TheLittleSongbird
Joined Jan 2009
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'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "Redemption in Her Corner" (2020)
Opening thoughts: "Redemption in Her Corner" is notable for its attempt to develop the character of Kat Tamin introduced this season. Which made me apprehensive, as Tamin left me indifferent at best in all the previous Season 21 episodes. It is also notable for seeing Rafael Barba in a cameo, was a big fan of Barba during his time on 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' and thought him one of the most consistent best things about that period of the show's (which had declined by quite some bit) run.
Was really hoping on first watch that "Redemption in Her Corner" would be better than my mixed expectations and that it would prove me wrong in regard to Tamin. Sadly, it didn't come together on first watch and was little improvement on recent rewatch, which was true of a lot of Season 21's episodes. It has a terrific guest performance, but it is a case of the performance being much better than the episode itself and deserving of better. It did not do a good job with Tamin and did nothing to change my negative feelings on her.
Good things: The best thing about "Redemption in Her Corner" is Manni L Perez, who is outstanding. Especially when conveying Esperanza's rage when speaking to her father. Close behind is Barba's more than welcome and quite refreshing cameo, just delightful and a strong reminder of how missed he is. Just wish the role was bigger. Raul Esparza is authoritative and brings a lot of energy. The acting is near-uniformly great with one big exception.
Furthermore, the production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. Loved Carisi with the soup, that was very caring and heart-warming.
Bad things: However, there are a lot of major shortcomings. Really did appreciate that the episode gave a back story to Tamin, which is pretty much the only reason as to why the episode exists, unfortunately it is a back story that is not particularly interesting or investable. Actually found it pretty bland and in need of a tighter pace, as well as not adding that much to her character. Not to mention that it does nothing to change my negative feelings on Tamin, such an annoying loose cannon and not much else for no real reason and Jamie Gray Hyder acts with little enthusiasm or intensity, whenever she does emote it comes over as forced rather than genuine.
In general, the case is dull and lacking in surprises or tension, with a very overlong opening scene. It is hurt too by a lot of truly sloppy investigating, the tragic parts of the story would not have happened if the team were more organised and if Tamin hadn't made such a fundamental rookie mistake. Some of Olivia's dialogue is cringe worthy, especially that "that's all men" comment that is a "whoa" moment.
Closing thoughts: Overall, appreciated its efforts but it doesn't come together.
5/10.
Opening thoughts: "Redemption in Her Corner" is notable for its attempt to develop the character of Kat Tamin introduced this season. Which made me apprehensive, as Tamin left me indifferent at best in all the previous Season 21 episodes. It is also notable for seeing Rafael Barba in a cameo, was a big fan of Barba during his time on 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' and thought him one of the most consistent best things about that period of the show's (which had declined by quite some bit) run.
Was really hoping on first watch that "Redemption in Her Corner" would be better than my mixed expectations and that it would prove me wrong in regard to Tamin. Sadly, it didn't come together on first watch and was little improvement on recent rewatch, which was true of a lot of Season 21's episodes. It has a terrific guest performance, but it is a case of the performance being much better than the episode itself and deserving of better. It did not do a good job with Tamin and did nothing to change my negative feelings on her.
Good things: The best thing about "Redemption in Her Corner" is Manni L Perez, who is outstanding. Especially when conveying Esperanza's rage when speaking to her father. Close behind is Barba's more than welcome and quite refreshing cameo, just delightful and a strong reminder of how missed he is. Just wish the role was bigger. Raul Esparza is authoritative and brings a lot of energy. The acting is near-uniformly great with one big exception.
Furthermore, the production values are still fully professional, the slickness and subtly gritty style still remaining. The music is sparingly used and is haunting and thankfully non-overwrought. Loved Carisi with the soup, that was very caring and heart-warming.
Bad things: However, there are a lot of major shortcomings. Really did appreciate that the episode gave a back story to Tamin, which is pretty much the only reason as to why the episode exists, unfortunately it is a back story that is not particularly interesting or investable. Actually found it pretty bland and in need of a tighter pace, as well as not adding that much to her character. Not to mention that it does nothing to change my negative feelings on Tamin, such an annoying loose cannon and not much else for no real reason and Jamie Gray Hyder acts with little enthusiasm or intensity, whenever she does emote it comes over as forced rather than genuine.
In general, the case is dull and lacking in surprises or tension, with a very overlong opening scene. It is hurt too by a lot of truly sloppy investigating, the tragic parts of the story would not have happened if the team were more organised and if Tamin hadn't made such a fundamental rookie mistake. Some of Olivia's dialogue is cringe worthy, especially that "that's all men" comment that is a "whoa" moment.
Closing thoughts: Overall, appreciated its efforts but it doesn't come together.
5/10.
