Totally out of line with the other episodes in the show. The fact that LaPaglia plays the "missing" character with make-up that makes him look like a monster from a B grade horror flick does nothing to add to the credibility. Even given the ludicrous premise, this episode breaks all the rules of the show that have previously been established. Up until this episode, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, although I often find that I would wish for some kind of epilogue to bring the stories to a satisfying conclusion. But in this episode, although it does have an epilogue, the denouement is completely unsatisfying, even within the parameters of the episode itself.
Reviews
7 Reviews
London Kills
(2019– )
Incredibly unsatisfying
15 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I admit I only watched the pilot, but what a TERRIBLE show it was. The acting was acceptable, but incredibly unsympathetic characters. Absolutely no charisma. For the first 15 minutes the dialogue was unintelligible due to the heavy accents. And the obviously framed murderer wasn't even introduced until the last ten minutes with no plausible solution to any of the myriad loose ends. If it were a two parter, I might consider watching another episode just to see how they tie things together, but it's pretty obvious reading the synopsis of future episodes that they won't. Save yourself the headache and watch something else.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries
(2021– )
Dreadful ending with a terrible overarching storyline
19 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This show seems like it's going to be a charming little series of mysteries with a cute antique hunter theme. But behind every mystery is the same unbelievable serial killer who is never caught and never brought to justice. A "cliff hanger" ending tells us that if there is another season, it will just be more of the same terrible story arc. Too bad the writers weren't secure enough to let the individual stories stand on their own. The supporting characters are overly broad and two dimensional. The main characters are somewhat engaging, but not nearly enough to overcome the absurd premise.
Brilliant court room mystery
15 December 2019
I was still uncertain about Murder She Wrote as a series, but in the second season it seems to have found its footing and I have been enjoying many of the episodes enough to keep me going. Then this gem came up. One of the things I love about this series is that unlike most mystery series, there is nothing formulaic about Murder, She Wrote. This episode is a brilliantly plotted courtroom drama squarely in the tradition of Twelve Angry Men and Witness For the Prosecution. The acting was a little over the top from some of the guest stars, and there is one small plot point involving hospital security which is glossed over in a slightly unsatisfying manner. Except for these two minor elements, I would rate it 10 stars. But the originality and great plot ensure that I will continue the series for many seasons to come.
Gotham
(2014–2019)
Three great seaons, then plummeted to unspeakably awful!
29 March 2019
After 3 seasons of engaging plots and clever wit with a good dose of humor, this series completely lost its way. Season 4 was dark and morose, but there was still a little charm in spots. Season 5 was a pure nightmare. Grim, unbelievable even in it's own twisted universe. Absurd plot points, constant unnecessary deaths and resurrections, and most unforgivable of all, it totally lost its sense of humor. A show like this trying to take itself seriously is tedious and moronic. The series ended up making me wish I had never engaged with it from the beginning.
One of the best of a fine lot
1 May 2018
Midsomer Murders as a series has its up and downs, but when it hits, it can be a true joy to watch. This is one of the two best episodes of the first nine seasons. It has a great sense of humor, a coherent story line, ties up all the loose ends, has a satisfying and plausible ending and follows a process in which we can follow all the footsteps to catching the killer.
A Nightmare of an interpretation
22 April 2018
HG Wells was a charming and entertaining writer. His short stories are well worth bringing to the screen. So why did this misguided series feel it was necessary to reimagine a sweet and fanciful story like the Purple Pileus into a dreary and pathetic horror tale?
The casting is dreadful. Wells describes his characters elegantly, but the descriptions are all but ignored by the casting director; and the idea of an inter-racial couple in Victorian England is laughably embarrassing.
But far worse is the ridiculous and pointless "shock" ending which, besides being completely predictable, is totally antithetical to the idea and point of Wells' charming fable of redemption.
Go read the original short story and forget about this awful British piece of television trash.
Tell Your Friends