My Review of Dollhouse's 1x11: "Briar Rose"

Written by Jane Espenson
Directed by Dwight Little

Kepler/Alpha: “I was nursing a tender throbbing hope that you’d give up, yeah.”
Paul: “Well, I’m not.”

Determination. The root of all good. Paul wants so badly to make a difference, take down the Dollhouse and rescue the girl. Unfortunately, one of the many things that Paul seems to lack is common sense and this is deadly obvious, even after he finally decided to take some affirmative action to actually find the Dollhouse itself.

All season long, Paul has been in an obsessive mode to bring the Dollhouse down but instead of focusing on the fact that there’s so many victims, all he’s bloody yapped on about is Caroline. Yeah, Paul, we get it, she’s in dire straits but so are the other poor sods that are stuck in the Dollhouse too.

Such as Mellie for instance. Paul decided to outright cruel and break up with her. Okay, while it made sense that by doing that, she would lead him to the Dollhouse; it did actually make hate Paul for it as well. Something tells me that this isn’t the first time he’s dumped a girl harshly.

Anyways much sympathy goes to Mellie for the simple fact that she genuinely believes she’s done something wrong to make Paul want to ditch her so coldly. I know she’s a Doll but, I don’t know. I think this episode did more harm than good for Paul’s character in the long run. Especially given how cold he was later when opting not to save her from the Dollhouse as well.

His determination to save Caroline I think is one big drawback for Paul – why Caroline? What makes her any more deserving than Victor, Sierra or November or any of the other Dolls we have yet to be properly introduced to? It also doesn’t help that Paul’s physical attraction as well as a lack of connection to Caroline are also factors in this whole scenario.

Getting help from environmental consultant Stephen Kepler also seemed a touch suspect. Paul’s been hitting so many brick walls in his continued search that as soon as he managed to contact Kepler, there was something about that that seemed to be too good to be true. Let’s face it; Paul is pretty crap at his job.

Alan Tudyk deserves a medal for this whole episode. I absolutely bought into him as the nervous, jittery, extremely paranoid Kepler. Especially for the comment where he said he hated buddy cop movies. Yeah, I’m not too big on them too but the banter between Kepler and Paul certainly added some humour to proceedings.

As for the Alpha reveal. The timing of the season did make it extremely perfect for the psychotic Doll to come out and play. There are times when I wish I hadn’t read spoilers and given that I knew weeks in advance that Alan Tudyk was going to be playing Alpha, I loved that we got fooled with the Kepler persona for a while.

Tudyk can also turn very quickly. The way he went from Kepler to Alpha, almost in a flash was downright impressive. Even physically there was a noticeable difference and while we should’ve seen more of the Alpha persona in this episode, the stuff we got was of quality.

Slashing poor defenceless Victor’s face was certainly a nice way of showing us how chilling Alpha could be (not that we needed it, given the bloodbath he caused all those months) and his scenes with Claire were equally creepy. I’m gonna say that Claire was a Doll called Whiskey because basically this episode confirmed that all too well.

We had Dominic in Victor’s body immediately refer to her as Whiskey prior to her sedating him and Alpha immediately didn’t recognise her as a doctor. The way Alpha taunted the truth out of her not always wanting to be a doctor was pure chilling. Alpha certainly is one scary bloke.

However if there is a flaw with Alpha, it’s that he follows a growing trend of people acting like Caroline/Echo is the centre of the universe. Yes, we know Eliza Dushku is the leading lady but Victor, Sierra and November still usurp Echo in being overall interesting and that’s not something that’s going to change over night.

With Paul and Boyd slugging it out, Alpha didn’t exactly have the most difficult of tasks in retrieving Echo, though he imprinted her with something before they left. What was it – a former lover? Are we going for a Bonnie and Clyde type of dynamic with Echo and Alpha? That might not be the best of routes to go on with this character.

As for Boyd and Paul, I really should’ve felt conflicted during the big fight scene but I wasn’t. I wanted Boyd to knock Paul into the middle of next week and I absolutely loved that Echo chose to help Boyd rather than Paul (Kepler’s right, stairs without risers are bloody dangerous, I don’t like them too). What does that say about me, other than my dislike for Paul being cast as the valiant Prince, who’s not that charming when you think about it?

I even got a kick out the confrontation scene with Adelle. I don’t particularly see Paul meeting his maker and I think that the Attic can be ruled out for him too. Seeing Paul as a Doll would be a good way of giving Tahmoh Penikett something else to do but Adelle would have to pull some strings to get him to sign a contract for five years.

Other interesting thing, other than Alpha finally stepping out of the shadows was Echo’s assignment of the week. Using the Sleeping Beauty story to help the damaged young Susan might have been more than heavy handed but it was a good template for the episode and it made me look at the story differently.

Paul is the Prince and the Prince isn’t that altruistic about his motives about saving the girl. You could argue that Boyd’s are when it comes to Caroline and Echo. Susan’s anger about Briar Rose being unable to save herself could be a post feminist jab but there’s some truth behind. Sometimes the only person who can save us is ourselves. That may end up being very applicable in Echo/Caroline’s case during the series duration.

Also in “Briar Rose”

Briar Rose is the original title of Sleeping Beauty and yeah, the allusions in this episode did come at us from all sides.

Mellie: “Stop being so cruel. Can’t you see this is killing me?”
Paul: “You’ll get over it.”

Imprinting Echo with bits of Susan (they even had the same name) was clever. We need more altruistic missions next season.

Topher: “Everybody wants to be righteous when they can afford it.”
Ivy: “Even Topher Brink?”
Topher: “This feeling... It is not unlike pride.”

Echo: “Are you keeping that book?”
Susan: “I’m fixing it.”
Echo: “I see that. It’s called editing. You can make a living out of that.”

Was this the first time we’ve seen Mellie’s handler? Sierra also got to be a forensics expert in this episode. Very CSI of her.

Victor/Dominic: “Whiskey.”
Claire: “He wants a drink.”

Kepler: “We go in there, then we're in there. There's? There's more people in there. I'm not good with people.”
Paul: “They're not people.”
Kepler: “I'm not good with that sentence either.”

The real Stephen Kepler was killed by Alpha, which meant that he must have expected Paul to lead him to the Dollhouse. Couldn’t Alpha have gone there himself or was Paul needed as a distraction for Adelle?

Kepler: “They told me this was going to be a new Eden.”
Paul: “Eden wasn't a prison.”
Kepler: “What, are you kidding? The apples were monitored. Plus they didn't have a steam room that could recirculate human sweat and put it right back …”

Kepler: “All right, would you look at this place! I mean, first of all, feng shui up the ying yang. Also, I designed parts of it, but I did not design the stone-cold foxes in the small clothes, and the ample massage facilities. I mean, don't get me wrong, I heart my porn, but this is cool.”
Paul: “This is a bad place.”
Kepler: “Bad people, maybe. Good place.”

Alpha discussed quite freely about the scars that he puts on people. I think that he also said that Victor’s would be different from Claire’s as well.

Boyd: “Sorry Agent Ballard. You don't get the girl.”

Echo: “I remember something about you.”
Alpha: “I remember everything about you.”

Chronology: No idea. How many months has it been since Alpha’s last attack on the Dollhouse?

At first the episode didn’t complete reel me in, probably because with “Briar Rose” so much does seemingly happen all at once, you need to process it. Once doing that, though it becomes a stunning episode that will also hopefully lead to an equally stunning finale if we’re lucky.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

Doctor Who/Torchwood At Comic Con 2009

Great, now the reasons for wishing I was at Comic-Con are now increasing. Yes, people your eyes are not playing tricks on you. That is David Tennant making out with a rather pleased John Barrowman (seriously who wouldn't be?) at the event.

Yesterday lucky viewers got to see both Children Of Earth: Day Five and Planet Of The Dead after both actors gave slashers a field day. I can only imagine what kinds of crazy fanfiction some viewers will write after this.

You can view the snoggage here ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfq5UAk1Bxc

Now I REALLY wish I had been there.

ETA: No Movie. I called it but we did get some other goodies.

Digital Spy write up of the event .... http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a167392/live-doctor-who-panel-at-comic-con.html

Trailer for The Waters Of Mars .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wA5J-RkVn0

So that trailer. I was having reservations about The Waters Of Mars but now I’m ecstatic for it. The Doctor’s impending death has been hinted for a while now and the moment in the trailer where he defiantly told Adelaide that he wasn’t going to die because he didn’t hear knocking, well it rang a little similar to Donna’s ‘I don’t die’ speech to Rose in Turn Left. Adelaide even gave The Doctor an ‘I’m sorry’ look before the four times a knocking a came. The Doctor looked very, very scared.

By the way, the BBC have definitely confirmed the return of John Simm as The Master (both blond and in a hoodie) and there was another trailer at Comic Con that had various images of him, The Doctor, Donna, Wilfred, Sylvia, Joshua Naismith, Ood Sigma and some snake faced creature as well, while this trailer is voiced by Timothy Dalton to boot who also mentioned people on Earth having bad dreams (RTD did mention something about nightmare sequences in the finale). Some people are saying that 4.18 is being called The End Of Time but I’d rather an official announcement before taking the title as serious.

Here's the trailer for the finale (apologies for quality) ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMEY43MlcRs

I know there so many things on TV but these last three specials are like the most exciting of the bunch for me as a viewer. I really can’t wait to see how Tenth Doctor is going to exit the series. I expect massive tears.

My Review of True Blood's 1x02: "The First Taste"

Written by Alan Ball
Directed by Scott Winant

Sookie: “You really don’t consider yourself human at all?”
Bill: “I’m not human.”

