The Flash: S02E08: “Legends of Today”

 

In A Nutshell

Things start off quite darkly as we see some captain bring a stowaway off his ship to turn over to police, only for them to be thanked by way of multiple assassinations via knives in super quick fashion. Someone is on a hunt. Vandal Savage apparently, as we learn. Super start to episode.
Cisco is on a date with the coffee shop lady, Kendra Saunders, which they are having, um, at the shop it seems. Seconds later, Savage arrives determined to kill Kendra. Cisco secretly manages to summon Barry via his mobile, upon which Flash arrives just in time to stop a fatal attack. Savage just leaves the scene for some reason.
Barry is convinced this Savage guy isn’t a metahuman but some sort of magical person and that this needs Arrow’s help. Quite why he’s taken this view I don’t know. Roll on some very convenient and cheesy crossover segment as Barry arrives in the nick of time to save Arrow from Damien Dark. Some rather childish crossover chit-chat follows between Team Arrow and Team Flash (Cisco is with Kendra and Barry) in typical comic book fashion. This is followed by drinks together where Cisco states to Barry that he must not tell Kendra about his vibe powers, and also that he vibed her dressed up as a bird weeks ago. Savage bursts in through a window, as you do, throws knives everywhere, to which Barry gets rid of them before taking a blow himself. Thea arrows Savage fatally, whom falls out window but is nowhere to be seen when they take a look. No mentioned of Barry’s injury, which one must assume was superficial. Cisco then decides to completely blurt out about his vibe power and everything to everyone, including Kendra who by now has had to absorb Cisco being pals with The Flash, Arrow/Oliver Queen and a super mad knife wielding mad man in the space of what can be only half a day! Quite how she’s even managing to behave like a normal human being after all this takes some believing, but then Malcom Merlin and his ninja’s just waltz into Team Arrow HQ, where he tells them that Savage is donkey years old and can’t be stopped. Very useful information. And why the heck did he bother to turn up to say that?
Meanwhile, in Central City, Patty sees Doctor Wells getting into a car. Next time we return to the city she’s in Star Labs, and shoots Wells, thinking he had a weapon. How she get in that lab? People just walk in and out of places these days, and it’s not one bit amusing but highly frustrating and baffling to accept! Anyhow, Wells was working with Caitlin to create a super speed serum to make Barry even faster. Wells had called Jay back from Earth 2, which comes across as taking a bus ride to jump between worlds, who freaks out about the serum and Well’s involvement and pops back to Earth 2. He’s back again though after Wells is shot. Quite how they are summoning him across worlds is not explained at all! Contrary to everything he’s said before, he takes the serum, and uses the speed to speed phase into Wells and retrieve the bullet that was killing him. Later on, Wells thanks Jay, who still isn’t happy. All that Jay changing mind stuff was just far too quick to really believe, but not as bad as Cisco earlier!
Outside with Kendra, Cisco witnesses a birdman swoop in and take her. Birdman explains to Kendra that he’s her lover, that she has been reborn and needs to emerge and remember who she is. With Arrow and Flash in pursuit, he has an awesome but quick battle with them and is eventually defeated. Who thought a birdman could be so cool? Not me, that’s for sure. Anyhow, he tells Team Arrow/Flash/Merlyn that Savage is after him and Kendra and always kills them, before they are reborn again. We then have birdman trying to help Kendra emerge and remember her former life by jumping off a building. Doesn’t work first time and needs Barry to save her. Meanwhile, Merlyn tells them Savage is after an old weapon, which they figure out is back in a church in Central City. Barry and Oliver battle Savage who has got the weapon, which is like a staff, and have a little battle. Just as I was thinking that staff wasn’t that powerful, Savage senses Kendra has “emerged”. Indeed, she’s got focused after chat with Cisco, and jumps off a building and … you guessed it, sprouts wings. Savage uses staff to blow up church, but Barry saves Oliver. Now that’s more like it for a staff weapon!
Later, Barry and Oliver are having a coffee, for whatever reason giving the stakes are high, and Oliver sees an old flame.
Apparently, that’s a cliff-hanger.

What I liked

Birdman! Awesome!
Savage; what an awesome knife wilding bad guy! This guy I hope hangs around but somewhat doubt it.
Some neat but quick battles between Birdman, Savage versus Flash/Arrow.

 

What I didn’t Like

That’s a cliff-hanger? That was as weak as a highly milky coffee that one could get from that cafe they were in.
Cisco is adamant that Kendra shouldn’t know about his powers. Minutes later he tells all.
Jay is adamant he won’t take the serum. Later he’s using it to save Wells, who he doesn’t like.
Jay pops between Earths like it’s a hop skip and jump.
How are they summoning Jay across worlds?
Kendra is about as charismatic and believable as … well … as someone sprouting wings. She’s just so bland. And, it takes even more believing that she absorbs all the crazy stuff so well.
Malcolm Merlyn; twice just appears in Team Arrow HQ to give sentances of information. Just pointless really.
 

Huh?

People just seem to waltz in and out of Star Lab. This week, Patty marches in …

What next? Mr & Mr Dressing Gowns? …

I would never have thought it, but a “hawkman” was absolutely awesome in this episode …

 

And Finally

I don’t like crossovers at all but this one just about worked. Far too much going on though, and far too many comic comedy crossover moments that only serve to make both Team Arrow and Team Flash look less impressive and intelligent than they come across in their own shows. The amazing fighting abilities of birdman and Savage though I really enjoyed and helped me get over the numerous convenient and cheese fest moments.

