The Flash Season One: Pilot

Thought  I'd review the Flash episodes after they premiere in the UK because I thought maybe I should review at least one series that is currently airing. Would have done this for The Strain but I don't have any screenshots for that just yet. Like Revolution this is a SPOILER filled review but unlike Revolution I won't take too long with the episode synopsis.

The episode begins with the 11 year old Barry Allen witnessing his mother's death within a strange vortex of yellow and purple light and ending up blocks away form his house. In the present day the adult Barry (Grant Gustin) as a forensic investigator in Central city and is investigating a bank robbery and homicide committed by Clyde Mardon (Chad Rook). We then spend some time with Barry learn that he grew up with Iris West (Candice Patton) and raised by her father detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin) and that he is looking forward to the activating of the particle accelerator at S.T.A.R. labs run by Dr. Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh). However later that night the particle accelerator goes out of control, explodes while releasing an unknown form of energy and striking Barry with a bolt of lightning.

"Something tells me I should just stay right here"

Fast forward nine months later and Barry awakens from his coma at the remains of S.T.A.R labs in the care of Dr. Wells, who is now in a wheelchair and his assistants Francisco "Cisco" Ramon (Carlos Valdes) and Dr. Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker). Wells wants to keep examining Barry because of the effects the particle accelerator had on his body but Barry decides to leave. He soon reunites with Iris and her father but discovers he can move at incredibly fast speeds and then goes back to Wells to test his new power, he even remembers to the time of his mother's murder that there was someone in that yellow light. Meanwhile a bank is being robbed by Mardon, who was supposedly killed in a plane crash when the particle accelerator exploded and uses his new found powers as Weather Wizard to control the weather. 

Perfect cover to rob a bank!

Later while Barry and Iris are walking they are nearly run over by Weather Wizard who is escaping from the police in a car. Barry tries to stop him but Weather Wizard creates a whole lot of mist to escape from him, later Barry tires to convince detective West of what he saw but West refuses to believe him. Barry then goes to S.T.A.R labs and finds out they are aware that there are others out there affected by the particle accelerator like him and are calling them "meta - humans". Dr. Wells also refuses to allow Barry to go after Weather Wizard because he cannot afford to lose him because of what his powers can do for science, Barry angrily leaves. He then run 60 miles to Starling City and meets up with Oliver Queen AKA The Arrow (Stephen Amell) who manages to convince him that he can be a hero and protect everyone with his powers.

Cameo Time!

Returning to Central City Barry convinces Cisco and Caitlin to help him fight Weather Wizard and they give him an altered, red fire - fighter suit that can with stand the heat from fast movement. Else where West and his partner, and Iris boyfriend, Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett) find Weather Wizard at an old barn and try to arrest him however Weather Wizard as gone mad with powers and creates a hurricane. Barry arrives in time to save West and Eddie and even stops Weather Wizard's hurricane who is then shot dead by West. West apologizes to Barry but makes him promise not to tell Iris about his powers. Later Barry sees his father in prison and promises to find the real person who was responsible for his mother's murder. The episode ends with Dr. Wells entering and secret room, standing up and reading a newspaper in a hologram that is seemingly from the future. It is from the year 2024 and it says that The Flash has gone missing in a crisis.

Glad they keep the costume so close to the comic one

I was really looking forward to The Flash series ever since I saw the two episodes Barry Allen was in, in The Arrow and I was not disappointed here. I think it must have be really easy to prepare for this show because of how they set up for it in Arrow, like the constant TV protests outside S.T.A.R labs. Marvel may be ruling the cinematic universe but DC sure has two strong TV series that can definitely stand up to Marvel.

The Flash may have the same feel as Arrow because it exists in the same universe but it defiantly has a more comic booky feel to it. This is probably due to the presence of "meta humans"; Arrow has been really grounded with it's storyline and villains but I am glad that is not the case here or else the shows would have been too similar. Plus despite the fact that there are people with powers that can kill lots of people the show seems to have a more light hearted feel as well; I really like Arrow but the show has an overall pretty dark tone while The Flash already feels like it is going to be more fun.



