Legion: Season 2, Episode 11 “Chapter 19” (B+)
This was one hell of a transformative episode, showing us that everything we learned from Future Syd about what David would become was indeed true, though it’s possible that knowing what he would do made them act in a way that then caused him to turn. The opening scene was uniquely weird, with David and Farouk transforming into different people, animals, and objects in their midst of their epic battle, animated above their bodies as they participated in a questionably necessary musical number. Syd showing up with a gun pointed at David because she realized that he might not be the hero was a somewhat unexpected but equally inevitable development, and Lenny springing into action to fire two bullets to give David the upper hand was incredibly choreographed, especially with the sideways cinematography showing her walking in the desert carrying her gun. Farouk was felled pretty effectively by that power-cancelling and painful-looking crown, but, as we quickly learned and David did too, it wasn’t him that was on trial. David’s fury was evident when he was trapped in that containment bubble, but Syd telling him that he drugged her and then had sex with her demonstrated how out of touch he is with his own actions. Melanie and Oliver calmly commenting on events from three years in the future without their bodies and a good chunk of their memories opened this episode in a very different way than it ended, with David’s triumphant and terrifying turn, bringing Lenny along with him for a destructive joyride with Blondie firmly in his rear-view mirror. I’m so intrigued to see what happens in season three.
Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Dan Stevens as David
Showing posts with label Chapter 19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chapter 19. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
What I’m Watching: House of Cards
House of Cards: Season 2, Episode 6 “Chapter 19” (B+)
Each installment of this show feels very much like how I used to describe HBO series and how they were much more like standalone movies than hours of television. That’s why I’m pleased that I chose to go this route, watching one episode a week rather than marathoning through the series in one day. The energy crisis was front and center in this episode, which helped to hasten Frank’s efforts to discredit Raymond and get him booted from the President’s circle of trust permanently. I’m inclined to think that Frank engineered the blackout right before his pitch himself, though I think that’s a bit too godlike, even for him. Literally tossing him a baseball to signify that the ball was in Raymond’s court was appropriately overdramatic for Frank. Meeting with Tom to intimidate him into canning the story that Lucas wanted him to write was bold but apparently effective, and sending the FBI to talk to Janine was equally fearsome. Things are looking increasingly bad for poor Lucas. Doug is exhibiting enormous self-control with Rachel, though that situation is not headed anywhere good either. Claire knows exactly what to do to get what she wants, and Christina’s fate is not looking promising. Jackie and Remy sleeping together was an intriguing development, and I think that those two may just be the show’s most interesting characters, always on the sidelines and in second position but much more crucial than their stations should indicate. Big things are definitely in both their futures, independent certainly of Raymond and maybe even of Frank.
Each installment of this show feels very much like how I used to describe HBO series and how they were much more like standalone movies than hours of television. That’s why I’m pleased that I chose to go this route, watching one episode a week rather than marathoning through the series in one day. The energy crisis was front and center in this episode, which helped to hasten Frank’s efforts to discredit Raymond and get him booted from the President’s circle of trust permanently. I’m inclined to think that Frank engineered the blackout right before his pitch himself, though I think that’s a bit too godlike, even for him. Literally tossing him a baseball to signify that the ball was in Raymond’s court was appropriately overdramatic for Frank. Meeting with Tom to intimidate him into canning the story that Lucas wanted him to write was bold but apparently effective, and sending the FBI to talk to Janine was equally fearsome. Things are looking increasingly bad for poor Lucas. Doug is exhibiting enormous self-control with Rachel, though that situation is not headed anywhere good either. Claire knows exactly what to do to get what she wants, and Christina’s fate is not looking promising. Jackie and Remy sleeping together was an intriguing development, and I think that those two may just be the show’s most interesting characters, always on the sidelines and in second position but much more crucial than their stations should indicate. Big things are definitely in both their futures, independent certainly of Raymond and maybe even of Frank.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
What I’m Watching: Eastbound & Down
Eastbound & Down: Season 3, Episode 6 “Chapter 19” (B+)
If Kenny’s father didn’t explain enough about the foul-mouthed, hot-tempered baseball player, then his mother certainly does. Within her first few minutes onscreen, she establishes herself as a similar soul, punching her bowling opponent in the face just to prove a point. Kenny’s father being present at Kenny’s return changed things considerably, since, for better or worse, it appears that Kenny and his mother have had a fairly positive relationship. I enjoyed learning that her trophy room was full of prescription and illegal drugs, and that she was prone to getting mad at Kenny for smoking - without her. The dual apologies that came out of the bowling lane gutters were entertaining, and it’s good to see these flawed characters strive for, and come somewhat close to, redemption for their many continued sins. As he narrates his life, it’s clear that Kenny has many obstacles to overcome before he gets to a true point of contentment and satisfaction, and one would think that would be fast approaching as the show is set to end for good with a mere two episodes left in the can. I liked that Casper was given a bit of personality in this installment, even if it was depraved, since Stevie has gone off the deep end and Eduardo is no help. I’m hopeful that, in the final two installments, we’ll see a return of some familiar faces, most notably April, but also Dustin and Cassie and all of the other people that, though he’d never admit it, have helped Kenny to get where he is today.
If Kenny’s father didn’t explain enough about the foul-mouthed, hot-tempered baseball player, then his mother certainly does. Within her first few minutes onscreen, she establishes herself as a similar soul, punching her bowling opponent in the face just to prove a point. Kenny’s father being present at Kenny’s return changed things considerably, since, for better or worse, it appears that Kenny and his mother have had a fairly positive relationship. I enjoyed learning that her trophy room was full of prescription and illegal drugs, and that she was prone to getting mad at Kenny for smoking - without her. The dual apologies that came out of the bowling lane gutters were entertaining, and it’s good to see these flawed characters strive for, and come somewhat close to, redemption for their many continued sins. As he narrates his life, it’s clear that Kenny has many obstacles to overcome before he gets to a true point of contentment and satisfaction, and one would think that would be fast approaching as the show is set to end for good with a mere two episodes left in the can. I liked that Casper was given a bit of personality in this installment, even if it was depraved, since Stevie has gone off the deep end and Eduardo is no help. I’m hopeful that, in the final two installments, we’ll see a return of some familiar faces, most notably April, but also Dustin and Cassie and all of the other people that, though he’d never admit it, have helped Kenny to get where he is today.
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