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Elsbeth: A Fitting Finale (2024)
Why Mess with Success?
First, the good... the final five minutes of the episode.
After a successful season, viewers would have been angry and disappointed if Elsbeth were given a one way ticket back to Chicago. She survived and prospered despite being given the miserable 10PM time slot.
Now the not so good... why mess with success? Following the Columbo format set this show apart from every other crime series in the last twenty years. We knew from the beginning who the culprit was.
So why deviate? I don't know but I hope it doesn't become a regular feature. We don't need another stereotypical "who done it." We need the extremely likeable Elsbeth using her intuition and wits to successfully bring a known criminal to justice.
I also have to say I hope that the producers and writers understand that there should be only one goofy and eccentric character in each episode... Elsbeth. The actor playing Matteo Hart gave a textbook lesson in how to overact in portraying a cartoonish and unbelievable character. We don't need the silliness when we have the likeable goofiness in the main character. Looking forward to the next season!
Elsbeth: Sweet Justice (2024)
Please Don't Send Elsbeth Back to Chicago!
Please don't send Elsbeth back to Chicago!
The episode ended with just that threat. Elsbeth has become a refreshing alternative to the usual crime show where the focus is on guns, violence and bloodshed.
How refreshing to see a crime drama which emphasizes intelligence and competence mixed in with a bit of goofiness and humor.
Yes, it's a throwback to Peter Falk's Columbo, the also goofy detective. We know the outcome in the first five minutes of the show but that doesn't take away from the joy of the chase.
Elsbeth herself is a likeable character who doesn't take herself too seriously. No, she doesn't carry a gun (thank goodness) but she does carry a desire to always do the right thing at the right time.
Hopefully, Elsbeth will move to an earlier and better time slot in her new season. Like so many others, I'm looking forward to it!
Young Sheldon: Memoir (2024)
When a Comedy Loses its Humor!
The last season of Young Sheldon should never have been made. What was once a humorous show descended into the depths of becoming a depressing second rate soap opera.
Let's be honest, Sheldon Cooper was never a likeable character, either in TBBT or in its prequel. What we learned in the finale is that Sheldon learned nothing over the course of his lifetime. The self centered egotistical child transformed into a self centered egotistical adult. He cared little for his father or his family as a child and little for his son Leonard as an adult.
It was hard to watch this last season. The emphasis on Georgie and Mandy was simply contrived to allow a spin off that few will care about.
Comedy disappeared, swallowed up by descending into the disintegration of an already malfunctioning family.
Young Sheldon... thanks for the laughs of the first few seasons but (hate to say it) Good Riddance!
The Amazing Race: That's What Being Strong Will Do (2024)
An Unfair Finish!
We love The Amazing Race but this week's ending was totally disappointing and unfair.
Mother/son team, Angie and Danny were the least likely to do well given Angie's age but managed to have great success largely due to Danny's navigational skills.
In this episode, however, they were done in by the fact that they were separated from their crew which was supposed to be with them wherever they went. Whose fault was that? It was clear that the crew was not able to follow the team at a roundabout.
Yet, Angie and Danny were penalized for this mistake by the production crew and went from second place to last.
Let's face it... they were no match for the physicality of the two male teams but they put up a heroic fight. So sad they had to be "Philiminated" by a mistake made by the production crew!
Young Sheldon: Community Service and the Key to a Happy Marriage (2024)
Kinda Glad the Series is Ending!
A spin-off featuring Georgie and Mandy? Ugh! Truly, who wants to see two unlikeable characters with unlikeable families?
Seriously, this season should not have been made. Sheldon is no longer cute but simply obnoxious. In addition, who wants to look forward to the death of George Senior, the most human and agreeable character in the series.
In this episode Meemaw has also descended into the pits of being a scheming criminal unwilling to accept the very lenient punishment meted out for her crimes.
What was once a cute series with touches of humor has become a depressing story of a family of losers. What a sad ending to what was once a "can't miss" series!
Elsbeth: Something Blue (2024)
It's All About Elsbeth!
This delightful new series focuses on the idiosyncrasies of lawyer/policewoman, Elsbeth Tascioni, played to perfection by Carrie Preston.
Yes, it is reminiscent of the iconic Columbo series, starring Peter Falk. Both shows begin with a crime being committed and the audience in on the murder. There is no mystery here, simply an explanation how a likable lead character ultimately solves the crime and brings the culprit to justice.
Frankly, it's a breath of fresh air when compared to all the other crime shows which focus on guns, chaos and violence. No "shoot-em-ups" here.
This episode focuses on a wedding, a corrupt and evil father and a goofy Elsbeth who masks her intellect with a kooky outward demeanor.
Is the plot believable? Maybe not but it sure is fun!
Ghosts: The Traveling Agent (2024)
The Most Likeable Ghost!
Poor Pete... poor, poor Pete. Betrayed by his wife, being forced to walk around for eternity with an arrow in his neck, Pete is the consummate likeable loser.
In this episode he discovers his ghostly power, namely the ability to venture beyond the grounds of the country house. Of course, Pete messes up, wandering away from Jay who was to provide him a ride back home. His experiences are hilarious, especially his reaction and expression being chased down the street by a robot. Fortunately, it all ends well as Pete manages to safely return.
Why not a ten out of ten rating? I'm bummed by the direction the series has taken, emphasizing the sexual exploits of the characters. I don't believe this emphasis was even considered in the beginning. Sadly, it diminishes the the relationship between character and viewer. It's not needed. Let's get back the character's development outside the bedroom!
Murdoch Mysteries: Station House of Horror (2023)
Just say "no."
What nonsensical drivel! Shame on the writers and producers for thinking they could change the premise of the series in the hopes of delivering four disjointed and disconnected mini horror stories. Perhaps they were aiming to manufacture some scary plots that were so stereotypically choreographed that folks would see them as humorous.
Whatever their intent, it was an utter failure. Indeed, it was a waste of the viewers time. Why is it necessary to produce something to honor the nonsense that Halloween has become. Bring back the real Detective Murdoch not a collection of zombies.
We look forward each week to enjoying an episode of mystery, humor, science and intelligence. Let's hope the writers and producers get the message that this sort of drivel is not appreciated!
Hawaii Five-O: Strangers in Our Own Land (1968)
Tension Between Hawaiian Natives and Commercial Development
Hawaii is indeed a beautiful state and reflective of many cultures. Set apart from the natural beauty of the Island of Kauai is the urban area of Waikiki, a center of development and tourism.
The rapid development of Waikiki is the focus of the tension between those looking to make commercial profit and those who see development as a threat to native culture. This tension is at the heart of this second episode of the series. While it makes no judgment, it raises the question of the cost of what is often defined as "progress."
Having visited Hawaii many times, we enjoyed many visits to Hilo Hattie, the states most popular clothing and gift outlet. What a surprise then to see that the real Hilo Hattie had a featured role in this second episode!
Murder, She Wrote: Harbinger of Death (1988)
Weak Episode
This has to be one of the weakest episodes of the series. When watching, it is assumed one will empathize with the main characters, especially when they are relatives of J. B. Fletcher (even if by marriage).
One of the major problems is the hero is an unlikeable, self centered and self righteous fool. He forgets his own anniversary and cares little for the institution that pays his salary. He is certainly not likeable. Indeed, I found him annoying.
I was really hoping he would be the guilty party!
Oh well, there is so much to like about the "Murder She Wrote" series that it is only to be expected that there will be an occaisional clunker, which ths was!