Change Your Image
mphervey
Reviews
Law & Order: Couples (2003)
A Day in the Life
This is one of the best L&O episodes in the entire series!!! It deviates from the usual format and focuses on several cases at once. We can easily be lulled into thinking the police and attorneys work on only one case at a time, because every television show works that way. But in reality, they have several open cases at a time. L&O decides to show how cops work multiple cases, but in this case they do so all in one day. It is both serious and humorous, everyone gives A+ performances, and brilliantly execute a wonderfully written episode. If you havent seen it before, put it on your watchlist. It will become an instant favorite, I guarantee it. And by the end you'll be just as exhausted as the police, and nodding your head in total agreement with Briscoe's one-liner that ends the episode.
The Princess Switch: Switched Again (2020)
A good time had by all
Whereas the first movie was more romantic, this one has comedic elements to make it more a mixture of romance and fun. The focus of this movie is Margaret and Kevin's romance, but the addition of Fiona brings the comedic elements. The plot holes run amok in this movie as much as in the last one, and there is a cameo apperance at the coronation that does have you scratching your head trying to figure that one out, but otherwise you're having way too much fun to care about any of the other very obvious plot holes or scenes where reality is obviously suspended (airport). Vanessa Hudgens again excels in bringing the different women to life. You can tell she was having a blast with the Fiona character, which provides some laugh out loud moments. So grab a big bowl of popcorn and prepare to be entertained. There are plenty of heartwarming moments, but mostly this movie brings the fun. Enjoy!
Blue Bloods: Love Stories (2015)
One odd thing in a good story
This is very good episode all around. All of the storylines are well written, especially the lawyer son trying to get his mother acquitted. After the trial, the conversation between him and Erin is really touching. But there is one odd thing that bothers me every time I see this episode. Danny and Maria are up for the Medal of Valor for their role in the events from episode 1 of this season. But throughout the entire episode, Frank is only concerned about Danny's name on the list and how that will look. I never hear him or anybody else consider Baez. They are partners, they were both in the situation, both in danger, both up for the Medal but Frank only cares about how it will look for Danny. Even Danny admits he doesnt care about the award, but I just found it very odd that no one ever says "but this would be very important to Baez and her family", especially her partner. Now, to be fair, I have only seen Blue Bloods in syndication, so there could be scenes missing. It is just something that puzzles me every time I see it, and it is the only thing "wrong" in an otherwise very good episode.
The Princess Switch (2018)
A charming addiction
This is a really good, feel good fluffy Christmas movie! Vanessa Hudgens does an excellent job distinguishing between the two characters, you totally believe they are two different people. While there are plot holes galore, it is still better than your average Hallmark royal movie. The scenery is gorgeous, and the characters are likeable. You never quite believe Stacy can get away with pulling off being a Duchess, especially since the ladies didnt take enough time to really get to know each other. Margaret gets caught almost immediately by Olivia, but no one questions Stacy despite the fact that she suddenly cannot ride or play the piano, and she bakes like a dream. Despite all that, I watch it all the time! It is the perfect snuggle under the covers, eat popcorn and cinnamon rolls kind of movie. Suspend the reality and enjoy the charm. It is worth the 90 minutes!
Christmas with a Prince: The Royal Baby (2021)
Very, very, very bad
It isnt often a movie puts me in a bad mood that lasts through the evening and on to the next day, but this one accomplishes that. I liked the first two installments well enough to look forward to this one, but something went horribly wrong. This movie was not only stupid, it was irritatingly so. First of all, Tasha has been married an entire year and no one ever pointed out the proper cutlery to use? She even pointedly asked the question and her husband admitted it. He just let her be embarrassed? Second, once they were in America they stopped at Burger Crave. Unless their engagement was across the street, she could not have had a few bites on the drive over? She waits until she steps out of the car to take a bite of the burger? And when she trips down the stairs, instead of thanking the diplomat who helped her, she instead hugs him like a 5 year old school girl. So not only did her husband not teach her what cutlery to use, he also didnt help her look or act classy.
As far as her brother and the ring... he puts the ring in a cup of tea and sets it down. Seems like he would have held on to that cup for dear life considering what was in it. And the nurse just picked up the cup and started drinking... didnt ask whose it was, didnt check to see if it belonged to anyone, just started drinking out of the cup. And Jeffery looks at her TWICE and never says a word. Did these people grow up in a barn? Finally, for two people whose relationship had moved far enough along to propose, Jeffrey and Bella sure did alot of hugging. Who was supposed to be convinced they were in a romantic relationship?
The hospital room turned into a sovreign state? Only the room? And it did it revert back to America once she left? For the delivery, I've had leg cramps that caused more pain than that delivery. And no way Tasha, who is a doctor, and her obstetrician didnt know she was having twins. Finally, those babies looked extremely big and healthy for preemies. She mentioned in the beginning of the movie that she could travel up to 7 months, so if they were two months early, it was a serious miracle they didnt need any NICU care.
Last but not least, the King was always talking to them on the phone, even when they were in the palace together. And he was obviously green screened or cgi'd in for the baptism. If the actor was unavailable in person, they should have written it into the script.
