Food: Twix Mix (126g Share Pack)

Food Rating: 7
Value for Money: 7
Overall: 7

It's Twix, but not as you know it.

In A Nutshell

They've been around for several years it seems (since 2013), but this variation of the cult classic Twix has entirely passed me by it seems ... until now! I don't have a Twix very rarely, preferring simply to buy something that has as much chocolate content as possible and consuming it quicker than anyone's pet dog can down a hamburger. However, every so often, one likes to mix up their life a little. Be somewhat risky and dangerous perhaps, so a Twix therefore brings huge nostalgia sensations bursting through my veins when I get my hands on one. This time round though I turned down the classic two Twix bar of around 65p, for a share bag of Twix ... ... Mix. I see what they did there.

Normally when you get these bags of your favourite sweet bar, you find they've simply done the job of chopping up the bar for you into ridiculously small chunks and then have the nerve to charge you double the price. Well ... for a few chumps of this mix, that's what I was thinking myself. Naturally I skipped reading the side of the packet and just started eating. No one likes to waste time when it comes to sweets do they? However, after eating a handful of the little fellas, I then tasted something different. I indeed thought these were just miniature Twix bars that had been sapped by masses of energy and shrunk to 5% of their original size ... but no ... and yes. The clever people at Mars (the company, not the planet) have split the Twix Mix balls into two. Both are surrounded by a thin layer of chocolate but half of the balls are shortcake inners and the other half are that soft caramel you know and love.

So, you never get a full Twix ... well, unless you scoff a handful. I tried and it's almost like the real thing, but not. And, is it a fair 50/50 split between the caramel and shortcake balls in the bag? ... I don't know. I would have counted but I have to be truthful. I was very hungry when I sampled this bag and didn't do any count :(

Yes, they look a little like something else, but they do taste much better!

What I liked

It's twix, in a mix, so you can get your fix. Who doesn't like Twix? It's never anything amazing, but it's one of the few so-called chocolate bars with the least amount of chocolate but still on the same shelf as your Mars or Yorkie. In this case, being different to the majority, aides our Twix craving. Given their size, you can really shove a load in your mouth in one go. Sadly that'll mean you'll get through the pack in about 4 or 5 handfuls, but if you're going to go down fighting, this is the way to do it.

What I Didn't Like

These "share" 126g packs are rarely value for money unless you find an offer in the shop in question. Grab this for around about a £1 and it gets near what I'd say was decent value.

I'm also not sure this was a very even 50/50 split between the caramel and shortcake balls.

Huh?

A third of the packet is air. What's up with that?

And Finally

They claim each share pack holds 3 portions, which doesn't seem very fair does it? Someone is going to miss out 2 to 1, or 3 to 0 if I have my way. Who wants to share these balls when they're no bigger than a 5 pence piece?

Game of Thrones: S05E07: "The Gift"

Rating: 7

In A Nutshell

Lots of things going on this episode, with the only one let off the hook being Arya. She was thankfully absent in that dull house of black and grey. Sansa is being beaten and imprisoned by Ramsey and foolishly tries to get Theon's help but he grasses on her. Stannis is held up by the mother of all snowstorms but intends to continue regardless. He's also very much taken aback by the priestess's suggestion of sacrificing his daughter. In king's landing, an angry young king huffs and puffs. Cersei visits the new queen in prison, before finally falling foul of the sparrows herself thanks to Littlefinger and Queen of Thrones hatching a plan. Cersei gets angrily bunged into jail. By far the bit we've all wanted to see this year, see's Jorah and Tyrion get sold off to a former slave master, and then hatch a plan whereby Jorah gets to tell Daenerys, who is watching the fight he's in, that he has a gift for her. Tyrion doesn't hang around, frees himself and announces his arrival to the queen. Lastly, Jon Snow heads off with the Wilding chief (I thought they left last week!) and Sam gets to sort of rescue his girl and gain a reward.

What I liked

Sansa try but fail to get rescued. One expected Theon to grass her up but it was still tantalizing to watch it play out.

Tyrion greets the Queen! Finally!

What I Didn't Like

No action. Ok, there was Jorah at the end making a point but that's about it.

Honestly thought Jon Snow had already left for the far North.

Scene with Bronn and Sand Snakes in jail; nice but brief and feeling somewhat hard to care about as we hardly know the sisters. The threat of the poison wound is over too quickly. Seemed a waste of a scene. Much like Jaime and his daughter.

Huh?

