Sixty Second Review

Again we're introduced to another branch of John's family tree which John is thrown into it by a case and discovery of an old family member. This episode marks a point where the level of enjoyment has taken a little dip for me. Things are loosing pace, slowing down. Maybe the excitement of the new show has worn off.

I'm trying to put my finger on exactly what I'm having issues with. The story is my biggest complaint. It seemed dull and lifeless this week. Learning of all of John's past mistakes and family abandonment makes him a lot less likeable.

I hope they can crank things up over the next few episodes. Make the crimes a little more personal or even the back story a little more exciting.

With Jericho season one finishing on a cliff-hanger we saw fans rally worldwide seeking closure then it was announced that Jericho wasn't returning. Then unbelievably our prayers were answered and Jericho was renewed.

With the fate of Jake's father quickly dealt with it left the writers questioning... now what? The rest of the season went down hill fast. We had been spoilt with good writing in season one and now we were left with what seemed like writers without a cause.

It wasn't until Episode 6 "Sedition" where we had a twist and the master mind of the attacks was revealed. Four days after the airing of that episode CBS broke the news that Jericho was not being renewed. From what I had seen from these six episodes I wasn't surprised.

The season finale Patriots and Tyrants was the highlight, it was almost enough to make me forget the other six episodes of the season. I greatly enjoyed the first season of Jericho it was enough to make me sit through six episodes of season two which focused on American politics.

Jericho could have gone in so many different directions, maybe if another plot line was followed it would have been renewed. It also seemed like the writers hadn't through beyond the bombs. The first season was had to follow and remains my favourite. But I'm glad that the writers had the grace to finish season two with a bang and some closure.

I was worried about what to expect with the season two finale of Jericho. But I am extremely impressed with Jericho's final offering. They had the respect to lay Bonny to rest. Jake & Hawkins got themselves out of two very tight situations. It was excellent to be on the edge of`my seat not knowing if they were going to get through this or not.

If only the elements of this episode could have been reproduced throughout the second season, maybe it would have seen a third. To a degree I feel like this should have been the ending of season one and be done with. Overall I'm happy that Jericho has ended on such a high note. I kept watching because I really enjoyed the first season, they really lost touch there for a while. Here's to Jericho and everyone behind it.

Underbelly is starting to verge on low grade pornography. Even Chopper Reed was quoted this week saying that none of these real life gangsters were playboys. I'm sure the writers of Underbelly could have found other avenues to focus on to keep us watching.

This episode really seemed like filler focusing mostly on the ladies of the underworld. Who of course go where the money is and seem to cast a blind eye to where it comes from. Plus we can all tell where the relationship between Benji & Mrs Williams is going.

Look there also seems to be pattern forming, someone has to die every episode... The show needs to stick a little more to the facts, back down on the smut and tell the story as it was.

I never know what to expect from Skins. Each week we're exposed to something different. Its what makes this show so fresh. Its not another formula show.

Effy is able to deliver on promises and do the seemingly impossible - twice. At the core this week we had two stories about a love gone wrong and people's mistakes. But things seem to be back on track. Wasn't the normal in your face skins we've grown accustom to, but still a great episode.

Next week its Jal's turn to take centre stage and no doubt we'll be seeing a lot of Chris too.

With the ending of this episode we hit a topic which was in the forefront of my mind. Whenever someone gets close they can always see that you're holding something back, that something doesn't quite add up. Sure co-workers and people in everyday life don't see it. But someone you're intimate with someone and they want to know your every detail about your life - they will pick it.

That was really side story to the bigger issue here, John has had demons to deal with over the 400 years of his existence. Including 60 something children that he has to either abandon them or watch them die. That takes something out of a man.

Last week I made the comment that it was great to see a show have the two main characters who were meant to be together - get together. Maybe I spoke too soon. Maybe the show would end if that was too happen. But I haven't lost hope, this is an epic tale and I look forward to the next chapter.

There are more sheep in New Zealand than people. With this in mind I watched Black Sheep... I knew what to expect. In the foot steps of all things woolly, white & zombie.

I found myself pleasantly surprised, with likeable and believable characters this movie kept me watching while herds of zombie sheep chewed their way through the cast.

A tongue in cheek black comedy worth the watch if zombie sheep are up your alley.

Finally some creative writing comes to the forefront and we have a twist! A shadow of its former self Jericho drags on. But this week we're reminded of what captured our imaginations in the first place.

The low point of this episode being Stanley's cardboard emotions when explaining why he killed Goetz.

The high point being the ending, like the first season we finally end with a twist!

After the senseless killing of one of the most human characters on the show. The writers have the good vs evil stand off as the aftermath. The entire plot is predictable and the actors scripted reactions to the death of Bonny are laughable.

I'm afraid this is another nail in the coffin of Jericho.

This week's episode is centred around the recovering Tony, whose world is closer to getting back on track. But again is thrown into uproar at the sight of his ex-girlfriend Michelle and Sid together.

This episode is told from Tony's point of view, and displays how messed up he really is. The episode is well written and has you on a wild goose chase the entire episode. The episode has you questioning reality at every turn.

Points again for the good use of music through out the episode. Last weeks episode was a hard act to follow as I considered it the highlight of the season so far.

So many shows rely on the sexual tension between the two main characters. Mulder and Scully, Buffy & Angel, countless of couples over the years. Thankfully New Amsterdam is throwing that ideal to the wind. This does raise the question; could the show continue if John finds his true love?

