Wirefan122 Reviews

Hawaii Five-O: Practical Jokes Can Kill You (1977) Season 9, Episode 23

Reminds me of something...

[3/10 · 15 November 2023]

A couple of goons try to rob an Army truck filled with M-16 rifles and get thwarted. They manage to kill one of the soldiers also as the truck flees.

Next we see that a museum has the cape of King Kamehameha stolen (again). This time it is some hang-gliders who think it would be fun to do. One of the clowns from the bungled Army hold-up witnesses them bring the cape back to the local hang-gliding store as he stalks the female who works there. So they try to recruit/blackmail them into helping break into a military depot via the roof. Laughable, yes.

All I could think about while watching was a Monty Python episode where a local thug tries to blackmail an English army base by basically saying it would be a shame if 'something were to happen' to the base if they didn't pay 'protection' money. Seems about as far-fetched as robbing a military armory but what the heck.

Hawaii Five-O: Rest in Peace, Somebody (1971) Season 4, Episode 10

Weak indeed.

[4/10 · 29 August 2022]

The show begins with McGarrett receiving a key in the mail and phone call from someone who has his private phone number. What follows is a nut job who sort of threatens Danny, Chin and Kono at different times before seeming to settle on Steve. Later on he is found to settle on the governor and, by proxy, Steve also.

What I found weak was how after leaving a message in Steve's office at the beginning of the episode he is able to pour paint in the office and leave a trail to the governor's office. Huh? Why was nobody watching Steve McGarrett's office? Why nobody watching the governor's office?

Other than that the episode is good. Acting and pace are the usual very good. McGarrett of course captures the perp.

Peaky Blinders: Episode #1.4 (2013) Season 1, Episode 4

Grace is already trusted with everything?

[6/10 · 5 February 2021]

I won't bother summing up the episode as it was admirably done by a previous reviewer. The wedding certainly makes sense as it will stop the war between the Shelby and Lee clans.

Campbell proves himself to be quite ruthless by not having any intention of honoring his deal with Thomas Shelby. It appears that the local police force is getting to be a bit uneasy with his tactics as a suspect dies in custody and the Sergeant says "this isn't Belfast"! Campbell seems unfazed and just says to throw him down some stairs and call the coroner.

I cannot but guess that Grace is the one who told the police about Thorne's location and that is why he gets arrested. If Thomas Shelby can't figure this out then he has bigger problems coming. It seems to me that they have given her too much confidence this early. She's good with numbers (the accounts) but I would think a bit early to trust her this much!

The Saint: The Set-Up (1965) Season 3, Episode 15

Starts out promising but then...

[3/10 · 15 May 2020]

Starts out with Simon at a casino in London that gets robbed by professional crooks. Simon is spotted trying to help the casino in the aftermath by one of the gang. Teal tells him afterward that the crooks are a bunch who are looking to do a much bigger heist in the near future.

The head of the gang says that before they attempt the big heist they need to take care of Templar (which makes sense to me) by killing him. One of the gang is assigned the job and rents a room available across from where Simon lives. The ensuing attempt to kill him is laughably implausible if we assume that the assassin has any skill whatsoever. He makes no effort at all to actually verify that Simon is dead!

The rest of the episode unfortunately makes the gang look like a bunch of amateurs and I found it fairly painful to finish.

Thriller: Murder on the Midnight Express (1975) Season 4, Episode 3

Mission impossible?

[6/10 · 21 June 2019]

Fairly good episode of Thriller which, unfortunately, falls apart due to the unbelievable disguise taken by one of the villains.

Defector says he will only turn himself over to one person he trusts who happens to be Charles Gray with that unmistakable voice, mannerisms and physical presence. Basically the villains (Russian agents we presume) kill him and one of them assumes his identity. I am all for suspending some disbelief but to replicate Charles Gray (or anyone really) is just too much. Mission Impossible used this routine too much and basically ended up losing my interest. Decent episode until then!

Thriller: Nurse Will Make It Better (1975) Season 4, Episode 2

Good fun

[7/10 · 21 June 2019]

Good fun as the 'nurse' is actually the devil harvesting souls! Diana Dors stars as the harvester and seems to be enjoying the role. Patrick Troughton also here as former leader of evangelicals (rest of which may have been killed by the 'nurse' also but that is just my guess). Ed Bishop of UFO fame has a small role also.

