I was expecting that the season premiere will be as “weak” as the series premiere and the miniseries premiere. Somehow I figured that it’s a bit difficult to get into that kind of story in the first place; that it takes time to establish the characters, the relationships to each other, and to build a story for the rest of the season. The series premiere had problems, because it was such a different episode from the rest of the season. The miniseries premiere had problems, because it didn’t fully go into the story like I wanted it to go. Thankfully, the “curse” of the season premiere was broken this time. Because this episode was solid. And I’m one of the few people who is NOT complaining that Liam McIntyre isn’t really warm with the role yet.

But I can give you an explanation why he wasn’t: This episode wasn’t all about Spartacus and his wish to kill Glaber (Craig Parker), it was a “team effort”. One story belonged to Crixus (Manu Bennett), another story belonged to Aurelia (Brooke Williams, she looked much older than she did back in BLOOD AND SAND), a different story completely belonged to both Glaber and Ilithyia (Viva Bianca, nerd observation: her tits seemed smaller). And then there’s still Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) in the mix, as well as the supporting cast around Spartacus and Crixus. This wasn’t a Spartacus-heavy episode, which is why McIntyre hasn’t given the opportunity to shine as well as Andy Whitfield did. Maybe it’s going to need half a season for him to fully get into the role, and I will completely excuse the rather uneventful acting from his side. Just to say something against all those McIntyre haters now.

Other than that, like I said it was a solid episode. It felt like a link between the first season and the second, even though I found it a bit difficult to get that a couple of weeks were left out after the House of Batiatus fell. It wouldn’t have been wrong to show some stuff directly after the House fell. How the gladiators and slaves settled down, how they were mostly into believing Spartacus and his ways of sending the Romans to the Afterlife. Sure, you couldn’t have filled a whole episode with it, but a few flashbacks, or one or two acts, would have fulfilled all my wishes. But that’s not the problem I had with the episode.

The biggest problem I had was that it took a whole hour for Spartacus to realize he can’t man against Glaber. That it needed Crixus for him to realize he needs a bigger army to stand against an even bigger army. That it was all about Spartacus killing Glaber. Judging from his speech in “Kill them All”, I would have figured Spartacus being a leader already, who has a plan, who isn’t so self-obsessed about killing Glaber. Who actually cares about the other slaves around him. So, I don’t really know if Steven S. DeKnight was thinking about Spartacus’ speech at the end of “Kill them All”, as well as “The Bitter End”. But even though I described this problem as “big”, it wasn’t annoying at all. It was just a little blemish in the otherwise very solid premiere, and performances of the actors.

I liked Manu Bennett. I couldn’t have imagined that he would keep up the role, and eventually go far into the drama section. Even though it was a short scene, I liked the “conversation” between Crixus and Trebius (Stephen Butterworth) was interesting, despite how it all started. It showed me that Crixus is ready to go all the way though, similar to Spartacus, which makes the two very much equal – something which didn’t happen in the first season. back then, Spartacus and Crixus were only equal in their strength in the arena. Now they have more in common, which gives the writers an opportunity to show them as friends. For the first time in the show, fighting for the same thing, side by side.

The surprising thing about the episode was Aurelia’s death. I kinda expected for something like that to happen – killing off one of the already established gladiators or slaves, so that there’s more drama in the show. And Aurelia’s death seems justified. I don’t know if her death becomes important for Spartacus though. I can imagine she just died, because some of the fugitivus had to die, to show the audience that people still can die. Which is not really that great. I fear that Agron (Daniel Feuerriegel) will die now. But since his name appears under the main cast now, I have hopes he will not die until the season finale. Same goes with Oenomaus (Peter Mensah). I know he isn’t much part of the actual history of the slave war, but I also fear that the writers will have difficulties to get him to the story. I can understand why his story is interesting, but when it doesn’t get connected with one of the bigger story arcs (either Oenomaus treats Spartacus with more information about Glaber and his army, or he gets into Glaber’s hands), it could soon become very boring. And telling two different storylines, not connected to each other at all, could kill off the pace of the season.

The Roman part of the story was also interesting. Beginning with how Lucretia was written back into the show, and the fact that Ilithyia is pregnant. What’s gonna happen, when Spartacus is the father? What is Glaber gonna do, when he finds out that Spartacus fucked his wife? I hope that revelation is going to happen, just to have another conflict between Glaber and Spartacus. For Spartacus, it’s personal, but not for Glaber at this point. It would be awesome, when the fight between the two would be on a personal level all the time. So that Glaber doesn’t shine as the hero for the public anymore, and he is being hated not just by Spartacus and the other fugitivus.

