think this theory is a longshot is because I am pretty sure there is no way they are going to kill off Emma at the end of the season. But... there is a good chance they use most of this theory but chicken out at the end.
Snow and David's montage at the beginning was painful. Not as in dramatic. As in it was embarrassingly bad.
I like that Henry figured out the Evil Queen pretty quickly because they are returning to the essence of Henry from Season 1 and Season 2. He's the most insightful character on this show and knows the way the rules of this world work better than even the Evil Queen or Rumpelstilskin. Glad they got back to that.
The episode wasn't great but it gave me a lot to chew on. ***1/2.
Girl Meets World "Girl Meets Her Monster"
Riley's perspective that kids rebelling is normal and healthy is true. But the thing is, most kids have actual legit reasons to rebel. If Riley hadn't been such a baby she could have gotten everything she wanted in the episode simply by treating her mother respectfully. It's not simply that it was stupid or ill-advised to do that for why Riley is so dumb. It's because it was entirely counterproductive to her goals.
I love the idea of a sci-fi show ending with the reveal that the entire audience at home had been mind-wiped. Honestly, as sucky of writers of sitcoms as this show has, I think they could probably come up with a decent sci-fi series with that idea.
I think Sabrina Carpenter sold the idea that as jokey as she was being, she was truly frightened. When she hands Topanga the phone, she has the same expression as someone who Jason Vorhees is swinging an axe at.
I also love that Corey seems to be enjoying himself a little and using the occasion to take pokes at his wife and daughter. What I love about him being "Dumb Dad" in this scenario is that once Riley talks about running away, "Real Dad" instantly appears and he lays into her as badly as her mother does. The idea that Corey's happy-go-lucky personality is largely a put-on to diffuse tensions in the house is actually interesting once you realize that when the situation calls for it, he'll break character. Which is pretty much the least you can ask for in an ineffective TV dad.
Off-topic: I hate how entitlement has turned into a dirty word. It's an actual legit thing and the politics of this country are such that we think people talking about what they are legitimately owed are effete self-involved liberals. I don't know when conservatives decided to become the arbiters of self-reliance and working class toughness, and suddenly hippies are the self-involved, classist, rich ones, but that's how dumb things currently are. And as b.s. a narrative as it is, liberals seem too afraid to brush back against it because Paul Ryan might say mean things about them. Entitlement is NOT a bad word. It never was. You pay into Social Security, you are entitled to that money when you retire. I'm sick of society thinking that giving people what they are owed is somehow a bad thing. Apparently we are supposed to consider the idea of being wage slaves as a positive thing and be grateful for being ripped off. Apparently us hippies are now the Godless capitalists.
I think teenage rebellion IS normal. But Riley blew her entire wad for no reason. Now when she comes home with a tattooed biker at the age of 19, she doesn't have a leg to stand on. Pick your battles, kid. ****.
Girl Meets World "Girl Meets Hollyworld"
Yes, Lucas is dumb. I admittedly liked the joke at the end of the director asking Zay to repeat his catchphrase only to dismiss him after all, but that is literally the only thing I liked.
I think I was supposed to find Riley's obsession over the bow at the beginning cute, but I think it just means she's self-absorbed.
Now for the meat of the review: I cannot possibly think how this episode could be more embarrassing and stupid. I actually said aloud at one point "This is destroying me as a person." I'm not kidding. I said that. And I meant it. 0.
Elena Of Avalor "The Scepter Of Light"
That different globe hints that this show and the entire Sofia Disney Princessverse takes place on another world, or at least another dimension. Which is weird, because Beauty and the Beast is actually set in France. I love the questions it raises because while it IS a plothole, a decent Disneyphile can come up with a bunch of juicy fan theories to justify it. That's what we do. And that's what the globe gives us.
Game of Night is a good song.
Pretty good. ***1/2.
The Lion Guard "Lions Of The Outlands"
I loved the references to The Lion King 2 and the fact that the Roar didn't actually work on Kovu. I also love that he still has a crush on Kiara. They managed to pay tribute to the sequel without actually violating the continuity of it. Pretty cool. ****.
The Lion Guard "Never Roar Again"
We haven't seen Nala in forever but I don't like the fact that she was such a victim in this. She should have been shown to be able to handle those hyenas herself.
It was good seeing Zazu again too though. We haven't seen him in a long time either.
Didn't much care for this. **1/2.
Disney's Descendants: Wicked World "Pair Of Sneakers"
Somehow cliffhangers for five minute shorts seem weird. Of course, I thought the same thing about some of the one-minute shorts on DC Nation. *.
Disney's Descendants: Wicked World "Wild Rehearsal"
Boring. *.
Disney's Descendants: Wicked World "Chemical Reaction"
Here is why this franchise sucks: instead of a life of adventure, or saving the Kingdom, the drama for these kids literally involves avoiding paint bubbles. Because they'll ruin their pretty clothes. And I just became super cynical. As bad as Snow White probably was for young feminists back in the 1930's, at least she had real problems. And the fact that this show THINKS ruined clothes are a real problem is precisely why Disney obviously thinks so little of its pre-teen girl base. I don't get why girls would want to watch something that repeatedly points out how much they suck. I do not get it. 0.
Transformers: Robots In Disguise "Pretzel Logic"
I like how chill Gunther the monk was. And when Bee asks if they can trust him a halo of light appears on high. Cute.
"Bad lobster! Bad lobster!" Funny line.
Was that Starscream over the comm? It was definitely Steve Blum but I thought Starscream died in Transformers Prime: Predacons Rising. And were those Soundwave's tentacles coming out of the ground bridge at the end?
I like the idea of the ambiguous Minicons and want to see more of that.
Great episode. I hope Gunther returns. ****1/2.
Transformers: Robots In Disguise "Mighty Big Trouble"
Starscream. Called it. They didn't explain how he survived the Prime finale but I think that's coming. I'm also interesting how he got his redesign (which is more in line with the G1 look).
Look forward to Optimus Prime next week. And is Megatron in our future? If so, is it guaranteed he's a bad guy? If Starscream is after him, perhaps not. We'll see. ****.
Transformers: Robots In Disguise "Mini-Con Madness"
The good:
Transformers Prime resolution. I was wondering how Starscream survived.
The bad:
The episode was too focused on the toy aspects to the franchise. Transformers Prime was so effective because it never ONCE reminded you it was essentially a toy commercial. This show does not have that gift.
The weird:
How does Bee know to question how Starscream escaped the Predacons? Nobody but Starscream knew he encountered them, and the Predacons died. I think the show had Bee ask a question on behalf of the audience because there wasn't actually another character to ask it. But I noticed that fact.
P.S., Starscream's won nothing. I noticed the triceratops wandered off. The writers aren't fooling anyone. ***.
Power Rangers: Dino Super Charge "The Rangers Rock!"
For some reason I really laughed at Sledge's vacation photos and flashbacks. I also love that upon seeing him again Poisandra decks him.
Redemption for Heckyll? Yes, please. I want that more than I've ever wanted anything in this entire franchise.
Pretty great and elaborate fight at the end with all ten Rangers. Impressive.
I was surprised at how much I liked this. ****1/2.
Power Rangers: Dino Super Charge "End Of Extinction: Part 1"
Pretty good. As great as Ryan Carter is as sinister Heckyll, he plays innocent Heckyll equally well. I look forward to the finale next week. ****.
Power Rangers: Dino Super Charge "End Of Extinction: Part 2"
Okay, if the Dinosaurs didn't go extinct, does this mean this show takes place in an alternate reality? Or will all future Power Rangers shows have dinosaurs? I'm guessing it's the second thing.
They killed off all the bad guys at the end, even the harmless ones like Poisondra! I have to admit to being a little impressed by that.
I'm glad they didn't have the Rangers forget their adventures, but I think it was pretty gutsy and unusual to have them not only stop being Rangers, but saying they never became Rangers in this universe at all. You can tell it's a finale because Koda and Ivan went home, and even Heckyll was given a happy ending with the chance to save his planet.
This incarnation of the Power Rangers was worse than average but the finale was better than average. ****.
The Simpsons "There Will Be Buds"
Kevin Curran died? Married... With Children was basically my 90's. R.I.P., you trashy sitcom God.