All in all not as predictable or dragged out as many previous episodes. Good time!

Thriller: Screamer (1974) Season 4, Episode 1

Rehash is a good word for this one.

[3/10 · 19 June 2019]

One reviewer noted that this is basically a rehash of the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "Revenge." It is but without any sort of suspense.

This also is like most (certainly not the previous 2 episodes) Thriller episodes in which you think it is about 20-30 minutes too long. Just a tad bit painful to sit through while you wait for the inevitable last minute 'twist'. Not a very good one at that in my opinion. Almost seems dumbed down but I don't know why a lot of these episodes are like that!

Thriller: I'm the Girl He Wants to Kill (1974) Season 3, Episode 2

Not everyone is a m____ but...

[2/10 · 5 June 2019]

Typical boring Thriller episode as we watch a psycho chase around his hapless victim. The incompetent police grab the wrong man and decide to get the only eye-witness to wait a day (and the arresting officer is the eye-witnesses' boyfriend!). Then we get to witness the killer chase the intended victim around an office building until the end. Tense, gripping???? Not in my opinion. I wouldn't call other reviewers names as that is just plain childish and somewhat angry. If you don't like the episode then just say so. No more needed.

Thriller: A Coffin for the Bride (1974) Season 3, Episode 1

Brilliant episode? Hardly.

[4/10 · 5 June 2019]

Maybe reviewing this 30 years after it was first aired may affect this but I don't think so. Predictability is becoming the hallmark of this series and I usually end up just plodding through the episode in case there is some actual surprise ending. This one had a bit of a good twist at the end but not enough for me to mark it above a 5. Helen Mirren a welcome and beautiful addition that she is could not save it although I was happy to see her 'win'.

Typical playboy kills older rich lady plot with him getting a very foreseeable comeuppance. Nothing original here and no real suspense.

The Saint: The Invisible Millionaire (1963) Season 2, Episode 22

A bit of a disappointment.

[3/10 · 16 May 2019]

Story starts off with millionaire Marvin Chase and his administrative assistant Bertrand Tamblin getting in a road accident (after the Chase implying that he knows that Tamblin is having an affair with his wife). The newspapers' headlines then say that in the accident Chase got badly burned while trying to save Tamblin but Tamblin died anyway.

Then we see that Chase cannot see anybody (or not for very long) due to being wrapped up like a mummy and having trouble talking. Simon suspects something is up and then Nora (Chase's other assistant) calls him after noticing that Chase started selling a lot of his assets that will actually lose him money (stocks, etc.). It is here at about 10 minutes into the episode that I suspected a 'switcharoo.'

A very unlikely confluence of events would have to happen for this fraud to occur, mainly, the police/first responders would have to let a badly burned man be treated at home by the family doctor without going to the hospital! There's more but it's just a bit much to stomach.

Other than that episode is the usual enjoyable watch...just a bit hard when it's all figured out already (unusual for me!).

The Walking Dead: How It's Gotta Be (2017) Season 8, Episode 8

Absolutely painful.

[1/10 · 26 April 2019]

Endured previous seven episodes hoping it would get better but it was not to be. It is almost like the last episodes did not happen at all. The Saviors somehow escaped the walkers infiltrating their compound and are now back just like they were last season. It's like the "scene missing" comedy routine (only not funny).

If only they could explain how the Saviors got back to full strength, fed and ammoed up it might be easier to take. One last thing (there are too many to write about): how did Maggie at least not sense something was wrong with the tree down (that wasn't down previously) and get everybody out of their vehicles so they at least had a shot at not getting caught? Painful to watch, but like others, probably do because it seems like I watched it this far that it HAS to get better. Unfortunately I will continue (what do you call someone who does the same thing over and over hoping for a different result...that is apparently me).

Penny Dreadful: What Death Can Join Together (2014) Season 1, Episode 6

Vampires, oh my!

[6/10 · 21 November 2017]

Sir Malcolm, Sembene and the gunslinger go searching for clues to Mina's disappearance on a plague ship. Vanessa had a slight vision of a ship and that is what led them to the port of London. Vanessa does not go along as the Dorian Gray has taken her out for the evening. We even get to watch him cut her dinner up while he tells her how worldly he is.

