Star Trek: Discovery - Is It Worthy?

Article first published as 'Star Trek: Discovery' - Is It Worthy? on Blogcritics.

I have been a Star Trek fan almost as long as I can remember. When I was very young, I asked my dad to pick up Star Wars for me from the library. He brought me Star Trek: The Motion Picture instead, and I was hooked.

This past fall and winter brought the first season of the latest Star Trek television series, Star Trek: Discovery. Disco, as fans are already calling it, is set in the prime universe (a.k.a. where all Star Trek has taken place except the most recent three films). It takes place ten years before the original series, and about two years after the first pilot, “The Cage.” Now, with the fifteen-episode first season complete, it seems an opportune time to ask, is this the triumphant return of Star Trek on the small screen?

The following contains major spoilers from throughout the first season, including the finale.

Idealism and Morality

The most obvious way Disco matches up to its predecessors is keeping the spirit of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets, the military and political organization portrayed in the franchise, alive. Despite the darkness of war that pervades this run, our central crew is committed to the right ideals. While Captain Lorca (Jason Isaacs) seemed to stray early on; the revelation that he was Mirror Universe Lorca the whole time made his actions make sense. In the end, even when Earth itself was threatened, and with a wavering Admiral Cornwall (Jayne Brook) and Ambassador Sarek (James Frain) considering genocide, the crew of the Disco demanded better.

Besides the obvious saving of the Klingon home world, the best example of these values comes in the penultimate episode, when Ash Tyler (Shazard Latif), exposed as being a surgically-altered Voq, feels ashamed and alone. Cadet Tilly (Mary Wiseman) sits at his empty lunch table with him and others follow suit. Also, the way the tardigrade is freed without consequence when its pain is realized is excellent. This proves that the Starfleet attitude we know is alive and well in the new series.

Diversity in the Production

This trend of inclusion and acceptance continues behind-the-scenes, as well. Obviously, the cast is quite diverse, probably the most ever for Star Trek. Though the series has always had a history of showing different peoples working side-by-side in common cause. Disco boasts the first African-American female lead for Star Trek in Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). Her captain in the first two episodes, Georgiou, is played by Michelle Yeoh. And this is backed up in the production, which also has a wider range of people than previously working in almost any television show. Just look at the credits, and you’ll see what I mean.

There has been some backlash to the casting online, but to borrow from the Vulcans, there doesn’t seem to be any logical argument against it. If you think Star Trek should just be white men, you’re missing the message of what the show is and has always been. Even looking back to the 1960s episodes, Star Trek was about diversity. In this regard, it pushed the boundaries of what they could get away with on network television, showing non-white-males in positions of power. Star Trek boasts the first interracial and first homosexual kisses on broadcast network television, and had African-American and female captains leading spin-offs in the 1990s. The haters can’t possibly be real Star Trek fans.

Where It Fits

Back to the story itself, Discovery tells a missing part of Star Trek history and does it without majorly disrupting continuity. The Klingon-Federation War was a bad one, as has been referenced, so it’s understandable why the first season isn’t as bright and cheery as past entries. It was also set in more dangerous times than we see in most series. After all, Captain Pike wasn’t all that upbeat in “The Cage” following a tragedy. This tone shift makes sense.

We get a deeper look at the Klingon Empire and why they came into conflict with the Federation, which had little to do with the U.S.S. starships themselves. Yes, there are more aliens serving on Disco than one might assume were in Starfleet at that point from past entries. But that can be traced more to budgetary limitations of the past than what was supposed to be. And characters like Harry Mudd (Rainn Wilson taking over the role originated in the 1960s by Roger C. Carmel), Sarek, and Amanda Grayson (Mia Kirshner) are shown earlier in their time line.

Disco is careful to pay homage to the classic while looking modern. The special effects and sets are thoroughly of today, as they should be to avoid looking dated. But tricorders and phasers and transporters are close enough to what’s been shown before to satisfy. The uniforms are more Enterprise than TOS, but it looks like the finale showed us background glimpses of the classic look, which I expect Pike and crew will be wearing next season.

Continuity

The only major complaint I have here is the delta emblems everyone on the Disco, the U.S.S. Shenzou, and the admiralty all seem to be sporting. In classic Trek, only the Enterprise crew wore this particular symbol, with other ships and stations having different icons. However, it’s possible that everyone originally wore the deltas, briefly switched to individualized badges ten years after this, then switched back later, as shown in the spin-offs and films. Given how Disco seems to later fix things that look to be wrong, I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt here.

There are also countless Easter eggs for the eagle-eyed, from Tribbles to Centaurian slugs. These are great for the fans. Georgiou talking of “bread and circuses” might feel slightly odd, but it’s appreciated. Even Clint Howard’s weird cameo as an Orion was great. (Howard previously guest starred in TOS, DS9, and Enterprise). These little nuggets are perfect and appreciated.

Changes

There are some notable changes to the way Discovery is presented as opposed to other Star Trek series. The most important is that we finally get a serial, complex story. This isn’t the first time Star Trek has done this; Deep Space 9, and to a certain extent, Enterprise, pursued long-running arcs, as well. But Disco is the first show to fully realize this superior method of story-telling, with only one of the fifteen hours seeming mostly stand-alone. This change allows for better character development and growth. For instance, Commander Saru (Doug Jones) goes through quite an arc, from disapproving coward to wise captain. This would not have been possible, certainly not in a single season, in the past.

Some big swings Disco takes, like the spore drive, seem ridiculous to exist without mention down the road. But because of how Disco fixes things, as mentioned above, I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt for now that it will make sense later. Spock not mentioning a sister, similarly, I can overlook because Spock is very private. Besides, she’s not the first surprise sibling he’s sprung on us.
Additionally, the captain is not the lead, and that is welcome. We finally get a different perspective on the starship, with a show mostly told from below-decks. Both Tilly, a lowly cadet, and Burnham, not even a commissioned officer for most of the season, give us fresh insight that is more than welcome.

Weaknesses

For much of the year, I thought the biggest weakness was going to be how the show handled the Voq / Ash Tyler twist. It was all over the Internet long before the story was ready to reveal it. However, in retrospect, I wonder if that wasn’t a genius distraction to keep the real twist, Lorca being from the Mirror Universe, completely off the radar. If so, brilliantly done.

Disco is not without its share of missteps, though, and a lot have to do with production decisions. For instance, almost every episode is right around forty-five minutes, the length of a regular broadcast installment. Being on a streaming service, it shouldn’t try to squeeze into such a narrow box. The result is plots that sometimes feel wrapped up too quickly or missed opportunities between characters. Did the way the handling of the bomb in the season finale make total sense? No, and another minute of dialogue could have fixed that. But I feel like these aren’t too distracting, and the show overall remains strong.