No Brienne or Podrick. Sob Sob.

Still no Varys. Odds on he turns up soon.

And Finally

Much like a lake simmering calmly during summer, winter is most certainly coming, not least because it suddenly started snowing in Winterfell this week! The closing few episodes of this season promise much. Can they deliver after all this scheming and manipulating?

Rating: 7 out of 10 (It's really threatening to ramp up to the a new level altogether, but will the final few episodes actually deliver after this long build-up?))

Arrow: S03E23: "I am Oliver Queen!"

Rating: 5

In A Nutshell

I am Oliver Queen! Says the title. Well, I am quite frankly very bored of this show. I didn't expect the finale to save our minds from falling asleep, and sure as a deep throated Oliver shout, it didn't. A good episode to perhaps paint the wall whilst keeping an eye on proceedings.

Let's see, we have our gang of heroes realising they were still alive in the cell. Shock horror. Yes, they'd all been inoculated secretly by Malcolm. Yeah, don't ask. Meanwhile, in a plane heading to Starling City, we've Oliver, his wife and Ra 'al Ghul. Plane ride gets bumpy very soon, as Oliver sabotaged it, and then comes out suddenly with his big reveal "I'm Oliver still!". Woopie Doo. So, they have a battle on the plane with some henchmen and Ra al Ghul. The latter escapes with a parachute (in his hand. he wasn't even wearing it!) and with the virus, thus leaving Oliver to do the impossible; not only survive the plane crash but also fly the plane to safety. Who knew he was a pilot?

A reunion with everyone follows before they find out that Ra Al Ghul has convoluted the plan to release the virus by having four of his men do the job in different areas of the city. Everyone goes about stopping them, including Thea, who is donning the red costume and going all kick-ass. Oliver has a well-shot sword sequence with Ra Al Ghul on the top of a dam. Hey, it looked good although was all over far too quickly and easily with Oliver winning. Sigh. The police watched the whole experience, only seemingly getting a clear shot at the very end, blasting Oliver and leaving him fall off dam ... only to be rescued by Felicity in the ATOM suit. You couldn't make this up. Well, seems you can, and this is quite how it felt. Who knew that she could work the suit quicker than it took even Ray!

The main battle is all over and there's still twenty odd minutes to go. What follows is a long dragged out debrief. Sort of like those warm-downs after sporting events. Ray blows up the first floor of the building, thus leading the way I guess for him to literally become "atom" sized. Oliver and Felicity have already left for the sunset, with Oliver now leaving his Arrow job. Malcolm is now head of the League of Assassins as part of deal with helping Oliver.

What I liked

Near the start, the Flash was involved to help them out. As daft as it was, because it simplified the situation tremendously, it was pretty cool. Barry is a lot of fun.

Yeah, that was about all I really liked.

What I Didn't Like

Crap suddenly reveal by Oliver that he is still Oliver. It didn't carry much umpth. Hard to imagine that Ra al Gal could have been deceived at all, even with all the Malcolm/Oliver work.

Felicity can fly the ATOM suit with less than five nanoseconds experience?

Cops can't shoot Ra/Oliver fight until Ra is dead and Oliver is victorious?

Why try to shock us into having us even think Oliver was "shot" and falling to his double-death off the dam, only to be rescued? Pointless and carrying no credibility.

Huh?

What's all that Ray and Felicity's signiture thing all about from last week?

The Oliver/Flash five minute appearances in each other's shows is far too convenient really.

And Finally

Well, it was hard to care, keep up with all the deception, and believe all the wacky stupidity and character moves this week, as it has been all series. Even the flashback this week was just as stupid as it has been all season, and boring and pointless.

Rating: 5 and of 10 (Thank goodness this is over with).

The Flash: S01E22: "Rogue Air"

