Sherlock - Season 2 More Pictures

And with eight days to go, here are some pictures of the second series of BBC's Sherlock to behold.

Andrew Scott certainly looks dapper in a suit as Jim Moriarty and considering that we've got him in both A Scandal In Belgravia and The Reichenback Fall, he should be causing more headaches for Sherlock and Watson.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Sherlock Holmes and John Watson respectively. A second year working together and also there's a moment where they, er, punch each other. Should be interesting to see.
Russell Tovey as the tormented Henry Night. I have to admit, I am looking forward to seeing how Mark Gatiss reimagines The Hounds Of Baskerville.

Lara Pulver as Irene Adler, who in this version is supposed to be a lesbian dominatrix who also manages to prove quite the intellectual match for Sherlock.

Mark Gatiss - when he's not writing episodes for the show, he's guest starring again as Sherlock's brother, Mycroft. Hopefully he's better utilised this series.

Series 2 Trailers: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00msw6y

Series 2 airs January 1st at 8.10pm on BBC1.

My Review of Doctor Who's: "Up All Night"

Written by Steven Moffat
Directed by Richard Senior

Craig (to Sophie, re Alfie): "I still can't believe I'm allowed him."

Aww, isn't that sweet? No, seriously, Craig, I think most kids out there would love to have you as a father. You're kind, funny and your sense of exasperation is rather endearing. Plus the Doctor thinks you're so great, he came to see you while on his farewell tour.

This little snippet dealing with Craig having to look after his son while Sophie went out with her mates was lovely to watch. It's a shame we didn't get to see as much of Sophie as we did in The Lodger but this was a nice way of making it up to viewers.

Oh and there's some nice sense of occurring as Sophie is intrigued by some of the recent disappearances while Craig frets about having to give Alfie a bath. Maybe this sounds trivial compared to the other scenes but it's a joy to watch nonetheless.

- The Doctor, Amy, Rory and River are neither seen nor mentioned in this mini-scene at all.
- This is basically also a prequel to Closing Time as well.
- Anyone not only see the electrics going off but also hear the Cybermen noise? I thought that was a lovely touch to this.
- Chronology wise, pretty could've been part of the opening to Closing Time.

A great little round up of this series of mini scenes. I really hope these Night And The Doctor style scenes factor into the next series because they've been a joy to watch.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Skins - Series 6 First Picture

With the new series scheduled to air late next month, a cast picture of the sixth and final season (I'm assuming we're not getting a fourth generation) of Skins has finally been released and while it looks like Franky, Mini, Matty, Nick, Alo, Liv, Rich and Grace are back, there's also a new guy called Alex added into the mix as well played by Sam Jackson. Oh and the character is gay - Gay Times have an interview with the actor, out now. Linked below is an interview with some of the cast, containing spoilers.

Article: http://skinsfans.livejournal.com/2214967.html#cutid1

Series 6 of Skins airs Mondays at 10pm on E4 from January 23rd.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Movie Not A Go?

Remember a while ago when we were all panicking that a potential Buffy movie without Joss Whedon was going to surface? Well, in news that won't shock (but will undoubtedly please) people, it seems that the writer for that proposed movie has been fired, according to Geoff Boucher from The LA Times. Apparently writer Whit Anderson's script has been seen as 'unworkable' and was rejected. I guess we can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being, right?

Press Release: http://blastr.com/2011/12/remember-that-joss-less-b.php

My Review of Dexter's 6x12: "This Is The Way The World Ends"

Written by Scott Buck And Wendy West
Directed by John Dahl

Dexter (re being caught by Deb): “Oh God.”

Well, this season has been about religion, so maybe Dexter’s final words of the sixth year are appropriate considering what just happened. You wait so long for a moment like this and it’s fantastic that when it happens, it still manages to come out of nowhere. Warning – there are spoilers here, so if you’ve not seen this episode, don’t read any further.

And if you have seen the episode, you know where I’m going with this already – Deb actually caught Dexter in the act of killing Travis. It was certainly a gratifying moment to watch but considering that she had headed to the church to declare her feelings for him, it made for an even more complicated reveal than usual.

I really, really do hate that the writers have decided that Deb somehow has romantic feelings for Dexter, even more so for the fact that the show didn’t need to resort to desperate shock tactics like this to boost attention and also due to the fact that this storyline has come out of absolutely nowhere.

I really don’t believe for one moment that Deb is in love with Dexter – I’m sorry but I can’t. I’m also hoping that now she knows her brother (yes, he’s her brother) also snaps some sense into her as well. I don’t want a Dexter and Deb romance but I also don’t see how one can come along anyways.

When Deb told Dexter she loved him and he replied the same, it was obvious that he meant it in a sibling manner. Dexter doesn’t have romantic feelings for Deb and I don’t relish the idea that her therapist would be encouraging Deb to drop that kind of a bombshell on Dexter. The writers need to drop this storyline and they need to do it fast. If anything, it’s going to cost them their credibility and no show can afford to lose that.

It’ll be interesting to see where they go next season with Deb knowing that Dexter is a serial killer. Will Dexter end up dispatching of her to protect his secret or is Deb going to have to turn a blind eye to her brother’s nocturnal activities (though she did catch him in the day). That’s definitely something I can’t wait to see unfold in 2012.

As for Travis himself – I cheered when he was killed. Not just because he kidnapped Harrison and would’ve killed him if Dexter hadn’t stopped him but because as a villain, he bored me senseless and I was happy to see the back of him. In the end, it was rather amusing how easily he was outsmarted by Dexter as well.

Here’s hoping that next year when it comes to a big bad, the next person is definitely more interesting than some ranting religious freak counting down to the end of the world. Sorry, Travis but it looked like your timing was off when it came to the expiration of Earth.

Thankfully though, you have been expired as a villain from our screens. Maybe in hell both you and the Skinner can lull over where you both went wrong as antagonists while Rudy, Miguel, Arthur and Jordan laugh at you. Stay away from Lila though.

As for next year’s villain – maybe it’s Louis. He did after all mail out that little parcel to Dexter and he’s also tried his hand at getting Masuka to keep him on at Miami Metro as well. I also doubt the writers would’ve bothered introducing this specific storyline if they didn’t intend to go further with it next year.

Last but not least – Quinn is going to pretend to have an alcohol problem so he can stop himself being transferred by Angel. Oh yay – so that means another year where Quinn can be an absolute liability, I can’t wait to see that. No wonder Angel was pissed off for most of this episode. Quinn really does know how to sour someone’s mood.

Also in “This Is The Way The World Ends”

There was a nice little subplot at the start of this episode where Dexter had to kill a robber after being rescued by a boat.

