Review – Blue Bloods – Samaritan (S01Ep02)
True to form, my favourite character is a minor one. Please don't get shot Renzulli!
This week:
During a heist on the subway in NYC, a good samaritan finds himself on the wrong side of the law. The question of right and wrong is explored. The solve the case without firing a gun yet again.
Pluses:
Real police work, no CSI team in sight.
Highlighting bad police work.
Great dialogue driven drama.
Interesting character development of Danny (Wahlberg).
One choice can change your life.
Doing right for the right reasons sometimes means you are wrong.
A tease of the overall arc.
No police guns fired.
Love the banter between Jamie and Renzulli (senior beat cop/partner).
Minuses:
Felt there was a bit much "baddie" development.
I don't like Danny's new partner.
Can't anyone have a normal relationship - looking at you Frank.
I think Danny's wife is going to leave him.
This show delivered a very strong episode that wasn't just a "case of the week" scenario. Yes there was a case of the week, but it was used to really delve into the complexities of the characters, rather than just show how awesome a team is. I especially loved Renzulli pointing out all the mistakes that Danny made to his little brother - I was watching thinking - just typical police show - then they hung a lantern on all the errors other shows make in a sly way.
#fourcrimefightingpandas
Review – Hawaii Five-0 – Po’ipu
We will stand here looking serious before we take on 10+ highly trained CIA operatives with nothing but a rusty spoon and a teddy bear.
This week:
The winning episode so far for Hawaii Five-0 bingo*. Hot chick hits on stuffy business man. Things get "personal." Pol Pot mark II is coming to the US on a diplomatic visit. Multiple deaths. The Five-0 team must solve the murder and keep the evil, maniacal foreign dictator alive. Big shoot out. Happy ending.
Pluses:
Danny and Steve buddy cop!
Kono didn't get baby sitting duty and Chin actually interacted with a minor.
Nice background development on McGarrett.
Danny gets some great lines!
Awesome chick vs bus moment.
Dodgy police sketch success.
Minuses:
Since when does a foreign dignitary turn up in a US Airforce troop carrier?
The final fight scene was a bit over the top.
Shoot out was a tad unrealistic.
Some pretty wooden acting by day actors.
A little too schmaltzy at the end.
This was a really nice shakeup of the standard episode. It had all the things I love about the show and also incorporated multiple characters in the development and outcome, though as usual it is all about "Steve."
This week's episode name is a place in Hawaii that means "long sandy beach," which ties into the first scene and the fight scene. Not as clever as most episodes. That being said, it may actually have been the town where the murder took place.
#threebikinicladguntotingpandas
*Hawaii Five-0 Bingo is guessing how fast you see a murder/dead body and a girl in a bikini or similar stage of undress. It clean sweep if O'Laughlin gets his shirt off in the episode too. The faster a dead body, girl in a bikini (not in the credits or transition shot) and O'Laughlin gets his kit off the funner the episode is!
Review – Blue Bloods – Pilot
Yes son, your dead mother would be so proud you walked away from your Harvard Law degree to be a Beat Cop. Why do you ask?
Synopsis:
Blue Bloods is the new drama by Robin Green and Mitchell Burgess of Sopranos fame. It is New York City procedural police drama covering four generations of the Reagan family. Tom Selleck plays the Police Commissioner (possibly with some skeletons in the closet), with his father a retired Police Commissioner (I think), his eldest son Danny played by Donnie Wahlberg (is that Mark's brother the one who was in KNOTB or something?) is a detective who operates on the edge of the law and has recently returned from Iraq, his daughter is a District Attorney, his youngest son just gave up his Harvard law degree to become a beat cop and finally there is one deceased son, who died trying to infiltrate a group of dirty cops (which might just include Selleck's character). Following so far?
This week:
Hi there, let us introduce ourselves. Kid gets snatched. Let's develop our characters neatly in this one case so the audience can get a feeling for that fact that even though we are a family, we are a family that disagrees a lot. Kid gets found. Ro'roh. PHEW! Let's go fishing.
Pluses:
Lots of character introductions and development but done in a non-twee way.