Rating: 7

In A Nutshell

Realising that Dr Wells has been hiding literally close to home, the gang rescue Eddie from days without food, boredom and probable body odour. He looks highly cheesed off for rest of the episode. Not least when he tells Iris that there's no point getting married whilst Barry is about. 3 is a crowd it seems. Meanwhile, the main focus of the episode is on the Particle Accelerator being activated by Dr Wells and that the metahumans in the cells need to be transported elsewhere or die. So, Barry gets Leonard Snart, Captain Cold, to help out in return for erasing all evidence of his existence from official records. It's a little daft that Barry does this literally by breaking and entering, but he is quite tensed up with Reverse-Flash stuff. Cold's horny sister tags along. Using a massive truck, the metahumans get transported to an airport to be flown to that Island where Oliver Queen hung out for years. They are off to the ARGUS Prison. Given that there seems to be some resemblance of care on the island, this seems better than the cells with no meals or a toilet from what I can tell in the Particle Accelerator. Anyhow, naturally it goes wrong. Captain Cold and sister betray Barry and it results in a little scrap at the airport and the metahumans escaping. The final ten minutes involves a battle between Flash and Reverse-Flash that's over far too quickly and easily. Somehow, Oliver and Firestorm turn up to help bring down Reverse-Flash. It's a neat idea, but I'm no fan of too many superheroes in one show. The fact that the battle is over, and Dr Wells is captured, just makes it even more devoid of genuine peril. Me thinks Dr Wells planned this, I hope.

What I liked

Flash versus Reverse-Flash. Brief but it's just the best scrap as always. Seeing them zoom about and slow-motion attacking is great.

Captain Cold was very genuine, cool and helped make the episode. We knew it would go pear-shaped but thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

What I Didn't Like

I don't do multiple super heroes. To think that Arrow would be much good against Reverse-Flash is slightly daft anyway. Thankfully it was brief.

Huh?

Still no Gidion this week, although her power source was mentioned.

And Finally

An engaging villain helped maintain the episode with a ludicrous-doomed-for-failure metahuman transportation plan. Reverse-Flash batte too brief to be great, and didn't need nor really want the extra heroes in the mix.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Arrow: S03E22: "This is your sword"

Rating: 5

In A Nutshell

You really want to know? Well, in the flashbacks we see Oliver and his friends try and fail to find a cure for the little boy, his asian friend's Tatsu/Maseo's son, who dies from that killer virus. They also end up getting captured by the US Army for their trouble. Meanwhile, in present time, we learn that Oliver's time with the League of Assassins is a "sham". He's putting it all on! No, really? Didn't see that coming did we? Sigh. What with them all so easily deserting Oliver last week, it was ludicrous to think this wasn't coming next. Malcolm is in league with him. Didn't see that little bit coming though. He then has to drop this bombshell on Oliver's former friends who have an initial reaction I'd expect but then are easily fully back in bed with Malcolm though also with the season long estranged arrangement. They all head off to League of Assassins HQ castle, which is must be just up the road given how quickly they move about in this show. A successful attempt to stop the jet carrying the virus to Starling City turns out to be another "sham" by Ra al Ghul. He therefore captures everyone, including Tatsu Yamashiro, whom has just downed her former husband, Maseo. Thank goodness that long play on him looking long faced is over. Anyhow, Malcolm grasses Oliver up for some reason as a traitor but that goes no where. Ra and not-Oliver then gas out his former friends in their cell with the virus, whilst not-Oliver marries Ra's daughter, leaving us to believe what no one in their right mind would believe, which is that his friends all died from the virus.

What I liked

Felicity's throw of the tablet device into one of the Assassins was quite amusing.

Ray made several decent jokes along the way

What I Didn't Like

Far too many twists and turns now for anyone to really care.

Far too many "deaths" for anyone to believe they are actually dead this time. No, they really are in peril. Yeah, right.

Huh?

Ray tricks Felicity into signing over ownership of ... something.

And Finally

Couldn't give a monkeys. We also had to suffer Thea and Roy meeting up and having sex. Thankfully not much, but far too much. This whole series just feels so surreal and fake to really care much about.

Rating: 5 and of 10 (Was going to be a 6 but changed my mind, because there was very little I generally liked about this episode. Not even the action was that gripping)

The Flash: S01E21: "Grodd Lives"

Rating: 7

In A Nutshell

I'd vaguely heard of Grodd from my comic book days years ago, although I was still a little, really, he's supposed to scare us when we've hardly heard about him? We've heard bits I suppose over the season, but this episode he takes centre-stage, although this is still much like a build-up feel to much bigger involvement from the ape. Grodd is a mind-controlling intelligent ape but not quite Planet of the Apes level yet. Dr Wells is using General Eiling to distract Flash and Friends by letting Grodd control Eiling to do some robberies. When investigating Grodd down the sewers, Joe gets captured and then it's left to Flash and Co to rescue him and avoid being mind controlled. After putting 2+2 together last week, in a way only a superhero TV show could, Iris confronts the gang at Starling Labs by just walking in on them all. Do they not lock doors or have security? Dr Wells in the meantime has an enjoyable spat with Eddie who he's holding captive as he builds a contraption which is revealed at the end to be a key into Starling Labs. Appears he's been hiding underneath the labs.

