Deception and other Television...
May. 6th, 2018 10:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat1. Deception -- Just caught up on Deception. It's intriguing because of the magic. But has a frustration component in that we have a carrot that may never be resolved until they end the series.
If the writers are smart they'll resolve it sooner than later, because modern audiences no longer have the patience. You could get away with that sort of thing up until Netflix and binge-tv. Now, not so much.
I'm loving the magic, because I like magic. So the magic tricks and escape tricks keep me enthralled, as does the relationship between the lead and his team of magic assistants. The FBI is not as interesting and sort of just there. Also the mystery woman, MW, or Addison Blake, is annoying and I want to kick her. So that is a problem. She's not a villain you love to hate or feel any sympathy for, whatsoever.
I do like Jake Cutmore-Scott who plays Cameron and Jonathan Black. And I really like his team, Dina, Jordan, and the Australian guy. But it's weak and I don't see it surviving more than a season or two.
The best thing about it is the magic. The mystery of the week? Predictable and not that interesting.
But at least the mysteries of the weak aren't murders -- they are heists, or games or puzzles, so it's a lot more interesting than your run of the mill procedural.
And the two-parter did keep me on the edge of my seat and pulled me into the mystery. The back story is somewhat compelling -- why is Addison targeting the two brothers? Years ago, she met one of them, but didn't know which brother it was -- and set up the wrong one. She sent the one she liked to prison, and now he hates her. When she'd meant to send the other one, and tempt that one into joining her. She screwed up. That's interesting. But it was set up poorly, and the audience hates her too.
I've seen this same tale done elsewhere far better -- such as in Now You See Me, and The Prestige -- this actually reminds me a lot of the set-up in The Prestige. However, it's fun, light fare. And better than the other procedurals I've seen. So...
2. Grey's Anatomy
Rather enjoyed the last two episodes of Grey's. They are handling the whole #metoo bit better than most. And showing the complexity of the fall-out, ie. you shouldn't harm the innocent for the mistakes of the guilty.
Best bit was the Alex Kirev story arc with Lindsey Wagner (aka the Bionic Woman and Scruples) as guest star. She was very good as Alex's mom. And I rather loved the voice over quote from Meredith..."We often forget that the things that come easy for us, require great courage for someone else to do. Everyday things like getting up in the morning, going to work, walking across the street may feel like climbing a mountain for someone." This is why comparing yourself to others is a bad idea. Just compare yourself to yourself. I wish I could remember the exact quote. But I found it comforting. Grey's is one of my comfort shows.
* Loved how Meredith handled the whole Harper Avery fallout, by giving her mother's friend and associate co-billing on the Ellis Grey Procedure. It's now the Grey-Sarong procedure. But not letting the woman back into her life -- because she had no right to take away what she'd done or blackmail her into it.
* Also like how they are writing out Arizona. It sort of resolves the whole Arizona/Callie mess of two seasons ago in a positive way. Where Arizona finally puts the needs of her daughter and others above her own.
* I think they are going to kill off April. Because honestly they can't write her out any other way and they've no clue what to do with the character. Also the actress got another gig. That's why we haven't seen as much of her -- she's jumping between this gig and that one. I'm admittedly not a fan of the character, so ambivalent. Also killing her off does further others storylines. Sort of.
* Loved Alex Kirovev and Wilson's storyline and relationship. He is such a puppy dog. And how he came to terms with his mom and how Wilson helped him through it? Brilliant.
*Plus the bits with the Chief and Baily, and Mellie and the teen drug addict, also Owen. Mellie's character is much better written post brain tumor. And far more interesting.
If the writers are smart they'll resolve it sooner than later, because modern audiences no longer have the patience. You could get away with that sort of thing up until Netflix and binge-tv. Now, not so much.
I'm loving the magic, because I like magic. So the magic tricks and escape tricks keep me enthralled, as does the relationship between the lead and his team of magic assistants. The FBI is not as interesting and sort of just there. Also the mystery woman, MW, or Addison Blake, is annoying and I want to kick her. So that is a problem. She's not a villain you love to hate or feel any sympathy for, whatsoever.
I do like Jake Cutmore-Scott who plays Cameron and Jonathan Black. And I really like his team, Dina, Jordan, and the Australian guy. But it's weak and I don't see it surviving more than a season or two.
The best thing about it is the magic. The mystery of the week? Predictable and not that interesting.
But at least the mysteries of the weak aren't murders -- they are heists, or games or puzzles, so it's a lot more interesting than your run of the mill procedural.
And the two-parter did keep me on the edge of my seat and pulled me into the mystery. The back story is somewhat compelling -- why is Addison targeting the two brothers? Years ago, she met one of them, but didn't know which brother it was -- and set up the wrong one. She sent the one she liked to prison, and now he hates her. When she'd meant to send the other one, and tempt that one into joining her. She screwed up. That's interesting. But it was set up poorly, and the audience hates her too.
I've seen this same tale done elsewhere far better -- such as in Now You See Me, and The Prestige -- this actually reminds me a lot of the set-up in The Prestige. However, it's fun, light fare. And better than the other procedurals I've seen. So...
2. Grey's Anatomy
Rather enjoyed the last two episodes of Grey's. They are handling the whole #metoo bit better than most. And showing the complexity of the fall-out, ie. you shouldn't harm the innocent for the mistakes of the guilty.
Best bit was the Alex Kirev story arc with Lindsey Wagner (aka the Bionic Woman and Scruples) as guest star. She was very good as Alex's mom. And I rather loved the voice over quote from Meredith..."We often forget that the things that come easy for us, require great courage for someone else to do. Everyday things like getting up in the morning, going to work, walking across the street may feel like climbing a mountain for someone." This is why comparing yourself to others is a bad idea. Just compare yourself to yourself. I wish I could remember the exact quote. But I found it comforting. Grey's is one of my comfort shows.
* Loved how Meredith handled the whole Harper Avery fallout, by giving her mother's friend and associate co-billing on the Ellis Grey Procedure. It's now the Grey-Sarong procedure. But not letting the woman back into her life -- because she had no right to take away what she'd done or blackmail her into it.
* Also like how they are writing out Arizona. It sort of resolves the whole Arizona/Callie mess of two seasons ago in a positive way. Where Arizona finally puts the needs of her daughter and others above her own.
* I think they are going to kill off April. Because honestly they can't write her out any other way and they've no clue what to do with the character. Also the actress got another gig. That's why we haven't seen as much of her -- she's jumping between this gig and that one. I'm admittedly not a fan of the character, so ambivalent. Also killing her off does further others storylines. Sort of.
* Loved Alex Kirovev and Wilson's storyline and relationship. He is such a puppy dog. And how he came to terms with his mom and how Wilson helped him through it? Brilliant.
*Plus the bits with the Chief and Baily, and Mellie and the teen drug addict, also Owen. Mellie's character is much better written post brain tumor. And far more interesting.