American Horror Story Series 2 Episode 1

Welcome to Briarcliff 

Series two of American Horror Story is here, and that’s a good thing. The show that does whatever it wants is back for a second helping of violence, sex and shock. And that is what the first opening moments gave the audience. A sexy newly wed couple explore the Asylum, giving the history of the place while exploring their sexual boundaries. Then someone has to go and loose and arm, always a bummer. 

Just to note, the new title credits are even creepier than last season. Glad they kept the same music, which adds that level of uncertainty to the entire show. Hauntingly beautiful. 

1964. Some of the fear that came with the news that series two would use some of the same actors from series one were that their characters would be confused, or at least be seen too similar. The 60s gives them the ability to spray the 60s all over them, thus creating new, separate characters. Evan Peters as Kit is nothing like Tate from series one. Jessica Lange is always some iteration of Jessica Lange, which is never a bad thing. Her as Sister Jude is forceful and assertive. 

The show becomes almost film noir like when quickly introducing “Bloody Face”. The montage is funny yet disturbing at the same time. Just like the entirety of the American Horror Story franchise. The characters are different, but the same themes and tone is applied in the second series. Hopefully the show will improve upon the formula rather than making some of the same mistakes that the first series did. 

Sister Jude meets her match in Dr. Arthur Aden, who but heads over how to deal with the patients. Feeding them to dogs seems not to be apart of the Sister’s healing plan. Dr. Aden is just as creepy, if not more than, Sister Jude. Their working relationship is tested since the Monsignor told them to work equally but separately. 

Lana is obviously the female reporter who wants to prove herself and crack the story behind the Asylum. She comes off as pushy right now, but she will act as the investigator for the show’s mystery. Her time with Sister Eunice adds more to Lana’s personality, blackmailing the Sister for her own needs. Sister Eunice is a strange mix of a pathetic puppet and willful participant in Dr. Aden’s experiments.

Possible alien abductions, monsters in the woods, an over abundance of religious ideology, strange scientific research, brains in jars. The second series of American Horror Story has a good foundation to delve into the strange and bizarre. 

Rating: Watch

Original Air Date: 10/17/12

On FX, Wednesday's 10/9 Central 

Revolution Season 1 Episode Five

Soul Train 

The curious case of the missing brother finally makes some headway this episode, sad that it took so long for this storyline to get interesting. Danny finally shows some backbone when talking back to Tom. And about Tom, another stellar series of flashbacks about characters that are interesting. Tom before the blackout was a family man that was working in the insurance world when he got fired for being to nice to people. There is still that side to him alive in him being Captain. 

Charlie tries to play it cool when she runs into the Captain in the train yard, but her tone comes across vicious, yet she holds it together until Tom leaves, then she does the cliche deep breath thing. But of course Tom knows she is lying, proving that Charlie can’t do anything right again. So Miles takes over, again. 

In-between Charlie failing again this week, Nora gets her underground rebelness on, by finding the local secret office in town. Well, it turns out only to be an army of one but she is still going to destroy that train, just the two of them. 

Back to awesome banter. Tom and Miles have a great rapport, which seems to be yet another common theme, Miles being one of the few people in our gang of good guys that can hold a conversation for more than two minutes. Miles is the only character of the group that is able to look past the small picture. He is the only anchor of the group. Charlie still needs to grow up and think about her actions more carefully in the dangerous world she lives in. Charlie first and foremost needs a radical change in her personality. 

Most interesting tidbit of the episode is how the country split up in these 15 years. Different militias, republics dominate the former United States, opening up future conflicts with these waring powers. But that future is a long way away, for a show that knows where it is going, not a show that has a main cast that is being supported solely by one character. 

Some real twists happen in this episode, but not until the last act, which is too late to build any steam. The buildup wasn’t worth the wait. Showing the train so early and getting to see it on the move so late in the episode was a poor decision. Still, the episode wasn’t a complete wash, it moved the Danny storyline along. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/15/12

On NBC, Monday’s 10/9 central 

Last Resort Season 1 Episode 3

Eight Bells 

This is the episode where Julian Serrat, the local war lard of the island, becomes a credible threat to the Captain and his people. The setup of the episode is very classic: with a deadline (literally this time), a seeable goal and means to obtain this goal. Julian wants a shipment that he was planning to get, of what will probably come out in later episodes, but he can’t get to it, so he uses his advantage of holding three crewmen hostage. He sends Marcus out on his fetch quest and gives him until dawn. Simple, next to the blockade of ships that has surrounded the island. Challenges ahead. 

