Episode review: The Amazing Howie
Yes, I live. I've just been busy and not thinky about things.
This episode was something--I'm wanting to compare PKJ to Bones, in the way it treats plot structures and timing in its episodes. It's NOT a slashbangbam action show where everything moves too fast to follow. It's much closer to something like Midsommer Murders in that it's trying to lay things out and present more than just surface gloss. Yes, some of the time, it's all surface gloss. But there's always been this mildly philosophical/humanistic (can I call it that?) element to the episodes.
From the beginning, we had Jane's mom and father as background. And then Jane's voice-overs. Couple that with episodes where the team pull together, or show doubt about their mission, and you get something that isn't just shoot-em-up, cop action.
This was a Riley episode, and our boy shone in it. His need to prove that he was right, and that this guy was a Neuro was pride as well as it was him wanting to do his job. I love that even when no one listened, he was still trying to find out what was up. Breaking and entering, coming up with an awesome lie on the spur of the moment. Oh, Riley. I do love you, man.
I'm a bit unimpressed with Andre for not at least considering that Riley--his trusted techie geek--might be right. What, Andre, 'cause you didn't see it, Riley's wrong? Obviously, you hit your head in the shower a bit, because you're supposed to be paranoid, man.
The background, that it's obvious they do have other cases, was nice.
The cinematography was gorgeous. Those afternoon sunlight shots fading to dusk just made me swoon. That is another one of the reasons I love this show. I think the people doing the directing, editing and lighting are producing something that is incredibly beautiful and lush. And, yeah, it's just for TV, but so was Farscape, and there is NO ONE that can deny Farscape was shot in full color cinematic awesomeness.
Riley going to Howie's apartment made my mouth water, because I wanted to lick the screen it was so pretty.
And the end, with Riley getting him free (plus proving you CAN override the chip, hahahahahahahahahahahahahah) was awesome. Even if it might bite them on the ass someday.
Oh. The shackles and everything that the transfer guys brought? I love the way it made Marc Andre step back a bit and disturbed him. Because he still sees Neuros as humans, and... these guys don't. Not really.
Amusingly, the Riley and Howie conversation about Neuros and abilities and fear made me want to laugh hysterically, because they could totally have lifted that from almost any issue of X-Men EVER. And I know the concept of mutants/Neuros is not new, but, god, was it obvious there. *snerk*
Finally, I note that PKJ is now like House in that the previews have very little to do with what actually occurs in the episode.
Addendum: oh, producers, you could have Ajira show up and there would be hot lesbian action. Please?
This episode was something--I'm wanting to compare PKJ to Bones, in the way it treats plot structures and timing in its episodes. It's NOT a slashbangbam action show where everything moves too fast to follow. It's much closer to something like Midsommer Murders in that it's trying to lay things out and present more than just surface gloss. Yes, some of the time, it's all surface gloss. But there's always been this mildly philosophical/humanistic (can I call it that?) element to the episodes.
From the beginning, we had Jane's mom and father as background. And then Jane's voice-overs. Couple that with episodes where the team pull together, or show doubt about their mission, and you get something that isn't just shoot-em-up, cop action.
This was a Riley episode, and our boy shone in it. His need to prove that he was right, and that this guy was a Neuro was pride as well as it was him wanting to do his job. I love that even when no one listened, he was still trying to find out what was up. Breaking and entering, coming up with an awesome lie on the spur of the moment. Oh, Riley. I do love you, man.
I'm a bit unimpressed with Andre for not at least considering that Riley--his trusted techie geek--might be right. What, Andre, 'cause you didn't see it, Riley's wrong? Obviously, you hit your head in the shower a bit, because you're supposed to be paranoid, man.
The background, that it's obvious they do have other cases, was nice.
The cinematography was gorgeous. Those afternoon sunlight shots fading to dusk just made me swoon. That is another one of the reasons I love this show. I think the people doing the directing, editing and lighting are producing something that is incredibly beautiful and lush. And, yeah, it's just for TV, but so was Farscape, and there is NO ONE that can deny Farscape was shot in full color cinematic awesomeness.
Riley going to Howie's apartment made my mouth water, because I wanted to lick the screen it was so pretty.
And the end, with Riley getting him free (plus proving you CAN override the chip, hahahahahahahahahahahahahah) was awesome. Even if it might bite them on the ass someday.
Oh. The shackles and everything that the transfer guys brought? I love the way it made Marc Andre step back a bit and disturbed him. Because he still sees Neuros as humans, and... these guys don't. Not really.
Amusingly, the Riley and Howie conversation about Neuros and abilities and fear made me want to laugh hysterically, because they could totally have lifted that from almost any issue of X-Men EVER. And I know the concept of mutants/Neuros is not new, but, god, was it obvious there. *snerk*
Finally, I note that PKJ is now like House in that the previews have very little to do with what actually occurs in the episode.
Addendum: oh, producers, you could have Ajira show up and there would be hot lesbian action. Please?