The first episode ended on the cliff hanger of the Rattrays beating the living daylights out of Sookie in the parking lot, so it made perfect sense to go to that moment in question. Another good reminder of how this is a HBO show is how gritty Sookie’s beating was.

With the Rattrays further proving they were the lowest of low in general, there was no way I even felt a tingle of sympathy for their demise. Watching the episode, it looked like Bill killed the pair of them after Sookie was able to just about get Mack away from kicking her any further. Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving couple if you ask me.

I’m not a sadist but I just can’t muster any compassion for the Rattrays. If you go around draining vampires and beating people up for no reason, then karma is going to catch up with you eventually. If it hadn’t been Sookie and Bill, it would’ve been someone else down the line.

Still Sookie was however in incredibly rough shape and quite possibly near death. Her injuries really did look fatal but I was surprised that Bill’s blood was the key. It’s interesting that as well as vampire blood doing wonders for your libido (something which Bill happily pointed out to Sookie), it can also heal. Good luck with keeping that one a secret, Bill.

The sexual overtones between Sookie and Bill were even more blatant than the previous episode. I’m not really a sucker for the vampire/human love interests and while Sookie and Bill aren’t totally unique, their chemistry is however electric and even I can see that.

Sookie initially freaked out about having to drink Bill’s blood but even after she did, it was nice to see the pair of them have an honest conversation. I think Sookie probably opened up to Bill more about her telepathy than she has to anyone in arguably a long time, if not ever.

Another fun element was the family meeting where Bill met the important people of Sookie’s life. Jason and Tara kind of reacted very predictably towards Bill. Jason was openly hostile and really annoying whereas Tara asked if Bill ever owned any slaves. A potential race matter aside, there might be more to that question in later episodes.

Sookie’s grandmother however was a hoot. I loved how at ease she was with Bill and even though she did hesitate, I do think that she trusts Sookie to make the right decisions with Bill. Sookie is definitely falling for him so that is obviously going to cloud her judgement with him.

A lot of scenes in this episode really played into the Sookie/Bill romance. The flirty banter, asking the other about their abilities (Bill also seemingly can’t put her under his thrall), revealing personal history to one another and what’s appropriate than a trip to the cemetery for a first date stroll, huh? I’m trying to look at this objectively but I do get the allure to Bill and not just because of Sookie’s inability to read his mind.

Of course, not everyone is pleased about vampires and the like. We had an interesting on air segment where Reverend Newlin couldn’t even manage dialogue with vampire rights activist Nan Flanagan because his devout beliefs forbade him from doing so. However it wasn’t much of a shock when he wound up dead by the end of the episode. That being said, I actually do hope that vampires had nothing to do with it.

As for vampires, the crazy porn star looking one that Maudette was with was there at that clearly uninvited party at Bill’s, which Sookie made the grave error of going to. I’m not worried. Either Sookie will save herself or Bill will. It would be more fun if it was the former though.

The episode also made sure that within the first ten minutes we learned that Jason didn’t murder Maudette. I’m still on the Jason hate train (which naturally means Ryan Kwanten is doing a great job) but it was really fucking cruel of that sheriff to hold him for half a day when he knew that Jason was innocent.

Again, I haven’t read the books but it does seem that the law in Bon Temps isn’t particularly nice to the Stackhouse family. If Jason isn’t being interrogated by them, then the sheriff is more than happy to tell Sookie what he thinks of her cavorting with vampires.

However Jason didn’t exactly lay low after his encounter with the cops. He went to Dawn for a sympathy shag and kinky stuff and she let him. Nice that she tied him to a bed but even still, Jason isn’t exactly the nicest of people in Bon Temps. Look how easily he blew off Tara as well.

Tara had more fun moments in this episode. I was in stitches when she blew off a potential date by telling him that she had a psycho husband and all the points in the world for her telling Jason that everyone knew he was an idiot. But more to the point, even if she was snappy with Bill, at least her concern for Sookie felt more genuine than Jason’s and that goes for a lot. Clearly Tara is a worthy friend.

As for the rest of the characters, Lafayette was there to get Tara away from her alcoholic mother and Arlene was hacked off when Sookie sympathised with her after reading her mind. Much as I understand Arlene’s anger for Sookie inadvertently invading her headspace, she might want to iron out those issues with Rene as well.

I liked the office scenes with Sookie and Sam, though he did visibly deflate when Sookie tried to put some distance between them. I take she does know that he’s attracted to her and that she’s trying to let him down firmly but nicely. Hopefully Sam will eventually get the hint, even though he does seem to be a nice guy and Sookie could do a lot worse but at the same time, there’s no point being with someone you’re really not that into.

Also in “The First Taste”

There was no reprise from the last episode; it just simply jumped into the Rattrays attacking Sookie.

Jason (re Maudette): “I didn’t kill her.”
Andy: “Well somebody sure as hell did.”

I noticed that there’s a song in this episode called “First Taste” by Fiona Apple, so are all the episodes (or just some) going to be named after songs?

Lafayette (to Tara): “What’s depressing is how often I get this phone call from you. That’s depressing. Why come you won’t Jason Stackhouse?”

Sookie: “Do I taste different from other people?”
Bill: “Yes. What are you?”
Sookie: “Well, apparently I’m not dead. What I am is telepathic. I can hear people’s thoughts.”
Bill: “Even mine?”
Sookie: “No. That’s why I like you so much. I can’t hear you at all. You have no idea how peaceful it is, after a lifetime of blah, blah, blah.”

This episode confirmed that Tara and Lafayette are cousins. Lafayette was right to tell Tara to move away from her drunk of a mother.

Tara: “I’m trying to watch my fool cousin hit on the straightest man here.”
Guy: “Alright but baby, I’m the straightest man here.”

Bill: “I look forward to meeting your grandmother. When may I call on you?”
Sookie: “I’m off work tomorrow.”
Bill: “Just after dark then.”

There was a funny headline about Angelina Jolie adopting a vampire baby. Maybe next season, Madonna will get in on the act.

Gran (re Bill): “Did you want to be alone with him?”
Sookie: “I don’t know. Maybe. Aren’t you gonna tell me to be careful?”

Jason (re Bill): “Well thanks for making me look like a fool in front of him, Gran.”
Gran: “Jason, you don’t need any help looking like a fool.”

Bill admitted that he knew some of the Stackhouse family way back when and also told Sookie that he lost his wife and children as well. Notably, Sookie also mentioned that her parents died in a flash flood before she was eight.

Sookie: “You’re gonna have to give me a minute here, Bill. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.”
Bill: “Of course.”

Jason (re being an idiot): “Can I tell you a secret – I am too?”
Tara: “It’s not that much of a secret.”

That dog appeared to be watching Sookie twice in this episode. I’m beginning to think that it’s someone. Interestingly though, Sam has a picture of a dog in his office.

Bill: “Sookie, this is very strange.”
Sookie: “You don’t like not being able to control people, do you? It’s not a very attractive trait, Bill.”

Sam: “Remind me why I hired you again?”
Tara: “Affirmative action.”

Standout music: “How The Day Sounds” by Greg Laswell and “First Taste” by Fiona Apple.

Sam: “Might be surprised by what you find.”
Sookie: “Not all surprises are good.”
Sam: “Well, try sometime.”

Chronology: Straight where “Strange Love” left off.

“The First Taste” continues the exhilaration surrounding this series. I know it’s only two episodes so far, but damn, this show has gotten it’s fangs into me and is unlikely to let go anytime soon.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

Dexter - Seasons 1 -3

Season 1

I don’t watch a whole lot of cop shows and given that there’s so many to choose from you, you have to be a very special show with a pretty unique angle in order to woo me. Dexter has that quality – blood spatter expert with dark passenger who kills bad guys. Add Michael C. Hall, who I absolutely loved on Six Feet Under and this was going to be the very show for me. I love Dexter and in some ways I could almost empathise in a way I couldn’t with any character from The Sopranos and the first season is by far the show’s best (that however does not mean that the show becomes unwatchable in later seasons, it really has retained its excellent quality). Dexter as a character is constantly fascinating to watch and even though he largely protests that he’s incapable of emotion, even the first season largely contradicts that with his relationships with Rita and sister Deb, the reveal of the Ice Truck Killer being lost brother Brian Moser, any revelations about his original parentage and of course, his rivalry with the embittered Doakes and respective friendships with Angel and Masuka. Plus many of the scenes with Harry add to Dexter’s psyche quite well.

Episode Ratings

1x01: Pilot = 9/10, 1x02: Crocodile = 7/10,
1x03: Popping Cherry = 8/10, 1x04: Let’s Give The Boy A Hand =9/10,
1x05: Love American Style = 8/10, 1x06: Return To Sender = 10/10,
1x07: Circle Of Friends = 7/10, 1x08: Shrink Wrap = 10/10,
1x09: Father Knows Best = 8/10, 1x10: Seeing Red = 10/10,
1x11: Truth Be Told = 9/10, 1x12: Born Free = 9/10.

Season 2

Second seasons are hard and for a lot of shows nowadays, there supposed to be where the rot sets in. While the second year wasn’t better than the first, it definitely went out to prove that the show wasn’t a fluke. With Dexter being known as the Bay Harbour Butcher, psycho-artist/sponsor Lila made for a decent femme fatale and even became responsible for blowing Doakes to kingdom come when he was about to expose Dexter’s little secret. The second season also had noteworthy changes for Rita, who became a little less meek and Deb, who certainly had an interesting relationship with Lundy to put it mildly. I also liked that Maria became more of a competent cop this season as well. The strokes she pulled to usurp Esme to get her job back were below the belt but she’s certainly improved as a character. Angel and Masuka weren’t as largely used in the season but they did have some nice moments here and there and I did like knowing a bit more about Harry’s relationship with Laura Moser.