Dexter: “I guess it’s fitting I end up where I left so many others. I only wonder if the world will be a better place without me.”

The trailer for this episode made it look like Travis was going to kill Jamie. I’m relieved that she actually made it out of the episode alive.

Travis (to dead woman): “I can’t stay here much longer if you’re gonna stink like that.”

Dexter (to Harrison): “If some God or some force did save me today, I’m sure it was for you and not for me.”

It was nice to see Maria on Deb’s side over the latter’s attempts of capturing Travis during the eclipse but it doesn’t make up for her horrible behaviour this season.

Deb: “Do we need to talk?”
Dexter: “I don’t know. Is there something we need to talk about?”

Maria: “Matthews put his dick before the department.”
Deb: “And you cut it off. You didn’t hesitate to take advantage of that situation. Was that really the best for Miami Metro?”

Why did Travis borrow one of Dexter’s shirts and did no-one cop on that Dexter was in the beast picture at all?

Travis: “You’re supposed to be dead.”
Dexter: “How is the world going to end if the beast is still alive?”

Dexter: “I am a father, a son, a serial killer.”

Chronology: Picks up from where “Talk To The Hand” left off. Also Harry managed to not appear in this particular finale.

As a finale went, “This Is The Way The World Ends” was certainly better than a lot of the other episodes we’ve had this season but this has been a rather disjointed year and next year, the show is going to have to improve massively to regain its former glory.

Rating: 8 out of 10

My Review of Doctor Who's: "Last Night"

Written by Steven Moffat
Directed by Richard Senior

River: "Doctor, you and your secrets. You'll be the death of me."

Oh, River if you only knew. Actually, come to think of it, at least one version of River is not that far off from her own demise as we managed to sneak a peek at a version of River and the Doctor on their way to the Singing Towers of Darillium. You just know that's a plot we're going to have to actually see on screen within the next two years. I don't think Steven Moffat can put it off for much longer.

As for the rest of the Rivers, I'm surprised none of them twigged there was more than one version of them on the TARDIS but it led to some amusingly comic scenes when the Doctor was trying to deal with all three of them. Equally as interesting was our present version of the Doctor talking about River with his future self.

The last moments with just the Doctor and River have a lovely poignancy to them. It's been quite a madcap ride with these two but this little scene does seem to indicate that River is getting closer and closer to her fate in the Library and that is sad to think about.

- The second River taunted Sontarans about attending a hen night. They always seem to get ridiculed, don't they?
- Also the first River was told to check the bulb on the top. Amy asked about that in Meanwhile In The TARDIS Scene 1.
- Like Jack, River's mind was excited at the prospect of multiple Doctors. I swear if those ever meet, the Doctor is going to have his (wandering) hands full.
- Chronology, this picks up from where First Night left off.

The best of the scenes - delightful flirting, brilliant dialogue, a superb performance from both Matt Smith and Alex Kingston and some hints to the future. Thanks Moffat for this delight.

Rating: 10 out of 10

My Review of Doctor Who's: "First Night"

Written by Steven Moffat
Directed by Richard Senior

River (to the Doctor): "I knew you'd come back here, you nostalgic idiot. Hold me."

Now I can't be alone in saying that out of all the Night And The Doctor scenes on the Series 6 DVD set, the ones involving River would be the ones I was most looking forward to. I mean, they were going to have to be important, right?

And they are - River's serving her sentence at Stormcage and the Doctor busts her out for a little night out on the tiles. Cue much discussion about a dress, River having to write everything they do in her diary from now on and another River fainting in the Doctor's arms.

Yes, it's a good hook for ending the first of the two River related scenes and I certainly can't wait to see what predicament both the Doctor and his missus have gotten themselves into.

- This is a rather shot scene compared to the others we've had on the DVD set and that dress - wasn't it the same one River did wear in Day Of The Moon?
- Love the Doctor in his white tuxedo, akin to A Christmas Carol here but seriously, there's a planet of chip shops? Doesn't sound particularly exciting.
- River is serving twelve thousand consecutive life sentences at Stormcage for 'killing' the Doctor.
- Chronology, hard to tell but after The Wedding Of River Song, perhaps?

A great hook and while you don't have to be a fan of the Doctor/River pairing to actually enjoy this, it probably does help a bit.

Rating: 9 out of 10

My Review of Doctor Who's: "Good Night"

Written by Steven Moffat
Directed by Richard Senior

Amy (to the Doctor): "My life doesn't make any sense."

And there are the words that Amy finally managed to get off her chest. I was wondering why the Doctor was so resistant in letting Amy tell him her secret - maybe he feared she had romantic feelings for him or maybe he just didn't want to confront the issue of Amy's life not making sense. I'm thinking the latter on this one.

At least this story finally got the idea out of the way and Amy's knack for remembering her life, before and after the Doctor rebooted the universe certainly gives her an interesting turmoil here, that's not dissimilar to Rory's memories of being a Roman/Auton either.

The only thing is - Amy's saddest thing at the time is an ice cream she lost at five years old? Bit silly, even with the timey twist of her current self giving her past self another ice cream. Then again, I did like the ending of the Doctor telling her to get him an ice cream too, so maybe it is a perfect ending to this one.

- River was mentioned again but not actually seen. Then again, so was Marilyn Monroe and biplane lessons too.
- I think this episode really could've used Rory in it. I'm disappointed he only got to appear in one of these Night And The Doctor scenes.
- Amy's knack for remembering the same event but different versions of it will crop up again during The Wedding Of River Song.
- Chronology wise, I guess early in Series 6 but again, I'm not sure when.

Definitely the stronger one from the first two scenes, I did like this little character moment from the Doctor and Amy but I can't help wondering if this is something we should've actually seen in an episode though.

Rating: 9 out of 10

My Review of Doctor Who's: "Bad Night"

Written by Steven Moffat
Directed by Richard Senior

The Doctor: "What have you done?"
Amy: "I thought it was a fly."

Okay, considering that the Meanwhile In The TARDIS scenes for the Series 5 DVD went down a treat with viewers, why am I not surprised that for the Series 6 DVD we'd get something in a similar vein?

Except these scenes are billed more as mini- episodes and this first one is a rather madcap story where the Doctor is trying to keep the peace between two different factions. Again, not an easy thing to do when the Queen has been reduced to a fish (and not even the right one) and her enemy has been reduced to a fly that Amy swatted.

Of course the most interesting aspects of this first instalment is down to Amy trying to have a serious conversation with the Doctor and him passing her off to Rory. Come on, Doctor, there's only so much you can avoid when it comes to Amy's need for a big heart to heart. Let the girl get it out of her system and fast.