Homer sticking up for Kirk at the town meeting shows that Homer will pretty much do whatever Marge tells him to do. Because I would not have done it in a million years. I hope Marge is someday actually able to appreciate the power she holds in that relationship. We can act like Homer is a thoughtless husband all we want. but most men are not THAT deferential. Not enough to publicly support Kirk Van Houten. That's absolute lunacy.
I absolutely adore the fact that Homer hates strip clubs. As goofy as his reasoning sounds, it is beyond romantic: "I have a naked lady at home." It doesn't even occur to him that some men prefer women who look like strippers to their wives. Marge is pretty much the package for him. That line right there proves Homer is too.
I also love that Homer is horrified that Kirk wants to swap sex stories. And I never really noticed that about Homer, but he DOESN'T trade bedroom tales with Lenny and Carl either. I thought it was because the show was PG. No, actually it's because Homer has a surprising level of propriety. "There are kids here!"
Kirk being bald in high school is pathetic enough. But the fact that he had long hair made it ten times so.
Homer asks a helpful question about vaping: "Who would want that?" That's a legit question.
I loved this episode because it showed that even if Homer cannot bring himself to be a good friend to Kirk, he is still an amazing husband and father to Marge and the kids. And I love that the show acknowledges that from time to time. *****.
The Simpsons "Havana Wild Weekend"
I think this episode saw the writing on the wall. And I am even more depressed.
I liked that guy telling Grandpa everyone has their embarrassments, we hear Homer's voice, and Grandpa says "And he walks right up."
I liked Maggie clopping her hand on the table four times after eating horse. I also like the way she avoided the knock-out gas.
Ticketmaster is truly evil. Whoever designed it deserves to be shot.
Pretty good but not as phenomenal as the show has recently been. ***1/2.
Bob's Burgers "They Serve Horses, Don't They?"
I like that this episode pointed out that as nice, warm and friendly as Jack Conway is, and the fact that he has a wonderful family makes Bob feel guilty, the truth is the fact that he DOES sell horse makes him a bad guy. And I like that the show allowed that to be true.
I adored the climax of Felix dropping the tape recorder and it breaking as Jack cheers. And Tina picks up the cassette which is fine. And it totally would be in most scenarios like that. Which sort of makes the artificial drama surrounding the catch even funnier.
Pretty good. ****.
Son Of Zorn "A Tale Of Two Zorns"
"Okay, that's the phone, that's the coffeemaker, and that's the photocopier. And that's pretty much it for things in the office a robot can have sex with." Somebody explain to me why this isn't the highest rated show on the air.
"Come sit on your robot father massage chair's lap," is an equally excellent line.
I love that Linda knows that Zorn thinks she's a man. It's just easier not to correct him.
Linda making out with Mecha-Zorn was beyond twisted. I think Edie was freaked out too.
The only thing that Craig is good at killing is the vibe Zorn and Alan were feeling before he got there.
Chilling to be reminded that Zorn is guilty of genocide. I don't care if it's genocide of cartoon characters, he's still a monster.
I think Todd IS Zorn's friend and Zorn just doesn't realize it now. Based on their heartfelt yelling I'm betting Zorn WILL eventually appreciate him.
This is such an amazeballs show. ****1/2.
Son Of Zorn "The Battle Of Thanksgiving"
I love how passionate and gross Craig was forced to make the kiss. I also appreciated how much he was looking out for Zorn this episode. Actually giving him his pants went above and beyond.
I like that Zorn had his marathon number pinned to his bare chest.
Nick Offerman rules. That is all.
Good, but a little bit sad at the same time. ***1/2.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine "Monster In The Closet"
Adrian Pimento! About time!
I am unsurprised Rosa liked the balloon arch. She and Holt have very similar thinking and tastes, so it would be weird if she didn't.
I loved Gina asking Adrian questions about origami to determine whether or not Adrian actually knew how to fly a plane. It was pretty much a perfectly crafted joke.
Adrian realizing the pawn shop lady stole all of the stuff and burned the shop down is this show in a nutshell. I actually think it WAS a very good sign from the universe.
Holt is so drunk he's alliterating his words like a beatnik.
Great episode back. ****1/2.
The Good Place "...Someone Like Me As A Member"
I love that Jason loves Janet because she's the only person who is nice to him. That says a LOT about Tahani in my mind. And none of it good. Can't believe the show is on hiatus until January.
I also love that in high school Eleanor didn't just reject the geeks. She rejected the means girls and the outsiders. That is super endearing to me.
I don't buy the idea that Eleanor would be happier in the bad place. That just Adam Scott thinking his s*** don't stink. But it does.
I like Real Eleanor and I like that the show is LETTING me like Real Eleanor and not putting a value judgment on her. That makes things messier, therefore more interesting, therefore better.
What a great show. Why is it going on hiatus in the first place? *****.
Family Guy "Chris Has Got A Date, Date, Date, Date, Date"
Oh my God! They did the Saved By The Bell pills scene! That was probably the lowest point in television history. It was pretty much the only thing that was worse than every single episode of The Jerry Springer Show. And I can think of nothing else that is true of. Maybe Dudley getting molested shirtless on Diff'rent Strokes with a laugh track in the background. But that still wasn't a tenth of "I'm so excited."
I don't know what Uber is and I still don't. The episode explained it poorly.
Taylor Swift likes photos of Kanye West with his mouth shut. Another way Taylor Swift is exactly like me.
I loved Stewie's reaction to realizing he'd get to be the person to introduce Chris to Taylor Swift. I love turning people on to awesome things (even if Swift's awesomeness is actually debatable) and they perfect conveyed how exciting that is.
Was I the only person who was hoping to get Judd Hirsch in a flashback? He's been on the show multiple times, after all.
The Tonight Show ending was random, but I don't think modern comedy gives Johnny Carson his due enough. He WAS on the air as late as 1992 after all, and people seem to have already forgotten him for Letterman and Leno, which is wrong, especially since Leno sucks so much. Johnny was a legend, and not just for classic comedy. He did great Dan Quayle jokes back in the day too.
Funny episode. ****.
Family Guy "Hot Shots"
Lois is such an idiot. I hate her so much.
Crossing guards who can walk are the big guns.
Not great, but I think anti-vaxxers need to be shown as the nutcases they are. **1/2.
American Dad! "Father's Daze"
The Golden Turd is getting amazing. Are we actually going to get an episode and a resolution? Because that's what that cliffhanger hinted to me.
Reggie being a stuffed animal really freaked me out. That joke better not mean what I think it means.
Saltines and Gushers are pretty much the worst snack ever.
I liked this episode a lot. ****.
American Dad! "Fight And Flight"
Ironically, it's the Klaus and Hayley stuff that I loved. When Klaus sees the Garfield mat and brings out the gun I roared in laughter. I especially loved the subtitle reassuring us to not feel bad for the guy in the closet as he was a murderer.
Steven and Snot slow Zoloft talking at the beginning was funny too, as was the gross gag with Principal Lewis and the popcorn tub.
Above average: ***1/2.
The Last Man On Earth "The Power Of Power"
I could get used to watching this show with January Jones shirtless. I was all smiles when Melissa warmly hugged Todd. What a great moment.
The rest of the episode was good too. Suffice it to say I'm back on Team Toddlissa again. I'm sick of Gail at this point.
Here's something interesting: Carol going on about the idea of supermodels doing porn makes me realize that the few porn actors I've seen are kind of plain-looking. They get work because they had plastic surgery and obviously work-out, but you will never see a person as beautiful as a supermodel doing porn. Because they don't need to. Porn is a desperate career last resort and should be viewed as such.
Good episode of a good show. ***1/2.
The Last Man On Earth "The Open Ended Nature Of Unwitnessed Death"
Wonderful episode. Great episode title too.
We learned that Mike is almost certainly dead. I expected that, but it still bums me out.
Lewis leaving a note concerns me a little. What if he told Pat where he used to live, and Pat finds it? I suspect that is what is going to happen.
I don't care how worried Todd is, I would not have turned down that crazy invitation from Melissa. The hole in the wall says she is truly nuts and I love her for it.
Gail's thing with Carol was at first stupid and then incredibly moving. If it wasn't the virus, I wonder what it was.
Lewis is growing on me, probably because Tandy is growing on him. And I think he's the only person besides Carol and Todd who actually likes him so that means something.
Great episode. ****1/2.
Scream "Halloween Special"
Mostly cr*p but Noah's enthusiasm over finding a secret passage was infectious. But this is the first time the show has ever made me correctly guess the killer at the beginning. It's like they aren't even trying anymore.
