[review] just go home + the pack
Feb. 14th, 2011 04:47 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kricketsPARENTHOOD
→ The way they've driven a wedge between Crosby and Jasmine is kind of troubling to me. Especially because they've made her out to be the villain in the whole thing. I suspect that is to give Crosby a green-light to cheat on her with Minka Kelly, which I actually ship, but still. It feels kind of cheap.
→ While I really loved Michael B. Jordan from his work on Friday Night Lights, and while the character of Alex has come across as a Really-Good-Guy, I've always been a little underwhelmed with the Haddie/Alex storyline. I am not sure that they really have that spark of chemistry that is required for me to be on board with them and for it to be worth all of that trouble. But I can see why she would like him anyway. But, this episode? Holy moly. I was in tears when Adam and Kristina started laying down the rules that Haddie would have to abide by -- effectively giving her permission to see Alex again. The subtlety of that moment, the sacrifice that they were making, the huge leap of faith that they were taking for her. It was this grand gesture of complete and unconditional love and yet at the same time it was just this tiny, underplayed, quiet moment. And it's moments like those, that make this show really, truly great.
→ The moment at the basketball court afterward was also really nice.
→ I could have done without all the yelling about Seth, however. I understand it, but it was slightly over the top. I do like John Corbett though, so I guess I'll let it slide. I think Sarah, Amber, & Drew have always felt slightly separate as a familial unit -- each of them dealing with their own issues in very separate ways -- which is a stark contrast from Crosy, Julia, & Adam's families. I think this storyline has the potential to bring their stories together and I'm happy about that. That said, I kind of love the relationship that Amber and Drew have -- it's very unique and special. They're the only siblings on the show (who are still kids) who are close in age, so it's definitely a whole different dynamic. (I think Amber & Haddie have a similar dynamic.)
→ ETA A word about Amber. How awesome is she? She's bold, and super smart, but not smart like those book-wormy type kids. Not Type-A smart. And on top of that, she understands things that are far beyond her years. And she gets people and emotions and all of those things that it takes most of us way too long to figure out. She's street-smart and heart-smart as well as school-smart -- it's a winning combo. She just constantly blows me away. Of course, she's not perfect. She's got her insecurities and her stubbornness and her temper, but it's those flaws that make her real. She can't be too perfect. But yeah, Amber is pretty much amazing. (I get a bit of a Jen Lindley vibe off of her.)
→ Dear Julia & Joel, Where did you go? Miss you, KC.
BEING HUMAN
I won't lie about the fact that I was really afraid after 3.01 that this show would never again live up to that league of quality. But so far it has not let me down. This doesn't mean I'm 100% on board with everything, but their game is the best its ever been this season, in my personal opinion.
→ First, I'm really enjoying both McNair & Tom, for different reasons. I am curious as to which of our regular or recurring wolves will be the one to fulfill Mitchell's prophecy. I doubt it will be McNair as it's too obvious. Tom seems like the more likely candidate. (Is his name even Tom? I don't know.) If it turns out to be George though, that would make for some dramatic television.
How did I not immediately recognize Michael Socha as Lauren Socha's male doppleganger (and real-life brother.) Seriously? The resemblance is almost scary.
→ Wow, so, Mitchell/Annie happened. It's a little bit sweet and a little bit awkward but I suppose it was inevitable and they do have short seasons so we might as well get it started right? I see a lot of people getting upset with Mitchell for him blowing up about Annie and her talk of fate, but I guess I was the only one who was watching the scene right before that with the "wolf-shaped bullet" spelled out on the roof of the toy house. He's very much hoping to defy fate right now, and for whatever reason he's keeping Lia's prophecy to himself.
→ Lia, lia, lia, lia, liar. Her name was the title of the episode. The spelling of it and her significance and the prophecy and the emphasis on her by titling the episode after her (and the fact that it's the very first episode title ever) is... well, suspect. Maybe Mitchell is right and there is no such thing as fate. Maybe this whole werewolf prophecy is just a big lie. Or if it isn't, then maybe it is of the self-fulfilling kind. By planting the seed in his head, perhaps Lia has effectively set it into motion.