'My Little Pony: Pony Life' "One Last Wish/Wild Heart Beats" (2021)
Opening thoughts: Actually found the first half of Season 2 to be a big improvement over the whole of Season 1, as all the episodes from "Cute Impact"/"The Crystal Capturing Contraption" to "Time After Time Capsule"/"The Great Cowgirl Hat Robbery" were average to decent, which for 'My Little Pony: Pony Life' is an achievement. The latter half on the whole unfortunately saw a big decline in quality and it was like the improvement seen in the season's first half never happened.
Both "One Last Wish" and "Wild Heart Beats" had could go either wag concepts. The latter sounded more intriguing, but was a little apprehensive at the same time with it being Discord-heavy and this show did not do a good job with Discord. As far as 'Pony Life' goes, "One Last Wish" and "Wild Heart Beats" is one of the best, or at least more tolerable, double bills and an alright way to end a weak shoe. My feelings though were pretty mixed, but considering that most episodes of 'Pony Life' are mediocre at best and many even pretty poor that is an achievement.
Good things: Both segments have good things. The best aspect is the voice acting which is very good all round, full of energy and nuance. The character writing for the Mane 6 is some of the best of the show up to this date and overall, with all the main characters not having flaws exaggerated and having good intentions. They are in character and the chemistry does feel like a friendship and well connected.
Where a lot of the character writing and chemistry were heartfelt and heart-warming and there is advancement rather than regression. The moralising is less predictable than usual and is more sincere and more subtle. There is more humour than usual, a fun musical number that is a lot less grating than most of the show's music. Of the two segments, "Wild Heart Beats" is more involving, has some nice energy and goes somewhere.
Bad things: A lot is not done well though. The animation is unimaginative and is rushed looking. The music still has the high school quality with the theme tune still grating on the ears. The storytelling on the whole is predictable and lacking in imagination and momentum, especially "One Last Wish".
Also thought that the pacing could have been a good deal tighter in places, "One Last Wish" is extremely thin and doesn't go anywhere too much of the time, and some of the humour is too forced and over simple. Particularly with Discord, who can be very annoying and mean spirited, so it was not always easy to sympathise with him when we were meant to. Peter New doesn't have the same level of zany comic timing of John DeLancie and generally the voice doesn't fit the character.
Closing thoughts: Overall, very mixed feelings here.
5/10.
Opening thoughts: Actually found the first half of Season 2 to be a big improvement over the whole of Season 1, as all the episodes from "Cute Impact"/"The Crystal Capturing Contraption" to "Time After Time Capsule"/"The Great Cowgirl Hat Robbery" were average to decent, which for 'My Little Pony: Pony Life' is an achievement. The latter half on the whole unfortunately saw a big decline in quality and it was like the improvement seen in the season's first half never happened.
Both "One Last Wish" and "Wild Heart Beats" had could go either wag concepts. The latter sounded more intriguing, but was a little apprehensive at the same time with it being Discord-heavy and this show did not do a good job with Discord. As far as 'Pony Life' goes, "One Last Wish" and "Wild Heart Beats" is one of the best, or at least more tolerable, double bills and an alright way to end a weak shoe. My feelings though were pretty mixed, but considering that most episodes of 'Pony Life' are mediocre at best and many even pretty poor that is an achievement.
Good things: Both segments have good things. The best aspect is the voice acting which is very good all round, full of energy and nuance. The character writing for the Mane 6 is some of the best of the show up to this date and overall, with all the main characters not having flaws exaggerated and having good intentions. They are in character and the chemistry does feel like a friendship and well connected.
Where a lot of the character writing and chemistry were heartfelt and heart-warming and there is advancement rather than regression. The moralising is less predictable than usual and is more sincere and more subtle. There is more humour than usual, a fun musical number that is a lot less grating than most of the show's music. Of the two segments, "Wild Heart Beats" is more involving, has some nice energy and goes somewhere.
Bad things: A lot is not done well though. The animation is unimaginative and is rushed looking. The music still has the high school quality with the theme tune still grating on the ears. The storytelling on the whole is predictable and lacking in imagination and momentum, especially "One Last Wish".
Also thought that the pacing could have been a good deal tighter in places, "One Last Wish" is extremely thin and doesn't go anywhere too much of the time, and some of the humour is too forced and over simple. Particularly with Discord, who can be very annoying and mean spirited, so it was not always easy to sympathise with him when we were meant to. Peter New doesn't have the same level of zany comic timing of John DeLancie and generally the voice doesn't fit the character.
Closing thoughts: Overall, very mixed feelings here.
5/10.
'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' "Snow Place Like Home" (1988)
Opening thoughts: "Snow Place Like Home" was one of the 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes seen later than most, and it does have to be admitted that it didn't stand out that much to me when younger other than the villain. Did feel similarly about "The Babysitter from Beyond" as well when younger, but that was also one of the episodes that fared quite a lot better on rewatch and actually had many things that stood out and made it a unique 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo'.
