"Purpose" in MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

Article originally published as MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Review "Purpose in the Machine" on Seat42F.

MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. - "Purpose in the Machine" - (ABC/Kelsey McNeal) IAIN DE CAESTECKER, HENRY SIMMONS

On last night’s MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., Fitz (Iain De Caestecker) struggles to find the “Purpose in the Machine.” More accurately, he wants to rescue Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) from her imprisonment on an alien world. Thankfully, with some help, he manages to do so.

Where Simmons has been is a big part of the mystery so far in MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., and rescuing her has to only be the beginning. While the portal is now destroyed, meaning it doesn’t seem the team will get to travel to where she’s been, we still don’t know what happened during her time there. It will surely affect her even more than her undercover mission in Hydra did, and I’m curious about her life these past months. Hopefully it won’t derail a romantic relationship with Fitz, which seems even more necessary now that he rescued her. And hopefully the show won’t just drop this plot and move on now that she’s back.

How Fitz convinces Coulson (Clark Gregg) that Simmons is still alive, and how Coulson tracks down Professor Randolph (Peter MacNicol, last seen in season one) to help open the portal really isn’t important. Admittedly, it is the meat of “Purpose in the Machine,” but it’s really minor in the scheme of things, which seems odd to say for an entire installment. I enjoyed this week’s episode, and there are some great moments for the team as a whole, but the hour just didn’t matter all that much to the larger arcs, save that a missing team member was recovered.

Daisy (Chloe Bennet), whom Coulson still keeps calling Skye, something that will eventually need to be dealt with, goes along with Fitz and saves the day, but her real plot this week is trying to put together her team, which she gets no movement on. Dr. Garner (Blair Underwood) has yet to approve any of the Inhumans that Daisy has recovered for field duty. Dr. Garner has a point that these people need time to adjust, but given Daisy’s impatience, I look for her to make another approach on Lincoln (Luke Mitchell), who probably wouldn’t need the cool-down period the newly turned have.

“Purpose in the Machine” catches us up with Ward (Brett Dalton), who has become quite the dangerous ruler of Hydra. It’s a shame to see how far Ward has fallen, but really, there are no redeemable qualities left in him, and I applaud MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. for his two-season arc thus far. I don’t know exactly when or how Ward will make a move against S.H.I.E.L.D., this episode giving us little except the beginning of an undercover assignment, but it’s imminent.

I say that even knowing that Hunter (Nick Blood) has recruited May (Ming-Na Wen) to kill Ward. It’s not that I think May has gone soft during her months living with her father (James Hong, Mulan, Blade Runner), though it’s nice she sort of got to relax. But I don’t see such a powerful villain could be taken down by two agents on a rogue mission, no matter how capable they are or how many reasons they have to want him dead. The suspense comes not from whether they will succeed, but from if they themselves will be hurt or killed in the process. (I doubt they will be killed; Hunter has his own spin-off coming and May is too valuable to die in a small battle.)

So, in summary, “Purpose in the Machine” is an enjoyable episode that moves along a number of characters, but really isn’t important. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as not every episode can be a vital linchpin, but it’s also a tad bit of a let down this early in the third year’s run. I expect things will pick up in the very near future.

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

CSI CYBER a Virus on the Airwaves

Article originally published as CSI CYBER Review on Seat42F.

I have long been against crime procedurals. Any decent one is entertaining for a few weeks, but soon, by their nature, the shows devolve into repetitive drivel. When the characters are restrained form exhibiting any real growth and the story must wrap up neatly in an hour every week, the storytelling is extremely limited, making for very flat television. That’s why I watch very few of them.

With the premiere of CSI’s latest spin-off, though, CSI: CYBER, I figured I’d keep an open mind. After all, CSI is the mother of the modern crime show, and the cast is stacked with such greats as Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette (Boyhood, Medium), who already did a decent procedural, hilarious, talented James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23), and the greatly underrated Peter MacNicol (Numb3rs, Sophie’s Choice). Surely, if there were ever a show in this genre to appreciate, even if only watched briefly, it would be this one.

Sadly, I was sorely mistaken. CSI: Cyber is by far one of the worst television pilots I’ve watched in a long, long time, and that’s saying something.

For one thing, there is not even the pretense of character development. Despite this being episode one, we are introduced to the crime first and the characters second. The action goes right into a kidnapped baby, and all of the running time is devoted to stopping the infant kidnapping ring. A brief nugget is very heavy-handedly forced into the final scene in which we’re told something about the team leader, Avery Ryan’s (Arquette), past, but it’s far too little, too late, and handled poorly.