Also, the introduction of the siblings was interesting. I read an interview, where DeKnight was cutting out an incest storyline for the second season. That must have been it, because Seppius (Tom Hobbs) and Seppia (Hanna Mangan Lawrence) have some chemistry together. I wonder if the incest thing is at least going to be teased over the season, because otherwise that little game they were playing here was for nothing. Also interesting was the way Seppia talked about Seppius’ army being slaughtered by Spartacus: As if she was happy about the fact. Which makes me wonder if Spartacus is going to have allies with the Romans, or with people directly connected to Glaber.

And finally the still living Lucretia. Loved her appearance in this episode. Completely clouded, not knowing what’s going on, but scared from the world. And now with a pregnant Ilithyia, I wonder if the “steal the baby” storyline is going to happen. After all, Lucretia wanted to have a child with Batiatus, and now that he’s dead and Ilithyia is pregnant (hopefully from Spartacus), I wonder how that is holding their “friendship” together. For now it’s great to have a memory-loss Lucretia, but I hope the writers don’t keep her like that for long. I need a scheming Lucretia, who is doing anything to keep Ilithyia, the bitch, down. And Glaber. And maybe even Crixus. 7.5/10

First the shocking surprise...

... then the surprise that shocked

Interesting episode. When even the fourth special can stay that intriguing and tell a nice story about the time before you grow up, I’m confident that the rest of the show will also be as intriguing as this one. Even though I can’t connect with the story here, because I was already growing up when there was the “threat” of a step-parent in my life, it’s nice to have a reminder with a Canadian show nobody knows about outside of Canada.

The story was interesting though. Every other drama series or soap would probably make a mess out of a new step-mother in a life of a child, but this episode is just so damn straight-forward, it brings back the cuteness of Cookie’s episode. I wonder if the rest of the series is going to be straight-forward like this. Not complicating a story so much that it hurts, instead just creating a conflict within the major character of the episode. Like here: Noel (Peter Duckworth-Pilkington II) doesn’t want to wear the shirt Gayle (Charlotte Freedlander) bought, instead he wants to prove to himself that he can make decisions and that he doesn’t need a new mother in his life. The screenplay even created a nice second conflict with Gayle being part of a new family. I wish that more TV shows would be easy, straight-forward, but still conflicting like this one. I would almost say you should watch THE KIDS OF DEGRASSI STREET to learn how to craft a script easily without going overboard.

In addition, I just liked that Noel had a conflicting opinion about Gayle “taking everything away”, beginning with the work load, ending with his father (Bob Reid). When Noel said that though, I was kinda laughing about the scene when Noel and his friends were unloading the truck – I mean, that’s child labor right there on the spot. It was unintentional, but it was funny to notice that “mishap” by the crew. I wonder if there would have been more drama in the script, when it wouldn’t have been about the suit and the shirt most of the time. When Noel’s father was talking to him through the door, I was seeing some great drama here – with a deeper understanding of the characters, it could have been a crafting scene for future episodes, even when Noel doesn’t appear in them anymore. Same goes with the little “happy ending” between Noel and Gayle. Sweet to see that Noel didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so short before the wedding. It has a romantic sub-tone – as if mother and son have just found each other. Could make a good movie.

All in all, it was a great half hour. Now it’s gonna be interesting if the show stays straight-forward in a more “serial” form, as it was produced like that from the next episode on. For now I just can say I don’t regret to have picked up this show. 8/10

Suit looks perfect, let's buy it!

Gayle is happy to have a son now

Season 1, Episode 3 (3)
Date of airing: Jan 24, 2012 (MuchMusic)
Watched for review: Jan 26, 2012
Number of review in January/2012: 107/117

The episode was alright. It had a bit of difficulties to make me care about the individual storylines, and it still has loads of difficulties to connect all the characters together, making this soap something more of an ensemble soap, but other than that I’m still highly entertained about some of the stories, and how the writers don’t care how they come over. If this show is airing on US television, the Parents Television Council will have a field day with this show.

I never would have thought I’d like Raquel (Jewel Staite). Her character isn’t as bitchy and bad-ass, as I was hoping. Instead she just tries to get back into business, but gets shut out by everybody. Kind of sad, especially in her last montage, and kind of an interesting story to follow with the script, and how she tries everything to get it to an agency or producers, but is not ready to pack out the big guns yet. Sure, her talking to Gary (Rob Stewart) could be considered cocky, but after all, she has a reason why she wants to get the script made. So, in this case, the actual script of this episode made me care about a character, who could have turned out to be a real bitch at the beginning of the show.

