Tuesday Night TV (at least on the CW)

iZombie

Scene of the crime.

I know I said I was going to cover iZombie this season, but this episode “Grumpy Old Liv,” left me uninspired.  So much so, I wasn’t going to write about it.  As it is, it’s taken me almost a week to post.

What did you think?  Did you feel the season premiere was a little dull, too?  Perhaps it’s because a so much time was spent building the over-arching scenarios for season 2; you know, much like series pilots are exposition-heavy by necessity.  We had to learn that Liv’s brother Evan survived, but wants nothing to do with her because she refused to donate her blood (like they’d take it anyway); that Blaine now runs a funeral home-slash-Utopia den; and that cured zombies (all two of them*) have a spidey-sense. for zombies  *Oops, I take that back.  There are three cured zombies—I forgot zombie-rat.

The Flash: Fast Enough (123)

Just a few thoughts on The Flash‘s season finale:

Everything’s better with Victor Garber, er Martin Stein.

A New Voice-Over

The words were mostly the same.  “My name is Barry Allen, and I’m the fastest man alive.” But this one was more emotional.  I hope they keep this one or record a new one for the second season.  Because the one they’ve used throughout this season has been terrible.  It’s stilted and too loud, like Grant Gustin was trying to be heard over the din of Central City.

Arrow: My Name Is Oliver Queen (323)

Remember the good ol’ days when it was just Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity?

Arrow has wrapped up season 3 in a neat little bow.  One thing I love about Arrow is they don’t leave the audience hanging with a cliffhanger.  This season’s ending signaled an end to the Arrow and a new life for Oliver Queen.  I’m not sure I can live with this much finality for four months, considering it’s a finality I don’t particularly like.  Then again, maybe it’s good for Oliver to take a vacation with Felicity; for John to spend some quality time with Lyla and Sara; and for the new masked heroes to keep Starling City safe.

The Flash: Grodd Lives (121)

Searchin’, searchin’, searchin… (It’s an old song lyric)

Catching up on this week’s shows, with the first to air the last to be covered.  Or FILO, as they used to say in the olden days of computer lore.  Who came in first among our players?

1.  Iris!

Iris now knows that Barry is the Flash.  Thank goodness that dead weight of a plot point is over!  Throughout the episode she learns that she’s the only one who was kept in the dark.  Well, Captain Singh doesn’t know either, but he doesn’t count since he’s a recurring character and not a regular.

Iris actually handles these reveals with grace.  She’s not so much mad as disappointed.  Guess what, guys?  She’s as smart, strong, and capable as we expected.

Arrow: Al Sah-Him (321)

Oh fandom, you’re so funny.  One of the first comments I read after “Al Sah-Him” aired was “I hate this show.”  To which I ask, “Then why the hell are you watching it?”  I know, I know.  Sometimes it’s hard to let go of a show you used to enjoy.  But why spend precious time watching something that’s gone sour for you?

In the holy triad of this week’s CW shows, Arrow comes in last.  But it wasn’t a total loss.

Nyssa: Can we keep her?

The Flash: The Trap (120)

What happens in the Time Vault, stays in the Time Vault.

For an episode with The Big Reveal (that Harrison Wells is a guy from the future named Eobard Thawn), “The Trap” it felt a bit underwhelming.  (Which is why this post is a tad late.)  The Little Reveal, that of Iris realizing Barry is The Flash, was much more satisfying.

Reminiscent of  an episode of Lost, one or two questions were answered while 45 others were raised. Perhaps those of you familiar with The Flash from DC Comics lore know the answers.  Or do you?  If the television show creators have tweaked the story, then you might be in the same boat as the rest of us.  If so, ha-ha. 

(There is a poll is after the break, so be sure to click it.)

Arrow: The Fallen

To quote Felicity Smoak,

So… that happened.

John Diggle helps Oliver Queen lower his sister into the Lazarus Pit.

But not before a lot of other shit happened.  Including a flashback that wasn’t particularly germane to the episode except for the “without [humanity, love, fill in the blank] we are just a shell” quote.  There was a sort of public service announcement from Tatsu on how to get information from a man.  She threatens a soldier with her sword to his throat.  He’s stoic.  She moves the blade to pierce his heart.  Nothing.  Moves down to the crotch.  He tells her everything!  Then, Oliver drops the vial containing the Alpha/Omega bio-weapon and it shatters on the pavement.  Bye-bye, Hong Kong.

The Flash: Who Is Harrison Wells? (119)

Who is Harrison Wells? He would be the pile of bone and dirt on the table.

And yet another mini-crossover.  That’s ok, I don’t mind.  Actually, I kind of likeCisco and Laurel.  But not enough to put Cisco at the top of the list.  (Besides, it’s someone else’s turn.)  Nope, this week’s ranking is quite a surprise.

1.  Eddie Thawne

Framed for the murder of two police officers, Eddie refused Barry’s offer to help him escape.  Instead, he insisted Barry get him out of police custody “the right way.”  When Eddie encouraged Barry to work within the system saying, “You’re a scientist.  Hell, you’re the Flash!”  I got goose-bumps.  In my mind’s eye, Rick Cosnett has all makings to play a villain (and time will tell), yet his portrayal of a good cop not willing to break the law was a joy to watch, with the added bonus of expressing his admiration for Barry.

Arrow: Broken Arrow (319)

or “The Episode that Made Me Cry.  A Lot.”

In an episode where Stephen Amell didn’t get to wear his green leather pants, everyone told Oliver Queen how much they loved him.  It almost made up for the lack of Stephen Amell in green leather pants. Watching Oliver control Ray’s movements just didn’t have the same impact.

“No plant life will be spared during this raid!”

1.  I miss…

• cooperative Captain Lance.  I’m beginning to think his obsession with Oliver Queen as the Arrow might be his downfall by the end of this season.  Then Lt. Frank Pike showed up and dang near confirmed it.
• Oliver and Felicity.  Perhaps it was the double-dose of Felicity and Ray this week (having finally seen The Flash in its entirety), but the lack of the old Oliver/Felicity spark is becoming painful.
  • At least they threw us a couple of fine bones* this week, but that’s matter for a different topic.

A Somewhat Disappointing Wednesday

[Heh.  Better get this posted before the next Wednesday rolls around.]

It really was a disappointing week, if the only shows you’re watching are The Flash, Agents of SHIELD, Arrow, and Supernatural.  I gave the week a .275 battering average.  It’s not great in baseball, and it’s worse in entertainment.

Supernatural:  Paint It Black (1016)

Um, the quote on the church sign is not from Jesus. It’s the motto of Boys Town, NE, which the Hollies used to make into a song.

I became so restless with this fragmented episode, I did something I rarely do with Supernatural.  I fast-forwarded to near the end.  What seemed to be three separate stories, one of which seemed to be pure exposition and one barely tolerable to watch, finally came together, more or less, but it took its toll.