Travelers, Season One, Episode One: Travelers

Hundreds of years into the future, humanity is almost extinct.  Travelers have been sent back in time to change the past so that humans can thrive again. They track people through their social media accounts and take over the body moments before their deaths. They essentially project their consciousness backward in time. 

We are introduced to a small cell of travelers by seeing them arrive.  Marcy Wharton is a young mentally disabled woman who dies when she trips on a flight of stairs trying to escape men who are threatening her.  Once inside Marcy, the traveler lays the beat down on the men who sought to attack her.  Marcy's case is particularly interesting because of course, the traveler doesn't have intellectual disabilities. This means in one fell swoop, Travelers has erased a potential disabled character. All Travelers have difficulty assimilating because while they know something about the bodies they are inhabiting thanks to social media, there's much they do not know.  Marcy for instance is unable to fool her social worker David, and quickly makes him suspicious by easily reading a newspaper. Marcy's Facebook listed her as a librarian when in fact, Marcy was a janitor at the library.  It's a quick reminder that people don't always tell the truth about their lives on things like Facebook and Instagram. 

Carly Shannon is the only woman of colour on the show. Her body is taken over by a Traveler when she is killed by her abusive drunk ex.  It's worth noting that this is the second female character which has been introduced to us who died violently from male abuse.  Carly finds herself in her new body with a baby and no idea how to care for it. Carly is forced to google who to care for a baby. I must admit that I cheered when Carly quite easily put Walt, her ex and abuser in his place. I did however find myself wondering who Carly found to look after the little boy when she left her home?

Trevor Holden died in a mixed martial arts fight when he was clearly outclassed. Trevor covers for the things he doesn't know by saying that he has a concussion from the fight and that there's a lot he doesn't remember.  His family is certain that he's not quite himself because of how polite he suddenly is. Thus far, Trevor's girlfriend Rene sees his unwillingness to sleep with her as sweet, because he claims that he wants her to help him know himself better.  It seems as though Trevor and Rene are the most popular kids at their high school. Given that Trevor is now a traveler on a mission to save humanity, I doubt he'll have much time for school politics.

Philip died in a drug overdose and of course had his body taken over by a Traveler moments before his death.  Philip quickly finds himself in trouble with the law because he didn't call 911, to help out his friend who died beside him. For much of the episode, Philip spends his time trying to evade the law.  Philip however does get his court appointed attorney Ray, to place some long shot bets for him and he even manages to win the lottery.  Ray is clearly going to be a problem for Philip going forward because Ray wants more tips on who to bet on.

Booke of the Hidden by Jeri Westerson

Kylie is ready to make a new start - moving across the country to set up her own business and reboot her life. She meets her new neighbours, sets up her shop - and finds a book

Opening the book releases many dark forces into the world - and Erasmus Dark. possibly a demon, possibly a dark force, and almost certainly untrustworthy but Kylie’s only guide and help, along with a local coven of very inexperienced wiccans, to putting the monsters back where they belong

I am… just kind of bemused by the plot and actions of, well, most of the characters but especially Kylie Strange (yes, Kylie Strange).

I mean she has a bad break up with an arsehole boyfriend so decides to move and have a fresh start. Hey that’s reasonable. So she moves from California to Maine, to a town she’s apparently not even visited to set up a business selling herbs and teas in a rural town where she’s done no real market research and doesn’t even know who heads up the local business association or anything else about this place. It looks like she just picked a place on a map and decided “this town needs artisanal tea”.

Ok I’ll run with that. I’ll also run with her deciding to take a sledgehammer to one of her walls because it’s made of brick because, hey, alcohol. But when magic and woo-woo rise she turns to the local wicca coven - and thankfully this town has one and they all merrily introduce themselves to her on first meeting. As one does. Hey local-doctor-who-is-a-plasterer, want to discuss your non-traditional religion with me, a complete stranger, when you already face some level of hostility in the town because of it.

And weird odd choices like joining a knitting circle to raid someone’s library. Oh and some kind of dog monster which everyone seems to forget about?

