TV Review

Arrow, Supergirl, Flash, Legends Of Tomorrow

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All four of these CW series have returned for another season.  In most cases, I am wondering why!

ARROW is the longest running of these and it is, for me, still the most engaging thanks to the brooding masculinity of the star Stephen Amell.

SUPERGIRL was brilliant in its first season on ABC with Calista Flockhart as the ‘boss from hell’ Cat Grant, a considerable amount of the SFX budget was spent on CGI to remove all her wrinkles, I loved it.  Season Two on the CW meant no more Cat Grant, apart from brief guest spots, but brought in some familiar faces from previous superhero series like Linda Carter (Wonder Woman), Teri Hatcher (Lois Lane from Lois & Clark) and Katie McGrath as Lena Luthor (Morgana from Merlin).  They even introduced a new Superman played by the stunningly handsome Tyler Hoechlin from Teen Wolf, sadly we saw very little of him and he didn’t get his own series … yet!  Season Three is so far not working for me at all.  BRING BACK CALISTA!

FLASH spun off from Arrow a few years ago.  Last season was too confusing and this season looks to be even more so.  Too much time travel, alternate realities, and screwed up futures.  Sorry … you have lost me!

LEGENDS OF TOMORROW spun off from Arrow and Flash with a collection of characters and some good actors including the boys from Prison Break, Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell.  The main star was Arthur Darvill (Rory from Dr Who) but he was disappointing and unconvincing as Rip Hunter.  Saldy, it was all too chaotic and the time travel element made it too easy to keep saving the day and screwing up the future.  They lost me part way through season one and I see no reason why they should have yet another season to waste money better spent on something new and NOT comic related!

4 champagnes out of 10.  

Arrow

https://www.facebook.com/CWArrow/

Supergirl

https://www.facebook.com/TheCWSupergirl/

Flash

https://www.facebook.com/CWTheFlash/

Legends

https://www.facebook.com/CWLegendsofTomorrow/

 

 

The Good Doctor

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Freddie Highmore was excellent in BATES MOTEL as the young Norman Bates.  Now that brilliant series is over, he is back in his own new show called THE GOOD DOCTOR.  In this show he is astounding!

He is a young surgeon doing his residency but his life and relationships are complicated by his severe Autism Spectrum Disorder.  The show has drama, humour, charm and empathy.

A winner!

9 Champagnes out of 10!

NOV 2017:  Episode 7 where he encounteres a young patient with Autism is exceptional.  I learned so much about a disorder which, to those living with it, see it as normal.

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https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodDoctorABC/

 

STAR TREK: Discovery

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New Trek For A New Generation

STAR TREK: Discovery has launched with a two part premiere.

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Now in the hands on Netflix and CBS the latest incarnation of the 60’s classic SciFi is a visual feast with state of the art effects (Captain Kirk will be SO jealous).  I didn’t even realise that it was being made!

The most obvious improvement is the portrayal of the Klingons with their new upgraded costumes and prosthetics making them a more believable enemy.  I have never been a fan of klingons and the endless subtitles when they are speaking is still a pain.

The new crew are an interesting and engaging bunch.  I was not convinced by the Captain’s performance in these first two episodes and want her gone.

May this new Star Trek series “live long and prosper”!

8 “Kinigons on the starboard bow” out of 10.  (It isn’t Dr Who, after all)

 

UPDATE: 24Oct2017:  

Star Trek: Discovery continues to deliver the best of the TV franchise.  The SFX are exceptional; the updated sets, ships and costumes are excellent.  The opening titles are brilliant.  There are also two major characters who are a gay couple with at lest a 15 year age gap between them.  One of the other characters is also Spock’s adopted sibling so it is now clear that this series is set before the first original Star Trek series.

UPDATE: 2Nov2017:  

Star Trek: Discovery episode 7 blew me away!  A brilliant timey-wimey tale featuring one of the gay characters.

 

 

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