Category Archives: TV Drama

Leave It, Long Reviews (>400 Words), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, TV Drama

Black Mirror – Season Five (2019) TV Review

June 5, 2019 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Note: Spoilers for Black Mirror ahead.

With Black Mirror season five dropping on Netflix, the internet is adequately abuzz. Following the hit-or-miss experience of Bandersnatch, the new slate of Black Mirror episodes is understandably thin. With only three episodes to feast on, the binge-worthiness of season five is questionable.

But the real question is: how do these three episodes compare to the pantheon of Black Mirror episodes? Do they hold up as engaging, compelling mini-movies, or are they a disappointing lot?

Striking Vipers

In college, Danny (Anthony Mackie) and Karl (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) bonded over video games. After a night of drinking, they Continue reading Black Mirror – Season Five (2019) TV Review →

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The Twilight Zone – “The Comedian” (2019) TV Review

April 3, 2019 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

The first episode of the much anticipated reboot of The Twilight Zone, executive produced and narrated by Jordan Peele, is freely available to watch online. Future episodes are solely available on CBS All Access.

Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone was undoubtedly influential. Unfortunately, that Continue reading The Twilight Zone – “The Comedian” (2019) TV Review →

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Black Mirror Season 4 (2017) TV Review

January 2, 2018 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Season four of Netflix’s Black Mirror takes on fanboys, helicopter parents, vehicular manslaughter, and the like. Does it hold up to the high standard set by previous seasons?

USS Callister

The jam-packed 75-minute season opener, “USS Callister,” immediately immerses us into the world of the episode. Infinity is an online multiplayer game designed by Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons), but he kept his initial prototype offline: a modded, Star Trek-style world in which Daly is Continue reading Black Mirror Season 4 (2017) TV Review →

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Black Mirror: The National Anthem (2011) Television Review

June 30, 2017 Alex Brannan 1 Comment

The Princess (Lydia Wilson) has been kidnapped. Held for ransom. For Prime Minister Michael Callow (Rory Kinnear), the only way to save her: have “full unsimulated sexual intercourse with a pig” on live television.

Thus is our introduction to the callous, cruel universe of Black Mirror, the anthology drama series that takes aim at

Continue reading Black Mirror: The National Anthem (2011) Television Review →

Television Reviews, TV Drama

House of Cards Season Five Finale Recap & Review

June 5, 2017 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

So…Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) planned it all. From the beginning. Orchestrating his own downfall so that he can control it. A controlled burn.

If it seems ludicrous and farfetched, that’s because it is. It doesn’t hold up to scrutiny and makes the show look like Continue reading House of Cards Season Five Finale Recap & Review →

Television Reviews, TV Drama

House of Cards Season Five Episode Twelve Recap & Review

June 5, 2017 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Secretary of State Catherine Durant (Jayne Atkinson), against President Frank Underwood’s (Kevin Spacey) wishes, has decided to testify to the house judiciary committee. That is, if she wakes up after being pushed down the stairs by Frank.

In the public eye, Frank is business as usual, working to broker peace in the Middle East in spite of his impeachment scandal. Behind the scenes, though, he is Continue reading House of Cards Season Five Episode Twelve Recap & Review →

Television Reviews, TV Drama

House of Cards Season Five Episode Eleven Recap & Review

June 5, 2017 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Ah, impeachment. It has been a long time coming, but the word is finally starting to be tossed around the House of Cards universe following testimony from former President Garrett Walker (Michel Gill).

The talk of impeachment causes division in the Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) administration. Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) and Mark Usher (Campbell Scott) would like Frank to Continue reading House of Cards Season Five Episode Eleven Recap & Review →

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House of Cards Season Five Episode Ten Recap & Review

June 4, 2017 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

The Underwood administration is in the middle of handling the congressional investigation on them. At the center of this investigation is Alex Romero (James Martinez), who has been working behind the scenes to leverage his political position over the course of the season. Now, he might have his shot.

Meanwhile, Aidan Macallan (Damian Young) remains a problem for the administration and Leann Harvey (Neve Campbell). Namely, it is a situation that is almost certain to culminate in Continue reading House of Cards Season Five Episode Ten Recap & Review →

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House of Cards Season Five Episode Nine Recap & Review

June 4, 2017 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) has won the election. Finally. It’s only eight episodes in the making. Using small errors in the Conway campaign, they shattered the Republican ticket in the press to take Ohio.

From the concession side of the election, the conceding party does not want to give in. Will Conway (Joel Kinnaman) feels as if he has been robbed, both by the Underwoods and Continue reading House of Cards Season Five Episode Nine Recap & Review →

Television Reviews, TV Drama

House of Cards Season Five Episode Eight Recap & Review

June 4, 2017 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Episode eight of House of Cards season five begins with a cold open depicting a strange ritual of the Washington elite. In attendance is Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), mingling around the red-robed politicians in attempts to swing the election, even though he believes he would be better suited in Ohio outright.