Ranking Outlander, Part 1

Give credit where it’s due—to Ronald D. Moore

The Outlander part of the SciFi Chicks Summer Series 2015 is to list highlights and lowlights of each episode.  Since I’m behind schedule on that, this week’s outing provides a ranking of the episodes.  We’ll start at the bottom and work our way up.

I’m not your typical Outlander fan.  I’d never heard of the series of books until I watched the television show; nor did I find the television version until four months after the first half of the first season had ended.  You see, obsession knows no time limit.  All that is to say, you may not see a typical episode ranking here.

Agents of SHIELD: The Beginning of the End (122)

Well, shiver me timbers!  (Forgive the pirate talk.  I’m currently reading Treasure Island.)  I’ve never been happier to be proven wrong.   Agents of SHIELD wrapped up its first season without a cliffhanger, yet with just enough intrigue to tease us into the next season.  I’m quite a happy chick.

A dearth of photos this week gives us various configurations of Coulson and Trip.

The budget was big enough for bring on Samuel L. Jackson after all. But not big enough for an eye patch and had to go with sunglasses.  Then again, maybe it all has something to do with the events of Captain America: the Winter Soldier, which I still haven’t seen.

Yes, some of the dialog was incredibly cheesy, but who cares?  The episode was more than I ever could have asked for.  With Samuel L. Jackson!  Did I mention Samuel L. Jackson?

Garrett goes looney-tunes from the GH-325 serum, wrangling doors from their hinges, writing on plexiglass with a nail, severing a general’s aorta—with his bare hands!—and Bill Paxton chews the scenery with gastronomic delight.

Ratings-Palooza, Part 2

Apparently my Charlie White on Dancing with the Stars obsession continues, but I have torn myself away long enough to catch up on a few sci fi shows.  Here are some incredibly short reviews, because better recaps and reviews have been done elsewhere, and in a more timely manner.

Agents of SHIELD

What’s with all the black, wardrobe people?

The season is definitely going out with a bang.  Will it make for a great, or at least better season 2?  One can hope.

It’s Rate-a-Palooza Time! Part 1

I’ve recovered somewhat from my Charlie White crush.  So, shall we do a little catching up?  Lots of episodes have aired since last we reviewed (mid-April).  Which episodes were good?  Or not so good?

Believe

FBI Agent Farrell is back!

This show is getting good!  There’s been a nice story arc building with the past three episodes. Big Events have occurred, an old frenemy has returned, and we learn Channing’s first name.  It’s Janice.

Bang and Blame (107)

We discover Channing initially worked for Skouras, but flipped sides when she saw what Bo could do.  While in a coma, Bo realizes Tate is her father.  Other than that, it wasn’t particularity memorable.

Let the rating mania begin!

Now that Supernatural March Madness is over, it’s time to get back to reviewing and rating the shows.  And there’s an exciting new twist —> YOU get to rate the episodes!

We could use stars to rate the episodes, as I’ve done in the past.  Or we could make the experience more personal with other icons.  Here are our options:

Basic star

Wine glass

Kiss

Refined star

Popcorn

Chick footprint

So let’s decide.

Where are those recaps?

I blame Downton Abbey.  And February.  Gosh, I find all sorts of things to blame for my laziness.

Downton Abbey: blessing or curse?

Actually, I’m making a few changes.  First of all, I won’t be covering Merlin anymore.  I’ve had a hard time getting interested in the story this year.  So after a few weeks of trying to get up the energy to even watch an episode, I’ve decided to drop it from the lineup.

Secondly, I’ve been on a Downton Abbey kick.  I’m not sure why, given that I think it’s quite overrated.  But like many things that aren’t good for you, I’ve become hooked.  And like that car wreck on the highway, I can’t look away.

So, this is just a long-ish way of saying I’ll be back with reviews for Supernatural and Dragons: Riders of Berk later this week.  And next week I’ll get caught up with Once Upon a Time.

One other thing.  You may have noticed I changed my rating scheme from 5 stars to 4 stars.  I found 5 stars gave me too many choices, not a good thing for someone as indecisive as I.  Also, sometimes the star ratings are not properly sized.  If that’s the case, just refresh your browser.  (In the meantime, I’ll be troubleshooting.)