The action shifts back to the sub for the episode, which highlights the show’s claustrophobic atmosphere. But there was never a real threat of the sub not beating the blockade, but more about making the deadline. Marcus and the crew were always going to make it back to the island with the goods. But not making it in time put the death of Redman on the shoulders of Marcus and on the other hostages who chose for him to die (by proxy). The thrill of having to beat the blockade back to the island was great, especially when Sophie, the French NATO official, had to help guide the super stealth-less sub back home. 

The other story told this week was about the soon to be relationship between Tani Tumrenjack and James King. Their quest to meet Tani’s father, and her failed attempt to anger him with James was fun to watch. This story gave some background to the island’s inhabitants and shows off the lush jungles of the island. During these moments, anyone who is a LOST fan felt as if they were back on that other island, since both shows share the same general filming area. This was obvious when James and Tani when diving / swimming, since that lagoon area was used multiple times in LOST. 

This week offered up more about the people who lived on this island before Marcus and his sub came to the island, which is a good thing because having to deal with seemingly endless crewmen who are tired of taking orders was becoming a worn out tactic. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/11/12

On ABC, Thursday’s 8/7 central 

Nashville Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot 

Nashville is what any and every music based drama should be. Period. Music is woven into the show, letting it play its part by not getting in the way of the plot. The story touches family problems, politics, country music, young vs. old, rivalries, and of course romance. Series, smart, and fun, Nashville is one of the best pilots this season. The hype around this show lives up to the, well, hype. 

Connie Britton plays Rayna James, a country music star who’s 20 year career is fading and is given the choice to either open for Juliette Barnes, played by Hayden Panettiere, the young start who is extremely popular. Both actress bring their A game to their respected roles. James and Barnes are both thirsty for fame and they brush up against one another, even when they aren’t sharing the screen. 

Nashville is a drama first and for most, music spectacle second, or even further down the line. Putting the acting and plot first helps the credibility of the show rise about trite shows like Glee or Smash, that have limit staying power. If Nashville is able to keep this same level of constancy, it will be a powerhouse this fall. ABC has the two strongest pilots this year: Nashville and Last Stand. Congrats to the network, now just keep them on track to make them the best two new shows this year. Now time for more Connie Britton acting broody about some upstart sellout who can’t sing. Must have more. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/10/12

On ABC, Wednesday's 10/9 central 

Arrow Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot 

With the CW not having a true superhero show on the air for a few years, Arrow comes to the rescue. Arrow is the closet thing that TV will get to a live action Batman show, but Oliver Queen kills the bad guys, which ads more to the ‘realism’ to the aspiring hero. The new backstory to Oliver and his time on a mysterious island where he became Arrow gives the show some history to flush out over the series. 

The basic plot is a wealthy young man wants to take his vengeance on the people who wronged him and his city. So classic Batman / Spiderman reason for doing good deeds / helping people. Other staples that Arrow brings are the CW checklist of necessities: drinking, sex, pop culture riffs and good looking people. 

The way people interact with Oliver is strange, since he was marooned for 5 years on an island. People act like it was nothing and treat him like it was just yesterday, but not for his benefit, but to keep moving the plot along. Some of the dialogue is clunky and awkward, just like how people interact with Oliver. There is some melodrama that can be cut from the show. Hopefully it will be shoved down deeper in the show overtime, since kicks ass is where the show shines. 

The actions is frantic, Bourne Identity like in how Arrow moves in and out of his environment, delivering quick hits up close or firing off arrows from afar. These gems are scattered throughout the episode, which helps frame the story with big flashy battles and one menacing attack from the shadows. 

The positives outweigh the negatives in the first episode of Arrow, with a lot of promise for the show and hopefully that will mean the show can do something special, not just on The CW, but on TV. One of the better pilots this season. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/10/12

On CW, Wednesdays 8/7 central 

Revolution Season 1 Episode 4

The Plague Dogs 

In Revolution’s fourth episode, the gang gets back together and continues questing together. Moving endlessly in one direction, trying to find Danny. This seemingly endless need to keep moving on is a pitfall of the show. There is no time to get know the environment. Not time to know what normal life is like in this not so distant future. The flip side is that this frantic nature is what living without any electronics is like. But not having a home base, or somewhere where the gang can operate out of is hindering the overall feel of the show. The show being so frantic and all, it would be nice to have the newly reunited gang find somewhere and try to figure things out. 

