One-Punch Man Review

Are you tired of overpowered superheroes that always win? Do you want to see a superhero that is a brilliant satire of the genre, while still offering a strong story of its own? Well, look no further than One-Punch Man, possibly the most fun and entertaining TV series of 2015!

One-Punch Man is a 12 episodes television series about an average guy named Saitama turned superhero with the ability to win any battle with One-Punch. Instead of the clichéd origin story of learning how to use his powers or overcoming struggles, Saitama, aka One-Punch Man, already wins every battle with a single punch, but as he complains, what's the challenge? He is completely bored with winning every battle and thus he seeks out stronger opponents to battle, while saving the City Z.

As the series continues, we are introduced to many new and inventive heroes that provide both insane action thrills and hysterical comedy. Even though Saitama's battles end in one punch, the other heroes of the Heroes Association create insane action set-pieces. Each of the heroes is unique and highly varied, even for someone like myself who has seen thousands of superheroes across various mediums. The overall plot of the series essentially follows Saitama, and his sidekick, Genos, as they climb their way up the ranks of the Heroes Association. In each episode, they encounter new threats to the city and explore various tropes, such as the overpowered protagonist, the public's view of superheroes, and the massive destruction and casualties caused even after a victory by the heroes. All of this is executed with an excellent comedic tone that fits the series perfectly.

Characterization: 9.5/10- Saitama is a brilliant parody on overpowered characters like Superman or Goku from Dragon Ball Z. But unlike Superman, Saitama doesn't care if he kills the monsters that try to destroy the city. He literally just punches them once and boom, they’re dead, but not before either an epic build up or a hysterical punch-line. As a character, he is used to explore the various tropes of overpowered heroes, as well as creating hysterical situations.

Genos is a cyborg, who is introduced in episode 2, and after seeing Saitama's incredible strength, he begs Saitama to serve as his master and teach him how to be strong. However, Saitama only accepts after a Genos agrees to pay part of Saitama's rent, in a very comical scene. Genos provides many of the best action sequences early in the series, and sets up an interesting plot thread for future seasons.

One-Punch Man's villains are a constant revolving door of monsters and various creatures that threaten the cities. Many of the villains are either absolutely hysterical or extremely badass and inventive!

The supporting cast of heroes is another brilliant set of characters. Whether it is the inspirational Mumen Rider or the highly offensive Puri Puri Prison, you are not likely to forget the slew of insanely fun characters.

Direction: 10/10- Holy crap! One-Punch Man is the most insanely hyped up anime ever. Each battle gets my blood pumping like nothing else! Instead of the Dragon Ball Z type screaming matches and still frames that some of grew up watching, One-Punch Man actually animates the action sequences in high detail. Every episode's battle is a mastery of action animation, and if you like superhero action, you should definitely check out the battles.

Acting: 9.5/10- Unfortunately, there is no English dub as of now. However, Viz Media is known for some solid dubs, so expect this insanely popular anime to receive one in the near future. As for the Japanese cast, Makoto Furukawa as Saitama pulls off the deadpan delivery to absolute perfection! And Kaito Ishikawa as Genos provides the perfect type of over seriousness to make the humor hit even harder.

Animation: 10/10- Studio Madhouse blew everyone away in the first few episodes with animation quality on a level well above what you come to expect. While the action sequences are amazing, later in the series, you can clearly see that a few corners had to be cut during the comedic scenes with very occasional off model moments and a lack of key frames during some of the less action heavy parts. However, these few missteps are a minor blemish on one of the most visually impressive spectacles of animation you will have the pleasure of viewing.

Soundtrack: 9.0/10- Makoto Miyazaki's score is the perfect type of heroic music that makes every battle extremely hyped up! When you hear the hero theme, you know that something awesome is about to go down, and the series never disappoints!

Humor: 9.5/10- Ultimately, One-Punch Man is a satirical comedy, and if you are familiar with either superhero or shounen action tropes, this series is bound to make you laugh. Many of the jokes come from simple things like Saitama going to the convenience store to buy groceries and running into a random monster. And the comedic timing of the series is spot on!

Opening and Ending: 9.2/10- "THE HERO!!" by JAM Project is the perfect hyped up song for such a hyped up series. It is fast paced and gets me pumped up for each and every episode.

