The Review at the End of the Universe
“Bat Girl Magic!” Batwoman focuses on Ryan finding her feet as the the inheritor to the Bat mantle as a hitman starts making waves in Gotham and the mysterious Safiyah makes her first appearance. Identity is -unsurprisingly- a really big deal in a superhero narrative. Whether that be the character hiding their true selves from…
“We Interrupt this Program” Wandavision starts to answer some of the questions established so far with a detour to the world outside the artificial sitcom reality. Mysteries are always a tricky proposition in entertainment because they inevitably have to be solved and delivering a satisfying resolution in a way that feels organic is really difficult….
“Prior Criminal History” Batwoman sets things in motion for Ryan taking on the titular role as Alice finds another way to threaten Gotham. It feels appropriate to begin by addressing the elephant -bat?- in the room. This episode was scripted and filmed in a post COVID world so it’s unlikely that a plot focused on…
Two New Orleans Paramedics find their lives upended when they encounter a new drug that allows the users to travel through time in Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead’s Synchronic. I’m a huge fan of high concept science fiction. Framing a narrative around a single easily explained element that can be explored is always going to…
“Now In Colour” Wandavision continues its progression through the decades of sitcoms with the 1970s and focuses on Wanda’s unconventional pregnancy. Once again, Wandavision fully commits to the sitcom style in the way the episode is shot and presented with the writing and acting perfectly encapsulating how those shows were produced. As with the previous…
Five teens compete to win a billionaire’s mansion and find themselves challenged in uncomfortable ways in Sean Olson’s Max Winslow and the House of Secrets. Early on this film will remind viewers of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with a small group of lucky winners selected to take a tour of a mysterious place that…
“Whatever Happened to Kate Kane?” Batwoman returns for a second season with a new face behind the cowl and the departure of Kate Kane. I really don’t envy the writers of this show having to deal with Ruby Rose’ departure following a season of television that never actually got to finish. The previous season ended…
The Marvel Cinematic universe begins its long delayed fourth phase with Wandavision; a mystery where the title characters are cast in roles commonly associated with 1950s sitcoms. It has been all quiet from the MCU in terms of output since Spider-Man: Far From Home thanks to some very severe mitigating factors but the return was…
“That Hope Is You Part 2” Star Trek: Discovery ends its third season with a resolution to the Su’Kal plot and a frantic race to retake the ship from Osyraa. Osyraa as a villain has been curiously handled over the season. She started out as a name that was periodically dropped to set up the…
“Revolution of the Daleks” A new year brings new Doctor Who with the Doctor being once again plagued by her most famous foe as an old friend shows up to provide assistance. Dalek episodes are an interesting phenomenon in Doctor Who for a few reasons. Of course they’re the most famous enemy the Doctor has…