Secondly, CSI Cyber doesn’t stop to introduce us to anyone. They are all on the job, and while we get a couple of very small hints about their personalities as the hour unfolds, no time is spent setting up their relationships or how they fit on the team, nor is there anything to indicate these players are at all unique. Everyone is brought in in a very straight forward manner, and who they are now is probably still who they’ll be in one hundred episodes, should the show survive.

Third, the dialogue is horrendous. Absolutely terrible. Time and time again, characters utter the most trite, stereotypical, cliché lines. Many of these seem to be delivered merely because it’s time to say them in the story. Someone who has never watched an episode of any incarnation of CSI could predict what the characters are going to say next. There’s an utter lack of imagination present in the script.

Fourth, the effects are cheesy. When Ryan gives CPR to a baby, it’s incredibly obvious that there’s a doll in her hands. When she sits outside the Lincoln Memorial, it feels very staged. Several times throughout the hour, graphics pop up to show us technology, but it’s all superfluous. None of these give any insight into how a piece of equipment works, and the tech is talked about in such general terms that one wonders if these ‘experts’ know anything more than a customer service representative at Best Buy, or worse, your parents.

Fifth, the supporting cast is not strong. Our stars are joined by Charley Koontz (Community), Shad Moss (formerly known as the rapper Bow Wow), and Hayley Kiyoko (The Fosters). None have distinguished themselves before this, and arguably Koontz is the only one who does a serviceable job in this.

I did watch the entire pilot of CSI Cyber, and I am loathe to find a single reason to recommend this show to anyone. Even if you’re into this type of program, this is just about the worst example imaginable of how to make a series in the genre. Even the good actors don’t get to do anything anywhere near worthy of them. CBS is not known for their groundbreaking dramas, but CSI: Cyber represents a new low, forever tarnishing a respected brand and giving a bad name to the type or series it represents.

If you want a good laugh in the spirit of those who watch bad SyFy movies, as this show is barely a notch above them, and by taking itself seriously, may prove to be even worse, then check out CSI: Cyber, airing Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.

Game Change on Blu-ray

Game Change won five Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries/Movie, Outstanding Casting, Outstanding Directing, Outstanding Writing, and Outstanding Lead Actress. It was also nominated for seven other awards. Now it awaits its fate with multiple nominations for the Golden Globes, Writers Guild, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

If you haven't already gotten the chance to watch Game Change, you're in luck. On January 8th, the HBO movie will be released on Blu-ray and DVD.

The story is based on a book of the same name by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, which tells the tale of the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Actually, the book covers much, much more territory than the movie, especially the Democratic primary. but to adapt it all would have been too massive an undertaking. Instead, the HBO adaptation focuses on the last part of the book, which covers the selection Sarah Palin (Julianne Moore, 30 Rock, Crazy, Stupid, Love) as John McCain's running mate and the race to the finish line with a vice presidential candidate not ready to handle a national campaign.

Before you dismiss Game Change as partisan nonsense, as some on the right have accused it of being, you should first watch it. As a character study, it stays pretty fair, thanks to writer Danny Strong (Recount)'s reliance on real events, without pushing a specific agenda, letting viewers make their own judgments. It is also like watching a disaster movie in a way, as we observe the inept and unprepared Palin come very close to the heights of power, admittedly a view made based solely on my own judgment.

Game Change goes beyond Palin's missteps and slip ups and allows viewers behind the scenes of a hotly contested presidential election. John McCain's (Ed Harris, Appaloosa, The Hours) staff, and in particular advisor Steve Schmidt (Woody Harrelson, Cheers, Zombieland), tries to manage Palin, and keep her from costing them the victory. The trouble is, Palin isn't willing to just follow their orders, though why she resists is up for debate.

As the Emmys acknowledged, the casting is fantastic. Moore gives a sincere performance as Palin, far from Tina Fey's Saturday Night Live caricature, while Harrelson delivers something far beyond an impersonation. The supporting players include Peter MacNicol (Numb3rs), Sarah Paulson (American Horror Story), Jamey Sheridan (Homeland), and Ron Livingston (Office Space), each of whom really add to the complete picture.

What emerges is a strong movie, with wonderful acting, and an authentic feel. It may come a little too soon for some who don't wish to relive those days only four years later, but it will definitely serve as a nice historical film, maybe even used in history classes to keep events a bit more alive than dry text.

Blu-ray is a nice way to purchase Game Change because of the clarity of image. Viewers will get to see every nuance of Moore's performance in HD, as well as appreciate the detail that went into the sets, costumes, and makeup. Obviously, Game Change isn't full of special effects, but visually, it's near perfect, and will definitely allow one to easily get sucked into the story. Even the color variations don't feel like mistakes, because of the documentary-style filming, and the blacks are deep and gradational, rather than flat.

There isn't a lot to say about sound, since not much is going on, other than speaking, though the score by Theodore Shapiro is nice for what it is, delivered with nary a pop or hiss, flowing smoothly below the action. More importantly, the dialogue is clear, and what sound effects are present come across just as they should.

