Recap/Review: Penny Dreadful's 2x07: Little Scorpion

This week was a little return to the Moors, the absence of the witches and a moment that might have soured any future relationship with Ethan and Vanessa to boot.

Written by John Logan
Directed by Brian Kirk

Monsters & Demons: This episode was mainly set in the moors where both Ethan and Vanessa decided to regroup at the Cut Wife's house, following the attack the latter suffered during Dorian's ball in the previous episode. During this episode, both Ethan and Vanessa learned more about each other, came close to getting physical with each other but at the end, were seperated when Vanessa resorted to dark magic to get back at the landowner responsible for her former mentor's death. While Ethan certainly had good reason to lay out the consequence of Vanessa's actions, he wasn't exactly that honest about the true extent of his own demons either. Speaking of ...

Revelations: While Ethan and Vanessa may have indulged in dancing and gunplay before things went south for them, I did like that not only was Ethan honest to Sembene about his true identity but the latter seemed genuinely sympathetic towards Ethan's plight and wanted to help him. Aside from Sembene now knowing about Ethan's true identity, no other progress was made with the guy that Ethan nearly killed or Detective Rusk in this episode.

Awakening The Monster: Keeping with the revelations of this episode, Victor's attempts of sheltering Lily are thankfully beginning to wane. In this episode alone, Lily/Brona enjoyed a night out on the town with Dorian (who may or may not soon remember who she really is) and then the episode ended with Lily picking up an older gentlemen, having sex with him and then murdering him in the bed. I guess it was inevitable that we saw some killer tendencies with Lily. I don't envy Victor or Caliban when her memories inevitably resurface in the next three episodes.

Ticking Things Over: This episode didn't really make any progress at all with the main plots whatsoever. While Ethan and Vanessa's stay in the moors was good for character stuff, unlike The Nightcomers, there was no appearances from Evelyn, Hecate or any of the witches and aside from Lyle subtle way of trying to protect Vanessa from an enchanted Malcolm and a nice little scene with him and Victor working on a puzzle together, nothing else really happened away from the Moors and Lily scenes this week.

A Man Possessed: He might have had little to do in this episode but even without Evelyn around, her influence was certainly felt on Malcolm. Malcolm was pretty enraged with the idea of Vanessa and Ethan going somewhere without him knowing where and it did seem like other people outside of Vanessa were picking up on his strange behaviour too. Hopefully someone is able to break Evelyn's hold on him within the next three episodes.

Next week, Malcolm and Sembene clash, Dorian's secret is revealed to Angelique and Lily goes on the rampage.

The X Factor - Rita Ora/Nick Grimshaw Are The New Judges

What? It's not the first time I've blogged about The X Factor and the news has been breaking enough for me to discuss it here.

Following the now confirmed departures of Melanie B and Louis Walsh (I'm still shocked with that one), ITV have confirmed that singer Rita Ora and radio DJ Nick Grimshaw will joining both Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini on the panel for The X Factor's upcoming 12th series. Earlier this year, Ora was a part of the fourth series of BBC1 rival The Voice and has also appeared in the first season finale of Empire and in 50 Shades Of Grey. I have to admit, Ora is a good choice for the panel and it's not the first time Cowell has swiped a judge from a rival show (Alesha Dixon, anyone?) but Grimshaw seems more of a divisive choice. I don't mind him as a DJ but I'm not sure he's going to appeal to an older crowd though.

As for Simon and Cheryl, I think the new additions could help the pair of them up their game. Cheryl in particular in the last series (as with 2010) seemed like she was sleepwalking through the whole thing and it'll be interesting to see how Simon is able to bounce off Grimshaw as well and if he can replicate the previous successes he's had with both Louis Walsh and David Walliams on Britain's Got Talent.

Keeping with the replacements, following the departure of Dermot O' Leary as presenter, the role this year will be shared by both Caroline Flack and Olly Murs. The duo, who previously hosted two series of The Xtra Factor together will now have the task of hosting the main show. While I do think this show's best days are probably behind it and that it's unlikely to create a massive superstar, this clearing out of the decks may help to revitalise the series a bit. I still think it'll be neck in neck between this and Strictly Come Dancing though.