I know who you are!

The story for this episode was great and was a great set up for the world of The Flash and what they want to do with it. I like how we are probably going to get a new villain with a different power each week, a new obstacle The Flash will have to face. I think that, for the beginning of the series at least, it is going to be episodic where The Flash will just face a villain each episode and we won't touch much on a big overarching story until mid season. This is a good way to go however; lets first just get used to The Flash and build up these characters.

Guy who has never been fast in his life turns into The Flash, I get the irony

As for the leading character I think Grant Gustin was just a perfect choice for Barry Allen, ever since I saw him in Arrow he is just really likeable. He delivers a great performance in struggling with how to be a hero and he does come off as a lot more optimistic than Oliver and defiantly less brooding. We also have a lot of supporting cast from the people of S.T.A.R labs to Barry's friends before he got his powers. Won't go into them too much because this was more of a Barry - centric episode but I like them all even if they do all fill generic roles you see in a lot of other shows. A stand out for me was Dr. Wells because of the ending of course and how he obviously is going be a major factor in future events.

Ally or Villain?

The action was all really good however I admit there wasn't much of it because its not like there was a big showdown between The Flash and Weather Wizard at the end but that's alright because like most Pilots this is more of a setup for characters and events. The effects of the powers used in this was great; it really feels like The Flash is moving really fast and as I mentioned above glad they kept his costume so close to the comics (lets see more costumes for villains soon!).

Yep this is pretty damn awesome

As for what could have been better I think the Weather Wizard could have had more depth to him, in the end I honestly didn't care much for him and he just felt like cannon fodder for The Flash's first foe. I hope that future villains are a lot more fleshed out in future episodes and that there is a reason for their powers e.g. Barry Allen was always slow so now ironically he is the fastest man alive. Also I think the episode was really fasted paced, a lot more than it should have been like his training for example. Even though it worked out well in the end I wouldn't have minded Barry being The Flash until the second episode, drawing out the whole understanding of his powers a bit. However this isn't anything big because as I said it worked out in the end anyway.

Overall this was an exciting and great first episode to The Flash series and I can it being around for years and years just like Arrow. I did spot a lot of references to the comics while watching but I won't mention them because that will be too much SPOILERS.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlight: Grant Gustin as Barry Allen
                 Story and characters (worried it would be too similar to Arrow but I was wrong)
                 Great affects for the powers

Let - Downs: A tad too fast paced
                      Didn't care much for the villain

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;





http://screencapped.net/



Bleach Review: What The Hell

What the hell indeed.

The chapter begins with Nimaiya saying that the Zero Squad has very little information on Yhwach aside from the battle he had against Yamamoto 1000 years ago and when Royd Lloyd copied him. Nevertheless he prepares to attack but then Yhwach emits light from his hands which shines out of the tree cage.

Every act Giselle does has a sexual undertone

Back on the ground Giselle he feeding on the blood from the undead Bambietta but goes too far and accidently kills her. Liltotto then emerges from behind a rock and says that Pepe is dead while she managed to knock out Meninas. Just then the Sternritter N Robert Accutrone appears and says that all the Sternritter who where left behind on the ground are all going to die. Liltotto doesn't understand but Robert insists that they wouldn't because they are new and that the Sternritter where created for Yhwach's use and to do with as he pleases.

Finally we get your name and letter

At that moment light engulfs Robert and strips away his flesh and Liltotto just manages to push Giselle out of the way in time. The Auswählen light then surrounds multiple other Sternritter such as NaNaNa and Bazz - B who wonder what is happening to them. Back in the Royal Realm Yhwach uses the gathered power to revive his fallen elite Sternritter and commands them to do battle.

Told you that the elites would be back.