Non-Otaku Appeal: If you like superheroes and don't mind some funny weirdness, like a giant crab-man, then give One-Punch Man a shot. If you have any nostalgia for superhero cartoons as a kid or something like Dragon Ball Z, then you should definitely give this series a chance, because it is just fun.

Entertainment Value: 10/10- Honestly, no other anime, heck, no other TV show was as entertaining as One-Punch Man was last year. Each episode got me pumped up, made me laugh, and then got me excited to see the next one! It was the highlight of every week.

Overall: 9.7/10- One-Punch Man is fun, exciting, and full of wit and charm. If you want a visual extravaganza on par with any Hollywood superhero flick, as well as hilarious humor that will leave you in stitches, watch One-Punch Man you won't regret it, and at 12 episodes, it won't take long to watch.

Closing comments: There is a reason One-Punch Man is #2 overall on IMDB's top TV shows, and that's because it is a dang good show! To start watching this insane series, click here to watch it on Hulu or watch it on Hulu in the video below.

Recommended for: Superhero fans, Animation fans,

Note: One-Punch Man contains animated violence and occasional suggestive themes.

To read more of my anime reviews, you can click here.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

The X-Files Season 1 Review

The X-Files has returned to television with a new six-episode event, so it’s time to take a look back at the very first season of the legendary sci-fi television series.

For those unaware, The X-Files is the cult classic science fiction series that has spawned a thousand imitators, including recent fan favorites such as Warehouse 13, Fringe, and even Supernatural. 

The X-Files follows two FBI agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, who investigate unexplainable cases ranging from aliens, to the supernatural, to genetic mutation, which are referred to by the FBI as The X-Files. Essentially, The X-Files is about anything strange and unexplainable with each episode featuring a wide variety of different strange phenomenon. If you are interested in the paranormal, chances are at least one episode covers something that you will enjoy.

The Good: Realistic feel, Revolutionary concept, Thought-provoking and solvable mysteries, Strong character development, Endlessly intriguing sci-fi and supernatural concepts, Wide variety of mysteries, Using real life aspects, Iconic opening theme, Many notable guest stars,

The Bad: Occasionally weak writing,

Plot: 9.5/10- Despite an often episodic crime drama format, The X-Files' wide variety of different cases and concepts range from a creepy horror tone to mystery suspense to more familiar crime drama elements. Every episode introduces something intriguing which sends my mind racing to figure out what it could be. The series is not predictable, because not every case is sci-fi or supernatural. Unlike almost every other crime drama, however, each episode is often so unique that it never gets boring. The only common element is the "Monster-of-the week" format.

As someone who is interested in, and knows about the real life paranormal conspiracy theories about UFOs, ghosts, and bigfoot, X-Files’ way of expanding upon reality, yet still remaining subtle, is often executed with excellence. Of course, it is all fictional, but the basis in reality and the realistic tone gives The X-Files a sense of reality not found in many other sci-fi works.

The only weak element of The X-Files’ plot is the occasional smaller things in a few episodes that do not always make sense, but again, that is typical for most 24 episode series.

Characterization: 8.2/10- In the first episode, FBI agent Dana Scully is assigned to be Fox Mulder's parent to investigate the X-Files. When Muler was a child, his little sister was abducted, by what he believed were aliens. Years later, Mulder joined the FBI in order to pursue his life's goal of finding and exposing the truth behind extraterrestrials and other paranormal coverups. On the other hand, agent Dana Scully, who is a skeptic that often tries to explain things through science, is assigned to the determine whether or not the X-Files project is worth continuing. Being a skeptic, Scully clashes with Mulder, but not in an annoying or obstructive way. As the season continues, their working relationship develops well in a platonic way (at least so far, don't spoil it for anyone), which is nice to see, and I wish that would happen in more modern series. 

According to what I have read, Scully's role was somewhat revolutionary at the time in terms of roles on TV, which makes sense. She is one of my favorite types of heroine because the series rarely draws direct attention to the fact she is a woman working in the FBI, but rather just another agent in the bureau. Both Mulder and Scully receive a solid amount of develop, especially Mulder. While there are a few minor recurring characters, Mulder and Scully are the only ones that receive much time; however, each episode introduces new characters, most of which are interesting.  

