Queer.Horror.Movies

The curated portfolio of film journalist Joe Lipsett

Revenge recap – 1×08: ‘Treachery’

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Courtesy of ABC

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to recap ABC’s Revenge the day after The CW’s Ringer. The two shows share a number of similarities: both feature main characters pretending to be someone they’re not (Emily VanCamp’s Emily and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Bridget), both feature the tortured lives of the impossibly rich, and both feature all sorts of narrative twists and turns. The problem, however, is not that they are similar, but that Revenge is so damned good at what it does. So even when Ringer seems to be making progress (as I felt it did with this week’s episode), along comes Revenge to remind me of everything that Ringer is missing.

Everyone’s favourite anti-heroine returned this week, but the seams in Emily Thorne’s plan are beginning to unravel as unplanned players begin making power moves. Let’s break it down… [Read more…]

Ringer recap – 1×08: ‘Maybe We Can Get A Dog Instead’

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Courtesy of The CW

I’ve been a fan of Sarah Michelle Gellar since the second season of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. I thought Nestor Carbonell’s  Richard Alpert was one of the strongest, most interesting characters on Lost. One of my favourite genres is Film Noir, and I have a sweet spot for Dallas thanks to its sheer excess and over-the-top storylines.

In short, Ringer should be a perfect show for me. And yet, each week I’m finding the show harder and harder to defend against naysayers. Last night was a frustrating breaking point as all of the show’s goodwill (however little there was) dissipated in one of the most stunningly non-dramatic episodes of television I’ve witnessed in some time. [Read more…]

The Walking Dead recap – 2×04: ‘Cherokee Rose’

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Courtesy of AMCtv

Not unlike Fringe, there’s been chatter online about the past few episodes of The Walking Dead and whether or not they’re delivering the goods. Perhaps it’s the behind the scene drama (Parent company AMC slashed the budget by $250,000 per episode, prompting creator Frank Darabont to leave/be fired after Comic Con this summer), but fans are concerned about how the show will move forward and if the quality will suffer.

After four episodes in, I think it’s safe to say…the verdict is unclear. [Read more…]

Revenge recap – 1×07: ‘Charade’

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Courtesy of ABC

Emily, nee Amanda’s (Emily VanCamp) “roadmap to revenge” hits another stumbling block as ex-security  head Frank (Max Martini) digs up her criminal past, while Nolan engages on a solo take-down mission on Daniel Grayson’s (Joshua Bowman) mysterious friend, Tyler Barrol (Ashton Holmes). And we have our first official fatality of the season.

In our recent “He Said, She Said” tvangie suggested that Ringer should take a cue from Revenge. At the time I defended the Sarah Michelle Gellar vehicle because I felt that it had upped its game in recent episodes. And then I watched “Charade” and promptly ate the first crow that I could find. [Read more…]

Homeland recap- 1×05: Blind Spot

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Courtesy of Showtime

Previously on Homeland:

  • Carrie (Claire Danes) had to take down the surveillance in Brody’s (Damian Lewis) home. Raquim Faisel was almost tailed back to his suburban house near the airport. Carrie followed Brody to a support group meeting and they had a meet-cute moment.

Family was a key factor in tonight’s episode. Even as we continue to wonder whether Brody has been turned, the show has done an admirable job of rounding out the supporting cast and making the rest of the show interesting and engaging. Blind Spot” did this well juggling the workings of the CIA as they took another step in unearthing a new terrorist plot, with the impact of Carrie, Brody, and Saul’s actions on their loved ones.

[Read more…]