
TheLittleSongbird
Joined Jan 2009
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'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit' "Eternal Relief from Pain" (2020)
Opening thoughts: Of all the Season 21 episodes, "Eternal Relief from Pain" was the one watched with the lowest expectations on first watch. Not because of the case, which did sound interesting, but the return of Rollins' truly annoying sister Kim filled me with dread. None of the Rollins family drama storylines have worked at all for me, and reading the synopsis that indicated such heavy emphasis on it part of me was convinced that the episode was going to be a major failure.
To my surprise, on first watch "Eternal Relief from Pain" was nowhere near as bad as expected. It was a heavily flawed episode and the execution of the family drama was pretty much what was expected, but the case was so strong this time that it was enough to make the episode above average. On recent rewatch, "Eternal Relief from Pain" still is the very uneven and flawed episode it was on first watch, but like first watch what could and should have been a total disaster didn't turn out to be too bad. And it is certainly miles better than the pretty bad previous episode "Swimming with the Sharks".
Good things: Am going to start with the good. Visually the episode is solid and it is neither static or gimmicky in the way it's filmed. The music doesn't jar and is suitably melancholic, didn't find it too much either. The acting is mostly very good, particularly from Kelli Giddish. The dialogue in the case story is tight, thoughtful and isn't mundane or preachy.
"Eternal Relief from Pain" is compensated massively by the case. If the case hadn't have been as good as it turned out, this episode would have been a dud. It deals with a very tough subject and handles it uncompromisingly and also insightfully and movingly, it also isn't thin or over stuffed and neither is it too easy to figure out or confusing.
Bad things: Unfortunately, the Rollins family drama subplot brings the episode down massively. There is far too much emphasis on it and it suffers from the usual problems whenever Rollins' family life rears its ugly head. It is far too melodramatic, is dully paced, doesn't have much going on in it and what there is has no surprises and lacks tension.
Kim as ever is terribly annoying and overacted and have always disliked how naive and easily manipulated Rollins comes over as in these storylines. That she is that much so and has anything to do with Kim has always been a major credibility stretch. The dialogue is over heated in this subplot too.
Closing thoughts: Very uneven episode, with one great story and one rather bad story but it could have been so much worse.
6/10.
Opening thoughts: Of all the Season 21 episodes, "Eternal Relief from Pain" was the one watched with the lowest expectations on first watch. Not because of the case, which did sound interesting, but the return of Rollins' truly annoying sister Kim filled me with dread. None of the Rollins family drama storylines have worked at all for me, and reading the synopsis that indicated such heavy emphasis on it part of me was convinced that the episode was going to be a major failure.
To my surprise, on first watch "Eternal Relief from Pain" was nowhere near as bad as expected. It was a heavily flawed episode and the execution of the family drama was pretty much what was expected, but the case was so strong this time that it was enough to make the episode above average. On recent rewatch, "Eternal Relief from Pain" still is the very uneven and flawed episode it was on first watch, but like first watch what could and should have been a total disaster didn't turn out to be too bad. And it is certainly miles better than the pretty bad previous episode "Swimming with the Sharks".
Good things: Am going to start with the good. Visually the episode is solid and it is neither static or gimmicky in the way it's filmed. The music doesn't jar and is suitably melancholic, didn't find it too much either. The acting is mostly very good, particularly from Kelli Giddish. The dialogue in the case story is tight, thoughtful and isn't mundane or preachy.
"Eternal Relief from Pain" is compensated massively by the case. If the case hadn't have been as good as it turned out, this episode would have been a dud. It deals with a very tough subject and handles it uncompromisingly and also insightfully and movingly, it also isn't thin or over stuffed and neither is it too easy to figure out or confusing.
Bad things: Unfortunately, the Rollins family drama subplot brings the episode down massively. There is far too much emphasis on it and it suffers from the usual problems whenever Rollins' family life rears its ugly head. It is far too melodramatic, is dully paced, doesn't have much going on in it and what there is has no surprises and lacks tension.
Kim as ever is terribly annoying and overacted and have always disliked how naive and easily manipulated Rollins comes over as in these storylines. That she is that much so and has anything to do with Kim has always been a major credibility stretch. The dialogue is over heated in this subplot too.
Closing thoughts: Very uneven episode, with one great story and one rather bad story but it could have been so much worse.
6/10.
'Moonlight for Two' (1932)
Opening thoughts: It is always interesting to see Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies cartoons featuring characters that are not the classic ones we know and love and are iconic in animation history. There are some good or more efforts, if also some average or less ones (with some of the cartoons of the very early lead characters, like Bosko and Buddy, being not much more than historical interest).
There are however far better examples of early Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies cartoons than the watchable but bland 'Moonlight for Two'. It has good things but is easily forgettable after a couple of hours on the most part, especially if you have already seen other cartoons of this type and there is plenty of them. A delight visually and aurally, other than that 'Moonlight for Two' doesn't have an awful lot else to offer. Pretty much what was expected in my view considering the premise.
Good things: 'Moonlight for Two' looks good visually if not exactly imaginative. It's meticulously detailed and crisp and smooth. The title song is perky and the rest of the music is catchy, lush, rousing and cleverly synchronised. To me it was beautifully performed and personally have never had a problem with the style of music and singing, while understanding why others will not care for it.
Second half picks up in the pace and has a couple of mildly amusing music-oriented gags and fun support.