Tasha was as far from a class act in this movie as could be, and they turned her husband into a spinless wuss. They absolutely have to do a 4th one to redeem themselves.
Friends: The One with the Cake (2003)
Really strange episode
I actually like this episode and watch it every time it comes on. But there are some things about it that drive me crazy. It is both a mixture of funny and straight up bizarre. Ross and Rachel want to celebrate Emma's 1st birthday, but do not tell anyone, then get upset when their friends have made other plans. Rachel basically bullies everyone to come. So I was expecting everyone to be there. What was the point in making their friends and everyone on Ross' side of the family drop their plans and come if she wasnt going to also make everyone on her side come as well? And no one called her out on it! I realize the production budget may not have stretched to include all of those guest stars, but then write the lines so that it doesnt sound/look weird for her to make everyone except her own family show up.
Another bizarre thing was the cake. She went all the way to New Jersey for the cake. Who drives that far for a custom made cake and doesnt check it before paying and/or leaving? Then she drives back to New Jersey, forcing Monica to give her the keys to take her car, keeping Monica and Chandler from going on the vacation they've already paid for.
I also took issue with her refusing to start the party because Emma was still asleep, for driving without her license and having Ross come get her, and for them not trying to find a solution to the cake dilemma closer to home. At this point forget the custom cake, just find something at the closest bakery.
It just felt weird that Rachel had absolutely no regard for anyone other than herself. It was almost as if a different set of writers took over penning this episode.
Blue Bloods (2010)
A Stellar Family, Exceptional Show
I love, love, love the Reagans and this show! Their integrity, honesty and family values are great to watch. The writing is superb in that you are brought in to their lives every week and feel part of the family, you feel their pain, rejoice in their triumphs, and emphathize with the difficult decisions they have to make. They keep the show real in that that they can love each other just as much as they can passionately disagree with each other. And they can get a little vindictive when a member of their family is slighted. Even the extended family of Baez, Gormley, Baker and Moore are a joy to watch. Every once in awhile their stories come to the forefront and it doesnt take away for the show, only enriches it.
I do need to be fair, there are some misses. No way Danny draws every major case in the city, or that he's a better negotiator than the actual hostage negotiators. The writers could have done way better handling Linda's departure, some of the storylines are simply unrealistic, and for me personally the match up of Jamie and Eddie just doesnt sit right.
The other thing I've noticed is that writers consistently remove the diverse characters from the show. For whatever reason, every diverse character either leaves or gets killed. I've watched up through the end of season 9 and except for Baez there are no surviving persons of color or ethic characters. We have seen Mayor Poole, Chief Kent, Officer Cruz (Jamie's partner), Lt. Carver (Sgt Gormley's replacement at the 54), Erin's first investigator played by James Lesure, and her boss played by Tamera Tunie come and go along with a host of other racially diverse characters. Not sure of the reason why, just something I've noticed as I binge-watch my way through the show on Netflix and wanted to point out.
Otherwise, as I stated in the title, this is a stellar family and an exemplary show. Worth watching again and again!
Friends: The One with the Red Sweater (2001)
A little confusing
This was a very funny episode despite some obvious plot holes that left a person scratching their head. The storyline with Ross and Chandler was hilarious, but it still made you wonder how they planned to really pull it off. Why didnt they search for the actual camaras instead of trying to recreate the wedding? And how would they explain every picture with only them in it, and that suddenly all the guests were horrible photographers? Really, someone is going to take a picture while holding up a fork? I'm still baffled as to how they thought Monica wouldnt notice.
The plotline with Joey ordering porn and charging machiganuts to each of their rooms was funny, but also confusing. I may just not know how ordering movies in a hotel worked back then, but still dont get how he could order 3 different porn movies and charge it to each of their rooms. And the machiganuts were in the mini bar. He would have had to get into each of their rooms to get the nuts out of their mini bars. Perhaps he could pull off getting into Rachel and Phoebe's room, and Ross' as well, but no way he gets past Monica and Chandler on their wedding night. Which brings me to a confusing comment Monica made, " oh no, I cant believe Chandler ordered porn on our wedding night". Was she not in the room? I dont know how long porn movies normally run, but I cant imagine she went somewhere else on her wedding night so long that Chandler had time to watch a whole movie.
The main plot of trying to decipher who the father was, was very good. Was a bit disappointed that Ross was the father but storylines with Rachel and Tag would have been hard to write so I get why they decided on Ross.
Blue Bloods: Blues (2019)
Back to Frank
I absolutely loved this episode, mainly due to Frank Regan being Frank Regan. He's been gone a very long time, for all of season 8 and quite a bit of season 9 the writers have written this character pretty much out of character. He's always been a man of unbending integrity and as the boss he does draw the hard line, but he usually tempers that with kindness. In season 8 and for the most part of season 9, he is just plain mean in my opinion. But in this episode the Frank Regan we've known and loved over the years shines through. I wont give away what happens, but the last two scenes, one with him and the Inspector, the other with him and his family, are gold.