If this is the series finale, the entire series was a wash. **1/2.
Scream Queens "Chanel Pour Homme-Icide"
Dean Munsch is despicable for consenting to Chanel's plan to use the patients as bait.
I was very saddened by that girl thanking the Green Meanie for cutting off her finger before he killed her. Why didn't the doctors think of that?
I do not think Chamberlain is the killer. I also think he is exactly as nice as he appears. Which means he's doomed.
You know, I'd feel a lot more sympathy to the abuse Chanel #5 suffers if she weren't so horrible herself. On some level, karma says she has it coming.
I don't even think Kirstie Alley's character needs to blackmail Dean Munsch with releasing her dying of a terminal illness to the press. She HAS to know at this point that she's covering up murders too, right?
I'm pretty much annoyed with this show now. **1/2.
Van Helsing "Little Thing"
Genius move to have John watching the Doc do that. Because it makes the idea that he's a rapist plausible. And that IS what's going, and what would have happened if Vanessa hadn't interrupted.
And you know what? Susan was into the kiss! That doesn't mean when she said to stop he had license to keep going. She seemed a little defensive and embarrassed about the fact that the making out was consensual, when the fact is she had nothing to be embarrassed or apologetic over. I freaking hate rape culture.
I don't think John's the killer though. He seemed genuinely surprised to see the finger. But if he isn't the killer, how did the killer know to put the finger in John's bag? How did they know he would be the precise person to frame and exactly when to do it? How could they plan that? John's reaction tells me he's the not the killer. But there is no other reason the finger should have been in his bag.
So as far as I'm concerned, this takes Mohammed off the suspect list. It's obviously not Axel, but Mohammed is now the only person besides Vanessa who has an abili for murderous behavior. Because if it ISN'T John, it certainly wasn't Mohammed who planted the finger. Besides, he took the rap. He wouldn't need to plant anything if he had always been willing to do that.
I still think it's Sam. Based upon her erratic behavior over the past few episodes, the Doc is a dark horse. However I'm pretty sure if it IS her, she isn't aware she's doing it and it is residual vampirism. While if it's Sam, he certainly is.
I love Gorman. I love that he keeps bombs on him at all times, and drops them at the drop of a hat. He might literally be the first comic relief character on the entire show. Flesh, Mohammed, and Sam have each had funny moments. But they aren't inherently funny characters by themselves. Gorman is.
That scene at the Vampire baby mill at the beginning told me something about vampires that I didn't realize before seeing it. I had previously sort of thought of them as infected predators preying on the weak to survive. The baby mill says that isn't it. These are genuinely evil creatures with horrific designs in store for humanity. Vampirism is not simply a disease. The entire species is a perversion.
Good riddance to John. Even if he isn't the killer, I have a feeling the group dynamics are going to be smoother now without a person constantly threatening to kill the other characters. He was behind the mess with the other group, and to not have someone constantly working against them can only help things.
But if he isn't the killer, they are screwed. Because there doesn't appear to be any other way out of that bunker. To be continued... ****.
Van Helsing "Help Out"
I'm surprised they killed of Axel when they did. Of course, it might not actually be the end of him with the premise of the show, but if it isn't, there are dark times ahead for him.
Prediction: Emma is Dylan and has the same gifts as her mother. That is why she doesn't fear the feeders. Unlike Vanessa she doesn't kill them. She always cures them instead.
I now ship Susan and Vanessa. Which is a shame because Vanessa is clearly not gay. But they would be amazing if she was.
Big episode. ****.
Van Helsing "Stay Away"
Eden is Omelas. A paradise built on the tears and blood of children.
I love that they had a great resolution for the Church bells all along. It means I can now trust this show.
What Doc did last week was horrible, but not unforgivable. I understand why she was so scared. But now? I detest her. It serves her right that she will never get her fondest wish.
And frankly, that's how the reverse infection should have worked all along. If Vanessa truly IS special and dangerous, you can't expect her to bite every vampire in existence. I like the idea that if they somehow take out Vanessa, the reverse infection will still spread.
I loved learning Flesh used to fantasize about killing his family. Because Flesh always struck me as someone who felt more guilty than they should have. His behavior as a vampire was outside of his control. Until we learned that it fed into one of his worst fears. Suddenly Flesh makes sense. If this IS his last episode, I'll miss him.
Tom Cavanaugh sucks at accents. I'm a little surprised how bad he is considering the fact that he is otherwise a good actor.
What Sam did increases my suspicions that he's the killer. There had to be another way out of that than stabbing that guy, but Sam's decision to do that was pretty definitive. So much so, I doubt it was the first time he made it.
Great episode. *****.
The Blacklist "Dr. Adrian Shaw"
The good:
This was a good episode. It went exactly as it should have gone if the show were usually better written. This is how the show should be.
The bad:
That meant nothing surprised me. Red's always right. So when he insists a few weeks ago that Kirk is not her father, that is the only correct answer. And I knew that all along.
Do you know what disappoints? Ressler and Navabi actually fear Red is going to kill Shaw to make sure Kirk dies. Have they met the guy? That is perhaps the most inelegant solution to the Kirk problem ever, and totally out of character. Red always has a master plan, and plays for bigger stakes. A dead Adrian Shaw is worth nothing more than a bullet in Kirk's brain isn't worth. But one in his debt for some unknown reason? THAT'S a Reddington scam. And it really bothers me that Ressler and Navabi think Red is more classless and thuggish than he is. Red uses WAY more carrots than sticks. That's why he's successful. I question a team working with a guy when they don't seem to actually know the first thing about his motives or how he operates. It's a bit insulting to be honest.
Red is always right. So Kirk is not Liz's father and Lizzie will realize he's not all bad. And then the series will do this dance over and over again ad nauseam. This was a good episode. But it was also an old hat episode. Which describes this show in season four to a T. ****1/2.
The Blacklist "Dr. Adrian Shaw: Conclusion"
Thanks for spoiling that in the promos, NBC. Television sucks.
They did it right. They had Red reveal the truth to the audience while still not telling Liz. Red's entire shtick is "I have never lied to you." But when it comes to this particular secret Red has lied and often. And I truly think it IS the only thing he's lied about.
What did Red whisper to Kirk? My guess is that Katerina is alive. It's super obvious, and if the show thinks it can keep me guessing about something like that, it really needs to try harder.
Red apologizes to Dembe for Kate. And Kate believes he'll kill her if he found out she was alive. I have to think the truth is somewhere in the middle. While Red will certainly not be happy to see her, I truly think him shooting her was one of the biggest regrets of his life in a life where he led nothing but regrets.
I loved Red taking exception to one of his men being called a goon. He's actually quite a erudite fellow, who is great at chess. I love that Red appreciates his men.
Good mid-season finale. ****.
Blindspot "Do Not Slack, The Featherweight Wins"
This show somehow makes Rashomon boring. Who does that?
And the solution of returning the evidence with Reed giving Freddie a heads up is so startlingly simple I'm kind of amazed it wasn't the first thing Reed and Zapata thought it. It got them entirely out of that fix. You think they wouldn't have to spend so long wracking their brain over something so obvious.
When Weller tells Jane that they are friends and he'd miss her, I was a little disappointed. Their relationship earlier in the season when he disliked her was MUCH more interesting. And considering how boring it used to be I was not ready for things to go back to the status quo so soon (or ever).
Lotta action, not lotta good plot twists. ***.
Blindspot "Why Let Cooler Pasture Deform"
Knew the mole was Borden. Glad Patterson was the one who figured it out. I hope she survives.
I look forward to Ronan being John Doe, but I think that was still cruel of Jane. I have always hated her and stuff like that is the reason why.
Eh. **1/2.
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Gotham City Break-Out
Too long for the thin plot. Not terrible, and had some good jokes, but this would have worked better as a half hour TV special.
I loved Superman blubbering and crying to Batman when he came home. Equally funny was Commissioner Gordon surprised that Superman didn't leave mid-sentence. And Superman's like "Dude, that's rude! And what if I missed crucial information by doing that?" The best things about the LEGO DC projects is that they poke holes in the comic book logic. I loved Gordon's line about finally finishing a conversation sort of mirroring Batman's opposite line in The Dark Knight Rises. "That's what that feels like."
