Review: The Walking Dead 95

Non Spoiler Review:

After a very slow build up getting to the Hilltop, part three of A Larger World abruptly breaks out of the gate as introductions are made with the powers that be, only to be interrupted by a would-be assassin. Rick is forced to action, and the results are a bit surprising.

Getting a peak inside the Hilltop (at last) lived up to most of my expectations. And Kirkman didn't waste any time throwing the group into a weird series of events. Some parts appeared contrived to get Rick in the necessary position, and I'm a bit doubtful about the reactions of some of the citizens.

While the storyline risks treading on some familiar waters, it has lots of potential. There is a real sense that the focus is changing for good this time. 

Spoilers Now!

Rick still has doubts about walking inside the Hilltop, but Carl basically tells him they're good people, so he acquiesces to trust Jesus (who let's them keep their weapons as a sign of good faith). They're spotted by two guards on the wall, Eduardo and Kal, who think it could be a man named Negan until Jesus tells them to stand down.

The settlement (composed of a lot of trailers, a water tower and a large manorhouse) impresses Rick's group, who see a functioning civilization of 200 people. At the main house, they're introduced to Gregory, who takes no humility in letting them know he's pretty much responsible for everything there and the leader of the community. He asks to meet with Rick on his own.

They're quickly interrupted by a man named Wesley who tells them Ethan is finally back, but missing his fellow travellers, David, Crystal and Andy, whom he says are dead. Gregory demands to know if it was Negan. Ethan explains Negan told him they weren't meeting their end of the bargain, still has Crystal and wanted a message delivered to Gregory—so he stabs him. Rick takes down Ethan and is forced to kill him, while everyone else stands around doing nothing.

Their medic, Carson, arrives to tend to Gregory, while Michonne, Andrea, Glen and Carl arrive to see Rick covered in blood, and the rest of the townspeople staring at him.

The Verdict:

It was all a bit of a coincidence that Rick's crew arrives at just the time to stop Gregory's assassination, and I felt it a stretch that the citizens would by in large behave like sheep just standing around. We've yet to meet Negan, so he could be a terrifying individual who has everyone in an appeasing mood, but Kirkman continually runs of the risk of creating Governor 2.0 with this storyline.

Gregory looks to be a problem with his self-importance. We've had examples of various leadership styles in the Governor and Douglas. It will be interesting to see Gregory's backstory and where he comes from, and if this is a person Rick can work with (considering we've endured issues and issues of Rick not trusting people).

Review: Game of Thrones "The Night Lands"

Non Spoiler Review:

Attention turns to Arya and Gendry on the Kingsroad, while in the north, Jon and Sam are faced with an ethical decision in Craster's lodge. Back in King's Landing politics and machinations continue, as Tyrion spars with both Varys and Cersei and begins to secure his own position, in stark (haha, pun intended) contrast to Ned's naive tenure as Hand of the King. The key to victory is sea power, and Theon returns home after many years to face off with his father, while Davos negotiates to secure a navy for Stannis.

With a shift in focus away from Robb, The Night Lands furthered intrigue and schemes, adding even more variables to the coming attack on King's Landing. Other plots and characters were serviced, as well—notably rounding out Gendry's character a bit more, and introducing the Greyjoys, who are all quite the piece of work. 

At this point, it goes without saying that the sets and location shots are stunning. Pyke is brought to life, just as much as King's Landing or the beaches of Dragonstone. Even Daenerys' brief scene in the Red Wastes hammers home how isolated and desperate their situation is. As usual, even the most minor character gets a bit of the spotlight with clever dialogue. Robb and the majority of the Stark's absence aren't even felt given the compelling introduction of the Iron Islands and catching up with Arya.

Spoilers Now!

On the Kingsroad, Arya is asked by some of the prisoners to get them water. She doesn't take kindly to their threats and goads them with some swordplay through the cage, though one of them, named Jaquen H'gar, is much more eloquent and seems out of place with the other criminals. Gendry warns her she should be scared of them. Then soldiers arrive, and she fears they're looking for her.

Yoren greets them and is given a royal warrant, but explains his men belong to the Night's Watch, so are beyond their reach. He doesn't take kindly to threats and disarms the two soldiers and sends them home to tell their masters they didn't find what they were looking for. The soldier calls out to the rest they are after a boy named Gendry and offer a king's reward if he's turned over. And they'll return with more men.