Solid understanding of motivations of characters shared with the audience.
Whalberg's character must be the only married cop on TV.
Nice "case of the week" episode with some overarching information for the series.
No-one fired a gun - I LOVED that!
CSI move over, this is all about real police work.
Strong character driven drama.
Minuses:
Still getting my head around the relevance of all the characters.
Danny (Wahlberg's character) I have seen before, but given the team behind the show I am hoping he doesn't become the cliche.
I think our newest beat cop is about to get dumped - which is a shame - I like his girlfriend.
Some of the evidence was telegraphed too strongly.
This was a surprisingly enjoyable police drama. It dealt with the urgency and suspense, without having unrealistic shootouts or 3km sprints through city streets. The acting was exceptional and it was very smartly edited. Overall it told its story very well without trying to be more than it is.
Blue Bloods has been bought by TEN so expect it in 2011 - though as yet no release date as been set (that I can find with a half hearted google search).
#fourgunwearingpandas
PS. iTunes US has the series.
Why You Should Watch Hawaii Five-O
Just another day at the office for the team of Hawaii Five-O
If you have been to the movies recently, you have probably seen the high action, explosive trailer for the redux of Hawaii Five-O - screening on Channel 10 in 2011.
Frankly, you should ignore that trailer. It makes Hawaii Five-O seem naff, twee, stupid - whatever you want to call it. Hawaii Five-O isn't an action movie with explosions and helicopter chases.
In truth, Hawaii Five-O is a very amusing weekly stand alone episode based dractedy (new work - Drama, Action, Comedy). One of the best things about Hawaii Five-O is that they don't take themselves seriously - the jokes, the banter - it is a tongue in cheek approach to the show. From cheesey lines, to crazy decisions it is all part of the fun appeal of this show. It knows it has to have a panoramic shots, it knows it has to plug products/Hawaiian Tourism - no matter, they do it all with a big dose of 'how much fun can we have,' and that is what makes this show a solid little performer. I think everyone should have at least one show a week where then can turn on yet switch off their brain. We need that fun relaxation without being treated like an idiot.
Pluses:
Grace Park frequently wearing little to no clothes.
Great humour - the one liners are just snigger worthy.
Good character development.
Stand alone eps - doesn't matter if you miss one.
Great guest cast week after week.
Not the same story each week.
Killer scenery shots of Hawaii.
Insanely bad police work - some of these scenes are ridiculously funny!
Calling in spy sattelites to get intel - ROFL!
Outside of the law - so they get to do things you wouldn't normally see in a cop show.
Strong supporting cast/characters.
Minuses:
It seems like Hawaii is fast becoming the murder and international crime syndicate of the world.
Can be a little formulaic - but it is a standalone ep show - so you have to take that as a given.
Grace Park isn't always given strong story lines, but she gets her kit off most weeks.
So please, ignore those shocking trailers at the movies! Tune in in 2011 and watch Hawaii Five-O on Ten for that relaxing laugh you need after a crazy day. I love deep shows. I love panel shows. But I love just kicking back for an hour or two each week for pure fun and enjoyment. And, if you are anything like me - you will be checking hawaiianairlines.com for fares.
Hawaii Five-O is consistently scoring #threepandas and above from me.
#threepandas
(if you can't wait, check the torrents)
Review – Hawaii Five-O – Nalowale
I stop baddies and I can charm the ladies... I rock.
This week:
Outstanding panoramic shots. Submarine. Murder. Sex. Sex trade. Puppy! Fat baddies move fast doing kung fu. McGarrett says "Book him Danno."
Pluses:
Nice twist on the standard story.
Good development of the Mayor (I so think there was more going on).
Great action.
Good plot development.
Nice sisterly development.
Minuses:
Kono still under utilised.
All those murders in Hawaii - surprised anyone still goes there!
This show has quickly become one that I like to savour for when I am having an iffy day - because I can't help but smile and laugh at the jokes, the terrible crime scene investigation and that there is always a happy ending (except if you are dead or a baddie). Solid week to week. And yes I know I am two eps behind - I have been busy!
