THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES Impresses

Article originally published as THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES Review on Seat42F.

MTV becomes a player in the modern television landscape with THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES, premiering this week. Sure, the network has had some modest hits, such as Teen Wolf, and some quality programming, such as the first few seasons of Awkward. But THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES is a turning point because it’s a big budget epic with complex characters (who aren’t all teenagers) in a sweeping, fully developed world. Based on the trilogy by Terry Brooks (well, mainly the middle volume), this is the first show MTV has aired that I could easily see one of the higher quality networks carrying.

THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES is set in a geographically small area on a future Earth in which mankind has died out. Elves control the height of civilization, with trolls and roamers on the fringes, all living in the ruins of once-great cities and technology, now nearly eroded away.

That’s where this main action begins, but it’s not where this story does. There is a lot of backstory revealed in bits throughout the two-hour pilot (from the first book) that set the stage for this world, and plays into the crisis at hand. Magic, thought to have died out with the Druids, is making its return as demons seek to escape their imprisonment and conquer the planet for good. Can they be stopped?

THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES introduces us to a pair of heroes who may or may not be up to the task. Princess Amberle Elessedil (Poppy Drayton, Downton Abbey) is a headstrong young woman who refuses to accept her place in society, and is formidable enough to make waves, earning a position in a male-dominated force. She is joined by naïve Wil Ohmsford (Austin Butler, The Carrie Diaries), a half-elf with heroism and magic in his blood, though Wil is ill-prepared to follow in those footsteps at present.

Were those the only two principal players, this would be a typical MTV series. Instead, there’s actually quite a few others. Allanon (Manu Bennett, Arrow) is a druid awoken from a multi-decade slumber who takes Wil on as his apprentice. King Eventine (John Rhys-Davies, The Lord of the Rings) is the ruler who has swept the horrors of the past under the rug, and now struggles to hold onto his legacy. Heir-to-the-throne Ander (Aaron Jakubenko, Neighbours) has a different idea on how to handle current events. Younger Arion (Daniel MacPherson, Neighbours) enjoys the perks of royalty without the responsibilities. And roamer Eretria (Ivana Baquero, Pan’s Labyrinth) wants freedom from her clan’s leader (James Remar, Dexter).

Now, while this is not a top-tier cast, it is a group of performers who hold their own in this Lord of the Rings-type fantasy. Together, they make up a varied ensemble who’ll likely face death nearly as often as those on Game of Thrones, though being on basic cable, THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES pulls back slightly on violence, disregards all profanity, and only flirts with nudity. Though it does the latter quite often.

Filmed in New Zealand, THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES feels epic and sweeping, and likely owes a lot of that to the novels it is adapted from. There is no need for the show’s writers to develop a world as they go because one has already been clearly laid out ahead of time. That being said, the source material isn’t enough to keep this show going for more than a couple of years, so the written work is likely to be a jumping off point, rather than the sole inspiration.

I liked THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES a lot. It feels more sophisticated and well-made than the typical MTV fare. It may not win any awards, but it signals that the network isn’t just going to keep churning out sexy teens doing scandalous things as their only programming, and I look forward to seeing if their viewers embrace it, or maybe even earn the channel a new audience.

THE SHANNARA CHRONICLES premieres Tuesday at 10 p.m. on MTV.

ONCE UPON A TIME Is All About "Family"

Article first published as ONCE UPON A TIME Review Season 4 Episode 6 Family Business on Seat42F.

Tonight’s installment of ABC’s ONCE UPON A TIME, “Family Business,” starts well enough, but quickly goes downhill by the halfway point. As everyone searches for the elusive Snow Queen (Elizabeth Mitchell), we see some of Belle’s (Emilie de Ravin) backstory, which sparks behavior in her that is not at all in keeping with her character. The Snow Queen’s mission, too, is revealed, but again, doesn’t quite make sense.

Let’s start with Belle. Introduced as a match to the animated version, Belle is a sweet woman who believes in the goodness of people above all else. “Family Business” finds her desperate to remember her mother’s (Frances O’Connor, Mr. Selfridge) death. This mission takes her to Arendelle and an encounter with Anna (Elizabeth Lail), Oaken (Darcey Johnson), and Grand Pabbie (John Rhys-Davies). Then, the Snow Queen shows up and Belle puts her memory before Anna’s life, allowing the Snow Queen to capture Anna.