Acting: 7.9/10- David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson take some time to grow into their roles, but once they do, their acting improves and remains quite good throughout the series. The first season alone of The X-Files features many guest stars, who would later become notable actors in other media including, Seth Green (Mass Effect, Robot Chicken, Family Guy), CCH Pounder (Warehouse 13, Avatar), and Roger Cross (Arrow, Continuum).

Special effects: 7.9/10- Despite being more than 20 years old, the special effects hold up relatively well overall. Being that most of the science fiction elements are obscured and mysterious, special effects are not often used, but rather mysterious things are briefly glimpsed.

Soundtrack: 7.5/10- Some of the tracks are effective at creating an eerie atmosphere, although most of them are not worth listening to on their own. On the other hand, the opening theme is iconic and perfectly fitting the series mysteriousness.

Humor: 7.3/10- The X-Files contains some good bits of humor throughout the interplay between Mulder and Scully, although the series is mostly serious.

Entertainment Value: 9.2/10- The X-Files is my type of TV series. It’s mysterious, intriguing, and dark, yet not overly dark, and containing enough wit and characterization to constantly hold my interest.

Overall: 8.9/10- The X-Files is an intriguing, entertaining, and unique twist on the standard crime drama that no other copy-cat has yet to best in terms of quality. Even today, season one of the X-Files is worthwhile viewing experience for fans of science fiction, supernatural, or crime drama. Nothing else is quite like it.

Closing comments: Remember everyone, "Trust no one," and "The Truth Is Out There."

Recommended for: Sci-fi fans, Crime drama fans, Anyone, Supernatural fans, Warehouse 13 fans, Fringe fans,

Click here to check out more of my movie reviews.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Doctor Who: "The Husbands of River Song" Review

Doctor Who returns for its annual Christmas special with "The Husbands of River Song." 

River Song is a divisive character. Some hate the character, while others love her. Personally, she is not a favorite of mine. Her introductory episode, "Silence in the Library" is still one of my favorites, but the more she is used, the more annoying she became. She might be the wife of the Doctor, but there was rarely any chemistry and their timeline grew more and more convoluted as well. Thankfully, "The Husbands of River Song" gives us River's best episode since "Silence in the Library."

*Spoilers*

As soon as River meets the Doctor, there is instant chemistry between Capaldi and Kingston, even though River, as a character, does not realize the that he is the Doctor. For the first time, River actually feels like a fleshed out character with flaws and not just an annoying plot device. She tells the Doctor of how she views him, not knowing that she is, in fact, talking to the Doctor. Throughout the episode, her banter creates more character development than she has had during the entire series thus far. With that said, River is not a great character now, but when a character goes from being an utter annoyance to not half bad, that’s rather impressive.

Moving on to the plot, the concept of River stealing a diamond from Hydroflax's served head, which is connected to a mechanical body, is fun. The entire episode plays out like a comical farce that moves River and the Doctor from one crazy predicament to the next. While the episode is certainly comical, scenes featuring British comedian, Matt Lucas as Nardole, and some of Hydroflax's scenes come off as unintentionally cheesy and miss the mark. 

Thankfully, the comedic failures are made up for with a pleasant finale, and hopefully, final, send off to River Song with excellent chemistry between the leads. However, considering Moffat's apparent love of the character, we will probably see her again. But if this is the end, the character has never been better, especially considering how troublesome the character has been in past seasons.

Overall: 8.1/10- Easily River Song's finest episode in years, "The Husbands of River Song" demonstrates Capaldi's acting prowess and fleshes out River, despite some comedic failings. Overall, this was a strong Christmas episode to end a very solid year of Doctor Who.

Episode Reviews:

• "Under the Lake"
• "The Witch's Familiar"
• "The Magician's Apprentice"
• "Before the Flood"
• "The Girl Who Died"
• "The Woman Who Lived"
• "The Zygon Invasion"
• "The Zygon Inversion"
• "Sleep No More"
• "Face the Raven"
• "Heaven Sent"
• "Hell Bent"

Other Reviews:

• Child of the 70s Review

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Doctor Who: "Hell Bent" Review

Series 9 of Doctor Who comes to an end with "Hell Bent," which might be Moffat's strongest finale yet.

