ChristyInOregon Reviews

The Killing (2011–2014)

Definitely NOT boring

[10/10 · 4 July 2015]

The 1st time I came across this series was when it premiered on TV. For some reason, that completely eludes me now, I thought it was boring. Never have I been more wrong about something; however, I'm glad I waited. To avoid (the possibility of) becoming obsessed, completely distracted, & willingness to break the sound barrier to watch the next episode, plan a weekend to binge watch as many episodes as you can.

Unlike other crime dramas, The Killing somehow maintains it's intensity, even though it's focused on 1 main case for TWO seasons (not spoiler info, the episode summaries & recurring guest cast, including Billy Campbell & Michelle Forbes, suggest this format).

The lead characters are so different from each other & you wonder how they'll be able to work together, let alone deal with such complicated cases. As the series progresses, however, you begin to see these characters' unique personalities & baggage are exactly what their complicated cases need.

Each episode also finds the right balance of new business & old business (their ongoing, troubled personal lives). Seasons 3 & 4 take about 1.5 episodes to get hooked again because it takes that long to get back to the same (albeit a bit less) intensity.

Thanks to the cast & amazing writing, seasons 3 & 4 are so good you'll probably be all over Google trying to find when the next season starts.

Waking the Dead (2000–2011)

WAKING the Dead, not to be confused w/WALKING Dead

[9/10 · 27 March 2015]

Great cop vs senior officers vs co-workers while solving ice cold to Luke-warm cold cases. Boyd (Eve), overseer of this unique ensemble, is charged with re-investigating cold cases, yet somehow they are often (mysteriously) tasked cases where not even the bodies are cold. In an episode, that shouldn't be all that surprising, Boyd brings a case to the team where the accused pleaded guilty and is just about to be released for time served. If he had friends, this is where he would of lost them. Eve's character, Boyd would make a perfect subject for a case study of Aspergers in adults. His inability to communicate, tendency to take things literally and an inability to understand social rules and body language makes him almost impossible to befriend and Very difficult to work for or with. As an unappreciative, impatient, & arrogant boss, it's surprising his entire team (aka co-cast members) stays by his side for 4 complete seasons. Then, sudden & unexplained cast/team member changes, we see 2 series regulars leave and 2 new ones push & fight their way onto the team against Boyd's force of nature personalty trying to keep them out. Despite some frustration, it's the most thought-provoking, unpredictable, & addicting long running "cop" drama developed in many years. Luckily, it's available for binge watching!

Return to Zero (2014)

Taking a stillborn home...

[9/10 · 18 May 2014]

Not sure yet exactly what they did to deal with the loss in the movie (watching it right now) so this is not a spoiler. I'm curious about the options parents have when they find out their child will be stillborn. I watched an interview about a couple that went through this and the hospital encouraged them to take the child home for a night. As someone who has never been pregnant and doesn't have kids, it seemed like a strange and morbid thing to do. If you've experienced this kind of loss or watched others go through it, what is your take on taking a stillborn child home? Is it helpful in dealing with the loss or does it create even more sad memories?