 

Rating: 6/10 (DECENT)

The Last Kingdom: Episode 8

The Last Kingdom
Episode 8
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Average)

In A Nutshell

And so here we come to the finale. This is what we've been building up to ... apparently. The big battle. Although a lot of plot lines are tied up here, the show manages to undo the rather weak attempts it's made over the course of the season at making us feel that tension and rivalry was growing. We're supposed to believe that the stakes were high, and that whatever the hell it is that Uhtred wants in life is coming his way eventually. Given the previous seven episodes, we should have expected it to throw in the cold water and damping any of us who joined in some of rallying cries of "No Mercy! No Mercy" during this show. When it was all concluded, one felt like saying "Mercy! Mercy!" as way of sarcastically telling the show producers that they've once again tugged that carpet from underneath our feet. There were a few shockers along the way however ...

Things started off back at the marshland with Alfred and his current nearest and dearest discussing the next plan after last episode where they managed to kill some comedy Vikings and burn a whole fleet of boats with only 20 odd men. Given how well that went, I'm surprised someone didn't mention Alfred just waltzing into Winchester by himself and taking everyone on! But no, they have a little dialogue and all agree that one big battle is the best way forward. Strange, I thought they'd all agreed that last episode? Hmmm.

Back in Winchester, Athelwold is spilling his guts so, hopefully, the Vikings don't do it for him. After some rubbish joking, he tells them that Alfred won't give up and believes in his god. In one of the most ridiculously stupid decisions since last week's angry Vikings in the marshlands, Guthrum asks Athelwold to go into Alfred's camp and kill him for them. With absolutely no reason not to just say yes and then flee to safety, I don't really know what they were thinking or that any of them believed Athelwold knew how to use a sword, let alone do their deed. Just stupid plot-work here.

Meanwhile, Alfred and his gang are marching through some woodlands somewhere and find that the dodgy cowardly senior member in their gang has legged it. Did anyone not see that coming? He'd already pegged it last week when the Vikings invaded Winchester. Yet more horsing about follows as they now go on to Uhtred's former homestead and find that ransacked, burn't and people dead. Seeing a cross near the pond, Uhtred starts crying, and digging up the grave. Somewhat thankfully that he was right, although also sadly, it is his dead son's grave. This scene I found more disturbing than any of the questionable plot decisions in this show, but in a literally disturbing way. Sent shivers down me spine. Gross. Somewhat making up for his really bad discovery though, Queen Iseult comes to him later, literally as it happens, by sobbing over believing that saving Alfred's baby led to his baby's death. She's had enough of being a sorcerer, and so gets naked on Uhtred, who this week just agrees with her decision and they "get it on".

Someone we haven't seen for ages, and greatly missed, is Odda Senior. He's stumbling around his home this week, with Mildirth now his helper, and a nun! Didn't see that coming. Oh well, guess it sort of makes sense? Well, the helper bit does. Not sure on the nun bit. Anyhow, Odda Junior meanwhile makes "peace" with Skorpa the Viking, and offers him lunch and drink to which he accepts. Rather than come right away, he's going to wait for the next full moon, of which both must have access to Google Earth because they seem to understand exactly when that is without even the blink of an eye.

Because there's no such thing as smoking yet, Uhtred and Queen Iseult are caressing each other after their passionate sex, whispering sweet nothings etc before Iseult casually drops the bombshell to Uhtred that his sister is still alive, because Skorpa whispered it to her ages ago. Uhtred seems mildly surprised, rather than amazed or delighted at such news. I was dumbfounded. Why did Skorpa think to whisper that to her, and why did she leave it to now to tell him? There's no real logic or explanation to this, much like most of the daftness in this show.

After sending off messengers with his rallying cry via letter, Alfred and gang (Although strangely just a few of them) head into Odda's home after hearing disturbing news of this truce with the Vikings. They can't believe it's true. I can't believe anyone is stupid enough like Odda Junior to think it'll work or last. Anyhow, Uhtred and Leofric met with Odda junior and have a little argument over what's happened, with Odda Junior asking Leofric to kill Uhtred. Mercifully, Odda Senior then stabs his son. Something that we've all wanted to happen for ages. I can believe one needed junior out of the way because he was completely too daft to have any power, but couldn't he have just arrested him? A distraught Odda senior pledges his army to Alfred, who rather unmercifully for him decides not to pardon Odda's son for his treachery.

More horsing about next as they all head off to a hill with some stones so to wait to meet the army he's summoned via his messengers. Disappointedly for Alfred, no one is there to meet him, but alas, not one viewer would believe it's likely to stay that way for long. Athelwold, who was lodging at Odda's, bails out of killing Alfred in one of the most predicable moments in this show's brief history. Seconds later, the armies arrive and it's time for the big battle.

Well, the CGI made it look big, and there was lots of blood, shouting and people dropping like flies, but in true "Last Kingdom" fashion, it was all rather brief, to the point that it didn't seem any more significant than any previous battle. The stakes were higher, because we'd been told that, and they really tried to make everything seem so by knocking off some of the main characters during the battle. We had Iseult beheaded by Skorpa in order to taunt Uhtred, who then, in a series of moves superman would have performed, killed Skorpa. Leofric took a blow to the neck and was gone quicker than swatting a fly, but less dramatically. Iseult's head was quite a "Yikes" moment but it was undermined by the ease to which Uhtred gained revenge. The manner of Leofric's demise was not worthy at all of someone we'd been made to follow around for the whole series pretty much. There was great visuals in the battle and blood everywhere but it sadly lacked any real belief of the size, stakes, and the drama that it should have been built up to. If the death of Leofric and Iseult wasn't surprisingly enough, then the scene of Athelwold wielding a sword and killing three Vikings within 5 seconds was more of a surprise than everything this show had given us in the last 7 episodes. That disbelieving turn of a coward and useless individual into a strong sword-master really undid any drama the battle built up.

