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Reviews
Sanford and Son: When John Comes Marching Home (1977)
Janet, you were gone too soon
'When John Comes Marching Home' features one of the most popular Black sitcom actors, James A. Watson Jr. Playing Janet's ex-husband John. John is stationed at a nearby army base and comes back to reclaim his wife Janet and son Roger. Lamont doesn't put up any resistance and steps back, and Janet is gone. Sad episode considering Lamont wanted to have a family of his own. Not many funny lines in this episode. Adding Janet and Roger could have given Sanford and Son new life, countless new storylines. Actor James A Watson has also appeared on Good Times, Whats Happening!, The Jeffersons, Amen, Gimme A Break! Diff'rent Strokes, and 227.
Fantasy Island: Chorus Girl/Surrogate Father (1981)
Very odd and uncomfortable
Two stories episode, a gambler and his young daughter. Very predictable. The odd story, a man in his late 50's brings a deaf young woman, who he raised and taught to dance, arrives with the fantasy to hear and to audition for a famous choreographer. The young woman's father figure has the hots for her, and he's trying to find to the right time to express his romantic desire for her. The young lady falls in love with the choreographer. Fast-forward to the end of the episode the young lady and the choreographer embark on a tour, leaving the old man. Mr. Rourke rewards the old man with a young, fresh 14 year old girl from the island, who is also deaf. The old man shows his excitement, like a wolf licking his chops. They leave the island together. Wow, this old goat fell in love with teenage and Mr Rourke gives this creepy guy another young teenage just entering puberty? Paging Woody Allen, paging Woody Allen.
The A-Team: The Grey Team (1986)
Wow, really?
A teenage girl runs away from home with her fathers top secret Star Wars documents. She thinks her dad is a traitor because she overheard him on the phone trying to sell them. She doesn't know the document is fake.
Very confusing and weak story. I don't think this episode would pass todays censors. A lot of bad elderly stereotypes. The old crazy bus driver raised his walker over his head and shook it to stop the bus??? He then yells 'hang on to your dentures' as he laughs hysterically. Wow. Hannibal, at this point had been to reduced to saying 'one liners' as he lights his cigar. BA is no longer the tough badguy with a good heart. BA had become a prop. With the addition of Frankie, his and Face's roles were similar. Slick talking guy that could things done when needed. The writers were already checked out at this point in the season.
The A-Team: Judgement Day: Part 1 (1985)
Hannibal impersonate a mobster
A mobster threatens a judge by kidnapping his daughter. Hannibal disguises himself as the mobster to find out where the kidnappers are hiding the judge's daughter. So, they thought it would be believable for Hannibal to look identical to the mobster by changing is voice and hairstyle. George Peppard said in an interview that this was his least favorite episode. I completely agree and it's obvious why. Unfortunately Murdock is another odd character that is neither funny, interesting or contributes to the storyline. Mr. T performs his normal phases and is seen as unreasonable animal and destroys the plane. It takes a lot of imagination to enjoy this episode.
The Irrational: Pilot (2023)
Great episode
Good start for the show. I was pleased this character is not similar to his Law & Order role. Jesse Matin's role as a professor of behavioral science is nicely done. He does not have over-the-top magical powers. Good balance between law enforcement and behavior science. The only potential downside is the storyline of him, chasing the person who inflicted the burns on his face. I would not want to watch a show each week of him chasing the same person. Hopeful that storyline will not last long. The ex-wife as an FBI agent seems to work well. They are evenly matched intellectually. The daughter's role has not been fleshed out yet at this point. The District attorney role hinted at a possible romantic involvement. Overall, great first show, lots of potential.