One might argue that this experience is what makes Belle so good. Maybe this one mistake is why she learned her lesson and went straight, becoming hero-like, if not a full-blown hero. That would actually make sense. Except, in present day Storybrooke Belle lies to Elsa (Georgina Haig) and Rumple (Robert Carlyle) about knowing Anna. This is not something our Belle, who holds Rumple to a very high standard, would do. Then, she compounds her sins by using the dagger to control Rumple, again, breaking character completely.

Now, bad Belle is a device that moves the story along. Because of her, we find out the Snow Queen’s purpose. But that doesn’t excuse poor storytelling. There are any number of ways the same information could be conveyed without ruining arguably the show’s purest character, and that makes “Family Business” a huge disappointment.

The Snow Queen’s end game is also not befitting the character. In this episode, we learn the Snow Queen’s desire is to have the residents of Storybrooke turn on themselves and kill each other off until only she, Elsa, and Emma (Jennifer Morrison) are left alive. She thinks Elsa and Emma could then replace her departed sisters and the three could be a family. Yet, the Snow Queen sees in the flashback story that just wanting a family doesn’t make it so. How can she possibly believe that Elsa and Emma will want to be with her after everyone else dies? Even if the three are alone together, the girls would likely turn on their elder.

The dark magic introduced in ONCE UPON A TIME, the Snow Queen’s malicious mirror and the Sorcerer’s hat, are solid parts of a good story. I like them both and think they could be well used in the narration. Instead, making them part of this ill-begotten twist, they are tainted and probably won’t end up being what they should be. They present danger, but ignore the obvious threats they possess.

I’m confused about the prophecy surrounding Emma. The Snow Queen found Emma a long time ago and is dropping hints to remind Emma of this, presumably so Emma will remember how much she liked the Snow Queen and they can be a family again. But why take the memories away at all? And why didn’t the Snow Queen keep Emma when she had her? Why come back now? It just doesn’t seem like these pieces will come together satisfactorily.

We’re also left to wonder about Anna. Is she in Storybrooke? Is she back in Arendelle, still locked in the dungeon? What happened to Elsa in the meantime? This is too many questions posed for a story that has robbed me of my confidence in a comprehensive ending.

“Family Business” is not without its good parts. Regina (Lana Parrilla) telling Robin (Sean Maguire) she may not be able to save Marian (Christie Laing) is a rich scene, full of interesting pathos. Hook (Colin O’Donoghue) joking that everyone in Storybrooke is related is funny and right on the money. But these small gems aren’t enough to save this dud of an episode. ONCE UPON A TIME is not doing well with its exposition or the structure of its arcs, and those are to very important, vital elements of the show.

ONCE UPON A TIME airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

ONCE UPON A TIME, There Were "Two (Frozen) Sisters"

Article first published as ONCE UPON A TIME Review Season 4 Episode 1 A Tale of Two Sisters on Seat42F.

WARNING: There are spoilers below, but as always for unaired episodes, I don’t give away anything too major.

ABC’s ONCE UPON A TIME is back this weekend, kicking off a whole new arc related to the recent blockbuster movie Frozen, beginning with the episode “A Tale of Two Sisters.” While last spring’s Oz arc didn’t live up to expectations, the previous fall’s Neverland run was nothing short of spectacular. We’re only one episode in to the new story, but as far as first impressions go, this is a solid one, favoring the latter’s quality, rather than the former’s.

As some fans have been eagerly anticipating, “A Tale of Two Sisters” brings Elsa (Georgina Haig, Fringe) and her sibling, Anna (newcomer Elizabeth Lail), into ONCE UPON A TIME. And there is no shortage of the girls in the premiere. We see them in multiple time periods and get Elsa in both their home and in Storybrooke. Whatever this immediate plot entails, it will have plenty of them.

The main portion of Elsa and Anna’s scenes are set in their kingdom after the end of the movie. So if you haven’t seen Frozen, you may want to check it out this beforehand to catch you up on who these people are. ONCE UPON A TIME may eventually reveal enough to follow along without prior knowledge, but the scenes with Elsa, Anna, Kristoff (Scott Michael Foster, Greek), Sven (played by an actual reindeer, hilariously used!), and Pabbie the Troll (CGI, voiced by John Rhys Davies from The Lord of the Rings) may seem confusing to those who don’t already know them.