Episode Ratings

2x01: It’s Alive = 9/10, 2x02: Waiting To Exhale = 8/10,
2x03: An Inconvenient Lie = 9/10, 2x04: See-Through = 8/10,
2x05: The Dark Defender = 10/10, 2x06: Dex, Lies And Videotape = 9/10,
2x07: That Night A Forest Grew = 7/10, 2x08: Morning Comes = 10/10,
2x09: Resistance Is Futile =9/10, 2x10: There’s Something About Harry = 10/10,
2x11: Left Turn Ahead = 9/10, 2x12: The British Invasion = 9/10.

Season 3

I don’t know why some people hate this season. Maybe it’s just a trend because I’m having a hard time trying to find anything that is truly terrible about it. If we have to go with something, then maybe it’s the Skinner. Compared to Rudy, Lila and Miguel, the Skinner is probably the most impersonal threat that Dexter has had to deal with and in the finale, Dexter did kind of dispatch of him a bit too easily but does that really constitute a terrible thing? Come on, we got Miguel. A man who fooled Dexter into thinking that someone could be accepting of the dark passenger but in reality it was a friendship that could only end one way – Miguel’s death. Killing Ellen Wolf and plotting to bump off Maria had Dexter murder the bloke before realising that his season long rebellion and anger of Harry wasn’t the smartest thing he could have done. Then there was Rita being pregnant and their wedding in the finale. Some decent mileage was gotten out of these storylines as was Angel’s courtship of Barbara and Deb and Anton’s relationship as well as Deb getting her shield. I guess Quinn might have been another weak link as well as Yuki wanting Deb to snitch on him but still, this season was too good to dismiss.

Episode Ratings

3x01: Our Father = 8/10, 3x02: Finding Freebo = 8/10,
3x03: The Lion Sleeps Tonight = 9/10, 3x04: All In The Family = 9/10,
3x05: Turning Biminese = 8/10, 3x06: Si Se Puede = 7/10,
3x07: Easy As Pie = 10/10, 3x08: The Damage A Man Can Do = 9/10,
3x09: About Last Night = 9/10, 3x10: Go Your Own Way = 9/10,
3x11: I Had A Dream = 9/10, 3x12: Do You Take Dexter Morgan? = 9/10.

Book Reviews

Prior to watching the third season on FXUK, I managed to get round to reading the first four books and here are the links to the reviews for them.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/02/darkly-dreaming-dexter-written-by-jeff.html

Dearly Devoted Dexter … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-review-of-dexters-dearly-devoted.html

Dexter In The Dark … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-review-of-dexters-dexter-in-dark.html

Dexter By Design … http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-review-of-dexter-by-design.html

All episode and book reviews can be found on both my TV TOME page and SHAWNLUNN2002TVHITS, both of which are linked on this blog.

My Review of Dollhouse's 1x10: "Haunted"

Written by Jane Espenson And Jed Whedon And Maurissa Tancharoen
Directed by Elodie Keene

Echo/Margaret: “Addie, it’s just so ugly. I love these people but I don’t like them.”

Now this is definitely an innovative way of a Dollhouse client using the Dollhouse. Waiting until they’re dead, getting an Active body and going to solve their murder. If only Agatha Christie had thought of this one.

Margaret Bashford was a rich lady who went on her favourite horse and wound up dead the next minute. More than that, unlike every other client we’ve seen, Margaret and Adelle were actually friends, adding another interesting spin on things.

Jesting about being late for her own funeral might one of many obvious zingers this episode’s plot could conjure up but I did get a laugh out of things and I suppose if you could do the same thing as Margaret, wouldn’t you?

The idea of attending your own funeral in the body of someone half your age has got to be a bit of shocker but Margaret was more interested in solving her murder than getting sentimental and with four obvious suspects, it was fun watching this episode show how each of them could possibly be guilty.

There was Jocelyn, the embittered daughter. Margaret’s parenting skills are something that clearly don’t leave much to be desired for and constantly dismissing your own child’s career is a bad thing. Especially when the child in question is actually a success at the job she does.

I know it sounds weird but I didn’t think that Jocelyn was going to be the killer. She came across as too sympathetic, in spite of all her anger. It was nice to see her converse with Echo as Margaret, even if she oblivious to the fact that she was literally trashing her mother to her face.

Then there was William, the estranged brother. Now he was actually the person I did expect to be the very one responsible for Margaret. He was constantly drunk, belligerent and given that we learned about him and Margaret’s fallout, it did make some more sense that he could’ve killed his sister in spite or greed.

The other two suspects then had to have been the son Nicholas and the younger husband, Jack. Nicholas had debts coming out of his ears and Jack didn’t seem all that pleased to learn that he had been bequeathed his late wife’s horses. It didn’t help that both also more than a little suspicious as well.

Jack was actually quite hot headed more than enough times and even got furious when Margaret tried it on with him in Echo’s body. I guess there are some people out there who do marry older women because they love them. Jack might have been angry but clearly he did find his wife very dear.

That left Nicholas as the only other person who could possibly have done in Margaret but even then we were sort of misled. Watching him try to snog Echo was a cringe worthy moment but when he realised that she was Margaret, that was sort of awesome. However it didn’t come as too much of a shock that he was a Dollhouse client himself.

It could explain parts of his debt problem or even the fact that he slipped up about drugging the horse. He was the expert on horses and not Jack. Also fight wise, Margaret should be happy that it was Jack who came to her rescue before Nicholas bumped her off for a second time.

Overall the resolution to the main plot tied up nicely. We learned that Jack was a stand up guy, Nicholas got nothing and sent to prison and Margaret got to rewrite her will after finding out more about her loved ones. Plus Adelle actually showed some emotion when Margaret was resigned to her fate.

A lot of people in Margaret’s position probably wouldn’t have been so quick to give up the chance of living in a new, more virile body so the fact that she did is surprising in a lot of way. Maybe some of the Dollhouse clients are bad/seriously emotionally damaged people after all.

That might be something that Paul can relate to. After all, thanks to Mellie’s presence in his life, he has now become one of their clients and spent most of this episode barely able to hold it together. I’ve slagged off Paul in the past but I do really feel for him this week.

On one hand if he doesn’t play along, he’s literally putting a hit on himself but on the other hand, by playing along, he’s becoming the thing he hates about the Dollhouse and it’s clientele. It finally gives Tahmoh Penikett some meaty material as well, but it’s disturbing as hell to watch.

Paul dealt with his anger towards his situation by having rough sex with Mellie and she has fallen into the unfortunate dynamic of trying to appease him, even though she doesn’t know what’s going through his mind, making Mellie’s plight all that more hard to watch.

Miracle Laurie is really good at selling Mellie’s naivety with this current plot line but there’s no way that Paul will be able to continue to maintain this pretence, especially now that he’s trying to track Mellie as well.

As for Topher, he gets the opportunity to imprint a Doll for himself and what does he do? He imprints a fellow geeky best friend with Sierra. Some of the scenes between Topher and Sierra are cute and it’s probably the most benign use of an Active going but it also harkens to something as well.

Remember in the Buffy episode “I Was Made To Love You” where Tara said that it was kind of sad that her future killer Warren had to build a robot girlfriend because he couldn’t find a human one? I think that has to apply to Topher as well that he has to imprint a friend because he can’t make any in the real world. I’m not a Topher sympathiser but it is sad as well. Still this is something he’s allowed to do on his birthday, according to Adelle.

Also in “Haunted”

Victor briefly appeared in this episode as riding inspector called Mr Chilton. However him and Echo had no interaction with each other.

Boyd (re Margaret): “So we can give life after death?”
Topher: “Only if we really like you.”

Margaret made a point the age differences between herself and Adelle and Adelle and Echo, so unless Adelle was a gymslip mum, I’d still think she’s likely to be Echo/Caroline’s aunt if they’re even related.

Echo/Margaret (to Adelle): “I used to say I’d be late for my own funeral but I didn’t mean it.”

Sierra (to Topher): “Get ready to have your ass kicked and possibly lose an eye.”

I doubt it was intentional but that quote gave me a nasty reminder of a certain Season Seven Buffy episode.

Mellie/November (to Paul): “I know the quickest way to kill a relationship is to take it’s temperature but are you okay?”

Nicholas: “You said you wanted to comfort me.”
Echo/Margaret: “Not with my tongue.”

Who was the personality that Topher imprinted Sierra with? A former friend or even Topher himself? Yes, I think he would be that narcissistic.

Echo/Margaret: “You lost your mother. It’s only natural you’d so be elmo.”
Jocelyn: “Emo.”
Echo/Margaret: “That’s not a word, sweetie.”

Mellie/November (to Paul): “They smell really good, some of them, not so much but overall, your shirts are nuzzle worthy.”

Paul’s shower scene I guess was more to do with conveying his self-loathing of having sex with Mellie than highlighting the actor’s prettiness.

Echo/Margaret (re body): “I don’t get to keep it.”
Nicholas: “I didn’t think so.”

Jack (re Margaret): “I hope she didn’t know the truth about her son. It would’ve killed her.”
Echo/Margaret: “It already did.”

Nice that Adelle acknowledged Boyd’s attachment to Echo when telling him to move on. Also no Claire this week either.

“Haunted” isn’t my favourite episode but Jane Espenson is a cracking writer and seeing Dushku trying to play a 60 something woman is more interesting than some of the other parts she’s played in the series. Fun but not a classic.

Rating: 8 out of 10.