The A-Team: Road Games (1985)
Not too original
A-Team sends Face undercover as a mob guy when the manager of a foster home father puts the home in jeopardy because of his personal debts in illegal gambling. The A-team is hired to save the foster home and put the bad guys out of business. Dwight Schultz is a great actor but the role of Murdock was horrible. It appears the writers just told him to make up a character for each episode. Thanks to modern technology, the Murdock parts can be skipped. The show is much easier to watch without his antics. The gambling trailer idea was also used on The Dukes of Hazzards during season one episode 12. The Duke boys were hired to drive a mobile casino.
Good Times: Black Jesus (1974)
Florida's reluctance to good fortune.
JJ paints a portrait of Jesus. This does not sit well with Florida because he is not white. Florida scolds JJ for painting a picture because it is not the image she grew up with. The Evans family begin experiencing good fortune. Florida is upset, mad and confrontational because of the string of good luck.
Florida starts brow-beating the family with self righteous platitudes and pleads for James to take the non-white picture down. JJ needs the portrait for a community contest. James hesitantly allows JJ's to take the portrait down and enter it into the contest. Florida would repeat this unusual preference of not accepting financial advancement or act as if she prefers to live in poverty.
The A-Team: The White Ballot (1983)
A-Team vs Dirty Sheriff
This is a classic A-Team episode that is fun to watch. Corrupt Sheriff Dawson provides protection to an illegal casino is threaten by a reporter. The reporter is an acquaintance of Amy. Hannibal has a plan to run Faceman as a candidate against the sheriff. The best scene of this episode occurs when Faceman returns to town and refuses the key to the city. He insults the sheriff in front of cameras and the whole town.
Things get interesting when Decker is given information that Faceman is in New Mexico and Sheriff Dawson is also finds out Faceman is a fraud. This was Amy's final episode. Good fight scenes and car crashes.
The A-Team: Children of Jamestown (1983)
A-Team shines
A wealthy businessman hires the team to rescue his daughter from a religious cult based on the real life Jim Jones. This episode highlights exactly what the A-Team can do. Everyone has a chance shine. Dirk Benedict transitions smoothly as the new Faceman. The team seems very balanced, everyone has their place. Amy tags along because she wants in on the excitement (the Jazz). She quickly sees its not all fun and games. The team is capture and told to prepare for death. BA sees Amy is scared and losing it. The team holds hands and does a ceremony to calm her. The ceremony feels a little out of place. It seems like there was more to it and possibly cut due to time constraints. The A-Team performs their classic routine of converting machinery to weapons to defeat the enemy. Great story, perfect fit for the A-Team.
The A-Team: Mexican Slayride (1983)
Rough start for the A-Team
The A-Team kicks off with Hannibal working as monster character at Universal Studios. To enjoy the show you have over look a lot common sense. None of the members of the A-Team are in hiding. Murdock lives in a military mental institution. Tim Dunigan plays Faceman but is replaced after the first show. One of most unbelievable moments comes at the end of show when Hannibal says he could use a cold beer. Faceman, after just finishing the combat mission, cracks open a beer from his pocket, and hands it to Hannibal. That scene made Tim Dunigan look ridiculous. B. A.'s character is full of one liners. Mr T is the only actor without any real acting experience. But he does well considering his acting experience. The downside of his character is he is treated like an unreasonable animal that has to be beat to comply. There are a least 4 episodes where he is hit in the back of the head with a blunt object. Almost guaranteed he had CTE or brain damage (and no VA benefits). You have to watch show the through the eyes of a 12 year old to enjoy it.
Good Times: Too Old Blues (1974)
Start of the iconic show
Good Times kicks off with James offered a chance to finally advance in a career. This episode is sometimes listed as both the 3rd and 1st episode. We see some early character development; JJ is initially cast as a delinquent that enjoys shoplifting, Michael as the Black power and truth teller. It has been noted the show was supposed to revolve around Michael but JJ's character quickly overshadowed everyone. Wilona is the hip, stylish next door neighbor. Wilona opening lines insults JJ and calls him a thief (Rodney Allan Ripoff). That line seems out of place a few episodes later. Florida is very protective of anyone insulting her children. Wilona also mentions her ex-husband Alvin who will later be renamed Ray that returns in season 4 and becomes inappropriate with Thelma. A reoccurring theme starts, the Evans family has high hopes then, dreams are smashed. Florida smiles and everything appears okay until next week.