Press Release: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s103/the-x-factor/news/a653097/nick-grimshaw-and-rita-ora-are-officially-joining-the-x-factor-judging-panel.html#~pfM68wwjY0W3fU

The X Factor returns to ITV from late August.

Walk Of Atonement

Summer television is a little slow but with some shows ending, others have started up to fill the void though.

Game Of Thrones: I think it's safe to say that while the fifth season has not been the show's best season, it has definitely been as discussion worthy and controversial as the previous four have been though. Cersei's downfall was something that had been coming for a long time and it only made sense that her attempts of getting rid of Margaery would also backfire on her. The much talked about walk of shame scene was dealt with pretty well and it'll be interesting to see how she'll come back from that next season. Also interesting will be to see if Jon will be a part of the next season considering what happened to him here along with the various cliffhangers surrounding Daenerys, Sansa/Theon, Arya. This might not have been the show's strongest but it was still an interesting ten weeks nonetheless.

Humans: The remake of the popular Swedish sci-fi drama has finally aired on Channel 4 (soon for AMC viewers) and things got off to an interesting start with the Synths proving to be both helpful and potentially dangerous in equal measures. Most of the first episode focused on the eerie Anita and Laura being openly suspicious of her while we also saw a rather touching father/son relationship between widower George and his broken Synth Odi - something I hope we get more in later episodes as well. The subplot with Leo and his Synth Max was a nice way of setting up the wider storyline too. All in all, let's hope this show doesn't end up having the same fate that Utopia did not so long ago.

Orange Is The New Black: It's been an interesting week (or so) for Netflix what with both Sense8 and the return of this show and both have been great to catch up with. Granted, I've only seen the first two episodes of both shows current seasons and keeping with Litchfield, things are as crazy as ever. I loved the opening episode focusing on various Mother's Day flashbacks (even Healey was awarded one) and the focus on Bennett in the second episode when Alex wasn't learning of Piper's role in her current predicament was also good. Along with the unlikely friendship with Big Boo and Doggett, this is a great start to the third season.

Scandal: SkyLiving caught up in relative time to air the final episode of this show's current season and in some ways, it felt like a bit of a clearing of the decks. B613 seems to be effectively done with now that Rowan's in jail as Eli (very clever that), Jake stepped aside so that Olivia and Fitz could get closer and both Mellie and Cyrus got booted out the White House as well for good measure. Now whether or not all of these things stick when the show returns in September, I don't know but it would be nice to see some of them stick so the show can properly move forward though.

- Sean Maguire and Rebecca Mader have been upgraded to regulars for Once Upon A Time's fifth season. Casting calls are also being made for Merlin, Arthur and Guinevere too.
- Supergirl will now air on October 26th. The Pilot will also air at Comic Con next month as well.
- Rumours are circulating that The X Files will be doing a sequel to a popular story when it comes back in January.
- Barry will get a new love interest for Season 2 of The Flash.
- Andrew Gower will be one of many several new actors viewers can expect to see in the second season of Outlander.
- Empire will have a recurring female rapper to be mentored by Jamal.
- Fame is getting a reboot on Lifetime.
- Cristine Rose will be reprising her role as Angela Petrelli in Heroes: Reborn.
- Homer and Marge will split up and Sideshow Bob will get to kill Bart in The Simpsons.
- Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman are considering a reboot of Queer As Folk US.

Doctor Who - Series 9 Return/New Writer & Fan Event

I know it's less than a week since the last Doctor Who related blog but with filming for the fourth block now completed, we've got some announcements for the fifth block, which has started filming this week.