By beginning after the movie (spoiler for those who haven’t seen Frozen!), Elsa isn’t a villain the way she is for much of the film. She isn’t completely good either, though, as she is still struggling to control her powers. Suddenly dropped into a strange land, and likely on a very important mission viewers can guess at, it makes sense for her to panic and perhaps get a bit defensive. I’m not quite sure yet how she’ll fold in (or not) with the Storybrooke residents, but there is definitely the potential for conflict here, and I will say the earliest, indirect encounters don’t exactly go smoothly.

Some have criticized ONCE UPON A TIME in the past for periodically giving too much screen time to guest stars and not developing the core cast enough. While “A Tale of Two Sisters” definitely has a lot of Frozen fare, it does provide good, character-driven scenes to many of the primary players, too, striking what I feel is a respectable balance between the two camps.

Obviously, the biggest question after last spring’s finale is if Regina (Lana Parrilla) will slip back into her evil ways. This question is addressed a lot in the hour, but not answered this week. She is definitely tempted to smite Marian (Christie Laing), who is long believed dead until she suddenly shows back up to claim her husband, Regina’s boyfriend, Robin Hood (Sean Maguire). She even recruits an old henchman (yay!) to help her out. But Regina is no longer just the Evil Queen, and slipping back to her old ways doesn’t come as naturally as it once did. She also has a perhaps-unexpected ally trying to save her. Parrilla gives an as-usual fantastic performance as Regina struggles with her warring motivations.

Those who prefer the romantic side of things should be happy with “A Tale of Two Sisters.” There is some great stuff between Emma (Jennifer Morrison) and Hook (Colin O’Donoghue), and some even better stuff between Rumple (Robert Carlyle) and Belle (Emilie de Ravin). The latter’s honeymoon becomes quite fairy tale-esque in a scene that will make many Beauty and the Beast fans smile.

Both Rumple and Regina also kick off some extremely interesting arcs, one relating to another familiar tale not yet covered in ONCE UPON A TIME, and the other diving deeper into the base mythology of the show, exploring something not dwelled upon for some time. These are promising, excellent threads that should hopefully pair nicely with the Frozen line, succeeding in keeping everyone important busy in the coming season.

As for the announced new main cast member, the Knave of Hearts (Michael Socha) from the spin-off Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, he’s completely MIA in the first episode back. But his name graces the opening credits, so I expect that won’t be the case for long, and there’s still time to hold out hope that he won’t be coming to Storybrooke alone.

In all, ONCE UPON A TIME has a great return to form, beginning a fascinating series of stories and doing justice to the best characters in the show, even while introducing yet another batch of new ones. It’s too early to tell if this fall will rival the show’s Neverland zenith, but it’s got the right ingredients in place to serve the show well, should they be mixed correctly and baked for the right amount of time.

ONCE UPON A TIME airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Psych plays at Indiana Jones in mid-season premiere

USA's Psych resumes its sixth season with the episode "Indiana Shawn and the Temple of the Kinda Crappy, Rusty Old Dagger." Shawn (James Roday) and Gus (Dulé Hill) fail to safeguard the art they are tasked with protecting. To get it back, Shawn calls old friend and art thief Pierre Despereaux (Cary Elwes) in to help. Despereaux has a break in his trial, and so accepts. But during the case, Despereaux is blown up by the real crook (Mädchen Amick, Damages, Californication). Can Shawn and Gus finish solving the mystery by themselves? And will Shawn ever learn to deal with death? 

Psych is a comedy series, and thus, Despereaux's death is unexpected. When Shawn hangs onto the notion that Despereaux somehow fakes his demise, it's easy to believe him. Until Henry (Corbin Bernsen) presents Shawn with a positive DNA match. Of course, Despereaux really is alive, but kudos to Psych for creating such a wonderfully played fake out.

The tale of Despereaux's death is meaningful because it address how Shawn cannot deal with losing anyone. In flashback, viewers see this begins with pets in Shawn's childhood. In the present day, he has a very difficult time accepting grief. It's a character element not played up until this episode, and an interesting one. It can be extrapolated that much of Shawn's cavalier attitude springs from his resistance to real emotion, and is a coping mechanism to avoid pain. Faced with the possibility that Despereaux is actually dead, Shawn flounders.