Ever since Steven Moffat has taken the helm, Doctor Who finales are rarely the strongest episode of the season. Even someone who has overall enjoyed Moffat's run as head creator, I must admit that his finales are convoluted. At first, epic finales like the two-parter "The Pandorica Opens" and "The Big Bang" were a ton of fun, but after trying to be more and more convoluted as the series continued, the finales became less interesting compared to the individual episodes. Thankfully, "Hell Bent" fixed that trend with a finale that is one of the highlights of a very consistent season.

*Spoilers Ahead*

If you read my review of the previous episode, "Heaven Sent," you maybe remember that due to a DVR malfunction, I never got to see the final 25 minutes of this episode. Thankfully, after a while, BBC America uploaded the episode for viewing and thus why this review is so late. Also expect the Christmas special review soon too.

Getting back to "Hell Bent," the episode opened where we left off in "Heaven Sent" with the Doctor on Gallifrey after escaping the torturous Confession Dial trap. After essentially making the entire military turn against the Time Lord President, Rassilon, which was an excellent scene, the Doctor uses the Time Lords' technology to bring back Clara from the split second before she died. Typically, this type of move is the thing that has made Moffat's run annoying at times. Thankfully, it was executed well for a change. Clara is extracted and the Doctor runs away with her to a random TARDIS, which features the interior that was used during the first Doctor Who season more than 50 years ago.

After escaping the Time Lords, the Doctor meets "Me" at the end of time. While Maisie Williams as Ashildr/Me has been a disappointment this season, she was much improved this episode as she provided a unique angle on the situation. However, where were the other immortals? And if an alien medpack is all it takes to make a human live forever, you would think someone else would have figured that out already. Seriously, immortality is way too easy, especially if she survives until the end of time! With that aside, the finale leading up to final moments were rather excellent.

"Face the Raven" did not give us a true goodbye to Clara, and thankfully, "Hell Bent" gave us the much needed closure between the characters. Clara and the Doctor's relationship is one of the highlights of the past season and even though the episode made us think that Clara lost her memory, the twist that Doctor forgot was brilliant. At first, it is almost like erasing his character development throughout the last two seasons, but as explained during the episode, the Doctor still remembers many things, just not Clara herself. Near the end, there is a saddening scene at the end in the dinner as the Doctor plays Clara's theme from the soundtrack and Clara asks if the Doctor remembers her, which reveals that the Doctor's memories are lost, not Clara's. Clara then leaves with Me in a TARDIS, which could be the start a spinoff or not; there are always rumor. As a whole, Clara's sendoff is a fitting one, and one that is on par with any of the previous companions from recent years. 

Overall: 9.0/10- Still flawed in some ways, "Hell Bent" is an impressive finale with emotional weight, more logic than the typical Moffat finale, and a serious and superbly acted send off to an excellent companion. 

Episode Reviews:

• "Under the Lake"
• "The Witch's Familiar"
• "The Magician's Apprentice"
• "Before the Flood"
• "The Girl Who Died"
• "The Woman Who Lived"
• "The Zygon Invasion"
• "The Zygon Inversion"
• "Sleep No More"
• "Face the Raven"
• "Heaven Sent"

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Doctor Who: "Heaven Sent" Review

"Heaven Sent," a true challenge for the Doctor!

*Spoilers Ahead*

Peter Capaldi is an excellent actor, and his take on the Doctor has its own strengths and weaknesses, like any actor to play the role. While his run has lacked many instant classic episodes thus far, "Heaven Sent" is the type of episode that only Peter Capaldi could possibly pull off, just like how Smith could pull off the more zany adventures or Tennant with, well, basically anything. 

Revolving around the Doctor being trapped on a mysterious castle on an unknown planet, the episode puts the Doctor to the test. He is pushed to the limit of his wit and ingenuity, as he attempts to escape the castle and figure out how and why this he is there. 

"Heaven Sent" relies heavily on Capaldi's performance. With the exception of a brief Jenna Coleman cameo and that child at the end, Capaldi is the only actor with any lines. The script is heavy on internal monologue and the despair of his situation. The gravity and weight of the episode plays well to Capaldi's strengths. After Clara's death, he is angry, yet he's the Doctor; he keeps his cool and figures things out. That is what he does!

Yet another strong aspect is the character development, or rather exposition. The Doctor must face his truths, and stop lying to himself, which is the only way to stop the Veil creature. The Doctor is truly tested, and using the TARDIS and blackboard to explain his thoughts to the audience is an excellent concept, reminiscent of Sherlock's Mind Palace. 