With the battle over, you'd think we could maybe wrap things up rather nicely and quickly in the last few minutes left. Sure, it mostly went like that. Despite the pictures showing us that Alfred's men had pretty much decimated the Vikings, we got the voice-over telling us that a peace deal was struck between everyone by way of the prisoners they caught (Ragnor, Brida) and Guthrum was baptised, in another scene we could all see coming from a mile off. However, something I didn't see coming, given this was the finale, was that we'd end up with a cliffhanger of sorts, what with the final scene showing and telling us that Uhtred's journey wasn't over and that he was now heading North perhaps, presumably to rescue his sister. Yup, no homecoming for him, or taking back his land, which you'd assume Alfred would hand him on plate after all he's done for him. That didn't get a mention. The one thing we all sort of thought Uhtred was fighting for, but could never be too sure, what with the way his objectives changed like the wind, never came up for discussion. Worse still, this isn't the finale after all, because the ending suggests a second season. Talk about another bucket of cold water being thrown on us ...

What I liked

Epic visuals via CGI and the extra actors for the "big battle" as well as gruesome blood everywhere.

The return of Odda Senior, a much missed man due to his common sense and gravity. Although he somewhat oddly decided to just murder his son in front of everyone instead of, I dunno, just knocking him out?

Alfred's speeches were top notch throughout this episode and well acted.

Some sort of resolution at the end I guess. Sort of? Maybe.

A few genuine shocks; namely Odda Junior's demise and Iseult's beheading.

What I Didn't Like

There's so much mentioning, rather flippantly, of "humping" in this programme that I often felt like I was watching a porn movie. A very bad one at that.

The deserting senior ranking official for Alfred gave all the visuals of Dick Dastardly, and all the display of action that Mutley his dog would have managed.

Leofric's death just came across rather diluted after being such a senior character all series.

The "Big Battle" was far too brief for something that was of such significance. They tried, but it needed much more.

That "cliffhanger". It just made a mockery of the resolution with the Vikings, and us feeling that we'd been building up to something, or anything, quite frankly.

Huh?

Is that second season I see there Athelwold?

Odda junior though the extra strawberry doughnuts were delicious

You have to ask yourself, what would you do if you were Uhtred?

Dear me, sadly this isn't other yet.

The midges were deadly at this time of the year

Athelwold must have been smoking magic mushrooms this week, because he's now a fearless sword wielder.

And Finally

Repeatedly this show has betrayed itself with questionable character behaviour and plot developments that completely dissolve any attempt (be it weak in this show) of making us care or believe something was significant. Tension is far too often wiped out in spectacularly bad fashion, leaving us the viewers, simply just admiring the brilliant costumes and visuals, and really clueless as to the direction anyone of the characters is taking, or where us watching it might be heading. Alfred, Queen Iseult and Odda Senior aside, very little of anyone else made any sense, and although even those three had their moments, they did at least have more ups than downs, and clearly much stronger performances than the rest of the characters combined.

And so the first series of the show ends much like my general feeling of the whole series, which is a shrug of the shoulders and the word "Meh!".

Rating: 5 out of 10 (Average)

The Last Kingdom: Episode 7

The Last Kingdom
Episode 7
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Average)

In A Nutshell

Ridiculously, this episode starts off with Leofric and Uhtred moseying around the town, drinking and basically having some brotherly love. Yes, they were sentenced to fight each other to the death last week. You've not gone mad. For some reason they have a last night of freedom, despite their treachery. Not even one guard watching them. Even Uhtred said he'd thought about just walking away. But they have a little chin-wag and kiss-and-make-up, before the fight begins rather vigorously in the morning in the town's square. However, the Vikings attack shortly afterwards, in another very convenient way of ensuring both main characters live to fight until next week at least. It's a slaughter by the Vikings, with next to no soldiers defending the place, and not even a sniff that they were coming. What? We were led to believe that Alfred had a very sophisticated set-up but it appears there weren't even any watchers on the front gate! To compound matters, everyone legs it in a rather disorganised manner, caring little for the king and his family. Uhtred, Leofric and the Queen Iseult (the Cornish Shadow Queen) hide out in town for the night, before legging it to the woods. Oh, and a nun that looks just like Julie Andrews from The Sound Of Music joins them along the way.

If you thought the Viking attack was a little convenient and hard to believe, then the trio bumping into, and saving Alfred & his family from a few Vikings in some marshlands will really test you. Yup, middle of nowhere, they are now all together with Alfred once again, hiding out in these lush and beautifully peaceful marshlands. Whilst there, we are subjected to Alfred's Wife being bitchy for most of the episode. Their baby son is very ill it seems, which along with Alfred's own ailments, is largely what we get to watch for large proportions. We all know it's set up for Queen Iseult to work her "magic" and not only help out Alfred but also his son. One can believe Alfred would slowly accept her, and allow her to do what is needed to save his son, and shut his wife up, but along the way we have him downing her stomach potion without even questioning what it is, or having someone check it first. Sure, he looked like he was in pain, but given her Pagan ways, and most of everyone in the church calling her a witch, you'd think he'd do some basic checks first.

Sure enough, after much umm and errr-ing, he lets Iseult make some sand castles in the marshes and save his son. No potion in sight. Not sure if the baby was just a little cold or something, but she didn't appear to do very much, but alas, he's now fully healed. I can appreciate the fantasy and magic here, but we didn't see anything other than her waking up on top of her sand sculpture and saying the baby was fine. A few potions, chanting and her looking mystical over the baby wouldn't have gone amiss.

In a rare show of continuity, the Viking from Cornwall shows up with lots of ships to join Guthrum (Yes, I thought he was dead weeks ago) and Ragnor in Winchester. Using the weeds and marsh to their advantage, Uhtred and a few helpers taunt some nearby Vikings (who seemed to be just hanging around, doing nothing in particular), luring them rather comically to their deaths in the mud. Seconds later and their ships are on fire too. You know, with things going so well, it's a surprise they couldn't have defended the town earlier! Anyhow, supposedly this was all done to help lead up to one final big battle to retake Winchester. Lets hope the battle lasts more than minutes, for once.

What I liked

Lovely scenery on the marshlands. Wading and running about within tall reeds is always going to look beautiful.

