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Reviews
Cobra Kai: Miyagi-Do (2021)
How to craft the perfect episode
Wow.
Not really much else to start with, easily the best episode in the show for so many reasons.
To start, this episode clearly is able to balance the different "groups" that we see in the show, which in previous episodes this season has been pretty clunky. Miguel gets his time, same as Robby, Sam, as well as Daniel and Johnny. Balancing that many groups out is hard to do, and this episode is able to fulfil all of that perfectly.
BUT SECOND, and by far most importantly, this episode goes to the heart of this show, and the franchise. Bringing back past characters in anything is fun and all, but they have to be brought back with meaning. And they did just that.
Kumiko has helped daniel reconnect with his past in Okinawa, where meeting Chozen again heals his mind, while meeting the girl he saved years ago heals his business. All in Miyagis home village. The shear nostalgia combined with a fresh and compelling narrative creates such a perfect set of scenes.
Also, with Mr Miyagi playing such a pivotal role in the franchise, it's great to see his legacy bolstered in this episode. With Pat gone it's understandable that it's not easy to build more to his story, but this episode is able to perfectly add on.
Well done to the cast and crew, simply great.
Avatar: The Last Airbender: Sozin's Comet, Part 2: The Old Masters (2008)
Honestly, this is the best of the show
With so many great episodes, it's hard to pinpoint which one really "'nails it" but this checks every box off.
Through the show we have had to watch Aang grapple with his inner turmoil, from running away, to his love life, to losing his whole nation, this time meeting with former Avatars on the issue of to kill/to spare the fire lord in their inevitable confrontation. Through the show Aang has never enjoyed using violence, but it is common sense through his friends that he will have to kill Ozai. Even the avatars tell him he must. Yet, he meets the Lion Turtle who gives him the best advice Aang has heard from the whole show, and a new alternative.
Finally Zuko reunited with Iroh, and their bond and relationship have come full circle as well. Seeing how Zuko has gone from being always angry and impatient with uncle to crying for forgiveness and being stunned that his uncle would forgive so easy is credit to 3 years of complex, great development. Iroh, as always, steals the episodes with his lines, remarks, and his unending love for the prince. What a touching moment.
So much great in this episode, can't think of one flaw.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Victory and Death (2020)
A good finale to a FANTASTIC SHOW
I remember first watching the premiere of the clone wars back in 2008, and I did not think that it would all this time later in such a great way, with all the characters finally wrapping up their stories for the time being.
This final arc was probably the best we've ever had, next to Mortis of course, and they really finished the show well. We can all thank them for that.
BUT here is what really matters. I do have my issues, however, with this last episode-a theme that has plagued the whole season-too much time is spent not doing much. In the bad batch arc, many of those of just extra shooting or pointless, non character building dialogue, scenes could have trimmed down and made the arc 2 episodes. The Trace/Rafa stuff could have easily been condensed into two episodes. And these last 4 episodes, spent a lot of time building good tension, yet wasted time at moments.
You may be thinking, what come on this was great! And yes, it was, but let's be honest with ourselves. With a short 12 episode season, you can't waste one second. The bad batch arc was good yet took way too long, we ain't even gonna mention trace and that arc, and the siege of Mandalore arc was beautifully crafted, yet lost some potential in the end.
We wanted Ahsoka and Rex to visit the temple and find Anakin turned Vader, confronting him. We all wanted to see Padme for more than 30 seconds in the start of season 7. We wanted to see the Chancellor get kidnapped on Courscant, yet we just got a hologram message instead. Perhaps we even wanted to see Anakin go into the temple and murk some Jedi, but that didn't happen.
That's my slight issue, you spend an already short season using potential moments on episodes you don't need and parts which just take time up, such as the droids in this episode sending the clones up-down (you'll know what I mean if you wattched it) after taking forever, or extending out some hallway shooting scenes. So much more potential to use things for, yet not.
The ending scene bumped this last episode up to a 9 from an 8 however. Seeing Vader find the lightsaber he gave to Ahsoka was super cool, as well as making the Clone Wars finally feel complete and wrapped up. But this last episode shouldn't be a referendum on the series.
Fantastic job over the years, nothing but to be proud of what was accomplished. Hats off to a great show
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Together Again (2020)
the biggest problem with this season is..
It's the last season. It's unlikely that Star Wars will return to the clone wars/skywalker era (besides the Kenobi and the Cassian show) for some time, which is by all means a good thing, but at least go out with a bang, not a whimper.
