Review – The Playboy Club – Pilot (S01Ep01)
Pick a bunny, any bunny.
Synopsis:
It is 1960’s Chicago, and the Playboy Club is the hottest “key” in town. The bunnies are the most liberated women around, they can be whomever they want, including the African American “Chocolate” Bunny. Into this mix we have the movers and shakers, corrupt and not, in Chicago. What could possibly go wrong?
Pluses:
Interesting concept.
Liberation and repression with false expectations all rolled into one.
OMG it was David Krumhotlz as Billy Rosen.
Could be an interesting series arc if it gets its full run.
I like the gay rights subplot (including Sean Maher).
Nick Dalton is the name of the main character - I know a Nick Dalton.
Minuses:
For all its sexy bunny outfits, and Bunny Mansion parties, it was decidedly unsexy.
Not tightly written.
Characters need a lot of fleshing out.
Didn’t really have much suspense - even the big suspense scene.
This show didn’t really gel in the pilot. It has the potential to be an interesting character driven piece, they just have to work out what type of show it is - it doesn’t quite know yet. Is it noir? Is it T&A? Is it Mad Men lite?
#twoandahalfpandaswithabunnytail
Torchwood: Miracle Day – Season 4 Review
Look at us looking all serious like.
Synopsis:
It has been a year since Torchwood saved the world’s children and Jack is back. All the good characters are still dead, and since this season takes place a fair bit in America, it is clogged with plastic, unrealistic and unlikable characters. Anyway, a miracle happens and no one can die - except Jack. The Torchwood team must stay alive (Jack anyway) reform and hang out with annoying Americans to save the world from over population and self regulation. Sorry did you fall asleep? Yeah, I know.
Pluses:
Umm.
Couple of little eggs re past episodes and Doctor Who.
Minuses:
OMG the new characters - horrendous!
Such overblown writing - this 10 episode “arc” would have barely covered three tightly written episodes.
Filled with inconsistencies and major plot contradictions (The Jack effect is the biggest one).
A pedophile to be edgy? Gay sex to be edgy? None of it drove the story or added any weight.
Broke against the whole premise of what Torchwood is about - Queen Victoria would be rolling in her werewolf grave!
Yawn fest.
Women were not favourably portrayed at all, not even Gwen this time.
Can I say how much more I disliked it?
I stuck with TMD because I had faith that somehow RTD would dig TMD out of its poo filled grave. It didn’t. The final scene was even worse - I was desperately hoping that a character would just sod off and die from week 1, let alone that person being tied to Torchwood now for possible future episodes.
#onedisappointedpandawhowantsthatthenhoursofherlifeback
Sorbello’s Italian Restaurant – Mackay (Queensland)
Garlic Prawn Fettucini - so good I am actually thinking about writing a letter to ask for the recipe.
Based on the main strip in downtown Mackay is Sorbello's Italian Restaurant - a place that the locals will tell you is one of the oldest and best places to eat in town. Unfortunately, I didn't know this when I picked a location for lunch and had a very disappointing meal a few hundred metres up the road. After such a letdown, I went back to my hotel for wifi (little to no roaming on Three in downtown Mackay) and logged into UrbanSpoon. Thankfully, there was Sorbello's with a massive 100% like rating. Allbeit there weren't hundreds of votes, ok there wasn't even ten, but considering all the other local restaurants were under 50%, I figured it was a good bet.
On my way there for dinner, I mentioned to the hotel staff I was going to Sorbello's - needless to say that is when I was informed that it was THE place to eat in town. I had decided to arrive just as the dinner guests would be finishing up, to get one of the last meals before the kitchen closed around 8pm. I had assumed (incorrectly) that Mackay on a Saturday night would be like a small regional town - Mackay smells like steak on Saturday night by the way.
I turned up at 7.45pm and it was packed.
Let me rephrase that - it was overflowing. There were people waiting at the bar for tables to open up, and every inch of table was being utilised. I spoke to Con (one of the Sorbello brothers who own the place), and he agreed to squeeze me in on a table in the bar around 8.30pm.