What I liked

That was a revealing and amusing chat between Eddie and Dr Wells.

Iris is finally in on things. She obviously didn't enjoy all the secrets and thus has the standard go at everyone, before calming down and loving them up by the end.

Grodd was surprisingly quite an enemy. More than I thought and far from defeated yet as he got away.

What I Didn't Like

General Eiling; love the actor, don't like the character at all. Snarling, grumpy and just a bore.

Huh?

Did no one think about asking Gidion for help? It is after all a super intelligent AI and knows the future!

And Finally

Just delaying us from the final confrontation between the Flash duo but still much more engaging than one would think when it comes to mind-controlling Gorillas.

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Thanks to a serious foe, Iris catching up on everything and banter between Eddie and Dr Wells, this episode was more entertaining than I expected.)

Atlantis: S02E11: "Kin"

Rating: 6

In A Nutshell

Try getting your head around this one. Jason's hiding out in the woods whilst his friends and soldiers are searching for him but fail. They did find some plum stones though. Yeah, never mind on that. Anyhow, for some reason Jason hands himself in. I was assuming it was some plan with Medea because she's now back with Pasiphae bigging up Jason. However, when they talk there is no mention of any premeditation to his actions. Much like this show I guess. Anyhow, he's also seemingly feeling the love of his mother too now. Now that she's played the show's loyalty roulette game, Pasiphae this week doesn't want Jason dead again. She gets the gods consulted and they support that. So, she puts Jason into the Games and in the fate of the gods. Jason's dad sneaks into the Games Complex and does his "I AM YOUR FATHER!" sentence at least twice, which is enough to win over Jason. He goes along with the escape plan, which goes a little wrong thanks to Icarus passing information to help his own dad. Some soldiers attack. Jason's dad gets stabbed and just when all looks bad for Jason, Hercules saves the day by pushing a cart into proceedings. We get the closing speech from Jason's Dad as he exits the world, and Pasiphae is now very cheesed off with Medea and Jason for choosing his dad over her. She now wants Jason dead again. Spin that wheel!

What I liked

The other competitor in the games who Jason befriends was sort of more interesting than many other characters.

The bickering in the court between Pasiphae and her aide actually felt a little heated for once.

I was starting to feel some emotion between Jason and his dad. Just starting ...

What I Didn't Like

Medea; this week she's sitting on the loyalty fence it seems. If people didn't keep changing sides and opinions so much, it might be possible to feel some emotion in this show. Unlikely, but maybe.

I AM YOUR FATHER ... yes, that was all cringey stuff, but the music did help bring some sadness to it, especially when Jason stood over his dad's grave.

Threat in the arena was zero of course, but it was actually not bad action. Comedy stuff more than serious.

Huh?

Hercules, "I failed Medusa. I failed Jason". This week he's getting over Medusa very nicely and forgiving the deception of his friends as well as chopping her head off.

And Finally

So, this sets us up once again for Jason versus Pasiphae. Hopefully both of them can keep to their convictions next week and end this petty squabble once and for all.

Rating: 6 out of 10 (Strong hints of emotion in this episode and a pleasant turnaround in events. Almost a 7, but it's hard to work out why we should care or what everyone thinks from week to week about each other.).

Arrow: S03E21: "Al-Sah Him"

Rating: 7

In A Nutshell

Oliver, now know as Al-Sah Him, undergoes some torturous training regimes that wouldn't be out of place in Guantanamo Bay. He's now sort of like Darth Vader (another Star Wars comparison by me) as he is seduced by all sorts of drugs and mind bending rituals to become the killing machine. He's ordered to head to Starling City and bring back Ra's al Ghul's daughter which brings Oliver in confrontation with his former friends. Eventually however he retrieves Nyssa, and takes her back to Ra's al Ghul's temple where everything doesn't go as you think, in that she's to become Oliver's wife, and Ra's al Ghul orders Oliver to eradicate all memories of his former life in the most spectacular way possible; a lethal bio-agent, the same one they've been running from in the flashbacks.

What I liked

Dark Oliver works very nicely. He doesn't say much. Struts about and beats people up. I quite like this.

Some decent action scenes. Nice to see the "bad" guys win.

Decent little twists at end with the marriage setup and the ultimate setup for the finale!

Some tie-in with the still a little pointless feeling flashbacks.

What I Didn't Like

The League of Assassins aren't very good once you get down the the basic soldiers. Disposed off like nappies in this show.