Eleventh Doctor/Amy Pond (Doctor Who Season 5 Spoilers)

The Doctor (Matt Smith) and Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) outside the TARDIS.


She has returned. River Song (Alex Kingston) sharing a moment with new girl, Amy Pond.


Karen Gillan as Amy Pond, Matt Smith as The Doctor as Season 5 of Doctor Who begins filming. Oh and Alex Kingston is back as River Song as well.

Georgraphy Teacher/Time Lord: Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor.

Not too sure on the outfit just yet. I mean, it's very Doctorish, there's no denying that but I have to admit that I did prefer the one that Matt Smith wore during the January period when his casting was announced but I've got eight/nine months to get used to it, right?

It's great that Karen Gillan's companion finally has a name. Amy Pond. I hear she's Scottish too. I hope that if/when Moffat decides to go lovey dovey with Eleven and Amy (because there will be Doctor/Companion snogs), that it's developed more organically as well.

More pictures can be seen here ... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1200883/His-time-come-New-Doctor-Who-Matt-Smith-begins-filming-gorgeous-young-redheaded-assistant.html;jsessionid=BDEDC136002728F92827057607331DE7

And here ...

http://blogtorwho.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-series-new-tardis-new-sonic.html

Aside from that, here's me looking forward to 2010.

My Review of True Blood's 1x01: "Strange Love"

Written And Directed by Alan Ball

Bill: “I’m afraid I’m not as warm as the men you must be accustomed to.”
Sookie: “What men?”

Vampires are the attraction that will never, ever die. Their allure is seemingly every bit as immortal as they are themselves but the vampire stuff we’ve been getting has been a mixed bunch to put it mildly.

Blood Ties, Blade: The Series and Moonlight all lacked bite and swiftly met cancellation and while the Twilight franchise may be a roaring success, it’s not exactly all that accommodating for the more sophisticated of tastes. But there is hope and clearly this is part of it.

After the excellent Being Human, I didn’t really need to seek out another vampire show but given that this one is spearheaded by HBO and Six Feet Under creator, Alan Ball, I had to give in. Judging by this debut episode alone, I’m very glad that I did. I just wished that it hadn’t taken FXUK so long to get off their butts and air the series.

I don’t have Charlaine Harris’s books to reference/compare and contrast because I’ve never read them but at some point, I will do. The idea of vampires coming out of the coffin is certainly an intriguing concept and it’s played with some interesting results in the town of Bon Temps.

We have vampires on TV talking about their rights and every single local in Merlotte’s have their own opinion on the bloodsuckers that’s for sure. Particularly with scumbag couple Denise and Mack Rattray.

Stereotypes exist for a reason and these two are as trailer trash as you can get in one go. The way Mack was perving over Sookie when he wasn’t thinking other snide thoughts about her mentality was vomit inducing and Denise herself was skankier than any low rent hooker imaginable.

For me, that definitely meant that as soon as they started getting friendly with Bill, it had less to do with them showing some progressiveness and more to do with them lining their pockets. Apparently vampire blood gets you high and horny and Bill had the misfortune to get drained by the redneck couple.

It’s a good job that Sookie was able to use her telepathic abilities to save Bill’s life and nearly choke Mack in the process. Perhaps I’m taking this too personally but I’ll end up doing a happy dance when him and Denise get killed. I really don’t care how because they are two scumbags not worth watching if you get my drift.

Sookie and Bill, that classic vampire/human attraction and if I wasn’t aware that Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin were a real life couple, I think I’d hype more about their chemistry which kind of speaks for itself really. I like Bill and I like Sookie a lot but I can understand why people are against them so to speak.

Sam might not have pure motives – he’s in love with Sookie and clearly that clouds his overall judgement on Bill but Tara’s heart is in the right place. Plus like many humans who fall for supernatural lovers, I do think that Sookie runs the risk of not thinking things through.

In some ways she romanticised Bill a little too early and this was after talking to him for less than a minute. Plus because of her rescue of him, the Rattrays ended up beating the crap out of her after work. I’m gonna assume here that Bill will return the favour and rescue her.

Sookie and Bill certainly had a lot of interesting later scenes together. She found herself surprised about some of his weaknesses, even his name. Bill even realised that something was up with Sookie. Gee, did her telepathy make it that obvious? Is that part of the reason why Bill isn’t so quick to piss the locals off as well?

Another part of this opening episode that I liked was how everyone seemed to know about Sookie’s ability. Tara was pissed off when Sookie read her mind as was Jason and both Dawn and Lafayette assumed that she knew of her brother’s arrest due to her abilities. Guess not.

Family life was also the other element of Sookie’s story in this episode. She has a great relationship with her grandmother and it’s hard not to love the old lady. I especially liked the way she gently poked Sookie into talking a bit more about Bill. I guess with Jason’s standoffish attitude towards vampires, grandma was a needed balance for Sookie. Plus I liked that Sookie remembered to try and ask Bill about Gran’s civil war meeting. It’s just a pity that her being attacked had to come in the way of whatever his reaction would’ve been.

As for Jason, I don’t like him but that’s obviously intentional to a degree and while Ryan Kwanten is nice to look at, I really do think and hope that Tara can do better than Jason. Jason as far as we know is more or less the town’s man whore and getting involved with fang banger Maudette Pickens was a fatal mistake for both of them.

Even without reading the books, I really doubt that Jason killed Maudette. Sure he’s a bit thick and intolerant but that doesn’t equate killer all the time. Besides, I think he’s more or less one of those characters that we won’t lose in a first season anyway. His bed hopping antics aside, there’s a great dynamic between him and Sookie well worth exploring.

As for the other characters on this show, they’re certainly a colourful lot. You never need be scared of vampires as long as Tara lives and breathes in Bon Temps. She is definitely the kind of person whose bad side you do not want to get on. Hissing at customers, quitting her job before slapping her boss may not be qualities of endearment but I really loved her. Does that make me a masochist?

I don’t mind Sam either as a character but his crush on Sookie could wear a little thin and I’m not saying this as a Sookie/Bill shipper but just in general. As for his other staff, Lafayette has an equally foul mouth as Tara but he works brilliantly and I loved his little ‘sex’ talk moments with Arlene and Dawn. There wasn’t that much definition for either Hoyt or Rene but hey, first episode and all.

Also in “Strange Love”

From this moment on, there’s nine books in the Sookie Stackhouse released. The tenth one is due in October.

Vampire: “You ever pretend to be one of us again and I’ll kill ya. Got it?”
Clerk: “Yeah.”
Vampire: “Have a nice day now.”

I should’ve seen the ordinary guy being a vampire. That couple gushing about Tru Blood (the synthetic blood for vampires) and V Juice were annoying though.

Tara (to female customer): “Trust me; you are not getting me fired. I am quitting. You’re just the fucking catalyst and for that, I oughta thank you.”

Tara: “I can’t work for assholes.”
Sookie: “I’m glad you can be so picky, ‘Miss Say Hello To The Rest Of Us’.”

Some of the Southern accents seemed a little heightened than others. Is there any regular actor on this show who is from the South?

Tara: “Why can’t I keep a job?”
Sookie: “Maybe because you can’t keep your mouth shut?”
Tara: “Bitch, who asked you?”

Sookie: “You’re our first … vampire.”
Bill: “Am I that obvious?”
Sookie: “I knew the minute you came in. Can’t believe no-one else seems to have.”

According to Sookie, vampires have been out of the coffin for two years. There’s some allusions to gay rights with them as well.

Sookie (to Bill): “Hey, you just shut your nasty mouth, mister. You might be a vampire but when you talk to me, you’ll talk to me like the lady I am.”

Tara: “I only go off on stupid people.”
Sam: “Most of my customers are stupid people.”

I noticed that when Tara’s working, she does seem to have her head in a book. She also seems to have a certain amount of respect for Sam too.

Jason: “You wanna go somewhere?”
Dawn: “Yeah, I do. I wanna go home. Goodnight Tara.”

Sookie: “I never thought I’d be having sex with you. At least, not so fast.”
Bill: “Who said anything about sex?”

Sookie’s little nightmare moment was something Alan Ball did quite a lot on Six Feet Under so it’s not something that bothers me with this show.

Gran: “I know. What kind of cheap woman could ever do something like that?”
Sookie: “No. It makes me sick that they’re getting a thousand bucks to lay there and do nothing while I bust my ass for ten bucks an hour, plus tips.”

Tara (to male patron): “Uh-oh do … do not snap at me. I have a name. And that name is Tara. Isn’t it funny a black girl being named after a plantation? No, I don’t think it’s funny at all. In fact, it really pisses me off that my momma was either stupid or just plain mean. Which is why you better be nice if you plan on getting a drink tonight.”

Who was that mystery dog that followed/watches Sookie? There has to be something more to it. And it barked at Bill.

Lafayette (re Jason): “Young boy is sex on a stick. I don’t care how stuck up he is.”

Lafayette (re Sookie/Bill): “Looks like she likes ‘em tall, dark and dead.”

Standout music: Obviously the theme tune, Jace’s “Bad Things” and “The Dreaming Dead” by Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter.

Bill (to Sookie): “Do you realise that every person in this establishment is staring at us right now?”

Chronology: This premiered on HBO in September 2008, so until any definite chronology is confirmed, I’m going to assume around that time.

“Strange Love” is a rousing opening episode. There hasn’t been that many fascinating new shows in the 2008-2009 TV season but not only is this the best of a limited bunch but it’s just one of the best fantasy shows going. Alan Ball is clearly an acute writer and while public timing was perfect for this series launch, the fact that it seemingly offers something new to the genre is also beneficial as well.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

My Review of Dollhouse's 1x09: "A Spy In The House Of Love"

Written by Andrew Chambliss
Directed by David Solomon

Dominic: “The Dollhouse isn’t a gift.”
Adelle: “I think the countless people we’ve helped would disagree.”

