DOA On TV Skull Report

I haven't posted one of these because I'm so far behind on my shows.  Some as many as three episodes, yikes!  The wild and scary entertainment of the Presidential debates started my keeping up decline.   Then, hey hey what do you say, I watched the Chicago Cubs every evening they were on.   Ignoring those things I'm behind on, here is a Skull Report:

Gotham

Mad City and the Mad Hatter continues.  I give Gotham props for having the most bizarre villains in the business.  The comic-y business, that is, I don't watch true crime/serial killer stuff.  There better be a hero who will defeat villains in my imaginary worlds.

Selena and Bruce are having a budding real romance with an actual kiss that wasn't landed by a Bruce Wayne clone.  I am hugely in favor of these two, though you can see that they will never be able to actually live happily ever after, too different, too damaged.

The HAIRDOS the women are sporting.  None of the main women, except the Miss Kringle look alike), but crowd scenes are filled with women with strangely curled hair right out of Doctor Seuss.  My husband who doesn't notice or care is silent when I exclaim "Did you see those women's hair?."   It is a small but brilliant way of making the dark and bizarre world of Gotham come to life.

Poor Penguin is in love with the Riddler!  He was working his way up to pronouncing his love when out of nowhere, the Riddler comes upon a smart, beautiful, riddle loving Miss Kringle look alike (you'll recall he strangled the actual Miss Kringle).  Something's not right about her.  She's a librarian.  She gave Penguin a rare volume of Gotham Family History, without checking it out to him in any way!  Eeep! No REAL librarian would do that, mayor or not.  Cough up your driver's license or car keys to leave the desk area, buddy.  She also took pretty well in stride Penguin's tattle tale about Edward's past in Arkham.  She's a plant.  Probably from the Court of Owls, is my guess.

  So the unfortunate Riddler and Penguin are suddenly smitten, but not with each other.


Lastly, the returning character Lee Thompkins was always beautiful, but since her return she's been stunning.

Lucifer

Always a pleasure to watch,   Lucifer continues to wrestle with what his mother's arrival has wrought.  Chloe and Maze are roommates!  Not a match made anywhere you'd want to go.  However, Chloe's incredibly adorable daughter Trixie gets to go trick or treating with Maze and they become best buds.

Detective Douche (Chloe's soon to be Ex) and Lucifer almost seem to be bonding as well.

The Flash

From what I've read, we're stuck permanently in the current Flashpoint timeline, because the old timeline is now too broken or corrupted (?) to ever return.  I suppose writing wise, it's fun to just re-jigger everything periodically, but there's no place like home.


The Harrison Wells from Earth 19 (I think) is a con man, but a real lovable hoot of a guy.  He definitely lightens things up.   He claims to be a novelist and an "idea man" now that he is revealed to be no brilliant scientist.  He's such a goof.

Survivor

Everyone continues to behave foolishly and I am still happy enough with who gets voted out each week.  Although it was a huge tactical mistake to boot Michaela, who is one of the best strategists we've seen in a long time, and super great in every challenge.  The merge is coming right up, so her tribe won't suffer for their bad move.

Frequency

I really love this show, which succeeds more as a mystery series than as a "time travel" show.   There are so many twists and turns, and such suspense in each episode from the cases at hand and the ongoing effort to save Raimi's mom from The Nightingale Killer.  They seem to be setting that save up for a big fail, but I think it would be much better if they do save her, and something else huge changes.

If then her father dies in the same way he originally did, or some other way that is an obvious result of their tinkering, there is a relationship and love that has been built now between Raimi and her dad that wasn't present before and she will want to try again to save him.  Do they start from scratch from his end?  Him not knowing her, but she recalls now two different timelines with him, one in which they are close buds, overriding the original?  What is her new relationship with her mom?  Lots of good story here.


Legends of Tomorrow

This is improving episode by episode.  Pure time travel fun.  Zombies and the Civil War.  All good stuff.

Sarah Lance is pretty good as the new group leader.  Her character is still a bit too "lantern jawed" and needs to loosen up considerably.