We have a love triangle. Kind of. I mean, sort of. I mean, it’s like someone’s checked a list and realised “damn we need a love triangle! It’s required” but wasn’t especially invested in this or going to put much into it. I mean we have sheriff… so-and-so. I mean I could look up the name but really sheriff so-and-so is kind of the limit of his role. Ok, it’s nice for local law enforcement not to be the enemy for once, but if we’re setting him up as the nice human challenge to the supernatural love interest it’d be nice if he was actually presented as remotely, well… compelling.

Fear The Walking Dead, Season Three, Episode Six: Red Dirt

What's easily the most fascinating aspect of the season is watching as the Clarke family manipulates the Otto family.  It really is a case of divide and conquer. Madison has become close with Troy even though he is clearly the most dangerous and unstable Otto. Nick has bonded with Jeremiah and of course, Alicia with Jake.  While the Clarks don't necessarily talk about the manipulation, it's clear that this is an agreed upon tactic to benefit their family.  The Otto's were nowhere ready to deal with the Clarks. 

The big issue this week is the threat that Qaletqa Walker and his people pose to the survival of the ranch. After Madison, Troy and his men return from their forced march back to the ranch, the men are so stunned by what they've been through, they don't listen to Troy as he orders them to wait until they're alone with Jeremiah to reveal what happened to them.  The men make it clear that they are afraid of the Indigenous people and are certain that they will be killed if they don't abandon the ranch. 

The fear that the community collectively feels has a different effect on each Otto. Troy is angry when people start to leave because he feels abandoned.  Troy is particularly resentful when people take supplies like flour and gas with them because he feels that these supplies belong to the community. Naturally, Madison keys in on this and Troy's desire to fight for what he feels is his. Madison even winds up Troy by encouraging him to defy Jeremiah and ensure that no one leaves, no matter what he has to do.  Like his father, Troy keenly feels betrayed by those who are leaving but he feels particular rage at Mike Trimbol. 

In contrast to Troy, Jeremiah is downright apathetic about the threat.  He rants to Madison about the Indigenous people being all welfare cheats, drunk and ne'er-do-wells who live in a dump and are incapable of mounting any kind of real attack upon the ranch.  Jeremiah is particularly resentful of any Indigenous claim to his land saying that his family purchased it fairly and that in the history of humanity, the ownership of land always passes to those who are victorious in any kind of conflict.  When Madison rightfully gives Jeremiah a look, he calls her a bleeding heart liberal and asserts the veracity of his claims.

As much as Jeremiah isn't concerned about the threat, he is extremely heartbroken about what is becoming of the community which he views to be his legacy. With the man who died in the fire last week and with the Trimbol departure that leaves Jeremiah as the last "founding father" and it weighs heavily on him. Unlike Jeremiah, Vernon has finally reached the point where he can realise that violence begets violence and is sure their days of oppressing the Indigenous tribe are coming back to haunt them. Vernon chooses to prioritise his family which feels like a betrayal to Jeremiah and so Jeremiah suggests that because Vernon is a father that he is behaving like a woman. Gotta love how even at the end of times, racism and sexism are still alive and well. Jeremiah clearly wants to see Jake take over when he dies but now he is actively wondering if he is going to have a legacy to leave his kids.  It's Nick that a drunken Jeremiah turns to in despair.

Preacher, Season 2 Episode 2: Mumbai Spy Tower

Last week the Saint of Killers caught up with Jessie and crew in a motel full of gun afficionados including one lady in a fluffy dressing gown with a grenade launcher.

This results in a whole lot of dead gun owners, some guy really upset by the lack of ginger beer and the gang running through a back window and managing to escape and get on the road again

As ever, all of this is zany and very very very weird. Because this is everything Preacher is all about.

But the gang now needs to find some way to stop the Saint of Killers since he’s immune to bullets and the Voice of Genesis. Tulip’s also kind of shaken that their home town blew up in a methane explosion - something she’s just learned from the news.

But Cassidy may have an answer - he remembers an advert for a casino act: and the act is the angel Fiore

Fiore came back to earth very depressed because fellow angel Deblanc is dead and gone. So he goes to a casino and repeatedly tries to kill himself - which he fails at since angels die and just respawn, leaving their body behind. Which is very very messy. He is also good at gambling but not caring and having some sex with a woman he also doesn’t seem to be thrilled by.