→ Um, so I am kind of in love with George and Nina? They're really adorable and well-matched. And the way it's played, they seem very natural around each other like a real couple. It has been a joy to watch them. I love that Nina plays the voice of reason so often and that she's taking a more prominent role. She really is, despite being a werewolf herself, a healthy dose of humanity for them all.
→ The way they've driven a wedge between Crosby and Jasmine is kind of troubling to me. Especially because they've made her out to be the villain in the whole thing. I suspect that is to give Crosby a green-light to cheat on her with Minka Kelly, which I actually ship, but still. It feels kind of cheap.
→ While I really loved Michael B. Jordan from his work on Friday Night Lights, and while the character of Alex has come across as a Really-Good-Guy, I've always been a little underwhelmed with the Haddie/Alex storyline. I am not sure that they really have that spark of chemistry that is required for me to be on board with them and for it to be worth all of that trouble. But I can see why she would like him anyway. But, this episode? Holy moly. I was in tears when Adam and Kristina started laying down the rules that Haddie would have to abide by -- effectively giving her permission to see Alex again. The subtlety of that moment, the sacrifice that they were making, the huge leap of faith that they were taking for her. It was this grand gesture of complete and unconditional love and yet at the same time it was just this tiny, underplayed, quiet moment. And it's moments like those, that make this show really, truly great.
→ The moment at the basketball court afterward was also really nice.
→ I could have done without all the yelling about Seth, however. I understand it, but it was slightly over the top. I do like John Corbett though, so I guess I'll let it slide. I think Sarah, Amber, & Drew have always felt slightly separate as a familial unit -- each of them dealing with their own issues in very separate ways -- which is a stark contrast from Crosy, Julia, & Adam's families. I think this storyline has the potential to bring their stories together and I'm happy about that. That said, I kind of love the relationship that Amber and Drew have -- it's very unique and special. They're the only siblings on the show (who are still kids) who are close in age, so it's definitely a whole different dynamic. (I think Amber & Haddie have a similar dynamic.)
→ ETA A word about Amber. How awesome is she? She's bold, and super smart, but not smart like those book-wormy type kids. Not Type-A smart. And on top of that, she understands things that are far beyond her years. And she gets people and emotions and all of those things that it takes most of us way too long to figure out. She's street-smart and heart-smart as well as school-smart -- it's a winning combo. She just constantly blows me away. Of course, she's not perfect. She's got her insecurities and her stubbornness and her temper, but it's those flaws that make her real. She can't be too perfect. But yeah, Amber is pretty much amazing. (I get a bit of a Jen Lindley vibe off of her.)
→ Dear Julia & Joel, Where did you go? Miss you, KC.
BEING HUMAN
I won't lie about the fact that I was really afraid after 3.01 that this show would never again live up to that league of quality. But so far it has not let me down. This doesn't mean I'm 100% on board with everything, but their game is the best its ever been this season, in my personal opinion.
→ First, I'm really enjoying both McNair & Tom, for different reasons. I am curious as to which of our regular or recurring wolves will be the one to fulfill Mitchell's prophecy. I doubt it will be McNair as it's too obvious. Tom seems like the more likely candidate. (Is his name even Tom? I don't know.) If it turns out to be George though, that would make for some dramatic television.
How did I not immediately recognize Michael Socha as Lauren Socha's male doppleganger (and real-life brother.) Seriously? The resemblance is almost scary.
→ Wow, so, Mitchell/Annie happened. It's a little bit sweet and a little bit awkward but I suppose it was inevitable and they do have short seasons so we might as well get it started right? I see a lot of people getting upset with Mitchell for him blowing up about Annie and her talk of fate, but I guess I was the only one who was watching the scene right before that with the "wolf-shaped bullet" spelled out on the roof of the toy house. He's very much hoping to defy fate right now, and for whatever reason he's keeping Lia's prophecy to himself.
→ Lia, lia, lia, lia, liar. Her name was the title of the episode. The spelling of it and her significance and the prophecy and the emphasis on her by titling the episode after her (and the fact that it's the very first episode title ever) is... well, suspect. Maybe Mitchell is right and there is no such thing as fate. Maybe this whole werewolf prophecy is just a big lie. Or if it isn't, then maybe it is of the self-fulfilling kind. By planting the seed in his head, perhaps Lia has effectively set it into motion.