Malcolm and gang find a ship full of what appear to be vampires! I won't spoil what happens there as it is the most interesting part of the show.

Frankenstein's monster can't get a date and his master is not quick enough so monster kills Van Helsing who is trying to get Frankenstein up to speed on all the vampire lore. I guess he can work on getting baby Frankenstein a date now.

Dorian Gray and Vanessa have a lovely date where we find out how narcissistic (if you hadn't already guessed) he is and we get to watch the sappy seduction of Vanessa. Does she not see that the guy is just creepy? Such is love/lust, I guess.

Oh and Brona is still sick.

The side plots are not getting any better in my opinion although Dorian gets a bit more interesting finally.

Penny Dreadful: Demimonde (2014) Season 1, Episode 4

Dorian can't get enough of himself.

[4/10 · 15 November 2017]

Frankenstein confers with a blood doctor (hematologist) and figures that the blood sample has properties that basically allow it to digest blood or some such thing. I believe it means the blood is from a vampire!

Chandler and Brona go to the theater where we get to see Frankie's monster working in the rafters. He seems to be good at his job. Now if only his master can find him a wife. Brona leaves in a huff and I kind of hope she never comes back.

At the theater Gray also shows up and makes eyes at Vanessa. Something about him just doesn't sit right with me. The smugness, fake charm or what have you grates on me. He just can't get enough of himself and it is quite tedious.

Chandler gets accosted by 4 Brits who get a pummeling and then Gray sets his sights on Chandler and we get to see Gray's extensive collection of cologne. Oh and in the beginning we get to see lots of nude women at Gray's house and he looks utterly bored so he goes upstairs later and we get to see him pull the cover off of a huge painting but we don't get to see what the painting is. Gee, what could it be?

Starting to lose interest more...there seems to be a lot of filler around the main plot (the rescue of Mina?). It is only the fourth episode so this all could change.

Penny Dreadful: Resurrection (2014) Season 1, Episode 3

The first-born wants a wife!

[5/10 · 15 November 2017]

Victor Frankenstein's flashback shows his early life's interest in the questions of life and death. Another one reveals the history of Victor's first monster that he created. It tells him about how cruel mankind can be and what a tough road he has had after Victor abandoned him. We get to see how Alun Armstrong (always a delight to see him in a show) as actor Vincent Brand 'rescued' him and gave him a job working as a stage rigger in the local theater. All he wants from Victor is a wife.!?

Vanessa and the gang head to the zoo (she had a vision of Mina again) where they have an encounter with some wolves. They almost fight them but Chandler convinces them not to. Later they pick up a 'child' eating some dead animals in one of the zoo cage areas. Apparently werewolves are next to be introduced.

A few uninteresting side plots so far: Frankenstein's creature story line is somewhat ridiculous and not compelling at all at least for me.

At least there is no Dorian Gray in this one. Not sure how he fits in to the whole plot but his smugness is very annoying and his scripted lines also bore. No Vanessa do not fall for him!

Like other series I will let this one go for the first season but so far it's not looking like very compelling watching.

Mission: Impossible: The Phoenix (1968) Season 2, Episode 23

Just a bit silly even for this show.

[3/10 · 16 March 2017]

A former minister of Security who was demoted to Culture minister in some Iron Curtain country has a secret alloy hidden in a big sculpture that he plans to use to sell to another Iron Curtain country in order to get back in power.

A ridiculous plot to assassinate him (formulated by the IMF) has Rollin Hand in a room across from a museum with a gun in a fixed position. When he gets the signal from Cinnamon the gun fires and hits nothing but does alert the security personnel to check for the shooter. Rollin does not try to run away but waits for them which is pretty risky as they might shoot first then ask questions.

Anyhoo, a plot is made to have the alloy cut from the sculpture and this is done between guard inspections while Barney and Willy (dressed in nightwear) cut it with a torch! The guards never notice any smell at all. Then they rig the sculpture to blow up partially to make it look like Prohosh is trying to kill the party Chairman. A rather convoluted plot that was a bit hard to watch some of the time...mildly entertaining but not up to the usual standards!