Tyrion finds Varys keeping Shae company. He's aware his father didn't want her to come, but is good at keeping secrets for his good friends. Tyrion warns him if he threatens him again he'll be thrown in the sea. He knows how the game is played, unlike Ned Stark. Varys isn't so concerned about his threats, given he's managed to survive this long.

At the council meeting, Cersei has received Robb's peace terms. Tryion wants to send Ned's bones back, at least as a gesture of good faith. The envoy did see Jaime so she asks him to tell her brother he hasn't been forgotten. Meanwhile, Pycelle has received a raven from Castle Black—the Wildings are following Mance Rayder and Mormont needs more men to man the wall. The dead are rising with the cold wind and Mormont claims to have been attacked by one. Despite the others mocking the superstitions, Tyrion warns that Mormont doesn't lie. He advises them the Night's Watch is the only thing separating them from what lies beyond the Wall.

Sam stops Ghost from bothering one of Craster's wives, Gilly, and asks if she's all right. She says they shouldn't talk but tells him he's very brave. Sam brings her to Jon, because she does, indeed, want help. She's pregnant, and wants to go with them when they leave. Jon says it's not possible. She's worried that she may have a boy, but won't tell them why. She runs off and Jon is angry with Sam for wanting to take her with them. They're going north, and who would deliver a baby?

In the Red Wastes, one of the horses returns absent its rider, but with Rakharo's head in the bag. Jorah suspects one of the other Dothraki. His wife is distraught and Daenerys attempts to  console her. 

Theon is on a ship to Pyke and arrives expecting fanfare, but there is no one there to greet him. A woman finally arrives to take him up to the castle. She knows who he is, and on horseback he manages to feel her up promising she can spend the night with him.

He greets his father, Balon Greyjoy, for the first time in nine years, but Stark had him longer than Balon did. Theon wishes to explain his proposal from Robb, but Balon mocks his attire, saying he's dressed as a whore. The Greyjoys believe in the iron way (taking things by force) rather than the gold way. The Starks have made him theirs, and Balon will not hear him talk of Robb as a brother—his true brothers were killed by the Starks.

Balon reads the proposal. If he destroys Robb's enemies, Robb will make him king of the Iron Islands again. Then the woman who brought him walks in and Theon is mortified when he realizes it's actually his sister Yara. Balon says she would lead the attack rather than Theon, given she took over her elder brother's ship, and has since commanded and killed men. But Balon burns the proposal, as he has his own ideas. He will take his crown—by paying the iron price. No one will give it to him. Theon warns he'll never stand a chance against the Lannisters, but Balon muses that he never mentioned the Lannisters.

Baelish has to deal with a distraught Ros, who is still upset about the baby's murder. He subtly warns her not to become a bad investment that he would have to dispose of.

Tyrion has dinner with Slynt, asking about Littlefinger's brothel and the killing of the baby, which has spread through the city. He assumes the order came from Cersei, and of course he's heard the rumours. It was also Slynt who gave the order to slaughter Ned's men in the throne room. Tyrion enrages him by commenting his honor was already bought, so Janos reacts angrily and calls him a dwarf. Bronn is standing behind him. Considering he betrayed the last Hand of the King he isn't comfortable with him being about. He orders him put on a ship bound for the east watch, and then on to the Wall. Janos demands his men help, but Bronn is now the new commander of the watch, and they take Janos away. 

Bronn sits down with Tyrion, who asks if he told him to murder an infant girl, would Bronn do it without question? Bronn muses that he would ask a question—how much? Tyrion seems pensive.

The Watch recruits are considering the offer the soldiers made for Gendry. Arya wants to know what the soldiers would want with him. Gendry says no good ever came from asking questions—like Lord Arryn before he died, and Stark before he died. That piques Arya's interest, and he says they were both asking about his mother who worked in a tavern. And who was his father? He's a bastard, for all he knows.

Gendry asks why she thought they were after her...and he knows she's a girl. Gendry's not stupid. She admits it, and he assures her he won't tell. She confesses she's Arya Stark and she's being taken home to Winterfell. Gendry says Joffrey is a liar about his father being a traitor. Gendry teases her by apologizing for behaving in such a way before a highborn lady.

Davos Seaworth and his son meet with a pirate, Salladhor Saan, to enlist his aid in Stannis' war. He offers him the opportunity to plunder King's Landing. Salladhor will sail—all 30 of his ships—but wants to have the queen. Davos can promise gold and glory, but can't promise the queen. But he believes Stannis can win.

