tonycat-1 Reviews

Hawaii Five-O: Once Upon a Time: Part 2 (1969) Season 1, Episode 20

Shades of Elizabeth Holmes

[8/10 · 4 December 2022]

A well done conclusion to a two part episode. This time it's personal for McGarrett as his infant nephew is treated by a quack in Los Angeles. His sister is convinced that the doctor is "a saint", putting her at odds with McGarrett.

The doctor is played convincingly by Joanne Linville and she proves a formidable foil. To trap her, McGarrett proves that a medical diagnosis in 1969 could not be obtained from a single drop of blood, and anyone suggesting this is a charlatan.

What was true in 1969 is still true today. Did Elizabeth Holmes find inspiration in this episode? Thankfully modern day McGarrett's took her down too.

For All Mankind: Game Changer (2022) Season 3, Episode 2

Now I Understand The Previous Episode

[9/10 · 15 July 2022]

I was very disappointed in the previous Polaris episode. It seemed to get way off track from the space exploration theme with the space hotel. Without giving any spoilers, after seeing "Game Changer" it all makes perfect sense and I like the direction the series is going. Very entertaining and satisfying.

Stargate SG-1: Affinity (2004) Season 8, Episode 7

Stargate CSI

[5/10 · 3 November 2021]

This is the second episode in a row that deviates significantly from the normal SG-1 script. It's more of a murder mystery than sci-fi or adventure and doesn't work well.

Wagon Train: Princess of a Lost Tribe (1960) Season 4, Episode 6

Wagon Train Travels to Shangri-La

[4/10 · 7 October 2021]

The best episodes of Wagon Train take place when focused on the actual Wagon Train. This one does not, and seems like a poorly adapted Western version of Lost Horizon with McCullough encountering a remote and mystical sanctuary hidden for centuries from the rest of the world.

Ratched (2020)

Visually Stunning and Horrific

[8/10 · 8 February 2021]

This is one of the most visually stunning productions I have ever seen. To appreciate it fully, it must be seen in 4K/HDR. The costumes, sets, and antique cars are fantastic. That being said, there were many scenes that were so horrific and violent that I could not bear to watch them.

The plot has many surprises, but most of the really good ones come in the first few episodes, and seems to run out of steam at the end. The acting and character development was excellent, with the exception of that of the governor, who was a caricature of a vote hungry politician.

As the prequel to "Cuckoo's Nest", I am left wondering how Ratched's personal situation at the end of this show results in her going back to nursing - this doesn't seem to make sense.

Mannix: Huntdown (1967) Season 1, Episode 9

Strange Premise

[5/10 · 5 November 2020]

I have to disagree with the other reviewers about this episode. First of all there is the premise that Mannix, with an injured foot, would take a bus instead of the fancy cars he usually drives. He gets to his destination and has no transportation, so what does he do? He walks miles out in the country with a bad foot of course!

With the bad foot, he also beats up a cop, escapes from jail, and outruns two bulldozers trying to run him down. What a guy!

Finally, having watched many westerns, I could foresee that anthrax was the reason for all of the trouble he encountered.

Bonanza: A Woman in the House (1967) Season 8, Episode 23

Misguided Advice From Ben Cartwright

[5/10 · 11 November 2019]

How times have changed! Back when this episode was aired, a young married woman was advised by Ben to stay married to a drunk who beat her. Her safety was not a consideration, and the episode has a "happy ending" when the couple reunites.

The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)

A Cure For Insomnia

[5/10 · 16 August 2019]

What do you get when a movie combines automobile racing, a dog, and Kevin Costner? Boredom. There were also many many points where it was extremely obvious where the plot was headed, including the ridiculous ending. Wait until this one comes out on Netflix and watch when you have trouble sleeping.

Solaris (1972)

Keep Your Remote Handy For Fast Forwarding

[5/10 · 1 August 2019]

The plot is neither great nor terrible, but the many boring pointless scenes make this film an ordeal to watch. I fast forwarded through many of these slow scenes. If edited down to about 2 hours, this film would be much better.

Columbo: Columbo Likes the Nightlife (2003) Season 10, Episode 14

Enjoyable, But Flawed Detective Work

[8/10 · 15 June 2019]

Typically enjoyable Columbo episode, but in this case he really didn't get to the bottom of the two deaths. The first death, of Tony, was accidental and in self defense, yet it appears that Justin, who was not even present, will be charged with murdering him. The death of Linwood, who was murdered by Justin, does not seem to have been solved at all.

Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974)

Stupid Mary Dumb Larry

[4/10 · 13 June 2019]

What a pointless movie! Idiotic ending. I want my 1.5 hours back

Bonanza: Blessed Are They (1962) Season 3, Episode 30

Religious Nonsense

[3/10 · 19 April 2019]

One of the worst Bonanza episodes ever, for a number of reasons. First, it is unrealistic for Ben to preside over a custody hearing for children - and this should be done in a court of law, not a church. Second, the heavy handed religious based decision is ridiculous and it is very obvious early on where this episode is going. Finally, the mystical appearance and disappearance of the reverend is a total fantasy, unlike typically realistic Bonanza episodes.

Dream Wife (1953)

Enjoy the comedy and don't take it seriously

[8/10 · 15 April 2019]

I really enjoyed this movie. Yes, the premise is silly, and there are some dated notions, but the execution is very good. Cary Grant once again displays superb comedic talents. His timing, vocal inflections and facial expressions couldn't be better. He also displays his physical comedic skills in the very funny fight scene.

The supporting cast was also good.

Bonanza: The Prime of Life (1963) Season 5, Episode 13

Criminally Negligent

[6/10 · 27 March 2019]

This episode contains the expected fine acting and production values typical of Bonanza, and stands well on its own. However, Ben's behavior is inconsistent with with his high moral and ethical standards in the rest of the series.

When Ben, under a deadline to complete some logging work, overrides concerns about using a faulty block and tackle, a death ensues. Even more surprising, when Ben becomes despondent over causing this death, he is repeatedly told "it was just an accident, not your fault". If there was no known safety issue, I could agree, but in this case I consider his decision criminally negligent.

I consider this episode non-canonical due to these issues.

The Virginian: Harvest of Strangers (1966) Season 4, Episode 22

Strange Harvest

[5/10 · 3 May 2018]

This episode is not up to the usual high standards of the Virginian. The story is weak, and the second appearance of John Dehner as Morgan Starr is not impressive, while also relegating the Virginian to second banana.

There are also some odd coincidences, such as Starr (who is for Texas) encountering an old friend who is Canadian, and who then later kills him.

The circumstance of the sheriff being out of town for a few days is also used as a pretext for vigilantism, which I find hard to believe.

Electric Dreams: Safe and Sound (2018) Season 1, Episode 9

Are the voices I hear real?

[10/10 · 16 February 2018]

This episode was extremely effective because it was unclear until the end if the voice from the Dex was real or imagined. There were many clues either way - for example on the real side, how would she have known how to build a bomb, on the imagined side, her father was mentally unstable and heard voices. The contradictory stories about terrorism were also effective. Were the reported terrorist attacks real or fake news?

The Simi corporation having the ability to allegedly determine who is a terrorist before an attack, or without the person knowing they were about to commit an attack had some similarity to another excellent Phillip K. Dick story, the Minority Report.

Black Mirror: Nosedive (2016) Season 3, Episode 1

Nosedive is an Appropriate Title

[3/10 · 2 December 2016]

This episode starts out promisingly, and as other reviewers have noted the extreme social rating system makes a strong statement about the prevalence and importance of social networking in our society.

Unfortunately, upon encountering some negative ratings, the protagonist descends into hysteria, ranting at a friends' wedding, and eventually winds up in a match shouting obscenities at another social media misfit.

I assume the authors were attempting to demonstrate that the removal of a thin veneer of civility that hides our true feelings can result in uncontrolled outrage, but I found the result unpleasant and uninteresting.

Black Mirror: White Christmas (2014) Season 2, Episode 4

Technology vs Civil Liberties

[9/10 · 1 December 2016]

This is a chilling and very effective episode, largely due to the effects of technology (cookies and blocking) on civil liberties.

The cookie concept is intriguing for its use as a personal assistant (a super Siri). At least in this mode the user gives consent for their memories and personality to be used. One flaw in the logic of the story occurs here, as the cookie version is unaware that they are to be used for this purpose. If the real person consented to creating the cookie, then the cookie, having all the memories of the real person, would be aware of this.

When the cookie is used to extract a confession, then this would violate the principles of illegal search and protection from self incrimination. Torturing the cookie could also represent cruel and unusual punishment, although I question whether the cookie itself is a person and eligible for constitutional rights.

The blocking technology is also quite interesting. Again there may be a flaw in the logic of the story. If offspring are automatically blocked when a spouse is blocked, then the child should not have been blocked, not being Potter's offspring.

When blocking was employed on a universal basis against Matt, this was a surprise and not what he bargained for in exchange for his services. It also appeared to be imposed administratively, without counsel, and without a right to a trial. This sentence is cruel and unusual punishment, tantamount to the death penalty. For an example of a similar punishment, see "To See The Invisible Man" in the Twilight Zone's 1980's reboot.