- River is mentioned in this story but not seen. Apparently the Doctor does sneak off to parties with his wife.
- Loving the Doctor in his tux, top hat and tails again. Matt Smith really does work that look extremely well.
- This isn't the first time Amy has answered a phone to a historical figure.
- Bad news in the sense that this is the only Night And The Doctor scene that actually features Rory. I'm also unsure of the chronology for this episode as well.

A fun, goofy opening scene. I'll be reviewing the remaining four scenes during the week in the lead up to The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe on Sunday, so hope you enjoy.

Rating: 8 out of 10.

Here Piggy Piggy

And here's a blog covering some of the stuff I've been watching over the last few weeks.

American Horror Story: Hmm, this show is continuing to interest me, even if I'm having a little bit of a hard time actually liking the main characters. The Halloween two parter, introducing us to murdered gay couple, Chad and Patrick was interesting, Luke the security is the nicest character we've probably met on the show, Hayden's batshit crazy in death and Tate's secret of murdering a bunch of students in the 1990's felt horribly in character for that guy. Why Violet is willing to give him a chance after knowing that is baffling. And as for Addy's death and the Piggy, Piggy legend - those were things I didn't expect. Vivian's baby being potentially evil though - yeah, who wouldn't have seen that coming?

Glee: This show has had an odd set of weeks. From absolutely deserved criticism over the mishandling in parts of Santana's coming out to the rather quick way of dealing with Quinn's vendetta towards Shelby, it's fair to see why people have criticised the writing for the show but there have been some enjoyable moments. The Christmas special for all it's cheesiness was the slice of feel good banter the show's needed for a while and I can't help but enjoy Kurt's verbal smackdown of the odious Sebastian as well, even if the writers love affair with Blaine is beginning to do harm to the show. Oh and Sam returned but honestly, it actually felt like he never left in the first place though.

Him And Her: An interesting set of episodes. It's amazing how I've gone from being rather unimpressed with the series when it started to actively enjoying it's second run. I think it's the cast whose flourished the most because the writing hasn't changed dramatically. Even the finale, which introduced Steve's annoying ex and could've easily split him and Becky for a bit ultimately decided not to go down that path. Still, there was at least one episode where I felt bad for Dan and Laura managed to utilise that bitchy streak of hers in a good way. Interesting that both of those things came directly from the unpleasant Anita.

Merlin: Oh dear, this show has had some strange episodes over the last four weeks. The worst ones have involved Elyan talking to ghosts and Arthur with another almost love interest in Mithian. Fortunately, the use of magic and Lancelot meant that Morgana finally had one successful plan with tearing Arthur and Gwen apart and the season finale tradition of invading Camelot managed to deliver a solid episode that also managed to introduce both Tristan and Isolde. Here's hoping the last episode will rid us of the tedious Agravaine while we're at it.

Misfits: This show has been hitting it out of the ballpark for the last few weeks now. Coma patients taking over Kelly's body, Rudty nearly having his wang removed, Simon/Alisha's relationship still a solid point and even Curtis/Melissa getting pregnant. All of that obsolete to the sheer madness of zombie cheerleaders in last week's episode and tonight's finale looks similarly mad as well. TV would be a duller place without this bonkers show, wouldn't it?

- Amy Acker will be guest starring in an upcoming episode of Once Upon A Time as a love interest for Grumpy and Leroy.
- Gloria Estefan has been booked to play Santana's mother in an upcoming episode of Glee. Ricky Martin will also play a Spanish teacher in a seperate episode.
- Michael C. Hall has recently stated that he doesn't believe things can end well for Dexter.
- Jane Fonda will appear in Aaron Sorkin's new drama, Newsroom, which will air on HBO in 2012.
- William Devane has signed up for two episodes of ABC's Revenge, playing Grayson patriarch, Edward.
- The identity of the mysterious A will finally be revealed in the second season finale of Pretty Little Liars, due to air in March.

My Review of Dexter's 6x11: "Talk To The Hand"

Written by Manny Coto And Tim Schlattmann
Directed by Ernest Dickerson

Michelle: “Are you getting upset?”
Deb: “Fuck yeah, I’m becoming upset because you’re making it sound like I want to be with him or something.”
Michelle: “Do you?”

Wait – what? Please do not tell me this show is even thinking about going there with Dexter and Deb. I mean, I know there are plenty of shows out there who will do virtually anything to keep viewers in but if the show goes down the incest route with Deb and Dexter, all it’s going to do is have viewers switch off in their droves. This show is better than that, even if this season has been sadly below par to previous years.

I can agree that Dexter and Deb’s relationship isn’t entirely a straightforward sibling thing but there has never been any indication in the show’s duration that either character fancied the other, so Michelle’s analysis of Deb’s relationship with her brother seems to have completely come out of nowhere.

As a brother, Dexter had had his moments. The last few weeks, he has been rather distant with Deb and this week, thanks to his quick thinking, he saved his sister from being infected by Travis’s Wormwood concoction at the police station. Of course Deb is going to be grateful that Dexter saved her life – why would it mean that she has sexual or romantic feelings for him?

I really hope that this is going to end up becoming more of a catalyst for Deb to question Dexter and not accept everything he tells her at face value because the idea of Dexter and Deb in that kind of relationship is just something the show should not even contemplate trying. They might not be biologically related but they’re siblings and have lived the majority of their lives as siblings too. Let’s not rock the boat on this one, eh?

Speaking of boats – Dexter ended up tied up on one of them while Travis completed his lake of fire. Yet again, Dexter underestimated one of his enemies but he’s been in worse situations than a boat of fire. If this was Travis’s efforts to get Dexter out of his hair forever, then Travis really is a dope, isn’t he?

Travis didn’t really anything too interesting this week come to think of it. He could have killed Angel with setting fire to a room but Quinn managed to man up and save his partner in crime and he got gazumped by Dexter when it came to constructing a new tableau as well. To be honest, the sooner Travis winds up as a member of Dexter’s slide collection, the happier I’ll be. Ultimately, he’s failed as an interesting or effective and I can’t wait to see the back of him.

Even Louis’s plot with the mannequin hand that he marked and wrapped up for Dexter has more potential. Actually it’s becoming another reason why I’m glad that we’ll have another two years because Louis’s storyline is clearly something that has to be seen through the next season. I don’t know where the writers are going with this but it does seem like Louis is being shaped up as a next big threat for Dexter. He at least has the advantage of being a lot more interesting than Travis or Gellar have been all season.

Keeping with the interesting plots – did I actually feel a bit bad for Matthews? I hate to admit, but yes, I felt a little bad for him. After all, he didn’t kill Jessica but was more too cowardly to admit that he was the last person to see her alive (for that, I’m less sympathetic towards him) and it was nice that he explained his side of the story towards Deb, even if he did his damndest to make sure she didn’t go to anyone higher up about it.