Nick’s (Joe Dinicol) story was cool though. I didn’t even know he was still trying his comedy routine. But as long as it brought him to Meghan (Danielle Kind) and that hilarious choking thing, I was taking it. Only the ending of his story was unsatisfying. That he would still have enough confidence to bring this story onto the stage and make a stand-up bit out of it was a bit ridiculous for me. Sure, Nick seems to be the character, who can’t be stopped by anything, and I surely believe he wins the confidence, when the first people laugh about his jokes. But that he was still standing there, bringing the sex story with Meghan up, while she was laughing about him… I wouldn’t even have that much confidence in myself. Inf act, I would fake my confidence on stage. Then again, I’m not a stand-up comedian.

Meanwhile, Dead Hooker (Cassie Steele) had an acceptable storyline. I was expecting a bit more kick-ass-y from her, after her scenes were omitted, and she was only breathing in a body bag at the end. Dead Hooker took it all way too easy over the day, beginning with how she didn’t even care seeing Connor (Jonathan Patrick Moore) fucking his co-star, ending with her not knowing what Nick’s feelings are all about. In addition, isn’t Dead Hooker still an illegal immigrant? How can she work in a body bag on a Hollywood lot with an agent behind her bag? Can somebody explain to me?

Alicia’s (Chelan Simmons) story… I was laughing, when the sex tape offer came, and I could actually not believe it was that shitty at the end. It looked like the uprise of a romance between Rick (Aaron Abrams) and her – which I can’t buy, because the two don’t have the chemistry for that. They have the chemistry for some hot and steamy sex (and recording a tape), but a real romance? If the writers continue to follow that, I hope the actors are getting it in. Similar to how Connor’s story was handled. So, he can’t act. I already knew that. But I kinda like where his story is going, even though I didn’t really understand the ending. I know that being alone and left behind can suck you up big time, The ending still killed me, because I don’t know if Connor is going down a dark road with this one, or if he just needed a kick-start in his day (or night), to realize that he isn’t good enough for the job.

Tariq (Benjamin Charles Watson) and King (Andra Fuller) were boring. First, I totally expected for King to drive the hate road with Tariq in front of everybody, while he secretly loves him and breaks all the rules for him. It just isn’t exciting. And somehow, the whole shocker from last episode’s cliffhanger is gone now. I don’t know where it went, and I don’t know if the writers care enough to make a proper story out of it. Because if not, it could turn out to be sucking, since they probably don’t know how to depict a gay couple. African-American at that.

One more thing: Isn’t it a bit miserable for a band to live at the Lux? I mean, they are sitting there, playing their songs, making the tenants happy. They should be on real stages, making money, It’s a bit ridiculous that you have a band in the house, doing all the music, even though – logically speaking – they should be out making money. Like Nick. 6.5/10

Dead Hooker takes her last breather

Showering does not only mean "masturbation"

It was okay. I expected for Cookie’s episode to be the exception of the whole series. I awaited that most of the episodes will not be entertaining for me, or way too cute to be actually cute. I still like the show though, and this episode mostly for one reason: It played with the genre of horror.

Who would have thought that a childish (in a literally sense) story of Bigfoot can be suited into a HALLOWEEN or JAWS similar score, very quiet and silent, making this episode somewhat of a thriller for pre-school kids. Which was very neatly done, despite the fact that the episode didn’t survive the 1990s – let alone the 80s. But I don’t really care about that, though I kinda need something which makes me go through the rest of THE KIDS OF DEGRASSI STREET. There is no serialized plot, and I already know that none of the characters won’t be in the whole show. After all, they wouldn’t be children anymore in the 85-episodes.

The story was okay, not a burner. Since Irene (Nancy Lam) moved in (as the title suggests), it promises that she will be some sort of an important character in the next couple of episodes, and maybe even the writers took her with into the first real “season” of the show, together with the main kids. Of course the story kinda made them bad actors, especially when Ida (Zoe Newman) and Irene were fighting, followed by Irene’s lovemaking with the yellow color on her sweater and face. But the story kinda vanished for good, when the second half was all about the Bigfoot sighting. I would have wished to see more Ida and how she copes with the fact that she loses her girls to the new girl on the street. There were some good story points in the first half, but there was nothing about it in the second half. Instead just Bigfoot, who was clearly a dog, and couldn’t even surprise me anymore (as a story element).