At least the Viking attack spared us someone dying between Uhtred and Leofric.

What I Didn't Like

The classic 'lead enemy to their death" in marshland, not original of course, but it was another cheap short battle. What was worse, was the horrendously cringe inducing way they taunted the Vikings and the Viking's own cartoon behaviour.

Alfred's Wife, she's just annoying and whining. Sure, she actually managed to convey a little genuine emotion this week, but she still far too often felt more like an obstructive bitchy old lady.

How did the Vikings attack that easily? Where were the watchers? The spies? The, umm, army? There seemed to be no one about.

The first thought when Vikings attacked seemed to be to flee. Everyone legged it, and didn't seem to give two hoots about where the king and his family were.

Alfred just drinks what the Elshet makes, just like that?

Leofric and Uhtred ended the previous episodes as traitors and enemies of the crown pretty much, and sentenced to fight each other to the death. This week they start of just nonchalantly walking about the town with the locals, no guards and a one night of freedom. What? That makes no sense to just let them do what they like for a night!

Huh?

How about, what is it? Or, having her try it first? Nope, he just drinks it.

Building sandcastles in the sun. Even as adults, this never gets old.

It's not blackbeard, that's for sure. This lot are the most stereotypical cartoon Vikings you've ever seen.

And Finally

This episode largely involves time for reflection, as skirmishes are typically brief, and tension and danger kept at arm's length. This was all about down-time for Alfred, and creating a way for Uhtred and his new lady friend to build back up Alfred's trust by saving his baby son. There are generous helpings of convenient plot developments this week, and even more darn right daftness from numerous individuals.

Rating: 5 out of 10 (Average)

The Last Kingdom: Episode 6

The Last Kingdom
Episode 6
Rating: 5 out of 10 (Average)

In A Nutshell

Things start off this week with Uhtred and Mildrith bickering like a pair of ... oh, they are married, right? Well, anyhow, it's hard not to feel sorry for her, as Uhtred does another one of his random personality changes and this week is the obnoxious one once again, ignoring duty after last week's embarrassment, and joining up with his mate Leofric to raid Cornwall. After five days of raiding, disguised as Vikings, they find nothing of any value. I could have told them that myself, and I live in Cornwall. It's the scenery we're here for, not Gold Uhtred! Anyhow, whilst they are making their way down the original A30, they come across a priest and some Cornish soldiers (if you can call them that) who offer him a gift and ask him to visit their king, who needs their help to take back his fort that's been taken by some "Britons". 400 pieces of silver and a virgin queen later, and Uhtred is happy as Larry to do this for the Cornish King, until he sees that it's some Vikings who have taken the fort. Quite how the Cornish could protect chickens or build that fort is hard to believe, or that the king has so much hidden treasure, as we find out. Anyhow, we're along for the show.

For no real reason, other than a storyline change, the Viking leader suggests to Uhtred that they double cross the Cornish King to save anyone loosing any men. Alas, that's how it goes down, but the Viking doubles crosses Uhtred and makes off with the silver. But, wait. The shadow queen, come virgin, come sorcerer, knows where more silver is ... which is just outside the door under some hay. Right, and no one else even thought there was a ruddy great chest under there? Sigh. For some other reason, perhaps her beauty, Uhtred is really taken by her, even though she's done little but stroke his ear and tell him that he's the one. The one for what? No one knows. Uhtred doesn't care. He returns home with her, ditches his wife (after using some of the silver to buy off his/her debt to the church) and then heads back to Winchester in no time at all.

Sadly for Uhtred, what awaits him is essentially a kangaroo court. He's invited in to speak to Alfred, but then gets read out a whole wealth of charges based on his illegal plundering of Cornwall, and a few other things that young Odda makes up on the spot, thanks to the angry Cornish priest swearing it did happen. Uhtred is sentenced to death, thanks to his pal Leofric seemingly spilling everything. A few shouts and rants later, and it's turned into a fight to the death between him and Uhtred, with whoever wins having the backing of god.

What I liked

Usual top production values, and great background music, decent CGI.

Thanks to Aethelwold for providing the entertainment this week once again..

What I Didn't Like

Yet another skirmish that was over in seconds between Vikings/Cornish/Uhtred's men.

Uhtred is besotted by the sorcerer in record time. She's hardly said a word.

As ever, this show seems to be so woolly and random, and the kind of randomness is Uhtred seems to change his mind, personality and opinion like the wind.

Huh?

Alfred is probably trying to work out the last five minutes of the show and how it ended up with a fight to the death.

Can't think why the Cornish were defeated in the first place, what with those weapons ...

"My Mind to your mind" ... Nah, wrong TV show.

And Finally

It's not that Uhtred isn't likeable, he's just impossible to figure out. Since episode one, it's been impossible to work out his motives and logic. He really does seem to be making things up as he goes along, which would be ok if we were not short on episodes left. There's no feeling that this is building up to anything or that Uhtred himself is developing as a charector. He's just plain random and consistently inconsistent, as well as obnoxious. Once again, any real tension in this show from the trip to Cornwall is over so quickly, and unexpectedly, that it's hard to feel like it was worth us going on the journey with him.

Rating: 5 out of 10 (Average)

The Flash: S02E07: "Gorilla Warfare"

The Flash

S02E07: "Gorilla Warfare"

Rating: 6 out of 10 (Decent)

In A Nutshell

Barry spends the majority of the episode still recovering from Zoom's humiliating and physically bruising attack, which they refer to as being a week ago. His dad is called into action to return from his fishing expedition (that's what he said he's been up to) to help inspire Barry to forget what had happened to him and come back stronger.