Cersei is furious with Tyrion exiling Janos, but he counters that she's losing the people and will find it difficult to rule over them when winter comes. Slaughtering babies doesn't help. But Tyrion realizes it wasn't her who gave the order—Joffrey didn't even tell her. She balks that everything has fallen on her as he and Jamie don't take it seriously. 

Tyrion continues to make quips, but she says none of his jokes will match his first one—when he was born, and ripped their mother open on the way out. She died for the sake of him, which is no bigger joke in the world. She leaves him with that. 

Stannis and Melisandre learn of the Salladhor deal. Stannis realizes he can't defeat Renly in the field, nor can he take King's Landing without his men. Melisandre tells him he must give himself to the lord of light. She offers herself to him, even though he has a wife who is sick and weak. She promises him a son, so they have sex on the council table.

At night, Jon sees Craster taking a newborn baby out into the woods, so follows and finds a shadowy figure retrieve it. It looks to be a White Walker. Craster appears behind him and knocks him out.

The Verdict:
What to say about Balon Greyjoy, aside from everyone's worst fears are true. But what is his game? Throwing in with Stannis or the Lannisters? Who will he betray? And when faced with the choice, will Theon choose loyalty to the Starks over his own family? Yara is also an interesting addition, given she's a powerful woman in a very misogynist society who has managed to rise among her male peers.

Getting some screentime for Gendry was overdue, and he and Arya make a great team. I'm curious as to who this Jaquen is, given he obviously warrants some attention. I wasn't sure if Arya's storyline would prove interesting, but now I'm certain it will be just as exciting as all the others. And surely her wolf must show up again at some point.

Craster's made some deal with the White Walkers, which explains why he's managing to survive in the wasteland. I get the impression all the events beyond the Wall are going to be on a slow burn for a lot of the entire series, so I guess we'll just have to be patient with that.

There was some great, snappy dialogue this week—Tyrion's comment about Shae's fish pie? And the light/dark banter with his sister and the death of their mother. He seems to believe Mormont's report about the White Walkers, which is a vast change from his earlier mocking tone last season. I guess the zombie head hasn't reached King's Landing yet. It was amusing that he's being chided for putting his faith in Mormont, when he was doing the same thing to the commander last season.

This season is really pushing this slow build up to what must be an epic battle for King's Landing. The only piece we haven't seen yet is Renly, with his vast army coveted by all sides. It's interesting that only he and Daenerys present as true rulers of the seven kingdoms. I'm wondering if Daenerys' only course of action would be to marry into one of the other families. That is, of course, if she and her dragons make it out of the Red Wastes (another plot I'm guessing we'll have to be patient with).

Review: Mad Men "Mystery Date"

Non Spoiler Review:

Set against the backdrop of a serial killer making headlines with some gruesome murders, Mad Men delivers an uncomfortable episode. It was a good one, but the type that made you feel you needed to shower afterwards, as many of the characters behaved, or were wrapped up in the unpleasant goings on around them.

Craig has returned on leave, but has some surprising news for Joan, while Peggy has to work late and bonds with Dawn. Michael oversteps himself, and Don has a nasty flu that causes some interesting side effects. Meanwhile, Sally is left in the care of evil grandmother Paulina while Betty and Henry are away.

Some big plot points were hit as well, and probably not in the way initially expected. The characters all seem out of sorts trying to come to terms with the state of their lives. Paulina really stole the show, though, with her vile portrayal of messed up grandma Francis and likely leaving a lasting effect on fragile Sally.

Spoilers Now!

Don is sicker than a dog, and on the elevator up to SCDP he and Megan run into a lovely woman named Andrea, a former freelancer for Sterling Cooper, who chats up Don until he introduces her to his wife. It all doesn't go over well with Megan, who asks how many times is this going to happen. She's having trouble letting go of the continuing stream of girls Don's been with (especially knowing he was married at the time). She reminds him he's got an appetite and he can't blame Betty for that.

Michael and Stan present a new shoe campaign to Don. Michael had wanted to do a Cinderella theme, but Don dismisses it as a cliche. Later on, Michael aces the presentation, but as they're mingling afterwards, he goes on to pitch the Cinderella idea, and the client opts to go with it. When they have a drink later, Don is furious and warns him never to do it again.