At the end, the drama and the cuteness (emotions) weren’t really working this time. The episode is still recognizable in its effort to make a horror episode out of it. Which kinda worked (in the second half mostly), sometimes didn’t (when Irene was in the center of all attention). I believe that “Cookie Goes to the Hospital” won’t be beaten for the rest of this show. And I’m secretly awaiting DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH already. So much that I think about watching it simultaneously with this show. It’s hard for me to wait to begin with a new show I haven’t seen yet. 6/10

Irene has all kinds of yellow over her face

Ida does a happy face, because she just beat Bigfoot!

This episode was okay. Again, it didn’t feel like being part of a miniseries, and I’m thinking about the possibility that Global might be interested in turning BOMB GIRLS into a series. This is probably not true, but I can’t think of any other reason the writers didn’t put much focus into the stories. Instead this show is just about how Gladys (Jodi Balfour) wants to be a different woman than she is with James (Sebastian Pigott), how Kate (Charlotte Hegele) lives to be a different woman, and how Lorna (Meg Tilly) is going to be a different woman, after her experience and love romance with Marco (Antonio Cupo). There is nothing else about this show, which makes it kinda lame. At least it’s entertaining.

And now with Leon (Jim Codrington) being introduced as Kate’s possible romance for the second part of the episode, I kinda got my heart crushed with this episode. I was still thinking about the possibility of Betty (Ali Liebert) being a lesbian and having the hots for Kate. Yet nothing was teased this time here, and it all became another friendship storyline with Gladys. Which was definitely not wrong to do, but I was anticipating the lesbionic action in the second part of the miniseries. Now I’ll probably get the first relationship between a runaway and an African-Canadian in a TV show set in the 40s. Which is also not a wrong thing to do. The lesbians just get me every time.

The thief storyline with Hazel (Brittany Allen) was also okay. First I thought it could just be another “friendly fire” storyline between Gladys and the girls, but then it turned out to be an interesting storyline for the rest of the miniseries. I always wondered why the relationship between Gladys and James sucked like that, and now with Gladys’ mother (Kate Hennig) in the game, the whole engagement could literally blow up in everyone’s faces – which would be a nice little dramatic storyline in a show, which doesn’t have much drama offerings. In fact, now that Gladys knows James’ secrets, I expect for this storyline to become more available as a drama, to get more emotional and stuff. Not just dancing around the sub plot of Gladys becoming independent from her family. I also love that Gladys was hanging around with Betty and Kate. Now Kate has two friends (three with Leon). Seems like she’s gonna be the hero at the end.

Kate’s story was also okay, though her almost-rape was totally predictable. Thanks to that idiotic score coming up in that crucial scene. Wouldn’t the score have been there, the rape attempt could have been a bit surprising, but it was not like that. And with it, I knew that the real singer would turn up and save Kate’s day. I was just disappointed about Lorna’s story though. She really lets Marco kiss her? What a lame character she is all of a sudden. Two episodes ago she was hating him; this episode she pt the Italian paper in his locker, just so he disappears out of the factory and her life, and not even half an episode later they share a romantic kiss, and Lorna is open for some Italian cuisine in her life? Sorry, but I just can’t buy that Either she hates him or has a crush on him. One or the other. I know the one can result from the other, but it feels too damn forced here – as if the writers didn’t even know whether to have a spy arc with one of the factory workers, or not.

Vera’s (Anastasia Phillips) story was lame though. Didn’t care about her troubles, didn’t care whether she is taking the life in the hospital way too serious, didn’t care about collecting the pills (the suicide theme didn’t even go through properly). I was laughing about the scene, where she put the pills out of the cigarette package, into her hand, just so the audience can see that she hasn’t taken any sleeping pills. A completely ridiculous scene, which stole the “magic” from the scene, where Archie (Billy MacLellan) dropped the package and all the pills were falling out. That could have been a more dramatic scene, if you wouldn’t have had the info about Vera beforehand. Bad writing in this case. I also don’t really like she is the third character getting a romance plot here. This show is three episodes old, and has way too much love going on. Especially since it’s all about the Second World War… 6.5/10

Kate was almost raped

But instead she opted for helping Gladys in the rain

It was kinda a solid episode, though the first half wasn’t really thrilling. In addition, I hate being right, only I was glad being right, because Lynne’s (Brianna Brown) death moved the possibility of Farid (Amir Arison) being Abu Nazir’s financier in a new direction, and also delivered a new villain besides Abu Nazir and possibly Brody. That’s why the final third of the episode worked best, since it moved the story forward, after it completely stood still in the previous two thirds. But then again, the episode wasn’t much a burner. The thrill is still missing, and I’m still not completely involved with the characters. Carrie (Claire Danes) still remains the persona she was in the pilot (she just cried more), Brody (Damian Lewis) still remains the persona he was in the pilot (he just tries more to keep his family together). And the rest of the cast isn’t much involved yet. Not even Saul (Mandy Patinkin), who seems to have a singular role only: being there for Carrie, when she needs a father figure. Meaning: He isn’t even much of a CIA official after three episodes.