With the title being so obvious, it wouldn’t happen to centre on someone finally realising that there was a mole in the Dollhouse, now would it? Heaven forbid, would on Earth would want to do such a thing?

Bigger question should be – who wouldn’t? The Dolls who compositing and want to regain the autonomy as well as the various staff members who have enough sense not to believe that an organisation like the Dollhouse is for the greatest good. Maybe even Adelle and Topher themselves, despite seeming to be the only two people who actually believe in the Dollhouse’s work. Or Dominic perhaps.

Yes, definitely Dominic. He’s always had that sinister veneer as well as his unabashed dislike for Echo, why didn’t we see it beforehand? It’s amazing that when Adelle left him in charge that Topher would then discover that there was a spy in the house of love (are you kidding me?) and report it.

What I loved was that little moment where Topher thought Boyd might have been the mole and decided to give him a head start. What motivated Topher to do that? Does he actually like/respect Boyd? If he had thought it was someone else, would he have been as kind to give them a heads up?

The interesting part was Dominic’s reaction when Topher had to tell him about the mole. We’ve seen him threaten and yell at Topher enough times but here in retrospect, it was to cover his own ass. Also getting Sierra imprinted to go to the NSA to discover who their spy was (a false mission) was reasonably clever.

However the best part of this episode was Echo wanting to help. Yeah, we’ve seen Echo showing bits of awareness (whether it’s talking about the mountains or painting houses) and asking Topher to make her better should definitely be a case of concern.

Giving her the imprint of a spy catcher is one of the best ones they’ve done. I even think it’s one of Eliza Dushku’s best performances on the show and it’s not like she’s been imprinted with the most complex of roles to play.

Spy catcher testing out everyone’s reactions to the Dollhouse merited some moments of fun. I loved that Topher had to endure some questioning, Claire raised some interesting question, Boyd seemed disgusted with the work at the Dollhouse and Ivy was understandably annoyed that Topher wouldn’t let her do anything interesting.

All of this made each and everyone of them a perfect candidate. Ivy’s such a tertiary character that making her the spy would’ve been easy and lazy in one fell swoop. Luckily even when Dominic seemingly had evidence that proved her guilt, I liked how spy catcher Echo turned the tables on him.

We haven’t had that many fight scenes on this series but I thoroughly enjoyed watching Echo and Dominic got at it with each other. Echo needed to get some much needed vengeance after he tried to kill her and beating the crap out of him was a good way of doing it. As well as exposing him as the mole of course.

Now the confusing thing about Dominic’s reveal of the mole is that it doesn’t explain who’s helping Paul. Dominic admitted that the NSA was trying to stop the Dollhouse from destroying itself, which means that Dominic’s motives aren’t that heroic. It also meant that Adelle could carry off with him being sent to the Attic.

The Attic turned out to be something a lot scarier than I thought it would. The idea of being that powerless and stuck in a permanent mind suck seems to be a fate worse than death. I don’t know why but in spite of some of the things that he’s done, a little part of me actually felt a bit sorry for Dominic. Is that weird?

I suppose Dominic did manage to get a parting shot by grazing Adelle with a bullet. I thought Adelle was a hard bitch in the previous episode but she gets shot and she barely acknowledges. Maybe she’s a Cylon or a Terminator in disguise because even someone as tough as Adelle would feel being shot more than she showed.

It definitely wasn’t me but Adelle did seem betrayed by Dominic’s reveal. I think deep down under her tough exterior that she might have had some feelings for him. Claire tried to get her to talk about them but Adelle brushed them under the carpet. She even took the bullet as some kind of punishment she needed.

It was also pretty obvious that with the word ‘love’ in this week’s episode title that we’d see at least one character choosing an unorthodox way of coping with loneliness. Adelle having Victor programmed as suave British guy Roger for some weekend fencing and shagging wasn’t totally unexpected.

On one hand, what Adelle is doing with Victor could easily be compared to Hearn did with Sierra but at the same time, it was also nice to get an insight into Adelle’s psyche. I like that there’s a tiny part of her that has doubts about what she does for a living. Undoubtedly that’s probably something that will get future exploration as the series goes on, right?

As for November, put her back into her Mellie persona and Paul finds himself being contacted for the second time by the mystery person trying to take down the Dollhouse. Miracle Laurie is effortless in switching from sweet Mellie into November trying to warn Paul about uncovering the Dollhouse’s purpose.

Although Paul still generally bugs me at times, I did feel bad for him here. He went from his usual obsessive mantra about the Dollhouse to trying to protect Mellie to realising that the woman he cares about (because I’m not convinced he loves her, even if she is probably better for him than Caroline/Echo) is part of the same organisation that disgusts him so much. Paul, you’ve just become their client.

Also in “A Spy In The House Of Love”

At different points in the episode, the screen went to spell out when Echo, Victor, Sierra and November were being imprinted.

Echo (to Boyd): “Don’t be vanilla. You can trust me. I’ve already shown I trust you. I got in the van.”

Echo in her dominatrix outfit and Victor as love believer Roger really should’ve had some dialogue together. I’m just saying.

Boyd: “You think I’m a spy?”
Topher: “Not in a bad way.”

Echo (to Topher): “You make people different. You can make me help.”

Adelle is aware of Echo’s compositing/remembering stuff and seems to be encouraging it. Maybe she’s the mole or has an agenda of her own.

Paul: “You didn’t come back to listen to this.”
Mellie/November: “I came back to see you.”

Mellie/November (to Paul): “The Dollhouse deals in fantasy but it’s not their purpose. Investigate their purpose.”

Echo had no names when she was both the dominatrix and the spy catcher. Sierra played a woman who stole Miss Sato’s identity in scenes that were nicely reminiscent of Alias.

Victor/Roger (to Topher, re Ivy): “Be nice. I think she likes you.”

Victor/Roger: “You are perfection. If I can make a woman, I’d make you.”
Adelle: “Really?”

Who was the original Roger – someone that Adelle was in love with or a dead lover? Interesting how she told ‘Roger’ about the Dollhouse in some detail.

Topher (to Echo): “I don’t want to brag – I want to brag. I’m a genius.”

Echo: “I don’t know why but I trust you.”
Boyd: “I must have one of those faces.”

Echo got a new handler called Travis at the end of the episode when Adelle gave Boyd Dominic’s old job.

Dominic (to Echo): “Is her body language telling you she’s innocent?”
Ivy: “No, her language language is telling her.”

Ivy: “Shouldn’t we help?”
Topher (re Echo): “Yeah, I helped when I imprinted her with kung fu skills, but be my guest.”

The fact that Claire doesn’t leave the Dollhouse can’t be good. It could mean that she’s either a Doll or a prisoner but it’s worrying none the less.

Adelle: “Did you think I’d show you mercy or rage? I think you know me better than that.”
Dominic: “You’re a piece of work.”

Claire: “It’s okay to feel something.”
Adelle: “That would imply that I’ve lost something.”
Claire: “Didn’t you?”
Adelle: “Nothing I can’t live without.”

Chronology: How many months has Mellie been keeping tabs on Paul?

“A Spy In The House Of Love” shows that the show is getting better, that it can experiment as well as offer some neat characterisation and performances, especially from Reed Diamond and Olivia Williams.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

My Review of Dexter's 3x12: "Do You Take Dexter Morgan?"

Written by Scott Buck
Directed by Keith Gordon

Dexter (on being tied up): “Such a familiar situation, such an unfamiliar perspective.”

This week’s been a distraction with the latest episode of Dollhouse and that whole Torchwood five parter spectacle so apologies for this being slightly later than usual. As season enders go however, I enjoyed this one a lot.

With Miguel dead, things could only escalate for Dexter. It’s not like offed a random no mark. Miguel for all his faults was a key player and his death was naturally going to arouse a lot of suspicion.

Everyone else seemed content with the idea of blaming the Skinner for Miguel and rationing that Miguel’s pursuit of Freebo may have factored into it. The only person who actually thought to blame Dexter was Ramon but that guy’s had a stick wedged up his arse all season.

Ramon got told by Miguel to protect him from Dexter and with Miguel dead, it would make sense that Ramon would lay the blame on Dexter’s door. Blaming Dexter was one thing. Trashing his apartment, slashing up his wedding suit and then pointing a gun at him during a public event. He should be lucky that Dexter opted to reason rather than kill him.

A part of me did wonder if Dexter was going to go for the whole Prado trifecta and kill off Ramon but with the latter in police custody, he didn’t get his shot. Reasoning with Ramon surprisingly worked in the end, especially when Ramon revealed a little more about his dynamic with Miguel.

So a lot of Ramon’s reckless and violent behaviour this season had to do with him tying up Miguel’s loose ends? Did Miguel tell him to kidnap and torture a bloke? Maybe Dexter was hypocritical in giving Ramon such sage advice but considering what the alternative was, he made the right choice here.

As for the Skinner. If the finale had a disappointing element, then it involved the defeat of this bloke. I’ve said enough times that the Skinner was such an impersonal threat to Dexter and I think that’s why I haven’t found him as compelling as Rudy, Lila or Miguel, even in light of what he did to Anton.

Kidnapping Dexter on his wedding day was an inevitability I guess but when he was trying to scare Dexter, I just found his whistling to be more annoying than threatening. Similarly Dexter wasn’t that scared of King but more of the fact that he mightn’t get the chance to enjoy married life or fatherhood.