Of course, the worst thing about Disco is that it’s exclusively on the way-overpriced CBS All Access service. But that can be blamed on CBS bullying the fans, not a Star Trek misstep.

Conclusion

Is Discovery the Star Trek we deserve? I think it’s a little early to tell. A show like this takes time to prove whether its journey is worth it, and that’s a good thing. This type of storytelling is more ambitious, and when it succeeds, it’s aces. When it fails, it’s frustrating as hell. I do think the signs so far are that it’s a very good show. As long as it doesn’t screw anything huge up in the mythology, it’ll go far.

Some will argue that The Orville, a new show on FOX, is the Star Trek heir apparent. But despite sharing some strong DNA with The Next Generation, the Seth MacFarlane-led dramedy doesn’t quite have the same traditional Star Trek spirit that Discovery does. For this reason, as much as I like The Orville, I disagree entirely with this assessment.

Whether you’re a Trekkie or not, I recommend giving Discovery a chance. It’s a pretty solid show by just about any measure. I hope it lives long and prospers (preferably after moving to CBS-owned Showtime). It certainly had an interesting freshman year, and the cliffhanger of seeing the Enterprise promises more goodness to come.

Catch Star Trek: Discovery‘s full first season through CBS All Access.

Discover new STAR TREK

Article first published as TV Review: STAR TREK: DISCOVERY on Seat42F.

SPOILER ALERT: Towards the end of this review, I do talk about the events of the second episode, available only on CBS All Access, where the rest of the series will be released.

I’ve been a Star Trek fan since I was a child. I asked my dad to pick up Star Wars at the library for me, and he brought me Star Trek: The Motion Picture instead. Widely regarded as a weaker film for the franchise, it was still plenty enough to get me hooked, and I devoured most of the episodes and movies made, usually many times over. Today, I co-host the re-watch podcast It’s All Been Trekked Before and still eagerly look forward to any new material from the title. Hence, I was super psyched for last night’s premiere of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. Thankfully, it lived up to the hype.

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY stars Sonequa Martin-Green (The Walking Dead) as Commander Michael Burnham, first officer on the U.S.S. Shenzhou. Raised by Sarek of Vulcan (James Frain, Orphan Black) after her family was killed in a Klingon attack, Burnham returns to humankind under the command of Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), who helps her find her humanity and emotion. When the Shenzhou runs into a new sect of Klingons trying to unite the 24 houses of the empire, emotional and physical battles erupt.

This spin-off is set in the same familiar universe of most Star Trek (aside from the most recent films, which take place in an alternate timeline), and that is apparent. The ideals and diversity and mission feel the same. Uniforms and ship design and aliens match up with what we’ve seen before. The crew is heroic and dedicated.

What’s different is the complexity. From the stunning designs to new special effects, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY looks cinematic and larger-scale than any other Star Trek television show, and all of the older movies, too. This matches the character development, which is much more central, driving the story. The tale itself is serial, and the pacing a lot slower than any previous part of the franchise. So this is the grown-up, modern, better version of the universe, with clear influence from co-creator Bryan Fuller (Hannibal), who is sadly no longer with the show.

Lest you think that makes it a stark departure from traditional Star Trel, I would argue that it isn’t. Serial storytelling was explored in Star Trek: Deep Space 9, my favorite of the spin-offs. (It’s too early to rank this one.) Voyager and Enterprise, which came after DS9, were less so, but did retain some of the ongoing elements. The more episodes that are made, the more we got into the makeup of the species and characters. And Burnham is sort of echoing Commander Sisko from Deep Space 9 with her tragic backstory and the battle we witness in the first two installments. So STAR TREK: DISCOVERY builds upon what’s come before without going too far off the rails.

That being said, there are some mistakes or stretches in the continuity. For instance, the delta insignia worn by all Starfleet officers is not appropriate to the time, as in the Original Series (set ten years later than the newest incarnation), each starship had a different logo. The uniforms and bridge layout pull from Enterprise more than the Original, even though STAR TREK: DISCOVERY is a lot closer in time to the Original (though it is said that the Shenzou is an older ship). It’s possible, but unlikely, that Burnham and her history with the Klingons wouldn’t have ever been mentioned by Spock, even though she was apparently raised by Spock’s parents when she wasn’t much older than he was. And the Klingons feel pretty different than those in the original, not just in look, but in culture, too.

Some of this could be explained away, and I hope it is. Under the leadership of T’Kuvma (Chris Obi, American Gods) and Voq (actor not revealed, despite getting a character poster), the Klingons are likely to undergo a dramatic shift as a species. If STAR TREK: DISCOVERY is partially about how the Klingons become the Klingons we know, that would be neat. And maybe the Spock stuff will be explored, too. Given how well made this series is, I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

Besides the Klingons, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY has a lot of other cool alien species. The most prominent non-human is Lt. Saru (Doug Jones, Hellboy), the Kelpien science officer of the Shenzhou. He is biologically prey, which means he isn’t as bold as some other crew members. But in Jones’ hands, he’s also a very interesting personality who I hope will continue to appear.

So here’s where we get spoiler-y. The first episode, which aired on CBS, is only half of the original pilot, ending in a massive cliffhanger. Which is smart if they want to force Star Trek fans to purchase CBS All Access, the network’s way-overpriced streaming service where the rest of the episodes will be released. The second half of the pilot was made available last night, too, and was quite shocking, ending with the deaths of both T’Kuvma and Captain Georgiou, and the destruction of the Shenzou.

This changes the direction of the show entirely, which makes since, given that Yeoh is listed as a ‘special guest star’ and we haven’t even met some of the show’s leads, like Captain Lorca (Jason Isaacs, the Harry Potter films) and Lt. Stamets (Anthony Rapp, Rent). However, what that means is that these two hours are basically Sisko at the Battle of Wolf 359, a small part of the DS9 pilot, elongated and enriched. Burnham, stripped of her rank and sentenced to life in prison, has a very challenging hero’s journey ahead of her.

Burnham is a truly fascinating individual. She is the reverse Spock, trying to become more human and less Vulcan. Clearly, seven years on the Shenzou have worked wonders, as Burnham’s actions in the pilot are extremely emotional, including killing someone she really should have captured out of a sense of revenge. She has now heavily contributed to starting a war, and that will surely weigh heavily on her. Hopefully, we have flashbacks with Georgiou to show her evolution pre-series, the way we see Burnham as a child with Sarek in the initial offerings.