This chapter was an improve over last weeks chapter because as I have mentioned above the elite Sternritter are not down for the count yet and back in the fight. I am really glad for this because it would have been a real waste if they where and I am sure we can look forward to some great fighting because I doubt they would make the same mistake again.



Yep we are all screwed

We also finally get the name of Sternritter N and the conformation that Pepe is dead and that several other of the Sternritter are still alive however it is likely that they have lost their power. That is what the Auswählen does so I wonder what will happen to the Sternritter on the ground now; will they eventually get their powers back? Will they turn on Yhwach? Or will they get captured by the Soul Reapers and interrogated? I kind of think they will turn on Yhwach because Liltotto really didn't seem happy after losing her powers and Bazz - B was annoyed with him the time he chose Uryu has his successor.

"Looks like its just us two now Giselle....don't do anything weird"

I am glad the elites are back and as I said earlier I think Nimaiya isn't going to finish them off so easily again and that we will even have some one on one fights now. I also think that the elites are going to win their fights because I just can't see Yhwach not capturing the Royal Realm. I hope Askin continues his fight against Nimaiya because that was a good match up but this time Askin just has to win.

So much for Sternritter N

Overall this was a better chapter than last week and was pretty morbid for the Sternritter on the ground, great that we got to see them again and see Giselle as crazy as usual.

SCORE: 7/10

Highlights: The return of the elite Sternritter
                   The Auswählen was really cool
                    Possibly get some one of one fights now

Let - Downs: Looks like the Sternritter on the ground are out of the fights now

Predictions: Now that Yhwach has lost most of his Sternritter I wonder if we will see him make more by giving out new letters to other Quincy. It would be great seeing some more uses of other letters, not to mention some more Quincy characters.

If not than I hope that Aizen returns soon and he starts coming up with his own plan to take out Yhwach and the Soul Reapers. I also want the Arrancar to return as well however it is implied that they will be allies now to the Soul Reapers but since there isn't any Sternritters left for them to fight that is why I am hoping more will be created.

Revolution Season One: Ghosts

The war continues.

The episode begins with Danny's funeral and the rest of the characters look on however the good thing in moment of grief is that no more helicopters have come. At night Commander Ramsey thinks that it is best to regroup at another base and continue the fight like they have so far but Miles disagrees because he thinks will never win like that. Miles agrees to help the Rebels but believes he needs more seasoned men to help such as Jim Hudson (Malik Yoba) who was part of Miles's assassination plot against Monroe, Miles and Nora leave soon after to find him.

So.....why is it Aaron and Miles doing the digging?

Things between Rachael and Charlie are still tense because Charlie continues to fight with the Rebels even though Rachael does not want her to put herself in danger. Meanwhile Aaron is sorting through his stuff in his backpack and removes the two pendants he has but as he leaves the room the turn on. This is finally explained back in Philadelphia when Randall tells Monroe that he can remotely activate them and track where they are. Monroe is still suspicious of him but Randall promises him more pendants and scientists and more power than he can dream of.

Randall vs. Monroe, in a battle of wits

Miles and Nora manage to find out that Jim is living in a small town of Culpeper and they set off to find him though Nora is worried that the recent deaths and failures are affecting Miles. However they are followed by a Rebel traitor who tells them where they are heading to a Militia Captain named Deckert who then orders the Rebel killed. Back at the Rebel base Charlie and the Rebels she was with have returned from the raid and Rachael is worried when she notices her covered in blood.

Just kill her now Charlie, trust me you are better off without her

At Culpeper Miles and Nora find Jim who is now married to a woman named Sophie and is working as a librarian to forget about is past life with the Militia. Miles tries to convince Jim to help train the Rebels and fight but Jim is still angry that Miles never killed Monroe after all the planning they made and forces them to leave at gunpoint. At the Rebel base Rachael noticed wounds on Charlie's body and wants her to stop but Charlie insists she has no right to tell her what to do and that she wasn't there for her and Danny, Rachael then slaps her (B***h). Before anything else can be said however everyone notices at the bases hears the sound of approaching vehicles and they looks to see several Humvees coming towards them. Miles and Nora are leaving Culpeper but on the road the notice Deckert leading a Militia kill squad to the town, Miles then rushes on ahead and warns Jim who is furious that he may have to kill again.