Towards the end, when the Doctor figures everything out, we get a montage of the Doctor punching his way through the way through the wall over the course of four billion years! While the aspect of the Doctor dying and resetting himself with the teleporter is a bit too easy in a sense, since he is more or less cloning himself, the concept is fascinating, and pulled far better than much of Moffat’s “Because Space Magic” plot devices.

Thus far, it seems the main point of criticism is that the episode is slow, and potentially boring. While certain parts are admittedly slower, "Heaven Sent" is a nice change of pace. It is darker, without losing a bit of wit, and actually tests the Doctor more so than any challenge Twelve has yet to face. Granted, stories where the character must figure out how to escape an impossible situation with his or her mind is my cup of tea. 

After finally making his way through, we discover that he is trapped inside his Time Lord Confession Dial, which confused me, since it is suppose to be a thing that helps Time Lords accept their fate. As an bit of retrospective info after watching the next episode, the reason the Confession Dial trapped the Doctor in a endless cycle of torment was so that the Time Lords could discover the information about the "Hybrid," which explains why the Confession Dial was used in that way. 

Overall: 9.3/10- Capitalizing on Capaldi's strengths, "Heaven Sent" presents a truly unique challenge for the Doctor, making it one of the highlights of Capaldi's run as the Doctor.

Note: Due to a DVR malfunction, the last 25 minutes of the finale episode, "Hell Sent," did not record, which means I have not seen it. The episode doesn't air again on BBC America, and it is not on any official websites that I can find. If anyone knows how I can watch the final episode, please let me know. I will be very grateful.

Episode Reviews:

• "Under the Lake"
• "The Witch's Familiar"
• "The Magician's Apprentice"
• "Before the Flood"
• "The Girl Who Died"
• "The Woman Who Lived"
• "The Zygon Invasion"
• "The Zygon Inversion"
• "Sleep No More"
• "Face the Raven"

Other Reviews:

• Child of the 70s Review

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Doctor Who: "Face the Raven" Review

"Face the Raven," a surprising episode of Doctor Who

*Spoilers Ahead*

"Face the Raven" opens like any other Doctor Who adventure with Clara and the Doctor returning to the TARDIS after an exciting romp across the galaxy with witty dialogue to make a joke of whatever situation they were just in. Then Rigsy, from the episode "Flatline" from last season, which remains, by far, the best episode of Capaldi's turn as the Doctor, calls Clara and asks about a tattoo that counts down.

To find out what happened to Rigsy, Clara and the Doctor help retrace his steps, which leads to a fun sequence of the trio walking through the streets of London to find a "trap street." The sequence is rather well filmed with fun energy to it, and Gold's score is particularly different than his norm, which is refreshing. 

After finding the trap street, the Doctor yet again encounters Ashildr, who is the mayor of an alien refugee camp full of creatures from the series' past. However, a holographic program is used to make it look more like a slum from the early 20th century, which creates an interesting atmosphere, except for the fact that the set really looks like a set, but that's a minor complaint and a possibly intentional one.

The plot really picks up when the Doctor and Clara discover that Rigsy was setup so that the Doctor would come to the street. Ashildr set the trap all along and now Clara swapped the Raven death mark with Rigsy.  

Shockingly, Clara dies, or at least appears to die. Here's the thing; Clara has been a great and charming companion, and yet her death felt lacking. As a bonafide "Spoiler-Phobe," I did not read any articles about when Coleman was leaving the series, so "Face the Raven" quickly turning from another fun Doctor Who romp to the end of a likable companion was unexpected. Sure, I knew that this would be her last season, but I did not expect this to happen until later. However, the biggest reason for the lack of impact is that Moffat is notorious for bringing characters back from the dead, and the Doctor and his companion are always in danger, and he usually manages to fix things. So, I expected the Doctor to save the day like he always does, and yet he did not. Usually, a companion's sendoff feels a little more final, even if the entire season built up to this, especially in the Moffat era. So, maybe part of the lack of impact is my own fault, but maybe she is not actually dead. Who even knows at this point, except for the writers and potentially reporters. Either way, I rather wait to see for myself. And despite the problems, the speech by Clara is really rather moving and impeccably acted. 