I loved Superman amending "Fair City" to "Fairish City" upon seeing the Gotham rat.
Do you know why Superman sucks? He asks Cyborg if he usually wears a cape. He actually doesn't know enough about Cyborg to know for sure that detail is out of character.
Casting news: Scott Menville plays Robin (although probably the Tim Drake version) whereas Will Friedle reprises the role of Nightwing from Batman Unlimited. Greg Cipes and Hynden Walch also appear for the first time as Beast Boy and Starfire (although I missed Raven). I would have loved it if Deathstroke were played by Ron Perlman, but we can't always get what we want. Raven not being present is puzzling because Tara Strong voiced Harley Quinn.
I like how they decided to not violate the Lego sturdiness rule by having Beast Boy shift into all of his animals off-camera. The fact that they were canny enough to do that makes me extra disappointed they broke the Lego rules for Bane's transformation. Even more galling is that Bane has fingers when he's bigger.
Plothole: Batman is wearing his New 52 costume in the flashbacks about the origins of the Bat-Family. It was previously established that he changed to that costume in "Attack Of The Legion Of Doom" and the Bat Family were already a thing at that point. I notice these things, producers.
Egregious prop comedy is a crime? Somebody lock up Carrot Top for his own safety and ours.
"I blame the spoon." Best line in the movie.
Eric Bauza was an amazing choice as Bane. I want to hear him take a legit shot at the character. The voice sounds right coming out of him. Hector Elizando was second best, but even if his rasp and accent worked in Mystery Of The Batwoman, there was no power behind it, which is what Bane should have. Bauza was great. First Tony Todd as Darkseid and now Bauza. I'm starting to think whoever casts these movies needs to do the rest of the DC projects too.
The Batusi ending would have only been acceptable to me had they done the actual dance. Just saying the word isn't enough.
I like that Starfire lusts after Nightwing. That is the correct 'ship.
I loved the panicked way Superman called Cyborg for help while coolly trying to pretend nothing was wrong. I liked them and Wonder Woman taking serious clipboard notes upon Robin teaching them to defeat villains Batman style.
Was Madame Mantis a comic book character? She's same actress who plays Mama Ling on American Dad (Amy Hill). She is a very funny woman.
I liked that they decide to redeem Deathstroke at the end (sort of). It was fun seeing him and Batman team up at the end.
Why do the Trugawogs all sound like the Goofy Gophers from Looney Tunes? To quote Bart Simpson regarding Mutt and Jeff: "We get it! They're gay!" But everyone says the word "Trugawog" different. It's almost as bad as Arrow and Ra's.
I like Batgirl's reaction to the Bat-Brick-Separator. "Whaaaaat?" Deadliest Lego weapon since the Kragle.
Superman had an interesting observation: most of Batman's supervillains don't have superpowers. Although Penguin's fish cannon may be worse. And if Superman can't grow money on trees or turn dogs invisible, it isn't worth having superpowers.
"Green thumb, black heart" was a groaner of a line, but I like that the movie didn't let all of the groaners slide. Nightwing got several shots taken at his "holy" alliterations, and Deathstroke defensively says he wasn't going to thank them for dropping in when Batgirl calls him on it. I also like the prison guards being unimpressed with Joker's "Bat's away" joke. As noted, he didn't even follow the idiom of the Cat's away line.
Banesylvania is a good name for a country. I like that when Bane and Deathstroke see the Forbidden Move for themselves, they turn to each other excitedly and say "Awesome!" like kids in a toy commercial. Since this is a LEGO property, that seems entirely appropriate.
I liked Batman calling Nightwing "My former apprentice".
I love Nightwing and Batgirl having to take a breath during screaming as they fell down the bottomless pit. The fall is SO long, Batman has enough time to tell an entire flashback without anyone ever telling him he's crazy and that they have bigger problems.
I liked this much more than Cosmic Clash, but it still felt overlong and padded. ***.
Upcoming reviews include Doctor Who: Series 9, The X-Files: Season 10, Avengers: Age Of Ultron (Blu-Ray), Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 2, Marvel's Agent Carter: Season 1, Ant-Man (Blu-Ray), Captain America: Civil War (Blu-Ray), Daredevil: Season 1, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Blu-Ray), X-Men: Days Of Future Past: The Rogue Cut, Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse (Blu-Ray), The Lion Guard: Return Of The Roar (DVD), Zootopia, Inside Out (Blu-Ray), The Good Dinosaur (Blu-Ray), Finding Dory (Blu-Ray), Once Upon A Time: Season 5, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Blu-Ray), Star Wars Rebels: Season 2, Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales, Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow (DVD), Teen Titans Go!: Eat, Dance, Punch!, Batman Unlimited: Mechs Vs. Mutants, Justice League Vs. Teen Titans, Batman: The Killing Joke, Batman: Return Of The Caped Crusaders, Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice (Blu-Ray), The Flash: Season 2, Arrow: Season 4, DC's Legends Of Tomorrow: Season 1, Supergirl: Season 1, Constantine: The Complete Series, Gotham: Season 2, iZombie: Season 1, iZombie: Season 2, Lucifer: Season 1, Be Cool Scooby Doo!: Spooky Kooky Fun!, Wabbit: A Looney Tunes Prod.: Hare-Raising Tales, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug: Extended Edition, The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies: Extended Edition, Star Trek Beyond (Blu-Ray), Airplane! / Airplane II: The Sequel: Double Feature, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Beyond The Known Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Half-Shell Heroes: Blast To The Past, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Zeo: Volume 2, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Power Rangers Turbo: Volume 1, Power Rangers: Turbo: Volume 2, Power Rangers In Space Volume 1, Power Rangers In Space: Volume 2, Power Rangers Samurai: The Complete Season, Powr Rangers: Megaforce: The Complete Season, Power Rangers: Super Megaforce: The Complete Season, Transformers: Robots In Disguise: Season 1, Heroes Reborn: The Complete Series, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 1: Water, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 2: Earth, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Book 3: Fire, Haven: Season 5 - Vol. 1, Haven: The Final Season, Under The Dome: Season 3, Sleepy Hollow: Season 2, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 2, Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 3, The Jurassic Park Trilogy, Jurassic World, Back To The Future: The Complete Animated Series, Tremor 5: Bloodlines, Shaun The Sheep Movie (Blu-Ray), Shaun The Sheep: The Farmer's Llamas, 12 Monkeys: Season 1, Grimm: Season 4, Grimm: Season 5, The Wonder Years: Season 4, The Wonder Years: Season 5, The Peanuts Movie, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 2, Ghostbusters: Answer: The Call, Community: Season 6, Red Dwarf XI, Hannibal: Season 1, Hannibal: Season 2, Hannibal: Season 3, Game Of Thrones: Season 5, and Game of Thrones: Season 6.
Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. "The Good Samaritan"
I think Ghost Rider's origin was ineffective. Because just based on what we saw, there is no proof or even real reason to believe Robbie made a deal with the devil. He could be crazy. He could be gullible. But there is no evidence whatsoever shown to the viewer about the most important aspect of the Ghost Rider mythology. As far as we know, it was the first Ghost Rider who passed on his curse, and Robbie mistook that for Satan because he's superstitious. I like that the first Rider has a motorcycle though.
I really wish we had figured out Eli was evil earlier. If we had known that already, the heroes would have won.
I don't like how suddenly sinister the series is portraying Mace as. Because that was never how he was portrayed until this week. It's fair to reveal to the audience that it's possible Mace's motives are bad. But just because WE now know that doesn't mean Mace needs to have a personality transplant in front of the rest of the cast. In fact, it makes even less sense. Because if he IS bad, he should be trying to hide it, especially considering how successful he was at doing that earlier in the season.
I like that May is against Robbie for what he did to Mace. Honestly? I don't blame her. Even if Mace ultimately turns out to be untrustworthy, that was uncool.
I kind of loved Gabe telling Robbie in disgust that he shouldn't be blaming him for all of the people he killed. He didn't ask for that, and it's crazy for Robbie to try and make him feel responsible for his own actions. It's amazing that Robbie never looked at it that way before. Which tells me Robbie is pretty thick because that is a pretty obvious moral.
I like that the show seems to be trying to wrap up some of Agent Carter's loose ends. I want to see more of that. Would Agent Carter flashbacks with Hayley Atwell be too much to ask?
