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Series Reviews

Streaming Series Review: Outlaws (2021)

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Outlaws is a show on Amazon about a group of strangers that meet doing community service. Whether by circumstance or action, crime has brought these strangers together. The show weaves several different narratives as you explore each character’s past and growth. Most of the narratives fit together nicely, but some leaps are made to make the whole narrative work. There are some magical moments that you need to suspend your disbelief to believe. This narrative hinges on its serendipity where fate is the reason why everything works out.

As far as stories go, this one is fine. It is a little cheesy, as in friendship is a powerful force that one should cherish. The acting is fine, the characters are unique, and the story is entertaining enough; albeit the ending is a bit fantastical. If you like cheesy rom-coms where everything works out in the end, it is essentially the same sentiment but where strangers become friends.

I only fear that they will make a second season of this show. This first season wraps up well enough. There are a few story threads that they don’t revisit, but I don’t think they need to. I don’t have faith that they can address some of the emotional beats seeing how they solved gang violence.

Overall, if you are looking for a cheesy show that requires little effort, look no further. You can watch it now if you have an Amazon Prime membership.  

Series Reviews

TV Series Reviews: Halo (2022) First Impression

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I honestly forgot this show was in the making. It’s been a while since I’ve played any of the Halo games, and while I am not the biggest fan, I do remember enjoying it. I went into this series with the faintest memory of the story, making this a whole new experience. My advice to you is to do the same. You shouldn’t hold onto the expectations that come with the hours of nostalgia this game has created for you, but rather go into this with the idea that this is a new sci-fi show with a halo skin on it. 

I think this show intended to reboot the series and introduce it to a new generation. This will offend the die-hard fans who are expecting this show to expand the lore they have already spent hours of investment in, but I am far enough removed from this that I can only hope that it will succeed in creating a whole new narrative that can garner a new fan base. I am still waiting for a sci-fi show as magical as Firefly.

There isn’t anything objectively bad in the first episode. The acting and graphics are fine, but it is too early to tell whether or not this new narrative will live up to any hype. The first episode spends a lot of time introducing this new story, and so far, I fear it might end up being another generic sci-fi show that gets abandoned halfway through. Unless they can break away from overdone and easy tropes, I don’t see much of a future for this show. For this show to be successful, it needs to be able to tell a story that is unique to the Halo universe. 

 But it is still the first episode, and thus too early to make any fair judgment. Based on the pacing, it will probably take two or three episodes for this show to find its footing. Until then, I can only be hopeful. If you are interested, I would wait for the release of a few more episodes as the first episode doesn’t do much to hook the audience. But for those of you who don’t have Paramount+ and want to check it out, the first episode is on YouTube. 

Watch it Here!
Series Reviews

TV Series Review: Upload Season 2

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I need to revisit my initial review of this show because of how disappointing the second season is. The second season of Upload is full of plot holes, filler, and bad acting. There seems to be a trend with shows that go to streaming where they are made too long to be watchable. You see this a lot with those true crime docuseries. Instead of a meaningful story, you get filler. Filler served its purpose when shows were released weekly, but filler has no place in streaming. Filler is the death of good storytelling. The second season of Upload is more filler than story. 

I enjoyed the first season of Upload. It is a cheesy love story that explores philosophies about life, death, and personality. It isn’t revolutionary, but it has its charm. All of this charm is gone. The second season turns into a generic and boring spy thriller with a plot riddled with plot holes and obvious twists. There is maybe an hour of meaningful content within the second season; the rest is boring filler. Any growth or interesting plot points made in the first season are forgotten and replaced with a story that isn’t worth your time. The characters are unlikable, the holes are too many to ignore, and there isn’t anything to care about. I don’t care about Nathan and Nora’s relationship. I don’t care about this weird rebellion that is brewing. I don’t care about who killed Nathan, and that is a huge plot point in the first season. I don’t care because everything takes so long to happen that I lost interest. The only reason I stuck with this show was that I loved Ingrid’s character arc.

Ingrid had the best character development until it is ruined by mediocrity. In the first season, Ingrid is presented as this shallow, entitled, and vain character, but there are meaningful moments where she allows herself to be vulnerable and be compassionate. You learn that her attitude results from her complicated relationship with her family. In the second season, Ingrid begins to do a lot of self-reflection. She begins to work through the guilt she has about Nathan’s death. Ingrid realizes that she is alone, and her personality is to blame. There are powerful moments in this season where she begins to grow as a character as she learns from her experience. She even expresses a desire to become more compassionate, loving, and motherly. The tragedy of Ingrid is that she wants someone to love her as much as she loves Nathan. 