Overall: 8.5/10- Despite being a little underwhelming considering the consequences, "Face the Raven" is yet another solid episode of Doctor Who, although it could have been a classic with more emotional impact.

Episode Reviews:

• "Under the Lake"
• "The Witch's Familiar"
• "The Magician's Apprentice"
• "Before the Flood"
• "The Girl Who Died"
• "The Woman Who Lived"
• "The Zygon Invasion"
• "The Zygon Inversion"
• "Sleep No More"

Other Reviews:

• Child of the 70s Review

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Doctor Who: "Sleep No More" Review

Doctor Who finally succumbs to the found-footage genre in "Sleep No More."

*Spoilers Ahead*

"Sleep No More" opens in a unique fashion as the audience is shown, what is essentially, "Found-Footage" narrated by a man named Rassmussen. Assuming that everyone reading has seen the episode, let's move on from the summary. 

This week's monsters are the "Sandmen," creatures that come from the "sleep dust" that builds up in your eyes every night. How exactly the Sandmen came from the Morpheus sleep pod is vague. Does that imply that if a comatose patient never had his or her eyes wiped, the sleep dust would turn into a monster? Or did the machine create lifeforms that feed off of the "sleep"? Regardless, the reason for the monsters is a bit on the absurd side; however, they are creepy and deliver the thrills. 

This is the first time in franchise history that an episode opened with a title card like this.

Capaldi and Coleman do not seem to have much to do this episode. But, usual, they are excellent together. The episode's supporting cast of characters was decent, albeit not exactly memorable. The idea of Indo-Japan is an interesting one, and "the Great Catastrophe" is said to refer to what happened in Season 21 serial "Frontios." The concept of Morpheus is also an interesting one, and while the reasoning behind the creatures is vague, exploring the concept of a society that does not have to sleep is fascinating.

Director, Justin Molotnikov, does a fine job at using the found-footage style to create a unique and creepy Doctor Who adventure. Certain moments would have benefited from a higher degree of tension, but what we got was good enough. The atmosphere of the episode is another highlight as it reminded me of the disturbing Bioshock video game series with its use of the "Mr. Sandman" song. 

My only issue is that the episode is also related to one of its strongest aspects. It is revealed that the footage the audience is viewing can be accessed by the Doctor, and we discover that there are no helmet cameras. In fact, the footage is coming from people's eyes of those that used Morpheus, as well as the dust floating in the air. If I am not mistaken, there is at least one shot where we see from the Doctor's perspective, and he said that should be not necessarily possible. Of course, I could be mistaken, but it was strange. Otherwise, the concept of footage being available to characters in the story is a fun twist on the norm.

In the end, it turns out Rassmussen is actually recording this entire adventure to spread the Morpheus signal across the galaxy. The final scene with Rassmussen falling apart into sand is brilliantly executed and incredibly creepy. Series 9 has been lacking truly creepy moments, and at least this episode delivered one of those. Unfortunately, the ending is a bit of a mess as it makes little sense.

One thing that confuses me is how or even if, the next episode is the second half of the story. Every story is said to be two-parters, but this one left on a strange note, so we will have to see how the episodes tie together.

Overall: 7.5/10- Utilizing a found-footage style that is new to the franchise, "Sleep No More" tells a unique story, albeit it one riddled with confusing moments. 

Episode Reviews:

• "Under the Lake"
• "The Witch's Familiar"
• "The Magician's Apprentice"
• "Before the Flood"
• "The Girl Who Died"
• "The Woman Who Lived"
• "The Zygon Invasion"
• "The Zygon Inversion"

Other Reviews:

• Child of the 70s Review

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Doctor Who: "The Zygon Inversion" Review

"The Zygon Inversion" concludes the Zygon two-parter...

*Spoilers Ahead*

Honestly, the first 30 minutes of "The Zygon Inversion" is relatively forgettable. Aside from the fun chemistry between Osgood and the Doctor and Clara’s excellent scene, it ultimately just a series of plot points to move the characters into position for the final act without much impact.

After Osgood's introduction, many wanted to see her as the new companion, and while I did not see it then, I certainly see it now, because Ingrid Oliver is quite good as Osgood. She is witty yet seems intelligent and knowledgeable. Even though I doubt she will become a permanent companion, there should at least be one story where she accompanies the Doctor on his travels. Actually, if you consider the previous story, people turning down the Doctor’s invitation to join him is becoming a trend, which leads me to believe that it will impact Clara's eventual departure. How will it impact it? Only the writers know. 