First of all, it's been confirmed that the episode currently being filmed is the 10th episode for Series 9 and it's also been confirmed that Joivan Wade will reprising his role as Rigsy. Last seen in Flatline, Wade will appear in a modern setting episode (looks like London from filming pics) written by Sarah Dollard. The second female writer for the upcoming series, Dollard's previous credits include Neighbours, Being Human and The Game. The episode along with episode 9 is being directed by Atlantis's Justin Molotnikov. I have to admit out of all the possible returnees this series, Rigsy's is actually more surprising than Osgood to a degree but I'm intrigued to see what they have planned for the character this time around.

Meanwhile along with Comic Con in July, German fans can catch up with both Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman for a fan event in Berlin on Friday 17th July. The event will offer German fans the opportunity to see the actors for the first time in Germany. Considering that the finale is likely to begin filming in July as well, it's interesting they're having the event at exactly that time but great nonetheless though.

Meanwhile if her upcoming two parter with the Zygons wasn't enough, Ingrid Oliver has been confirmed to be reprising her role as Osgood for Big Finish's UNIT: Extinction series alongside Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart. Rounding off the cast for the audio series are Warren Brown as sharp shooter Lieutenant Sam Bishop, Ramon Tikaram as Colonel Shindi and James Joyce as loose cannon Captain Josh Carter. Is it me or do Sam and Josh sound like this audio series versions of Benton and Yates? Either way, it's nice to see both Kate and Osgood getting further expansion, though it can't be long before the Paternoster Gang get their own audio series, right?

Series 9 News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/entries/a2f29a2b-62bd-4916-a910-eb3077d211eb
UNIT: Extinction News: http://www.bigfinish.com/news/v/unit-the-new-series---the-full-team-revealed

Series 9 of Doctor Who continues to film and will air on BBC1/BBCAmerica from Autumn 2015. UNIT: Extinction will be released in November.

Sense8 - Limbic Resonance/I Am Also A We

Okay, I watched the first two episodes of Netflix's latest show, Sense8 (will catch up with Daredevil at a later date) and I have to say, it's intrigued me enough to write this blog.

General Concept: It's from the Wachowskis and J. Michael Straczynski (who've written all 12 episodes) and the basic idea surrounding this ambition show involves eight strangers from different parts of the world who suddenly become mentally and emotionally linked to each other. Called Sensates or Sense8, the linked group are certainly an eclectic bunch of people as leaders Jonas Maliki (Naveen Andrews) and Angel Turing (Darryl Hannah) - the latter who kills herself at the start of the first episode are tasked to unite the eight strangers against a group led by someone named Whispers. As for the strangers themselves.

Nomi Marks (Jamie Clayton): Starting with my favourite character first, Nomi is a transgendered woman and hacktivist living in Chicago with her free spirited girlfriend Amanita (Freema Ageyman). In the first two episodes we're given a great exploration into their relationship, Nomi's coming to terms with her own identity as a trans woman and having to deal with both her mother and a rather overzealous doctor holding her in hospital against her will. On the plus side, at least both Amanita and Jonas are somewhat working to get her out of there. If you haven't fallen in love with Nomi in the first five minutes of this episode, then I have no words. She is without a doubt the best character so far.

Lito Rodriguez (Miguel Ángel Silvestre): A closeted Mexican actor/action star with a live in boyfriend - Hernando (Alfonso Herrera) and a rather clingy co-star in Daniela Velasquez (Eréndira Ibarra). I'll admit that Lito didn't make a big impression in the first episode but in the second one where we learned about his secret life, that certainly helped. I also found it rather amusing how readily Daniela seemed to want to take on the mantle of being a beard for Lito as well. I get the impression that won't end well in later episodes though.

Will Gorski (Brian J. Smith): A cop in Chicago who is haunted by an unsolved murder from his childhood and like Nomi and Riley, one of the few characters where the connection is being played more overtly (though all eight characters have either seen Angel or Jonas in some way). Like Lito, it took the second episode for him to really click with him but following his brief encounters with Riley and Jonas, I definitely think he's shaping up a little better as a character. I also like getting some insight into his relationship with his father (who is just as horrible as Nomi's mother) and the snarky dynamic with his partner as well has been good fun.