After a stroll by the river, I returned to find a table for me in the bar. I picked one of my staple wines - Vasse Felix CDW and perused the menu. OMG it is huge! I panicked when I saw how big it was - because generally, the bigger the menu (content not actual physical size) the worse the food. I slowly worked my way through the 100 or more choices, and finally settled on Natural Oysters followed by the Garlic Prawns Fettucini.
Delicious doesn't cover the Fettucini. The prawns were cooked to perfection, the pasta not gluggy at all. Just spectacular. The oysters were fresh and huge - really huge, but not chewy. I finished up my bottle of wine, and grabbed one of their home made gelato for the stroll back to my hotel. The food itself would be a reason to return, but the service was outstanding - so much so I tipped 20%. When I left at 10.45pm the place was just under 50% full but there were more tables arriving - for deserts and coffees. Sorbello's is open until midnight. Be aware though, it is closed on Public Holidays.
Pluses:
Central location.
Very fresh ingredients.
Amazing service.
Excellent wine list.
Impossible NOT to find something you want to order.
Huge serves - the entree sized pasta is plenty big for a main.
Great atmosphere - everyone was having a brilliant time (including the staff).
Minuses:
The chocolate gelato was OK, not chocolatey enough for me.
The fettucini was quite broken, so it wasn't really long enough to twirl (do people in North Queensland eat it with a knife and fork?).
Sorbello's Italian Restaurant reminds me of those great Italian restaurants we went to as kids. Real restaurants, not a chain, or trying to be upmarket wanky. A real restaurant that takes pride in fresh ingredients, real flavour and good service. I am back in Mackay in October and cannot wait to return - though this time I am booking!
#fourandahalffullpandas
More CityCycle Misinformation
Thanks to the Courier Mail for this pic.
It must be a day ending in Y because the Courier Mail has written another negative piece on CityCycle.
Now, I do understand that not everyone sees the benefit of the program, but "cherry picking" and misrepresenting the numbers by "journalists" is becoming seriously tiring.
Figures released this week found the number of annual subscribers plummeted from 1251 in October when it began operating to only 131 in January.
The way that reads suggests that the total number of annual subscribers dropped by over 1000 in a 3 month period. It actually is the number of new annual subscriber take up - or did 1000 people really cancel their annual subscription. Also, January - didn't something happen in January. Let me think... Something that impacted the suburbs serviced by CityCycle? 131 people taking up the service in a month with disaster and cleanup is pretty damn good (no pun intended). Talk about cherry picking the least favourable stat and playing it up.
The article then goes on to say
CityCycle operator JC Decaux was paid $93,000 for the October quarter, $73,000 for the January quarter and $143,000 for the March quarter - they receive $122 per bike in use for each quarter.
This statement suggests that the use is increasing back up again substantially - almost double in the second quarter of the year. Though how the 131 subscribers managed to do this I don't know. This also doesn't factor in four of the six weeks that CityCycle Paris ran - which generated a staggering 9000 trips (though truthfully most of us just changed bikes more often with a little more riding vs thousands of people joining the scheme. For example I did 97 trips in June - at least 30 of those were me changing bikes mid-journey to garner an extra entry).
Finally let's look at those figures. $143,000 paid by the council representing $122 for each bike in use during the quarter. That equates to almost 1200 bikes in use - again not bad for 131 subscribers.
Really Courier Mail - pick up your game.
PS. Could the other 130 subscribers please stop leaving my local station with no bikes twice a week? kthnxbai
PPS. Great little article on why the Dublin Bike Share is so successful. Not the answer most people in Brisbane would think.
Blue vs. Yellow – A Comparative Look at CityCycle and Melbourne Bike Share
Early morning ride time in Melbourne.
So I went back to my old home town of Melbourne for the first time since Melbourne Bike Share and CityCycle launched.
When I lived there 10+ years ago I would never have believed you if you had told me that I would be riding bikes through the centre of Melbourne, let alone riding almost every day in Brisbane. I didn't ride. Period. In fact I didn't ride until October 2nd, when CityCycle launched last year.