All librarians are packing these days

The Rebels are evacuating their base and Charlie finds Rachael removing flash drives from the pendants and destroying them in a bowl of acid. Just then however Randall leads a team of Militia soldiers in the base, blocking of the exits for Charlie, Rachael and Aaron. Randall has a Flashback six years before The Blackout and we find out that he and his wife have just received news that their son Edward Flynn was killed in the line of duty. Rachael confesses that she and Ben worked for Randall at the Department of Defence and that they where working on a weapon before the power went out. Randall then uses a megaphone to say that he doesn't care that the pendants are destroyed but wants to take Rachael away.

Super epic entrance!

At Independence Hall Tom voices his concern that he does not trust Randall and Monroe agrees but says that everything is under control however Tom feels that he is being replaced. At the Rebel base several fire fights break out and Rachael is briefly captured and we have another Flashback a month before The Blackout where she and Ben are concerned about deploying the weapon in Peshawar but Randall doesn't care. Charlie and Aaron manage to free Rachael and they flee to the rendezvous point where the Rebels where going.

Watch out for crossbows guys

Back at Culpeper Jim, Miles and Nora manage to kill all the Militia but Jim's wife sees and is disturbed by what she saw. Jim says that Miles has ruined his life again but still decides to go with him and fight Monroe. They reunite with Charlie and the Rebels and Charlie apologies to Rachael for the stuff she said earlier. Later that night Aaron insists to Rachael that she tells him everything that she knows and she starts by telling him that there is a place called The Tower. The episode ends in a Flashback and Randall is sitting at the head of a table surrounded by others and in looking at a command team that is stationed at The Tower via video link on the night of The Blackout. Everyone looks uncertain and The Tower team asks if he wants to deploy the weapon and Randall, after looking down at his son's dog tags, orders the team to deploy.

Now time for the evil laugh

We are getting some answers now!

While obviously winding down from all of the man vs. helicopter action we had last episode, this one nonetheless delivers an awesome episode. Randall is now more involved in the plot than ever and I was surprised that we got a lot of back story information on him all ready. Looks like he really did turn Ben's project in to a weapon after all and he wanted it shutdown certain part of the Middle East for the American soldiers. Obviously the weapon must have been faulty after all because it must have breached it's containment field because it infected the entire world. However unlike Rachael I feel sorry for Randall because even if he did give the order to destroy the world, he did lose his son who was a soldier he just wanted to end the fighting.



"Time to lose your head"

Now as for Rachael she was a total b***h in this episode and really for slapping Charlie, Charlie was right she has no right whatsoever to act like a mother now and I hate that she tries to. Again she tries to make everything all about her in this episode and I can't see why Randall wants her because of how annoying it was fore Monroe. Also I don't get why the writers are making her out to be this extremely intelligent woman, she just doesn't come across has one only extremely arrogant and stupid.

"I just love my booze"

One other thing I didn't like about this episode was that the pendants where destroyed so easily, after ten episodes of them being so powerful and important two of them are just gone like that. Again another thing why I don't like Rachael she just dumped them in acid before discussing with anyone else, didn't wait to talk it over, didn't even answer Aaron's question about the flash drives. I know Randall was tracking them but they could have been a major advantage to the Rebels, they could have powered up their own helicopters or tanks for some pretty intense action but thanks to Rachael that isn't happening.

WTF!

Also from what I get with the small screen time with Tom is that he is not pleased with Randall being here at all. I am sure this is going to create some conflict between the two characters and maybe Tom might even start his take over of the Republic that was hinted at a while ago. Speaking about conflict we also get the inclusion of a new character, Jim Hudson, and I am really liking his character and I hope he takes an active part with the Rebels but he really doesn't seem to be on the best of terms with Miles at the end of the episode so we will see what happens there.