Dark Oliver jumps off a building ... as you do in this show.

Huh?

They are all quick to accept the Oliver they knew is gone aren't they?

In another spin of the moral roulette wheel, this week Thea asks Malcolm for his help and advice. Yup, each week there's a new dynamic between everyone.

And Finally

A dark episode, with the "bad" guys getting their way in almost everything they do. This is much more like it. Would have been better if this story arc had been spread over a whole season perhaps. What are the odds on things being reset after the finale? Hope not, this show needs a change of direction.

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Darker than black, this episode starts to pack a decent punch at convincing everyone that Oliver is now a meanie).

Game of Thrones: S05E05: "Kill The Boy"

Rating: 7

In A Nutshell

Grey Worm is recuperating and getting more loved up, whilst Daenerys gets revenge on the former leaders of the houses who kept slaves by arresting them all and feeding one to the dragons. Eventually though she realises she might have made mistakes with the situation in the city and thus reinstates the games and announces her marriage to one of the leaders (obviously to the prominent one in the show thus far). Tyrion and Jorah exchange some conversation on route before they get attacked by those stone people during passing through an old city, and not long after they see one of the dragons fly past. Jorah rescues Tyrion but secretly was touched by one of the stone men and thus now he has greyscale. Ugh. Podrick and Brienne have a small section where Brienne gets a message to Sansa on how to summon her help if ever needed. Sansa finds Reek/Theon in the kennels and then Ramsey parades him over lunch as his slave. Jon Snow announces he's going to bring the Wildlings south of the wall. Doesn't go down well, but he's off with the former ginger wildling to convince the wildlings to return with them. Meanwhile, Stannis takes his army off towards Winterfell, finally.

What I liked

Sansa/Theon reunion. Was never going to pleasant but it seemed quite heart warming considering his past errors.

Sansa's smile at Ramsey's bad news that a new Bolton boy baby is on it's way.

Tyrion; anything he says and does is usually noteworthy.

What I Didn't Like

Daenerys; she just annoys me. She seems to just do what she wants most of the time and at other times belittle others and just stands or sits looking smug.

There was absolutely no action at all really, unless you count Ramsey giving his lady some action, or the brief Stone men scuffle at the end.

Huh?

In recent episodes the opening titles have brought back the sun hovering over winterfell. Wonder if that's really highlighting the good times coming back.

For such a contentious issue, the order by Jon Snow with the Wildlings didn't really show as much heat as one would have thought. Certainly all bases were covered over the subject by exchanges but it didn't look like it was half of the watch against him as Jon Snow suggested.

And Finally

Little to chuckle about in this episode or even enjoy watching for action. More one of thought provoking and anticipating on what's coming next. Some mentions of historical happenings make one think they are going to be significant soon.

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Downer from last week, but some intriguing developments keep things simmering)

Atlantis S02E10: "The Dying Of The Light"

Rating: 4

In A Nutshell

Mind Numbing stuff, but basically Pythagoras sneaks into Atlantis AGAIN, so he can get help from Melas to find out how to help Jason who has been "blackened in the heart" by knowing Pasiphae is his mother. Sigh. Melas suggests getting Jason's father to restore his heart's balance, and so, off goes Pythagoras to where the dad is hiding out as a leper in a salt mine. Jason's dad, Aeson, moans about the world and how he's a bad father and rubbish at being a father, before then changing his mind and joining up with Pythagoras. Yawn. Then, literally as Pythagoras is about to reunite Jason with his dad, Pasiphae and Soldiers (got tipped off, see later) turn up and attack, scattering Pythagoras/Aeson, Jason and Ariadne in all directions in the woods. Jason ends up being united and rescued from injury by Medea who he's just incidentally started dreaming about, and she now seems genuinely more interested in saving him than killing him this week. Hercules, who walked off in a huff earlier, turns back up to help Ariadne and gets united with Pythagoras and Aeson. Oh, and earlier again, just after helping Pythagoras in the city, Pythagoras's brother (I think he is) finds out his dad has done some crime and is sentenced to death so tells Pasiphae's army general where Pythagoras is going in return for his dad being spared, only to fall pray of the classic double bluff from the general. Yawn.

What I liked

The arguments between the main three was a little different if totally devoid of convincing sentiment.
Hercules I can't work out if he's upset or just miffed with Jason.

I like John Hannah as an actor, but the poor chap looks like a YTS apprentice in this show.