While not one of my absolute favourite 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes, "Snow Place Like Home" is one of the episodes that fared much better on rewatch and was actually one of my most improved recent rewatches of the show. It is not the unique change of pace episode that "The Babysitter from Beyond" was, and the first half is a little better than the second, but "Snow Place Like Home" is still immensely enjoyable and a strong example of how well the Scooby Doo franchise fared with winter themed episodes.
Bad things: There are a couple of not so great things. While the denouement was not an obvious one, the lead up to it felt rather rushed in my view and also a bit too easy and actually the whole ending and the summing up felt too hasty.
Just when the first half did so well with making Fred amusing and like the resourceful leader of the gang, the second half annoyingly made him go back to being dumb and rash. By all means other episodes did far worse at this aspect, because at least it only happened later on rather than all the way through. Did think too that the dancing looked on the jerkily animated side.
Good things: However, a lot is done right. Absolutely love the villain, who is one of the show's coolest in design and one of its creepiest in personality. Very classic old Scooby Doo-like monster. The reveal also is not too obvious, with the episode doing a great job making one think it was one person. The setting is very wintery and atmosphere-filled, also a setting that will evoke a lot of nostalgia for anybody who has been to similar settings before. The atmosphere is very spooky, not just the scenery, the villain and the character of its own house but also having characters clearly influenced by Peter Lorre which gives a nice psychological horror-like vibe.
Animation is still vibrant and fluid, as well as wonderfully wacky in the reactions and Ice Demon. The music is very catchy, with the theme tune being the most memorable and fun one of the 80s Scooby Doo incarnations. John Debney always delivered on providing music that made one sing along and toe tap and that is very true for one of the best chase songs of the show here. Had very little issue with the writing, even with the darker tone of the story the show's broadness and light hearted-ness is not absent. The fourth wall breaking still delights, one of the best parts being the escaped convict television announcement (the show always did the television announcements well).
Mystery is full of energy and has the right amount of eeriness and nostalgia. Most of the character writing is fine, especially for Scooby, and actually really liked Fred in the first half. He was funnier and more resourceful than usual and at one point he is polite (very rare in this show). The voice acting is fine too.
Closing thoughts: Overall, immensely enjoyable.
8/10.
Opening thoughts: "Snow Place Like Home" was one of the 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes seen later than most, and it does have to be admitted that it didn't stand out that much to me when younger other than the villain. Did feel similarly about "The Babysitter from Beyond" as well when younger, but that was also one of the episodes that fared quite a lot better on rewatch and actually had many things that stood out and made it a unique 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo'.
While not one of my absolute favourite 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes, "Snow Place Like Home" is one of the episodes that fared much better on rewatch and was actually one of my most improved recent rewatches of the show. It is not the unique change of pace episode that "The Babysitter from Beyond" was, and the first half is a little better than the second, but "Snow Place Like Home" is still immensely enjoyable and a strong example of how well the Scooby Doo franchise fared with winter themed episodes.
Bad things: There are a couple of not so great things. While the denouement was not an obvious one, the lead up to it felt rather rushed in my view and also a bit too easy and actually the whole ending and the summing up felt too hasty.
Just when the first half did so well with making Fred amusing and like the resourceful leader of the gang, the second half annoyingly made him go back to being dumb and rash. By all means other episodes did far worse at this aspect, because at least it only happened later on rather than all the way through. Did think too that the dancing looked on the jerkily animated side.
Good things: However, a lot is done right. Absolutely love the villain, who is one of the show's coolest in design and one of its creepiest in personality. Very classic old Scooby Doo-like monster. The reveal also is not too obvious, with the episode doing a great job making one think it was one person. The setting is very wintery and atmosphere-filled, also a setting that will evoke a lot of nostalgia for anybody who has been to similar settings before. The atmosphere is very spooky, not just the scenery, the villain and the character of its own house but also having characters clearly influenced by Peter Lorre which gives a nice psychological horror-like vibe.
Animation is still vibrant and fluid, as well as wonderfully wacky in the reactions and Ice Demon. The music is very catchy, with the theme tune being the most memorable and fun one of the 80s Scooby Doo incarnations. John Debney always delivered on providing music that made one sing along and toe tap and that is very true for one of the best chase songs of the show here. Had very little issue with the writing, even with the darker tone of the story the show's broadness and light hearted-ness is not absent. The fourth wall breaking still delights, one of the best parts being the escaped convict television announcement (the show always did the television announcements well).
Mystery is full of energy and has the right amount of eeriness and nostalgia. Most of the character writing is fine, especially for Scooby, and actually really liked Fred in the first half. He was funnier and more resourceful than usual and at one point he is polite (very rare in this show). The voice acting is fine too.
Closing thoughts: Overall, immensely enjoyable.
8/10.