Good Times: Rich Is Better Than Poor... Maybe (1976)
Florida gambles
"Rich is Better Than Poor...Maybe" the show opens with the family hoping to win the state lottery. Florida starts brow-beating Michael, JJ and Thelma about wasting money by playing the lottery. Florida surprises everyone by confessing she bought lottery tickets. It seems out character for Florida to gamble as much as she plays the 'high morals' mother. Just 2 episodes earlier Florida kicked JJ out the house because he was running numbers. Now she is gambling with the family's rent money. James Wheaton makes an appearance as the bank manager. His lines are few but he steals the scene. Tamu does a very convincing job playing the troubled teen. Shirley Hemphill stars as Rozzie. Four months earlier What's Happening debuted costarring Shirley as the waitress at Rob's Place.
M*A*S*H: The Sniper (1973)
The beginning of the Hawkeye show
The show starts with lady's man Hawkeye preparing for a picnic with a nurse. Frank and Margaret are also out enjoying the day. Frank is preparing to practice shooting his pistol. As Hawkeye is rounding second base with the nurse, a shot is heard the scares both of them. Hawkeye marches over to Frank yelling because he believes Frank almost shot him. Frank and Margaret deny it because he hasn't fired a shot. Hawkeye demands Frank give him the gun when another shot is fired, this time from a confirmed sniper. From here it becomes the 'Hawkeye Show'. Hawkeye takes control of post-op and decides how to get the wounded inside. Hawkeye uses his special forces skills and bravery to sneak into the mess hall to capture the sniper. But not before giving his lame 'I don't give a damn' speech. Unfortunately it was only Radar. Finally, Hawkeye goes out to confirm if the sniper is still alive after help arrives via a helicopter with a gunner. He finds the sniper shot but alive and starts first aid. Hawkeye save the day. There is no question why Wayne Rogers and McLean Stevenson got the heck off that show. This was only one of several storylines that had everyone bowing to the emperor Pierce.
Good Times: The Windfall (1974)
Florida is okay with poverty
"The Windfall" opens with the Evans family excited James found $27k from a grocery store robbery. Willona comes over to share in the excitement. James comes home as the news segment airs on TV. Florida looks as if she has seen a ghost. She doesn't understand how James could be on TV and be home at the same time. She acted as if her brain short-circuited. Florida was ready to faint and call James an evil spirit! Fortunately, James explained it was taped delayed. Michael revealed the night prior, Florida and James discussed keeping the money. Florida nagged, begged and threw some bible verses at James. James agreed to give the money back. After it was revealed on the newscast James gave the money back, the Evans family started to receive harassment from their neighbors. JJ was assaulted in the hallway over the money. Out of frustration, James revealed he did not give all the money back. Once again, Florida went to work on James to give ALL the money back. Sadly he did. That money could have helped the Evans family so much, college tuition, medical emergencies (which Florida had two), dental (Florida had no problem begging her rich cousin for money for JJ dental bill) or a phone bill (James spent all day trying raise money to get the telephone turned back on and only made $5). Florida was happy at the end to be happy and poor.
Good Times: A Real Cool Job (1975)
Florida dug the grave for James
This episode is very upsetting because Florida insisted James not take the job in Alaska because he would be gone for a year. James could have returned in 12 months with experience that could have paid off ten fold! Another opportunity to get out of the ghetto but Florida prefers being comfortable and poor. Once again, Florida was selfish and short sighted. She nagged and cried until James sadly, gave in. He never found work in the construction industry. Out of desperation, James took a partnership in a garage in Mississippi. We all saw how that worked out (season 4 episode 1). Instead of James being gone for only 12 months, he was gone forever.