Psych is big on referencing pop culture in its episodes, and "Indiana Shawn and the Temple of the Kinda Crappy, Rusty Old Dagger" continues that proud tradition. Obviously, the big reference here is to Indiana Jones. Some famous scenes and props are recreated, at least partially, in the episode. Also, the great John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings, Sliders), who plays Sallah in two of the Indiana Jones films, guest stars this week in Psych as a museum curator.

The only real complaint to be had with the latest Psych adventure is that it, once again, skirts around the larger character arcs. There is a short scene at the beginning of the episode in which Gus confronts Shawn about an engagement ring. Shawn deflects, per usual, and while Gus seems annoyed at the time, he doesn't bring it up for the rest of the hour. Fans want to know the meaning of the ring! Does Shawn intend to propose to Juliet (Maggie Lawson)? Is he discouraged because she isn't ready yet? Sure, cases of the week can be fun, but for goodness sakes, get to the meat of the character relations more than twice a season, Psych!

A more minor gripe is Lassiter's (Timothy Omundson) utter disregard for Shawn's feelings at losing his friend, Despereaux. Sure, Lassie can be callous at times. But when things get dark, he tends to be human and sympathetic. That is not evident in this episode at all, as he continues to jibe at Shawn and say cold things about Despereaux's death. It's a little too much, even for Lassie.

All in all, a decent return for Psych, though one wishes this installment took a touch that was a little less light. Watch Psych Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

MORE: If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Please click here to get DVDs and streaming episodes of Psych. Article first published as TV Review: Psych - "Indiana Shawn and the Temple of the Kinda Crappy, Rusty Old Dagger" on Blogcritics.

Robin of Sherwood Set 1 on Blu-ray

     Acorn Media's newest release is Robin of Sherwood Set 1, just released two days ago. Already available on DVD, this release brings the British drama series to Blu-ray, and includes all 13 episodes of Series 1 and Series 2 in a four-disc set. Though the picture is 4:3, as television shows were filmed then, it is presented here in 1080p. Some of the bonus materials are 16:9 widescreen, but they are in 480p.


     The series is based on the Robin Hood legends and fables from hundreds of years ago, featuring the famous rebel who lives in Sherwood Forest with a gang of like-minded men. They steal from the rich and give to the poor, though that phrase isn't uttered exactly in these episodes. Shown under the title Robin Hood in the United States, these episodes originally ran in 1984 and 1985. The film has been remastered for Blu-ray.

     Robin of Sherwood follows the adventures of Robin of Loxley a.k.a. Robin in the Hood (Michael Praed, Timewatch, Dynasty) as he gathers a group of merry men and tries to bring justice to England from his hideout deep in the forest. Unlike many versions of the famous tale, this Robin must deal with magic, from sorcery and curses, to possessions and pagan rituals. He is tapped by Herne the Hunter (John Abineri), a man who dresses as a half deer. The local serfs pray to Herne, considering him Protector of the Realm.

     Robin is aided by the lovely, but tough, Maid Marion (Judi Trott), whom he marries early in the series. This Marion can shoot an arrow and help out in a fight. She's one of the boys, although Robin and Friar Tuck (Phil Rose) look after her a bit more. The Friar can handle himself when the soliders attack, and both he and Marion are sometimes shown as a liability, but they are also every bit as much a part of the team as any of the men.

     Speaking of the band of Merry Men, the group includes four characters additional main members. Although others show up as extras, most of them are killed in battle. Much (Peter Llewellyn Williams) is Robin's meek adopted brother, sometimes referred to as the half wit, and who tends to stay near the edges of the fight. Short tempered Will Scarlet (Ray Winstone, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Departed) butts heads with Robin when he disagrees on the leader's decisions. Giant Little John (Clive Mantle, Game of Thrones) is possessed when Robin first meets him, but after John is freed from the spell, the tender-hearted man becomes a loyal follower. Finally, Nasir (Mark Ryan, the new Transformers movies), a character invented just for this series, is a mysterious Palestinian who can wield two swords at once.

     It's a rag tag crew, to be sure, but they persevere against mightier enemies than themselves again and again. Even when the villagers are ungrateful, they still help. The Merry Men may bicker and argue, but they also play and practice together, and will do anything for each other. Members of the group break off from time to time, especially Scarlett, but always return when they are needed. All are willing to risk their lives to save their fellows, even when it seems hopeless.

     The Merry Men have their work cut out for them, as there are intelligent, dangerous enemies for them to face. The slightly insane Sheriff of Nottingham (Nickolas Grace, An Ideal Husband, Brideshead Revisited) is a frequent thorn in their side, as is his dim-witted minion, Sir Guy of Gisburne (Robert Addie, Excalibur, Intimacy). The two are in most of the episodes, and wish to kill the band whenever they show themselves.

