This is honestly one of my favorite episodes in the series just because of the way it fills in Kensi's backstory and the steps it takes her and Deeks further down their path. But for me, one of the best parts is just the casting of Julia Feldman, Kensi's mother. Having the first-ever Mexican-born Miss USA as the mother of the stunning beauty that is Daniella Ruah just feels so perfect.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Carmen Sandiego
(2019–2021)
Great reboot to a great franchise
2 March 2019
As a kid in the 90s who actually enjoyed going to school, the Carmen Sandiego franchise was huge for me. Whether it was chasing Carmen and her henchmen myself in the video games, watching Zac and Ivy pursue her in the Saturday Morning cartoons or never missing an episode of the live-action game shows, I was an absolute addict.
So when this new series was announced, I admit to being a little conflicted. Carmen as the protagonist? As an anti-hero? I had my doubts, but I was also eager as hell to see how they pulled it off.
I should mention right now that I've only watched the "Becoming Carmen" two-parter, so some of what I say here is just a guess based on my own knowledge of storytelling. But here goes.
The first thing that struck me is the banter. Gina Rodriguez just has that wry note that works so well in a wise-cracking character. She also manages to make Carmen sound like she's still in her twenties despite being in her mid-thirties herself, which is a nice little deal. Then there's the characters themselves. Forgive me for saying this, but if Grahm isn't made the love interest that is one major wasted opportunity, because Carmen clearly seems to be his one weak spot. Inspector Deveraux seems to be set to play Inspector Japp to Carmen's Poirot (and if you don't get that reference, I suggest you watch the BBC's "Agatha Christie's Poirot" because David Suchet is in my opinion the definitive Hercule Poirot). Julia Argent is the classic trainee who's way more intelligent than the guy training her and the note of innocence and intelligence is spot-on.
Then we've got all the references. Chase Deveraux is our intro narrator in a number of the later computer games like Math Detective and Word Detective. We get another Math Detective reference from Argent when Deveraux is trying to chase down the train Carmen's on. And of course "Player", who was the unseen worker helping Zac and Ivy move from location to location in the original cartoon. Sara Bellum, Carmen's device-builder in the original series, makes a return as the mad scientist of VILE, and we even get the original Carmen, the great Rita Moreno, symbolically handing off the red coat and fedora to our new Carmen.
I cannot wait to watch the rest, and I hope this thing has a long run. By the way, since the Chief is already referenced in the final seconds of the two-parter, I'm expecting Zac and Ivy in some form, though probably not the teens they were in the 90s cartoon.
The first thing that struck me is the banter. Gina Rodriguez just has that wry note that works so well in a wise-cracking character. She also manages to make Carmen sound like she's still in her twenties despite being in her mid-thirties herself, which is a nice little deal. Then there's the characters themselves. Forgive me for saying this, but if Grahm isn't made the love interest that is one major wasted opportunity, because Carmen clearly seems to be his one weak spot. Inspector Deveraux seems to be set to play Inspector Japp to Carmen's Poirot (and if you don't get that reference, I suggest you watch the BBC's "Agatha Christie's Poirot" because David Suchet is in my opinion the definitive Hercule Poirot). Julia Argent is the classic trainee who's way more intelligent than the guy training her and the note of innocence and intelligence is spot-on.
Then we've got all the references. Chase Deveraux is our intro narrator in a number of the later computer games like Math Detective and Word Detective. We get another Math Detective reference from Argent when Deveraux is trying to chase down the train Carmen's on. And of course "Player", who was the unseen worker helping Zac and Ivy move from location to location in the original cartoon. Sara Bellum, Carmen's device-builder in the original series, makes a return as the mad scientist of VILE, and we even get the original Carmen, the great Rita Moreno, symbolically handing off the red coat and fedora to our new Carmen.
I cannot wait to watch the rest, and I hope this thing has a long run. By the way, since the Chief is already referenced in the final seconds of the two-parter, I'm expecting Zac and Ivy in some form, though probably not the teens they were in the 90s cartoon.
Amazing how far love can push a man
20 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Though you may consider this review's title an allegory to the killer's love of his family pushing him to murder, that's actually where I'm headed.
Law & Order was one show that was never afraid to go to the wall on controversial issues. There were any number of episodes that dealt with the moral quagmire that is the death penalty, but in this we see far more.
In numerous episodes throughout his run in the show, Jack McCoy's actions are often influenced by his relationship with Claire Kincaid. Her death at the end of season six both changes his mind on the death penalty and makes him far more determined to prosecute drunk drivers. It also turns the once-legendary Lothario into a man who no longer has the confidence to pursue another woman, as he not only does not make a play for Jamie Ross but seems only to have a close friendship with Abbie Carmichael.
Yet even before Claire dies his concern for her is evident. In this episode he mentions the woman who just two episodes earlier shot the man who murdered her daughter in the middle of court. In that episode, as he argues with Claire over prosecuting the woman, you can almost hear him straining not to yell out that had the woman's aim wavered so much as an inch, it would be Claire who was dead.