Largely, this episode is all Barry recuperating, but also about Grod, who turns up after mind controlling and murdering various chemists for drugs that aid intelligence. He has Caitlin mind-controlled out of the lab to aide him, which she's sympathetically agreeing to do. Dr Wells 2.0, suits up as Reverse-Flash to try and fool Grod, which works to help him get Caitlin to safety, and temporary subdue Grod with an injection of something or whatever. The next attempt to see to Grod involves a renewed and fully fit Barry to tempt Grod across town (which apparently mostly goes unnoticed by residents and also doesn't hurt anyone, amazingly) to one of the inter-world portals that Dr Wells 2.0 knows leads to somewhere on Earth 2.0 where Grod will be happy, as essentially he's lonely. With relative ease, that's what happens. There's really not a lot to this episode.

The next notable plot development this week comes from yet more vibing by Cisco, this time on his date from the cafe. Seems he vibes seeing her as some sort of super-hero angel ...

What I liked

Reverse-Flash; they even included the rotating sound-effect that we used to hear accompanying reverse-flash, even though this Dr Wells has no speed ability. Cool!

Grod battles with Flash; they were very brief but dramatic.

Some good and heart to heart to heart prep talks with Barry and his likeable Dad.

What I Didn't Like

Cisco's powers: Is there no end to them appearing each week? This is going to become a very convenient power if this keeps happening. Plus, why doesn't he tell anyone now what he vibed?

I'll mention this every week, but, umm, Gideon?

Are we going to have a "Planet of the Apes" Grod-style episode on Earth 2 in the future? Hmm, not sure any of us need that.

Huh?

Future Planet of the Grods coming up?

Got weird when they played a fav song of mine by Peter Gabriel called "In Your Eyes" during this scene.

Why is Caitlin wearing her pyjamas?

And Finally

As Grod episodes go, this was the best one so far, although that's not saying much. Grod seemed a lot more interesting this time, and also got slightly more action time. Barry's pep talks with his dad were heart-warming and also added gravity to the devastating attack on Barry by Zoom last week.

Rating: 6 out of 10

What I've just seen or heard: Reviews in a nutshell

Because I can't write-up epic reviews on everything I watch or listen to (just not enough time in the day), I've started to write up my quick views on everything that goes past my ears and eyes on this page.

My Ratings Explained

1 to 4	AWFUL	barely watchable on any level
5	OK	Average, with hardly any memorable bits, but is watchable and passes the time.
6	DECENT	Enjoyable, quite watchable, with some decent moments of quality.
7	GOOD	Entertaining. Solid. Very enjoyable with numerous memorable moments of quality.
8	GREAT	Highly enjoyable, with impeccable moments of quality/drama/action that live on in memory days afterwards.
9-10	AMAZING	Something that hardly dropped from a level of greatness. You’ll never tire of rewatching this again and again.

