Binge Watch

July 19, 2015

What to Watch: iZombie

This is a little bit different than my regular binge post due to the fact only the first five episodes are available on Hulu or the CW website. I’m recommending iZombie because after Tuesday, the first episode will no longer be available to watch. CW is re-airing the first season right now on Tuesdays at 9/8 C. So take some time to spend on this “ZomComRomDram.”

1.) The Many Personalities Liv Moore Takes On.

Rose McIver is a talented actress. She takes on a new personality with every brain she eats, and it is fun to see the different character traits she is able to portray.

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2.) Opposite Gender Formula

The show has reversed genders with the normal formula many shows take on. The lead is a female zombie. They also have the ex-fiance, Major Lilywhite, who knows nothing about Liv being a zombie. Another thing that separates this show from other shows is Major gets his own story. One of the main problems with certain TV shows is the love or former love interest only being the background to support the main character. They do not get fleshed out. Major does get to be his own person.

3.) The Dialogue

Generally when a show has wit with a dash of pop culture I’m sold.

4.) Girl Friendship

TV is hardly ever without some epic bromance, but it is harder to find a good, solid girl friendship. Marvel TV generally has DC TV beat on this front. DC has gotten a bit better, but it still needs to take a step or more up. Peyton and Liv’s friendship is an excellent example of where DC/Vertigo is getting it right. The best part is they have not been involved in a love triangle.

5.) Guy/Girl Friendships

As much as I cheer on girl friendships, I cheer on guys and girls being friends just as hard. I love it when I get a sense of equality between a guy and girl. Where they don’t have to have a crush or unrequited love on the other character in order for them to interact. There needs to be a good representation of these friendships, and this show has them.

6.) Ravi and Major

While the other two types of friendships are important to me, I cannot ignore this friendship. I don’t know if this friendship was always planned, but the chemistry between Rahul Kohli and Robert Buckley is terrific.

7.) Veronica Mars Cameos

Because you know it is going to be a party anywhere Ree-shard Casablancas shows up.

8.) Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti

Ravi probably gets the MVP award. The man is a delight and the optimism he shows throughout the series is great. He is Liv’s personal cheerleader, and a Major lover. This is a friend you will always want in your corner, and wish nothing but happiness for him.

July 2, 2015

What to Binge: Miranda

One beautiful thing about this summer is people discovering Miranda Hart. I was excited to see her cast in Spy because I knew it would lead to people falling in love with her. Before this movie, the chances of someone from the U.S.A. knowing her would have been through Call the Midwife. They would have not known she is this amazing comedian, or she had her own show, Miranda. This week’s binge watch choice is Miranda, which can be found on Hulu . This is me telling you, “WATCH IT!!!” If me telling you to watch it is not enough reason, then here five more reasons to watch this glorious show.

 

1. Relating to Miranda

In less than three episodes you will find yourself agreeing to something Miranda does or says. Her belief in never giving up childish fun is what relates to me the most. I hope I never grow up and become a serious adult, if it means giving up on the things I find fun.

 

2. Tom Ellis

The man is fine. The chemistry him and Miranda have is great. You will want Miranda and Gary to end up together. There will be a need for them to be happy, and kiss (then kiss again and again). It doesn’t hurt that Tom Ellis is tall like Miranda. When they are in a scene together, you forget how incredibly tall they are.

*If you are planning on watching Lucifer of Fox this winter, now is a chance to get your first taste of Tom Ellis (if you haven’t already).

 

3. Her Mother

Another way you may find yourself relating to Miranda is with her mother, Penny. She is constantly wanting Miranda to marry and have a grown up job. However, the relationship is still a delight to watch. The bottle episode where Miranda and Penny are in a psychiatrist’s office is one of the strongest episodes of the series.

 

4. Miranda’s and Stevie’s Friendship

While the series had the will they or won’t they relationship with Miranda and Gary, it also focused on  her friendship with Stevie. At first glance, it seems like they have nothing in common both physically and personality wise. However, these two had some of the best moments on the show, and I would be lost without them.

 

5. Learning to Accept Yourself

One of the themes about Miranda is her finding self-actualization. It also taught the audience members how to accept themselves on who they are. It is important to love and accept yourself for who you are, and this show is a perfect example of this life lesson.

 

Bonus: The hotel episodes are two of the best episodes.

June 24, 2015

What to Binge: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

It surprised me when they announced season two of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was going to be out on Netflix earlier this month. Usually I have to wait until the fall before I can start to binge watch a show that just aired. However, I feel it was a smart move because now it gives people a chance to start watching the show before season three airs. There is no longer an excuse of not having time to watch it all.