Bad things: However, the lead character and his sweetheart are bland and lack personality. There is not much funny in 'Moonlight for Two' apart from a few moments in the second half.
Nor is there enough energy (the first half is far too cloyingly cutesy for my taste), consistent gags or a story with much memorability or momentum. The story is not much of one at all in fact.
Closing thoughts: Overall, watchable but doesn't have much to offer.
5/10.
Opening thoughts: It is always interesting to see Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies cartoons featuring characters that are not the classic ones we know and love and are iconic in animation history. There are some good or more efforts, if also some average or less ones (with some of the cartoons of the very early lead characters, like Bosko and Buddy, being not much more than historical interest).
There are however far better examples of early Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies cartoons than the watchable but bland 'Moonlight for Two'. It has good things but is easily forgettable after a couple of hours on the most part, especially if you have already seen other cartoons of this type and there is plenty of them. A delight visually and aurally, other than that 'Moonlight for Two' doesn't have an awful lot else to offer. Pretty much what was expected in my view considering the premise.
Good things: 'Moonlight for Two' looks good visually if not exactly imaginative. It's meticulously detailed and crisp and smooth. The title song is perky and the rest of the music is catchy, lush, rousing and cleverly synchronised. To me it was beautifully performed and personally have never had a problem with the style of music and singing, while understanding why others will not care for it.
Second half picks up in the pace and has a couple of mildly amusing music-oriented gags and fun support.
Bad things: However, the lead character and his sweetheart are bland and lack personality. There is not much funny in 'Moonlight for Two' apart from a few moments in the second half.
Nor is there enough energy (the first half is far too cloyingly cutesy for my taste), consistent gags or a story with much memorability or momentum. The story is not much of one at all in fact.
Closing thoughts: Overall, watchable but doesn't have much to offer.
5/10.
'National Theatre Live: The Magistrate' (2013)
Opening thoughts: Season 4 was a good season of the National Theatre Live series (though not one of the best), with standouts being 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time' and 'This House'. Even the weakest, 'Macbeth' was well worth watching though an acquired taste conceptually. 'The Magistrate' did sound very interesting and have always liked John Lithgow very much. Had no doubt he would do this role very well as it is one that sounds like it would play to his strengths as an actor.
This production of 'The Magistrate' turned out to be very good. It is not flawless, and the second half is quite a lot better than the first. It is a lot of fun though and very charming and well acted, with so many great things. As far as Season 4 goes, it is not quite one of the standouts but it was great to have and see something different from the likes of Shakespeare, Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller or stage versions of literary classics. And to see a different play done very well indeed.
Bad things: Did feel that some of the first act dragged a little in momentum, with it being a little too exposition heavy.
Not all the songs felt necessary either.
Good things: However, 'The Magistrate' is very well performed, with Lithgow clearly enjoying himself thoroughly and is a lot of fun to watch. He holds nothing back while not resorting to histrionics or mugging. Nancy Carroll manages to make her character very human and amiable, not easy to do with her character's lies being so outlandish which could have made her very annoying. All the supporting cast are fine. The staging is always tasteful and coherent, making the most of the comedy with wit and energy while not being too broad or vulgar. While also providing a lot of charm and heart.
While the first act has momentum issues at times, the second half is consistently involving, thanks to the drama being more eventful, and much of it is very funny. The script is on the most part very witty and smart, let down only by the too exposition heavy early portion. The sets and costumes are very handsome and recreates the period very lovingly. While not always necessary, the music is still very pleasant on the ear and tuneful as well as performed with gusto.
Closing thoughts: Summing up, very, very enjoyable.
8/10.
Opening thoughts: Season 4 was a good season of the National Theatre Live series (though not one of the best), with standouts being 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time' and 'This House'. Even the weakest, 'Macbeth' was well worth watching though an acquired taste conceptually. 'The Magistrate' did sound very interesting and have always liked John Lithgow very much. Had no doubt he would do this role very well as it is one that sounds like it would play to his strengths as an actor.
This production of 'The Magistrate' turned out to be very good. It is not flawless, and the second half is quite a lot better than the first. It is a lot of fun though and very charming and well acted, with so many great things. As far as Season 4 goes, it is not quite one of the standouts but it was great to have and see something different from the likes of Shakespeare, Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller or stage versions of literary classics. And to see a different play done very well indeed.
Bad things: Did feel that some of the first act dragged a little in momentum, with it being a little too exposition heavy.
Not all the songs felt necessary either.
Good things: However, 'The Magistrate' is very well performed, with Lithgow clearly enjoying himself thoroughly and is a lot of fun to watch. He holds nothing back while not resorting to histrionics or mugging. Nancy Carroll manages to make her character very human and amiable, not easy to do with her character's lies being so outlandish which could have made her very annoying. All the supporting cast are fine. The staging is always tasteful and coherent, making the most of the comedy with wit and energy while not being too broad or vulgar. While also providing a lot of charm and heart.
While the first act has momentum issues at times, the second half is consistently involving, thanks to the drama being more eventful, and much of it is very funny. The script is on the most part very witty and smart, let down only by the too exposition heavy early portion. The sets and costumes are very handsome and recreates the period very lovingly. While not always necessary, the music is still very pleasant on the ear and tuneful as well as performed with gusto.
Closing thoughts: Summing up, very, very enjoyable.
8/10.