His general depression works in his favour when he commits suicide on stage in the casino and becomes their new act

What no-one can either explain or justify is why his new act is as “Ganesh” and wearing the most appalling faux-Indian get up. Ye gods, there was no need for this. Ever. None.

He continues to kill himself in dramatically awful ways, leaving lots of bodies to clear up which absolutely no-one has a problem with.

So to the angel!

Except  when they meet Fiore we have to remember that Fiore really really doesn’t like them. In fact the reason why the Saint of Killers is after them is because Fiore has paid him to do it - and kill Genesis.

That also means Fiore can call him off. And it almost looks like they convince him with a big dramatic speech about how god is missing and how terrible that is. It would work - except Fiore doesn’t give a shit. Fiore is sick of everything. It doesn’t help that they called him Deblanc, his dead friend’s name the whole time.

Oh and the Saint of Killers can track Genesis - every time that Jessie uses that voice the Saint learns where he is.

Killjoys, Season 3, Episode 1: Boondoggie

It’s baaaaack! Yes this is one of those shows that I greet with glee when I know it’s finally back with us

Just as there are some which I greet with a creeping sense of dread

Last season we ended with Dutch killing the Hollen home tree and dramatically declaring war on the rest of the Hollen throughout the system/galaxy/universe/anywhere else she can find them.

The problem is that the hollen aren’t exactly advertising themselves. She and most of her team - D’avin (can I rant again about this punctuation unnecessarily in the middle of a name? I mean, it’s not like it even changes the pronunciation from Davin. There’s no glottal stop or anything), Alvis, Fancy and Pree manage to raid a hollen base and capture one of the few live hollen. Killing the Quad Hollen tree apparently killed all the Hollen birthed from it but there are still hollen around who weren’t from this system. Sadly they’re also willing to commit suicide rather than be captured alive.

This is frustrating for their plans because, to create more Hollen Tree killing black goo, they need to actually capture some Hollen alive.

Another frustration is at the RAC (bountyhunter central). Since this RAC has had a huge number of defections we have a new boss come in to take over everything and see what is actually happening. She introduces herself by being mightily unpleasant to everyone, Dutych is predictably sassy and they’ve both basically drawn lines to hate each other. Dutch also thinks she may be Hollen and is willing to murder her anyway

Ok, look - I love 101 things about this show but, despite often good anti-sexist messages, Dutch moving in a near all male world is a problem. And this looks like it’s going to be exacerbated now we have the death of Delle Sayah and Pawter and her new mission is unlikely to bring her into contact with Bellus often, if at all. To have this complete female void around her and then introduce a female character expressly to be hated is a problem.

For that matter, can we address Dutch’s idea of tactics being rage and roar - because there’s a danger of turning Dutch into a weapon by making her do very very short-sighted things. I don’t think it’ll ever get that far because we’ve already seen a lot of depth and nuance from Dutch and I get wanting to keep Turin involved, but “rawr war” is not a tactical position

Turin’s still around and, thankfully, provides some much needed intelligence and insight to Dutch’s short sighted hot headedness. Including how killing boss lady would attract attention, that a plan to find other RACs in other sectors with their own hollen trees is a good one - but pointless unless they have more Black Goo. He also points out all the defections are likely due to RAC agents who were turned into hollen and now being freed from their influence promptly freaked out and ran as fast and far as they could.

But he does have plan. He also promises intense heat and gratuitous nudity

I am disappointed. Don’t make promises you’re not willing to keep, Killjoys

Wynonna Earp, Season 2, Episode 4: She Ain't Alright

Waverley is getting more and more ominous - even sleep walking through the freezing wintry landscape of wherever Purgatory actually is (it’s filmed in Canada, so you KNOW it’s cold/ Also note, two days two seperate Canada jokes - I’m on a role Renee!) despite being a sensible person who needs 11 duvets in such weather.

Wynonna finally has to admit something is up

Meanwhile we have some nefarious person who really really really needs more explanation but, alas, we don’t actually get any this episode. And ok, i can let that go this episode - but the end of last season and Black Badge brought to show a gazillion more supernatural gribblies and absolutely no-one is interested in exploring this and it is FRUSTRATING, yes it is.