Riley Blue (Tuppence Middleton): An Icelandic DJ living in London, the first two episodes have been as eventful for her as they have been for Nomi and Will. In these episodes alone, it seemed like she was making a connection with a charismatic stranger (which went violently wrong at the end of the first episode) when she wasn't seeing Will in various sequences or dealing with an awful boyfriend as well. Thankfully the annoying boyfriend seems to be out of the picture and I imagine it won't be long before she ends up meeting one of her fellow Sensates.

Kala Dandekar (Tina Desei): A pharmacist and devout Hindi living in Mumbai, Kala seems to be in a bit of an expected story involving an arranged marriage with a nice guy that she's not really all that into. I do like the guy in question - Rajan Rasa (Purab Kohli) and the dancing was actually rather nice but I am hoping that more will emerge with the character. Kala comes across as an ambitious and driven character with a great relationship with her family as well.

Wolfgang Bogdanow (Max Riemelt): A safe cracker from Germany with some serious daddy issues (episode 1 had him attending his father funeral, then later pissing on his grave) and a fun partner in crime - Felix Bernner (Max Mauff). The first episode saw both Wolfgang and Felix robbing a place before a rival gang got there (when the latter wasn't musing over why a contestant wasn't going to win a music contest) as well as the former hooking up with a woman when his own sensate abilities weren't showing themselves.

Sun Bak (Doona Bae): A businesswoman in Seoul having to deal with both her father and brother undermining her abilities within the company the three of them work in. Out of the eight sensates in the first two episodes, I'll admit that Sun hasn't gripped me yet. It's not the actress's fault but it's more to do with the fact that she's had the least amount of screen time so far compared to the others. However with ten more episodes to watch, I'm pretty sure we'll get to know more about her.

Capheus (Aml Ameen): A van driver from Nairobi and like Sun, not as much focus has been on him so far but I found that he stood out due to his compassionate nature (helping his sick mother), cheeriness and the fact that he named his van Van Damn as well, which you'd have to have a sense of humour bypass not to have smiled at that. Right now he seems the more lighter of the main sensates and that is a good thing too.

Next week, I'll recap/talk about the episodes Smart Money Is On The Skinny Bitch and What's Going On?

Recap/Review: Penny Dreadful's 2x06: Glorious Horrors

Um, you know that scene in Carrie? Well, this episode did it's own version of that, among other interesting things this week.

Written by John Logan
Directed by James Hawes

Dancing Nights: The main action this week in a case of shock/horror actually involved Dorian as he decided to have a 'coming out' ball for both him and Angelique and with the exclusions of Ethan, Sembene and Caliban, it was an opportunity for most of the main characters to be in the same room as each other and interact. However, it also seemed to trigger jealousy within Victor, a sense of Deja vu in Lily, bits of isolation with Angelique as Dorian seemed curious by Dr Frankenstein's cousin. At one point even Vanessa started to show some suspicions over Victor and Lily's relationship. Just wait until Ethan and Lily clap eyes on each other. Then Victor really will be screwed.

Party Tricks: I was fairly indifferent towards Hecate at the start of this season and while I probably won't be upset when she meets an inevitably horrible demise, I am enjoying her slightly subtle undermining of her mother's general scheming as well. Her scenes with Lyle in this episode were amusing and the frenzied and rather public attack on Vanessa was certainly daring and inspired by Carrie as well (I know this would precede that movie/book etc, era wise) for good measure. Surely, Evelyn should be picking up on the fact that her daughter might be her biggest threat right about now?

Scorpion Meets Witch: Finally Vanessa and Evelyn properly met again and their previous meeting (the seance, not at the moors) is referenced by both women on screen. More to the point, there's some deliciously cutting barbs between Eva Green and Helen McCrory as Vanessa openly challenged Evelyn's relationship with the increasingly spellbound/besotted Malcolm. It kind of finally feels like the show is moving a bit forward with this witches vs. Vanessa storyline, which can only be a good thing.

