May 3 – May 9, 2015
* New series in CAPS
* Reviews May Contain Spoilers
Note: Next week is Upfronts so stay tuned for my annual coverage of that but cancellations and renewals have already started pouring out. So far, I am most excited about the renewals of blackish, Galavant, and iZombie, most disappointed in The Mindy Project cancellation, and most shocked by The Following cancellation. What about you?
Photo Credit: ABC
Once Upon A Time (ABC) – Episode 4.21 “Mother”
This was probably one of my favorite episodes of the season. I loved the simplicity of the storyline because it was so complex on its own. The thread of motherhood. The relationship between mother and daughter. Following Lily’s journey with Maleficent as well as Regina with her mother whom we haven’t seen in awhile…it was all so great. Really well executed. I was so captivated and so moved by these stories. I am so, so excited to see what’s coming in the final episodes of the season. The beginning of the end for season four is off to a magnificent start.
Photo Credit: Jordin Althaus/FOX
The Last Man On Earth (FOX)
Episode 1.13 “Screw the Moon” (Season Finale)
The Phil, New Phil, Carol love triangle was strong this week in the season finale of The Last Man On Earth! My favorite part? Carol going out into the desert where New Phil dropped Phil off and the two accepting that they belong together. In whatever way that is label wise is unknown but what is known is that these two are in it for the long run. I loved the final moments with them. Even moreso, I love that Carol acknowledged that she’d rather be with someone who didn’t leave another out in the middle of nowhere to fend for themselves, to be lonely and have no humanity.
Also, I said that my favorite part was the above but umm can we talk about that ending for a minute?! Who knew Phil’s brother (guest star, Jason Sudeikis) was an astronaut?! Wow! I cannot wait to see what developments are in store for next season with this revelation! If Phil gets in contact with his brother… if Phil’s brother connects Phil and the cul de sac crew with more people on earth…if Phil and everyone ends up in space… oh the possibilities! Great ending! So great!
Gotham (FOX)
Episode 1.22 “All Happy Families Are Alike” (Season Finale)
The war in Gotham City came to quite an interesting ending point! Knowing that Jada Pinkett Smith is leaving the show, I hated how Fish Mooney was killed off. Shot in the leg and then tossed into the sea? Really? As if she couldn’t survive THAT. Ugh. That felt like a cop out. Maroni’s death was cooler than hers! Sure, hers had a more emotionally gripping lead into it but still. Not very cool. I like the idea of Penguin being number one, at least for a little while, come season two. What do you think?
Then, there’s Barbara. Ugh. Major eye roll here. Talk about a caricature of a character. I don’t buy her suddenly becoming evil. I like the backstory and maybe if she had been more of her backstory and less of the crazy that we saw…because there was a disconnect there… I would have believed it more. The pacing of this revelation and the many shades of Barbara was off. Way off. More off than it’s been all season. They should have just killed her off as a casualty because what they did was too little too late and too… what’s the opposite of fleshed out? That. I also don’t think the transition for Selina was believable. I can believe her doing something for a good payday but playing up the whole evil side for her just seemed silly and out of character.
Also, for a season that started out awfully heavily on Bruce, we got so so little of him in the finale. I mean, really all season, which is a true shame. So. Did I like the finale? I appreciated what they did for the most part. But I hope the writers learn from their season one mistakes so that they can make season two even better! Solid finale, not amazing. What did you think?
Castle (ABC) – Episode 7.22 “Dead From New York”
Oh man, this episode was BORING. The only exciting part about it was seeing Jaleel White guest star. There were other cameos as well but his is the only one worth mentioning. Oh man, boring. I’m definitely not reviewing this show next season. I have nothing left to say about it.
Photo Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOX
New Girl (FOX) Episode 4.22 “Clean Break” (Season Finale)
At first, I didn’t think episode was going to deliver but boy was I wrong. This turned out to be an episode that reminded me why I fell in love with this show in the first place. Oh, the laughs! I wish Lamorne Morris would get acknowledged by the Emmys because his work as Winston on this show is dynamite. Can we talk about his cat selfies for a second? Two words. Absolutely hysterical.
Then there’s Coach who was leaving for his move to New York. Yawn up until the scene between Coach and Winston as Winston caught Coach taking things, memories from around the loft. Right in the feels! Has Coach left for good this time? It seems so but you know, never say never.