The story was okay. Sure, I didn’t like Brody’s interview much and how Jess (Morena Baccarin) is trying to keep her sex life going back to normal, but I liked that Lynne’s story meant something at the end, even though I had to think twice about the season why she was killed by Farid’s aide. In fact, I still don’t know if Farid acted during the police interrogation, or if he really doesn’t have anything to do with the financial side of terrorism. If the latter is the real fact, it could be interesting to see what the story beholds, when Farid finds out he does business with terrorists, and doesn’t even know. That would be a cool story.

The Brody family and their interviews were boring. It’s okay for the writers to show how Brody tries to reason with Dana (Morgan Saylor), and make the relationship between mother and daughter function again. But was this story for any more good here? Again I wonder if Brody could be considered one of Abu Nazir’s turned sleepers, or if he’s just a war hero trapped in suspicions of a crazy CIA agent. Three episodes in, and this part of the story still isn’t developed enough. I know, the questions about Brody’s involvement in the story is the point of the whole show, but to make HOMELAND an intriguing show, the writers should have gotten into this story during the beginning of the show, and not fill the first couple of episodes with generic family drama and father/daughter talks. I liked the lock fence though. Interesting little artefact collection, but that’s just a personal opinion.

So, what about the ending? Some newlyweds moving into a house near the airport, and the woman (Marin Ireland) tells the realtor she likes being close to the airport? Plus an Arabic-looking man (Omid Abtahi, I instantly recognized him from SLEEPER CELL)? Everybody who thinks logical would think ARLINGTON ROAD right here. Even I do, as an audience member, who hasn’t heard or seen about those two new characters. Of course they are getting important for the story. But for now it just feels like it was thrown in to replace the Lynne story. Since one way to Abu Nazir was killed with Lynne, the writers obviously look for another way to keep the characters interested. It’s a bit obvious. 6.5/10

Father and daughter laugh in her room. For a mother it must have a double-meaning

Carrie cries. As if she is in a midlife-crisis

A very good episode, and honestly, it doesn’t even feel like a part of a multi-episode arc, where all kinds of shit is happening. Instead I had the feeling this episode was written to connect the present storyline with the hostage situation to the flashback storyline with the war against (terrorism in) Afghanistan. I can actually remember that time. Back then, the free-TV premiere of ENEMY OF THE STATE was scheduled, and when the news of the war came, I was actually fearing for not being able to see the movie. You know, I was young, a movie freak, never cared about politics or war. And now, ten years later, I can understand why Matt (Matthew Perry) was unsure of delivering comedy in such a time; wondering if he is ready to poke fun, when there’s a war happening, and when soldiers are about to lose their lives and families are losing their sons and daughters. In addition, the plot was connected well to Matt as a character: his feelings about God and religion, his endless discussion with Harriet (Sarah Paulson) about it (the montage at the end was great), and the final moment, where he literally wanted proof for the existence of God, believing in Harriet for the first time, and, if you will, losing this millennia-long fight between the two.

The present storyline was totally fine with me. I don’t really know if the K&R storyline, as depicted here, can be considered real of some sorts. I’d never imagine for Matt to say “Yes” to giving terrorists a million bucks without hesitating, and I would never imagine for Jack (Steven Weber) to think about giving money away for the rescue of three soldiers. After all, it’s the network’s money – what would people (and advertisers) think when their money was given away to some terrorists for ransom? So, I would actually expect for Jack to decline Mary’s (Kari Matchett) offer, and forgetting all about K&R. But then again, Sorkin wouldn’t have a story, if he thought realistic. And also, the series finale wouldn’t be like this when there wouldn’t be a story.