Van Helsing

Our group of grumpy survivors has fled the hospital and the show is immediately more interesting.   Two very dislikeable characters have been killed off, they both deserved their fates.

Vanessa is an awesome knife thrower.  Her old neighbor's presence humanizes her immensely.  She needed it.

Don't be eating or snacking in any scene featuring Julius, Dmitri or Rebecca, hot tip.

Axel isn't as likeable as he ought to be for some reason.   He seems a bit clueless in his interactions with other humans.

The Doc is disappointingly more haunted by her vampire time than is the dentist who has been returned to humanity, and I hope she loses that.


The Walking Dead

The opening episode will never be watched all the way through by me.  I think they rightfully lost many viewers with that.

Last week's episode set in The Kingdom was a welcome light episode, showing humanity at it's very best amidst the apocalypse.  Damn those are some awesome gardeners!  Using every imaginable container for growing things.  Plants thriving in metal filing cabinets, that is my favorite.

Tonight we see the Sanctuary, headquarters of Negan and his people.  Sinking into hell again with this one, I'm sure.

Zombie shows like this are popular because of the damn those scary zombies, they are soo scary, but it's ok, we know that they're not real.

Show us week after week of gross and horrific humanity being as terrible as the zombies, but no different than what shows up in our own scary world  on the news....yeah I'm not sure I can wait for the light at the end of this tunnel.

DOA On TV Skull Report

Gotham

The theme on Gotham is Mad City and how appropriate is that?  A sly, unfathomable Bruce look alike who escaped Indian Hills fancies Selena Kyle and poses as Bruce to steal a kiss.

The Mad Hatter character pursues his sister Alice for hideous reasons.  Her fate is almost a relief, as her character had a permanent deer in the headlights thing going.  Painful to watch.

Oswald Cobblepot is now Mayor of Gotham, having credited himself with cleaning up the "Monsters" from Indian Hills and making the city safe.

Madness!  Oswald's Main Man is The Riddler, freed from Arkham by Oswald.   Second banana Butch is now on the outs and could potentially ally once again with Fish Mooney.

James Gordon continues to growl his way through his scenes.  How he can possibly get a redemption arc is hard to imagine.  I'd almost like to see him get killed off.  Taking Barbara with him, agh.


Lucifer

This continues to explore Lucifer's mommy issues.  The emphasis on how "insanely hot" she is when she seems pretty middling to me is old already.  There is potential in her character and story line but it hasn't been touched, really.

Supergirl

The new season on the CW network is off to a good start.  I didn't think I'd like the actor portraying Superman, but he was actually a good, heroic, wise Superman.  It was funny to see how people were hero worshiping him, making Kara feel a bit like chopped liver.

You could see how nice it was for Kara to have someone like her by her side, a team, a little less lonely despite her excellent friends and family on the show.

Having Kara suddenly dump James before they even began was beyond annoying.  There was zero believable reason for it.   Very weak.

I loved seeing Cat Grant again though she seemed not herself, not the relaxed in her character woman we've seen all along.  Clearly she's going to go offstage on some venture that will explain why she is rarely if ever on the show again because of the move to Vancouver in real life.  Poorly handled.


The Flash

One of the things I've been worried about since the opening of portals to Alternate Earths was that the well honed Star Labs team, who can take on anything together, would be toyed with and we'd lose this version of these people.  The Alternate Earths story line didn't do that, but Flashpoint, this season's look at the perils of altering time seems to be doing just that.

We're getting, and seem to be stuck in, a Flash Verse that is just a bit different.   Problems between Iris and Joe. Cisco's dead brother coming between he and Barry, because Cisco wants Barry to time travel and undo his brother's death.  Kaitlin exhibiting early signs of becoming Killer Frost.  Because of course this sweet woman must become a villain. 

 

Marvel Agents Of Shield

I'm liking the new Director.  Oily when he needs to be, tough when he needs to be.  It's so much better that he be someone that is a good fit in the job so we don't just wish Coulson could have the job back.  Coulson is so much better in the field.