I loved that Dexter got the opportunity to out-psych the Skinner. Gloating about Freebo’s death and even throwing in the fact that Miguel was using the Skinner to bump off Dexter all threw the Skinner off balance. Their fight was even short lived with Dexter snapping his neck and gashing some skin off him.

Deb got to make a wry joke about the Skinner getting his just desserts but I’m really impressed with how quickly Dexter was able to get out of that building. That being said, wouldn’t it in some ways have made more sense if the face-off had been Deb and the Skinner, rather than Dexter and the Skinner?

Deb was also a dominating factor in the finale. All season long we’ve heard everything about Deb getting her shield. This episode had Angel all quick to give her the recommendation but when he found out about Deb sleeping with Anton, the danger of her not getting it reared it’s ugly head.

Deb didn’t exactly make matters any better by telling Angel that she knew how he really met Barbara as well. That was a low blow for Deb but I did like that she was instantly apologetic for it as much as I liked that Angel took it upon himself to tell Maria the truth about Barbara as well.

Maria’s reaction caught me off guard. With the knowledge, I guess Angel seeking solace with hookers wouldn’t be a big deal but still Maria did let him off with it. I’m not criticising that part but it’s interesting. Similarly interesting is the way she dealt with Deb sleeping with Anton.

Maria and Deb have never exactly been the best of friends but if Angel could be forgiven, wouldn’t Deb be similarly deserving? In TV land, it always seems that you can’t have the two things you desire. You can either get one and lose the other or simply lose both.

Deb in this instance became a rarity – she got both her and shield and Anton and I don’t care about logistics because while sleeping with a CI might be unprofessional, Deb has more than proved that she’s a deserving detective and even Maria acknowledged that freely.

As for Anton, I loved the way that Deb confessed to Maria about how she really felt for him. Okay, so it was similar to how she did with Dexter in the previous episode but it still had the right effect and I liked that Anton didn’t reject. If he’s still around by the last episode of the fourth season, then that really will be progress for the girl.

As for the wedding, it happened at the very last minute and at the right time. Rita lying to Dexter about being married before would be an issue on any other show. Dexter himself did seem a little annoyed that she lied to him but in the end, he let her off due to the fact that his secrets are far worse than hers.

I was actually surprised to see Sylvia in this episode as well. Unlike Ramon who was basically going nuts, Sylvia showed no emotion at all over Miguel’s death. I know they were separated at the time but isn’t that just a little strange? Still if there’s one thing Sylvia has contributed this season, it’s been giving Rita someone to interact with outside of Dexter. For that alone, I think she should come back next season.

Dexter’s scenes with Harry in this episode were deliberately cathartic. All season long Dexter’s been annoyed with the lies and secrets that Harry shrouded him in. Here, he finally let go and it did him the world of good. It certainly helped during those scenes with the Skinner if nothing else.

Also in “Do You Take Dexter Morgan?”

Jimmy Smits appeared in one scene in this episode as Miguel, with no dialogue. I don’t remember if he was credited though.

Dexter: “We all react in different ways to death. Some like Ramon choose anger, others cling to ritual.”

The latter comment was referring to Maria praying beside Miguel’s corpse.

Dexter: “That was awkward. I don’t think I’ve ever been asked to leave a funeral.”
Rita: “Ramon didn’t ask you to leave. He pushed you out the door.”

Dexter: “Cody and Astor are charms too?”
Rita: “Like I said, that’s my loving mother.”

Rita got married at 16 to a guy named John Ackerman and seemingly the marriage was annulled. Oh and her middle name is Ann.

Harry: “Miguel warned you that his death wasn’t going to be the end of things.”
Dexter: “So, his plan was to make me hire out a housekeeper?”

Dexter: “Dad would be proud. It still means something no matter how flawed he was.”
Deb: “Yeah, look at us. You’re getting married, I’m making detective. The Morgans are gonna be alright.”

That cool file lady from the previous episode was called Frances. I don’t know if Deb read yet that the CI Harry was sleeping with was Laura Moser. She soon will though.

Dexter (re Miguel): “He was a hero to some.”
Maria: “He was a cold blooded killer. He murdered my friend and now he’s got an interchange.”

Dexter: “You can call me whatever you want.”
Cody: “I think we’ll just call you Dexter.”
Dexter: “Sounds good.”

Dexter said to Harry that he was having a son. At first I thought of Cody, but then realised the baby obviously.

Quinn: “Heard you busted Ramon Prado again.”
Deb: “Yeah, the Prados must love me.”

Ramon (to Dexter, re Miguel): “He fucking told you that? It was me who did that to our father. He took it from me, made it his story, part of his goddamn legend.”

We learned in this episode that the Skinner/George King’s real name is Jorge Orozco and that he headed up an interrogation UNIT, so torture pretty much his forte.

Dexter (to Ramon): “I know I’ve been there. The sins of the father go on and on. From kid to kid to kid, unless someone chooses to end them.”

Maria (to Deb, re her shield): “You’re one of the smartest, one of the hardworking, most annoying, pain in the ass cops in my department and you’ve earned this.”

Cute little scene with Maria enjoying cupcakes with Deb. I think Dexter and his donuts are about to get usurped.

Skinner: “I could kill you now.”
Dexter: “If you can convince yourself I’m lying. That you need to skin me to get information out of me.”
Skinner: “You are lying. You do know where he is.”
Dexter: “Miguel Prado tell you that? He wanted me dead, so he used you, played on your obsession. Probably wasn’t too hard. I mean, you’re a little single minded.”

Cop (re Skinner): “Jesus, officer. Scraped his fucking skin.”
Deb: “Yeah, what goes around, comes around and that’s detective.”

Chronology: Not sure but given that Rita evidently doesn’t look like she’s halfway through her pregnancy, it’s hard to tell.

“Do You Take Dexter Morgan?” feels a little lighter for a finale but you know, what? This was actually a lot better than some heavy packed season enders. The Skinner’s death may not have been exciting but there was plenty in this episode that was and I can’t wait for the next season.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

My Review of Torchwood's 3x05: "Children Of Earth: Day Five"

Written by Russell T. Davies
Directed by Euros Lyn

Gwen (to the camera): “Sometimes The Doctor must look at this planet and turn away in shame.”

At the time of writing, I am unsure as to whether I’m reviewing another season finale or in fact a series finale. The episode itself feels so much like the latter but until an official announcement from the BBC, it could go either way.

The death of Ianto in some ways would be the kind of moment to make things stop if it wasn’t for the severity of the storyline. For those of you hoping for a reset button, then forget it. Ianto is still dead and there’s not even so much as a ghostly appearance or obligatory hallucination.

In fact, there’s no time for closure on Ianto’s death. Jack himself is too busy getting Gwen back to Cardiff so she can tell Rhiannon of Ianto’s death in person and Jack is also thrown into a cell for his efforts.

Rhiannon’s reaction to her brother’s death is a little muted, even if she angrily accused Gwen of knowing nothing about Ianto. Of course, the other reason why Gwen was specifically sent to Rhiannon was to help save Mischa and David as well.

The inoculation fib that the Prime Minister announced went into effect with soldiers out in force trying to snare as many of the children as they possibly could to appease the 456. I have to admit that I became more and more uncomfortable watching the pursuit of these children and the fate that awaited them.

Even Frobisher realised that he wasn’t going to be exempt when the Prime Minister told him quite coldly that his children would be among the ten percent offered to the 456. I thought Frobisher might try and get his wife and children as far away as he possibly could. I didn’t expect him to shoot them along with himself in cold blood.

The grittiness in the episode certainly felt like too much at times. Frobisher’s mass murder of his own family, the understandable panic that erupted when the parents realised what was happening to their children, not to mention the reveal as to what the 456 wanted the kids for.

It seems that kids are a recreational drug for the 456, which makes the carnage they’ve caused even than before. Watching the Prime Minister just sit coolly as the children were being collected sickened me to the core. Even though he got his comeuppance in the end, I still wanted Bridget to blow his brains.

Bridget seemed to almost go thrown some kind of a redemption arc of sorts in this episode as well. I knew her conversation with Lois had more to do with getting her own back on the Prime Minister than just waxing lyrical about Frobisher being a good man.

Lois in some ways got to help Torchwood again, even if the ending of this series seems to widely suggest that she won’t be signing up anytime soon. All the government types in this episode weren’t exactly at their best. Even General Pierce wasn’t much good in the situation.

Getting rid of the 456 was always going to be a hard thing to pull off. They had such ease in killing people with gas and really could’ve just snatched the kids themselves without having to involve any military or governmental bodies but in the end, they had to die.

Another wavelength, a new one transmitted through a child was going to be the solution. I could tell with Alice and Steven around when Decker taunted both Jack and Johnson about the solution what was going to happen next. Like Jack, I was also hoping for there to be another way.

Losing Ianto is one thing but being directly responsible for the death of your own grandson is another. Arguably even for a show that succeeded with being ballsy for this season it’s a step too far. As much as I knew that Jack didn’t want to put Steven in harm’s way, all I could think of was Alice’s reaction.

Some absolutely heartbreaking moments from Lucy Cohu and John Barrowman, who both churned in the kind of performances worthy of BAFTA nods. Even Johnson, who was more willing for Steven to be sacrificed had a hard time watching the boy die in order to kill the 456 and she’s pretty contributed to the mess of this saga.

Alice’s relationship with Jack was fragile beforehand but now, it’s irrevocable. How could you forgive something like that? How can Jack even forgive himself? That kind of guilt has got to unbearable.

It also tied in nicely with the final scenes of this episode. Jack may have saved the day but Torchwood is effectively no more. Travelling around the Earth isn’t going to bring him out of his funk and something tells me that even travelling in space might not cure his ails either.