Cut to today. Last month I clocked 97 trips on CityCycle, ride to and from work most days and use a bike share program as my primary form of transportation. Therefore, it made sense to spend my weekend back in Melbourne riding around town on the blue bikes that make up Melbourne Bike Share.
Rugged up to ride in Melbourne
Melbourne Bike Share (MBS) and CityCycle (CC) are from two different players in the Bike Share market. One, Bixi possibly best known for the Boris Bikes in London and the other is JCD, best known for the Velib program in Paris. Both are successful systems in their own right (except here in Australia - insert helmet argument here if you like). Their bikes and their programs, while both "bike share" are quite different.
So how did the two compare? I will break it down to categories and decide which won what. If you don't feel like reading the whole thing, just scan for colours - Melbourne Bike Share is blue and CityCycle is orange because yellow is too hard to read. You can see which scheme won each area by the colour, or if it is a tie there is no colour. The one with the most colour wins. Very scientific, I know.
Let's take a look at the bikes first:
Frame:
The first thing I noticed with the blue bikes was that they were higher. The frame is larger, the step through lower and it is MUCH lighter - I did expect MBS's frame to be better given that it doesn't hold a locking mechanism or the rack bar like CC, where much of its weight is located. MBS has a thin piece of metal that sits under the basket to rack and no lock (more on that later) making it a better frame given its lack of heaviness. One to Melbourne Bike Share.
There was a distinct lack of consistency across the bikes in Melbourne.
Gears:
The same gears are on both bikes, however I found more variation on the bikes with MBS and also thought that they were geared lower, so even less likely to build up much speed. Perhaps it is because the CC bikes are newer but they are more consistent and better for riding. One to CityCycle
Brakes:
Not sure if they are the same, however I found the tension on the brakes on the 8 different bikes I rode in Melbourne to be wildly different. Again, this could be age and or use, but going with CityCycle for consistency again as while there is some variance, it is nothing on MBS.
Me bruised and my bag bent. Taez says no to the basket in Melbourne
Basket:
I was super excited that MBS had a basket with a strap. After watching their video I realised it didn't have sides but figured it would still be ok. Nope. The amount of tooing and froing to get the strap over is a pain, I have more than one bruise on my wrist from it. The elastic was so stiff, it even bent my bag. Compare to the wire basket on the CityCycle, you just chuck your bag in and ride. I got so fed up with the MBS system I just rode with my bag over my shoulders.
Lock:
MBS has a handy "loop" that you can run your own lock through. Personally, I don't want to be carrying around a lock, and have used the CityCycle lock a total of twice. So do I want the option of less weight but less convenience, or more weight and more convenience? In the end, I have decided that since the two times I needed a lock were spontaneous (a cider pick up and a bathroom break - not related), convenience wins - this one to CityCycle.
Brilliant yet simple design on the seat post and clasp. You can also see the loop for your own lock.
Saddle (including height adjustment):
As far as my bottom could tell, it was the same saddle, however how the seat post and clamp on the MBS was far superior to that of CityCycle. While the clamps are both lever actioned, MBS releases a circular grip making raising and lowering the seat post a breeze. It also meant that I didn't have to almost bend my hand back to move the clamp as I do on the CityCycle. Also with MBS they have numbers on the side of the seat post. So rather than measuring with my hand and often getting rust or oil on it, I can just visually set it. Melbourne Bike Share - this was awesome!
Handlebars and Grips:
As people who follow me on Twitter know, my hands are prone to get all owies when I ride the CityCycle too much because of the raised pattern of the grips. As such I bought a pair of gel gloves (yeah yeah I know, shut up). I packed these (along with some unpadded full gloves for the cold in Melbourne) for my weekend of riding, and imagine my surprise when my hands clasped soft and smooth grips! I only used my bike gloves once. The handlebars were also higher than the CityCycle, thereby creating less pressure on your hands. Consequently, the comfort on the Melbourne Bike Share bikes was far superior to CC.
Dump and go - the ease of the Brisbane basket.