Look forward to the few week hiatus because that will give me plenty of time to see Doctor Strange in the meantime. The worst part about when Captain America The Winter Soldier and Civil War hit theaters is that you had to see them in the first week, otherwise the show would spoil some of the major twists. I honestly hope the show stops doing that altogether. It's a bad idea and makes everything less fun.
I wasn't feeling this one. **1/2.
Marvel's Avengers: Ultron Revolution "The U-Foes"
I'll be honest. When Hulk returned to Vista Verde and none of the other Agents of S.M.A.S.H. showed up, I was disappointed. And then BOOM, there's Red Hulk at the end. They better not make him a villain next week.
Hulk's perspective that he'll ALWAYS be an Avenger was very Zen, and a nice way to show that Hulk isn't out of control as Marsh thinks he is. But frankly it was too Zen. There is absolutely no reason that guy should be allowed to fire Avengers. He says he's on orders from the President. Do the Avengers even answer to the government? These accords they talked about sounded more like registering Inhumans and Mutants rather than regulating superhero teams. Did the Avengers even think to check his credentials? He never offered one shred of proof of his government bonafides, he just walks in and the Avengers do what he says. Something isn't right about that guy.
I love that the episode is consciously pointing out how terrible the U-Foes names are. Because those are seriously terrible supervillain names. If you're gonna poke fun at the source material, you should do like this episode did and make fun of the stuff that DESERVES to be made fun of.
Not terrible although I'm more interested in next week. **1/2.
Marvel's Avengers: Ultron Revolution "Building The Perfect Weapon"
I love Red Hulk. He was the ONLY good part of Agents of S.M.A.S.H., and they somehow made him even funnier here. What I like is that even though he's taking Hulk's place on the team and everyone hates him, the show doesn't portray him as malevolent. He's still a good guy and trying to do the right thing. Which I imagine will be made MUCH harder after what happened to him at the end of the episode.
A surprisingly strong episode. ****1/2.
Once Upon A Time "Dark Waters"
Refreshingly sweet ending with Hook, Liam, and Nemo. The show needs to do that more often.
And I can now say with absolute certainty that Gold's haircut is awful. He looks all wrong and always WILL look wrong in it until it grows back. The show is going to be tough to watch until it does.
I'm glad the show didn't have Belle walk in on that. It's gotten cruel in its later seasons, but I like that it isn't that cruel.
Without a conscience to disturb her, the Evil Queen is playful. She is happy. She is fun. We're NEVER seen her portrayed like this and it makes me realize that part of the reason she always used to be so angry was simply guilt. Without that she can have a blast.
And she is even smart enough to realize why she's been losing. The heroes are more forgiving than she is and she never plans for that. Her unwillingness to let things go IS a flaw and an insane flaw at that. The sooner she realizes that, the better off she'll be. Of course, once she DOES realize that she'll stop being evil so that moment of personal growth is a Catch-22.
Hearing Henry curse sounds weird and wrong.
Why is it neither Nemo or Liam noticed the Kraken while it was attacking Hook? He actually had to get Liam's attention to notice that, and then crazily after that Nemo doesn't notice anything until they call on him too. Seriously weird.
Pretty good week. ****.
Once Upon A Time "Heartless"
Mostly boring, but two things I liked:
1. I love the idea that the Woodcutter from Little Red Riding Hood is basically a sociopathic serial killer bounty hunter. As Stewie Griffin noted on Family Guy, it isn't clear if he's the hero of Red Riding Hood or just some random psychopath murdering strangers. Once's version is the latter.
2. Belle's withering put-down to Rumple at the end. I think Gold is a lost cause at this point, but if there IS a 1 percent chance he isn't, that is precisely what he needed to hear. If he wants his son to love him, he only needs to be worthy of it. For someone who claims to be smart, I don't think Gold has ever heard of Occam's Razor.
We'll see where this leads. ***.
Once Upon A Time "I'll Be Your Mirror"
Jennifer Lynch directed this? Cool!
Not a great episode in its own right but it gave me a lot of fodder for theories.
Theory The First: The Dragon is Mulan's father. This is the one I am positive of.
2nd Theory: Snow and Charming's complicated sleeping curse can be broken by Emma kissing both. Frankly, I'm astounded they haven't tried this yet.
Theory Number 3: The Evil Queen will refuse to kill Zelina. If bad can infect Regina, it stands to reason good can infect her double.
Theory 4: This one is a longshot, but I think it may be true. I think the reason Emma thinks it's Regina in the vision is because it is. Somehow Regina is going to decide that the only way to stop the Evil Queen is to merge themselves together again. But when she does that the Evil Queen will be too powerful and her nature will take over. The reason I think this theory is a longshot is because I am pretty sure there is no way they are going to kill off Emma at the end of the season. But... there is a good chance they use most of this theory but chicken out at the end.
Snow and David's montage at the beginning was painful. Not as in dramatic. As in it was embarrassingly bad.
I like that Henry figured out the Evil Queen pretty quickly because they are returning to the essence of Henry from Season 1 and Season 2. He's the most insightful character on this show and knows the way the rules of this world work better than even the Evil Queen or Rumpelstilskin. Glad they got back to that.
The episode wasn't great but it gave me a lot to chew on. ***1/2.
Girl Meets World "Girl Meets Her Monster"
Riley's perspective that kids rebelling is normal and healthy is true. But the thing is, most kids have actual legit reasons to rebel. If Riley hadn't been such a baby she could have gotten everything she wanted in the episode simply by treating her mother respectfully. It's not simply that it was stupid or ill-advised to do that for why Riley is so dumb. It's because it was entirely counterproductive to her goals.
I love the idea of a sci-fi show ending with the reveal that the entire audience at home had been mind-wiped. Honestly, as sucky of writers of sitcoms as this show has, I think they could probably come up with a decent sci-fi series with that idea.
I think Sabrina Carpenter sold the idea that as jokey as she was being, she was truly frightened. When she hands Topanga the phone, she has the same expression as someone who Jason Vorhees is swinging an axe at.
I also love that Corey seems to be enjoying himself a little and using the occasion to take pokes at his wife and daughter. What I love about him being "Dumb Dad" in this scenario is that once Riley talks about running away, "Real Dad" instantly appears and he lays into her as badly as her mother does. The idea that Corey's happy-go-lucky personality is largely a put-on to diffuse tensions in the house is actually interesting once you realize that when the situation calls for it, he'll break character. Which is pretty much the least you can ask for in an ineffective TV dad.
Off-topic: I hate how entitlement has turned into a dirty word. It's an actual legit thing and the politics of this country are such that we think people talking about what they are legitimately owed are effete self-involved liberals. I don't know when conservatives decided to become the arbiters of self-reliance and working class toughness, and suddenly hippies are the self-involved, classist, rich ones, but that's how dumb things currently are. And as b.s. a narrative as it is, liberals seem too afraid to brush back against it because Paul Ryan might say mean things about them. Entitlement is NOT a bad word. It never was. You pay into Social Security, you are entitled to that money when you retire. I'm sick of society thinking that giving people what they are owed is somehow a bad thing. Apparently we are supposed to consider the idea of being wage slaves as a positive thing and be grateful for being ripped off. Apparently us hippies are now the Godless capitalists.
I think teenage rebellion IS normal. But Riley blew her entire wad for no reason. Now when she comes home with a tattooed biker at the age of 19, she doesn't have a leg to stand on. Pick your battles, kid. ****.
Girl Meets World "Girl Meets Hollyworld"
Yes, Lucas is dumb. I admittedly liked the joke at the end of the director asking Zay to repeat his catchphrase only to dismiss him after all, but that is literally the only thing I liked.
I think I was supposed to find Riley's obsession over the bow at the beginning cute, but I think it just means she's self-absorbed.
Now for the meat of the review: I cannot possibly think how this episode could be more embarrassing and stupid. I actually said aloud at one point "This is destroying me as a person." I'm not kidding. I said that. And I meant it. 0.
Elena Of Avalor "The Scepter Of Light"
That different globe hints that this show and the entire Sofia Disney Princessverse takes place on another world, or at least another dimension. Which is weird, because Beauty and the Beast is actually set in France. I love the questions it raises because while it IS a plothole, a decent Disneyphile can come up with a bunch of juicy fan theories to justify it. That's what we do. And that's what the globe gives us.
Game of Night is a good song.
Pretty good. ***1/2.