Sadly, there are only two special features with this release. One ponders the qualities needed to make a viable candidate for the highest office in the land. The other, more relevant, is about the film, how it was adapted from the book, and the real-life drama that inspired it. This second featurette was interesting, but I wish there would have been a bit more in depth.

Game Change will be available on Blu-ray January 8th.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: Game Change on Blogcritics.

House - "Born Again" (Season 9 Premiere Review)

So FOX's House returned this week for its ninth season. In the episode, "Born Again," little snippets are revealed about what happened between seasons, and there is some serious emotional depth. Sure, a few obstacles have to be overcome to return things to the status quo, but as usual, House manages to do so without leaning too far out of the realm of believability.

First, the tease. It's heartbreaking to watch Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) dying in that house on the beach. The beautiful scenery contrasting with his deathly pallor makes a real impact, and House's (Hugh Laurie) silent, stoic expression is perfect. Yes, maybe I would have liked to have seen House's reaction after Wilson breathes that last breath, but the scene is so artistic, teasing us without being explicit, and panning away before we become eerie voyeurs onto such a private moment, that one can't be upset. It is exactly how it should be done.

The "real" opening of "Born Again," after the tease, is brilliant. Having House just walk into his old office and pretend everything is the same is the right way to handle things, and letting his fellows shake their heads in disbelief is a great way to address the audience's own confusion. House has that swagger, that confidence, that lets him get away with more than most people. It's good to see that that hasn't disappeared in the time since we last saw him.

Of course, what we are all thinking is, "What is House doing there?" When last we see him, he is riding off into the sunset with Wilson, and then we see Wilson die in the opening. What come back now? It's pretty obvious that Wilson died months ago, so what prompts his return to the old halls?

The police business can't be brushed under the rug. It's not unpredictable that the patient of the week turns out to have some major pull and is able to get House a pardon, but after seeing how much softer and more attentive House is towards the POW, especially in contrast to the almost cold way that he stood all the way across the room from poor Wilson in the beginning, it works. Who wouldn't want to help that guy, especially after House saves his life?

And House being as nonchalant as ever, knowing he is going to get that pardon, but not telling a frantic Foreman (Omar Epps), who is doing his best to hold off the law, is just classic House. Managing to keep Foreman in the dark about House's role in even bringing the patient to the hospital, whom House must have met sometime after the opening tease, is quite an accomplishment. Thank goodness Foreman is so happy to have House back that he lets it go in the end without getting too upset.

Will House's softer side last? I can't imagine that it will, even with the episode title. One has to believe that he is playing the judge in the hospital to get off of the charges against him. But, at the same time, there are hints that he might also be trying to make up for how he treated Wilson. Did House really pull away from Wilson? Not holding his hand in the end almost seems cruel, but without knowing how he acted in the moments leading up to that bit, it's impossible to say for sure if he stayed a good friend 'til the end. This is a changed House, surely, as one cannot watch their best friend perish and remain the same. But how deep the change goes, or the true motivation behind it, dance, as always, in the glimmer of House's eye, rather than being revealed to the viewers.

Yes, "Born Again" may not even refer to House himself. It probably has more to do with the judge, who is struggling with his own religious beliefs. But even if House isn't sincere, seeing him humor this POTW in talks of god, and not just dismissing it as he may have done in the past when the judge gets too sentimental, is unarguably a change.

Quick side note, Stephen Fry (Bones, QI), who plays the judge in this episode, previously did a sketch comedy series with House star Hugh Laurie. So awesome to see them reunited, even if only for an hour!

It makes sense that Chase (Jesse Spencer) is no longer in the cast. He has a decent enough send off last season, and Spencer is starring in Chicago Fire now, anyway. But I am slightly disappointed that Dr. Adams (Odette Annable) didn't return, as I felt her character could have been explored a bit more fully. I guess a short run is the curse of many pretty girls on House.

That being said, it's cool that Taub (Peter Jacobson) and Park (Charlyne Yi) stayed. Their various reactions to seeing House, whom they believed to be dead until he suddenly walks in the door, is funny. Taub screaming like a girl and Park getting angry is wonderfully in line with their characters, and creates fantastic comedy in an emotionally heavy episode.

The poor replacement for House just doesn't stand a chance at keeping his job, right from the start. I really like the actor they have playing the new head of diagnostics, having seen him in other shows, even though I didn't expect him to join a series like House. Even though it would be hard for anyone to balance a character who is genius enough to be Park and Taub's boss, but is humble enough to agree to stay on with a demotion when House is offered the job back, I think this guy can handle it. I definitely sense his role will not just be milked for a laugh in the coming year.