Meanwhile, Joyce shows up to show some crime scene shots to Michael, Megan, Peggy and Stan. A serial killer murdered a bunch of nurses and it's the talk of the town. Michael thinks it's disgusting they want to see the photographs.

Joan is preparing the house for Craig's visit and she's had enough listening to her mother's advice about men. Craig returns home and gets to see his baby for the first time, but he needs to tell her something—he has to go back for another year. That night at a family dinner with both their parents, Craig's mother is upset about him going back and it comes out that he actually volunteered for another tour. Craig and Joan have a big fight afterwards.

Roger forgot about a campaign he needs for Mohawk, and Michael has disappeared for the weekend. He needs Peggy to work something up for them. Peggy takes pleasure in having Roger begging for help, so takes $400 in additional bribe money. 

Don goes home sick, but Andrea shows up unexpectedly at the apartment wanting to talk. He's furious, but she boldly walks in. He sends her away and falls asleep, but wakes up to her again and they have sex. Andrea gets ready to leave and says he'll still love it again because he's a sick man. Don strangles her, kicks her under the bed and crawls back under the covers. This is, of course, all a fever dream. Megan wakes up Don in the morning. She had been sleeping next to him the whole time. But his fever has broken.

Working late, Peggy finds Dawn sleeping on the couch afraid to go home due to the race riots. She invites Dawn to stay with her for the night, and they bond over a beer. Peggy really wants another woman to confide in and comments how she started out as a secretary, too, and seems to draw parallels with their mutual situations. Peggy wants to know if she acts like a man and Dawn admits she has to a little. Peggy doesn't know if she still wants to be that person. They go to bed, and Dawn sleeps on the couch, but there's an awkward moment when Peggy pauses to decide whether to leave her purse on the coffee table. Dawn is gone in the morning and leaves Peggy a thank you note.

Given Henry and Betty are delayed out of town, grandma Paulina is forced to look after Sally, who hates her. The feeling is quite mutual, and Paulina revels in subtly torturing her. After teasing her with tidbits about the murders, Sally finds newspaper articles about the serial killer that terrifies her, so asks to sit with Paulina at night. Paulina succeeds in frightening her further, so in order to sleep gives Sally some pills. Betty and Henry return home in the morning, with groggy Paulina on the couch and Sally sleeping underneath.

Joan tells Craig that she's thought about it and wants him to go...go and never come back, because she doesn't need him anymore. She's glad the army makes him feel like a man. And he's not a good man (reminding him of their premarital rape). He angrily walks out promising to never come back. Joan, the baby, and her mother have a nap on the bed.

The Verdict:
This was an ugly episode, watching everyone behave less than stellar, but, as usual, engaging, with some good bits. So far this season the major characters have been struggling to deal with how the world is changing around them, and Mystery Date continues that trend. First, Peggy—how far has Roger fallen that Peggy (with her feet on the desk) can negotiate terms for working late. But her talk with Dawn betrays that she could be tired of it all. Does that mean a change is in store, or was it all drunk talk?

And poor Dawn. She's just happy to have a job, but is pulled into all the machinations at SCDP because Peggy needs to vent and have a normal girlfriend at the office. Yet Peggy hasn't moved beyond her own prejudices yet.

Don's dream murder was an interesting outlet for all his pent up frustrations and fears with his appetites. Megan has a valid concern, given she's privy to all his infidelities and now she's the wife. No wonder she keeps trying to vamp it up for him to ensure his eye doesn't wander.

Don also has to deal with upstart Michael, who gave his own twist on the standard Don Draper client sell. He's fun to watch, but I wonder what direction his character will take—can he survive the season without stepping on too many toes?

Joan's marriage didn't end in the way I thought. Craig's departure was unexpected and he seemed rushed out the door, but is there more to it? Does he suspect the child isn't his, or was it all just him trying to be a real man and going back to fight? I could likely be reading too much into it. But I'm pleased Joan will be back in full form again absent his domineering personality (and she left him with some good parting shots).

Evil Paulina really steals the show. She manages to both elicit a bit of sympathy (with insight into her own upbringing) while continuing to sow discord everywhere and be the absolutely worst role model for poor Sally (who is likely on the road to a lifetime of drug addiction). 