The bad batch arc was good enough, nice to see Echo and Rex of course, but overall was kinda pointless for a 4 episode arc. They could have done all of that in 2 episodes. With a short 12 episode season already, they aren't making the most with short time.
This arc is pretty irrelevant, and ended as such. Ashoka doesn't really learn anything during this arc from the sisters, and all we learn is that she rides a dinky bike. The last 5 min of this episode preview whats next for her, so hopefully it ends better.
So now, there is 4 episodes left of the siege of Mandalore arc, which likely won't have much of Anakin, Obi Wan, Padme, Palpatine, Rex, and all the others. Ashoka and Maul will be a focus, but overall a big waste of the few episodes they had to really cement this shows legacy.
Disappointing for sure, I'm sure that the last arc will be good, but they have continued to throw out their chances for the last season. Hopefully I'm wrong in the end.
The Circle: Finale (2020)
Season was great, but maybe could have changed the end format
I enjoyed the finale, and was happy with the outcome, but having 5 at the end instead of 3 seemed like too much. Especially with all of them being original characters from the first episode -some format changes could maybe help. Good season though I was happy. Can't wait for whats next.
The Circle (2020)
Honestly, one of the most important reality shows there is
The Circle is a reality show where players are all secluded to their apartment, only able to interact online under the guise of their profile with other players. Whether they be themselves, be someone else, catfish, etc. is up to them.
Straight away, it's hilarious. The contestants are great, everyone has good and bad qualities, and the show has my friends and I all laughing when watching together.
More importantly, however, I believe this show is really important today. In this day and age, we rely so much on online interaction. We can be ourselves, or be someone completely different over the monitor/phone. The Circle really helps illustrate the fine line people will go from being genuine to fake, and ultimately reinforces the importance of in person interaction rather then spending your time on social media. Would you always be yourself and not sacrifice your values, or would you rather be well liked by everyone?
Great show, great cast, great meaning.
Star Wars Rebels: Heroes of Mandalore: Part 1 (2017)
decent start to the final season
This episode picks up generally where the last season ended. Ezra and Kanan are out helping in Mandalore fight against clan Saxon and the empire.
Good arc episode for Sabine certainly, and her story is definitely the focus here.
Yes, the episode isn't explosive or really advances the story as far as the end of the season, but I think most fans will be satisfied with the episode, and hopefully look forward to the end of the season.
The Office: The Banker (2010)
Best episode in the series, only if you truly follow this show
I don't understand how this episode has such a low rating, one of the lowest in the series. I guess it must stem from the fact that it is a "filler" episode or doesn't present anything new.
But this episode is full of pure heart. 6 seasons in, its great to look back on all the comedy and moments that made the show, right before the show began to slowly die out.
Seeing all the great parts is enough to bring a tear to your eyes. Personally, I was balling. It was refreshing, rewarding, and truly beautiful.
Destiny 2 (2017)
Destiny Take Two: A wonderful Space Odyssey
In 2013, I saw concept art for a game that would become Destiny, and I was completely enthralled. The planets, the aliens, the gameplay, everything just looked so good. I waited patiently and followed the development of the game closely. And then I bought the game. After playing through the story quickly and eventually the 4 expansion packs, clearly it wasn't terrible, but it was missing something. It was missing emotion, humor, purpose and heart. But that's not what this review is about.
Enter Destiny 2. At first when I learned of it, I rolled my eyes and felt bad for Bungie, that they'd get lashed back against again. Even watching trailers for the game, it really didn't look that different then the first. But everything is changed.
Immediately after starting, the story already shows it's going to be great. Already stated on the plot summery(so no, this is not spoilers), a new villain cabal named Ghaul has come and wants the traveler. For retiring players, the first mission will definitely hit hard. Following is a long, complex story involving not only great characters from before, but new ones too. The story was perfect and I can't wait for expansion packs.
The game has also made life easier. Now you can access a map of your location whenever you want, and track places you wish to go to. Gameplay is fun and rare heroic public events and bosses pop up often -but not too often, giving opportunities to get some good gear. The maps are also massive, and very diverse.
The only thing to me that didn't get better or worse was the crucible. It felt the same, and lacked diversity of game modes. Even still, the crucible is quick, fast and fun, and still a hit.
Bungie knocked this game out of the park, and Destiny 2 has fixed the sins of the father. The future for Destiny 2 is bright, and I can't wait to see what comes next..