I really thought this show would have her become a more complex character as she works through her flaws. I wanted her to realize that she doesn’t need the approval of her family or Nathan to be happy. She could have had interesting character growth, but she doesn’t. Instead, they make her the crazy obsessive ex-girlfriend. There is also a clone of Nathan now because the writers want to lazily set up an ending where everyone ends up with their true love. Gag. There is no risk, no tension, so why does it matter?

Don’t waste your time on this show. It isn’t worth your time or your data.

Series Reviews

TV Series Review: Creamerie (2021)

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I watched Y: The Last Man when it came out. I was drawn instantly into this show. But, that intrigue would soon be replaced with disappointment. I didn’t finish watching the first season because I lost interest, and I am not surprised that the show got canceled. The comic is better. I stumbled onto the Creamerie shortly after, and I was pleasantly surprised by this fun and quirky dark comedy with a similar storyline.

Cremerie is about a future where all the men in the world have died out due to a mysterious disease. The show focuses on a cult-like commune that emerges out of the disaster. The show does a great job at creating a dystopian vibe where everything seems perfect while at the same time still raising enough suspicion. The show introduces a group of three friends who seem to represent the different levels of indoctrination into the new world order. These characters are quirky, unique, and played by fantastic actors. It is a delight to have them as protagonists. The writers do a great job weaving backstory with the overarching plot, creating a fun ride full of mystery and laughter. 

If you are like me and were deeply disappointed by Y The Last Man, this is the best alternative. It has the perfect balance between comedy and important social comedy. It is also a lot more fun to sit through. For the rest of you who don’t know what I am talking about, you need to watch this show. It is a fun and quirky take on the end of the world with some serious elements. This show deserves a second season, and you will soon understand why. You can watch this show on Hulu.

Series Reviews

TV Series Review: Utopia (2020)

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Utopia is an appropriate pandemic thriller that I believe everyone should be watching. It has tension, suspense, action, John Cusack; what more can you ask for? I have not seen the original British version, so I don’t know how this compares. Instead, I will be basing this review only on the American version, streaming now on Amazon Prime.

Utopia is about a group of nerdy, regular people who stumble upon a huge conspiracy. Someone has weaponized diseases and is using them against people. Through a series of comics, this group of average Joe’s pieces together clues that will hopefully save humanity. I love that this show isn’t about extraordinary people destined to save the world. These protagonists are flawed. Although they are smart, they are not highly trained and, for the most part, are frightened about the whole situation. I am excited to see how this group grows as they continue to deal with adversity.

I don’t want to get into too many specifics because the mystery that shrouds this show is what makes it fun. Utopia does a great job of keeping the audience guessing. Every new clue or new bit of information adds to this fun and exciting experience. I can’t wait for season 2.

If you love tense and exciting mysteries full of action and conspiracy, check out Utopia! I am confident it has a little something for everyone. Watch it on Amazon Prime!

Series Reviews

TV Series Review: Patriot (2015)

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Patriot is the most depressing and anxiety-inducing spy thriller you will ever see. Word of caution, I deal with anxiety and depression and this show triggered a lot of that for me. I had to take multiple breaks when watching this show, but the anxiety is well worth it. Patriot does a fantastic job at showing the reality of dealing with anxiety and depression while telling a tightly knit story.

Patriot is about a spy who doesn’t want to be a spy. You follow John as he tries to complete a mission where everything keeps going wrong. The whole series is about John reacting to each and every setback while dealing with his fleeting mental health. John constantly struggles with the morality of his actions. There is a lot of pressure placed on John, and it slowly takes its toll.

Patriot isn’t your typical spy thriller. It isn’t chock full of sex, cool calculated action, or world-ending drama. John is cool and calculated when necessary, but the main focus of this narrative is on John’s struggle with his mental health. This show has a great cast with amazing supporting characters, a fantastic soundtrack, and a well-crafted narrative. This sow does really a lot on fate. Everyone in this show seems to be destined to meet John. I can excuse this because it is a comedy, just be forewarned that there is a lot of silliness in this plot.

If you are interested in this show, be warned, it gets depressing. That said, it is worth the time and the few moments of sadness because it tells a great story. You can watch this show on Amazon Prime if you have a membership.

Series Reviews

TV Shows Review: Upload

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It is hard to recommend Upload because it isn’t for everyone. I would describe this show as a cheesy, sci-fi romance novel about death. It does a good job of going over different philosophies about death. I really like the concept of saving a person’s consciousness so that it lives forever. What I don’t like is that it can be preachy at times. We get it, capitalism is bad, and true love is awesome. That aside, it’s a pretty cool show. The acting is decent, although some actors are better than others. The plot is fun, some of the technology is inconsistent but I think that is the point. The characters are all unique and for the most part, interesting.