Maggie is the star of the pre-blackout flashbacks this week, and it giver her character some well needed development. In just a few minutes, her desperation in trying to get back home to England and see her kids then the crushing defeat of never being able to reach her goal giver her so much more depth and passion for why she is with Charlie. 

Charlie’s mom, Rachel, is given a sort sequence again this week, but it is so short it feels as if the show shoved it in at the last minute because they were short on time this week. They are really squandering any potential for her storyline right now. On the flip side, Danny is given more time this week with Captain Tom. Danny keeps his mouth shut for most of it (a good thing) and has his ethics challenged when he has the option of letting the Captain be crushed. 

Charlie is less irritating this week, actually having some nice back and forth with Miles. But she doesn’t go too long before she is getting in the way. Though not her fault, she is taken hostage by a random crazed man and Miles has to find her. Yet once again, she is causing trouble for Miles and the gang. 

(Spoiler ahead) and having her set up to be shot if the wrong door open, and presumably die, is such a cliche way of building tension. It is the fourth episode of the show, they are not going to kill off the character that the audience is suppose to feel something about. Though, if they did kill her off, it would be for the better. The death of Maggie had more emotion than all of Charlie’s flashbacks and bated breaths about her dead father / missing brother. Maggie was able, in the span of one episode, to become relatable. There is hope that the show can do this with the other flat characters but not having to kill them off after making them interesting. 

Rating: Fans Only 

Original Air Date: 10/8/12

On NBC, Monday’s 10/9 central 

666 Park Avenue Season 1 Episode 2

Murmurations 

666 Park Avenue is suffering from an identity crisis in the second episode of the show. The Pilot episode had a dark overtone that played to the strengths of the show and the creepy thing of the week at The Drake involved a man having to kill to keep his dead wife alive. This week is it about some birds in the building at attack the exterminator, who at first seemed to be a well educated character but quickly turned flat (in more than one way). The other side story about one of the residents revolves around her living in an apartment where someone was murdered in the 50s and the past coming back to haunt them 

Having Jane explore more and more of The Drake’s past is interesting, but more scary things need to happen to her. Having cryptic dreams about the past. Fine. But the poorly executed ‘scare’ moments which add up to people walking behind her just come across as lazy. The show needs more truly shocking / scary moments to amp up the show’s dark roots. Once again, Gavin (Terry O’Quinn) is pulling the creepy factor of the show almost on his own. He is the piece of the puzzle that makes this show work. Gavin is a force to be reckoned with. People who cross him end up dead on this show. 

With the prospects of being a good horror / creepy show on network TV, Murmurations just slides by as something to watch this week. The saving graces of the show outweigh the pitfalls and traps of being a cliche in the horror genre. The show is going through some growing pains, and hopefully they will end up being something special rather than another squandered fall show. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/7/12

On ABC, Sunday's 10/ 9 central 

Last Resort Season 1 Episode 2

Blue on Blue 

When a new show has an outstanding pilot episode, trying to keep the momentum up is always a problem. Having to live up to critical acclaim is both a good thing and a burden. Last Resort was able to keep the tension high, but wasn't as compact as the pilot was. 

As the first episode dealt with establishing the characters, Captain Marcus Chaplin in particular, the second episode revolved around XO, or Lieutenant Commander Sam Kendal. The XO doesn't have the steadfast faith that the Captain has, but is willing to put on a brave face for his men and women, leading them into battle and certain death. Together Kendal and Marcus make an almost unbeatable team, but the XO on his own is a man who is left to question every action he takes. This is seen in the standoff with the "Delta" team who turn out to be Russians. XO wants to talk, since he thinks they are his brothers in arms, showing is loyalty to his country, but when the bullets start flying he is willing to do whatever it takes. 

The Captain is on the other side of the equation this week, having to work things out via phone calls and video chat. He even tells his XO that "you are own your own now", showing that the two of them are going to have to work things out on their own and not always as the dynamic duo. Marcus gets some great speeches / threats in this week, proving once more why he is the captain of this crew and owner of their new island home. 