Wolfing Out: Keeping with the moving forward bit, one of the men who was after Ethan last season and survived decided to pay him a house call and threaten to scalp everyone if Ethan didn't come back with him to America. Then there was Detective Rusk continuing to piece Ethan's connection to that massacre as well. On the plus side for Ethan, at least he was able to get Sembene help him be contained when he wolfed out at the end of the episode. Now all he needs to do is tell the rest of the gang who he really is.

Uh-Oh For Caliban: And here I was hoping that he was going to have a genuine connection with Lavinia. In this episode, that was turned on it's head when she felt that his hands were cold and came to the conclusion that he might be dead (Dorian noticed that with Lily too). The fact that she told her parents about it cannot bode well for Caliban. I know he can be annoying at times (usually during any scene with Victor) but even I don't want him to hurt by his new employers though.

Next week, both Vanessa and Ethan return to the moors.

The New Batman Adventures/Batman Beyond - Mystery Of The Batwoman & Return Of The Joker Reviews

Rounding off my final reviews of The New Batman Adventures are not one but two movies (plus a mini-scene for the hell of it) that also sees me dipping my toes into the world of Batman Beyond as well. Without further ado here goes ....

Return Of The Joker (2000)

It might be a while before I get around to watching/reviewing Batman Beyond but watching this movie as part of my rewatch of The New Batman Adventures was certainly a good way of getting the ball rolling. It's amazing but not implausible that Terry McGinnis's version of the uncaped Crusader spent more time not being aware of his mentor's most iconic of villains until the arrival of the Jokerz gang (featuring by the Clown Prince's granddaughters, the two Dee Dees) in Gotham brought up memories from the past, including Bruce Wayne being attacked in the Batcave by the 'Joker' himself and Terry's own loved ones being targeted as well. It led to some rather gruesome flashbacks where we learned that years ago, both the Joker and Harley kidnapped and brainwashed Tim Drake's Robin into being their son (Joker Jr) and it not only scarred Tim, but also Batman and Batgirl in the process. Having this information meant that the eventual reveal as to whom the new Joker was made a lot of sense and led to a satisfying final battle between the new Clown Prince (of sorts) and Batfake himself (I like Terry's Batman but I had to get that in there). It's a strong movie, incorporating successful elements from both shows with some nice little Easter eggs thrown into the mix as well. It's also pretty dark as well, maybe one of the darkest animated movies done in this universe too. 8/10

Mystery Of The Batwoman (2003)

As both Penguin and Bullock mention - do we really need another Bat person on the scene? Well, for this movie, it would seem yes. Anyone hoping for a faithful adaptation of the comic versions of Batwoman (this movie preceeded the more well known Kate Kane version) might be slightly disappointed but personally, I loved the concept behind this movie's version of Batwoman. Having three different kinds of women - computer geek Roxanne Ballatine, detective Sonia Alcana and daughter of gangter, Kathy Duquesne (who also gets romantically involved with Bruce), all with sound motives to get back at Rupert Thorne, the Penguin and Carlton Duquesne by posing as the vigilante worked a treat and design wise, I quite liked the grey and pink look for Batwoman as well. I also liked that with the exception of Kathy, that the movie didn't go overboard with trying to sell a Batman/Batwoman romance though. Also, much as I liked seeing Bane, I'm not really sure he was all that needed for the movie but he was still better served here than Batman & Robin though. 8/10

Chase Me (2003)

Needless to say I am a bit of an unashamed Batman/Catwoman shipper and while the latter appeared in enough (ish) episodes in Batman: The Animated Series, I really felt she could've been better used and featured in at least a few more episodes in The New Batman Adventures. Added as an extra for the Mystery Of The Batwoman DVD, Paul Dini came up with a delightful six minute scene where Batman literally tears through half of Gotham chasing Catwoman while brooding at a party. The scene is gorgeously shot and while there isn't a trace of dialogue in the slightest, there's some truly beautiful jazz music to really heighten the mood instead. It's a wonderful little vignette for the complicated lovers. 9/10

I'll get around to watching and reviewing Batman Beyond at some point. Not going to confirm when though.