Tyres:
Given that I am not the most confident of riders, I have often had a mini freakout when the tyres of the CC get caught in a edge of the road or slight raise going from the road/grass to pavement. The tyres on the MBS are not only larger (less energy expended) but they are wider with what appeared to be off road ridges on them - totally different to the dinky little CC tyres. I loved the tyres, and didn't have a single moment where I was worried I might come off because my tyre caught on something. All you Melbourne Bike Share.
Manoeuvrability:
I used to think that the CC had the manoeuvrability of a battleship, but compared to MBS bikes, it is like a hummingbird. The lack of range on the MBS was staggering. I noticed it when I went to take out my first bike. I went to turn the handlebars and they just stopped. I can't imagine how the bike goes up a disabled or bike ramp, but then again I guess you can't ride on the disabled ramps in Melbourne anyway. This was one of my main dislikes of MBS. Another one to CityCycle.
Now the ease of use of the program:
Umm that is a lot of information!
Hiring a Bike:
In Brisbane we have the yellow cards that we swipe, enter a pin number, select a bike, release it and go. In Melbourne they have chipped keys that you slot into the rack next to the bike you want, wait a couple of seconds and the bike is released. Done. For ease and speed, MBS has it hands down, though the convenience of putting a credit card style card in your back pocket is pretty good, but this one stays with Melbourne Bike Share. MBS also has a casual, daily and weekly instant hire process. I didn't try it, but it is there, all be it involving way too many steps for me to want to utilise it when $50 a year is so cheap.
Finding Stations:
Say what you like about the bright yellow of the CityCycle and stations, but I will say this, they are MUCH easier to find than the MBS stations. MBS is deliberately unobtrusive, often sitting back off main roads. I found the Melbourne stations quite tricky to pin point, and would be stopping to check the app frequently, swivelling my head around trying to find the station. Bright yellow may be harsh and the advertising a pain, but you can spot a station easily. Unobtrusive is good, but being able to find a station is better - this one to CityCycle.
Access to the Stations:
Brisbane City Council has done a fair bit of work in recent months to put in directional ramps to the stations for ease of gaining access to the pavement as well as getting off the pavement to the road. Melbourne doesn't have this at all and some stations are in the middle of the block, so no easy access. All CityCycle.
Love love love the maps attached to the stations in Melbourne.
Locations:
Brisbane has twice as many stations, so it is easier to find a station close to where you want to go. I will say though, that MBS had a station within a block of almost everywhere I was going, and Brisbane currently lacks stations at key areas, though this is supposed to be addressed in phase 2. It also felt like MBS was more for getting around once you got into town, where as I feel as though CC is designed to move people in and out of the city. As it stands, for how I used/use the system, it is a tie.
On Road Station Maps:
The maps that CC have at their stations can best be described as decorative. In contract, the maps for MBS show the stations and also helpfully say "you are here" as well as point out where helmet vendors are located. As a tourist (even though I lived in Melbourne for 8 years), I found myself plotting routes with the station maps and the app. Together they worked so well. It made picking my path and working out where the heck I was when I just went exploring so much easier. Well done Melbourne Bike Share.
The owie grip and the heavy lock on the CityCycle
Road Cycling:
The quality of the closest metre to the curb in Melbourne is much better than here in Brisbane. That alone made riding much more enjoyable. However, add to this the fact that Melbourne turns some parking on the sides of roads into Bike Lanes (enforcing the Clearway too) and it just gets better. Then you also have the unofficial bike routes - on the roads predominately set up for trams and come commercial vehicles. Apart from me really pissing off a couple of tram drivers (sorry I couldn't go any faster no matter how many times you rang your little bell), it was great to have a a grid through the city without all the cars. The only problem I had was that some areas became tram only so you had to get off the bike and walk it on the pavement - though I seemed to be the only one who followed the signs. This one goes to Melbourne Bike Share.
Off Road Cycling:
I love riding through the parks in Brisbane. I frequently divert on the way home to ride through the Botanical Gardens, or I cut through King George Square. In Melbourne though, there is no riding on pavements, cutting through parks etc. Also there are far less off road bike paths (that I could find anyway) than in Brisbane. I found this quite annoying while in Melbourne, but I followed the rules. Brisbane has this one - CityCycle.
