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Reviews
Criminal Minds: Message in a Bottle (2024)
July 4
Don't let the classic song title for this episode fool you, because this was just not worth it. I am really baffled by what they are hoping to accomplish in this season. They wanted to bring Voit back and expand on his ring. That's fine, but it should all make the sense. The idea of these bad guys pulling all the strings from in a jail cell is such a tired cliche and it may happen to some extent in real life, but not nearly as often as it would appear on the tube where every show does it.
Just give us a simple unsub that is resolved every week. On July 4th we don't want to see stuff like this.
Criminal Minds: Piranha (2024)
Piranha
This was far from a perfect episode, but I will give it a somewhat decent score, probably a six out of ten or so, for the pure fact that they went back to basics and kind of gave us a killer of the week. They had Sicarius and his lawyer continue the main-running arc we have had in this 17th (or 2nd) season of Criminal Minds, but they just had one basic bad guy and had the BAU and the feds track him down. That is all we are asking for. Introduce us to an unsub, have him do some bad things, and then have the good guys stop him. You don't need to rebuild the wheel, just give us simple things like that.
Criminal Minds: North Star (2024)
North Star
This season has been all over the place, but it looks like this was the episode to finally get things back on track. They had the BAU and all of the work that they originally did pay off as we had Jill actually talk down a sadistic serial killer, something the agency had probably hoped to do for so many decades but almost rarely did.
The show can be better than this as we saw in the CBS days of it, but I will take this over a lot of the drivel that we had been getting in recent weeks. Just get back to basics because that is when Criminal Minds is at its best. Don't make us think too hard when watching.
Criminal Minds: Stars & Stripes (2024)
Stars and Stripes
The show is doing a lot better the last couple of episodes. I know some may disagree because they have abandoned the government conspiracy aspect to an extent and are just giving us a lot more action. Frankly, that is all we really want.
This is not a high-brow show so there is no need to really try and confuse the viewers. Just give us simple popcorn TV and we got that here with a story at the farm/base that eerily mirrored what Law and Order: Organized Crime was doing in its last few episodes.
Hope the finale doesn't disappoint and I hope next season is something new and fresh from all of this.
The Crown: Dis-Moi Oui (2023)
Episode 603
We knew how the story would end. Even if you didn't know in real life, they obviously teased this in the beginning of season 6.
That didn't make it any less impactful when it happened. We were hoping it was not going to happen but knew it was inevitable.
They kind of gave them both mini happy endings before that horrific crash, which I guess was the right thing to do, but we really do not know what they were going through in those moments at the hotel. It would all just be speculation.
A tragic incident, one the world remembers and The Crown gave a well-done tribute for an issue that had to be tough to cover.
The Crown: Aftermath (2023)
Aftermath
The tragic passing of Princess Diana was something that impacted the world. I think that it was the most-watched funeral ever, if that sad figure is true.
They handled this with dignity and respect and managed to hook us in for "all of the feels" amidst the chaos. This season has done a good job of going deep with her character and committing to everything that people went through at the time. I am not sure where they go from here though. What major stories impacted the royals after this in the final 25 years of Elizabeth's reign? I guess we have to tune in and find out, that's the point of TV.
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite: AEW Dynamite 250 (2024)
July 17
This did not feel like a five star match at all, definitely not bigger than a lot of matches that earned that distinction, but I think AEW needed something like this. These long matches have all been historical and we all remember them and with a barrage of bad stories for this company they needed something positive. Will Ospreay and MJF gave them that.
I just wish that Kazuchika Okada and Swerve Strickland got a little more time. They needed a big match and Okada really needed the kind of signature classic he had been putting on for the last decade in NJPW. He's been funny character wise though, especially his reaction to Mercedes Mone.
The Crown: Willsmania (2023)
Willsmania
I was too young at the time and across the pond to really remember it, but I am not sure how much of the obsession around Will at the time was real and how much was television.
But this was an interesting story. You wonder if this happens to royals all over the world or just the United Kingdom. It made for a complicated issue with Harry and obviously with Charles too.
The show has gotten a little bit better, but I am not sure how exciting this period will be for the final episodes post-Diana. It was all just kind of there and nothing that consequential happened before the unfortunate passing decades later.
All Elite Wrestling: Rampage: Episode #4.29 (2024)
July 19
The show started off fine with a decent six man tag match, although The Undisputed Kingdom losing this one was a little strange. I feel like they definitely needed the victory and some momentum much more. I am glad they at least acknowledged Roderick Strong vs. Mark Briscoe at Death Before Dishonor and hope that Briscoe retains.
