Thursday, 9 August 2012

Revenge 1.11



‘Tyler can be very unpredictable when off his meds’...’We’re figuring that out’


A bitter divorce battle?

Two double-crossing, scheming women?

A gun bearing psychopath?

What more could you want from an episode of great TV drama? Because episode 11 of ABC’s Revenge had all of it. We are now mid way through the first season of Revenge and are still just as addicted to the programme as we were when it first started.This week everything seemed to come to a head as Tyler’s (Ashton Holmes) grand plan for Grayson domination came to an end and Emily’s (Emily VanCamp) plans for both Tyler and the Amanda Clarke impersonator came together.

It hadn’t taken too long to realinse that there was something mentally wrong with Tyler, as his escapades became more and more erratic – blackmailing Nolan (Gabriel Mann) and trashing the Grayson’s pool house. Thankfully the characters began to realise this too, but not before Tyler was able to hold up Daniel’s (Joshua Bowman) beach birthday bash. The moody and atmospheric lighting in most of Tyler’s scenes, especially when he was confronted by Daniel and on the beach, as well as the ominous music, added to the unpredictability of Tyler’s actions. Of course as soon as Tyler had got one up on billionaire Ross, we all knew something big was going to go down.

We were rewarded with an explosive scene at Daniel’s birthday which threatened to expose many of the Grayson’s dark secrets. However, the timely reappearance of the injured Ross, along with the mad man’s brother prevented that. Daniel and Jack’s (Nick Wechsler) decision to work in tandem to surprise tackle Tyler was touching and showed just how these two could cross paths more, leading to a confusion of feelings for Emily Thorne which have clearly already been exacerbated by faux Amanda’s relationship with the bar owner – but we all know that Emily and Jack just have to end up together, right?

Aired 6/08/12 E4


Monday, 6 August 2012

Actor of the Week: Gabriel Mann




Wacky young entrepreneur Nolan Ross is one of the most intriguing and genius characters in ABC’s Revenge. The person we have to thank for bringing such a character to life is Gabriel Mann, who with his witty one liners and fast paced whispers to the scheming Emily Thorne, proves that the billionaire is a force to be reckoned with.

Although Mann has many films and TV shows under his belt, including The Bourne Identity and Wasteland, when the actor got the script for Revenge he was said to be on the verge of quitting acting – i’m sure all Revenge fans are very grateful he didn’t!

You can follow Mann on Twitter (@Gabriel_Mann) and of course see him in action in Revenge, Mondays at 9pm on E4.


Once Upon A Time 1.19


‘I have broken one deal in my life, and it certainly wasn’t this one’



Last week it seemed that Once Upon A Time needed to step up, and step up they did with an intense last few minutes of this episode! We were taken from a tear jerking reunion to shocking surprises, all of which set the stage for what is sure to be a fabulous season finale.

This episode provided us with the story of Mr Gold (Robert Carlyle) and his son (Dylan Schmid) – one which was potentially dull but proved moving and riveting. Unlike last week, it was the young actors who stood out for all the right reasons. Dylan Schmid portrayed a son who just wanted his Father to be the best person he could be very strongly. By labelling Rumplestiltskin a coward as he was passing into a different world took the actor to a different level as he showed great desperation and emotion.  Similarly, the only scene between two young actors so far in the season was also touching and a highlight of this episode.

Once again Robert Carlyle played the villain for a lot of the episode. The fact that August (Eion Bailey) was going to come out as the Storybrooke version of Baelfire was predictable but the fact that he was actually just impersonating him came as a complete surprise – something Once Upon A Time has become expert in providing over the last few weeks. We were taken to the point of hating Gold, being disappointed in him to actually having sympathy for him all with much credit to Carlyle. He has left us impatiently wondering and highly anticipating what the character is going to do next.

Emma (Jennifer Morrison), finally deciding to fight for Henry (Jared Gilmore) has provided a strong foundation for the final episodes of the season, which i’m sure the audience are eagerly anticipating. This truly gripping episode was a great improvement from last week with fascinating storylines and strong performances, particularly from the younger members of the cast.

Aired 5/08/12 Channel 5


Sunday, 5 August 2012

Revenge 1.10


‘There’s no need for the dramatic pauses’


Well maybe there is, but perhaps not as many as were in this episode of Revenge. Being almost half way through the season, we are expecting Revenge to pick up steam with plot twists and shocks. Although the show has been full of those up to now, it seemed that this week’s episode was turned into a filler episode, and a way to promote the exclusive Hampton area,

It was clear that the producers were trying to make the most of the idyllic setting, as the episode was periodically full of panoramic views of the Hamptons, including the beach, harbour and Grayson estate. Such scenic views are all very well, but when you are expecting a show full of tension and suspense, as Revenge has been up to now, this episode was a little disappointing.