Despite my complaints about the price of CBS All Access, which I say again, is absolutely ridiculous for a single network and not worth it, I will pay it because they’re holding me hostage with my beloved Star Trek. It makes me hate the network more, but I love Star Trek too much not to subscribe. And STAR TREK: DISCOVERY seems to be the fulfillment of the promise Star Trek always held but often didn’t quite live up to. Until now. So how can I wait a year for the home release, which will likely be cheaper than paying for All Access? Ugh.

STAR TREK: DISCOVERY releases Sundays at 8:30 ET on CBS All Access.

GOTHAM's Villains Rise

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Gotham - The Complete Second Season' on Blogcritics.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed for this blog post. The opinions I share are my own.

WB’s Gotham – The Complete Second Season, which aired on FOX last television season, has recently been released on Blu-ray, Digital, and DVD, just in time for a catch up or for a refresher before the third outing. Picking up after the events of the season one finale, the power dynamic in the city has shifted, luring new villains into the conflict, and making our heroes’ jobs even tougher.

With Fish seemingly dead (come on, this is a comic book series and we haven’t seen the body), The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) is the Big Bird in town, so to speak. His reign is almost immediately threatened when Theo Galavan (James Frain, The Tudors) and his sister, Tabitha (Jessica Lucas, Melrose Place (2009)), arrive. They aren’t after The Penguin, specifically, but if he stands in their way, then they won’t hesitate to fight, and are more than capable of taking the crime boss on.

These are far from the only baddies, though, in the season dubbed “Rise of the Villains.” Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) continues his compelling descent into madness, while Barbara (Erin Richards) struggles with maintaining sanity. Worse (or better, for viewers?), Dr. Hugo Strange (BD Wong, Law & Order: SVU) is now running Arkham, and he delights in experimenting with superhumans and above-average criminals along the lines of Firefly (Michelle Veintimilla, Not Cool) and Victor Fries (Nathan Darrow, House of Cards). So the city is facing no shortage of trouble.

Our hero remains Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), but he is certainly racking up more allies than just Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), which feels necessary, given what Gotham is facing. Chief among Gordon’s allies is Captain Nathaniel Barnes (Michael Chiklis, The Shield), who comes in with the goal of cleaning up the force. Bruce (David Mazouz) is making progress on his path towards becoming Batman, but he’s still a ways away from that.

And these are only a few of the characters that populate Gotham. At times, I worry both the city and the cast list is over-stuffed. But one thing you can say about such a large ensemble is that there are always plenty of plot threads going on. Gotham throws a lot at you and does it fast, burning through story, well, the way a comic book does. Usually, it works, though I think most of us with Jerome (Cameron Monaghan, Shameless) had stuck around a little longer. It isn’t as deep or as emotionally moving as the DC shows over on the CW, but it is an interesting drama done in a cool, unique style that remains enjoyable.

Speaking of the style, one of the best extras this release contains is a twenty-five minute look at the noir tone of the series. In “Gotham by Noir Light,” the crew gets nerdy in the best of ways as they discuss their influences from the films of yesteryear.

Two other interesting featurettes on the four-disc set are “Alfred: Batman’s Greatest Ally” and “Cold Hearted – The Tale of Victor Fries.” Each of these delves deeper into a specific character on the series, giving some background and insight into the approach Gotham takes on them versus other incarnations of the players in past works, a topic a many super hero shows sadly downplay.

There are a lot of other extras, too. The Comic-Con Panel is cool, but sadly shortened, as most panels are when included on home releases. Then, there are a lot of shorts, most of which are a waste of time to watch. There are little bits from different actors musing on what is coming up for their characters, as well as some teaser scenes. Numbering more than a dozen, these were probably effective advertising when released prior to the episodes, but seem extraneous here. While I do complain when shows have too few features, Gotham has enough meaty stuff that, if they drop most of these (a couple are semi-interesting), they’d be better off overall, favoring quality over quantity.

Still, overall, I’m satisfied with Gotham – The Complete Second Season, which is on sale now.

GOTHAM's "Little Monster"

Article originally written for Seat42F.

 

FOX’s GOTHAM continues its action-packed, engaging season this week with “Mommy’s Little Monster.” Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) attempts to rescue his mother (Carol Kane) from Galavan (James Frain), but things do not go as planned. This sends Penguin on a revenge streak, and it may turn out that Galavan has finally pushed the crime boss too far. Elsewhere, Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) descends into madness.

I am disappointed that “Mommy’s Little Monster” contains Gertrude’s death. I find her a fascinating character, and some of the glimpses we’ve seen of her give great insight into who the Penguin is. I feel there could be more to be gleaned from their interactions, and it’s a little soon to remove her from GOTHAM. Of course, the show always has the option of flashbacks, and I hope Kane reprises the role in the near future.

What Penguin’s mother’s death does, though, is remove any restraint Penguin has in dealing with Galavan. Galavan has miscalculated repeatedly with the Penguin, in my opinion. He thinks he can just kill the Penguin and his mom, and he thinks commandeering the entire city’s police force as his personal bodyguard, using his new mayor powers to lock the whole metropolis down, is enough to defeat the crime boss. He doesn’t know the Penguin, though, and plenty of others underestimated Penguin last year to their own detriment. I feel like Galavan’s days on GOTHAM are numbered, and his main player status certainly can’t last more than half a season.

The Penguin does not murder Galavan in “Mommy’s Little Monster,” but he gets very close. So close that were Tabitha (Jessica Lucas) not on the roof with a sniper rifle, Galavan would probably be dead, quite possibly with Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Bullock (Donal Logue) as collateral damage.

Gordon and the Penguin’s friendship, if you could call it that, is an uneasy one. Penguin doesn’t seem to take it personally that Gordon tries to arrest him and protects Galavan, nor does the Penguin call in a favor Gordon owes him to kill Galavan. Yet, with the two being at odds so often, it’s surprising they haven’t had a complete falling out yet. Penguin doesn’t control Gordon the way the previous bosses had command over Bullock, but whatever uneasy bond they currently have probably won’t last.

Speaking of not lasting, Nygma is going absolutely insane following the death of Kristen Kringle (Chelsea Spack). “Mommy’s Little Monster” finds the evil side of Nygma (also Smith) hiding Kringle’s body in the police station itself, then making the ‘good’ side of Nygma follow clues to find it before the corpse is discovered. It’s a dangerous game Nygma seems to enjoy, culminating in the two sides coming together, being one person again.

I like GOTHAM’s technique of showing the two Nygmas as a way to illustrate what is going on in the future Riddler’s brain. It isn’t necessary to the story, of course, but it’s a good way to visualize internal struggle, as long as it’s only done temporary, which I believe it will be in this case. Were it more long-term, I think it would get annoying.