His mentioning of the case once more brings into sharp focus how close the two are. His zeal to apply the death penalty almost seems fueled by Claire's brush with death, as if by applying it to a cop killer it will stop another grieving parent from bringing a gun into a courtroom.
An amazing performance and amazing writing in an amazing series.
Law & Order was one show that was never afraid to go to the wall on controversial issues. There were any number of episodes that dealt with the moral quagmire that is the death penalty, but in this we see far more.
In numerous episodes throughout his run in the show, Jack McCoy's actions are often influenced by his relationship with Claire Kincaid. Her death at the end of season six both changes his mind on the death penalty and makes him far more determined to prosecute drunk drivers. It also turns the once-legendary Lothario into a man who no longer has the confidence to pursue another woman, as he not only does not make a play for Jamie Ross but seems only to have a close friendship with Abbie Carmichael.
Yet even before Claire dies his concern for her is evident. In this episode he mentions the woman who just two episodes earlier shot the man who murdered her daughter in the middle of court. In that episode, as he argues with Claire over prosecuting the woman, you can almost hear him straining not to yell out that had the woman's aim wavered so much as an inch, it would be Claire who was dead.
His mentioning of the case once more brings into sharp focus how close the two are. His zeal to apply the death penalty almost seems fueled by Claire's brush with death, as if by applying it to a cop killer it will stop another grieving parent from bringing a gun into a courtroom.
An amazing performance and amazing writing in an amazing series.
Possibly the first crossover between Eureka and Warehouse
30 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I absolutely LOVE Saul Rubinek, and in this he gives us yet another wonderful character performance as extreme OCD case Carl Carlson. I do have to wonder if his "exit" at the end of the episode might explain the existence of Artie Nielsen in Warehouse 13 and why Fargo doesn't seem surprised that he looks EXACTLY like Carl. Did the Artifact somehow send Carl back in time to become super-slob Artie? Given that every Eureka regular except series leads Colin Ferguson and Sali Richardson-Whitfield made a guest appearance on Warehouse, it's kind of nice to think of this as the first crossover.
Plus, I love the little teaser of Jack and Allison. Those two have such amazing chemistry.
Plus, I love the little teaser of Jack and Allison. Those two have such amazing chemistry.
An amazing episode with a very ironic twist 28 years later
22 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
One of the first television episodes to deal with the "sleep me with me to keep your job" phenomena. An absolutely incredible performance by all involved including the writing team.
But what really makes this amazing is the conversation between the character of Sarah Maslin and Claire Kincaid about the perpetrator in the episode forcing her to have sex with him to become partner when viewed in context with what we now know about Hollywood's "sex for roles" culture. While Jill Hennesy has never publicly claimed to have been abused like this, an especially beautiful young actress in Hollywood probably would have been subjected to it.
But what really makes this amazing is the conversation between the character of Sarah Maslin and Claire Kincaid about the perpetrator in the episode forcing her to have sex with him to become partner when viewed in context with what we now know about Hollywood's "sex for roles" culture. While Jill Hennesy has never publicly claimed to have been abused like this, an especially beautiful young actress in Hollywood probably would have been subjected to it.
Three cases, two shockers, one serious load of puns.
31 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This was an absolutely enjoyable episode.
First off, the splitting of the team on three cases is great, because it gives us a great look at the characters.
Second, we've got the one-off character of Detective Kalie Maka to give us a look at Danny's player rep. Personally, I love Kelly Hu, and though Anna Belknap's Lindsay Monroe was a perfect fit for Danny, Kelly would have been great as a love interest.
Then we've got the inestimable T.J. Thyne playing the rare books seller. As always a wonderful performance by a vastly underrated actor.
Not to mention the gigantic amount of puns dropped by absolutely everybody (my favorite was Sheldon Hawkes's description of the smell as a "James Brown. It's funky.")
Lastly is the two more shocking culprits. First off, the kid in Mac and Stella's case is clearly a budding killer. They definitely got that one off the streets early. Then there's Aiden and Flack's. A frigging blue-ice bomb to the noggin. Only in a Bellasario.
Betcha Bannon Hates This One
9 October 2017
A group of teen Nazis lynch a naive girl who was going to expose them, and the DA not only goes after them but the white supremacist who inspired them. Guarantee you a number of the "fine people" who were at Charlottesville have a problem with the portrayal of their movement in this episode.
Good episode with a fine story-line. Also, props to future TV forensic detective Anna Belknap, playing a fifteen-year-old when she was already in her late twenties, and turning in one hell of a performance for only her second on-screen role.
Good episode with a fine story-line. Also, props to future TV forensic detective Anna Belknap, playing a fifteen-year-old when she was already in her late twenties, and turning in one hell of a performance for only her second on-screen role.
So... completely...creepy
16 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Between the usual creepiness of a cop drama episode featuring a serial killer, and the absolutely chilling and mysterious woodworking that pops up throughout the episode, this is by far one of the most bone- chilling episodes I've ever seen. It ranks with the Blair-Witch-Project spoof in Bones. And the final reveal, with the Axe Man getting the last laugh as we discover what the woodworker has been making, just makes your blood go cold.
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