What I Didn't Like

Pretty much everything about this episode ...

Much akin to Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, it's neigh impossible to really understand, care, or truly feel Jason's turn to the "Dark Side", if you can call it that. Sure, he'll be mixed up with the revelation of his mother, but although we could understand that, his behaviour still comes across as random, petty and just a little rubbish, rather than anything you'd call "blackened".

Medea & Jason's love thing; it's all a little bit like other TV shows I've seen before. Can't recall which show it was, ahh, that's right, Roswell. We saw all that "drawn to someone because that's the way it should be" rather than going for your real love. It's really quite dull and hard to grasp because Medea has been changing sides so often and for so little explanation that I'm beyond caring now.

Ahh, the classic paragraph of chanting to get to use a "force push" like in Merlin. Magic can be really dull in this show! Even Pasiphae with her "force choke" was the first time she's used magic in weeks, when last week she was happy to use a sword she had little chance of actually knowing what to do with!

Huh?

So, all the guards just follow about whoever is in charge? Aside from the chief guards, who we see more of and clearly make their views known, the rest are just like fodder with no brains or anything particularly human about them. The people of Atlantis are supposed to be people who love their rulers etc so why do these knowingly just follow Pasiphae?

They still failed to say about Jason coming from our time/world. I guess that'll never happen. I'd also totally forgotten about his father.

And Finally

Predictable, hard to fathom out anyone's reasoning or emotions, and really devoid of anything we'd feel like caring about.

Rating: 4 out of 10 (No hint of any humour this week, which was about all that could possibly be interesting in this show).

The Flash: S01E20: "The Trap"

Rating: 8

In A Nutshell

Barry, Eddie, Joe, Cisco and Kaitlin all work together in this episode and it blends very nicely. They use some funky (if somewhat quickly glossed over) technology glasses that help Cisco relive the alternative time memories of Dr Wells killing him. Using that information they set a trap for Dr Wells in order to get a confession for killing Barry's mum, but it doesn't go to plan when they find out Dr Wells is one step ahead and had been watching them all along. With Eddie planning to propose to Iris, Reverse-Flash steps in and steals Eddie. Iris, in the process, realises that Barry is The Flash, whilst Eddie finds out that Dr Wells is actually a relative of his!

What I liked

Dr Wells one step ahead. Brilliant reverse of fortunes to find out he'd been watching them for ages.

Barry made Dr Well's AI called Gideon? Wow. Eddie and Iris get married! Nice future reveals that may or may not still happen.

Dr Wells will be about as the main "villain", at least for next few episodes.

Great complexity to Dr Wells character. How he hates Flash, but helps him to get to be the Flash, has watched him for years, and sort of has some kind of love for Cisco and Kaitlin.

Good use of last week's metahuman in tricking them into thinking they were trapping Dr Wells!

What I Didn't Like

Completely unnecessary for us viewers to relive Cisco's dreams of his death, and a ridiculous piece of tech, but still sort of cool.

Huh?

Eddie's going to be doubly miffed that the engagement ring has gone astray now.

Why does Dr Wells so hate the Flash?

And Finally

The dream/glasses aside, this was a great episode. Love the complexity everyone feels with Dr Wells being evil, clever and also kind at times.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Arrow: S03E20: "The Fallen"

Rating: 5

In A Nutshell

Well Well Well, Thea is still alive, barely, as predicted, and yes, the regeneration pool of Ra's al Ghul comes into play here. The only guy with planes available these days is Ray, who loans them his so they can fly Thea to Ra's al Ghul's temple and get her ditched into the pool. In return, Oliver agrees to join the League of Assassins. Yup, he finally caves in ... in a cave. A lot of long faces in this episode and a high pitched sopping Felicity, who gets to get jiggy with Oliver in an extended scene of some nudity. She attempts a rescue plan against his wishes, which fails, and they all head off home without Oliver, but with a now healthy Thea (or is she?). Meanwhile, in the flashbacks that no one really cares about anymore, Oliver and his kong-fu couple try to stop a virus from being unleashed.

What I liked

Ra's al Ghul's temple is very atmospheric and he carries a lot of gravity to his character.

Yup, that's all I liked.

What I Didn't Like

No attempt to tel Roy his ex-girlfriend is on death's door. Well, he's supposedly gone off grid but that's never stopped them before.

The regeneration pool thing was so predictable. Supposedly Thea is changed, and she was for like ten minutes, but seemed normal at the end. Not sure that'll continue. She accepted Oliver staying behind very easily.