No more "but I can't be spontaneous because I don't have a helmet"
Helmets:
Yes, it is the law in Australia that we must wear a helmet when we ride. Some of us are for it, some of us are against it and some of us just think you should be able to make up your own mind. To find a helmet vendor on CC's webpage you click on a link and get a list (not mapped) of 14 companies that will sell you a helmet outright. With MBS you have lists and maps that show stacks of 7/11's that sell the ($5 each and you get $3 back when you return it) as well as two vending machines that dispenses them for the same price all conveniently located on each station map. Melbourne Bike Share gets another.
Cost:
Both models have an increased scale for keeping bikes longer than the prescribed amount of time. MBS costs $50 for the year and CC costs $60. However, with an annual subscription with MBS you get 45 minute trips and can borrow bikes 24/7, unlike CC which has a maximum free time of 30 mins and are only open from 5am till 10pm. Another win for Melbourne Bike Share.
Webpage:
Hands down this goes to Melbourne Bike Share - it is easy to use and navigate. Whomever designed and signed off on the CityCycle page should be performance managed.
Customer Contact Centre:
I haven't had any problems (less the current incorrect expiration date on my account) with Melbourne Bike Share so I can't comment on how it compares to CityCycle's hit and miss with their call centre. So this one is currently even.
CityCycle Station - clean design but lacking in functionality.
Registration:
I had no problems registering with either program, but it took me multiple times for the activation page to come up for Melbourne Bike Share and as I mentioned it is currently showing the incorrect dates. So this one to CityCycle.
Communication:
This has been a major bugbear with me and CityCycle. They are TERRIBLE at it. It is as though they are doing the exact opposite of Melbourne Bike Share who actively engage with their riders on Twitter and Facebook. I have received personalised emails that actually relate to what I asked in a timely manner as well as receiving updates on how my "key" was going. This one is all Melbourne Bike Share.
Mobile App:
While CityCycle's helpfully named AllBikesNow is functional to a point, I have many problems with it not displaying live data and its inability to communicate anything other than bike and rack numbers. AllBikesNow meet SpotCycle (again an amazingly unhelpful name). Not only can you change the display style, but it also has a timer and best of all it shows the cycle paths, lanes and unoffocial bike ways. SpotCycle takes AllBikesNow and laughs at it.
Problems with a Bike:
If you have a problem with MBS you follow the accepted practise of turning the seat around. We do the same here in Brisbane, however if there is something particular, we can record the number and advise CC. I am not saying this is a perfect system, it isn't and I have spoken about its drawbacks before, but it is better than MBS as MBS has no numbering system I could see or means for reporting a faulty bike (I may be wrong and am happy to be proven otherwise). This one goes to CityCycle.
So who has the better bike?
5 : 4 to CityCycle.
Which is the better program?
8 : 5 to Melbourne Bike Share.
Overall, Melbourne Bike Share wins. 12 : 10. Neither scheme is perfect. Some things I can't stand on one, I love on the other. I could have broken it down further, (ie the stands for MBS are wussy any my bikes kept falling over, or just how crappy both their bells are - same style of bell mind you, the lights etc), but theses are the main things I find important in my day to day riding. It begs the question though, why isn't Melbourne Bike Share more successful? They have the helmets, they have a casual hire option, yet for my weekend away I never saw another blue bike in action. I didn't see movement on my local racks. I even could draw a line in construction dust on some of them. For all the naysayers about CityCycle (and yes it has its challenges), it is being used more than Melbourne Bike Share.
#fourbluepandas
Review – True Blood – She’s Not There (S04Ep01)
It is good to be the King, no?
This week:
She's back (via the fairy dimension) but time has moved on, just like the people in Sookie's life. The world comes crashing back in on Sookie and we find out what our favourite Bon Temps residents have been up to.
Pluses:
Bill did his house up finally.
Jason finally got his wish to be a Deputy.
Tara's arc totally makes sense given what she has been through.
Pam being Pam.