Again with a beautiful mix of John's past and present we wade through a story of honour and how some things never change as the years pass. This complex mix of revealing John's past, witnessing a crime be solved and see Sara give in to John's charms, is brought to the screen almost effortlessly.

One of the strongest points of New Amsterdam is their ability to bring the past to life and still relate that to the present. This show becomes more captivating as the weeks go by. True excellence.

As predicted revenge is ordered for Mark Moran's killing and it's Dino who takes the fall. As we're introduced to another new face Benji we soon see the end of Dino.

This was another hour of captivating television. Everyone including the police are trying to piece together the parts of the puzzle that is the murder of Mark Moran. Underbelly is really consistent on the entertainment meter, so there really isn't anything really to report.

We'll see what unfolds next week.

A welcome change of pace since the aftermath of Tony's season final accident. The episode has us following the travels of Chris & Jal. Who are on a quest to better themselves. Chris by making more of an effort & Jal by trying new things. Again through sheer brilliance we're thrown into the skins world. Chris has to be one of the most interesting characters who hasn't been highlighted enough throughout the past episodes.

We also saw the return of Cassie, the secret relationship of Michelle & Sid outed and the departure of Sketch as she attempts to turn Anwar into a Maxxie look alike.

This has been the highlight of the season so far. Pure excellence!

This episode focused more on the crime than the life of John. Although, we did get a peek at one of his past career choices. We also saw John finally meet up with his possibly true love who will break John's curse. I'm glad that they didn't drag out this union for too long.

John's complete discloser when coming talking about his past is quite daring. I can almost foresee this is going to be a future storyline when his partner catches on. But having the ability to go back and let us discover John's past is a great asset for the show.

And again for the third or fourth time this season we're slapped in the face with a twist we didn't see coming. His true love is... married. Great television!

The beauty of New Amsterdam is the endless opportunities in which the writers have. Normally writers are restricted to a single lifetime of a character - or the first quarter. With John they have so many lifetimes to explore. In a clever twist Omar is relieved to be John's son. We're also shown that he has had a daughter many years ago.

People enjoy reliving the past and New Amsterdam delivers a window into a world past. This helps us understand John's burning desirer to become mortal. Watching his love ones around him grow old and die is a heavy burden.

Completely swept up in the story and characters you forget you're watching a work of fiction. Beautiful storytelling, near flawless, New Amsterdam is fast becoming one of my favourite shows this year.

A fresh idea for a show is falling apart with a poorly written storyline. Season one was a joy to watch with its twists and turns every episode, now it's a chore.

We end this episode with a jump the shark effort taking out one of the most original likeable characters in the series. With an act from Bonny that appears completely out of character she sacrifices herself in an attempt to keep the audience's attention. The thirty minutes before this is dry and not worth mentioning.

I hope the team behind Jericho can pull up out of this nose drive.

So an the idea of an immortal New York homicide detective who is centuries old may have you feeling a sense of deja vu to Buffy's spinoff series Angel. Some aspects are defiantly on the same page. John even mentions Vampires in almost honour to his similar traits.

John displays the wisdom of his age and his open about his condition to the unknowing around him. Who just laugh it off as a odd sense of humour. He of course has one person in whom he entrusts with his secret - Omar York. The series has a lot of potential . The idea is far from original but from what I've seen so far I'm impressed.

I look forward to seeing how the series will pan out. Give it ago if you enjoy a good drama with a touch of supernatural.

Underbelly keeps you guessing. By the end of the second episode they had killed Alphonse Gangitano who I had tagged as the main character for the series. This week we see Mark Moran get similar treatment. The bad guys are killing each other off one by one.

The actor who plays Carl Williams does an excellent job of playing the dopey looking goal orientated gangster. But all of this killing and back stabbing is going to lead to distrust and poor judgement. Which will lead to great television.

Fifth episode in and they're still going strong. Two thumbs up.

No twist, no surprise, no creativity. An early end because of the writers strike is almost a welcomed gift. This episode ends with a scene that should be the climax with the FBI agents battling Kester in a hotel room. Clearly because of budget constants the entire FBI team are thrown into a pool as we watch from underneath. What a waste, Buffy Season 1 had a larger budget and that was just for Sarah Michelle Galler's make up.

Maybe if I wasn't a fan of the movies, maybe if I wasn't attaching the same expectations from the films I wouldn't be filled with such disappointment. Does James Cameron know what they have done to the image of his master piece?

Now for the real question, will Fox renew this poor excuse for entertainment in the name of making more money?

I keep expecting to see the kind of Television that we all long for - a plot twist, something that we as viewers we don't see coming. But time and time again I'm left questioning if this is just an attempt by Fox to milk the Terminator franchise for more money.

The idea of Cameron turning bad or having an evil streak is a running theme through the episodes of late and a good one. But we're left watching these same old tired stories week after week.

All good story telling should be working up towards a climax. The Sarah Connor Chronicles feels like its going backwards. At least I can be thankful the next hour I watch maybe the last.

This week we focus on Michelle who is attempting to deal with her boyfriend Tony's mental changes. She is now also dealing with the stress of moving home, into her Mother's new boyfriend new house. This also sees her meeting her new belated soon to be Sister-in-law. Who don't see eye to eye, but her friends adore.

We're reminded of the troubles teens face, with everyone having their own issues to deal with. A trip to the beach is a welcome change for the gang. Michelle later finds comfort in Sid.

With a perfect blend of drama, laughter, twists and turns another excellent episode!