This show is about a future where they have the technology to save a person’s consciousness in a simulated world. The “Uploads” live their lives in words run by big corporations. The show focuses on the blossoming romantic relationship of Nathan, an upload, and Andy, Nathan’s customer service representative. She is alive, he isn’t, and the whole series is a will they, won’t they, should they ordeal. There is murder, mystery, suspense, death, and of course, a lot of romance.

For those of you who do not like cheesy romantic movies, this is not for you. Although it isn’t over the top, you get to sit through some rough monologues. But, the pacing is good and the show makes a lot of interesting arguments about death, reality, technology, and economic disparity. If you find yourself looking for something to watch, this isn’t a bad way to spend a couple of hours. You can watch it if you have an Amazon Prime Membership.

Series Reviews

The Legend of Vox Machina – Final Thoughts

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I have reviewed this show with my initial reaction, but I would like to leave you with my final thoughts. I have watched this series multiple times at this point, and while some of my initial thoughts prove to be accurate, there are some revisions I need to make. If you are on the fence about this show, you shouldn’t be. Watch this show. Even if you aren’t a fan of fantasy or Dungeons and Dragons, the amazing storytelling, unique characters, and terrific voice acting will leave you wanting more. There is not a doubt in my mind that this is a step in the right direction for both the fantasy genre and the health of Dungeons and Dragons.

The Legend of Vox Machina does a great job at being beginner-friendly. I’ve said this before, this is casual fantasy at its best. You don’t need to learn new languages or keep track of multiple houses, but that does not mean the story isn’t complex. There are multiple narratives nicely woven into in the form of important backstories and impactful lore. You do not need to have seen Critical Role, although there are enough Easter eggs to keep the fans happy. The only problem I see people having with this show is with the magic and the skill checks. They don’t name their attacks like in anime, and skill checks happen, but they don’t matter unless you’ve played the game. Knowing dungeons and dragon rules only really adds flavor because some of the rules have been adjusted for narrative reasons.

I was skeptical at first because I didn’t know how they would adapt a tabletop role-playing game into a story, but they do. The story is amazing, and the fights are done beautifully. I will give a bit of warning; this show is heavy on the gore. I don’t mind it, but it might be a shock for those of you who aren’t used to it. This is an adult cartoon with adult themes, so viewer discretion and all that. I am excited for season two and the future of fantasy as a genre.

If you are on the fence about this show, don’t be. You can watch the entire first season over on Amazon.

Series Reviews

TV Show Review: Doom Patrol (2019)

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Say what you will about DC movies, but DC TV shows are another beast. Usually, they tend to have strong starts with compelling narratives and characters, but eventually, they fall into the pitfall of prioritizing fan service and product placement over story. However, this might be a symptom of being on the CW. Some, like Swamp Thing, show great promise but are canceled before they really take off. I recommend you check it out anyways.

I am not afraid to say that Doom Patrol is in a league of its own. This isn’t your typical superhero mashup show where they fight a new villain every week, where the victory is brought to you by the new Microsoft Surface. Doom Patrol is about people who don’t want to be superheroes, who instead want to live normal lives. You get unique and interesting characters, great actors, and a very engaging story. 

Doom Patrol brings a well-welcomed freshness to a genre that has been growing stale over the years. I love the use of backstory and how it’s woven into the larger narrative. I love learning about each character’s motivation, even the villains. More importantly, I love to see the characters grow as the story unfolds. I am very hopeful for this show, and I am very excited that there will be a season 4. You can watch this show on HBO.

Series Reviews

TV Series Review: Righteous Gemstones

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The Righteous Gemstones is a show on HBO about a family who runs a megachurch in Georgia. The show follows them as they spread the word of God while they face their demons. The show does a great job separating the Gemstones’ public personas who go on stage and preach about God from the dysfunctional assholes you will learn to love. Each character faces challenges. They are either desperately seeking the patriarch’s approval or are hiding some dark secrets. The secrets in this show get dark. This show does a great job of creating sympathy for characters who act immorally out of desperation.

The plot of this show is a bit outrageous, but it is fitting for what this show is trying to do. Above all, this show is entertaining. The cast is great, the writing is solid, and the acting is something you need to enjoy. You couldn’t ask for a better cast. They work so well together. Most of the fun comes from how they interact with each other. The rest comes from learning new information that changes the overall narrative. This show will keep you guessing and that is a great thing.

The first season establishes the tone of the show. It does a great job at introducing memorable characters as well as creating the world you will get to experience. The second season does slow down a lot from the first season, but the second season is where the show starts to get into each character and their problems. I believe that the second season is taking its time to set up something huge, but you will have to watch to find out what.

If you run out of things to watch and have an HBO subscription, you should check out this show. It is an experience unlike anything else on TV, but it has a certain charm that will keep you wanting more.