Eric has lost a lot of his bulk from last season.
The poo is finally off Sookie's walls.
Minuses:
Fairy realm. So poorly done and hopefully the end of this arc.
Necromancy (though I know where it is going).
Jesus and Lafayette.
Jessica and Hoyt.
This episode was a bit disappointing. As soon as they did the time jump I was really interested in seeing how some characters had developed - Everyone’s favourite baby vamp, Jess, was a character I was really interested in seeing. I know it is early days, but what was portrayed wasn’t very Jessica. I felt like they were trying to cram too much in to cover everything. Given how short a time span a series is, I hope we get to see more of the development and never go back to the fairy kingdom.
#twofangtasialovingpandas
Review – Tree of Life (2011)
Sean Penn's character ponders the meaning of life.
Synopsis:
Middle aged dude in current time period spends the day pondering how he got to where he is now. He does this by going back to the primordial ooze and works his way forward, spending a large part of the movie in space, under water, with the dinosaurs and reliving a Summer in his childhood.
Pluses:
No denying that Brad Pitt's acting was the best this about this movie.
It finally ended.
Minuses:
Where to start?
Dinosaurs?
Jesus H Christ the amount of David Attenborough-esque shots was a joke.
Way too much time trying to be existentialist.
The time line was totally out. If he grew up in the 50's, how can he be in his 40's now?
The promise of nature vs grace was ignored.
It's ok because a carnivourous dinosaur did't eat a dying dinosaur. WTF?
Now I know this isn't your normal narrative style movie, but this was drawn out in ways it didn't need to be. It reminded me of that movie you saw at uni if you were stoned. Can't remember what it was called, but that one. Totally unnecessary "bullshit wank wank whine whine oh thank god it is over" movie.
On the plus side, my friend and I went to an early preview 2 weeks before opening and we got good champagne and more popcorn that we could eat. It promised so much, and didn't deliver at all.
#halfawankypanda
Sneak Peek – CityCycle Phase II
Thanks to JCD for the pic.
So I have been pretty quiet on the blog recently, not just about CityCycle but about everything.
That is not to say there hasn’t been a lot happening with CityCycle, there has.
We have the creatively named KillCityCycle campaign chugging along with reams of disinformation and vitriol; the push to make the stations more accessible for riders (had a couple of wins there); the CityCycleParis competition; my meeting with the CFO and Comms Manager of JCD Australia; my speaking about CityCycle and Active Transport at Engineers Australia: just to name what instantly comes to mind.
What has energised me to write is that I just spoke to the BCC’s Project Manager for CityCycle – Samantha Collie again. And let’s just say the news is good!
I first spoke to Ms Collie after I expressed my concerns regarding the safety of one station in particular and a couple of others in the network. Today Ms Collie was calling me back giving me an update. After briefly discussing works to be completed and an action plan to test the existing stations for usability in both directions of travel we spoke about Phase 2.
First up – let’s talk about where it is going….
- There will be a few more in the city that couldn’t be done last time.
- UQ!
- Milton!
- Auchenflower!
- Toowong!
- Dutton Park!
- Southbank!!!!
- Mater Hospital!
What extra information I have (most of it relates to me or people who I asked for).
Central Station will finally be getting bikes. It won’t be quick, as there is some works going on there currently, but we will be getting multiple stations at Central including one just down from Turbot Street. This will make hooning (I mean commuting down Edward a breeze). There will also be a station on Anne St as part of the revamp of Central next year.
Southbank have agreed to four (yes 4!!!) stations inside their boundaries.
There will be a like a ring road of stations for Dutton Park and up to the Mater which then connects back through South Brisbane.
UQ will have multiple stations (hope they are big ones) though personally I think they need at least 4 plus they will be getting three stations en route from Toowong Village to UQ.
Toowong will have good access including one just by the Commonwealth Bank.
Milton will have multiple stations – though unfortunately NOT Suncorp Stadium though was advised I should lobby them, but as we know, Suncorp Stadium are NOT bike friendly at all. We will see great Milton access (especially given the lovely BiCentennial Bike Way there), plus stations in hot spots – like the stations and entertainment/restaurant areas. My closest station to work will be Little Cribb St, which means I can avoid the hill past the Barracks.