The Lion Guard "Lions Of The Outlands"
I loved the references to The Lion King 2 and the fact that the Roar didn't actually work on Kovu. I also love that he still has a crush on Kiara. They managed to pay tribute to the sequel without actually violating the continuity of it. Pretty cool. ****.
The Lion Guard "Never Roar Again"
We haven't seen Nala in forever but I don't like the fact that she was such a victim in this. She should have been shown to be able to handle those hyenas herself.
It was good seeing Zazu again too though. We haven't seen him in a long time either.
Didn't much care for this. **1/2.
Disney's Descendants: Wicked World "Pair Of Sneakers"
Somehow cliffhangers for five minute shorts seem weird. Of course, I thought the same thing about some of the one-minute shorts on DC Nation. *.
Disney's Descendants: Wicked World "Wild Rehearsal"
Boring. *.
Disney's Descendants: Wicked World "Chemical Reaction"
Here is why this franchise sucks: instead of a life of adventure, or saving the Kingdom, the drama for these kids literally involves avoiding paint bubbles. Because they'll ruin their pretty clothes. And I just became super cynical. As bad as Snow White probably was for young feminists back in the 1930's, at least she had real problems. And the fact that this show THINKS ruined clothes are a real problem is precisely why Disney obviously thinks so little of its pre-teen girl base. I don't get why girls would want to watch something that repeatedly points out how much they suck. I do not get it. 0.
Transformers: Robots In Disguise "Pretzel Logic"
I like how chill Gunther the monk was. And when Bee asks if they can trust him a halo of light appears on high. Cute.
"Bad lobster! Bad lobster!" Funny line.
Was that Starscream over the comm? It was definitely Steve Blum but I thought Starscream died in Transformers Prime: Predacons Rising. And were those Soundwave's tentacles coming out of the ground bridge at the end?
I like the idea of the ambiguous Minicons and want to see more of that.
Great episode. I hope Gunther returns. ****1/2.
Transformers: Robots In Disguise "Mighty Big Trouble"
Starscream. Called it. They didn't explain how he survived the Prime finale but I think that's coming. I'm also interesting how he got his redesign (which is more in line with the G1 look).
Look forward to Optimus Prime next week. And is Megatron in our future? If so, is it guaranteed he's a bad guy? If Starscream is after him, perhaps not. We'll see. ****.
Transformers: Robots In Disguise "Mini-Con Madness"
The good:
Transformers Prime resolution. I was wondering how Starscream survived.
The bad:
The episode was too focused on the toy aspects to the franchise. Transformers Prime was so effective because it never ONCE reminded you it was essentially a toy commercial. This show does not have that gift.
The weird:
How does Bee know to question how Starscream escaped the Predacons? Nobody but Starscream knew he encountered them, and the Predacons died. I think the show had Bee ask a question on behalf of the audience because there wasn't actually another character to ask it. But I noticed that fact.
P.S., Starscream's won nothing. I noticed the triceratops wandered off. The writers aren't fooling anyone. ***.
Power Rangers: Dino Super Charge "The Rangers Rock!"
For some reason I really laughed at Sledge's vacation photos and flashbacks. I also love that upon seeing him again Poisandra decks him.
Redemption for Heckyll? Yes, please. I want that more than I've ever wanted anything in this entire franchise.
Pretty great and elaborate fight at the end with all ten Rangers. Impressive.
I was surprised at how much I liked this. ****1/2.
Power Rangers: Dino Super Charge "End Of Extinction: Part 1"
Pretty good. As great as Ryan Carter is as sinister Heckyll, he plays innocent Heckyll equally well. I look forward to the finale next week. ****.
Power Rangers: Dino Super Charge "End Of Extinction: Part 2"
Okay, if the Dinosaurs didn't go extinct, does this mean this show takes place in an alternate reality? Or will all future Power Rangers shows have dinosaurs? I'm guessing it's the second thing.
They killed off all the bad guys at the end, even the harmless ones like Poisondra! I have to admit to being a little impressed by that.
I'm glad they didn't have the Rangers forget their adventures, but I think it was pretty gutsy and unusual to have them not only stop being Rangers, but saying they never became Rangers in this universe at all. You can tell it's a finale because Koda and Ivan went home, and even Heckyll was given a happy ending with the chance to save his planet.
This incarnation of the Power Rangers was worse than average but the finale was better than average. ****.
The Simpsons "There Will Be Buds"
Kevin Curran died? Married... With Children was basically my 90's. R.I.P., you trashy sitcom God.
Homer sticking up for Kirk at the town meeting shows that Homer will pretty much do whatever Marge tells him to do. Because I would not have done it in a million years. I hope Marge is someday actually able to appreciate the power she holds in that relationship. We can act like Homer is a thoughtless husband all we want. but most men are not THAT deferential. Not enough to publicly support Kirk Van Houten. That's absolute lunacy.
I absolutely adore the fact that Homer hates strip clubs. As goofy as his reasoning sounds, it is beyond romantic: "I have a naked lady at home." It doesn't even occur to him that some men prefer women who look like strippers to their wives. Marge is pretty much the package for him. That line right there proves Homer is too.
I also love that Homer is horrified that Kirk wants to swap sex stories. And I never really noticed that about Homer, but he DOESN'T trade bedroom tales with Lenny and Carl either. I thought it was because the show was PG. No, actually it's because Homer has a surprising level of propriety. "There are kids here!"
Kirk being bald in high school is pathetic enough. But the fact that he had long hair made it ten times so.
Homer asks a helpful question about vaping: "Who would want that?" That's a legit question.
I loved this episode because it showed that even if Homer cannot bring himself to be a good friend to Kirk, he is still an amazing husband and father to Marge and the kids. And I love that the show acknowledges that from time to time. *****.
The Simpsons "Havana Wild Weekend"
I think this episode saw the writing on the wall. And I am even more depressed.
I liked that guy telling Grandpa everyone has their embarrassments, we hear Homer's voice, and Grandpa says "And he walks right up."
I liked Maggie clopping her hand on the table four times after eating horse. I also like the way she avoided the knock-out gas.
Ticketmaster is truly evil. Whoever designed it deserves to be shot.
Pretty good but not as phenomenal as the show has recently been. ***1/2.
Bob's Burgers "They Serve Horses, Don't They?"
I like that this episode pointed out that as nice, warm and friendly as Jack Conway is, and the fact that he has a wonderful family makes Bob feel guilty, the truth is the fact that he DOES sell horse makes him a bad guy. And I like that the show allowed that to be true.
I adored the climax of Felix dropping the tape recorder and it breaking as Jack cheers. And Tina picks up the cassette which is fine. And it totally would be in most scenarios like that. Which sort of makes the artificial drama surrounding the catch even funnier.
Pretty good. ****.
Son Of Zorn "A Tale Of Two Zorns"
"Okay, that's the phone, that's the coffeemaker, and that's the photocopier. And that's pretty much it for things in the office a robot can have sex with." Somebody explain to me why this isn't the highest rated show on the air.
"Come sit on your robot father massage chair's lap," is an equally excellent line.
I love that Linda knows that Zorn thinks she's a man. It's just easier not to correct him.
Linda making out with Mecha-Zorn was beyond twisted. I think Edie was freaked out too.
The only thing that Craig is good at killing is the vibe Zorn and Alan were feeling before he got there.
Chilling to be reminded that Zorn is guilty of genocide. I don't care if it's genocide of cartoon characters, he's still a monster.
I think Todd IS Zorn's friend and Zorn just doesn't realize it now. Based on their heartfelt yelling I'm betting Zorn WILL eventually appreciate him.
This is such an amazeballs show. ****1/2.
Son Of Zorn "The Battle Of Thanksgiving"
I love how passionate and gross Craig was forced to make the kiss. I also appreciated how much he was looking out for Zorn this episode. Actually giving him his pants went above and beyond.
I like that Zorn had his marathon number pinned to his bare chest.
Nick Offerman rules. That is all.
Good, but a little bit sad at the same time. ***1/2.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine "Monster In The Closet"
Adrian Pimento! About time!
I am unsurprised Rosa liked the balloon arch. She and Holt have very similar thinking and tastes, so it would be weird if she didn't.
I loved Gina asking Adrian questions about origami to determine whether or not Adrian actually knew how to fly a plane. It was pretty much a perfectly crafted joke.