The rest of the show was just typical Rampage though. Why are The Outrunners getting so much TV time across AEW and ROH? Why does The Butcher just show up to lose to people? And why are Private Party and The Lucha Bros. In the exact same spot they were when this company first started?
The Bear: Next (2024)
Episode 302
This was better than the season premiere, but the way this show thinks it is so clever by not being clever at all is really offputting. Every single character talks in the same voice, the same tone, with the same level of cursing.
That is just not how the world operates. Was it intriguing to see an entire episode take place in the kitchen with the crew yelling at each other? I mean, kind of, but this is a show that is trying too hard to be artsy when that is just not needed at all.
A step in the right direction for sure, but so far this is not elite quality TV by any stretch of the imagination.
The Bear: Tomorrow (2024)
Tomorrow
Boring. Flat out boring. I know some people will say that this was art and it was brilliant and all of that, but it just wasn't.
This was dragging on and didn't accomplish anything we did not already know. We knew about the backstory and everything that has happened to Carm.
Having nothing burger scenes with intense music does not make them any more special.
This show has a lot of buzz and had a chaotic season finale in year two so to follow that up with this, which was clear Emmy bait, but did not move the story forward one bit, just felt like a huge miss in my opinion. I see other disagree though.
Ladies in Black: Men in Briefs (2024)
Men in Briefs
I feel like this is more of the vibe that the show should be giving us. These fun, one-off, ad and strategy heavy concepts like a popular actress and her wedding dress. When they get into the weeds of Goode's and their business Ladies in Black is at its best.
But then they have all of these relationship woes and it just does not connect. They don't really make it clear who stands where and in particular with Faye her character randomly pops up, randomly disappears. Inconsistent writing has really hampered this show, but I still have to say that episode to episode I am almost always enjoying what I see.
Ladies in Black: New Season (2024)
New Season
Overall I have enjoyed Ladies in Black, but I feel like this was far too uneventful for a finale. I am hoping we get a second season, but I have no idea what the intention of the show was, if that was what they were hoping for, or if it is designed to be a miniseries.
Angela deciding to move home does not make a lot of sense and seemed to happen out of the blue, but they wisely gave us some scenes with her and Lisa together. That is the dynamic that excelled with this show, even though other areas worked, those are the two standouts and the two breakout stars of Ladies in Black in my book I suppose.
AEW Collision: Owen Hart Semifinal (2024)
July 6
Riho winning at the expense of Lady Frost is disappointing. We know this company loves Riho, but with Frost getting more and more TV time I keep hoping they actually come through with a push for her.
Adam Page and Jay White was okay, but given the history between these two and the star power of these two I wanted a little bit more.
The Beast Mortos was connecting with audiences as Taurus in TNA and PWG, but something just isn't working when he gets these high profile matches. I don't quite get it.
I am glad they are pushing Claudio Castagnoli though. He deserves to be used better than he had been.
Madam: Episode #1.1 (2024)
Episode 1
You can't go wrong with playing almost all of You Oughta Know in the early moments of the show.
This was not a perfect start at all, but I actually like what I saw here. This is part Breaking Bad, with the clear Walter/Jesse dynamic with Mack and Tui, but also a little bit of GLOW with the group of outcast women bonding together.
It could certainly be a little bit funnier, but I think there is an interesting premise here. I just hope it does not get too sexual because I am kind of TV going in that direction.
Interesting series and I could see this getting picked up and airing in the US for sure.
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite: Owen Hart Tournament Finals (2024)
July 10
I feel like the turn segment at the end was a little rushed, Mariah grabbed the belt too quickly, but it was still effective. Toni Storm's selling was great and they have some more interest in this match at Wembley.
The show was okay, but this MJF heel turn continues to just be boring. The podcasters on the internet may love it, but it is not working for me.
Chris Jericho's darker side of The Learning Tree is an improvement, but I still don't think this is the right feud for him or the right use of him. There's no chance he's getting off TV though, so I guess we are stuck with this for a little while.
All Elite Wrestling: Rampage: Shark Week (2024)
July 5
Mariah May and Hikaru Shida had a solid match to close the show. It feels like they are trying to do better with the women's division in this company whereas whenever WWE gives the women a main event match it feels like they are just pandoring.
Trish Adora deserves more of a push, but that is unlikely to happen.
Kyle O'Reilly is just not working in AEW. I expect a heel turn and to join the Undisputed Kingdom, but I don't think that is the answer. There are far more deserving people of the spot here is, but it does not seem like his push will end given the friendships he has in this company. Oh well.