Ultimately, the entire story is about the final speech by the Doctor as he tries to "talk down" either party from starting a war that would kill millions. The speech, while grandiose, seems to lose focus at points. However, as whole, it is a rather impressive speech with gravity thanks to Capaldi's excellent performance.

What impressed me more than anything was Jenna Coleman's performance as the Zygon because it exceptional. Coleman even played off of herself with such a convincing difference between the two performances that I forgot that the entire scene is ultimately Coleman talking to herself. She truly impressed during the entire performance; excellent work! Maybe she will have the chance to play a villain in some other TV show or movie.

Even though it is a one-off line, the Doctor's name is "Basil." Really? That's his name. After more than 50 years of secrecy, we learn his is Basil. Is the Doctor lying or is that really his name. If so, it was said in the most nonchalant way possible. But honestly, it probably is not his name. I wonder if it is a callback to Basil Rathbone, notable for playing Sherlock Holmes in the 30s and early 40s. 

Despite being an above average episode, and the only "Part-Two" to be definitely better than part-one this season, "The Zygon Inversion" only had four points of interest, the speech, Osgood, the Doctor's name, and Coleman's performance. Other than that, there is not much else to talk about.

Overall: 7.9/10- Thanks to several strong performances and a memorable speech by the Doctor, The Zygon Inversion makes up for the lackluster first part, even if the overall product is still less than amazing.

Episode Reviews:

• "Under the Lake"
• "The Witch's Familiar"
• "The Magician's Apprentice"
• "Before the Flood"
• "The Girl Who Died"
• "The Woman Who Lived"
• "The Zygon Invasion"

Other Reviews:

• Child of the 70s Review

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Doctor Who: "The Zygon Invasion" Review

"The Zygon Invasion" begins yet another less than exciting Doctor Who adventure...

Series 9 of Doctor Who has been less than impressive thus far. There has been nothing awful, but only two great episodes. Everything has been somewhat "meh" and lacking the energy of previous seasons. The series is still better most other shows on television, but Doctor Who is held to a higher standard than other shows. Unfortunately, "The Zygon Invasion" continues the run of "not half-bad" episodes...

*Spoilers Ahead*

"The Zygon Invasion" opens with scenes from the "Day of the Doctor," which made me miss the brilliant David Tennant all the more, and it ties the Zygon treaty into the storyline of the episode. Basically, a faction of Zygons is trying to start a war, and the Doctor must stop them before things get out of hand.

Members of UNIT return, including fan favorite, Osgood, who is now sporting questions marks in reference to the Seventh Doctor, Sylvester McCoy, although other previous Doctors wore question marks at various points as well. The question mark collar did spark a fun conversation about the Doctor's question mark underpants.

Towards the end of the episode, UNIT's combat squad foolishly walks right into the Zygon's trap. Sure, shooting someone that looks like your family would be nigh impossible, but at least make it answer a tough question, instead of avoiding the question. And UNIT should have had snipers in position to take out the targets if necessary. Come on, the writers could have come up with something smarter to move the plot along.

Visually, the "New Mexico" setting is different, although I doubt it was actually filmed in the state, or even North America. Correct me if I am wrong, but they probably filmed in that place in Spain where the westerns are filmed. 

A nice twist at the end is that Clara is actually a Zygon, and the real Clara is captured. It was not exactly a shocking revelation, but certainly a fun twist to end the episode on. My only problem with it is that Clara continues to be sidelined when this is her final season, and she is, yet again, separated from the Doctor, who she works so well with.  

On one last note, The Doctor playing "Amazing Grace" on the guitar is, indeed, amazing!

Overall: 7.0/10- As entertaining as always, "The Zygon Invasion" is yet another decent episode of Doctor Who that neither impresses nor disappoints. 

Episode Reviews:

• "Under the Lake"
• "The Witch's Familiar"
• "The Magician's Apprentice"
• "Before the Flood"
• "The Girl Who Died"
• "The Woman Who Lived"

Other Reviews:

• Child of the 70s Review

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Doctor Who: "The Woman Who Lived" Review

Game of Thrones star, Maisie Williams, returns again for the second part of her Doctor Who appearance.