Review: Being Human (USA) "It's My Party and I'll Die if I Want To"

Non Spoiler Review:
The heavily uneven season comes to a climax with Aidan and Suren having to deal with Mother. Nora springs some more convenient supernatural secrets on Josh, that prompts him to take action. Sally has had enough of her crazy and decides to try to get to limbo and maybe make amends for all the horrible things she's done.

Once again, everyone is involved in their own independent story lines, with no bleed over whatsoever, aside from a scene where everyone catches up on what they plan to do. Ultimately, all three end the season within their own plots.

I can't say I'm going to miss the show at all. Season two really turned into a chore to get through and stumble over unlikable characters and their selfish choices. Unless there's a big writing turnover, I doubt season three will be any better.

Spoilers Now!

Suren explains to Aidan she came back to the fold to protect him, given Mother would never have rested before she hunted him down. But that doesn't stop him from scheming to get her back at any cost, including enlisting Henry to kill Mother, who is having a reception at her lake house. Mother is leaving Boston, likely for years, but is making an announcement. Henry's been put on guard detail.

Josh gets a message Nora is in the hospital. The eclipse prompted a change at work (she got her job back) and she has a concussion from falling down the stairs. Nora has another tidbit about werewolves she neglected to mention but conveniently reveals—the curse is in the bloodline, so if he kills his maker, he cures everyone he ever made (pressure!). But she asks him not to because she doesn't want him to become a murder.

Sally fills Aidan in about limbo, while Josh returns home and lets them know he's killing Ray with Haggeman's gun. Aidan reveals he's going to kill Mother too, so Sally offers to help. Sally possesses Ray's wife to draw him out into the country. While waiting, she and Josh say goodbye, given he won't be able to see her if he's successful. She sees reaper, who knew she would slip up and start possessing people again.

Aidan's plan fails, and Mother was expecting him. At the reception, she announces Suren as her successor, and brings out a beaten up Aidan for Suren to kill. Suren balks at doing it, of course, but Mother insists she rid herself of distractions. Aidan tells her to do it. Suren accuses her of wanting everyone to witness her failure again. Suren says she can't, but Mother understands and embraces her. Then she kills her daughter. Aidan manages to free himself and nearly kills Mother, but is dragged back, and taken out to the grave where Suren was buried for the last eighty years. He has no regrets, because he tells Mother she'll have to live on knowing she killed the only person who loved her. He's buried.

At the hospital, Sally asks her mother to shred her, as she needs to go to limbo and thinks there's a way out for all the ghosts she's doomed there. Rena doesn't want to, of course, but Nora walks over and (conveniently) finds out how Sally helped Josh, so she runs off to find him. Sally and her mother bicker, and then Rena's door suddenly shows up, so she offers it to her daughter. Sally won't steal it though, and ultimately just shreds herself and disappears.

Ray shows up on the road and Josh forces him to the cabin where Aidan is supposed to meet him. But when Nora catches up Ray runs off. He gets the leg up on Josh and takes him down. Nora has her own gun and arrives to stop Ray from killing him. Josh tells her to shoot him and save herself. There are two gunshots.

In the house, the radio turns on and Sally calls out for Aidan and Josh, and needs their help (because shredding herself to limbo was a bad decision).

The Verdict:
There's little more to say on this. The storyline has turned back to the UK version (with Sally trapped in the afterlife and talking through the radio). But their way of going about it made little sense. Why does Sally seem to think she can be this expert on the afterlife? She relies on everyone for (bad) information. Why did Rena even need to show up, unless to set up some kind of rescue for next year? How did Sally just shred herself?

No one is in any real tangible danger. Julia has been swept out of the way for a Josh/Nora reunion next year. With the added benefit that Nora is now the fount of werewolf knowledge.

So many characters have come and gone, we've never had a chance to really connect with them, so their deaths lack any meaning—Suren played one note all season. Who cares if she's gone for good. Even Henry got pushed to the back burner again, ready to be pulled out for convenience next year. And considering everyone's decisions this week could mean all three would never see one another again, it was all addressed in a very casual manner as if they were just going out for the night. Sally was leaving (possibly for good), Aidan was likely going to have to go on the run forever, while Josh and Nora had a chance at curing themselves. Yet we get no slow motion/musical queues/montage good-byes, which is a standard trope for this series even for the most mundane event.

It's been a lacklustre season, devoid of any charm or warmth. I highly recommend anyone not familiar with the UK version to check that out and see how real fully developed characters interact.