Nutshell Reviews

Genre	Name	Rating	Blurb
TV	The Curse of Oak Island S03E10	6 (DECENT)	A disappointing end to the season, after being set-up with the "Coming Next Week" segment in previous episode specially crafted to lure us into thinking something might turn up in the final. Instead, what we had was an aborted dive in 10X and a failed dive in 10X due to a combination of mechanical failure and the object they knew was in the bottom shaft obstructing the diver. I honestly don't know why they haven't tried to clear that obstruction first. Defies belief really. Away from 10X there's the excitement of a Roman sword found nearby (when it was found though is unknown, nor how no one had heard of this before today). It was't actually found on Oak Island so it's really yet ANOTHER indirect clue to proceedings. Of course, the show is naturally intriguing and watchable. It's just a shame that some of their decision making doesn't really add up. They really need EXPERTS on the island.
TV	Occupied S01E03	8 (GREAT)	For me, this was the best episode thus far. Combining the fear and concern that's rife in the faces and hearts of the PM and our bodyguard Hans, the case of last week's hit-and-run suspect is tensely dealt with as the Russians take a firm interest in the suspect they claim is a Chechen terrorist. The last few minutes really summarise the political aspects of the show, and the emotions that such issues can induce in people as the prisoner's suicide angers his highly charged son. "At A Glance" review here
TV	Insert Name Here S01E04	7 (GOOD)	The delightful historian Kate Williams didn't get to say much this week sadly. It was left mostly to the team captains to utter the most humour, with the likes of Danny Baker and Robert Webb largely redundant. Regardless, it was the funniest episode since the opener.
TV	Star Wars: Rebels S02E13 "The Protector of Concord Dawn"	8 (GREAT)	Really enjoyed this weeks episode. Think it was because nothing was quite going to plan, and peril was everywhere. The whole tactics of the rebel's commander to go in and "take out" the mandalorian group, was the only aspect of the plot I didn't think sounded right. However, the rest was great. Dogfights in ships. Kanan "going all Anakin", by attacking pilot's ship miles up in the air, as well as Kanan's heart-to-heart with the mandalorian group leader who just didn't buy everything he said. One ends up with a reluctant prisoner, which doesn't quite seem the rebel way.
TV	The Curse of Oak Island S03E09	7 (GOOD)	You can't help but feel from watching this episode, and the last few week's worth, that they are saving up the good stuff for the finale. The sneak-peak at end seems to suggest that too. Anyhow, this week there's more dives to confirm that there is likely a man-made triangular stone, and maybe another, on the sea bed. A rather padded out segment of the show. Talk of Christopher Columbus being the instigator of the island's secrets was this week's outside theorist proposition. It may be true, but personally he's the less believable I've heard from. Not so much in his evidence, but in his dramatic deliverance. The dive at 10X continues with a practise dive before down goes the expert. With only 3 minutes of the show left at this point, it was disheartening to even begin a dive we was not going to see the end of this week.
TV	Trollied S05E08	7 (GOOD)	Considerably better. A finale with plenty of amusement, even with the rather flat treasure hunt sub-plot. Great to see all the cast involved in story and enjoying themselves. 7.
TV	Trollied S05E07	5 (OK)	The case of the spider that wasn't but then was. Not the funniest episode of the season sadly. Hardly anything to really get to excited about.
TV	Occupied S01E02	5 (OK)	Not quite making a 6, our ever pensive bodyguard this week thwarts an assassination attempt on the russian ambassador, before dealing with a delicate situation to get the assassin released from the Russians. Simple plot, but plenty of intriguing promise. At a Glance Review here
TV	Insert Name Here S01E02	6 (DECENT)	Not up to the standard of the opener but still a good amusing half hour with team captains Josh and Richard stealing the show from this week's guests, on the topic of William.
TV	Black Sails S03E01	6 (DECENT)	Always going to be difficult to match the amazing second half of the second season, especially when you're having to set the scene for the new season. Thus, most of this episode is full of dialogue that brings up up to date on what happened once Captain Flint returned back to Nasseu. Seems at least 3-4 months have passed. Looks like Blackbeard is back? Other than that, this episode is light on action, but there is great promise of hell coming the way of the pirates over the course of the season.
TV	Occupied S01E01	6 (DECENT)	Norwegian Prime Minister gets kidnapped. Bodyguard does a lot of running around and looking anxious, lots of authoritative figures debate things, a restaurant isn't dong very good business, a reporter gets a scoop and the Russians start to arrive. A decent opener, intent on personalising the drama much like The Returned rather than concentrating purely on the action. The use of subtitles, a camera view that pans widescreen a lot and lead permanently anxious bodyguard, helps tremendously to inject fear and concern into almost every situation. There use of showing on-screen what characters see on their mobile devices is interesting but unnecessary and slightly childish. "At A Glance" Review here
TV	The Sky At Night Christmas Special - The Star of Bethlehem	7 (GOOD)	Ignoring UFOs, Maggie & Chris go through the most likely explanations of what the star could have been, whilst the man who keeps turning up on BBC programmes, Dallas, does the historical work to come up with some real proof of an astrological event at that point in history. For me, he does the more interesting pieces, as Maggie & Chris whittle the suspects down to a comet, the one option that most people think was likely anyway. Nevertheless, an intriguing and hour long look at the star.
TV	The Curse of Oak Island S03E08	6 (DECENT)	One could surmise this episode with the results they found from their investigations; nothing but soil and a possible triangular stone on the rock-bed. There's as ever, nothing tangible found, but there's no doubt that the seabed discoveries this week do look more possible to actually tell us something than previous revelations.
TV	Star Wars: Rebels S02E12 "A Princess on Lothal"	6 (DECENT)	Back from the Christmas break, and it's another guest into the Rebels universe, Princess Leia. I don't mind guest stars but unlike previous, this didn't quite feel right. Largely it worked. Lots of rather child-friendly plot-work to disguise Leia actually working with the rebels. And how easily did Kanan bring down an AT-AT? I think Luke made hard work of it in Empire Strikes Back!
TV	Insert Name Here S01E01	7 (GOOD)	Surprisingly better than the synopsis might suggest. It helps that Josh Widdicombe is there (one of my favs) but everyone chips in nicely on what is essentially an excuse for a comedy panel show. Some great LOL moments.
TV	Trollied S05E06	7 (GOOD)	Continuing on strongly, the love feast between Gavin and Trudy reaches fever pitch, leading to some LOL moments from Lisa, who is the star this episode.
TV	Turn S02E10	6 (DECENT)	Interesting twist at end for series cliffhanger, with Rogers snaring Abe, but he's only one man, so you'd think he'll fail next season anyway. The big battle was not overly dramatic but guess battle were just people shooting each other like target practice back then? Strategic perhaps, but not great TV viewing.