One sequence of particular delight this week is the rivalry between Selina (Camren Bicondova) and Silver (Natalie Alyn Lind). Catwoman is one of those characters who toes the line between good and bad, but it looks like it’s up to Selina to be a hero and save Bruce. There’s no doubt that Silver is complicit in Galavan’s plans, so Bruce remains in danger until Selina can find a way to save him. The tension between the girls as this struggle goes on behind Bruce’s back is terrific.

GOTHAM isn’t the deepest, richest character-driven show on television, but it’s near the top of the pack on the broadcast networks. It exhibits great skill in balancing various personalities, as I’ve mentioned before, and each hour ends up being pretty entertaining.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on FOX.

GOTHAM Burned "By Fire"

Article first published as GOTHAM Review "By Fire" on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: L-R: Benjamin McKenzie and Michael Chiklis in the “Rise of the Villains: By Fire” ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Jessica Miglio/ FOX.

This week’s GOTHAM on FOX, “By Fire,” finds Gordon (Ben McKenzie) tracking down Firefly (Michelle Veintimilla), seeking vengeance for the death of a cop. But when Selina (Camren Bicondova) helps Gordon to see the truth about Bridgit, the girl in the Firefly suit, Gordon promises to do what he can to keep her safe. Too bad Gordon’s promise isn’t enough.

I find “By Fire” really interesting because it shows us the two sides of GOTHAM, while reminding us there is a grey area, much as Captain Barnes (Michael Chiklis) may not want to see it. Until Gordon knows about Bridgit, he sees Firefly as only a masked villain murderer. On the other side, Selina sees Bridgit as merely a friend, not a supervillain that must be stopped. While the truth is in the middle, one side or the other has to win, and that’s where the conflict comes into play.

I do think Gordon genuinely tries to save Bridgit, but not everyone can be saved. Gordon is wise enough to get past his emotions when someone is in need of help. He sees an abused girl that has been pushed too far, where Barnes does not. Unfortunately, Bridgit is even further off the rails than suspected, and there’s no way to bring her in peacefully, per her choice.

The twist at the end, where we find Bridgit is alive in a dark subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises, is interesting. Clearly, Indian Hill, the facility in question, contains many of the secrets that Bruce (David Mazouz) is looking for. We don’t yet know what is going on there or why or who is in control of it, but this is a nice setup for future GOTHAM installments.

Speaking of Bruce, he seems completely taken in by Silver (Natalie Alyn Lind) and her Uncle Theo (James Frain). This is unfortunate, as viewers know the kind face put forward by them in “By Fire” is a lie. I do think Theo is underestimating the rich kid, Bruce’s training with Alfred (Sean Pertwee) progressing nicely, but the question now is, will Bruce realize it before Theo can cause too much damage? And is Silver complicit?

Similarly, Theo is winning against the Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor). Sending Butch (Drew Powell) in to spy is an obvious move, and even with his hand chopped off, Theo sees right through it. Penguin is allowing too much of his emotion to cloud his judgment and he’s not making smart calls, not even realizing when Butch has been turned against him. I still think Penguin will be the one to take Theo down, possibly assisted by Gordon protecting Bruce, but at this time, the Penguin is definitely down in scoring.

While the Penguin is already the villain he’s meant to be, give or take a bit of skill, others in GOTHAM are just getting started. What happens with Bridgit may be a turning point for Selina, who no longer trusts Gordon. Selina is an interesting player because, traditionally, Catwoman has rarely been completely bad. She does bad things, sure, but her flirtation with Bruce shows her humanity and moral center. I can’t help but feel these traits might keep Selina from turning as fully against Gordon as she appears to do, but one never knows. Selina’s positive relationship is usually shown to be with Bruce alone, not the police.

A bigger defining moment in “By Fire” comes when Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) accidentally strangles Kristen (Chelsea Spack). I wondered if this specific event, more or less, might happen when Spack was not promoted to series regular this year, but didn’t expect it so soon. Nygma letting his dark side rob him of the love he so desperately wants is definitely a moment that will change who he is going forward. I expect Nygma’s growth into full-on villain is just around the corner, though he could still be hiding within the police force for awhile, the longer, the better.

Can I just remark how cool it is when Lee (Morena Baccarin) regards Selina and her gun with no concern whatsoever? Obviously, Lee is a worthy partner for Gordon and is on his level, but to barely bat an eye in the face of danger, keeping her cool, is excellent. It’s likely Lee, who is good at reading people, realizes Selina isn’t going to kill her for no reason, but still, very impressive composure.

Excellent character development and a complex villain-of-the-week make “By Fire” another strong installment of this program. Season two is doing exactly what the show needs it to do, and it is definitely worth setting the DVR for.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on FOX.

"Scarification" of GOTHAM

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review "Scarification" on Seat42F.

Last night’s GOTHAM revealed the “Scarification” that rocked the city nearly two centuries ago. This gives insight into the motives of the Big Bad this season, as well as provides a clue as to what his goals might be. Whether or not that will help him be stopped remains anyone’s guess, but at least not every character is still in the dark about him. Oh, and a new villain is introduced.

“Scarification” basically halts its action for a bit as Edwige (Mary Joy, Secretary) tells Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) the tale of the Waynes and the Galavans. Apparently, a very long time ago, a Wayne badly wronged Galavan’s family, then going by a different name. Theo Galavan (James Frain) has now returned to the city to exact revenge, supported by a coming army and a shadowy cult leader (Ron Rifkin, Alias, Brothers & Sisters).

I admit, my knowledge of Batman is mostly limited to the movies, not being much of a comic book reader, so I do not know if this plot arc is based on something in the written lore or not. What I can say is that it feels off for GOTHAM. GOTHAM has dealt in a grounded here-and-now. To have such an extended flashback to such a long time ago seems weird for this particular program, and it paints an odd picture of the Waynes, who are supposedly a force for good in the current age. I’m not saying the show can’t make this story work, but it doesn’t seem to quite fit in tonally with what’s been seen so far.

Much more enjoyable is the struggle between Penguin and Theo. Penguin works very hard in the first season to defeat his enemies and rise to the top. Granted, a victory that can be achieved in less than a year isn’t all that monumental, but Penguin is on top at the start of the season after struggling to get there To have Theo come in and threaten that position now is killing Penguin, and Taylor does an excellent job of showing that desperation and frustration mixed with lunacy.

As this battle between bad guys shapes up, Captain Barnes’ (Michael Chiklis) strike force is merely squabbling with henchmen and minor foes. They encounter new baddie Firefly (Michelle Veintimilla, Not Cool), but her story is more tragic than sinister, so even aftershe kills a police officer, viewers are likely to not blame Selina (Camren Bicondova) for helping her escape.