Survivor


The individuals on the Gen X and Millennial tribes continue to be painful to watch as they're all so unlikable.    I don't mind when anyone at all gets booted.  They all deserve it.   I like the challenges this time around, they're a good mix of physical and problem solving.

Arrow

I love Oliver, that's what keeps me watching.   I'm happy to see him building Oliver's Army to help combat the eternal stream of Bad that Star City attracts.  Maybe they'll get closer to triumphing with more bodies out there.

Frequency

Love the show.  Not happy with Raimy throwing her dad to the wolves all the time, and really disliked her not speaking when her mom was there to hear her on the radio.  Back your dad up and talk to your mom, you brat.  The dual mysteries of the Nightingale Killer and who set up Raimy's dad to be killed are playing out so well.  I've seen comments that they shouldn't have revealed so soon who the Nightingale killer is, but I think maybe Thomas Goff is either not really the Nightingale killer, or that he will shift around to various places and circumstances over time depending on progress made by Raimy and her dad.

Lethal Weapon

This has been given a full season order.  It remains action packed and so very funny.   Murtaugh and Riggs have a great love/hate relationship.   Riggs is obviously a sucker for children, but shouldn't be left to feed the baby.

Designated Survivor

The show is such a continued delight and surprise and also has a full season order.  Just when it seemed there was a dead end to the "Who Really Blew Up The Capitol" subplot, a Mysterious Phone Call comes in.   I love Sean Wright to death as the new Press Secretary.  The man has such calm and intellect and presence.  Just what beleaguered President Kirkman needs, more guys like this, less like Aaron and his faithful assistant Emily, who are a bit too busy making googly eyes at each other to be helpful.   I was supremely disappointed in Kirkman not honoring the agreement Emily brokered with Rogue Horror Boy Governor Royce of Michigan.  I would have preferred Kirkman use the astonishing diplomatic skills he possesses to change the governor's mind and actions.

Legends of Tomorrow

I have some trouble with this show, one of the main things being the unlikeable captain of the Waverider, Rip Hunter.   Luckily he was taken out of the show with a rather weak but satisfying enough plot point.  The new "leader" is Nate Heywood.  Hmmf.  I liked the actor in last season's Minority Report, but I'm not sure he is a strong addition to what is already a rather weak cast of characters.   Surprisingly I like Rory best, someone who seemed like a cheapo gangster knock off early last season, but who has surprising depth and wit.   I am so not happy to see Eobard Thawne and Damian Darhk, two villains who have had more than enough air time on Arrow and Flash and should never be seen again.

MacGyver

Popcorn city.   Still watching.

Van Helsing

Why why why can't I like Vanessa?   She got herself captured by Vampires and is all cocky with them, biting her old apartment neighbor in the neck with obvious relish to show how baddass she is.  Then she flees into an underground tunnel the vampires themselves are afraid to go in, newly re-humanized neighbor in tow.   While in the tunnel, she and the neighbor act like two breathless scary movie bits of death bait.  Where's the bravado?  On the plus side she learns her daughter got out of her apartment and was taken away by police, so she may be alive somehow.   Maybe the daughter has Vanessa's secret vampire turning skill and has her own little band of vamps and turned vamps somewhere.   There's a Resistance but it is weak.  Alex and company have been overtaken by some refugees they let into the hospital.  Said refugees plan to kill and or boot Alex et all from the hospital.  Maybe they will reunite with Vanessa (who somehow makes it out of the cellar cause it's her show) and join the Resistance and go Vampire Hunting.  Well, well look at this picture.  I am right on the money.   At least the doc is still safe :)

Once Upon A Time

Hmmm.  On the plus side Jekyll and Hyde are gone.  What a painful storyline that was.   Everyone should be happy that Evil Regina and Rumple and chewing the scenery in completely villainous ways.  Honestly, even I am all admiration for how much fun the Evil Queen is having being Evil.   Rumple, not so much.   Belle should accept him as he is.  His best parts respond to her and keep him from all out villainy.  I like the kinder Rumple.  Nice haircut.