TV	Turn S02E09	6 (DECENT)	A little skippy, with scenes jumping quickly in order to reach some resolution. Intriguing build up over Simco and Hewlitt. The New York Chap's conversion to being a rebel seems rushed, when previously it was being drawn out. To happen as a flashback is also disappointing and somewhat diluting the emotion for me. Disappointed.
TV	Trollied S05E05	8 (GREAT)	This is the show at its best. A series of unfortunate mishaps excellently executed with numerous lol moments. The happy birthday sing song was an accumulated build up throughout the episode that paid off big time.
TV	The Curse of Oak Island S03E07	6 (DECENT)	Heart-warming to see Fred Nolan join the team, and end decades worth of fighting. A first dig on his land brings up a small wooden post, which they get more excited about than one might imagine. Witnessing the Reader's Digest author revisiting the island after 50 years was also great to see.
TV	War and Peace Episode 2	6 (DECENT)	Not up to the opener's standard. We get whiffs of the war in bits and bobs. Mostly it's Pierre wondering around his home looking baffled by everything, whilst not seeing his wife's affair, until the last minute, whilst I'm continuously confused between Andrei and Boris. It's not been easy to ascertain an A to Z of everyone thus far.
TV	War and Peace Episode 1	8 (GREAT)	Fantastic costumes and scenery as one would expect from the BBC. A very intriguing story and instantly likeable characters combine with the visual delight, makes for a story I was hooked into from the off. Only downer is that the Russians are very English in this adaption.
TV	And Then There Were None Episode 3	6 (DECENT)	Not the finale I was hoping for. Almost two hours of watching this slagging off match, moody atmosphere, deaths, and mystery, and the ending didn't really deliver. It was unexpected to find out who was behind it all, and that everyone was just as bad as each other, but it didn't really give me any satisfaction for having watched this show.
TV	And Then There Were None Episode 2	5 (OK)	People die. People accuse each other and we get back-stories to everyone's past. Yet, hardly ever does anyone behave as you'd expect. They should all stay in the one room and stay together, but no, they all repeatedly go off singularly and then cop it! Fancy that!
TV	Live At The Apollo	7 (GOOD)	Christmas Edition and 45 minutes! Nina Conti does the hosting, but largely does the same old trick with the monkey and face masks that really weren't anything more than average (6). Tanyalee Davis likewise did a decent effort (6) but the stand-out entertainers for me were Hal Cruttenden (7) and Josh Widdicombe (7) who had me laughing.
TV	I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue	? (?)	TO BE WRITTEN
TV	Turn S02E08	7 (GOOD)	Very good for most part, except for the romance bits that again felt dragged out. Rogers betrayal was a good twist and underwater rescue plan and mission very entertaining.
TV	Da Vinci's Demons S03E10	7 (GOOD)	The Finale. Not quite the send-off I was hoping for, because there are numerous unanswered questions, not least where is the real Pope now? The Turk Army was defeated by the super weapon in dramatic style, but it's the way things were dealt with regarding the other main "bad" guys demises, namely the Sultan, that felt a little undercooked. We lost several more central characters along the way, but we did get to see a big battle, and a resolution at least for Da Vinci. A surprising turnaround for Carlo though.
TV	Da Vinci's Demons S03E09	6 (DECENT)	Disappointing again, somewhat. At least Sophia had less to say this week. The big speech to army built things up for a battle which we only saw aftermath off. Vlad easily stealing a tank makes you wonder how he can't just win the war alone. Carlo's trial was anything but one. His visit by cult leader also means we may not yet see his full redemption.
FILM	Nativity 2	1 (DIRE)	Don't bother watching. Very few amusing moments or anything that will generate a smirk. Probably a film only for children of a young age as adults will find it just too ridiculous to enjoy anything about it. Not a patch on the first film.
TV	And Then There Were None Episode One	5 (OK)	Intriguing and very atmospheric with scenery and background music but for me there were too many puzzling elements and unknown qualities to the main characters for me to really be drawn in to the central story and care about if any of them survive.
TV	Turn S02E07	5 (OK)	This episode consists of a long drawn out, bore of plot line with Washington haunted by having to make a decision over Hewitt being hung or pardoned. Ridiculously cheese-fest to watch and rather uninteresting. However, a gripping five minutes at the end helped a lot.
TV	The Curse of Oak Island S03E05	7 (GOOD)	Highly intriguing exploration of 10x by remote "robot" this week. They seemed to look around the bottom walls but ignore looking for body or chest?? Very Odd. Also, Plot six was interesting to learn about. Even though they are behaving better than previous hunters, they don't seem to be documenting or being careful. Need experts and more of them!!
TV	Turn S02E06	6 (DECENT)	There's much more drama with Abe stuck in jail and his stubborn dad and the main ladies in the show trying everything to find ways to free him. As ever, it's hard to work out Simco. Probably he's just nuts but his motives were intriguing. More love story with British guy was charming I guess but filled up a decent wedge of this episode.
TV	Arrow S04E08 "Legends of Yesterday"	5 (OK)	I've long given up on Arrow, but this was no usual Arrow but essentially much like Flash as it's part two of the crossover. All pretty daft and cheesefest really. Interesting back-story maybe, but too much stupidity in how the plot played out for me. The whole time jump thing was the icing on the cake.
TV	Trollied S05E02	5 (OK)	Not on a level with the opener but nevertheless it was an ok offering this week. A new character is introduced. She's not too offensive, unlike those from last season, so that's a good start for her. Otherwise, it's just an average episode with little to LOL about, and instead just maybe a little smirk.
TV	Da Vinci's Demons S03E08	6 (DECENT)	Oh dear. After the previous episode I was thoroughly disappointed. Da Vinci's newly discovered sister, Sophia, becomes an adult version of a really excitable child, annoying me whenever she started to act nothing like she had in her previous guise as a rather troubled prisoner. Just too much to believe in one go I'm afraid. Riario's confession to Lorenzo is understandable but only serves to delay progress of the main storyline. Vlad is great entertainment though. Carlo and Da Vinci's battle was good but underwhelming for what should have been a much bigger deal.
TV	Trollied S05E01	7 (GOOD)	Almost a return to form, after what was a dire previous season that I only managed to get half way through before I gave up. Some of the new characters from last year are actually much more bearable, along with some genuine fun lol moments this week, amongst the general daftness of the episode.
TV	Live At The Apollo S11E06	5 (OK)	Somewhat of an improvement on what has been some really unfunny shows recently. Russell Kane (6) does a decent job, although rather too crude on far too many occasions. Roisin Conaty (5) was bearable, with Nick Helm (5) having a mixed performance with opening naff shouting voice gags, followed by a bizarre but amusing singing segment.