GOTHAM doesn’t have just one kind of villain, and those shown in “Scarification” represent a wide swath of baddies. From the idiot fire-starting brothers, to Firefly, forced into service, to the Penguin, a man with a chip on his shoulder, to Theo, a well-organized gangster, to Selina, who is only sort of a villain, there are a wide variety of personalities. The way they all interact makes for very interesting television, and it’s easy to see that Barnes, Gordon (Ben McKenzie), and the rest of the force have their work cut out for them, the city allowing all of these types of people to thrive for so long.

There’s another antagonist, though, who hasn’t yet become an antagonist, and I find his story just as fascinating as those others. Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) has killed, but no one knows it. Instead, he fakes a normal, happy life, even double dating with Gordon and Lee (Morena Baccarin). Obvious to anyone who regularly watches GOTHAM, his craziness is bubbling just below the surface, ready to erupt. Every scene he’s in has the potential to get insane quickly, which makes his presence very welcome.

“Scarification” is a great episode because of the Penguin’s madness and the threat of Nygma losing it. The bits with Theo and the backstory are far less interesting, and while Theo’s plan has much more to play out, I’m not really into that arc this year. He’s not as complex or unique as other villains on the show, so I hope Penguin or someone else disrupts Theo’s activities before he gets too far. Since Theo is already planning to kill Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz), and we know that can’t happen, he likely can’t go on for an entire season. The sooner he is taken out, the better.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

GOTHAM Now a "Force"

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review "Strike Force" on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: (L-R) Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) and Bullock (Donal Logue) in the “Rise of the Villains: Strike Force” episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, Oct. 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: FOX.

 

On this week’s GOTHAM, the new police captain, Nathaniel Barnes (Michael Chiklis, American Horror Story: Freak Show), forms a “Strike Force.” He is intent to weed out corruption within the force, and while Harvey (Donal Logue) has his doubts that Barnes will be effective, Barnes is speaking Gordon’s (Ben McKenzie) language. Who will be right?

Barnes is doing what Gordon has been trying to do for two years, and that’s clean things up. But by the time Barnes arrives, Gordon has already made compromises in order to further his goals. Namely, Gordon has done favors for Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), meaning Gordon is the type of cop Barnes is looking to get rid of. Is this a sign that Barnes is doomed to fail, as even a man as noble as Gordon eventually has to give in to the grime of GOTHAM? Or does this just mean Gordon should be careful what he wishes for?

For now, Barnes believes the persona that Gordon shows. Sure, the new captain is quick to mention that everyone knows Gordon is banging Dr. Thompkins (Morena Baccarin). But Gordon is a soldier, and Barnes puts Gordon in charge of the “Strike Force.” That the force will now be going against the Penguin directly presents a conflict for Gordon, but until they have that showdown, he’s doing all right.

Speaking of the Penguin, he’s a little too busy to give much thought to the police, thinking he has Gordon to watch his back on that front. Instead, he’s concerned about Theo (James Frain) capturing his mother (Carol Kane). The Penguin doesn’t see an immediate way to rescue her and has to play along with Theo for now, as frustrating as that is for the villain. But as the Penguin points out, other bosses have underestimated him in the past and he’s come out on top. Did Theo tick off the wrong guy, or has the Penguin met his match? (My guess is the former.)

While Theo gets Penguin in line, Theo is also running for mayor of GOTHAM. His methods of doing so, having goons kill the competition, are far from noble, which I’m certain tells us what kind of mayor he’s going to be. The question is, what will he do when he’s in power? And will he make it that far?

One thing Theo does is make inroads with Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) by setting the boy up with a girl his own age, Silver (Natalie Alyn Lind, The Goldbergs). I’d hope that Silver isn’t as wicked as Theo, but one never knows. She’s certainly playing along with Bruce well. One may wonder why Theo wants to endear himself to a kid, but given Bruce’s fortune and family influence, it’s easy to see why Theo would want to get in early with the billionaire.

The one scene in “Strike Force” that doesn’t ring true to me is when Alfred (Sean Pertwee) decks Selina (Camren Bicondova). I get why Alfred hates Selina and thinks she’s a bad influence on Bruce, what with Selina killing Alfred’s friend and all, but is that an excuse to slug a child? Especially a female child? I don’t believe it is, and I don’t see why Alfred would do this. Were his or Bruce’s lives in danger, maybe, but not during an encounter on the street. It is weird.

The budding relationship between Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) and Kristen Kringle (Chelsea Spack) is also a little weird. Sure, she’s attracted to him when he acts tough, but she then reassures him when he shows vulnerability? That feels a little off to me, but I’m still enjoying Nygma’s descent enough to overlook this unevenness, or even wonder if it’s just happening in his head.

Still, for the most part, GOTHAM maintains its web of various heroes and villains struggling for control of a crumbling city in top form. The metropolis has further to fall before it can be saved, but the journey of the fall is fascinating in of itself.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

No "Laugh" For GOTHAM

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review "The Last Laugh" on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) in “Rise of the Villains: The Last Laugh” episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, Oct. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Nicole Rivelli/FOX.

On this week’s GOTHAM, who has “The Last Laugh?” Well, no one yet, though we can say for certain a few people that do not. With the city getting darker and more dangerous by the minute, a hero steps up to save the day, but it’s not the person that the public thinks it is.

The hero is Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz). Still just a kid, he shows remarkable bravery when Alfred’s (Sean Pertwee) life is on the line. In past installments, Bruce cowers while Alfred protects him. In “The Laugh Laugh,” Bruce does allow Alfred to be the one to act, but he puts himself in the line of fire in order to give Alfred the opportunity to save everyone else. It may still be awhile before he’s Batman, but Bruce is strongly heading in that direction.

The citizens of Gotham, however, are likely to believe that Theo Galavan (James Frain) is the hero they’ve been waiting for, with Bruce overlooked as he almost always will be. That’s because no one knows that Theo sets himself up to rescue the hostages, and is pulling the strings of the villain, too. I’m not sure what Theo’s game is yet, but he’s playing it beautifully, fooling everyone that matters.

Barbara (Erin Richards) has certainly noticed. I do not know if she’s telling Lee (Morena Baccarin) the truth when she says she’ll soon be back with Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), but Barbara has to extract herself from a love triangle before she’s free for anyone else. At the start of “The Last Laugh,” she seems to be with Tabitha (Jessica Lucas), but after Theo’s big play, she switches which sibling she’s cozying up to. Is Barbara attracted to evil power? Or is she just enjoying herself and caught up in the moment?