However, this episode kept the audience hooked by exploring two of the most interesting relationships on the show – Emily (Emily VanCamp and Nolan’s (Gabriel Mann) and Nolan and Tyler’s (Ashton Holmes). Nolan and Emily’s constantly changing relationship is interesting, with Nolan often providing the comic content to counter Emily’s scheming ways. Yet when it was needed tonight, Nolan wasted no time in questioning Emily’s methods and proved that he could potentially be the moral compass of the show, by reminding Emily when she goes too far. Similarly, the ambiguity of the relationship between Nolan and Tyler is gripping, leaving us wondering if there are true feelings involved between the two of them, or if they are simply using each other – and I wouldn’t put it past them!

It was Nolan who truly stood out tonight, both as a key man in two key relationships and as the comic relief. His quip of ‘do you know how much ecoli you just dumped next to my lunch?’ gratefully lifted the mood of what could have been an intense conversation with Tyler.

Despite seemingly being an episode to make up numbers, many plot lines were also set up, and threatened for the coming half of the season. The ominous music playing when Tyler’s empty canister of medication was found gives indications of trouble ahead and we finally saw Emily slip up for the first time.

Last week we wondered who exactly Takeda is. This week we are still left wondering, although we have been given a few more clues – the fact that he’s a wealthy millionaire and that Emily went to train in the art of Revenge withn Japan. It is mysteries such as this and the threat of more plot twists ahead which makes this programme one that the audience will keep tuning in to each week.


Once Upon A Time 1.18


‘Why can’t I just be myself? ... Because you can be so much more!’


In this week’s Once Upon A Time, we finally got to understand the true reason behind Regina’s (Lana Parrilla) vendetta against Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin) and it had been a long time coming.
The difference between Storybrook Regina and younger Regina was greatly emphasised by Parrilla, although making her look younger seemed to have been attempted slightly too hard for an already youthful looking actress. Her youth was emphasised by the control her stereotypical wicked mother (Barbara Hershey) had over her – i’m sure many mothers wish they could have such controlling magical powers over their daughters!

We also saw Snow White as a young girl and, subsequently, the reason for Regina’s hate. It was clear that the producers had plumped for a stereotypically cute girl in Bailee Madison and although the scenes between her and pre-marital Regina were very touching and showed a lovely mother-daughter relationship between the two characters, they were often over the top, with Madison seeming a little too earnest to please. Despite this, Parrillia gave us glimpses of the future evil queen and the fixed grin when she discovered what Snow White had done was also a stroke of genius.

Tonight, we finally reached the climax of the Mary Margaret – Kathryn Nolan (Anastasia Griffith) debacle – something which has been coming for a longtime. The shocking reappearance of the former Mrs Nolan finally bought an end to a long drawn out plot line and providing a saving grace for Mary Margaret and once again grabbing back the audience for next week, despite Once Upon A Time needing stumbling with a couple of aspects of the episode.


Tuesday, 31 July 2012

PRIMEVAL: 5 Series, 5 Forgotten Characters



With the finale of Primeval having been over a week ago and no prospect of a sixth series in sight, we take a look back through the last five series at five characters who you may have forgotten, but were key players in the story of Primeval and the ARC.

Series 1: Claudia Brown/Jenny Lewis  (Lucy Brown)


Claudia Brown arrived on our screens in Series 1, Episode 1 as a Civil Servant working for the Home Office. After joining the ARC team she became a liaison between the Home Office, Lester and Cutter, but still got involved in many of the missions to prevent the creatures coming through the anomaly causing too much trouble. By mid way through series 1 Claudia had begun to fall for Cutter, making her suspicious of Helen Cutter and her motives when the wanderer returned through the anomaly.

After she and Cutter had admitted their feelings for each other, sealed by a kiss, he followed Helen through an anomaly to the Permian era, returning to find that Claudia Brown had disappeared without trace and the rest of the team had no memory of her – a consequence of his meddling in prehistoric times.

In episode 1 of series 2, Jenny Lewis appears as a new PR assistant for the ARC team. She looks identical to Claudia Brown although has a contrasting personality to her and seemingly has no recollection of her doppelgänger. After discovering the real nature of the ARC team’s work, Jenny became a key part of the team, keeping the press away from the areas of the anomalies and providing cover stories for the havoc caused by the creatures.

Jenny supported Cutter through the death of Stephen, admitting she was attracted to him mid way through series3. His subsequent death devastated her and she left the ARC team soon after. Our final episode with Jenny was at her wedding in series 4, when Hyaenodons and the team interrupted her wedding. However, she finally got her happy ever after when Lester married her and her fiancé via video link.

Series 2: Stephen Hart (James Murray)


The former sportsman acted as a lab assistant to Cutter having had long friendship with him and Helen for many years. The seemingly cold character proved his bravery and loyalty, saving countless lives over the 2 series he played a part in.