I wanted to have more from Tom (Nathan Corddry) though. He was crushed, disappointed at the army, mad at the press, happy he still has friends around, and stuff, but this only in, like, three scenes or so – not enough when it comes to me. I would have wished for some emotions from him, showing the family side of the hostage, and how Tom would cope with Captain Boyle (James Lesure) and his kinda-funny approach to the situation, to lighten up the mood (which is understandable, considering the situation, but it was taking away from the drama of the story). Also, I would have wished to see how the other characters cope with the situation. Simon was completely absent, Cal (Timothy Busfield) only had something to say about the success rate of K&R situations, Harriet was praying, and Danny (Bradley Whitford) and Jordan (Amanda Peet) were completely busy with something else. At least this story had some charm again. I just love the two together. Danny doubting the abilities of the doctor (J.D. Walsh), and the engagement at the end – Jordan’s happiness, when she said “I am engaged” while she was rolled into the OR (That’s the best time to pop the question; is a woman in life danger, make her happy again for a short while – excellent writing here). It’s just a shame he wasn’t connected with the story in the theater anymore, was basically cut off from anything else happening in the show. Though it is understandable that he worries about Jordan and the baby, without knowing more than anybody what is actually going on. 8/10

The Captain is here to calm you down

Happy moment right here!

I never liked intervention episodes much. I always believe the writers try to push the limits of character drama to the extreme without being too over the top with the topic. But most of the time the writers don’t even realize they are going overboard with their story. This episode could have been so much more. After all, it is the penultimate episode. It should have prepared the season finale, instead it just brought the brothers apart. As long as this isn’t a bigger plot for the fifth season, then this episode was literally a waste of time for me.

Now I finally know that I didn’t like the demon blood drug thing in this show. It’s just not SUPERNATURAL, and it doesn’t really fit with the characters. Even Bobby (Jim Beaver), who is only standing on the sidelines, basically doing nothing, because he doesn’t have the balls to do anything. And he said to Sam (Jared Padalecki) that he was like his son. If this would be the case, Bobby would do anything to help him, and not just hold a shotgun under his nose. That didn’t help at all. Also not helping were the hallucinations. They were typical for a show like this. Have Sam talking to himself in a younger version (Colin Ford); have Mary (Samantha Smith) understand him, have Dean (Jensen Ackles) fight him. And done is the new Sam, who doesn’t even care about anything in the world anymore, except killing Lilith. Sorry, but that’s a problem for me, because it pushes the character drama way too hard. It pushes the story, as if the writers wanted to have an emotional storyline completely outside of all kinds of supernatural and paranormal. But it feels so goddamn forced.

And similar to the last episode, it focused way too much on Sam and his “drug” problems. No time was given for Castiel (Misha Collins) to explain himself, and what was up with Anna (Julie McNiven); no time was given for me to think about if he’s acting against God with freeing Sam, or if there is a larger plan behind all of this, when it comes to fighting Lilith. Even the information of Lilith breaking the last seals was just a side note – because a couple of seconds later Sam and Dean were fisting in each other’s faces. By the way: It’s the first fight of the brothers, which was not cast by a spell, by shapeshifters or other demons. The first real fight between brothers. After four seasons. Respect for that. It could have been a longer fight though, after all, it was a “first”.

Another by the way: I totally hate Ruby (Genevieve Padalecki) now. I want her dead, because she has nothing to do in the story anymore. She’s just giving her blood. She doesn’t help the brothers anymore, she doesn’t even do bad things. She’s just there for her blood. Better kill her off then, because it is getting annoying. No wonder why her character was hated in this season, when she became so damn useless. 4.5/10

Momma Winchester is bloody around her stomach

A little bit of sucking going on. Even more, when there would be more light

A pretty solid season finale. No “supernatural” things going on (except a flying and glowing ship), instead just story and conflicts. And in season two, almost all episode will be meteoroid-monster-of-the-week episodes, until the season finale gets on with the story again. I call that lazy storytelling, but whatever. The episode was good, it was dramatic for a bit, the goodbye between Lana (Kristin Kreuk) and Whitney (Eric Johnson) was kind of heartwarming, the romance between Clark (Tom Welling) and Chloe (Allison Mack) was sweet, and the conflicts Lex (Michael Rosenbaum) finds himself in are interesting enough to not serve him up with generic episodic storylines in the next season. In addition, the story of the twisters turning into a tornado (yeah, I know it can’t be considered a story by itself) feels kind of thrown into the mix, just for the cliffhanger.

I still think that Roger (Tom O’Brien) is a pretty shitty character, who can’t just reveal everything about Clark without asking anybody (just leak this stuff, idiot), but at least he’s creating some tension now. Would be cool for Jonathan (John Schneider) to do something stupid, and for him and Martha (Annette O’Toole) to have a fight every now and then. Until now, they came over as the perfect parents with a secret, the perfect married couple with a farm, the perfect everything. Now there’s a chance the façade is breaking, and I would give the story of one angry Jonathan and one mad Martha a welcome parade, when it should come in the second season. Fortunately I can’t remember anything what happened, so it’s all gonna be new for me.