MTV's Scream: The TV Series - First Look: Ghostface's Mask

With less than a month to go before MTV premiere their television version of Scream, we finally have a look at what the new Ghostface mask looks like. Without further ado ...

I have to admit, while it's not quite as iconic as the look we've known since 1996 with the infamous killer(s), it's surprisingly a lot better than expected. Given that the original rumours involved something flesh like (yuck), I think what we've got here is far better. It seems to have a similar enough look to the usual mask with some added straps as well.

Meanwhile cast shots have been released for the six main cast members of the series. The pictures are of Amadeus Serafini as Kieran Wilcox, Bex Taylor-Klaus as Aubrey Jenson, John Karna as Noah Foster, Carlson Young as Brooke Maddox, Willa Fitzgerald as Emma Duvall and Conner Weil as Will Belmont. A rather good looking young cast but definitely a case of one of them being the killer (or two of them if they're going by the rule of thumb from the movies, except Scream 3) and the rest being cannon fodder along with the various recurring cast members as well.

More Details: http://www.spoilertv.com/search/label/Scream

Scream: The TV Series will air Tuesdays 10pm on MTV from June 30th.

Doctor Who - Comic Con/Festival/Further Casting News

As we draw closer and closer to Autumn and with the current ninth series nearly finished filming (two more blocks to go and Christmas 2015), both US and UK fans will have certain events they attend to meet up with cast and crew members of the show.

First of all, there's Comic-Con. Last year, Doctor Who was something of a no-show at the annual event, due to preparation for the World Tour last year but this year, it will have a presence at the event. Executive producers Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin will be attending the event along with cast members Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Michelle Gomez. Fans attending can expect the panel for Doctor Who on Thursday July 9th.

As for UK fans, there is also a Doctor Who Festival at London Excel from November 13-15 to attend. A standard ticket per day is £65 but the price hikes up a bit with a series of different events such as drama school, cosplay showcase and a fan challenge to name a few. Confirmed to be attending the festival are both Steven Moffat and Peter Capaldi but I'm fairly certainly more cast and crew members will be confirmed over the next few months though.

Meanwhile on the casting front, while filming for Peter Harness's Zygon two parter seems to be wrapping up, it's now been revealed that Rebecca Front is part of the current block. The former Thick Of It actress was seen filming on set this week but her role has yet to be revealed. A part of me is guessing Osgood's mother for some reason but that's only speculation my part, not fact. In other news, filming for episode 10 will begin soon with the BBC site teasing the title while Justin Molotnikov (Merlin, Atlantis) will be directing for the series as well, presumably the next block. Oh and it seems that the show will be included in Lego Dimensions, the upcoming entertainment experience that merges physical brick building with interactive console game play.

Latest News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho

Filming continues on Doctor Who Series 9, which will air in Autumn on both BBC1 and BBCAmerica.

The New Batman Adventures - Episodes 21-24 Reviews

It's sort of the final blog for this series but there will be one more after. However, it is the final batch of episodes to delve into.

Episode 21: Chemistry

You wait ages for an episode with Poison Ivy (amid a few cameo appearances and a team up story) and then you get one and it's not quite as great as you'd hope for. I mean, sure it's consistent with the sort of thing Ivy would do (using plant like creatures to marry/eventually kill rich corrupt types) but aside from a not really well explored relationship of sorts with Bruce and plant duplicate Susan, I don't really feel this episode was able to sell Bruce nearly giving up the cape so well and Ivy has been better used in past episodes. Not a great one I'm afraid. 7/10

Episode 22: Judgement Day

Now this was a surprising episode. In fact, I'd say it was the most surprising the show has ever done really (and that includes The Animated Series). The idea of Two Face coming up with another personality (well, Harvey Dent more so) and then actively seeking terror on various villains (Penguin, Croc, Riddler, even himself) was a pretty fantastic twist along with his eventual alliance with corrupt Corcoran nearly resulting in the latter's death but eventual public downfall. It's a genius episode, full of brilliant pathos and one that almost could've survived without Batman. 9/10