I forgot to ask where in Auchenflower, but I imagine the station and along the bike path plus a couple of feeders.
All up there will be 46 new stations with construction commencing in September, 2011.
The official announcement will be on Thursday, June 9th by Cnr Simmonds the Minister for Active Transport. So stay tuned for the exact locations, more details and general YAYNESS!
Can we get a HELLS YEAH???
UPDATE: Media release to be Tuesday 14th June, awaiting confirmation from Cnr Simmonds' office for full details.
Review – The Vampire Diaries – Season Two Wrap Up
Catherine? Elena? Catherine? Loving a doppleganger and their original must be confusing.
This season:
It was the season of the witch in Mystic Falls. It was easy to work out who was a witch - they were African American. But the idea of balance - what witchcraft is all about we learn - was the underlying theme this season. From dueling and distrustful brothers (not just one set but two), double edged secrets, relationship roundabouts and giving up your life to do the right thing for once in your life: balance reigned supreme.
Caught up in the real world - I haven’t blogged an episode since Klaus. While that is only a day or two in Vampire Diaries time, it seems like years ago.
Pluses:
I freely admit to crying a heap during The Sun Also Rises.
Jenna’s choice (albeit unsuccessful) was magnificent. You could see her emotional pain and that realisation and decision. Brilliant.
Catherine having to go against everything she wanted to fool Klaus.
Caroline, Matt and her Mum.
Catherine’s last words to Elena. BOOM!
Damon getting his payoff.
The truth behind the myth.
Jeremy is seeing things?
THE BODY COUNT!!! (So many death scenes!!)
Brilliant soundtrack.
Minuses:
Bonnie - yawn.
Stefan getting blood lust (Angelus was so much cooler).
Elena being all lack of choice but still insisting she is making decisions.
Did I mention Bonnie?
Alaric woefully underused.
No werewolf vampire face off - I was really looking forward to an all out war in Mystic Falls.
From a show I started to watch because it was the funniest show on TV (after FoxNews), it has grown into a really strong, emotionally driven show. Their approach to mixed living, humour, love and loss is both fun and mature. Next season, based around the Originals I would imagine, is going to be a doozy (so long as there isn’t too much Stefan).
#fourandahalfvampypandas
Review – Body of Proof (First 8 episodes)
I know you think I like you Megan, but you really don't read people that well.
Synopsis:
The show follows Megan Hunt (Dana Delany - Desperate Housewives, China Beach), an ex neuro-surgeon who now works as a medical examiner in Boston (?). Hunt has an interesting backstory that is built on throughout the series giving it an arc feel rather than just the ‘case of the week’ feel. It is a procedural drama though, with Hunt fighting to solve crimes alongside her partner (Peter Dunlop) and the only two police on the force who can work with her. Along the way, she may just win back the love and understanding of her daughter.
Pluses:
I love Dana Delany.
Aussie Nicholas Bishop in the role of Dunlop.
Lots of use of iPads.
Jerri Ryan!
Great supporting cast.
Fantastic guest cast as well - some great pickups.
No romance tension.
You learn as a the team learn, so you fall for the same red herrings.
Usually good twists on each story.
Science prevails - but not “squint” science.
Often a secondary case arc in each episode.
Incredibly strong female characters but not totally unrealistic - each has their own faults.
The writing improved very quickly once they got the feel for the characters.
Minuses:
Is it in Delaney’s contract that every episode we must have a panning shot up her legs?
Who wears stilettos to crime scenes - especially ones where you have to walk across grass.
Is it just me, or does the main building look like it was CGI dropped into the shot?
If you don’t “get” the characters, I think it would be quite a dull procedural.
I describe it as a little bit Bones, and a little bit Quincy ME. I rather enjoy watching it. It is character driven, rather than cop/action driven with a solid season arc. Each week it is a solid little performer. Best of all it has been renewed for next season.
#threeandahalfreliablepandas