Summer is the time for binge watching. Where fanatics of shows yell at friends to watch something they love because they care. This is me yelling at you to watch this show. It may start off slow, but IT GETS BETTER! WATCH IT!

The show had a slow start. In some ways it reminds me of Arrow’s first season. Both shows got better as their first season went on. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was finally able to go full speed after Captain America: Winter Soldier. The show was leading up to the film, and the ramifications from the film impacted the show greatly. For me this show is like a roller coaster it took a while for the build up, but the pace finally increased.

This show has been enjoyable for many reasons, and it is why I’m giving you 10 reasons why it needs to be binge watched this summer.

 

1. Phil Coulson

Clark Gregg gives Phil Coulson life. The man passionately believes in S.H.I.E.L.D. and his team. One of Gregg’s greatest moments was the scene up above. There was despair in what the group had lost. Hydra had been with them this whole time. However, Coulson carried on. He kept his beliefs, and it made you want to stand with him (In Coulson We Trust). Gregg’s performance made you want to hug the man, and tell him you would follow him anywhere.           

But then there is also more playful side of Coulson. The one you want to keep in your pocket because he is adorable.

 

2. Captain America: Winter Soldier

Season one was tightly connected to this movie. The season was leading up to the revelation Hydra had been implanted in S.H.I.E.L.D. It was the catalyst for how the organization dealt with the after effects of Hydra being revealed. Steve Rogers may have said no more S.H.I.E.L.D., but the organization was huge. Someone had to make sure the agents were taken care of. Someone has to find and fight Hydra. Yes, S.H.I.E.L.D. fell down, but the belief for what it stood for never died. They were able to keep it alive.

 

3. Guest Appearances

The show never lacks in good guests. For instance, the show finally introduced Phil’s cellist played by Amy Acker. Other actors from both the Whedon Universe and Marvel Cinematic Universe have popped up from time to time. The second time Samuel L. Jackson appeared as Nick Fury was everything I wanted and more. Then there are other actors who don’t belong to the universes like Lucy Lawless, Patton Oswalt, and Edward James Olmos.

 

4. Villains

Agent Dale Cooper played a excellent, unhinged villain in season two. He knew how to balance the craziness and violence. Then there are the Team Hydra players. They know how to comply on being the bad guys. One of my favorites is Raina. She joins any team that will give her what she wants at the time. She will forever be in the morally grey area, and enticing to watch.

 

5. Fight Sequences

The combat is fun to watch especially with season two. Melinda May has been kicking butt since season one, but season two showed more of the team in action. A beautiful thing to see is Bobbie Morse and Lance Hunter fighting each other, but then being in sync while fighting the bad guys.

 

6. The Characters Added On The show started off with only six members of the team, but the team has evolved over the past two seasons. It has added new characters. Antoine Triplett was the who brought the funk to the group, and he will forever have a piece of my heart. Then there were more additions is season two. My favorite being Bobbi Morse a.k.a. Mockingbird. As soon as she and Jemma Simmons bonded, I knew I was hooked.

 

7. The Number of Women One thing that sets this show apart from other shows is the number of women. Generally I find a show to be lacking with women. The men always outnumber them. This group usually has the same amount of men and women. We also get women who have questionable morals. The women on this show are not there to help a man’s story line along. They have their own stories. They will also protect the others, if you even try to mess with one of them.

 

8. The Characters Before the first season is over there will be at least one character to fall completely in love with. You will find yourself worrying about the character, and wanting to protect them at all costs (my favorite is Jemma). It is more than probable to fall in love with more than one of these characters. They all have differences, but they work brilliantly as a team. They also grow over the series. The character growth and evolving of this series is a beautiful thing. The best example would probably be Leo Fitz who was the child of the group in season one. Fitz has grown up, but is still this caring man you want to hold and protect.

 

9. The Friendships Friendships are a key factor for me watching a television show. I love seeing camaraderie between two people who will be there for the other person. This show has multiple friendships. All the members of the team are friends, but the bonds between certain people on the team are different. They each bring their own value and interest. I cheered when Mack and Leo became friends. I encourage a friendship between Bobbie and Jemma while I still love the Jemma and Skye dynamic.

 

10. The Family The core group became a family during the first season. They will protect each other at all costs, and consider wherever the team is home. It isn’t S.H.I.E.L.D. that is home for them, it is the people they love.

 

Bonus: It is all connected. I had a better understanding of the films with how they connected parts the show and films like Avengers: Age of Ultron together. It has also already started what will probably be the basis for Captain America: Civil War.