Star Trek: Voyager: Flesh and Blood (2000) Season 7, Episode 9

Organics versus holonuts.

[2/10 · 23 June 2016]

The silliness continues as the renegade holograms now have their own ship, and just want to be left alone to pursuit their future, whatever future holograms might want. So now these non-beings can go around space and perhaps do good things or just might kill actual living beings. Good idea.

Now they have the doctor on their side and he actually does a bit of treason by helping them escape temporarily. "I am one of you" is his quote which should make us sympathetic but I just cannot do it.

The holo-captain is apparently a victim of the God complex and slowly unravels as the doctor realizes too late. They even kidnap B'elanna so they can have her talent aboard their ship! Silliness plain and simple.

The doctor is fun to watch but cannot save this episode or the previous one.

Star Trek: Voyager: Shattered (2001) Season 7, Episode 10

Almost a clip-show!

[3/10 · 23 June 2016]

Yet another temporal rift episode! We get treated to Chakotay encountering some anomaly and he is thrust into a Voyager that has several different areas of the ship in several different time frames. The rest of the show is spent trying to get things back to the normal (is theresuch a thing as the normal time?) again. They encounter a lot of previous episodes but not a 'clip show' exactly but unfortunately pretty close. Worst of all Seska shows up yet again! Truly awful stuff with no purpose. Not even the doctor is seen much although the Chaotica character shows up for some mild amusement. Naomi Wildman shows up again but as an adult with some ridiculous looking horns on her forehead.

Star Trek: Voyager: Flesh and Blood (2000) Season 7, Episode 9

Organics versus Holograms.

[2/10 · 23 June 2016]

The hologram simulator that Janeway gave to the Hirogen a while ago so they could hone their hunting skills has apparently gone haywire. The Hirogen have reprogrammed their Alpha quadrant opponents to be more life-like, so much so that they have killed most of the Hirogen! Pity that.

What follows is Voyager and Hirogen trying to chase down the holograms who now have a vessel! They actually kidnap the doctor and try to get him to see their plight. They are suffering, etc.

Sorry but any ethical or whatever discussions about the cruelty to holograms is just plain silly. They are computer generated characters and I simply cannot feel sorry for them. It is a joy to watch the Doctor get more screen time as he is, arguably, the best one on the show.

Star Trek: Voyager: Spirit Folk (2000) Season 6, Episode 17

Silly and scary Janeway

[1/10 · 8 June 2016]

To sum up: a hologram program gets out of control with the result that Harry and Tom are taken hostage and may get burned at the stake or some such. A ready solution is available by shutting power off to the holodeck as B'Elanna suggests. Janeway and Neelix warn that the town of Fairhaven and all it's characters will be destroyed. B'elanna points out that they can be reprogrammed but if they kill Tom and Harry then no such luck.

Janeway says they should try to rescue them and they will try it that way first! If there was ANY chance of the rescue going badly then it should not be done...delete the program is the only solution! Not that I wouldn't mind seeing Harry go away but...

One reviewer points out that these episodes are nice for the crew who need their own diversions even if it is not that interesting to us. Seriously??????

Arguably the silliest episode yet.

Single-Handed: Natural Justice (2007) Season 1, Episode 3

Better than I feared

[7/10 · 25 May 2016]

A young Sergeant Jack Driscoll returns from his posting in Dublin to his small town home. Soon a body is discovered in a caravan and it turns out to be a young lady immigrant who was in town doing some work at the local inn. Also turns out the local men were taking advantage of the fact that she was not documented or had her passport so she was essentially stuck there.

She at first appears to have suffered an accidental death due to carbon monoxide poisoning from the 30+ year old furnace. Jack discovers the flue had been stuffed full with rags which points to murder! I won't spoil too much but it would appear to be his father and one other man who are most likely responsible for the 'murder.'

Luckily that is not the case although the father certainly does come off looking rather poorly...much like the stereotypical small town ex-police chief. All in all a decent beginning...

Lovejoy: Last Tango in Lavenham (1994) Season 6, Episode 10

The end of a great show!