Adrian realizing the pawn shop lady stole all of the stuff and burned the shop down is this show in a nutshell. I actually think it WAS a very good sign from the universe.
Holt is so drunk he's alliterating his words like a beatnik.
Great episode back. ****1/2.
The Good Place "...Someone Like Me As A Member"
I love that Jason loves Janet because she's the only person who is nice to him. That says a LOT about Tahani in my mind. And none of it good. Can't believe the show is on hiatus until January.
I also love that in high school Eleanor didn't just reject the geeks. She rejected the means girls and the outsiders. That is super endearing to me.
I don't buy the idea that Eleanor would be happier in the bad place. That just Adam Scott thinking his s*** don't stink. But it does.
I like Real Eleanor and I like that the show is LETTING me like Real Eleanor and not putting a value judgment on her. That makes things messier, therefore more interesting, therefore better.
What a great show. Why is it going on hiatus in the first place? *****.
Family Guy "Chris Has Got A Date, Date, Date, Date, Date"
Oh my God! They did the Saved By The Bell pills scene! That was probably the lowest point in television history. It was pretty much the only thing that was worse than every single episode of The Jerry Springer Show. And I can think of nothing else that is true of. Maybe Dudley getting molested shirtless on Diff'rent Strokes with a laugh track in the background. But that still wasn't a tenth of "I'm so excited."
I don't know what Uber is and I still don't. The episode explained it poorly.
Taylor Swift likes photos of Kanye West with his mouth shut. Another way Taylor Swift is exactly like me.
I loved Stewie's reaction to realizing he'd get to be the person to introduce Chris to Taylor Swift. I love turning people on to awesome things (even if Swift's awesomeness is actually debatable) and they perfect conveyed how exciting that is.
Was I the only person who was hoping to get Judd Hirsch in a flashback? He's been on the show multiple times, after all.
The Tonight Show ending was random, but I don't think modern comedy gives Johnny Carson his due enough. He WAS on the air as late as 1992 after all, and people seem to have already forgotten him for Letterman and Leno, which is wrong, especially since Leno sucks so much. Johnny was a legend, and not just for classic comedy. He did great Dan Quayle jokes back in the day too.
Funny episode. ****.
Family Guy "Hot Shots"
Lois is such an idiot. I hate her so much.
Crossing guards who can walk are the big guns.
Not great, but I think anti-vaxxers need to be shown as the nutcases they are. **1/2.
American Dad! "Father's Daze"
The Golden Turd is getting amazing. Are we actually going to get an episode and a resolution? Because that's what that cliffhanger hinted to me.
Reggie being a stuffed animal really freaked me out. That joke better not mean what I think it means.
Saltines and Gushers are pretty much the worst snack ever.
I liked this episode a lot. ****.
American Dad! "Fight And Flight"
Ironically, it's the Klaus and Hayley stuff that I loved. When Klaus sees the Garfield mat and brings out the gun I roared in laughter. I especially loved the subtitle reassuring us to not feel bad for the guy in the closet as he was a murderer.
Steven and Snot slow Zoloft talking at the beginning was funny too, as was the gross gag with Principal Lewis and the popcorn tub.
Above average: ***1/2.
The Last Man On Earth "The Power Of Power"
I could get used to watching this show with January Jones shirtless. I was all smiles when Melissa warmly hugged Todd. What a great moment.
The rest of the episode was good too. Suffice it to say I'm back on Team Toddlissa again. I'm sick of Gail at this point.
Here's something interesting: Carol going on about the idea of supermodels doing porn makes me realize that the few porn actors I've seen are kind of plain-looking. They get work because they had plastic surgery and obviously work-out, but you will never see a person as beautiful as a supermodel doing porn. Because they don't need to. Porn is a desperate career last resort and should be viewed as such.
Good episode of a good show. ***1/2.
The Last Man On Earth "The Open Ended Nature Of Unwitnessed Death"
Wonderful episode. Great episode title too.
We learned that Mike is almost certainly dead. I expected that, but it still bums me out.
Lewis leaving a note concerns me a little. What if he told Pat where he used to live, and Pat finds it? I suspect that is what is going to happen.
I don't care how worried Todd is, I would not have turned down that crazy invitation from Melissa. The hole in the wall says she is truly nuts and I love her for it.
Gail's thing with Carol was at first stupid and then incredibly moving. If it wasn't the virus, I wonder what it was.
Lewis is growing on me, probably because Tandy is growing on him. And I think he's the only person besides Carol and Todd who actually likes him so that means something.
Great episode. ****1/2.
Scream "Halloween Special"
Mostly cr*p but Noah's enthusiasm over finding a secret passage was infectious. But this is the first time the show has ever made me correctly guess the killer at the beginning. It's like they aren't even trying anymore.
If this is the series finale, the entire series was a wash. **1/2.
Scream Queens "Chanel Pour Homme-Icide"
Dean Munsch is despicable for consenting to Chanel's plan to use the patients as bait.
I was very saddened by that girl thanking the Green Meanie for cutting off her finger before he killed her. Why didn't the doctors think of that?
I do not think Chamberlain is the killer. I also think he is exactly as nice as he appears. Which means he's doomed.
You know, I'd feel a lot more sympathy to the abuse Chanel #5 suffers if she weren't so horrible herself. On some level, karma says she has it coming.
I don't even think Kirstie Alley's character needs to blackmail Dean Munsch with releasing her dying of a terminal illness to the press. She HAS to know at this point that she's covering up murders too, right?
I'm pretty much annoyed with this show now. **1/2.
Van Helsing "Little Thing"
Genius move to have John watching the Doc do that. Because it makes the idea that he's a rapist plausible. And that IS what's going, and what would have happened if Vanessa hadn't interrupted.
And you know what? Susan was into the kiss! That doesn't mean when she said to stop he had license to keep going. She seemed a little defensive and embarrassed about the fact that the making out was consensual, when the fact is she had nothing to be embarrassed or apologetic over. I freaking hate rape culture.
I don't think John's the killer though. He seemed genuinely surprised to see the finger. But if he isn't the killer, how did the killer know to put the finger in John's bag? How did they know he would be the precise person to frame and exactly when to do it? How could they plan that? John's reaction tells me he's the not the killer. But there is no other reason the finger should have been in his bag.
So as far as I'm concerned, this takes Mohammed off the suspect list. It's obviously not Axel, but Mohammed is now the only person besides Vanessa who has an abili for murderous behavior. Because if it ISN'T John, it certainly wasn't Mohammed who planted the finger. Besides, he took the rap. He wouldn't need to plant anything if he had always been willing to do that.
I still think it's Sam. Based upon her erratic behavior over the past few episodes, the Doc is a dark horse. However I'm pretty sure if it IS her, she isn't aware she's doing it and it is residual vampirism. While if it's Sam, he certainly is.
I love Gorman. I love that he keeps bombs on him at all times, and drops them at the drop of a hat. He might literally be the first comic relief character on the entire show. Flesh, Mohammed, and Sam have each had funny moments. But they aren't inherently funny characters by themselves. Gorman is.
That scene at the Vampire baby mill at the beginning told me something about vampires that I didn't realize before seeing it. I had previously sort of thought of them as infected predators preying on the weak to survive. The baby mill says that isn't it. These are genuinely evil creatures with horrific designs in store for humanity. Vampirism is not simply a disease. The entire species is a perversion.
Good riddance to John. Even if he isn't the killer, I have a feeling the group dynamics are going to be smoother now without a person constantly threatening to kill the other characters. He was behind the mess with the other group, and to not have someone constantly working against them can only help things.
But if he isn't the killer, they are screwed. Because there doesn't appear to be any other way out of that bunker. To be continued... ****.
Van Helsing "Help Out"
I'm surprised they killed of Axel when they did. Of course, it might not actually be the end of him with the premise of the show, but if it isn't, there are dark times ahead for him.
Prediction: Emma is Dylan and has the same gifts as her mother. That is why she doesn't fear the feeders. Unlike Vanessa she doesn't kill them. She always cures them instead.
I now ship Susan and Vanessa. Which is a shame because Vanessa is clearly not gay. But they would be amazing if she was.
Big episode. ****.
Van Helsing "Stay Away"
Eden is Omelas. A paradise built on the tears and blood of children.
I love that they had a great resolution for the Church bells all along. It means I can now trust this show.
What Doc did last week was horrible, but not unforgivable. I understand why she was so scared. But now? I detest her. It serves her right that she will never get her fondest wish.
