clsiewert Reviews

How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020)

First season only

[6/10 · 9 October 2023]

The first season was interesting. Lots of twists and turns. The flashbacks made it hard for my mom to follow, but I enjoyed the story-telling style, although occasionally it felt like a tricky way to tell a mostly straightforward story. Acting was great-I came to see Davis and she is impressive, but the rest of the crew did well also. I believed their cut- throat personalities. However, season two just didn't interest me. I was really disappointed that that's the direction they took it in after all that was done to create a connection to that character. We think we know what happened. I just couldn't be bothered to watch the same dynamics all over again.

Deadloch (2023– )

almost unwatchable

[2/10 · 3 June 2023]

Jackass crossed with The Odd Couple crossed with a standard small-town mystery (say, Father Brown or something), full of Quirky Real People™. Calls itself 'feminist' because it shows women can behave Just Like Men and say things like 'gotta take a piss' and belch. Have graphic sex scenes just because. The mystery seemed decent. The quirky characters were over the top, particularly at the crime scene. Box' acting was exceptional. Sami seems to be desperately over-acting and uses Jim Carrey as a role model. Everyone seems to be in vaguely unhappy relationships. Dropped it from my watchlist after one episode. Honestly, I'd be a bit embarrassed if I was an Aussie and thought this is what people were going to think my country is like.

The Recruit (2022– )

Watchable

[6/10 · 8 May 2023]

Interesting series. Tonally confused. Seems to want to be humorous/quirky but has dark physical abuse/assault moments that make it serious. Not sure it always walks the line well. Some of the dialogue in the first couple episodes about Owen seemed very expositiony, literally like a friend saying "you are just doing this to prove to your dead father." Again, are you trying to be funny or serious show? In a serious show, that just sounded stupid. They like making jokes about 'just the new guy' or 'just a lawyer.' All that said, the acting is great. The plot line mostly follows. It isn't rewatchable. Recommended, with caveats.

The Terminal List: Encoding (2022) Season 1, Episode 2

pace picking up

[8/10 · 19 December 2022]

First episode took a long time to develop--interesting choice to go linear with the timeline instead of doing family flashbacks (but made it all the more gut-punching). In this episode, it's finally clear that the story is a psychological thriller and the pace/story is appropriate to it. Very impressed by the acting quality. The music--not so much--it occasionally overshadows the dialogue. Maybe Pratt needs a diction coach, or to play it a little less mumbly. Ditto all the prior reviews on the lighting being too dark when it's not appropriate (bedroom/underground/nightclub).

This was enjoyable enough that we went right into episode #3.

The ABC Murders (2018)

Terrible

[1/10 · 26 August 2021]

I thought this would be a throwback to Christie's genius, aided by John Malcovich. Wow, was I ever wrong. A slow, stylized mess that focuses more on set dressing and vague attempts at foreshadowing than actual story. Give this a miss.

Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods (1997) Season 1, Episode 1

Cheese

[5/10 · 16 May 2021]

Some good parts. Needs serious editing-no way it should be as long as it was. Could have passed on gratuitous t&a of the only woman of color. Interesting concept for a series though.

DC's Legends of Tomorrow: Blood Ties (2016) Season 1, Episode 3

The cast tries

[3/10 · 1 March 2021]

I'm sure the cast tried, but the writers are terrible. I don't know the source material, so I can't tell if the limitation is fidelity to the source material. But this is dumb. The characters mostly say 'significant' lines at each other, no logic, no feedback. The doctor being afraid to use the ant suit after one attempt-so melodramatic. The scene with the assassin and the Rip is ridiculous -why would he be surprised she's a killer? Why do none of the bad guys carry guns? Why do they leave Savage if the mission is to stop him?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Pack (1997) Season 1, Episode 6

Stupid

[3/10 · 21 December 2020]

Went from decent to bad-camp. Eating a pig, progressing to almost-rape, and eating the principal is so far out of the normal/abnormal world mechanics, it isn't even the same kind of show. Add to it the 'African' stereotype music. In this one, Willow also becomes a total doormat. Oh, btw, real hyenas are matriarchal.

Lucifer: What Would Lucifer Do? (2017) Season 3, Episode 4

Not so hot

[5/10 · 1 November 2020]

A mess. Lucifer has backpedalled into being a total ass and apparently that's cool with Chloe. There's no charm from Lucifer. His brother apparently doesn't understand prostitution? Dumb. And Lucifer deciding to beat someone? Just a writing mess that even the acting can't sell.

Lucifer: Stewardess Interruptus (2017) Season 2, Episode 11

Redeemed

[9/10 · 28 October 2020]

The opening moment continues to be something they both work through in a believable way. Lucifer's moment of punishment is very insightful. Closing scene lovely.

Lucifer: My Little Monkey (2016) Season 2, Episode 7

Good

[8/10 · 25 October 2020]

Could have been farcical with the Dan 2.0 story, but it gets emotionally real at a couple of point. But will someone please tell Chloe to stand up straight?

Lucifer: Monster (2016) Season 2, Episode 6

Excellent

[10/10 · 25 October 2020]

Finally, the mojo from the first season is back. Good thriller. Lots of emotional depth with Lucifer and the family. Nice humor with Maise and Trixie, with a slight dark edge. And the piano is back!

Lucifer: Weaponizer (2016) Season 2, Episode 5

Better

[8/10 · 25 October 2020]

Better mystery, improvement on the Lucifer family drama and emotional realism with some heart to hearts and confessions. It was a bit weird with Lucifer fanning over an action movie.

Lucifer: Lady Parts (2016) Season 2, Episode 4

Season's flaws are showing

[7/10 · 25 October 2020]

Mystery subpar, less emotional development. Lots of jumps in logic and characterization this season. Don't get me wrong, I love how the relationship plotting ended with the episode, but the writers lost all subtlety to get there.

Longmire: What Happens on the Rez... (2015) Season 4, Episode 10

So far from the books

[2/10 · 27 July 2019]

The multiple plot lines have gotten ridiculous. Walt responding to an incident on the Rez (with Henry) and then telling the oil people "I can't do anything because it isn't my jurisdiction." Refusing to listen to Travis' side of the story (which could have given him heads' up) and was a bull turnaround after his hiring. Badgering Cady about seeing Gab. Vic having a temper tantrum about Walt not knowing about her personal life. An egregious lawsuit. None of this is from the book--not that it needs to be about the book, but what has happened is that instead of being about solving a case each episode, it's about personal drama between people in a highly dysfunctional department--kind of the opposite of the books. I did like Henry's side story, and I liked the Medicine Woman's interaction with Gab.

Supernatural: I Know What You Did Last Summer (2008) Season 4, Episode 9

A season of highs and lows

[8/10 · 1 June 2019]

I absolutely cannot stand the actress who plays Ruby. Her delivery is wooden. Everything else-awesome.

Supernatural: Red Meat (2016) Season 11, Episode 17

Recycled

[3/10 · 31 October 2018]

We've seen this before. This felt like little more than fan service, bringing back a stupid situation to involve the Reaper. Sam and Dean are unbelievably stupid hauling people through the woods, and everything keeps turning on them 'getting a signal.' It was super predictable. I felt like Jared and Jensen were trying their best to emote, but their lines were just agonized crying "Sam!" "No!" etc. The editing was choppy and felt like a hundred cuts between locations. False tension from the 'adult' werewolves following. Just the worst.