All Elite Wrestling: Rampage: Episode #4.28 (2024)
July 12
Even in defeat the Premier Athletes finally felt like a real and credible tag team today. I was surprised that they got this competitive bout with House of Black or Kings of the Black Throne, but not at all surprised by the result.
Deonna Purrazzo getting a backstage vignette and then beating down Rachael and Thunder after their match was a positive step.
Top Flight vs. Shane Taylor Promotions could have been better, but I like the idea of STP being pushed. We can only hope that Tony Khan and company follows through on their push and keeps using them, but I highly doubt it given his track record.
Wimbledon: 2024 Wimbledon Championships: Day 11 (2024)
Day 11
I have been watching in and out of Wimbledon, but probably more than I did the French Open a few months back. I used to be a huge fan of tennis but unfortunately time has not permitted for me to be able to watch as much as I would like.
But we got a great match here in the semifinals. I am upset about Elena Rybakina collapsing because this was her chance to win another Major, but Jasmine Paolini is the feel good story of tennis. She has an infectious spirit and I feel like her time to win some more Majors is coming very soon. If it is not Wimbledon this year it may be Wimbledon come next year.
Wimbledon: 2024 Wimbledon Championships: Day 13 (2024)
Day 13
Jasmine Paolini has been the breakout star on the womens side in tennis the last year and she had a great performance again tonight, but unfortunately came up just a little short. Barbara had a great first set and then collapsed, but she has a veteran presence that allowed her to relax and get back in control in the third set, the way Jasmine's opponent was unable to in the semifinals.
This was a good little match, but I do not think it will be able to compare to the next Alcaraz and Djokovic meeting tomorrow in their final. I feel like that rivalry is on another level and I am hoping for another classic with those two.
Trying: Mother's Day (2024)
Episode 5
Even a pretty average episode and a pretty cliched one like this just feels special and charming because that is the kind of vibe that Trying has. From the music to the writing to the overall fun and hopeful tone this show just has something different to it.
As much as I like it though, I have to be fair when critiquing these episodes and this was just not that enjoyable. Not enough drama, not enough laughs, this was just not what I was hoping for at the midway point of the season. I am confident they will right the ship though and this season will end on a high note, but this was just an average episode to me.
Trying: Airport Run (2024)
Episode 6
This was way too over the top for my liking. Princess has definitely taken some risks, but trying to go flying to Spain on her own just does not feel like something they would do with that character.
I do like the idea of chaos at the airport. This is a staple of romantic comedies, and I guess is effective for any kind of comedy.
The adoption speeches and seminar bit felt like it could have been crafted out better. They made their "rivals" come off as way too cartoonish here. For a show like this that could sometimes work, but for some reason here today was just not effective comedy in my mind.
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite: Owen Hart Quartetfinal (2024)
June 26
Zack Sabre deserves to be a big star in WWE or AEW, but I don't know if he wants to make that jump.
Jay White did and he still has not quite found his footing yet. I think he likes being aligned with Juice Robinson, but I think he needs to get away from him for the good of his run here.
Swerve's title reign is just not clicking right now. Certainly better than people like CM Punk have had, but it's not effective at all. He doesn't feel any bigger than he was prior to winning which is what you hope to accomplish, to elevate them in stature, with every person that you give the title belt to these days.
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite: Beach Break 2024 (2024)
July 3
I guess the heel turn was necessary for MJF, but it was not exactly compelling TV here. The character is just not entertaining and he should not be the biggest star in the company.
PAC and Bryan Danielson had a good match to start the show. They got a long amount of time and sometimes this is good for AEW. We all remember the tag match from Collision and past Danielson/Hangman pages as examples.
Mercedes Mone and Britt Baker has a big match feel, I just worry it won't be that good. Hopefully the rest of the Wembley card fills out nicely because I worry they don't have a lot of fuel right now.
NWA Powerrr: Crockett Cup 2024: Part 4 (2024)
July 9
This was the best NWA Powerrr in quite some time.
Blunt Force Trauma and The Immortals are two of the biggest teams in the company. They had a fun opening match here and set the stage for a title match down the road.
Mims deserves better thant his, but hearing William Patrick Corgan call him a rising star on commentary gives me a little hope. The Tim Storm gimmick is so ridiculous that maybe it will end up working.
Kenzie Paige and Ella Envy were a great tag team but they are definitely capable of singles runs. Let's hope Kenzie's dominant tag team reign continues for a long time as she deserves it.