Gwen went through the ringer in this episode. She believed the world was going to end, she believed that Torchwood ruined lives, she even considered having an abortion. Thankfully though, she didn’t go through with the last one. The look on poor Rhys’s face when she said it though.

However even though she tried to get Jack to go easy on himself, she still couldn’t stop him from leaving. It’s really going to be interesting to see what exactly will happen next with this show. This episode had all the hallmarks of a series finale, just like the way Robin Hood ended two weeks ago and look what happened there. Until the BBC actually decide what’s going to happen next, I guess we’ll have to wait and see but I’ll be surprised if this comes back for a fourth year.

Also in “Children Of Earth: Day Five”

Gareth David-Lloyd’s name was removed from the credits with this episode. Ianto made no last minute appearance.

Augustus: “You managed to survive.”
Decker: “I just stood back sir, strategy that’s worked all my life.”

Predictably enough in light of Ianto’s death, there’s a fair amount of Facebook groups being set up. Even AfterElton have discussed the character’s passing.

Captain Jack (to Gwen, re Frobisher): “He’s right. Look what happened. Phone Rhys, tell him we’ve lost.”

Frobisher: “If you put me on camera, I will tell the truth.”
Prime Minister: “Then your daughters will know where they’re going.”

I noticed that Alice seemed to be wearing a very similar coat to her father in the last two episodes.

Andy (to Gwen): “Don’t you bloody hate people who don’t finish their sentences?”

Bridget (to Lois, re Frobisher): “He asked for me. I didn’t think he knew my name. We made quite a team.”

Did anyone get the feeling that within the season that Bridget and Frobisher might have had a thing? She definitely seemed to have feelings for him.

Gwen (to Rhiannon): “They’re gonna come and take your kids. You’ll never see them again. Never.”

Johnson (re Alice): “What do you think, Captain? She told me you were good. Was she right?”
Captain Jack: “Let’s get to work.”

We never did learn Johnson’s first name, though Alice did ask for it. Johnson did blather on about believing in her work though.

Rhys (re baby): “You didn’t mean it, about getting rid of it?”
Gwen: “Course I didn’t.”

Denise: “You don’t have to be here.”
Bridget (re Frobisher): “It’s what he would’ve wanted.”
Denise: “You think so? I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to be in that bloody room.”

Isn’t it a little disappointing that The Doctor didn’t make a surprise appearance in this after all? Maybe they would’ve had to alter some of the plots to accommodate an appearance from him.

Bridget (to the Prime Minister): “Your first thought now is to save your own skin.”

Gwen: “You fuss over me one more time.”
Rhys: “I’m just saying.”
Gwen: “Don’t.”

The ratings for these episode have been spectacular. Days 1 and 3 pulled in 5.9 million, Day 2 ranked 5.6 million and Day 4 pulled in 6.2 million while Day 5 pulled in 5.8 million viewers. Excellent.

Gwen: “Are you ever going to come back?”
Captain Jack: “What for?”
Gwen: “Me.”

Captain Jack (to Gwen/Rhys): “I have had so many lives. It’s time to find another.”

Chronology: I’m assuming late 2009/early 2010, given the six month jump at the end of the episode.

“Children Of Earth: Day Five” really does end things on a downbeat, somewhat nihilistic note. For me, while I’ve always made some Torchwood/Angel comparisons, I was hoping that the show wouldn’t end the same way as the latter series. If this is really the end, then it’s been one hell of an adventure, just too bad it wasn’t a positive note. I guess you can’t have everything.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

My Review of Torchwood's 3x04: "Children Of Earth: Day Four"

Written by John Fay
Directed by Euros Lyn

Ianto: “Don’t forget me.”
Captain Jack: “Never could.”

Close to the end of this saga and this is likely going to be the episode in the season’s end run that people are going to be talking about for quite some time. We’ve lost several characters in this whole universe before but this is going to be one loss that viewers are going to feel for a good while.

Ianto Jones. That gorgeous coffee boy with the glint in his eye that told anyone that there was more to him that met the eye. In the space of thirty episodes, we’ve experiences a lot with the man. We’ve seen him willingly betray his team members to save Lisa. We’ve seen that he’s not a man to be crossed.

We’ve also seen in that amount of time his burgeoning relationship with Jack. At first Ianto wanted to infiltrate Torchwood for his own means, even flirting with Jack to achieve that entry but at the same time we also saw Ianto falling in love with Jack, even if he made attempts to stop himself from doing so.

Jack and Ianto’s relationship has been something of a selling point with viewers. Various LGBT sites, magazines and media have all cited the positive elements of the coupling and it also helped that John Barrowman and Gareth David-Lloyd always had such a great rapport with one another.

So, the death of Ianto Jones is something that’s going to hit viewers a little hard. I remember back in 2002 when in the Buffy episode “Seeing Red”, Tara was shot by a stray bullet from Warren the reaction it ignited from certain viewers, myself included.

I’m sure a similar anger might be levelled at the series here (I for one really don’t want Ianto to be dead) but I’m going to laugh at the first person who accuse the writers or the BBC of having homophobic undertones. To me, such an accusation is flimsy at best, ridiculous at worst.

No matter how many times Jack gets killed (twice in this episode), he’s never going to die. That means virtually everyone around him will and that’s a burden both him and The Doctor have had to share. We’ve already seen Owen and Toshiko meet their makers as well as the likes of Suzie and Rupesh exposed as traitors before getting their comeuppances.

Rhys might the only character aside from Jack to suffer actual death and live to tell the tale (even if he’s blissfully ignorant of what Bilis tried to do to him). There could be a possibility that Ianto might be fortuitous by tomorrow night but if Gwen’s doomy message in the preview for the finale is anything to go by, I doubt it.

Like Toshiko and Owen, Ianto did go out in his own way fighting. He was there with Jack when the latter finally wanted to confront the 456. He even shot at the tank with his immortal lover for all the good it actually achieved (aka, none) but it was a deadly airborne virus that saw Ianto meet his maker.

The scenes between him and Jack as Ianto was dying were sad, that’s something that should go without saying. Even if you’re not a particular fan of this couple (which makes you the 3% of the show’s contingent, I’m guessing here), it’s still not hard to be affected by all of this.

The one thing that struck a chord with Ianto’s death scenes was that he was wondering about what kind of an impact he had on Jack. Maybe that could come across as needy but it’s understandable and we’ve seen in both this show and Doctor Who that there have been several people who’s impacted Jack’s life. Ianto is a big one in that regard.

I also felt for Gwen when she had to see Ianto’s body with Jack trying to comfort her. Torchwood really have been through the ringer in the space of four episodes. Their Hub’s been blown to bits, they’ve been made into criminals, Johnson’s tried to kill them at every turn, Jack’s involvement with the 456 is problematic at best and now Ianto’s become a casualty in the alien race’s call to war.

I knew Jack declaring war on the 456 was going to be a bad idea. Time and time again we’ve seen that declaring war on an alien race more advanced than humans always ends in disaster. Though arguably was Jack’s decision any worse than the one that the Prime Minister was going to make?

Sitting down and trying to decide which children were best off being given to the 456 as gifts left a foul stench in the air. It’s one of those times when you can get off your high horse and be PC about who deserves to be kept on Earth or sent to the 456. Lois earned her stripes by telling the whole attendants of the meeting that Torchwood had them over a barrel.

Luck did play a little something into Torchwood temporarily. Rhys and Lois recording every word from that meeting stopped Johnson from putting a bullet into Gwen’s head. Strangely enough, this episode even decided to try and show a softer side to her but I can’t help but thinking, too little, too late really.

The 456 mystery is still sort of treading water here. The confrontations with Jack and Clem had some interesting moments. Namely they involved Clem’s disbelief when realising that he couldn’t kill Jack as well as the implication that due to Clem’s age at the time that he wasn’t an eligible candidate for the 456.

Clem was also another casualty in the episode, which was a shame but I have a feeling that even if Ianto hadn’t died in this one that his death still might not have made all that much of an impact with viewers. Anyone else get the feeling that all the government types – Bridget, Frobisher, the Prime Minister and the US representatives that are there are all next?

In the family segment of the episode, not as much going on here than in previous episode. Alice did get a nice moment where she told Johnson to watch her back in relation to Jack. If Johnson is anywhere near as smart as she likes to believe, then she’ll be extra careful with Jack because if the 456 don’t end up killing her, then Jack could do so.

Rhiannon had only a phone conversation with Ianto and there’s gonna some major heartbreak coming her way tomorrow. Ianto just told her about the existences of aliens, even what the 456 were doing (something I think he was right to do, seeing as he wanted to protect Mischa and David) and now she’s going to have to find out that her brother’s become a casualty.

As for the 456, enough already. Someone smash open that tank and reveal what this lot look like because I’m beginning it’s not that awesome. In the space of these four episodes, some of the personal dynamics, machinations with the characters have been more compelling than the 456 and that might not change in the finale.

Also in “Children Of Earth: Day Four”

I presume from the 1965 Scotland flashback that the people Jack was with were Ellen Hunt, Michael Saunders and Andrew Staines.

Ellen: “Maybe they’re in paradise.”
Captain Jack: “No such thing.”

I should’ve mentioned that a soundtrack for this whole season also comes out the same day as the DVD – July 27th.

Clem (re Captain Jack): “The man who sent me and my friends to die can’t die himself.”

Alice (to Johnson, re Captain Jack): “A man who can’t die has nothing to fear, so you watch it and you keep watching it.”

Steven was asking some pretty sensible questions about Jack in this episode. Johnson even momentarily seemed sympathetic towards the lad.

