Television Reviews – Page 483

Babylon 5 – Signs and Portents

Alan Rapp / July 10, 2018 / Television Reviews

Title: Babylon 5 – Signs and Portents
wiki: link

“They’re here.”

Our Throwback Tuesday post takes us back to the space station of humans and aliens all alone in the night. While there are episode-specific storylines here including raiders hitting ships on the way to the station, a Centauri seer (Fredi Olster) having a vision of the station’s imminent destruction, and a hostage situation, “Signs and Portents” stands out mainly for laying foundation for the larger arc which would lead to the Great War in the show’s later seasons. The episode features the first appearance of Mr. Morden (Ed Wasser) on the station as he seeks out various ambassadors looking for a suitable friend in the coming war. While G’Kar (Andreas Katsulas) laughs off the man’s unusual offer of friendship, Londo (Peter Jurasik) gives a response more passionate than intended, and Delenn (Mira Furlan) alone sees past the messenger to what his presence means for the galaxy.

…

Babylon 5 – Signs and PortentsRead More »

Babylon 5 – Signs and Portents Read More »

Take Two – Taken

Alan Rapp / July 10, 2018 / Television Reviews

Title: Take Two – Taken
wiki: link

Sam (Rachel Bilson) and Eddie’s (Eddie Cibrian) vastly different histories with a night club owner create conflict when they accept the case to find the club’s missing DJ (who turns out to be the mobster’s illegitimate son). The case includes your usual amount of twist and turns, giving mystery a very Castle-esque feel (even if the dialogue and character interactions fail to measure up), before the pair recover the missing DJ and uncover the identity and motive of the kidnapper. The episode also offers more interaction between the assistants as Berto (Xavier de Guzman) and Monica (Alice Lee) try unsuccessfully to pump each other for information about their bosses’ secrets. I think there’s something worth tapping here, but it’s still a bit unclear just big a part of the show these two will be. There’s also some team building between the partners and Bilson in a ridiculous pizza costume in a subplot that would only make sense pre-Internet.

Take Two – Taken Read More »

A Nero Wolfe Mystery – The Doorbell Rang

Alan Rapp / July 10, 2018 / Television Reviews

Title: A Nero Wolfe Mystery – The Doorbell Rang
IMDb: link

“Does she lie?”
“Certainly.”

Today’s Throwback Tuesday post takes us back to the mid 20th Century New York and the private detective offices located at 454 W. 35th Street. Adapted from Rex Stout‘s original mysteries, A Nero Wolfe Mystery ran for two seasons on A&E. With a small set cast and recurring actors filling in various different roles from week to week, it quickly became one the highest rated and most critically acclaimed series on the cable network. The first episode of the series, adapted Stout’s novel The Doorbell Rang, finds Nero Wolfe (Maury Chaykin) hired by Mrs. Rachel Bruner (Debra Monk) who offers the detective an exorbitant amount of money to pressure the FBI from any further harassment. Over the course of the investigation, Wolfe’s legman Archie Goodwin (Timothy Hutton) would uncover a recent murder which may or may not involve the FBI and will allow Wolfe to fulfill the obligations of his contract and close an unsolved case for the New York Police Department as well.

…

A Nero Wolfe Mystery – The Doorbell RangRead More »

A Nero Wolfe Mystery – The Doorbell Rang Read More »

Luke Cage – Soul Brother #1

Alan Rapp / July 6, 2018 / Television Reviews

Title: Marvel’s Luke Cage – Soul Brother #1
wiki: link

You know, it would be easier to take Luke Cage seriously if the all the villains on the show didn’t appear to have been transplanted from a Steven Seagal movie. A bad Steven Seagal movie. Since we last saw Luke Cage (Mike Colter) his celebrity around Harlem has only grown stronger (his appearances are even the subject of a new phone app). Of course there are still threats, such as a new street drug being sold under his name and Shades (Theo Rossi) and Mariah (Alfre Woodard) are still around with a score to settle and plans to sell off their business and go legit. Misty (Simone Missick) is still around as well. Despite her handicap, she decides to return to the job.

…

Luke Cage – Soul Brother #1Read More »

Luke Cage – Soul Brother #1 Read More »

Samurai Jack – Episode XI: Jack and the Scotsman

Alan Rapp / July 5, 2018 / Television Reviews

Title: Samurai Jack – Episode XI: Jack and the Scotsman
wiki: link

Throwback Thursday takes us back to the adventures of the time-displaced samurai and his quest to make his way home. On the world’s longest rope bridge, Jack‘s (Phil LaMarr) journey is stalled when he comes face-to-face with the Scotsman (John DiMaggio). Having both spent days on the rickety bridge, neither is prepared to back-up and let the other by. The Scotsman’s bagpipes and verbal jabs at Jack only flame tempers further leading to sword fighting lasting all day, all night, and well into the next day. Only the arrival of Aku‘s (Mako) bounty hunters forces the two warriors to put their petty squabble aside and work together.

…

Samurai Jack – Episode XI: Jack and the ScotsmanRead More »

Samurai Jack – Episode XI: Jack and the Scotsman Read More »