[10/10 · 28 April 2016]

Not being around when this show first ended (and not knowing much about it's history) I was not sure when I watched this episode if the writers knew this was the last episode...obviously they did!

It starts off with buyers coming for Felsham estate, which can most likely mean that Lovejoy's abode will be unavailable to him soon. Also we find out Tink is retiring! A small montage of old (perhaps not all old) footage is started and I think it might be the dreaded 'clip show' episode, which it turns out not to be although now I think that wouldn't have been such a bad idea.

Next we learn that Charlotte will most likely be leaving for New York City with a new job and Beth is looking for a different job also. Then Jane Felsham shows up! I will not spoil the rest but let me just say it is a bittersweet reunion/ending to a great show.

The Outer Limits: The Grid (2000) Season 6, Episode 15

Wooden acting throughout

[4/10 · 20 April 2016]

As one reviewer note, it has all been done previously. Scott goes to see his brother in a town only to find when he asks about him, the eyes gloss over followed by a pause and then a scripted type response follows. He searches for answers but the robots give no good ones.

Acting is awful throughout one reviewer refers to Sweeney as obnoxious, mean, etc. not sure what show midge56 was watching but that is not correct. When Scott finally does get upset, I wondered why it took him so long! If people were obviously hiding facts about my brothers death you can expect me to get a lot more than just belligerent!

Not a bad premise just been done a lot.

Star Trek: Enterprise: Silent Enemy (2002) Season 1, Episode 12

Somewhat silly.

[6/10 · 12 April 2016]

I think this episode was for the most part decent. The side plot with Lieutenant Reed was a bit silly but good for character development which is always necessary if a show is to become truly good in my opinion.

The 'silent enemy' plot was quite intriguing at first as they showed up twice and just seemed to be observing the Enterprise. Archer tried talking to them both times but received no response. The third time they showed up they basically beat up on the Enterprise quite easily and then boarded it. Apparently two crewmen were knocked out and were being scanned 'quite invasively' when they were interrupted by security teams.

Next we get the plot development of the vaunted Phase Cannons and they end up getting used in the final battle scene. The silly part referenced above by me has to do with why the aliens did not simply fire a few times to disable Enterprise instead of letting them fire the phase cannons not once but twice! Somewhat baffling to me. Overall a decent episode, though, and if one wants to pick at a show most of the time they will be able to do so!

The Odd Couple: The Insomniacs (1974) Season 4, Episode 20

Oscar reading bedtime stories!

[9/10 · 10 April 2016]

Felix has insomnia and is increasingly becoming unhinged. Unfortunately, his roommate Oscar, is doing the same as he tries to help him get back to sleep. This episode is a hoot, if only for the scene where Oscar is in Felix's room with his plastic encased stuffed toys from his childhood. Oscar almost reads to him to put him to sleep...classic Odd Couple fun!

A notable aside is Molinaro singing as they try to put Felix to bed. They finish their song and it looks like Felix will sleep...then he goes 'one more time!'.

Good stuff all around.

Armchair Thriller: The Limbo Connection: Part 3 (1978) Season 1, Episode 23

Elaborate ruse unfolding?

[8/10 · 7 April 2016]

Episode opens with DI Tarrant telling Mark that if he wants to establish an alibi (he told the DI that he blacked out for 12 hours) he had better talk to the girl he was with (who turns out to be an ex-girlfriend). She tells him that he left her house around midnight but after that she doesn't know what he did. She is also quite peeved that he doesn't remember any of their evening!

Next he goes to Clare's newspaper to see if he can find any answers. They inform him that she handed in her column that morning and then said she was quitting her job. Mark notes that her column was printed on an electric typewriter which is not her usual method. It is also noted that no one can seem to actually recall seeing Clare!

Let's just say that it is starting to look like some elaborate kidnapping/murder of Clare and a cover-up being orchestrated. Doctor Brown also suggests to DI Tarrant that Mark is possibly delusional, so the police seem to be leaning towards Mark as a killer. Another possibility being suggested by Mark's ex and by others is that Clare ran off with another man.

Episode ends with Mark and Annabelle (the ex-girlfriend who for some reason is still hanging around Mark) sneaking onto the grounds of Meadowbank again, this time in search of Clare's missing car. They are caught snooping around and the episode ends...