Gwen: “It’s one of the kids from 1965.”
Captain Jack: “He’s still a child.”
Rhys: “Do you think he knows? Is he conscious?”

Frobisher: “This is unacceptable.”
456: “We do not harm the children. They do not feel pain.”

If it’s true, then it still doesn’t explain why it’s kids that they need and why only ten percent. We did know that Clem’s cusp of puberty saw him rejected.

Captain Jack: “Ianto, tell me what should be done?”
Ianto (re 456): “Stand up to them. The Jack I know would have.”

Denise (to everyone): “I’m gonna say what everyone else is thinking. If this lottery takes place, my kids aren’t in it.”

The role of Rick Yates in this episode was played Dalek voice man, Nicholas Briggs. Nice to have him on board.

Rick: “Just what we need – a revolutionary.”
Lois: “If that’s what you like.”

Gwen (to Johnson): “Take a seat. Maybe you’ll learn something about the people you’ve been working for.”

I’m surprised that Gwen was able to enter the building to get to Jack and Ianto when so many people were unable to get out of it.

Ianto (to 456): “Never mind the philosophy, what he’s saying is you’re not getting a solitary, single child. The deal’s off.”
Captain Jack: “I like the philosophy.”
Ianto: “I gathered.”

Captain Jack: “It’s all my fault.”
Ianto: “No, it’s not.”
Captain Jack: “Don’t speak. Save your breath.”
Ianto: “I love you.”
Captain Jack: “Don’t.”

Chronology: Yeah, just seconds after “Children Of Earth: Day Three” but also someone said it was 2009 as well.

“Children Of Earth: Day Four” certainly is a belter compared to the previous two episodes. The machinations with the 456 are dragging out a little but Ianto’s death is the very thing that will spark so much talk. I’m both looking forward and actively dreading the last episode now.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

My Review of Torchwood's 3x03: "Children Of Earth: Day Three"

Written by Russell T. Davies And James Moran
Directed by Euros Lyn

Prime Minister: “John Frobisher is a good man and better than that, he’s expendable. So, what do you say?”

Now we’re smack bang in the middle of this saga, here’s an episode that it a lot more talkative than it arguably should be. It’s also the very episode where the 456 have finally descended on the Earth and hey, it’s about time.

Things opened up with Jack, Ianto, Gwen and Rhys breaking into an old storage facility and making it into their new home. It’ll never be the Hub but with some sophisticated technology and some new staff members (yeah, this is where Rhys and Lois should fit in), I’m sure wonders could be done with the place.

Of course the domestic did get briefly soured when Rhys realised that he was the last to know about his wife’s pregnancy. Geez, Jack, you couldn’t keep one simple thing under your hat.

Thankfully though this isn’t something that boils over the episode as Gwen decided to use their criminal status for their own gain. In other words, someone has clearly been watching too much of Hustle in their spare time. However with the team staging scraps, being waiters and casual conversationalists, it’s no wonder they’re easy to score some finance and disposable technology to their advantage.

Ianto actually outdid himself by getting everyone else a spare change of clothing as well. Clearly the gay gene for snappy dressing is pretty existence within Ianto but with very little time before the 456 descended on Earth, was now the best time to ask for a shag?

Yeah, his little scene with Jack is cute; even if Rhys and beans nix the very thing (I guess we should be grateful for the fully exposed John Barrowman in the previous episode though). Also with two episodes left, I am sure that Jack and Ianto will get some respective time alone.

I’m glad the writers addressed Ianto asking Jack about whether or not he’s gonna be always lucky resurrection wise. The Doctor’s fixed point spiel from “Utopia” raised its head yet again. Still even Jack must wonder himself if there is a genuine limit to his immortality.

Questioning Jack’s immortality also had Johnson wondering whether or not if Alice and Steven had the same ability to boot. I have to wonder it myself but I really don’t know if I want to see Johnson given the opportunity to test it out on both Alice and Steven.

I knew from the promos that Alice would wind up being put in harm’s way. She was concerned for Jack and calling the police about him was the wrong thing to do on her part. To give her credit though, she was smart to try to escape from Johnson’s henchmen and she nearly succeeded as well.

Johnson’s ruthlessness really does seem to be going up each episode. The sheer willingness to harm Steven without a second thought is quite disturbing, even in light of the horrible things that she’s done so far. I kind of hope that her lack of morals is something that is retained throughout the next two episodes. In order words, do not redeem her.

Besides, I think a redemption arc might be something lined for Frobisher if by some miracle he does actually survive this whole debacle. As soon as the skies opened up and the 456 arrived in Thames House in that tank, it would then make sense that he’d have to be the one to interact with them.

Frobisher himself even seemed to have an awareness that the Prime Minister was setting him up for a fall. He didn’t even fight it when he was told that he was to be diplomatic ambassador for the species. If I were Frobisher, I would definitely be bricking it at this point.

The 456’s arrival isn’t the best thing from this episode. I was really hoping that at this point, we’d see the alien race in its menacing glory but I did find the interactions with Frobisher interesting. It agreed to all of Frobisher’s terms with seeming ease, including denying all knowledge to their previous visit on Earth.

Even during the last meeting with Lois and Bridget amongst others, it agreed to more conditions. However there was no way that this race was going to be that agreeable. Something had to give and the 456 demand a tenth of the kids was a very bad sign. Frobisher tried to stall giving a proper answer. I don’t know why because if the 456 want the kids that badly, they’re gonna take them anyway, regardless of what answer that they’re given.

The shocker of the episode was the reveal of Jack’s involvement with the race. Clem freaked out when he saw Jack and I would too knowing that Jack sent a group of kids as gifts to the 456. It explained too neatly why Frobisher wanted him out of the way. Frobisher even used having Alice and Steven in containment as a means of getting Jack to back off.

Why would Jack hand over the kids to the 456? Was this something in his pre-Doctor or post-Doctor life? Or was it like “Small Worlds” with Jasmine where once again, he had no choice in the matter? Either way, it really is one skeleton out of the closet after another with Jack.

Speaking of skeletons, Lois definitely has a good mark for secrecy. Any time she could’ve corrected Bridget about her relationship with Frobisher but she didn’t. It was probably easier to let Bridget believe that she was sleeping with Frobisher in order to get onto Floor 13.

The strong point with Lois is her reservations about Torchwood. They’ve got their own dodgy history and while it was obvious that she would eventually use the contacts that Gwen gave her, I suppose they had to tease out just a little more. Just two more episodes Lois and you could have a new job, provided you don’t get killed or arrested for treason.

Andy also popped up in this episode again but while Rhiannon and Johnny got to look after kids and Alice had a standoff with Johnson, all Andy had to do was get Gwen to Clem. I’m sort of disappointed that he hasn’t played a bigger part in this storyline. Maybe he will by Friday. One can hope.

Also in “Children Of Earth: Day Three”

Trinity Wells has completed the trifecta by finally appearing on this show. She’s been in various episodes of Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Johnny: “Life goes on.”
Rhiannon: “Yeah, with you making a profit.”

Rhiannon had to find out through her neighbour Max that Ianto was still alive. Nice to know, she’s got good neighbours.

Lois (to Gwen): “I helped you once and that’s enough. If anyone else finds out, that’s treason. Literally treason.”

Lois (re words): “You can see that in your eyes?”
Gwen: “It’s good, isn’t it?”

The contacts from “Reset” made their return. Unlike Gwen and Rhys, I’m not entirely convinced that Ianto has gotten to have fun with them.

Captain Jack: “I’m a fixed point in time and space, that’s what The Doctor said. I think that means forever.”

Johnson (re Alice/Steven): “Could be useful. What should we do?”
Frobisher: “Bring them in.”
Johnson: “Just the answer I wanted.”

We learned in this episode that Alice’s last name was Carter, went into protection in 1977, had parents James and Mary Sangster though her biological mother was Lucia Morretti who died of a heart disease in 2006. She was a former Torchwood employee.

Bridget (to Lois, re Frobisher): “You’re not the first you know. Don’t go thinking you’re the first.”

Steven: “It’s boring. I wanna see aliens.”
Alice: “Yeah, be careful what you wish for. Put some cartoons on.”

The 456’s pillar of fire looked similar to the fires in the skies when The Doctor tried to stop the Sontarans from choking the Earth.

Alice (re Steven): “If you harm him, I will kill you.”
Johnson: “Understood. And the knife. Certainly your father’s daughter, I’ll give you that.”

456: “You call us 456.”
Frobisher: “Yes.”
456: “Then that’s our name.”

Have we gotten a name for the Prime Minister in this? I know in the book, “Beautiful Chaos” there’s one called Aubrey Fairchild, so is that who he is. Also how come none of the government types have expressed fears about The Doctor interfering?

Gwen (to Clem): “Alright, let’s have a nice cup of tea and a hot dog. Do you like hot dogs? I bloody love them.”

Captain Jack (re 456): “Frobisher, tell me is it them? Have they come back?”
Frobisher: “Yes.”

This is the only episode of Torchwood so far to have a co-writing credit. James Moran wrote “Sleeper” and Doctor Who’s “The Fires Of Pompeii” last season.

Clem: “Who’s the queer?”
Ianto: “Oi, it’s not 1965 anymore.”

Gwen: “Then what were you doing there?”
Captain Jack: “I gave the kids. 1965, I gave them twelve children.”

Chronology: Still continuing from where “Children Of Earth: Day Two” left off.

The weakest of the episodes so far. “Children Of Earth: Day Three” has some superb moments but it’s a bit slow moving in places and it would nice if we didn’t have to wait so long to see what the 456 actually look like as well. However there are still two days left and anything could happen then.

Rating: 7 out of 10.