That still leaves an opening in the cast. I think that House will probably just keep a team of three, but who will take Wilson's office? It's sweet that Foreman has left it empty all this time, and the scenes where each of the docs go in there are heart-wrenching. It's a loss felt on screen and off. But that's prime real estate in a busy facility. I don't know that I want Wilson's Chief of Oncology replacement, Dr. Jerry (Peter MacNicol, Numb3rs, 24), to move in, as I kind of am hoping that it will be a person that House can befriend, and I'm not sure Dr. Jerry is that person. But he could be an amusing side trip for awhile.

And finally we get to the final scene: Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) standing in the door of House's office. The camera cuts before either House or Cuddy say anything, but that brief bit is so ripe with the unspoken, it's going to drive viewers crazy for an entire week until the next installment! Does she know what House did for Wilson? She has to, right? Why else would she return? Will his selfless actions be enough to earn her forgiveness? What will she do if she learns that House killed Wilson, if he did indeed do so, which is hinted at in the conversation where Park accuses House of it, but is never confirmed? Would that change her mind, or make her see him as even more noble?

Rumor is that Edelstein has agreed to return full-time, even though it hasn't been confirmed by the network yet and her name is absent from this week's opening credits, but what will her role be? Foreman isn't going anywhere, and she can't just go to work on House's team. Could she take over Wilson's office, and in what capacity? Would the woman who became an administrator so young want to go back into endocrinology at this stage of her career? Or is she there simply as a love interest again?

Truly excellent start. Some may think that House has run out of stream after eight years and its almost cancellation last spring. But if future episodes hold up as well as "Born Again," we should all be grateful for the suspended sentence that both the series and the titular character have earned.

House airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

JWTV Quickie: Grey's Anatomy - "This Is How We Do It"

     All in all, we got a pretty average episode of ABC's Grey's Anatomy this week. The most moving plot is probably Chief Webber's (James Pickens Jr.) crusade to get his wife, Adele (Loretta Devine) into the Alzheimer's trial that Derek (Patrick Dempsey) is doing. It's hard to watch Adele, struggling with her disease, not even wanting to admit out loud that she is sick. Richard was in denial for awhile, but now that's he's on board and full supportive, his wife is resistant. Derek agrees to break the rules, following Weber's example, but when Adele misses qualification for the trial by one point, Derek's wife, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), tells him it's over. We'll see if Derek follows through on that or not.

     Poor Cristina (Sandra Oh). It totally isn't fair for Richard to put Owen (Kevin McKidd) in charge of picking Chief Resident. Owen is going to have to have inarguable proof that Cristina is better than every single one of the other doctors if he is going to name her to the position. I know Richard doesn't care about the politics, he is just placing his trust in a highly qualified doctor. Unfortunately, Cristina is kind of sunk now. I can't see Owen maintaining much credibility if he gives the title to her, so he probably won't.

     Anyone else see Star Trek: The Next Generation's Counselor Deanna Troi, Marina Sirtis, stop by? Yes, that was her in the bed with the accent, playing the clinical trial patient who leaves the hospital to allow her gay son to stay with his boyfriend. She is almost unrecognizable from her TNG days, but it is great to see her again.

     Should Teddy (Kim Raver) be with Henry (Scott Foley)? Debate in the comments below. I could go either way on this one. I loved Raver on 24, in spite of the haters, and I thought the had good chemistry with both Owen and Mark (Eric Dane), as well as Andrew (James Tupper), who will soon be returning to the show. All these men! What is a girl to do?

     I am kind of liking the vibe between April (Sarah Drew) and Stark (Peter MacNicol). I know she says she wants to be friends, but I can see it growing into something more. She definitely has a fondness for him. I think she only distances herself because Alex (Justin Chambers) is giving her crap. Alex, meanwhile, is also stirring things up with Fields (Rachael Taylor), who is playing hard to get until Meredith vouches for Alex and she starts to turn around. These are fun new relationships. In spite of myself, I'm also kind of liking Lexie (Chyler Leigh) with Avery (Jesse Williams) even though I'm a big supporter of Lexie and Mark. Ah, well. Find happiness wherever, right?

     It may be unpopular to say, but I am already tired of the Mark / Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) animosity. Get over it already! Don't even get me started on the 'surprise' ending, when Arizona and Callie (Sara Ramirez) got into a car accident! Look, I can see why Callie took off, and left off, her seatbelt. In fact, I didn't even notice at first that's what had happened. But Arizona constantly looking away from the road while she was driving drove me crazy! No freakin' way! Especially with her pregnant girlfriend in the car. You could see disaster coming from a mile away. Come on Grey's! You can do better!

     Next week, the musical episode! I am super excited! Expect a longer, more detailed review for that one. Grey's Anatomy airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

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