*Spoilers Ahead*

The Doctor appears in 1600s London in search of an alien device, and he happens to run into the immortal Ashildr, thus setting the plot into motion. 

Again, the plot is the episode's weakest aspect. The whole idea of "Me" and the lion alien king, Leandro, who looks a lot like Lion-O from Thundercats, working together is a decent plot device to get the ball rolling. However, the conversation about Me's immortality feel heavy handed, and yet it lacks the gravity to make an impact on the audience. Thankfully, the aspect of her having trouble retaining her memories are a fascinating aspect of immortality that is rarely explored. 

While Maisie Williams was quite good in the previous episode, she seems to be lacking in this episode. Maybe it is the material, but her line delivery is noticeably weaker. She failed to sell me on the fact that she is hundreds of years old. However, that is not to say that she did not have her stronger moments. Towards the end of the episode, her performance is considerably stronger as she plays off of Capaldi and explores the parallels between the two characters.  

Peter Capaldi, as usual, is rather good. He excels in the later scenes of the episode, especially during the doctor puns. Another highlight is his dislike of banter. Clara is absent from this story, except for her bit at the end that foreshadows her impending departure from the series. What is going on with Clara? Where the writers will decide to go with this should prove rather interesting. And despite her limited screen time, Coleman continues to impress with surprising depth to her performance. Lastly, Rufus Hound as Sam Swift is rather fun to watch. He is witty and all around entertaining to watch. 

The episode's conclusion of Ashildr deciding that she does care and that she will watch over the Doctor's companions doe set some interesting things in motion. Will Williams appear yet again in Doctor Who? She could even play a minor in the upcoming "Class" spinoff series, providing the actress is not too busy with Game of Thrones. We will have to wait and see.

Overall: 7.2/10- Considering the potential of the set up, "The Woman Who Lived" is a little disappointing. It is far from being bad, but rather a lackluster conclusion. However, the larger ramifications set up at the end of the episode do present fascinating ideas for the future, even if the episode itself is unremarkable.

Episode Reviews:

• "Under the Lake"
• "The Witch's Familiar"
• "The Magician's Apprentice"
• "Before the Flood"
• "The Girl Who Died"

Other Reviews:

• Child of the 70s Review

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Doctor Who: "The Girl Who Died" Review

Game of Thrones star, Maisie Williams, makes her long awaited debut in "The Girl Who Died."

*Spoilers Ahead*

After saving Clara from a space-spider in the TARDIS, the Doctor and Clara end up being captured by vikings!

From the start, "The Girl Who Died" feels like a rather straightforward tale of a viking village standing up against an ultra powerful race of alien warriors, and for the most part, that is exactly what the episode is, until the final Act. 

As far as problems go, the weakest aspect is how the electric eels are used to stop the alien armor suits. Yes, electric eels generate power, but nowhere near that level of power. It felt corny and far too easy. Otherwise, the episode's main storyline is nothing worthy of note.

However, what made the episode rise above the norm are its larger implications to the second part, as well as the series as a whole. After looking at his reflection, the Doctor remembers his face and why he chose it. As many fans know, Capaldi played a small role in "The Fires of Pompeii" as a man that the Doctor saved, and the writers manage to write that minor role into a surprisingly moving character moment for the Doctor. He remembers that he saves people. That's what he does, although is that really a new revelation? The other great moment of the episode is when the Doctor almost starts to tear up after the conversation between Ashildr and her father. It is a great humanizing moment for the Doctor.

Peter Capaldi finally is given some strong material to work within the episode. He even makes the "baby speak" translation much less goofy and absurd than Smith, albeit still ridiculous. Game of Thrones actress, Maisie Williams, plays Ashildr, and having never watched Game of Thrones, this is my first exposure to her work. While she is very good, Williams is nothing extraordinary in her role.  

On the filmmaking side of things, the effects are acceptable with no noticeable flaws. Ed Bazalgette's visuals are adequate as well, but again, nothing to write-home-about. 

Overall: 7.6/10- On its own, "The Girl Who Died" is an entirely adequate episode of Doctor Who. However, the callbacks to previous seasons and a few key scenes raise it just above the norm.

Episode Reviews:

• "Under the Lake"
• "The Witch's Familiar"
• "The Magician's Apprentice"
• "Before the Flood"

Other Reviews:

• Child of the 70s Review

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.