The rescue attempt that wasn't ... lame. And quite frankly full of stupidity.

The whole Malcolm and Thea thing now has become tired.

Huh?

So reminded of LOST this week, what with the water pool, it's healing powers, and that it can change a person.

Some of the assassins aren't all that good really are they?

Are we to believe Oliver really is stuck there? Of course not. I've got all the tension of a floppy balloon in believing this is the end of Arrow.

And Finally

Potentially a very interesting concept of Oliver becoming the new Ra's al Ghul but it doesn't feel genuine in terms of the show's progression. Is this the future of Arrow? Perhaps next season will be from this new perspective? I'd hope so, as it's the sort of change this show needs. However, I just have a fear that there will be a cop-out somewhere soon ...

Rating: 5 out of 10 (Either this is a genius change in direction or the show has jumped the shark; I'm going for the latter).

The Flash: S01E19: "Who is Harrison Wells?"

Rating: 6

In A Nutshell

Barry and Co deal with a shape shifter metahuman, who leads to Eddie getting framed for murdering two cops. Joe and Cisco head off to Starling City (conveniently) which is where Dr Wells had his car crash and was never the same afterwards ...

What I liked

Kaitlin/Barry interaction, especially with the fake-Barry (shapeshifter) was amusing and fun.

Discovery of Dr Well's hidden room at the end was long overdue ...

I think we'd all like to see Sergeant Lance get on with his daughter again, so I welcomed the time that Joe gave to convincing him to think again about their relationship.

What I Didn't Like

The whole trip to Starling City felt staged and contrived ... and unnecessary, since us viewers already knew exactly what had happened. I'd rather they thought of a better way to do this. Seems the trip was more to get some crossover with the Arrow show, get Cisco to do some tech work for Laurel and for Joe to pep-talk Sergeant Lance. There seemed little point in terms of the Flash show to this trip though.

Everything that happened with the shape-shifter was age-old stuff that we've seen before in these types of powers. Little background to the metahuman was given once again.

Huh?

Well, this seems to be the start of the police finally acknowledging the existence of metahumans.

Plus, nothing like peril to bring a couple back together without any need to discuss what went wrong; aka Eddie and Iris.

And Finally

Sadly, the stereotypical plot for a shape shifter, combined with a highly contrived roadtrip to Starling City, made for underwhelming developments in this episode that even the humour parts from Cisco couldn't repair.

Rating: 6 out of 10 (Felt like we'd seen this all before.)

Game of Thrones S05E04 - "Sons of the Harpy"

Rating: 8

In A Nutshell

Jamie & Bronn head to Dorne as the new comedy sidekick duo, where they eat some snake and then take down some snakes of sorts in four Dorne guards who were tipped off by the boat's captain. Cersei creates danger for anyone flaunting religious values (umm, what about herself?) by giving the High Sparrow and his men powers in law. Jon Snow resists the Red Priestess's advances. Sansa and Littlefinger plot against the Boltons. The Sand Sisters are ready for war on the Lannisters. Tyrion has a merry merry boat ride with Ser Jorah. Lastly, it seriously all kicks of with the Sons of Harpy and Unsullied!

What I liked

Jaime and Bronn banter; brilliant insight humour and action by these two. With Podrick/Brienne and Tyrion/Varys double acts not in this episode, these two really raised their game.

Jaime's having a solid gold hand in his solo victory; nice!

A decent battle at the end that's full of sword wielding stuff and blood; Unsullied versus Sons of Harpy.

The newly formed Sparrow movement goes forth, beating up those in the brothels and so forth in some very bloody ways.

King Tommen goes about huffing and puffing but ultimately doesn't realise he's been out maneuvered cleverly by his own mum. How sweet.

What I Didn't Like

Not a lot to dislike this episode. It was all nice and so down at Winterfell but it wasn't overly interesting, but it did confirm what we thought Littlefinger's plan was and provide a history lesson.

Hints of feeling a little too staged and contrived at times this season. Very un-Game of Thrones.

Unsullied; aren't they supposed to be the best fighting force in Westeros?

Huh?

The Red Priestess seems to like getting her body out on display. Jon Snow has nerves of steel. She is a sort of prostitute in ways.

And Finally

Great five minute action at end, along with some earlier sparrow action, combined with some great scenes between characters and Jaime/Bronn and Tyrion comedy.