     Other bad guys come and go. Perhaps most telling about the level of caliber of these guest stars is that they are often put into the opening credits. Of all the regular characters mentioned above, only Robin and the Sheriff make it into the theme song, but most episodes contain another name or two as well. That's because top notch performers play friend and foe alike in this series. One of the most memorable is John Rhys Davies (Lord of the Rings) as King Richard, who does not save the day, but seeks to use Robin and his men for his own motives.

     Honestly, all of the cast is terrific. Each one of the recurring parts have depth and development as the story goes along. Not a single hero or villain is a black and white part. The Merry Men have their faults that get them into trouble. Sometimes their enemies let them escape for one reason or another. While the Sheriff would like to kill the whole Sherwood band, they are not his primary focus day in and day out. Similarly, the Merry Men don't sit around plotting to oust the ruler of Nottingham, but instead, live their lives, and do their ambush robberies. Such people would not feel realistic without great performers behind them. A facial expression often means as much as witty dialogue.

     The magic may seem a little hokey at first, owing to old style special effects, but it informs the story, and almost all of it is based on local legends from the area or historical fact. Plus, since it isn't usually done, it adds a neat extra element to set this versions apart from the many other incarnations out there. The creators of Robin of Sherwood take great pains to ensure a series as authentic to the time and place it is set as possible, and they overwhelming succeed.

     The story holds up wonderfully. There is no boredom to be had, and the same scripts could be used today on a cable channel willing to take a chance on a risky, original series. Which is what happened in the 1980s when the show was made. Unlike many, many other shows out there, it's still easy to enjoy thirty years later.

     The scenery is beautiful. While not coming across as crisp as most high definition programming seen today, for a series nearly three decades old, it's amazing it looks as good as it does. Individual leaves can be picked out in the lush, green forest, and the stonework looks incredibly raw and real. Clearly, much work has gone into restoring a picture to the best ability of current technology, and it pays off. Watching Robin of Sherwood is a delightful experience, rarely plagued with the grainy images seen on old shows, and therefor, easier to lose oneself in than most. In fact, while the film does somewhat show its age, the colors are crisp and clear. There is no fading or washed out looks. The only time the visual gets a bit outdated is during the magical scenes where reds, whites, or blues may overtake everything else. But this is done for effect, not because the quality is bad.

     The sound is even better. Each bird chirping comes through like a bell, and the surround sound capabilities, matched with the setting, make the viewer feel like they are actually in Sherwood Forest. It's only Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo, but honestly, it feels like more, and it really pulls you in in a way few films I have watched do. I could not say if the effects are newly recorded or somehow restored, but sound perfect.

     Musically, the soundtrack leaves something to be desired. This is personal opinion, as it won a BAFTA and sold tons of soundtracks in its day. It is entirely recorded by the Irish band Clannad. To my ears, it sounds dated and retro, and would never work as is if Robin of Sherwood were made today. That being said, the melodies, while performed on instruments that sometimes sound like they are from the 1980's, do match the medieval time period in which the show is set.

     If you are looking for special features, there are many, and they are varied. Production stills from both series have been remastered in HD. There are commentaries by Richard Carpenter, Ian Sharp, and Paul Knight, the creator, a oft-used director, and a producer, respectively, on five of the episodes. There are outtakes from both series, and documentaries about making them, nearly an hour long a piece. Shorter featurettes are included for those not wanting to spend so much time, and have some of the cast heaping praise on their co-stars. There is an expanded episode of The Electric Theatre Show as it goes on the set.

     And that's not all. Besides those things to look at on the discs, a forty page booklet telling the story behind Robin of Sherwood is also included. Pop the Bonus Disc into your computer, and you can look at Carpenter's original story treatment, some scripts, and PR materials. All in all, it's hard to be disappointed with so much. One is left feeling they really get to know the show, not just watch the episodes. It is an immersive experience, if you want it to be.


     A third series of thirteen episodes was made, and hopefully will be released as Set 2. Go out and buy Robin of Sherwood Set 1 today on Blu-ray.

     Please click here to buy Robin of Sherwood Set 1 on Blu-ray now!

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Article first published as Blu-ray Review Robin of Sherwood Set 1 on Blogcritics.