Anyway Nefarious man and Nefarious woman ambush Nefarious Black Badge man with a briefcase and a stolen croissant and give him a good killing. That’ll teach him for stealing pastries - though I think the briefcase was their goal not vengeance for pastry

Lucado is super excited about this because she’s persona non-grata with Black Badge at the moment so is really eager to get the briefcase back, prove herself and be reassigned from what she considers a backwater. Also everyone in purgatory helps her. Wynonna isn’t interested in helping because she’s super obsessed with this seal in the old school now and, despite being able to do nothing about it, is doing nothing else. Which basically translates to doing nothing.

Waverley eagerly volunteers.

Which further sets of Wynonna’s weird meter and she consults Nicole and together they decide Waverley has been stealing cutlery which leads them to Dolls

I have actually no idea how this was followed, why Waverly is stealing cutlery or how Wynonna suddenly realised Dolls was hiding in the barn. He’s not in a great shape, being all demonic and stuff so she has to knock him out and run him to the bar

Where Doc (who has lost his jacket as well as his hat and yum) and Rosita are flirting and doming chemically stuff. They get him down there for lots of experimenting and curing while Dolls warns Wynonna that Waverley had a terrible look in her eye

Look, this just sounds like she had a mean expression - is this what the dark eyes thing is supposed to be? Because i get angry, i get furious, i reach a point where I would gleefully inflict 10,000 tortures on someone and laugh at their despair and inflict 10,000 more (someone switched in DECAFF at work. I am justified) and still my eyes don’t go black from edge to edge.

Well almost.

Wynonna needs someone who knows more about Black badge chemicals than they do - to Jeremy! Actually Jeremy is more than happy to help because he hates Black Badge (they banished him as well, remember), hates Lucado (because Lucado) and likes Dolls (he’s kind to him and apparently knows some secret about Jeremy’s lover)

He also smells the chemicals Wynonna has been playing in and manages to get her jacket off her before it combusts. It says everything about Wynonna that her reaction is:

1. YOU CAN SET THINGS ON FIRE WITH YOUR MIND
2. THIS IS AWESOME

Orphan Black, Season Five, Episode Four: Let the Children and Childbearers Toil

Figuring out what is going on with Neolution has been like putting together the pieces of a puzzle which are all the same colour. We've never really known who all the players are and how they are related to each other. All we've really known is that this is science based, and that all the elements are looking for power and to change the path of human history.  With the arrival of PT Westmoreland, we are now finally getting into the inner chamber of Neolution and a closer look at the competing individual aspirations.  PT Westmoreland is like a marionette master as he manipulates people to tackle the same problem from different angles, all benefiting him in the end.  I'm predicting right now that the series finale will absolute include the end of Westmoreland's allegedly long life. 

Susan

Yes, I know we all thought that we saw the last of Susan when Rachel got with the stabbing in last years season finale but as it turns out, Westmoreland still has work for her to do and so she was saved. Even though Susan survived Rachel's attack, she's not pleased with Westmoreland because she believes that he turned Rachel against her. Really? It has nothing to do with the years of lies, manipulation and Rachel's own desire for power? Westmoreland however does offer up a peace offering in the form of Ira. Am I the only one who is creeped out by the idea of Ira and Susan as a couple? 

Once Ira and Susan are alone, the info dropping starts.  Ira's got his back up a bit because he's clearly jealous of long history between Susan and Westmoreland. Susan explains that while she agrees wholeheartedly with Westmoreland's objectives, she hasn't always agreed with the means he chose to achieve them. Of course Susan is alluding to Virginia and Castor.  Susan responded by having Virginia placed in a mental institution to keep her away from Westmoreland (more on that later). Susan however does believe that Westmoreland may have made a breakthrough with Kira.

When Susan gets Westmoreland alone, Susan takes the opportunity to throw shade at Rachel, as a hidden Ira listens in. Susan makes it clear that she believes that Rachel is far too messed up to have such a prominent position and inquires about getting access to the research Rachel has collected on Kira. Westmoreland clearly sees through Susan's attempt to unseat Rachel and so he grants her request for access but keeps Rachel in her seat of power for now. Westmoreland is going to play Susan and Rachel against each other just as he played Virginia and Susan against each other. As long as the women are fighting each other, they're too busy to keep track of what Westmoreland is up to. Considering that both Virginia and Susan are scientists, they really should have been to smart to fall for such an obvious play. 