Episode 23: Beware The Creeper

And then there's this bonkers edition. It's interesting that the last two episodes are so focused on both the Joker and Harley. When we're not seeing the damaging side of their relationship, we're getting a history lesson as to how the Joker became the man he did (but no reveal on his real name) before he inflicted a similar fate to reporter Jack Ryder. This resulted in Jack becoming the Creeper - a hilariously OTT creation who spent most of the episode trying it on with Harley and trying to kill the Joker. I did like that there was a cure of sorts for his condition and that they didn't go down the obvious villain route with the character too. 8/10

Episode 24: Mad Love

With the previous episode focusing on the Joker's transformation, this one was more focused on Harley and how she went from a promising therapist at Arkham to the Joker's henchwoman and lover. It's a brilliant enough backstory with present day Harley trying to prove her love for the Clown Prince by almost killing Batman, only to realise that her Puddin' had been manipulating her all along. To be fair. I love the Joker/Harley relationship and I accept it for what it is - a purely toxic relationship and one that Harley even by the end of this episode just couldn't quite break herself out of. Still a superb piece of television though. 9/10

Next and final blog will cover the movies Mystery Of The Batwoman and Return Of The Joker as well as the mini scene, Chase Me.

Recap/Review: Penny Dreadful's 2x05: Above The Vaulted Sky

Something of a sexy and intimate episode with a little glimmer into the past of a certain character, I really liked this one.

Written by John Logan
Directed by Damon Thomas

Closing In: The great thing about this episode was that we seemed to learn a lot more about Ethan without anything being totally confirmed. During the scene where they dealt with the aftermath of Hecate's night visit (and figuring out why Vanessa's hair was needed), Ethan seemed to reveal that he had a less than savory history with Native Americans and the episode also had him and Detective Rusk meet up with some interesting cat and mouse moments between the two. Rusk clearly knows that Ethan's behind the massacre but doesn't know how to prove it though. As for Ethan and Vanessa, well this episode seemed to draw them closer to each other, especially during the end scenes.

Three Is & Isn't A Crowd: A difference in three way scenes this week. On one hand, you had more hostility between Caliban and Victor and then Lily barely containing her unease with the former and then there was the delightful afternoon tea scene with Vanessa, Victor and Lily, which seemed so light and fun for all of them. Even though it was slightly frustrating that Vanessa didn't recognise Lily as Brona from last season, I did like her later scene with Caliban where they discussed poetry, love and shared a dance. Away from Victor, Caliban is a far more enjoyable character. As for Victor - well, the end of this episode drew him and Lily a lot closer together than before.

Spell On Him: While this episode didn't see Evelyn continue with her torture of Vanessa, there were other interesting avenues in which it did explore. First of all, there does seem to be something of a power struggle brewing between her and daughter Hecate, which I guess will lead further trouble in the latter half of the season. Also when Evelyn wasn't terrorising Malcolm's estranged wife (more on that shortly), she also enchanted him to having sex with her during the end of the episode itself. Fun as all of Evelyn's scheming is, I think we're due another face to face with her and Vanessa now.

Seeing The Dead: I've got to be honest, I didn't greatly care for Malcolm's estranged wife during her previous appearance this season but in this episode, I did feel a tad sorry for her. Evelyn took her usual torment of Vanessa and then upped it big time with Malcolm's estranged wife by having see both Peter and Mina prior to the woman killing herself. As a subplot, it was certainly effective and clearly important in order for Evelyn to further sink her claws into Malcolm.

Intimacy: This was probably the most sexual episode we've had in the show so far. While Ethan and Vanessa didn't actually get it on, their scene on the staircase had a certain sizzle to it and this episode alone had Victor and Lily have sex as well as Malcolm and Evelyn (though that was coercion). Then there was Dorian and Angelique. The latter was publicly humiliated by a former client and in this episode, Dorian could've rejected Angelique but instead, the two of them became closer than before. I really loved the scenes with both characters this week and while this story is still too seperated from the main action, it's still a wonderful one to watch regardless.