Speaking of attraction, there is a great scene this week in which Alfred hits on Lee. I expected her to speak up and warn him off, but instead, she seems to enjoy the attention, at least to a point. But the fact that this flirtation gets Jim to mark his territory and results in a fun interchange where Alfred accuses Bruce of knowing Lee was taken makes the moment well worth it.

The only scene better than that is the one in which Harvey (Donal Logue) threatens Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor). Harvey is Jim’s friend, we know that, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen him act quite as selfless as he does here. Clearly, Jim has rubbed off on Harvey even more than appears obvious. That might be because Jim has been blurring the lines between good and bad himself, tossing people out windows to find Jerome, giving Harvey the clue that Jim might be tough enough to win after all. Whatever the reason, though, it’s nice to see the loyalty of the veteran detective.

The biggest thing to happen this week, though, is the death of Jerome (Cameron Monaghan). Both in the moment and upon reflection after, this seems a mistake. Sure, it allows for some fun puns and references in the dialogue of several players, but Jerome was such a great potential joker, it’s a shame to lose him! He resembles the legendary Batman villain enough that I’d taken to calling him The Joker in past reviews. To see him snuffed out so quickly is sad. The explanation the episode gives, that his behavior will spawn copycats, one of whom will actually be The Joker, feels cheap. I usually applaud the twists GOTHAM brings to the Batman legacy, but GOTHAM will be hard pressed to find a Joker as good as Monaghan. And if the one they do bring in ends up being inferior, it won’t be acceptable.

Still, even with the death of Jerome, “The Laugh Laugh” is a great, action-packed, enjoyable hour of television. There are plenty of things to keep fans engaged, and the performances continue to only get better. I look forward very much to what the series has in store next.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Don't "Knock" GOTHAM

Article originally published as GOTHAM Review Knock, Knock on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: (L-R) Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) and Captain Essen (Zabryna Guevara) in the Rise of the Villains: “Knock, Knock” episode of GOTHAM ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Nicole Rivelli/FOX.

 

As good as GOTHAM’s sophomore premiere is, the second installment, “Knock, Knock,” is even better. Gordon (Ben McKenzie) attempts to get Bullock (Donal Logue) to come back to work, but his former partner resists the force, happy at home with his fiancé, Scottie (Maria Thayer). Meanwhile, Bruce (David Mazouz) and Alfred (Sean Pertwee) clash in a big way, and Galavan (James Frain) coaches his crew, though will he be able to control them for long?

“Knock, Knock” is the episode in which The Joker breaks out in a big, big way. While it’s true that the moniker has yet to be uttered, there is no mistaking whom Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monaghan, Shameless) is as he gives a chilling, insane performance. Jerome is the villain who surprises, and the one who is hard to predict and understand. His slaughter at the police headquarters is maybe the darkest thing GOTHAM has done thus far, and it sets him up to be the most dangerous personality in a city choked with dangerous personalities, the first to truly give The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) a run for his money. I think if Galavan tries to continue to control Jerome, Galavan will not be long for GOTHAM.

I am disappointed to see so many officers get up off the floor at the end of “Knock, Knock.” It is plenty clear that Jerome and his men are not taking prisoners, and while I’ll forgive them for missing Leslie (Morena Baccarin), who hid, and Nygma (Cory Michael Smith), who heroically saved Ms. Kringle (Chelsea Spack), it doesn’t seem like they are leaving many alive at the time of the assault. I can’t help but wonder if the network required the shot of officers standing up to make the whole thing seem less violent for a broadcast network airing. It takes away from the brutality of the attack a bit. But that’s really the only weak spot in an otherwise outstanding episode.

Of course, Jerome’s actions prompt Bullock to return to work, which is super necessary. Essen’s (Zabryna Guevara) death is tragic, but it is also meaningful. We know Gordon and the police force have to be losing the struggle before Batman eventually shows up on scene, and “Knock, Knock” is the first big victory we see for the baddies. By losing Essen, the good side will galvanize and the war should begin to become all-out in the near future.

Speaking of Batman, I still can’t believe GOTHAM won’t show the caped crusader. It is true that Bruce is very young, but he already has Alfred training him and Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk) helping him set up the Batcave. We are in early stages of a superhero here, and I think we need a teenage Batman to enter and join the fight by season three or four. He can train with Ra’s over summer hiatus, no?

I am incredibly surprised at how far Barbara (Erin Richards) has fallen. Hanging around with villains is one thing, but “Knock, Knock” finds her taking an active, willing role in their nefarious deeds. She lures Gordon out of the precinct, allows him to be beaten up, then jumps on his chest and kisses him. She’s not only evil, she also seems crazy. This means that when she claims to ‘not be sick,’ she could very be wrong, and there’s still a chance that, with proper counseling, she could come back to him. But right now, that seems a far-off prospect.

GOTHAM has a lot of personalities to juggle, and the more they add, the less time the others get. Yet, the way “Knock, Knock” manages to serve Essen, Gordon, Bullock, Nygma, Bruce, Alfred, Barbara, and Jerome all so well proves how the writers have become quite adept at balancing everyone. With so much packed into a single episode, the possibilities open in the twenty episodes left this year are many, not to mention the multiple years this show should get in the future. With smart pacing and expertly woven complex webs, GOTHAM has the potential to be around for a long time, and deserves to be if it can keep up what it’s already doing.

GOTHAM airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

GOTHAM's Gordon is "Damned"

Article originally published as GOTHAM Season 2 Premiere Preview on Seat42F.

GOTHAM: Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) in the “Damned if You Do,… ” Season Two premiere of GOTHAM airing Monday, Sept. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Nicole Rivelli/FOX

FOX’s GOTHAM is back! I just watched the first episode, “Damned If You Do…,” and I have to say, I’m really pumped about the new season. Since you may be reading this prior to the hour airing, I’m going to do my absolute best to tease without outright spoiling, but take it from me, this sophomore premiere is great!

First, when last we leave Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), he is reeling from a showdown with a bunch of villains and the turning of his ex, Barbara (Erin Richards), into a murderer. “Damned If You Do…” picks up about a month later, and things have only gotten worse for Gordon. Bullock (Donal Logue) is no longer with the force and Commissioner Loeb (Peter Scolari) is fully back in power. It’s not a good place for Gordon to be, and if he wants to restore a status quo or find a better life for himself, Jim is going to have to go to The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) for help. We all know what a bad idea that is.