TV	Da Vinci's Demons S03E07	8 (GREAT)	Sublime entertainment this episode, with dramatic work from a crazy troubled Lorenzo returning unexpectedly to Florence. Absolutely great plot twists and turns along the way, and another unexpected death of a central character.
TV	Da Vinci's Demons S03E06	6 (DECENT)	Riario is a great charector, and the one guy you all root to "come good" and have a manly hug with Da Vinci. Superb work with him this week. plus Lucrezia and the now crazed former Pope aide, who tortures women.
TV	Josh S03E05	6 (DECENT)	Enduring comedy that continues to grow on me with great affection. It's ridiculous yes and my beloved Jack Dee still seemed out of place in the show, but the way the plot unwinds each week is magical, creative, amusing and sometimes LOL.
TV	Da Vinci's Demons S03E05	6 (DECENT)	Much better, as the complex plot continues to unwind. Despite Da Vinci spending much of the episode acting even crazier than normal, at least we knew it was likely to head to conclusion. The ending, what with another main character dying, really makes the threat feel great.
TV	Da Vinci's Demons S03E04	4 (AWFUL)	I don't like fantasy worlds, especially ones that really just seem like filler. I largely skipped through the large segments of Da Vinci's hallucinations whilst being drugged by the "bad guys".
TV	The Curse of Oak Island S03E04	5 (OK)	Not a lot of progress this week. Aside from clearing out yet more junk from 10X, the gang headed down country for some historic lesson about a stone with symbols on that one researcher thinks is linked to Oak Island. Curiosity is intact as ever. But little new information this week.
TV	Live At The Apollo S11E05	4 (AWFUL)	Sadly I just couldn't enjoy this on any level other than boredom. Katherine Ryan did an average job (5) but Henning When disappointed me greatly (4), whilst the last guy, James Acaster (2) I didn't find amusing in the slightest.
RADIO	I'm Sorry I haven't A Clue S64E03	5 (OK)	Games This Week: Doomed Charities 5 Sing A Song To Tune of Another 5 In my pants 5 Medical Conditions 6 Appraisal 5 Retirement Home Films 5 Not the best of weeks. Highlights are a decent medical condition segment and Sandy Toksvig's Singing. Other than that, the biggest laughs come from Jack Dee's interludes.
TV	Da Vinci's Demons S03E03	6 (DECENT)	Just about getting a 6/10 from me, thanks largely to the successive complex plot that spins the head so much, that I find myself enjoying being baffled. Quite a gruesome episode, as another main character bites the dust in this final season.
TV	Josh S01E04	5 (OK)	No seriously LOL moments for me this week. The cast is quite likeable and the stories amusing enough to make it worth the half hour watch. More celebrity extras this week, not least, The Chuckle Brothers!
TV	Turn S02E04	6 (DECENT)	Yes, I missed an episode here ... anyhow, there's some strong showing here from Hewlett and his love of the stars, some romantic moments, and confrontations both verbally and physically. It all makes for a rather meaty episode with more passion and emotion evident than for a long time.
TV	The Curse of Oak Island S03E03	7 (GOOD STUFF)	Finally felt like something was happening which would bring tangible results. They got the diggers in! One spot turned up nothing, but the search at the money pit did at least seem to help them relocate the original pit. Intriguing stuff and excellent back-story segments. Still would be nice to have some actual archaeologists on site though.
TV	Star Wars: Rebels S02E09 "Legacy"	6 (DECENT)	Skipped along a little in first 10 minutes as the rebels hasty retreat from the Empire. This felt like it was just getting in the way, and rushed. Seriously though, a tractor beam can be knocked off? Very flimsy for a powerful weapon. Don't quite get why we went through Ezra's chase for a sad conclusion, but I did feel a little emotional there for a moment. Guess the intention is that this is the end of this part of Ezra's story.
TV	Live at the Apollo S11E04	6 (DECENT)	Romesh Ranganathan as host does a very good job in his sketch, being consistently amusing, 8. Irish comic Jason Byrne managed a few LOL moments 7, although sadly Stewart Francis was largely just average laughs, 5.
RADIO	I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue S64E02	5 (OK)	Games played this week were: 'Uxbridge English Dictionary' - Clever and funny. 8 'Pick up song' - Sadly just average. 5 'Sound Charades' - Amusingly creative. 6. 'Mornington Crescent' - Not my fav game but 4th Umpire was amusing. 5. 'Complete Playground rhyme' - Average responses largely. 5. 'Prisoner Songbook' - Just ok really. 5.
TV	Turn S02E02	6 (DECENT)	Much better this week, with the dastardly needs-a-good-punch-in-face Simco taking charge of the British "Rouge" guards and Abe doing a lot of reconnaissance with a rather nervy conclusion.
TV	Turn S02E01	5 (OK)	A rather tame and average opener, showing a comedy British King and the former "Rogue" guards leader pathetically gaining a role in retrieving a stolen document. Really nothing amazingly gripping or interesting happened but it helped set the scene for how things are after the season 1 finale.
TV	The Curse of Oak Island S03E02	6 (DECENT)	Actually felt that something was happening this week. Although they only cleared out pipes from 10X hole, and dug up another bit of rust metal, you feel this has cleared the way for better discovery. The intrigue of mystery about this island just keeps one watching.
TV	Star Wars: Rebels S02E07 "The Future of the Force"	6 (DECENT)	Aside from some rather cheesy lame plot developments in first five minutes (not least with baby's mum dying within 10 seconds of Ahsoka arriving) this is a rather simplistic and familiar story but has some rather decent light-sabre battles, not least with the two inquisitors versus Ahsoka.
RADIO	I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue S64E01	6 (DECENT)	Games played this week were: 'Typographical Errors' - Fantastically funny opener. 9. 'Singing One Song to the tune of another' - Not the funniest parodies. 4. 'Word for Word' - Staged slightly, but entertaining. 6. 'Old Cliches' - More thought provoking than funny. 5. 'Correspondence of history' - Not the funniest I've heard, but had it's moment. 6. 'Vegetable Film Club' - Not going out on a high, but a few LOL amongst the suggestions. 6.
TV	Live at the Apollo S11E03	5 (OK)	Host Noel Fielding (6) was surprisingly funnier than I expected and even Dane Baptiste (5) had his moments but I didn't find Al Porter (4)anything more than largely annoying and unfunny.
TV	The Walking Dead S06E08	5 (OK)	Mid-Season Finale which gives us the usual mix of running, killing zombies, hiding, death and buildup of tension. Sadly though, none of any of the above was in any great quantity or quality. Very hard to distinguish this season from any of the previous five.
TV	Josh S01E02	6 (DECENT)	An improvement on the opening episode, with some genuine LOL moments, largely all reserved for Josh. The supporting characters are pleasant, but they seem to endlessly waffle and produce mild humour that's filler for all the bigger laughs for Josh. That's ok, but it does mean that things can drag a lot at times.
TV	Star Wars: Rebels S02E08 "Stealth Strike"	6 (DECENT)	A procedural episode in the style of a classic "being captured and rescued" plot. It's entertaining, with some kick-ass action, but adds very little to character background or the season's Darth Vader pursuit. Seems to be here just to make Rex/Kanon kiss and makeup. How old is Rex in this? He can't shot straight or out muscle stormtroopers.