Unfortunately when he was exposed, Matthews was quick to blame Deb, despite the fact that Maria had been sitting on the information for weeks and had previously blackmailed him for a promotion in the season. The writers have really done a number on Maria this year. In past seasons, she’s had some humanity but this year, she’s been reduced to a cold bitch and not exactly a very interesting one either.

It’s enough to make me think that Deb might be better off stepping down as a lieutenant because the idea of her becoming Maria’s whipping girl next season is not one that fills me with happiness. Deb is far too fantastic and with a decent moral compass to be reduced to that – that is, unless Maria has a just desserts coming her way.

Last but not least – I’m glad Angel’s alive and I’m glad that Quinn saved him. I’m also glad that Angel explained to Quinn that he needed a partner he can trust in the same way I was also glad that Deb called both of them out on screwing up. Quinn needs to get his priorities in order or simply get lost. Angel could’ve been killed because of his incompetence this week. Luckily for everyone involved, Angel wasn’t but Quinn’s screwed up too many times this year.

Also in “Talk To The Hand”

Despite his best efforts, Dexter did get infected with the Wormwood. It was the reason why Travis overpowered him towards the end of the episode.

Travis (to Beth): “This is a great day. It’s the beginning of the end.”

Dexter’s tableau with bloodied Angel statue and Gellar’s hand was a nice way of getting everyone else aware that Gellar was actually dead.

Dexter (re Matthews): “There are worse secrets you can have, Deb. I’m just saying, maybe you should keep an open mind.”

Dexter: “I don’t have time. I have to find Travis.”
Harry: “You have no leads. He could be anywhere.”
Dexter: “It’s time for a Hail Mary. I’m gonna make Travis come to me. Maybe it takes a beast to catch a beast.”

Travis clearly thought of Dexter as the beast when he painted his image on his painting after the false tableau with Gellar’s hand.

Michelle: “I don’t think you’re crazy.”
Deb: “Can I have that in writing?”
Dexter (to Travis): “The beast is coming for you.”

Keeping with Jennifer Carpenter, she’s become the latest person from this cast to join the ranks of Twitter. I’m really trying not to think of that dream sequence here.

Deb: “One minute everything’s perfect, the next minute -,”
Dexter: “- Next minute, what?”
Deb: “You’re always rushing off.”

Chronology: Picks up from where “Ricochet Rabbit” left off.

This was certainly a better episode but “Talk To The Hand” has now opened up a storyline possibility that I really hope the writers do not venture into. Oh and the sooner that God bothering muppet Travis is off my screen, the better. Put the fear of God into him, Dexter.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Doctor Who - Series 7 Important Announcement

In news that might not come as a shock, it has been confirmed that both Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will be stepping down from their respective roles as married couple/companions, Amy Pond and Rory Williams. Steven Moffat has confirmed at a press event for The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe that the characters will leave in a heartbreaking manner half way through Series 7, slated to air in late 2012. Moffat has also confirmed that he thinks both River Song (Alex Kingston) will return for the new series but he has also confirmed that a new companion will join the Doctor during the seventh run, though casting for 'him/her/it' hasn't been done yet.

Personal Thoughts: I'm not surprised. I was expecting this to happen in relation to Amy/Rory leaving but the heartbreaking bit worries me a little. Amy/Rory have endured a lot, I'm not sure I want to see them suffer. Still though, they've been amazing companions but at the same time, I am excited to see the new companion as well. I have a feeling casting will have to be announced in early 2012, even if we don't see them until the end of next year or the start of 2013. Here's hoping Amy/Rory's exit is the Christmas 2012 special. Surely they deserve it, right?

The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe airs on Christmas Day on BBC1 at 7pm and filming for Series 7 begins in February 2012.

Being Human US - Season 2 Cast Pics

I'm not gonna lie. When I watched the first series of the US version of Being Human, I wasn't overly impressed but it got somewhat more solid in it's second half. Now pictures for the second season have emerged.

Aidan (Sam Witwer) looking incredibly pale in this one. There's supposed to be more exploring into his darker side in the second year as well as a new vampire called Suren (Dichen Lachman) entering the fray.

Josh (Sam Huntington) is dealing with Nora (Kristen Hager) becoming a werewolf at the end of the first season. I'm actually surprised they went there so quickly with that storyline but here's hoping it's as well handled as the UK version's is.

Sally (Meghan Rath) is still living with the lads in the second series. Not too sure where they're going with her character this year.

And one more cast picture of all three housemates together. I have to admit, they are a good looking bunch and I will probably watch Season 2 a little more closely than I did with the first year.

Season 2 Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojf8Byz7kPk

Season 2 of Being Human US begins on SyFy, Mondays at 9pm from January 16th 2012.

We'll Take Manhattan Preview

The first picture of the upcoming biopic has been released and can I say that Karen Gillan is looking wonderful as 60's model Jean Shrimpton as does Aneurin Barnard as Vogue photographer/Shrimpton's love interest, David Bailey in the 90 minute one-off, scribed by John McKay.

We'll Take Manhattan airs on BBC4 from January 26th.

Game Of Thrones - Season 2 Trailer

Following the second season finale of Boardwalk Empire, HBO have released a trailer for the upcoming second season of Game Of Thrones and it's looking like we're going to have another epic series on our hands and Cold Winds Are Rising. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

It's crunch time for Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) and Ser Jorah (Iain Glen). She's got an army to command, a kingdom to regain and three new dragons in her care. Filming pics have shown that she's got baskets for her little babies to sleep in. It'll also be a convenient way of making sure they're not in every episode.

Meanwhile Catelyn Stark (Michelle Farley) and Sir Loras (Finn Jones) seem to have forged an alliance of sorts as the former makes herself known to Renly. Here's hoping for Catelyn's sake, she does lose anyone else from her family at the hands of Joffrey as well.

Arya (Maisie Williams) isn't particularly having the best time of it either, what with an unfortunate haircut and being sold into slavery. Still, her fate is almost better than the one her older sister is enduring.

Sansa (Sophie Turner) and King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson) - if ever there was an unhappy pairing, it's probably them two at the moment. Here's hoping Joffrey gets his just desserts in the second season of the show.

Renly (Gethin Anthony) is back and he's a king but whether or not he can take down his tiresome nephew or not remains to be seen. As trailers went, this was a nice way of building anticipation for the new season.

Season 2 Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyuwGzYIAns

Game Of Thrones Season 2 will air on HBO and SkyAtlantic from April 2012.