GOTHAM toys a bit with the line between good and bad in its first season; Bullock, especially, straddles the gray. But never is Jim stepping so precariously as he is in the season premiere. I doubt this will be the last time. The Batman franchise has always thrived in the darkness, with heroes willing to put their morals on hold for the greater good. It makes for rich character material, and “Damned If You Do…” has some of the best in the show so far, and I’m not just talking about Jim here.

The Penguin is having pretty much the opposite life as Jim. With Fish Mooney, Sal Maroni, and Carmine Falcone gone, he has little competition for the city. Along with Butch (Drew Powell, now a series regular) and Zsasz (Anthony Carrigan), few can stand in Oswald’s way. For now.

Who rules GOTHAM is fluid, as viewers see in the freshman run. While on top at the moment, The Penguin is far from alone in the city. Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) is still facing what he has done, and Barbara isn’t exactly a saint any more. Viewers also get to meet some of the new cast members, as Theo (James Frain, True Detective, Grimm) and Tabitha Galavan (Jessica Lucas, Gracepoint, Cult) make an entrance, Jerome (Cameron Monaghan) returns, and a few newbies pop up, including one very cartoonish, very entertaining personality that is not from the comics.

GOTHAM is a city teetering on the edge. If it seems like there are more bad guys than good, that’s because there are. A lot more. Villains keep joining the scene in every episode, and Jim can only do so much. We know Batman is years away from entering the picture, even as Bruce (David Mazouz) gets ever closer to his destiny, so things will get worse before they get better. “Damned If You Do…” shows us some of that, but I think we’re merely scratching the surface of what this season will be.

Speaking of Bruce, he’s changing, too. Part of me hopes that GOTHAM will not wait for him to reach adulthood before allowing him to don the cape. It has made other changes to the traditional lore, Barbara’s descent being one of them, and I wouldn’t mind if it takes a different approach. I know Batman is on the big screen right now, but surely the character can be shared with this very different project? Mazouz has a very original take on the role, showing the awkward, teenage years that are usually glossed right over.

Other things of note in this episode include a good moment for Essen (Zabryna Guevara), a new role for Selina (Camren Bicondova), yet another chilling scene for The Penguin, and a heart-wrenching letter that perfectly sums up some of the themes of the program, so much so that I considered quoting some of the text in the review, but chose not to for fear of spoiling something really cool.

GOTHAM is a unique show that deftly balances a great many characters. It’s impressive to see something to complex and deep on the broadcast networks, and I’m pleased it’s finding an audience. In a time where superhero stuff is everyone, this show manages to find its own niche that no one else is intruding on. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

GOTHAM begins its second year September 21^st of FOX.

Meet AGENT CARTER

Article originally written for Seat42F.

MARVEL’S AGENT CARTER is Alias in the 1940s, so with a large dose of how women were treated in the first season of Mad Men. Set two years after the events of the main plot of Captain America: The First Avenger, SSR Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) has been relegated to a desk job that wastes her talents. But when Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper) is accused of selling weapons to the nation’s enemies, he calls upon her to secretly investigate who stole his tech.

AGENT CARTER is not about the start of S.H.I.E.L.D., set prior to that organization’s founding, nor does it feature connections to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., at least not yet. Instead, the miniseries is its own thing, a self-contained mission seemingly designed to highlight Atwell’s talents and prove her worthiness to Stark, who certainly needs no further evidence. It’s not ground-moving to the Marvel universe, but it is enjoyable.

For those wondering about continuity, well, it works fine with Captain American, but not with the Marvel One-Shot, Agent Carter. In the One-Shot, which takes place one year after Captain America, thus one year prior to AGENT CARTER, she is rescued from obscurity by Howard to begin the organization Nick Fury will one day run. This hasn’t happened yet, and she’s still locked in the desk job, albeit with a different boss and co-workers than in that short. Toss out the One-Shot, or assume it happens at a later date, and all is well. Though, it’s a tad disappointing we don’t get to see Peggy traipsing the globe with Dum Dum Dugan and the Howling Commandos, picking up artifacts as glimpses in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. this fall.

Taking AGENT CARTER on its own merits, I like it. It’s a new take on the detective / cop / spy story, with Carter having to work behind her superior’s backs because they don’t trust or believe in her. She has a sort-of bumbling male sidekick, Stark’s butler, Edwin Jarvis (James D’Arcy, Those Who Kill), and when she’s not working, she has a gal pal to hang around with, waitress Angie (Lyndsy Fonseca, Nikita). There is character development when someone Peggy is close to pays the cost of Carter’s activities. Peggy’s adventures are exciting enough, and it’s fun watching her kick butt and brilliantly outsmart the villains, including Spider Raymond (Andre Royo, The Wire), Leet Brannis (James Frain, Grimm), and Miles Van Ert (James Urbaniak, The Venture Bros.).

AGENT CARTER is feminism in action without pounding you over the head with it. Sure, Peggy’s boss, Roger Dooley (Shea Whigham, Boardwalk Empire), has no confidence in her, nor do co-workers golden boy Jack Thompson (Chad Michael Murray, One Tree Hill) and bumbling Ray Krzeminski (Kyle Bornheimer, Perfect Couples). But Stark and Jarvis have plenty of faith in her, and her peer, Daniel Sousa (Enver Gjokaj, Dollhouse), respects her, too. So how people regard Peggy is more about them as individuals than the time as a whole.

Where the show gets most preachy is when we hear the Captain American radio plays, which paint Peggy as a damsel in distress that the hero must rescue. Of course, at one point this is interspersed with her beating the heck out of a baddie, so it’s more laughable bit than social commentary.

AGENT CARTER feels fresh, and it feels new. I think making it a period piece sets it apart from other network fare, and while the structure of show isn’t wholly original, making it one big story instead of cases-of-the-week keeps it compelling. I do wish it had been set in the early days of S.H.I.E.L.D., thus adding to the franchise as a whole, but it’s still a fun piece without that, and I look forward to seeing where the plot is going over the next six weeks. And maybe season two will satisfy that other want?

AGENT CARTER airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

INTRUDERS Intrudes Onto My TV

Article first published as INTRUDERS Review on Seat42F.

BBC America’s latest original series (see my past reviews for gripes on the fact that this network even has original shows, albeit often-good ones, while hardly airing anything British) is INTRUDERS. A dark, dreary, plodding sci-fi / horror drama, the series is about a secret society that cheats death by intruding into other people’s bodies and taking control. With weird, uneven pacing, the show seeks to set a scary tone, but perhaps hits it a little too much on the head. It might pair well with Doctor Who, its partner on Saturday nights, but Who audiences might very well decide it’s not smart enough to be worth their time.