DOA On TV Weekly Skull Report

Gotham

All caught up from the premiere and last week's Gotham.  I don't appreciate Gordon's continued descent into amoral bad guy.  I think his portrayal as Bounty Hunter Bad Ass who has left the police life behind is pretty gimped by the fact that he is constantly at the police station anyway.  Good cop, bad cop, not a cop at all? Get him out of there.

Although I liked the younger Poison Ivy, and think her transferal to grown up sexpot via an instant aging bad guy was weak, the new girl playing a teen? twenty something? Ivy had some depth to her new madness.  Maybe it will be ok.

Someone toss Barbara out a tall enough window to have her permanently go splat, please.

Bruce's new resolve to ignore the Court of Owls and the evil doings at Wayne Enterprises is hopefully doomed to failure.

Marvel's Agents of Shield

Another largely Daisy-centric episode.  Her Goth look and Bad Girl attitude don't make her any more appealing.  Ditch her story lines asap please.   I'm liking the Ghosts.

Survivor

Wow. I was rooting for Mari the uber gamer in real life because she was great.  It did seem that school playground politics and cliques won the day.  Icky background schemer Michelle is showing some repulsive manipulative ways.  Hannah, who is supposed to be smart, let Michelle browbeat her into voting for Mari, completely against her best interests, right in front of everyone at Tribal.   She deserves the next boot.

MacGyver

Off to Venezuela where MacGyver's partner Jack gets to moon over and save his ex-girlfriend Sarah, played by Amy Acker.  I've been repelled by Amy Acker as the spidery soccer mom in Grimm and as the torturer and psycho Root on Person of Interest.  This is the first time I've seen her play a relatively normal, mostly likeable person.  The show is pure fluff, but it's fine for a Friday night.

Van Helsing

I don't care about spoilers, peeps, so I have to say my favorite thing about the episode was the restoration of Doc from vampirism.  I love her so much!  It will be interesting to see how much she remembers from her time as a vampire, and I'm hoping she can help defeat them with her vampiry knowledge, though Axel locked her up before she got to bite anyone.  Vanessa herself still hasn't much personality.    Axel hasn't much either, but now Doc is awake, we've got someone to root for.


Once Upon A Time

Emma decides she should tell her friends and family about her visions, guided by Archie (the Exceedingly Smarmy Cricket), yet she doesn't actually tell them.   The Evil Queen half of Regina busts in and bowls everyone over and leeringly threatens.  Speaking of leering, those Evil Queen outfits of hers with the push up bra action get thrust into Rumpelstiltskin's face, then the face of the Gold persona.  That's an aspect we haven't seen before.   The Count of Monte Cristo makes an appearance as the Big Bad with an Untold Story this episode.

Fear the Walking Dead Season Finale 

They pulled out all the stops this episode for gore, gushing blood and deadly rage.  Everyone who was all whiny because Travis tried to retain his humanity in the apocalypse should have been pleased when he killed his son's murderers with his bare hands.  A zombie bit off a guy's nose.  Nick, who I don't find as likeable or attractive for that matter as everyone else does, put a zombie to rights by gouging his eyes out in a rather prolonged bit with blood gushing from the eyes after he finally removed his thumbs from the sockets.  Eeeww.   Alicia stood by her family by knifing a doctor to death with a quickie to the chest.  Killing a doctor in the apocalypse...tsk.   Nick leads the citizens of Colonia towards the border only to be met with gunfire and potential execution.  Oops for the little kids in the group.  Don't get cocky, Nick.  Madison, Travis and Alicia leave the hotel with a still wounded Strand staying behind, tracing the route to Colonia, temporarily overrun by Drug Lords, now home sweet home for an army of the dead.



Corrections

It appears Ash vs The Evil Dead is on Sunday nights this year instead of Saturday.  Too much on Sundays.  I have this and Elementary recorded to watch tonight.

Poldark agh, started season two in early September, so zzzzzzzz.   Oh well.