In the 2nd episode of series 1, Stephen was left for dead by a venomous Arthropleura and was visited by Helen Cutter asking him to pass a message on to Cutter, but she also left him for dead, leaving Cutter with a race against time to get Stephen the antidote he needed.

At the end of series 1, it was revealed that Stephen had had an affair with Helen many years previously, a fact she used to try and persuade Stephen to leave the ARC to travel with her. However, Stephen resisted, realising Helen’s true colours. Stephen was also known to be the object of Abby’s affections although no 
relationship developed from this, aside from the offer of a couple of dinner dates.

In series 2 episode 7, Stephen showed his true dedication to the ARC by sacrificing himself for the good of the team by shutting himself in a room, full of dangerous prehistoric creatures, with a door which only locked from the inside to prevent the creatures escaping. His death devastated the ARC team.

Series 3: Sarah Page (Laila Rouass)


Sarah Page joined the team at the start of series 3 after an anomaly appeared at The British Museum, her workplace at the time. She was assigned to find out if there was any link between the anomalies and mythology but later joined the team on their missions. Sarah seems to become the confidante of Jenny Lewis as she tells her all about her apparent dual persona and Claudia Brown.

When most of the team are stranded in different eras at the end of series 3, Sarah helps Becker lead rescue missions to find them. She is not seen again and it is implied that she died on one of these rescue missions.

Series 4: Patrick Quinn (Jonathan Byrne)


Patrick Quinn disappeared through an anomaly as a teenager. He spent time travelling through eras alone, including appearing in 1902 Russia and murdering many people before joining the Time Tribe. His appetite for killing sprang from having to fend for himself by killing beasts to survive.

As part of the Time Tribe he met Emily and Charlotte, who he fell in love with. When Charlotte falls sick with smallpox, Patrick (known as Ethan) and Emily return through an anomaly to the present time to get her medical care. Unfortunately Charlotte died, leaving Ethan heartbroken and he blames Emily. Emily allies with Matt, the new leader of the ARC as Ethan is trying to kill her. He also wants to get revenge on his family for leaving him through the anomaly – including ARC member Danny Quinn. After being captured by the team, Patrick is reunited with his brother and the two hug. Patrick escapes the ARC after a fight and escapes through an anomaly. Danny follows him to make sure Patrick doesn’t kill anyone else.

Series 5: April Leonard (Janice Byrne)

The research assistant, hired by Philip Burton, turned into a weapon wielding fighter by the end of series 5. She was hired to help Connor with the New Dawn project. She seems cold and calculating by not getting on with the rest of the team, mainly as she refuses to tell them exactly what she and Connor are up to.

April helped Connor create the first lab born anomaly but, unknown to Connor, she is also working on a secret project with Burton. When Philip’s project comes to fruition in series 5 episode 5, April comes head to head with Abby. Their fight ends when April is killed by a flock of Anurognathus.


Saturday, 28 July 2012

Revenge 1.09


'Remember, inside the viper's nest, you must be a viper too'


We've all got accustomed to the viciousness of the senior Grayson members and the ruthlessness of Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp). However this week, several other protagonists revealed their real colours.

Daniel’s friend Tyler (Ashton Holmes) has been slowly becoming more villainous over the past few weeks, but this episode saw him rise to whole new level by conning young entrepreneur Nolan Ross (Gabriel Mann). His attempt to get Nolan on his side whilst beating Daniel to a spot in the Grayson’s company was devious yet Tyler hadn’t counted on the strong alliance between Emily and Nolan to outwit him. By also persuading Ashley (Ashley Madekwe) to ‘raise her game’ in order to climb the social ladder, Tyler incensed some of his own desire for social reign in his girlfriend and surely set up things to come.

Cara (Margarita Levieva) as she’s known to the Hamptons also showed more of her scheming nature by not taking Emily’s money or flight to Paris. Instead she chose to toy with Jack Porter (Nick Weschler), seducing him and then revealing her ‘real’ name as being Amanda. The moment that Jack told of ‘Amanda’s return’ was clearly devastating for Emily, yet due to her dual persona she had to keep a unaffected expression – VanCamp highlighted her talent by showing Emily’s despair whilst maintaining the fake front. Amanda’s deception surely makes a romance between him and Emily completely off the cards, yet makes us frustratingly root for them all the more.

Charlotte and Declan’s deception of Mrs Grayson as well as Conrad’s removal of Lydia from the manor behind Victoria’s back put the finishing touches to an episode full of deceit, mystery and aptly titled ‘Suspicion’. This episode seemed like a stepping stone to the rest of the series, setting up more plot twists and leaving many questions unanswered, the main one being: who exactly is the mysterious Satoshi Takeda?

Aired 23/07/12


Actor Of The Week

Actor Of The Week
Julie Gonzalo
 

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