The pilot of INTRUDERS is not at all a good pilot. I know what the premise is because I’ve read media materials, but the plot is not evident from the start. One could conceivably watch the whole first hour and still be confused at the point of the show. All we see are people running around, being shot, and acting in unexplained manners, never really showing us what they are up to.

After awhile, you’ll realize that the main protagonist seems to be Jack Whelan (John Simm, Life on Mars, Doctor Who), a former cop whose wife, Amy (Mira Sorvino, Psych, Falling Skies), suddenly goes missing midway through episode one. He soon becomes obsessed with finding her, as one does, but avoids the traditional routes one might take to locate a missing person. His story thickens more when an old friend, Gary Fischer (Tory Kittles, True Detective, Sons of Anarchy), shows up to seek his help with a murder investigation. Intelligent viewers will assume there is connection between the case and Amy, though the series doesn’t seek to draw a thread between them yet.

In the second major subplot, a vicious assassin named Richard Shepherd (James Frain, Grimm, The Tudors) slays his way around, searching for a nine-year-old girl named Madison (Millie Bobby Brown, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland). It is likely safe to assume that Madison is the current host of a malevolent being who hurts poor, defenseless animals. This begs the question, is Richard, despite his brutality, a good guy out to save the world? And if not, should we care about Madison?

The thing is, I don’t care. The installment jumps around aimlessly, leaping between characters without direction and rarely giving us anything cohesive to work with. It actually feels like there are more players and elements than there are because of the disorganization. Rather than set up a structure for what should be a long-running mystery adventure show, we get a jumble of unrelated scenes with people that are not memorable. It’s really hard to follow INTRUDERS.

That’s a shame because the cast, well-seasoned, is good, if badly used. Frain plays bad beautifully, as we’ve seen from him before, and Simm has what it takes to be a leading man, if the writers would deign to give him the material. I like Sorvino, even though her smaller part is mostly confined to acting unattractively crazy, and Kittles seems a fine enough side kick.

Brown, though young, is distracting. It’s not that she doesn’t play creepy well, it’s just too much, her supposedly deceptive character hitting all the stereotypical notes. In this, she matches the tone that the score and lighting seek to set, which is overtly creepy so that no one can mistake it for anything else. Sadly, this is not a sign of a high-quality program.

I’m told other episodes of INTRUDERS get better and the story really takes off by week three. The problem is, a lot of viewers won’t stick around that long. I haven’t decided if I will. Delivering a pilot that is poor on so many counts makes it hard to get excited about the series, and thus fails in its mission. INTRUDERS is a false start for the up-and-coming network.

INTRUDERS airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. ET on BBC America.

"Goodnight, Sweet GRIMM" Review

Article first published as "Goodnight, Sweet GRIMM" Review on TheTVKing.

NBC's Grimm has teetered back and forth between serial and procedural, introducing us to a wide variety of creatures through its formulaic police elements, but also continuing some larger arcs over the course of a season or longer. In the sophomore season finale this week, "Goodnight, Sweet Grimm," all pretense of the case-of-the-week is thankfully dropped in favor of more complex story.

A frequent stumbling block series face on network television these days is a resistance to serial storytelling. Some shows, the smart ones, start out playing the game, delivering mostly stand-alone episodes, keeping themselves on the air until they gain enough of an audience to do what they want. The problem with that tactic is, more discerning viewers may give up if they don't see any sign that the story will get better, as I did initially with Grimm in the first year.

Luckily, others did not judge the show quite so quickly, and now building a loyal following, Grimm finally gets to show us what it can do. The penultimate episode before "Goodnight, Sweet Grimm" begins the tale of Eric Renard (James Frain, The Cape, True Blood) coming to town with a voodoo Wesen in tow who can make zombies. It's all part of an elaborate trap to capture Nick (David Giuntoli), which continues in this latest installment.

This is bad timing for Nick, who has just reunited with Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch). The two haven't even worked out a nice balance between their romantic life and Nick's Grimm activities, with Juliette tagging along on the zombie hunt and almost screwing things up. They need to even out their relationship before being tested, and Nick's kidnapping may throw things off enough to cause the couple some serious problems.

I don't know that they should fix things. When Juliette loses her memory, fans root for her to get it back so that she can be with Nick. But her initial handling of being in on the secret has not inspired much confidence in her. She could end up doing more harm than good on the team. Maybe it's time to cut her lose, opening Nick up for other loves and other stories.

Nick's group is forming nicely, with Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell), Hank (Russell Hornsby), and Rosalee (Bree Turner) often providing backup. What's more, Grimm is finally getting around to giving them some subplot. More of that would be welcome, as a true ensemble series, even if Nick is the center, is always more interesting. Grimm has already been compared extensively to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and developing the gang further is a good lesson to take from their forebearer.

At some point, others will have to be added to the ranks, too. If the series can budget more main characters, I would petition for Bud (Danny Bruno), Nick's "sidekick," who is around not quite enough for my taste, to get the upgrade. I also think Dr. Harper (Sharon Sachs) could make a good addition, and she could probably handle the truth about the Wesen better than most, facing dead bodies on a daily basis and being used to weird or gruesome stuff.

Captain Renard (Sasha Roiz) flirts at the fringe, and may get a chance to prove himself when he'll soon have to choose between helping Eric or Nick. Renard doesn't care much for Eric, but Eric is offering a chance for the Captain to rejoin the royal family, which has to be tempting. I think Captain Renard will do the right thing, but if the series shows him waffling a bit, that could be more interesting, even for those who want him on the right side.

I wonder how Adalind's (Claire Coffee) pregnancy might play into Renard's feelings. Adalind's tale has been one long separate from the rest of the cast, and is unfolding very slowly. When Renard enters into the picture, it should not only speed things along, but lend more meaning to what is happening. Colliding arcs could change everything, in a good way, so it should definitely happen sooner, rather than later.

Sgt. Wu (Reggie Lee) is the last main character who isn't in on the whole supernatural world that exists around them. As much as I enjoy his presence, I'm in no hurry for him to join the ranks of the Grimm. He not only provides comic relief, but there's something really fun about keeping him in the dark that has not nearly gotten old yet.

One thing I would definitely like to see is a major death on Grimm. Not that I'm trying to eliminate anyone from the cast, but I feel like it's needed to raise the stakes. One of the main characters in Portland should be murdered in some terrible way. This would infuse the story with more oomph and danger, as it still often feels like fluff, and the peril is usually quite light.

Grimm is well on its way to being a beloved show, and now boasts way higher quality writing than it starts with. With a few tweaks, it could soon raise itself up to one of those series that is anticipated weekly. For now, it's nice to see it coming along, and I look forward to what the season three premiere will bring.

Grimm will return to NBC next fall.