→ Um, so I am kind of in love with George and Nina? They're really adorable and well-matched. And the way it's played, they seem very natural around each other like a real couple. It has been a joy to watch them. I love that Nina plays the voice of reason so often and that she's taking a more prominent role. She really is, despite being a werewolf herself, a healthy dose of humanity for them all.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 04:52 am (UTC)I was in tears when Adam and Kristina started laying down the rules that Haddie would have to abide by -- effectively giving her permission to see Alex again. The subtlety of that moment, the sacrifice that they were making, the huge leap of faith that they were taking for her. It was this grand gesture of complete and unconditional love and yet at the same time it was just this tiny, underplayed, quiet moment. And it's moments like those, that make this show really, truly great.
YES. That scene was so rewarding. I must admit to sympathizing with Adam and Kristina far more than Haddie throughout this story (much as I like Alex, if I had sixteen year old daughter and she told me she was dating an older guy in AA I'd probably freak), but I'm glad they made that concession. I was ready to see them all together again.
It makes me sad that they've so thoroughly damaged the Crosby/Jasmine relationship this season. I adored them last year, but the way they've been writing her is driving me crazy.
AMBER. <3 There's never enough of her.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 11:59 am (UTC)Did we not talk Michael Socha? I am remiss. He is from Old Hometown, and is living there still in fact. His accent is what mine would be, were my parents not from other places than Old Hometown.
And he is easy on the eye, especially without a top on, I find.
Bit of a scally, mind, but who cares?
Love Being Human, love it, love it.
And is it me, or is 'Richard' like a grown-up version of Tom Hardy and/or a less lived-in version of Brendan Gleeson?
No, just me then ;D
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 07:49 pm (UTC)Right? I loved that scene. I'm so glad that Kristina finally came around. There was another scene (well there have been plenty on this show) where Julia and Joel are dealing with the dead bird. When Julia can't take it any more and starts talking about the bird in heaven and his face knowing he doesn't believe in heaven and yet wanting to so bad at the same time, for his mom. I swear I have never seen anything that subtle on television before. I mean, who else is making a show about these things? [Which also reminds me of Kristina's face when she's at the support group for parents of children with autism.] It's moments like that that I know I'm watching something special.
Yeah, I loved them last season and it's sort of hard to see them now. It's a bit of a train wreck. But maybe they did rush into things and maybe they are doing this for the wrong reasons? I don't know. Maybe this is just their convoluted way of getting that idea across? I have sensed something between Crosby and Gaby since they first met, and as I adore both Dax and Minka, I was on board. But that's just because of my love of high drama and angst, lol. I didn't really want to break up Crosby and Jasmine, lol. So if something happens with the two of them (Crosby and Gaby) I hope it's worth it. (And I'm not just saying that because I'd love it if Minka were a regular on this show-- although it may be part of it.)
Gah! When did Amber become so amazing? I don't remember loving her quite this much last season.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 07:53 pm (UTC)Haha, scally. That's perfect.
Is Richard McNair? I'm having trouble connecting the name. I know next to nothing about Tom Hardy so I don't know. (And I know even less than that about Brendan Glesson.)
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 08:28 pm (UTC)Brendan Gleeson = Mad-Eye Moody in the HP films... Tom Hardy is everywhere, looking delicious.
I only know something of Michael Socha because a) he's in the local paper all the time(!) b) a friend of mine was in a film with him (the very rubbish and very sweary 'Bonded by Blood') & c) he was in the film 'This is England' and the ensuing TV series, both of which obsessed me slightly, late last year.
I don't watch Misfits, but from what I've seen/heard, I think your suggestion that she plays it up AND he plays it down is the most likely truth!
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 08:38 pm (UTC)Here's the opening of the pilot and they actually make a joke about her accent here. It's just after a minute into the video:
ETA: The video should be working now.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 09:02 pm (UTC)It's the very first part of the very first episode if that helps.
Stupid thing.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 09:05 pm (UTC)Just a noise?!
Yeah, that's a wee bit exaggerated for the character, but there's plenty of them around an' all ;)
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 09:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 09:09 pm (UTC)Oh, I don't doubt it.
no subject
Date: 2011-02-15 09:10 pm (UTC)