Next week Dorian hosts a ball, Evelyn and Vanessa cross paths and Ethan's secrets look like they're about to come out.

Prison Break - Coming Back For Limited Run?

For those of you who can't get enough of Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell, it seems that the upcoming Legends Of Tomorrow might not be the only place in which you'll see them act alongside each other again.

Keeping with the revivals, not only is The X Files currently in production and that there are rumblings of a future season of 24 without Jack Bauer (not loving the sound of that) but it seems that FOX are now considering reviving Prison Break for a limited run of episodes with both Miller and Purcell reprising their infamous roles of Michael Scofield and Lincoln Burrows.

Not to rain on FOX's parade, but last time I checked Michael actually died in the series finale and unlike both 24 and The X-Files, Prison Break had at the very least a rather definite end to it. Not to mention the fact that short of some serious retconning, there's no plausible way it could lend itself out to a prequel either with the former cast.

Right now though, the idea is only being considered, so nothing is concrete but personally, unlike 24, it might be better if they either a) just leave the show where it is or b) reboot the whole thing with a different set of characters and some links to the series. Personally though, I'd rather it was left in the past. Besides we'll have both Miller and Purcell in Legends Of Tomorrow and that's more than enough for me.

More Information: http://tvline.com/2015/06/02/prison-break-revival-limited-series-fox-wentworth-miller/

So do you want a Prison Break revival or is the show best left in the past?

The New Batman Adventures - Episodes 17-20 Reviews

Now, this was more like it. After a slew of fairly disappointing episodes, the latest batch I've watched contained some of the more stronger and downright imaginative episodes to boot.

Episode 17: Animal Act

It's been a while since we've had both an episode delving into Dick Grayson's former circus stomping ground and the Mad Hatter and this episode gave us both and did it pretty well. Okay, anyone expecting another Robin's Reckoning might be a bit disappointed but it's still a good one with the focus on Batman and Nightwing (Robin is a little sidelined here) working against Tetch who has decided to use the animal and workers of Haly's circus for his own schemes, until a particular animal is then used to finally thwart him. A fun episode. 7/10

Episode 18: Old Wounds

One of the more tense episodes we've had. One of the noticeable things about The New Batman Adventures has been the strained relationship between Bruce and Dick and I liked that this episode actually had Nightwing tell the new Robin exactly what went down here. I do like that Batgirl found out Batman and Robin's identities and vice versa and Joker was used pretty well in the story but Batman was a massive dick in the flashbacks but the episode's attempts of showing how Dick had grown out of being the sidekick was done extremely well though and I did love the final shot here too. 8/10

Episode 19: Legends Of The Dark Knight

Oh wow, I just really loved this one. If ever there was an episode so delightfully meta and pithy, it was this little gem as three kids - Matt, Joel and Carrie all told their own versions of who Batman truly is and the results were just delightful. The use of 50s style Batman and Robin fighting the Joker was a beautiful nod to a certain series while Joel's comments about Batman's attire harkened to the likes of Schumacher's movies while Carrie imagined that she was actually Robin and there was also a decent use of a Mutant leader and Firefly as well. Easily the best episode after Holiday Knights for me. 9/10

Episode 20: Girls Nite Out

Anyone call for a sort of but not really sequel of sorts to Harley & Ivy? Well, even if you didn't, we got one anyways. With Batman relegated to a cameo, Robin/Nightwing nowhere to be seen and Superman also a no show, it was up to Batgirl and Supergirl to save Gotham from a chaotic courtesy of Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn and the slightly annoying but sparky, Livewire. It's a fun episode, filled with female solidarity and I seriously could do with more episodes with Batgirl and Supergirl teaming up and fighting crime. 8/10

Next blog will cover Chemistry, Judgment Day, Beware the Creeper and Mad Love.