Oh and Nalowale translates as missing, lost, forgotten or vanished which makes sense this episode.
#threepandas
clicky.init(66351255);
Review – Hawaii Five-0 – Lanakila
I know, let's play basketball with the inmates!
Hawaii has prisons. One inmate doesn't want to stay indoors. McGarrett has a sister, she is trouble. McGarrett and Danno hang out on the basketball court with the inmates (like you do). Chase. Hunt. BOOM BOOM. Detecting. Helicopters. Tummy bugs. Resolution and a cemetery.
Pluses:
Cute introduction to the series by Danno for new viewers.
A grand romp showing lots of great tourist destinations.
Nice character development.
Running gags.
Minuses:
Isn't the Hawaiian Tourism Board worried about all those murders being televised?
Silly cop work.
Kono being delegated to back up.
Didn't say "Book him, Danno."
Kono didn't get her kit off.
For all its kitchiness and bad police work, it is still believable in the way it is presented. It is total escapism TV where the team always gels, they always get the bad guys, and have a few laughs and soul searching moments along the way. What more could you want for some relaxing TV?
#threepandas
PS. Lanakila is a popular girls name in Hawaii apparently that means triumph or victory. Relationship to the show? Ummm.
I am not a Gleek, and I certainly don’t get this.
Have you seen the new GQ?
Wrong on so many levels.
Why are the girls wearing undies, posing provocatively, yet the young guy is clothed?
Double standards?
I am not one to stand on the Objectification of Young Women, or the over sexualising of youth, but in this case, I am standing up and saying "Not cool Glee - but then you stopped being cool after about 4 episodes."
#nopandas
Review – Hawaii Five-O – Malama Ka Aina
CUT! Get ready for take 26, this time run like you see a Free Big Mac sign!
Hawaiians do a haka (who knew?). Gang war, Hawaii style. Pizza isn't as popular as guns. Silk wraps are a must at parties. McGarrett says "Book him, Danno." They solve the case. Team gets a name.
Pluses:
Seeing a big guy sprint and wondering how many takes he had to do.
Nice development of group dynamics.
Good back story to Chin Ho.
Grace Park wearing minimal clothes.
Still poking fun at themselves.
Minuses:
Some of it seemed a bit convenient.
The whole 5-0 thing.
Unrealistic big fight scene.
So apparently, "Malama Ka Aina" means to care for and live in harmony with the land. Um, not quite sure how this relates to a gang war and mainland crime syndicates, but ok. Not as strong, but still a fun little break from reality.
#threepandas
Review – Hawaii Five-0 – Ohana
Bitch! No you are a bitch! You are, bitch!
iPhones assist in the plot development. There is a case. The team works together taking on different tasks to solve it. Hair pulling ensues. McGarrett says "Book him Dano," and then some schmaltzy American stuff.
Pluses:
Chick fight!
Awesome one liners!
Rollicking good story.
Minuses:
Let's examine this crime scene without gloves!
Let's look at the traffic camera that conveniently don't record the traffic!
Why does the female character have to babysit when they acknowledge how great Dano is with kids?
Weird American shit at the end about being patriotic and stuff.
This show is really going to be a lot of fun - I do like how they poke fun at themselves. Quite an enjoyable 40 odd minutes.
#threepandas
Merlin – Series 3 Return – The Tears of Uther Pendragon (parts 1&2)
The Tears of Uther Pendragon Parts 1 and 2.
Excuse me while I look ruggedly handsome while pondering some point in the distance.
Merlin’s ears stick out. Merlin uses magic. Arthur thinks he saves the day and thinks he rocks. Merlin uses magic. Uther says magic is bad. Merlin uses magic. Morgana.
Pluses:
Nice to see Morgana back.
Nice to see Morgana being Morgana.
Minuses:
Merlin’s new haircut.
Arthur has reverted back to early Arthur – lost all that character development.
Little to no Gwen.
Someone still needs to give Merlin a sandwich.
Solid eps if not for the way Arthur is currently being portrayed. Some nice moments – especially the bit when X comes and Xs X. Can see this series being one of twisted alliances and manipulation.
#threepandas