The spring formal was a bit boring though. It was just leading up for a kiss between Chloe and Clark, and for a goodbye scene between Lana and Whitney. Other than that, the spring formal was basically nothing. Normally, teen shows like SMALLVILLE, whether a Superman adaptation or not, would use the shit out of a spring formal to create tension, but that’s not what it is about, right? The talk between Whitney and Clark was empty of anything though. I was expecting for them to share a few more words than just “take care of her while I’m gone”. Like a realization Whitney’s that Clark really feels something for Lana, and that Clark might be the only one to watch out for Lana in the first place, which is why Whitney trusts him so much now. In addition, there could have been a bigger date between Chloe and Clark. Didn’t feel like one, since Clark was hanging out with Pete (Sam Jones III), promoting Remy Zero, while Chloe was seen with other girls. Lame.

Lex’s story was good though. But I wanted more madness between him and Lionel (John Glover), after latter closed down the plant. Even though there was supposed to be loads of tension between everybody (mostly the folks of Smallville and Lex), I didn’t feel it. Instead Lex just tried for a buyout, hates the guts out of his father, and Lionel just wants his son back to Metropolis for whatever reasons. Yeah, there are not just motives and reasons missing, but the whole fight between father and son is completely lame. And every honest son, who hates his father, would let his father die during the storm. Sadly I already know it won’t come to that, and I have to get myself through more Lionel years. Uargh.

And the cliffhanger? Well, it’s obvious that Lana will be saved and Clark will be a savior, while the storm is winding down. No surprises there, though I’d give anything for Lana to find out about Clark here. Sadly, I already know it won’t come to that and the writers will have ruined another potential good storyline. What a shame. 7.5/10

Action in the barn calls for something extraterrestrial to happen

A twister calls for the stuck Lana to cry for her life

So, it’s the ninth time AMERICAN IDOL is in (or near) Houston, Texas, and weren’t tired to mention once again that Kelly Clarkson once auditioned in Texas and eventually won the season. In addition, the episode was not tired to give some “Spirit in the Sky” as the opening song, together with greeting words from the ISS. Where I wondered: what was that all about? Was it a promo of “Spirit in the Sky” being sung by one of the auditioners? Or was it just because the NASA saw some great promo in their own work, when millions of teenagers see this second of entertainment television and decide to become astronauts? I hope it’s the former. Because I actually want to see somebody singing a real classic. And with a real classic I don’t mean The Beatles, or Aerosmith. Or some of the 90s stuff from Jennifer Lopez…

The first contestant of the day is also another cry-baby, who loves the camera action: Phong Vu (25), whom you can see as the first failure of the day, as soon as he looks into the camera for the first time. Even more, when he started to ta;lk to the judges and repeatedly mention his love for Steven Tyler. And of course he loves Jennifer Lopez (he missed Randy though). This is one of the rare times of the show where you pray to God that this contestant will have a bad voice, and an even badder appearance on the audition stage. It also showed, once again, that the audition episodes of AMERICAN IDOL don’t really care about talent and stuff, instead just wants to get through the crazy stuff, the crazy contestants, and the crazy scenes. You still have the talent in Hollywood and in the live shows, so who needs the talent in the audition episodes? Anyway, thankfully he was a catastrophe on stage. It really would have killed me, when Phong would have been a real singer. Yes, he was the first ear-bleeder of the season. Five episodes into the season, and he was the first one letting my ears bleed. And he really said he could feel the pain of the song (Unbreak My Heart). I could too. Hopefully his empty threat of returning next year is in fact empty.

Skylar Laine (17) was hopefully the contestant to save this episode after ten minutes of horribleness (is that a word?). Unfortunately, she as well didn’t sound much like a great contestant, and her Texan dialect sounded like she would ride the Country music wave from the beginning – a musical genre I don’t really need on AMERICAN IDOL, but everyone for himself. Well, her voice was nice enough to deserve the trip to Hollywood, though I don’t see her as the contestant who saved the episode. At least she wasn’t terrible, but she’s also not a favorite of mine. It proves the cliché that Texan singers with the stereotypical Texan dialect always sing Country. Or can somebody give me the name of a Texan voice singing Folk, Rock, or even Hip-Hop? (when I think about it, Hip-Hop in Texan dialect would probably sound crazy awesome)