Sarah

Sarah is still extremely upset that Kira has shut her out and won't discuss what's being done to her at Dyad, in any real detail.  Things come to a head when Sarah discovers a nasty cut on Kira's arm. It turns out however that the wound was self inflicted because Kira wanted to know how long it would take to heal.  The fact that Kira self harmed and was not in fact by Rachel, doesn't assuage Sarah's fears in the least little bit, furthermore; knowing that Kira has to return to Dyad in three days further inflames Sarah's maternal concerns. It turns out that they still have some cards to play because Mrs. S has a lead to follow. We all know that this lead stems from Siobhan's little visit with Delphine. Mrs. S arranges for Felix to take care of Kira which he agrees to do, even though he has an art show coming up. Yes, I get that this is life and death but Felix is never given the opportunity to pursue his own interests because he always has to put clone club first.  

Mrs. S and Sarah set up a sting on Dr. Elizabeth Perkins, by posing as mother and daughter.  Apparently, Perkins is in town to do some case studies and she has a meeting with Alex Ripley, a high-level Neolution defector, who is potentially being held against her will at a nearby mental health facility.  Mrs. S and Sarah stage a fight, with Sarah throwing a drink in Siobhan's face, using the argument as a distraction for Sarah to steal Perkins wallet.  Seeing that Siobhan is upset, Perkins, who doesn't exactly have a healthy relationship with her own daughter, invites Siobhan to sit down and have a drink to calm down. While Siobhan and Perkins chat, Sarah looks through the wallet and snags some ID.  Sarah stages yet another scene to return the wallet and give Siobhan an exit from her little chat with Perkins.  

Doctor Who, Season Ten, Episode Twelve: The Doctor Falls

I almost don't know where to start with this final episode because there's so much that needs unpacking. On top of it all, Moffat had me all up in my feelings with his delicate balance between humor and impending doom. We had dueling timelords and masturbatory Masters. It was all too much and just enough at the same time.

The overarching question this season seemed to center around whether or not Missy could be redeemed.  The Doctor and the Master have known each other since childhood and Missy, is the only one really capable of being the Doctor's ever lasting companion because while the Doctor's human companions can spend the rest of their lives with him, he cannot spend the rest of his life with them. This is even more true now that the Doctor potentially has unlimited regenerations. World Enough and Time was supposed to be Missy's test run at being good but it all runs into a wall when she meets the Master. 

I must admit that Missy and the Master played off of each other so well. Until the very end we didn't know exactly where Missy stood. Her two hearts were pulled between her previous incarnation and her life long frenemy. John Simm's Master continued to throw in just the right amount of nasty, teasing Bill about being a cyberman and the role he played in that change, as well asking her for a bra, in reference to his own upcoming regeneration. John Simm's Master is evil because he can be and even when it leads to the revolt of an entire population because of the cruelty of his headship, he sees no reason to change, only a reason to move onto something new. 

Throughout this entire episode, we were continually reminded of just how great an actor Peter Capaldi is. I'm going to miss him so very very much.  When the Doctor gave an epic speech explaining that he does what he does not for attention or accolades but because it is the right thing to do, I found myself completely drawn in.  Missy, who has been struggling to change was clearly conflicted but of course, the Master didn't give a damn whatsoever about the Doctor's appeal to the better angels of his nature.

When the final stand between Missy and the Master occurs, it's quickly clear that it could not have ended any other way. Missy killing the Master was perfect and stealthy, just the way that you expect Missy to act. When Missy declares that it's time to stand with the Doctor, we know in this very second the Doctor has won and that he will finally have his eternal companion. Naturally this cannot be allowed to stand and so the Master destroys his own future redemption by killing Missy and making it clear that she shouldn't even bother to try and regenerate. The Master absolutely refuses to stand by the Doctor. The Master may be fascinated by being a Time Lady but he's only wiling to allow himself to go so far.  It makes me wonder if Missy's change of heart is about her experiences with the Doctor, or if the change in gender between the Master and Missy was simply enough to change her outlook on life and the universe? It makes very little sense for the Master to kill Missy, knowing that he's about to become Missy himself.  It shows the level of his unwillingness to bend.  I am absolutely going to miss Michelle Gomez as Missy.