The X Factor UK Bags A Winner, US Bags Controversy

And we have a winner at long last. Anyone not see this victory coming a mile off?

I called it a few weeks and during last night's overlong finale (really, two hours is not justified, especially some of those hours mean that we had to put up with Westlife and Michael Buble), Little Mix were finally declared the winners with a cover of Damien Rice's Cannonball being their Christmas single. Personally I would've rathered their version of Silent Night or Don't Let Go. It's nice that a group finally won it after eight series and out of the judges, Tulisa irritated me the least. Whether or not these girls have a bright future ahead or will be a flash in the pan remains to be seen though. The less good news about the finale was that it was 3.5 million viewers down from last year. Have viewers finally tired of The X Factor or is this press just overreacting to ratings like they've done with Coronation Street and Doctor Who this year?

Meanwhile the US X Factor has finally generated something worth talking about with the surprise axing of Rachel Crowe (even I didn't see it coming) when Nicole Scherzinger put the girl's fate to deadlock. Rachel's axing was surprising and seeing her meltdown wasn't pleasant but she'll get over it and those idiots out there calling for Nicole's head need to lighten up and realise it's only a TV show after all. Nicole hasn't endeared herself as a judge but I'm not sure she deserves to lose her job because of this either.

My Review of Dexter's 6x10: "Ricochet Rabbit"

Written by Jace Richdale And Scott Reynolds And Lauren Gussis
Directed by Michael Lehmann

Dexter: “Travis is the only Doomsday killer and I’ve made a terrible mistake.”

At this point in time, mistakes like Travis are not ones you should be making. Did you not learn anything about Trinity after all? Then again, even I was convinced that Travis had a glimmer of redemption until the end of the previous episode revealed that Gellar had been dead and Travis was the Doomsday killer after all.

As a twist, it was a rather unsatisfying end and as Travis is the main killer, I wish I didn’t have to say this but I’m disappointed. I was hoping this religious fanaticism with the main big bad this year would offer something innovative to the show but as an enemy, Travis is now a bigger letdown than the Skinner was back in the third season.

Travis even couldn’t keep Dexter as a hostage and spent more time getting actively annoyed that Dexter was tampering with his blog than actually trying to catch Dexter himself, who let’s be honest was a bigger mistake for Travis than his releasing of Holly a few episodes back.

Speaking of Holly, the poor girl ended up having to suffer Travis’s wrath again when the madman and two newly acquired disciples held the woman captive on their boat before Travis ended up killing her. On the plus, at least one of those irritating followers of Travis wound up dead courtesy of Dexter.

Did I feel a glimmer of sympathy for Steve Dorsey when Dexter killed him? I most certainly did not. All Steve and his wife Beth did was serve as a horrible reminder that deranged whackos like Travis can actually inspire a following and while Beth showed some reticence over killing Holly, it was extremely difficult to sympathise with her either. Plus both Steve and Beth are complicit with Travis’s little Wormwood plan (an explosive of sorts) for his next masterpiece.

It also doesn’t look good for Angel who made the mistake of visiting Beth without back up (damn you, Quinn) and wounded up being knocked out by Travis. I wonder if this means that Travis will actually get a chance to kill someone from Miami Metro. I really don’t want Angel to die though. Why can’t Travis kill Quinn instead? Surely god-fearing psychos must have a stance against grade A incompetence, right?

If they do, then Quinn is a perfect candidate for a tableau. Let’s face it, it’s like the writers have given up trying to make viewers like him and have opted for him to spend this episode mostly drunk and unhelpful through and through. At this point, unless the writers don’t buck up their ideas, there really is no point to Quinn at all as a character on this show. I say kill him off once and for all. Maybe in death he’ll be useful than he is right now.

Speaking of useful, Deb’s latest therapy session seemed to be more productive than the one from the previous episode. Maybe because here it didn’t feel like Michelle was judging and also because Deb seemed to make another breakthrough about her relationship with Dexter. Dexter is Deb’s safe place – I got it but their relationship has also been changing for the last bit now. Maybe it’s time for Deb to find another safe place.

As for the whole debacle with Matthews and the dead prostitute, why do I still get the horrible feeling that will be Deb who ends up paying the price for this? By finding out that Tom was the last person to see Jessica alive; Deb has placed herself in an unenviable position. I’m beginning to think that by actually like a professional in this show, you suffer more than being incompetent. That can’t be right though.

Last but not least – Louis, you idiot. The last thing you should do is go to a man whose wife died at the hands of a serial killer and tell him about a computer game where you can be a serial killer as a player, even if the same man in question happens to be a serial killer. The writers missed an obvious emotional beat response when Dexter didn’t handle Louis’s game idea very well but I didn’t forget.

Also the thing with Louis – I can’t help but think his obsession with serial killers could go either two ways next series (assuming he’s in it). It could go that Louis ends up becoming a copycat killer or he ends up becoming the victim of a serial killer (not Dexter) but either way, I’m not sure if his hobby is going to remain simply harmless. By saying that, that also makes me worried for Jamie as well.

Also in “Ricochet Rabbit”

The title for this episode comes from the name of Holly’s boyfriend’s boat. The boyfriend in question was in Spain at the time.

Travis: “I proved it to you that you couldn’t be hurt.”
Gellar: “You stabbed me with a sword three years ago.”

Before his death, Gellar had told Travis to get professional help. It turns out that Travis really is the more fanatical of the two.

Dexter: “Maybe you’re pregnant.”
Deb: “First of all, fuck you and second of all, that would be the immaculate fucking conception since I haven’t been with anyone since Quinn and lastly, fuck you.”

Dexter (re Travis): “He’s been a monster from the start. He’s been using Gellar to justify his kills.”

As well as his sister, it also has turned out that Travis has murdered his parents as well in a car crash.

Michelle (re safe place): “Do you think it’s weird?”
Deb: “Not really, he’s my brother. I think it’s weird.”

Louis (re computer game): “What do you think?”
Dexter: “I think this is offensive. Who would choose to be a serial killer?”

Funnily enough, there was a Dexter game out a couple of years ago. Oh and I loved the call back to “Seeing Red” in this episode too with Deb’s freak out in the church.

Beth (re Angel): “What are we gonna do? He’s a cop.”
Travis: “He doesn’t enforce God’s law. We do.”

Harry: “When are you gonna let this go?”
Dexter: “When I kill Travis.”

Chronology: From where “Get Gellar” left off and it’s four days until the end of the world.

It’s usually at this point in the season where the ante feels well and truly upped but apart from Angel being in the firing line, there’s not much in “Ricochet Rabbit” that really feels eventful. Gellar has now felt like a waste of time as a potential threat and as the actual threat, Travis isn’t cutting it I’m afraid. I hope the final two can deliver though.