Rating: 8 out of 10 (The long game starts to carefully play out nicely to us viewers)

Atlantis: S02E09: "The Gorgon's Gaze"

Rating: 6

In A Nutshell

Pasiphae tries numerous ways to break Ariadne, including killing the only decent extra in this show, Delmos, before getting Medea to try some rather ineffective magic on her. Medusa cries a lot and can't life with herself anymore, so has pythagoras keep a plan to himself to get the pandora box back, to which Jason doesn't like the idea for about 10 seconds before happily chopping off the now gorgon again medusa and using her head with little remorse turn all guards to stone as he gets to Pasiphae. That ends quickly and with no real resolution after she blurts out I AM YOUR MOTHER!

What I liked

Jason goes all dark and storms the palace with Medusa's head! This was quite dramatic from this show's perspective and about as close to darkness as it gets.

Delmos; just about the only character to add any real belief and gravity to any situation. So few lines and so few scenes. Why are the guards more genuine and interesting than the main characters?

What I Didn't Like

Jason gets all the way into the sparsely guarded palace (sigh) and finds Pasiphae where they go all sword fighting, which is over in seconds because, well, it would be as she's no sword fighter. Why didn't she use one ounce of magic? Jason even comically procrastinated long enough for her to tell him in a Darth Vader way "I am your mother!" which was just missing the deep wheezy voice. Didn't really carry much weight, especially when he just clouts her with the sword. That's it? He did all this, defeats her rather meekly, then leaves? The whole conversation with Medea at the end was about as convincing and interesting as cold custard that's past it's sell by date. Why did he do all that and then actually have achieved nothing?

Delmos; a real legend in this show, because he was actually very good.

Delmos; gone but not forgotten in this dire programme. Added great moments to this series in very small quantities that was not his fault. Died in a pathetic way, that was also not his doing.

Medusa/Hercules love stuff was awful, but at least that's over now.

Jason took to the Medusa plan very quickly after the initial OMG NO WAY I'M DOING THIS PLAN moment.

Huh?

Jason has no problem killing all those guards then? Given most are just following orders rather than actually liking Pasiphae.

We all know the priest isn't happy with what he's done or the situation that's occurred so his rather bold "GUARDS" shout when he finds pythagoras before moments later being totally on side just felt rather awkward.

And Finally

The show balanced out the death of one character who was actually very good at his role, Delmos, with one that we all don't mind seeing the back off, Medusa. The whole Gorgon charge by Jason was filmed very well, but I don't think many of us could take her crying and love stuff with Hercules for much longer. IF everything else had been as dramatic as Jason with the Gorgon head moments, this could have been decent episode but everything else went quite flat and carelessly.

Rating: 6 out of 10 (Aside from Delmos and the Gorgon/Jason moment, the rest of the episode was as flat as a squashed tomato.)

Atlantis: S02E08: "The madness of Hercules"

Rating: 7

In A Nutshell


Do you want to know? Well, Jason is on death row, but is eventually rescued on a second attempt before Ariadne finds herself arrested for allegedly helping Jason escape even though there wasn't really a shred of evidence.

What I liked

A failed rescue attempt! Wonders will never cease. I thought it was a walk in, walk out job in this show up until now. Ok, there was a second attempt that succeeded but hey ...

Ariadne held her nerve to keep Jason on course to be sacrificed, not only defying anything this show has done before but also all us viewers who was sure they'd find a loophole.

Pasiphae is in power! Ok, she's a rubbish villain but at least our hero's at last have an uneasy life and some obvious threat to overcome.

I didn't see Hercules's plan to break in coming. Who would? He didn't seem to care at all for most of episode. Still, it was amusing.

What I Didn't Like

Pasiphae is in power! Yup. I said i liked it but I also don't. We've been here before and it was dull last time around. This is like Game of Thrones without any logic or bloodshed ... Or nudity.

Well, she came into power quickly ... how exactly did that all work? We were spared the political details thankfully.

An easy escape the second time around from a palace that a hapless two year old could probably steal from.

Huh?

That Hercules and Medusa love thing is still very unconvincing. She's like an OTT drama student.

Hercules didn't seem to be sweating over Jason's fate until eventually he just decided to try rescuing him.

Didn't Jason kill a guard on his first escape? That doesn't seem like him.

And Finally

Purely because it didn't go to usual Atlantis script, this episode was actually a decent watch.

Rating: 7 out of 10 (Yes, failed attempts at having any genuine heart this show, with Ariadne holding our nerves with tension for half the show, then it all went pear shaped, but in a slightly enjoyable way)