Back home side, the XO's wife is aloud to call her husband and tries to talk him into giving up Marcus and the sub in return for coming home. All of this is just a ploy by 'the government' and she quickly tells her husband not to trust these people. Smart girl. On the other side of Washington, the weapons lobbyist talks to her informant, who works in the Department of Defense, and is informed that her prototype stealth device works. She pressures him into digging deeper into the conspiracy in covering up the truth and it costs him dearly. Hopefully this new development in her story line will remove some of that smugness in her personality and make her care about the people her work affects. 

Rating: Watch

Original Air Date: 10/4/12 

On ABC, Thursdays 8/7 central 

Vegas Season 1 Episode 2

Money Plays 

The country’s obsession with the 1960s continues with CBS Vegas. But this time around, CBS has turned the popular time period into a crime show, staring Dennis Quaid as the new sheriff in Vegas tasked with cleaning up the lawless city. Michael Chiklis is the antagonist, a mobster from Chicago sent to manage the money better. Natural born enemies. 

Last weeks pilot will probably be the most plot driven episode for a while, since it set up the basic premise of the show and how Ralph Lamb got the job as new sheriff of Vegas. The cookie cutter procedural setup starts this week, with a murder or crime of the week for Lamb to solve while keeping his eye on the mob boys in town. Story elements that carry from episode to episode deal with the murder from the first episode and how he is willing to flip in return for not being executed and the mob trying to get rid of any evidence linking the two. At least the show is trying to have some element of story this early on. 

The window dressing of the 60s makes Vegas fun, but how long this nostalgic wash will last is the real question. Quaid and Chiklis bring caliber acting, but being shoved into a murder of the week format will drain on the top notch acting. Only so many crimes can happen in Vegas before the show starts to show its age. But in the mean time, enjoy the glitz and glam of Vegas while it is still fresh. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/2/12 

On CBS, Tuesday’s 10/9 central 

Revolution Season 1 Episode 3

No Quater 

Revolution is brining out the big guns in supporting characters, trying to infuse some character into the show. Make something credible out of the show, rather than a mockery of a good idea. The over all darker tone of the third episode fits more inline with what the show promised. The main story with Charlie, who is still a bore, and her Uncle Miles was interesting because it focused on Miles’ past. Wise choice to shine the spotlight on the most interesting character the show has at this point. 

Following up on last week: Charlie, Miles and Nora meet up with a group of rebels who are trying to undermine the Militia and bring back the United States of America. Lofty goals. Things go south and Miles’ history as commanding general of the Militia is revealed. Charlie is angry but still plays her sad eyed temper, accompanied with her pouty lip. Her character really needs to evolve and show some personality. There was a glimpse of who she could be when she was tending to the wounded, but that was only a fleeting moment. 

Back to the supporting cast, Mark Pellegrino joins the cast as a Militia commander who has a past with Miles. Pellegrino matches Miles tit for tat in both their sword fights and banter. Their scenes together were the highlight of the episode. 

Aaron and Maggie poke around Grace’s abandoned house, trying to make sense of what she has to do with the power coming back on, but they are just spinning their wheels until they get their own week. Danny got beat up. Yeah he is really a fascinating character. 

As the show moves forward, Revolution needs to be able to juggle the three or four groups of people better. So far there is only the A story, with the closest storyline being E or F. The B storyline needs to be established better, flush out the other groups of characters that have been introduced. Also, make Charlie more interesting. She is still the wet blanket that was seen in the pilot. 

Rating: Watch 

Original Air Date: 10/1/12

On NBC, Monday’s 10/9 central 

666 Park Avenue Season 1 Episode 1

Pilot 

666 Park Avenue can be described as Fantasy Island, with more murder and darkness. Two things that really help set the show apart on network T.V. The show sets up the dynamics for the first few episodes, which could lead to some creepy moments. Hopefully.

The basic plot is that Henry and Jane become the managers of The Drake Apt building, which comes with the perk of living rent free in an amazing apartment. The owner of the building, Gavin, is just the right balance of creepy and helpful. Played by the masterful Terry O'Quinn, Gavin helps sell the show as more than a bad American Horror Story rip off. Though the basic underlying themes of the two shows are drawn from the same sentiment.

It is a good thing that The Drake has so many residents, acting as red shirts or slaughter for Gavin to use as pawns in his ultimate evil plan. And about that plan, Jane has stumbled on The Drake's cryptic past, something to do with a cult and a black dragon mosaic in the basement. Glad to know that there is some mythology for the show to grow into and questions to answers while Gavin's playing with his victim of the week.

Rating: Watch
Original Air Date: 9/30/12
On ABC, Sundays 10/ 9 central