Rating: 6 out of 10

The Bicentennial Of Charles Dickens

February 2012 will make the bicentennial of Charles Dickens and the BBC are certainly getting into the spirit already. With various documentaries slated for BBC4 over the Christmas, there's also at least three of his novels have been adapated to air over the next month ....

The Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff

Starring: Robert Webb, Katherine Parkinson, Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie, Johnny Vegas.
Synopsis: Jedrington owns the bleak shop of stuff and finds himself and his family evicted on Christmas Eve and is forced into a debtor's prison. He does however receive help from the Artful Codger of all people. Be warned, it's something of a parody this one.
Airing: December 19th, 8.30pm on BBC2. Three other episodes to air in January, times/dates to be confirmed.

Great Expectations

Starring: Gillian Anderson, Ray Winstone, David Suchet, Douglas Booth, Claire Rushbook, Shaun Dooley.
Synopsis: Pip is brought up by his sister and her husband but soon becomes company for Estrella, the adopted daughter of Mrs Haversham, a woman who has a thing for sabotaging happiness, due to her own past rejection.
Airing: December 27th-29th, 9pm on BBC1 for three episodes.

The Mystery Of Edwin Drood

Starring: Matthew Rhys, Freddie Fox, Tamsin Merchant, Alun Armstrong, Ron Cook.
Synopsis: Choirmaster and secret opium user, John Jasper lusts for Rosa Bud, the woman that his nephew's love interest. When Edwin winds up dead, there can only be one person to blame. This was Dickens last novel and therefore uncompleted, so we never find out who the killer is, though one suspects it's the most obvious of culprits.
Airing: January 10th and 11th at 9pm for two episodes on BBC2. This was originally meant for BBC4.

I have to admit it's an interesting list of stories to adapt but there's a part of me that wonders if they all need to be two-parters/three-parters/four-parters instead of the usual 90 minute/two hour thing. It might have meant more than three novel adaptations. Still, it's a good way of celebrating one of the most influential writers on TV and now it makes perfect sense that Simon Callow reprised his Dickens role in The Wedding Of River Song recently.

Sherlock - Season 2 Cast Pictures

It's been over a year since the first series but with repeats and countless award nominations and wins, the second series of Sherlock is only a month away and here are some cast pictures.

Andrew Scott oozes more sinister looks as the immoral Jim Moriarty and the best part is that he's supposed to have a bigger role this series than the previous. Good - I want more Sherlock/Moriarty interactions.

One of the first cast pictures of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Sherlock and Watson together. I wonder who's left the smiley face on the wall.

Oh look it's Irene Adler. When she's not playing treacherous sisters, fairy godmothers and spies, Lara Pulver has been drafted in as presumably one of the few women who gets to be a little closer to Sherlock than he's comfortable with. Should be interesting to see Sherlock/Irene's interaction.

One more cast shot with Sherlock, Watson, Moriarty and Irene as well as the visual hints of what the stories are for Series 2 - A Scandal In Belgravia (Steven Moffat/Paul McGuigan), The Hounds Of Baskerville (Mark Gatiss/Paul McGuigan) and The Reichenback Fall (Steve Thomspon/Toby Haynes).

Sherlock Series 2 begins on BBC1 on January 1st 2012 at 8.10pm.

Downton Abbey - Season 2 Review

Well, the Christmas special is less than three weeks away and the second and somewhat divisive season has been recently released on DVD, so here's a rundown of each episode from the second year. Careful, there are some spoilers here.

Episode 1: Another lengthy opener dealing with the events of World War 1, in particular with both Matthew and Thomas in the trenches and Robert's frustration of not having an active role there. There was also the unwelcome arrival of Vera, who managed to cause upset with Bates and Anna, a stroppy new maid in Ethel while Mary, Edith and Sybil all find their own roles in the current climate. November 1916.

Episode 2: I liked the arrival of Lang, who showed us the true side of surviving war and even Edith's brief dalliance with a married man she was helping out was certainly interesting in light of her actions of the first year. Of course, this was also the episode that introduced the not so nice Carlisle as well into the mix but he was better than the somewhat dull Lavinia. April 1917.

Episode 3: Isobel has turned Downton into a hospital and Ethel's gotten herself rather familiar with one of the visiting soldiers there as well. Also it didn't Anna that long to find out where Bates was hiding and Lang also left in this one. July 1917.

Episode 4: Weakest episode for me to be honest. The whole 'missing' thing with both Matthew and William felt like a cop out and the Cora vs. Isobel antics over the running of the hospital in Downton got a little tedious to watch. Ethel's plot however was a bit of an improvement on this episode. 1918.

Episode 5: Ethel might have left Downton but she still has Mrs Hughes helping her out in the current circumstances and the writers weren't subtle with the attraction between new maid Jane and Robert either. Of course, this was more eventful with the death of two characters and a bedside wedding for Daisy and William as Mary putting her fate in Carlisle's hands. August 1918.

Episode 6: Robert writes a letter to the father of Ethel's child and discovers that the soldier has passed away, Carlisle tries to get Carson as a butler for a home he wants to move in with Mary and the dead heir from the first episode isn't so dead after all. November 1918.

Episode 7: Thomas proves that if The Apprentice existed back in the 1910's, he would be the first person fired from it, Sybil/Branson finally get together, Robert gives into temptation and Carlisle shows his unpleasant side and Matthew continues to make a recovery. November 1918.

Episode 8: It's time for the Spanish Flu to afflict three people and kill the most obvious candidate in question and once again, the chance of Anna and Bates actually being happy is squandered again and Downton loses another maid while Ethel tells her child's grandparents to do one. Well, sort of. April 1919.

Overall, not quite as good as the first season. The show needs to loosen up with the obstacles between both Anna/Bates and Mary/Matthew before it runs the risk of viewers losing interest in both couples. Still though, the show did have many highlights including it's depiction of the first World War, Violet's witty barbs and having mostly interesting new characters as well slightly developing others.

Rating: 8 out of 10.

The X Factor 2011 - Final Three

Okay, so Misha B's been kicked out and we've been left with these final three people for The X Factor 2011.

Amelia Lily: I like her but I'm not crazy about her, though Gary's comments on her shouting her songs are sounding increasingly ridiculous. I'm not sure I'd like to see her win the show though. That being said, she's been a strong enough performer and if the show was ever going to bring back someone in the first week, Amelia was always going to be the wisest choice.

Little Mix: Tulisa - please stop harping on about them being like regular girls/best friends/etc. If I was going to vote for them, I'd do it on the basis that I actually enjoy them musically. Actually, I do like them and it might be nice to see a group win for once.

