Alan Rapp

Elementary – A Controlled Descent

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Elementary – A Controlled Descent
  • wiki: link

Elementary - A Controlled Descent

In terms of mysteries the Season Three episode of Elementary is weakest of the series but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t deliver in other ways. The abduction of Alfredo (Ato Essandoh) by Holmes’ old drug associate Oscar (Michael Weston), who demands the detective’s help in locating his missing sister, sends Holmes down a dark path in a finale that deals with Holmes’ inner demons, his addiction, his guilt, and a growing frustration with a situation he can not control. It’s immediately clear what Oscar is really after, but it does take the detective time to piece the series of events together and deduce the reasons behind Oscar darkening Holmes’ door once more.

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Convergence: Harley Quinn #2

/ / Comics

Convergence: Harley Quinn #2 (of 2)In the most bizarre Convergence tie-in issue yet Convergence: Harley Quinn #2 pits the pre-New version of the Joker’s sidekick against the leader of the Zoo Crew. That’s right, it’s Harley Quinn vs. Captain Carrot. And it’s kind of brilliant.

Sadly the rest of the Zoo Crew is marginalized to little more than cameos, and those unfamiliar with the pre-New 52 storyline centering around Harley’s attempt at a normal relationship may feel a bit lost with the issue’s B-story, but what Steve Pugh and artist Phil Winslade deliver here feels like a bizarre Warner Bros. cartoon with the homicidal Harley pulling out all the stops to take down a rascally rabbit (including lying to the hero about her super-powers, destroying most of an amusement park, and faking the death of a member of the Zoo Crew).

Convergence: Harley Quinn #2 teases a dangerosly dark New 52-ish twist, but thankfully Pugh and Winslade know their audience and allow the issue not to end on a dark note but with Harley and the Captain sharing a moment of camaraderie together that’s as strange as every other piece of this issue. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Scandal – You Can’t Take Command

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Scandal – You Can’t Take Command
  • wiki: link

Scandal - You Can't Take Command

Bearing the title of a familiar phrase on the show, Scandal‘s season finale brings the war between Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Rowan (Joe Morton) to an end as Olivia’s father uses blackmail to force the recently-elected Senator Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young) to forcefully put an end to David Rosen‘s (Joshua Malina) attempt to bring B613 to light. With every member of the Grand Jury killed, thanks to the unsuspecting First Lady, and the fact that Rowan has cleared house with the last few members of the secret government organization that could identify him, Rowan claims victory. He also trumps Olivia’s last hail mary to turn over all proof of B613 to the CIA who decides to sweep it all carefully under the rug leaving Olivia and Jake (Scott Foley) with no further avenues to explore to take down Command.

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The Trial of Atomic Robo

/ / Comics

The Trial of Atomic RoboEver since his first appearance in Atomic Robo’s Free Comic Book Day issue back in 2012 Dr. Dinosaur has been my favorite character in Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener’s insane (with genius!) comic book universe. Released as a free digital one-shot, The Trial of Atomic Robo pits Atomic Robo against the pain in his ass once again when the dinosaur attempts to sue in court for the same legal rights Robo has been granted.

Of course with his limited attention span, and the fact that he’s completely insane, it doesn’t take long for Dr. Dinosaur’s case to be thrown out leading the villain to declare Jungle Law and introduce his Omnisaur into the proceedings causing destruction and mass panic. Luckily a heroic science-adventurer is on the scene.

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