And frankly, that's how the reverse infection should have worked all along. If Vanessa truly IS special and dangerous, you can't expect her to bite every vampire in existence. I like the idea that if they somehow take out Vanessa, the reverse infection will still spread.
I loved learning Flesh used to fantasize about killing his family. Because Flesh always struck me as someone who felt more guilty than they should have. His behavior as a vampire was outside of his control. Until we learned that it fed into one of his worst fears. Suddenly Flesh makes sense. If this IS his last episode, I'll miss him.
Tom Cavanaugh sucks at accents. I'm a little surprised how bad he is considering the fact that he is otherwise a good actor.
What Sam did increases my suspicions that he's the killer. There had to be another way out of that than stabbing that guy, but Sam's decision to do that was pretty definitive. So much so, I doubt it was the first time he made it.
Great episode. *****.
The Blacklist "Dr. Adrian Shaw"
The good:
This was a good episode. It went exactly as it should have gone if the show were usually better written. This is how the show should be.
The bad:
That meant nothing surprised me. Red's always right. So when he insists a few weeks ago that Kirk is not her father, that is the only correct answer. And I knew that all along.
Do you know what disappoints? Ressler and Navabi actually fear Red is going to kill Shaw to make sure Kirk dies. Have they met the guy? That is perhaps the most inelegant solution to the Kirk problem ever, and totally out of character. Red always has a master plan, and plays for bigger stakes. A dead Adrian Shaw is worth nothing more than a bullet in Kirk's brain isn't worth. But one in his debt for some unknown reason? THAT'S a Reddington scam. And it really bothers me that Ressler and Navabi think Red is more classless and thuggish than he is. Red uses WAY more carrots than sticks. That's why he's successful. I question a team working with a guy when they don't seem to actually know the first thing about his motives or how he operates. It's a bit insulting to be honest.
Red is always right. So Kirk is not Liz's father and Lizzie will realize he's not all bad. And then the series will do this dance over and over again ad nauseam. This was a good episode. But it was also an old hat episode. Which describes this show in season four to a T. ****1/2.
The Blacklist "Dr. Adrian Shaw: Conclusion"
Thanks for spoiling that in the promos, NBC. Television sucks.
They did it right. They had Red reveal the truth to the audience while still not telling Liz. Red's entire shtick is "I have never lied to you." But when it comes to this particular secret Red has lied and often. And I truly think it IS the only thing he's lied about.
What did Red whisper to Kirk? My guess is that Katerina is alive. It's super obvious, and if the show thinks it can keep me guessing about something like that, it really needs to try harder.
Red apologizes to Dembe for Kate. And Kate believes he'll kill her if he found out she was alive. I have to think the truth is somewhere in the middle. While Red will certainly not be happy to see her, I truly think him shooting her was one of the biggest regrets of his life in a life where he led nothing but regrets.
I loved Red taking exception to one of his men being called a goon. He's actually quite a erudite fellow, who is great at chess. I love that Red appreciates his men.
Good mid-season finale. ****.
Blindspot "Do Not Slack, The Featherweight Wins"
This show somehow makes Rashomon boring. Who does that?
And the solution of returning the evidence with Reed giving Freddie a heads up is so startlingly simple I'm kind of amazed it wasn't the first thing Reed and Zapata thought it. It got them entirely out of that fix. You think they wouldn't have to spend so long wracking their brain over something so obvious.
When Weller tells Jane that they are friends and he'd miss her, I was a little disappointed. Their relationship earlier in the season when he disliked her was MUCH more interesting. And considering how boring it used to be I was not ready for things to go back to the status quo so soon (or ever).
Lotta action, not lotta good plot twists. ***.
Blindspot "Why Let Cooler Pasture Deform"
Knew the mole was Borden. Glad Patterson was the one who figured it out. I hope she survives.
I look forward to Ronan being John Doe, but I think that was still cruel of Jane. I have always hated her and stuff like that is the reason why.
Eh. **1/2.
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Gotham City Break-Out
Too long for the thin plot. Not terrible, and had some good jokes, but this would have worked better as a half hour TV special.
I loved Superman blubbering and crying to Batman when he came home. Equally funny was Commissioner Gordon surprised that Superman didn't leave mid-sentence. And Superman's like "Dude, that's rude! And what if I missed crucial information by doing that?" The best things about the LEGO DC projects is that they poke holes in the comic book logic. I loved Gordon's line about finally finishing a conversation sort of mirroring Batman's opposite line in The Dark Knight Rises. "That's what that feels like."
I loved Superman amending "Fair City" to "Fairish City" upon seeing the Gotham rat.
Do you know why Superman sucks? He asks Cyborg if he usually wears a cape. He actually doesn't know enough about Cyborg to know for sure that detail is out of character.
Casting news: Scott Menville plays Robin (although probably the Tim Drake version) whereas Will Friedle reprises the role of Nightwing from Batman Unlimited. Greg Cipes and Hynden Walch also appear for the first time as Beast Boy and Starfire (although I missed Raven). I would have loved it if Deathstroke were played by Ron Perlman, but we can't always get what we want. Raven not being present is puzzling because Tara Strong voiced Harley Quinn.
I like how they decided to not violate the Lego sturdiness rule by having Beast Boy shift into all of his animals off-camera. The fact that they were canny enough to do that makes me extra disappointed they broke the Lego rules for Bane's transformation. Even more galling is that Bane has fingers when he's bigger.
Plothole: Batman is wearing his New 52 costume in the flashbacks about the origins of the Bat-Family. It was previously established that he changed to that costume in "Attack Of The Legion Of Doom" and the Bat Family were already a thing at that point. I notice these things, producers.
Egregious prop comedy is a crime? Somebody lock up Carrot Top for his own safety and ours.
"I blame the spoon." Best line in the movie.
Eric Bauza was an amazing choice as Bane. I want to hear him take a legit shot at the character. The voice sounds right coming out of him. Hector Elizando was second best, but even if his rasp and accent worked in Mystery Of The Batwoman, there was no power behind it, which is what Bane should have. Bauza was great. First Tony Todd as Darkseid and now Bauza. I'm starting to think whoever casts these movies needs to do the rest of the DC projects too.
The Batusi ending would have only been acceptable to me had they done the actual dance. Just saying the word isn't enough.
I like that Starfire lusts after Nightwing. That is the correct 'ship.
I loved the panicked way Superman called Cyborg for help while coolly trying to pretend nothing was wrong. I liked them and Wonder Woman taking serious clipboard notes upon Robin teaching them to defeat villains Batman style.
Was Madame Mantis a comic book character? She's same actress who plays Mama Ling on American Dad (Amy Hill). She is a very funny woman.
I liked that they decide to redeem Deathstroke at the end (sort of). It was fun seeing him and Batman team up at the end.
Why do the Trugawogs all sound like the Goofy Gophers from Looney Tunes? To quote Bart Simpson regarding Mutt and Jeff: "We get it! They're gay!" But everyone says the word "Trugawog" different. It's almost as bad as Arrow and Ra's.
I like Batgirl's reaction to the Bat-Brick-Separator. "Whaaaaat?" Deadliest Lego weapon since the Kragle.
Superman had an interesting observation: most of Batman's supervillains don't have superpowers. Although Penguin's fish cannon may be worse. And if Superman can't grow money on trees or turn dogs invisible, it isn't worth having superpowers.
"Green thumb, black heart" was a groaner of a line, but I like that the movie didn't let all of the groaners slide. Nightwing got several shots taken at his "holy" alliterations, and Deathstroke defensively says he wasn't going to thank them for dropping in when Batgirl calls him on it. I also like the prison guards being unimpressed with Joker's "Bat's away" joke. As noted, he didn't even follow the idiom of the Cat's away line.
Banesylvania is a good name for a country. I like that when Bane and Deathstroke see the Forbidden Move for themselves, they turn to each other excitedly and say "Awesome!" like kids in a toy commercial. Since this is a LEGO property, that seems entirely appropriate.
I liked Batman calling Nightwing "My former apprentice".
I love Nightwing and Batgirl having to take a breath during screaming as they fell down the bottomless pit. The fall is SO long, Batman has enough time to tell an entire flashback without anyone ever telling him he's crazy and that they have bigger problems.
I liked this much more than Cosmic Clash, but it still felt overlong and padded. ***.