Marcus Collins: I like him, he's definitely been the best of a dire bunch of lads we've had this year. Whether or not he wins though is up in the air. I don't think I could take Gary's ego if he did win but at the same time, Marcus is an all rounder, performance wise. Then again, it really doesn't matter who wins because all three of them (plus Janet and Misha B no doubt) will have released singles and albums by 2012 anyways.

The X Factor final airs Saturday and Sunday at 8pm on ITV1/TV3.

My Review of Dexter's 6x09: "Get Gellar"

Written by Karen Campbell
Directed by Seith Mann

Dexter: “Gellar. He’s been dead all along. Did Travis act alone? Did Travis kill all those people?”

Oh crap – they actually went there. I was really, really hoping that Gellar was actually real and instead, he’s a dead man in a freezer and it’s been Travis who has been the Doomsday Killer all along. I suppose I should’ve seen this coming but I was really hoping that Gellar was alive.

Though it does explain how lifeless Edward James Olmos’s performances have been all this season – he’s been playing a figment of Travis’s imagination and in life; Gellar was hardly fun a minute. Travis must have been the student that made Gellar suffer for his beliefs. I do hope there’s a flashback in one of the last three episodes showing us how Gellar died.

Travis talked about Gellar being influential to him and it made sense that he killed him. He did manage to fool Dexter long enough in this episode with the goose chases the latter went on in order to find Gellar, including the one where Dexter was heralded as a false prophet. Now Dexter better hope there’s a way out before he winds up on Travis’s next tableau and fast.

Travis did manage to get in another kill this week with Trent Casey. The blood coming from the ceiling was a pretty nifty and gross thing to do to Miami Metro but it certainly had the desired effect in freaking Deb and her team out rather well. Still though, it’s nice to see that Deb made it her business to try and further track down the idiots who were commenting on Gellar’s doomsday blog as well.

It’s not the only bout of professionalism Deb undertook in this episode. She even went one better and reopened Jessica’s case in spite of Maria’s warnings. I’m glad this show decided to quickly reveal that Matthews was responsible for Jessica’s death but Deb better not suffer as a result of his incompetence, though I have a horrible feeling her professionalism could cost her being a lieutenant.

As for her meetings with the shrink – they really annoyed me this week. I don’t think Michelle was being that professional with some of the comments Deb made. Yes, Deb has made some bad romantic choices and maybe her dynamic with Dexter needed assessing but Michelle made it sound like everything was Deb’s fault. It certainly wasn’t Deb’s fault that her father largely ignored her after her mother’s death, that’s for sure.

Still, at least Deb is trying to tackle her problems and she did manage to make things up with Dexter (who rightfully apologised to her for the previous episode), so there’s a start. Personally though, I think the shrink was being far too harsh on Deb but maybe that’s my own bias for the character seeping out again.

Speaking of bias, yes, I’ve grown bored of both Angel and Quinn this season. Quinn needs to get over himself. Yes, he got jilted but being even more reckless than usual and taking cheap shots at Angel has become tiresome to watch. Even their fisticuffs was more fast forward worthy than actually being entertaining.

And then there’s Angel as well. I get that things have gone for him – another divorce, no promotion, etc but sticking his nose into his sister’s love life and scrapping with Quinn isn’t going to make things any better. It’s amazing that as these two seem to be losing the plot; Masuka is the mature one of the bunch.

Even though Masuka is probably one of the last few people I’d take dating advice from, the pointers he gave to Louis about Jamie seemed to be on the mark. I guess maybe Masuka is a lot smarter at times than he’s given credit for because his advice seemed to work well when it came to Louis and Jamie.

However the reveal of Louis owning the mannequin hand from the Ice Truck Killer is now worrying. I guess it was too much to ask that he’d be a normal computer geek. I wonder if the writers are setting something up for next season with Louis and that hand because it almost seems too late to have him strike out now. On the other hand, a fanatical Louis could be more interesting than the Doomsday stuff right about now.

Also in “Get Gellar”

Is it really that shocking that Dexter’s motives for trying to get rid of Travis’s dark passenger so he could be a better dad to Harrison? Probably not but it was never going to work.

Harry: “What’s this about Dexter?”
Dexter: “It’s what Brother Sam would’ve wanted.”
Harry: “Are you sure this is about Brother Sam?”
Dexter: “I know what I’m doing.”

I wonder if anyone of Brother Sam’s flock are going to report Nick being missing? Also for that matter, are we going to get an update on Clarissa as well?

Angel: “You look confused.”
Dexter: “Your sister ever say anything that absolutely makes no sense whatsoever?”
Angel: “All the time.”

Dexter: “I hate to root against my own team but I want a shot at Gellar first.”

Harrison was offering cookies to his playgroup in this episode. Maybe it’s Jamie’s influence but it’s a step up from scratching kids from last season.

Travis (re Casey’s death): “This is all my fault.”
Dexter (to himself): “Travis is proving to be my penance.”

Deb (to Michelle): “I’m not sure I believe in God but I’m pretty sure he hates me.”

Deb/Dexter’s relationship got compared to both chairs and tables with the latter being described as a chair. Chairs are mostly dependable, aren’t they?

Dexter: “Are we okay?”
Deb: “I have no idea if you are. I’m sure not but I’m working on it.”

Gellar (to Travis): “God has given you so many chances and you disappoint him time after time.”

Chronology: From where “Sins Of Omission” left off.

I was disappointed with “Get Gellar”. It should’ve been better, it should’ve shocking and game changing and while the season has improved, I hate to admit it but the Doomsday plot is actually rather boring. Travis is an even lamer villain than the Skinner and we all know he wasn’t an interesting character. Hopefully the final few episodes give the show a boost and up the ante.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Doctor Who - Christmas 2011 Promotional Pictures

And with three weeks to go, here's some promotional pictures for The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe ....

A cast shot of the Doctor, Lily, Madge and Cyril as they all seem to have fallen into a Narnia type world during this Christmas special. Moffat has been promising that this year's Christmas special will be extra Christmassy and Matt Smith has commented on it being rather character driven.

Bill Bailey will be appearing as Mysterious Harvester Droxil in this episode along with Arabella Weir playing Bilis and Paul Bazely as Ven-Garr. I'm not sure if they're ally or foe to the Doctor and the Arwells but they could be a threat to those woodland creatures we saw in the trailer.

Madge Arwell, playing by Claire Skinner will be another one of those people that the Doctor has encountered more than once. She saves his life in 1938 and three years later, he returns the favour by trying to give her and her children the best Christmas ever. I have a feeling he's going to succeed.
Reg Arwell is played by Alexander Armstrong, already known as the voice of Mr Smith in The Sarah Jane Adventures and The Stolen Earth/Journey's End. I have a feeling that his character is going to ensure that Madge technically doesn't live up to the widow bit of this Christmas special after all.