The next contestant is an old friend of AMERICAN IDOL: season 6 contestant Baylie Brown (21), who, back in season 6, made it to Hollywood, and was “buuh’d off” of the stage thanks to the non-existent chemistry with two Jersey BFFs. Does this mean Baylie will getting her ticket to Hollywood, even though she hasn’t sung in front of the judges yet? Does it mean that the producers will get her story from season six back on the screen, when she’s making it to Hollywood? Well, of course she made it to Hollywood again this time, but I’m actually interested in the fact that Baylie told to the camera she’s more mature now, while she was a baby five years ago. Could be true. But her voice didn’t wow me. In fact, it sounded a bit artificial to me. Not literally, I mean it metaphorically. Baylie might be a cute baby, eh… I mean, a cute mature young woman, but that doesn’t mean I will be friends with her in Hollywood. 15 minutes into the episode and it hasn’t produced another favorite for me. Somehow I’m feeling left out.

But while Baylie is going to use her second chance for this season, it’s the first and last chance for Kristine Osorio (28), a three-time mother, who is going through a divorce and has decided to use the money she wanted to pay the divorce lawyer with for a ticket to Texas and AMERICAN IDOL. Well, at least the money paid out for Kristine, because she was actually good enough to be considered a favorite of mine. If I like her as a character I’ll see when she’s in Hollywood. For now, I just see in her a three-time mother with loads of tattoos on her left arm, who isn’t much of a special singer in the bunch of singers here. Again, no awesome contestant, who rocks my socks off. Literally this time.

After almost three minutes of awesomeness I want to mention at the end of this review, Alejandro Cazares (26), overweight, annoying, wanted to start a revolution. And he obviously thought the producers were stupid enough to let him go through the judges, so that the editors of the show will have something to fill the episode with. The only thing I liked about his introduction bit was Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro” playing – because it was so much fitting with this guy. And I was shocked about myself, when I found out he was not as terrible as he and his introduction bit looked like. Of course he doesn’t have a voice for AMERICAN IDOL, and of course he seems to be an idiot. But after being introduced to him, I expected worse. My ears didn’t even bleed, so “average” was he. Well, at least the was the first contestant of the season to be shown out by one of the bodyguards in the room. And since he mentioned that his revolution is not over, before he says it’s over (did he just say it’s over?), better expect him in one of the remaining auditions.

When I remember correctly, Cortez Shaw (20) is the first one of the season to sing Adele’s “Someone Like You”. I was waiting for somebody to sing that song, and I wasn’t expecting for a guy to sing it first. And I was actually surprised he could sing that song. It was a nice little audition, with him being a cool and light-hearted guy, who made the judges smile, and who didn’t have any fear on stage. That’s the guts and gals I like on stage, and I wanna see more of those types on AMERICAN IDOL. Otherwise Hollywood is getting uninteresting, because I don’t know all the guys being there and fighting for the semi-final shows. Anyway, Cortez was a cool dude, and I’m happy he advanced. He could be a favorite during the live shows, but for him to become a favorite, he better sing some better songs. Adele is too overhyped for me at this moment, and everybody singing her will get a mad-ass look from me.

Ramiro Garcia (28) is the last contestant of the episode and probably of the day for the judges. When you hear that he’s a worship leader, you’ll probably get big eyes. Like “Oh no, Scientology invades AMERICAN IDOL” (I know he’s no Scientologist, and he’s nobody who could have starred as a villain on Kevin Smith’s RED STATE). But when you hear that he was born without ears, and had to get numerous surgeries to get his hearing canal discovered and repaired, then he might be the story of the past four episodes. Nothing I really care about though. It’s the typical “last of the episode” character, who is going to wow the judges with his or her story. There’s not much to say about Ramiro though. Solid singer, solid contestants. Solid five minutes for him. It’s getting predictable again.

The episode was good because of another factor though: the aforementioned three-minute awesomeness in the middle of the episode, where Jennifer was against her two guys and started to hate them for their decisions. I was actually impressed about how much screentime this part was getting in this episode. I would have thought it would be all about a montage of various “Yes”s or “No”s from the judges, instead they were full-blown auditions with comments from the judges. And I could understand Jennifer’s disappointment for her two guys here, because I remember what Steven and Randy were letting through to Hollywood in the past four episodes – not for the favor of those three people here, who won’t be going to Hollywood. What a shame that there wasn’t a real fight between the judges though. Like, a real verbal fight, with Jennifer saying some harsh things, and Steven saying some harsh things back. While Randy is just laughing or not caring a bit. Whatever.

A final question for this episode: Where was Jennifer Diley? 6/10

Returner Baylie shows what she has learned in the past five years

And Ramiro is proof that dreams can become true