rsadtler Reviews

Bones: The Ghost in the Machine (2012) Season 8, Episode 9

Bad, but not QUITE worst

[2/10 · 6 April 2024]

I must respectfully disagree with those who label this the worst episode ever. That dishonor would have to go to the pointless "altered reality" episodes, such as the 50s movie thing, or Booth hallucinating that he is a nightclub owner. Or any episode tainted with Daisy Wick...

Shout out to Hitchcoc! S/he is dead on! This camera gimmick was merely unpleasant on a 25 minute episode of M*A*S*H. It is outright obnoxious on a 47 minute procedural!

Even bigger shout out to Brett-Michael-Johnson! I always blamed the M*A*S*H* staff for that dumbass gimmick. Thanks for cueing us in. Now we know that a Bogart movie is to blame!

Every bit as off-putting is the pointless, grating Cyndi Lauper. She ruins the Cam/Aristoo wedding episode, she REALLY ruins the Booth/Brennan wedding episode, and she would ruin this one if the writers hadn't right out of the box.

Not quite worst. QUITE.

Home Improvement: Taps (1997) Season 6, Episode 24

Possibly The Best The Series Has To Offer!

[10/10 · 25 April 2020]

A profoundly sad, but genuinely moving episode, and easily Tim Taylor's very best moment of the series! Sudden death is a minefield of a topic, and this episode handles it perfectly!

Home Improvement: Losing My Religion (1997) Season 7, Episode 8

A Quick Correction

[25 April 2020]

With every possible respect to Bronco46, it was Jonathan Taylor Thomas, NOT Zachary Ty Bryan, who became self-righteous and preachy. Otherwise, I agree with his assessment 100%!!!

A Christmas Story 2 (2012 Video)

Watchable, but not a classic, by ANY means!

[5/10 · 19 April 2020]

I am as die-hard a fan as anyone, and would never have declared a non-Jean Shepherd, non-Bob Clark sequel a good idea. This did exceed my expectations, but only because I had none.

Two things I hated outright: the narrator, and new Ralphie! New Ralphie just flat-out stinks. Too spastic, with none of Peter Billingsley's subtlety or charm. The narrator's great sin is simply that he is not Jean Shepherd. But since Mr. Shepherd is no longer with us, who is? Same complaint, if less vehement, for Daniel Stern. I'm a fan, but he's not Big Mac!

The plot kept me going long enough to see the payoff. The Old Man comes through again, but this time, so does Ralphie, his ONE AND ONLY improvement on the original!

Bear these things in mind, and the movie is not a total waste. But if you never manage to see it, don't let it bother you.

Jericho (2006–2008)

Quite possibly the finest show EVER!

[10/10 · 3 October 2019]

A tense narrative, compelling action, and incredibly likable characters, well executed by fantastic actors! At the heart is British actor Lennie James. His portrayal of Rob Hawkins, combined with exceptional writing, leaves you wondering whether Hawkins is a good guy, or a bad guy. You don't even THINK you know until the mid-season premiere, and you're not SURE he's a good guy until the season is three quarters over!

I am a lifelong couch potato. I have seen countless quality shows fall before their time. I have NEVER felt a personal loss the way I did when Jericho died. It would be melodramatic to say that it was like losing a family member. There is NOTHING melodramatic about comparing it to the loss of a friend. Jericho was THAT GOOD!

The Outer Limits: Zig Zag (2000) Season 6, Episode 19

"A" for effort, "F" for execution!!!

[1/10 · 3 October 2019]

EASILY the third WORST episode of the series. Some episodes are riveting, some are just watchable, and others are barely watchable. Then there is this one. The story, in and of itself, had potential. Unfortunately, it was shot in a schizophrenic flashback/forward that trashed the flow of the story. This episode is unwatchable, and a missed opportunity. The best thing that I have to say about it is that there are two episodes that are even worse: episode 3.15 the Revelations of Becka Paulson, and 5.09 What will the neighbors think.

The Outer Limits: The Revelations of 'Becka Paulson (1997) Season 3, Episode 15

Tied for WORST episode of the ENTIRE SERIES!

[3 October 2019]

Some episodes are riveting. Some are just watchable. Others are barely watchable. Then there is this mess. Stupid story, annoying characters, forty eight minutes of your life that you'll never get back. The ONLY good news is, there IS one episode with as pointless a story, and a larger number of annoying characters: Episode 5.09, What will the neighbors think. Save yourself!