But really… Jess and Nick. Their mug. Their relationship. WHAT. Is. Happening?! Ahhh. Clean slate? What does that MEAN?! Where do they really stand??? Ahhh season five come quick! Then…Schmidt trying to get Cece back?! Yes, yes, yes, please! And the Schmidt proposing to Cece!!!! Ahhh!!!! I cannot wait for engaged Schmidt and Cece in season five. Oh, man. Season five is going to be great!!! Just wow. What a way to end the season. New Girl aces their finales every time and this was no different. Fantastic finale! Really looking forward to this show’s return!
Arrow (THE CW) – Episode 3.22 “This Is Your Sword”
Well, at least there were no gorillas like there were in this week’s episode of The Flash. Ugh. I like the turn this took but still, I found this extremely underwhelming. What did you think?
The Middle (ABC) – Episode 6.23 “Mother’s Day Reservations”
Solid episode! Not my favorite Mother’s Day episode… then again I can’t think of one off the top of my head from The Middle that I absolutely loved, so…
Modern Family (ABC) – Episode 6.22 “Patriot Games”
I love that Alex wasn’t okay with being co-valedictorian after all of her hard work… and it all came down to gym… running a mile in particular. Ha! But then… the kiss! Feelings. Ah. Sigh. I also loved the storyline of Gloria becoming a citizen of the U.S. and Jay’s feelings!!! And watching Mitch and Cam being out of touch with their friends’ happenings never ceases to entertain me. Another great episode here!
Photo Credit: ABC
Blackish (ABC) – Episode 1.22 “Please Don’t Ask, Please Don’t Tell”
Great episode! I loved how honest and respectful this episode was. The balancing act here was quite an interesting one and I loved how well this episode, this subject matter (gay family member in a black family from a religious upbringing) was handled. Also, it was great to see Raven-Symoné (guest as Dre’s sister) on the small screen again. I love watching her act. Her energy and physical comedy and emotional resonance is just… she’s such a pro but really, there is no one like her. So that was a treat! I also loved how the kids were intertwined into the same storyline and especially hilarious seeing how one of the siblings was out of the loop – totally been that sibling on a number of occasions (more than I can count as the middle child haha!). Amazing episode!
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – Episode 11.23 “Time Stops”
Wow. What an episode. The writers sure knew how to make me forget about my anger over glossing over Derek’s death. This episode reminded me why I fell in love with this show. This episode reminded me why I miss shows like House. The catastrophe episodes were just the best! Anyway, this episode got better and better in each and every act. I loved the story lines we followed as so much came tumbling down.
As love was postponed, positions were considered and conned, many lives were lost and the ones remaining and hanging on by a thread were being saved in the riskiest of ways. What a fantastic episode. Captivating and moving from the very moment it began. The tunnel collapse was wild. As was the intern impersonating a doctor. Wow! It was so great to see Amelia confront Meredith about not informing her about Derek. Because that was so wrong of Meredith to not contact at least family. I get it. But it was still wrong and I’m glad Amelia said something. She really needed to get that of her chest. Long story short, this was a fabulous lead in to the season finale. I cannot wait!
The Vampire Diaries (The CW)
Episode 6.21 “I’ll Wed You in the Golden Summertime”
This episode was a drag up until the final moments! So it seems this is how Elena dies? It seems kind of early though, aren’t there 3 episodes left of the season? I don’t know how they’re doing this but I’m really curious to see how this season ends with Elena gone and really curious about whether or not next season will be the show’s last. I could see the show going on for longer than one season without Elena but the real question is how many people want to see that and will continue to tune in. Anyway, decent episode. More interested in what happens next than what happened here.
Scandal (ABC) – Episode 4.21 “A Few Good Women”
Wow! What an episode! I loved that Susan fought for a soldier who had been raped. I’m not surprised but bummed out how it all played out when those at the White House found out what she had done. Ugh. Politics. Takes the humanity out of doing the right thing. Military rape an occupational hazard? Ugh. Don’t even get me started. Go, Mellie! Sure, this was a great push for her political career but don’t forget her history. Speaking of Mellie…. ummm. she is Foxtail?! What does it all MEAN?! Ahhhh. Then there’s Olivia’s torture method to make Russell talk. Hope you weren’t eating while watching this episode! Ha! Finally, it was great to see Dan Byrd (Cougar Town) on this week’s episode! Playing a bad guy! OooOooo!!! Stellar episode! Looking forward to the finale episodes of the season! It’s building up to be a dynamite finale!