More Pictures: http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2011/12/dwn031211145508-christmas-special.html

The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe airs on Christmas Day, 7pm on BBC1.

My Review of Ringer's 1x10: "That's What You Get For Trying To Kill Me"

Written by Eric Charmelo And Nicole Snyder
Directed by Stuart Gillard

Gemma: “That’s what you get for trying to kill me.”
Charlie: “How are you even alive?”
Gemma: “You’ve got bad aim.”

Unfortunately for Gemma though, Charlie/John’s aim managed to improve significantly when she tried to drive away to freedom. I guess after ten episodes, we had to lose a character that mattered and whose death could have consequences for most of the main characters left – namely Siobhan, Bridget and Henry.

I’m going to miss Gemma as a character. Tara Summers didn’t have a lot to work with but she did the best she could and managed to make Gemma likeable enough for her death to matter. I was hoping that Gemma was going to escape from Charlie/John and now sadly she didn’t. On the plus side, at least Charlie/John actually paid for killing Gemma, courtesy of Siobhan.

I have to admit that it’s a little too late for Siobhan to pretend she gave a shit about her best friend but there was something gloriously satisfying in watching her take out her glorified babysitter. Now this is a treacherous side of Siobhan I could get behind. I mean, I liked Charlie/John as a villain but I also liked that Siobhan was the one to take him out.

Siobhan showing some distraught over Gemma’s death doesn’t do anything to erase the fact that she was overall responsible for her friend’s fate though. While both Bridget and Henry both tried to get Gemma out of danger this week, it was Siobhan who put Gemma in more danger by underestimating Charlie/John though.

Of course, if I was hoping that Siobhan would’ve learned that her feminine wiles can go only so far with manipulating men, then I was in for a letdown. Still, I have to admire the fact that she managed to manipulate Tyler into thinking that he was the father of her unborn baby and that Andrew was physically abusing her. Then again I don’t because Tyler really does seem to come across as that gullible.

I don’t even know why Siobhan bothered in bruising herself. I think if she had just put on the tears, Tyler still would’ve fallen for anything she had said but the biggest game changer now seems to be more the fact that after killing Charlie/John she decided to remain in New York. Isn’t that a bit odd considering the lengths she went to get Bridget to take her place?

One of the slight disappointing things about this episode was that I was hoping we would finally get a hint as to what Siobhan is up to and sadly this episode failed on that count. Still, odd as it is that she’s returned to New York, I am interested in seeing what exactly she’s going to get up to in the second half of the season now that she’s nearer her old life again.

As for Bridget – now there’s a true friend. She tried her damndest to rescue Gemma (who sadly died thinking Bridget had done this to her) and even confessed to Andrew that her friend was being held prisoner by Charlie/John and even cried real tears when Andrew told her that Gemma had been killed. There was no way that Bridget was faking any of that, was she?

As for Bridget and Andrew, this was quite the episode for them. For viewers and even for Bridget, it was the first time she slept with him and it was also Andrew and Siobhan’s anniversary. You don’t have to be a genius to see that Bridget is falling for Andrew big time and nor do you have to be one to see that worries Malcolm too. Malcolm has a point though and it’s one that Bridget’s ignoring as well.

Speaking of Bridget and Malcolm, them working together as a team to thwart Charlie/John and rescue Gemma though was fun to watch. Also this episode more or less indicated that they’ll be further investigating into Siobhan’s connection with Charlie/John, which could spell some massive trouble for Siobhan in the second half of the season as well.

Keeping with the investigating, I nearly bowled over with Victor actually being competent for once. I loved that he finally realised that Jimmy had known more about Bridget’s disappearance and about a man of Bodaway’s known as the Matador as well and tricked him in exposing himself. If Victor keeps this up, he might actually get a solid lead on Bridget/Siobhan after all.

Oh and while we’re talking about Victor, I really hope he wasn’t lying about Mary Curtis being more than an informant. I was looking forward to seeing Amber Benson on this show (she really does need to pick more high profile gigs though) and despite the fact she was rather underused and wound up playing a dead character again, she was a joy to watch as well.

As for Juliet and Mr Carpenter – what the hell just happened there? Did he actually rape her or was she making it up? It is sadly hard to tell because she did look genuinely distraught and was left alone with him, yet he did seem to be uninterested in her sexually. I hope this is one mystery that isn’t dredged out for too long.

Last but not least, if I have to moan about someone, I am going to moan about Henry. It’s not the actor’s fault but the character is damn annoying and this week he annoyed me more. Sure contacting the police was believable over Gemma’s kidnapping but maybe he should’ve actually listened to Bridget on this one.

Also in “That’s What You Get For Trying To Kill Me”

Andrew really does know how to woo a woman doesn’t he? I can see why Bridget is falling for the guy.

Andrew: “Can you believe it’s six years? Feels like -”
Bridget: “- Six weeks.”

Juliet managed to reference both Twilight and Big Brother in this episode in a rather clumsy sort of way.

Malcolm: “Anniversary?”
Bridget: “Six years already. Can you believe it?”

Siobhan (re Gemma): “John, if you hurt her, I swear.”
Charlie/John: “Oh, would you spare me? I think it’s a little too late to pretend to give a damn about her.”
Siobhan: “She’s my friend.”
Charlie/John: “Yeah, I hate to see how you treat your enemies.”

Mary mentioned to Victor in her flashback scene that she missed Bridget. I do hope we get some flashbacks to Bridget during her stripping days.

Mary: “Don’t sweet talk a sweet talker Vic. I’m just a blabbermouth stripper, don’t pretend I’m anything else.”

Bridget: “I’m begging you.”
Charlie/John: “Sorry Siobhan. My good will is all maxed out.”

Standout music: Adele’s “Rumour Has It” that played at the end of the episode.

Jimmy: “Sorry, Vic, I didn’t want it to come to this.”
Victor: “Oh no it won’t. I’ve had two agents tailing me ever since we spoke this morning.”

Charlie/John: “Besides you said so yourself. You need me.”
Siobhan: “I don’t. You’re a glorified babysitter who got too expensive.”

Chronology: Six weeks since “Pilot” according to Bridget and the show is back on the CW from January 10th.

As a mid-season finale went, “That’s What You Get For Trying To Kill Me” certainly made the right noises. It’s going to be interesting to see where this show can go in the second half and how much longer Bridget/Siobhan can be kept apart or even what Bodaway plans to do next, seeing as he’s been quiet for a while.

Rating: 9 out of 10