"All hail the Militia!"

Lastly the action sequences where as good as ever, its always great seeing sword fighting in Revolution and we got a lot of that in Culpeper. Also we might get even more now since Jim seems to be just as good with a blade as Miles and Monroe. Charlie also stood out a lot as well with taking down her fair share of Militia at the Rebel base; I don't enough crossbow as much as swords it was still great.

A waste, a damn waste

Overall this is a solid episode like the last one with some great action at the Rebel base and Culpeper and it was interesting that Randall got his own Flashbacks. Only real let downs was of course Rachael's entire attitude and that the Rebels won't be fighting with their own power thanks to two pendants being destroyed. Also I hope we find out more about this Tower soon because, from what the Flashback at the end implied, the source of The Blackout started there.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Action at the Rebel base and Culpeper
                   Introduction of Jim Hudson
                   Randall Flashbacks

Let - Downs: Rachael
                      Pendants being destroyed

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/

Revolution Season One: The Stand

Another episode to review! Thought I point out that when I watch TV series, if I can, I like splitting the episode into arcs like in Anime. For example the last episode ended the Finding Danny Arc because they now have him back and I like to call this second half of season one the War Against the Republic Arc.

The episode begins with the helicopter firing at the group however they manage to find shelter in a restaurant and even survives its barrage of missiles by hiding in the freezer. Back at Independence Hall Tom reports to Monroe that no remains where found but Monroe does not care about them anymore. With a working attack helicopter he wants to wipe out all of the other nations but he will first start off by getting rid of every Rebel in the Republic.

DAMN!

The group manages to escape from the city by hiding in a corpse wagon and Charlie pretending she is one of the Militia by using her brand. As the group is walking through the trees they spot the helicopter in the distance and guess that it is heading for the Rebel base in West Chester and they try to get there as fast as they can. However they are too late to save anyone as the base is wiped out and Nora insists that she has to warn Rebel headquarters in Annapolis, Maryland which Danny and Charlie agree to as well. Aaron is against it saying that they finally have Danny and managed to escape from the Republic and they can just go home but Rachael says she must fight Monroe because it is her fault Monroe has power. Miles does not know how they can take out a helicopter but Rachael knows of an old co - worker nearby who has the weapons they need.

 

Aaron, you made the most sense out of everyone in that room

The group then decides to split up with Miles going with Rachael to get the weapons and the rest going with Nora to the Rebel base. It then changes to another destroyed Rebel base and Tom, Jason and a few of the Militia are viewing the burnt base from a distance. Jason is disgusted by this because it was nothing more than a massacre while Tom argues that this is war and that the Rebels shouldn't be hiding with their families in the first place. Tom then turns to a captured Rebel to have "a little chat" about the next closest Rebel base.

 

"Our little chat is going to end with a bullet in your brain right"

Charlie's group make it to the Rebel base and are greeted by Nicholas who has made it there with his Rebel group as well. Nicholas leads them inside and the group sees that most of the Rebels are severely wounded by the recent helicopter attacks. They are also introduced to Commander Ramsey who says that the resistance is now over but Nora says that Miles will save them. Meanwhile things are tense between Miles and Rachael but Miles says that he truly thought that she was dead that Monroe even showed him a body.

 

"We Rebels are good and screwed"

Back at the Rebel base Jason spots Charlie and some children from his hiding spot and Tom soon does as well and wants to order a strike on the base. Jason is against this because of the amount of people at the base even though Tom suspects he only cares about Charlie. After a heated argument and a fight Tom says to Jason that he is dead to him and to never return home. Miles and Rachael make it to the house of John Sanborn (Leland Orser) who says he has been out of touch with a lot of the old scientists for a while, even Grace.

 

You got one weird hobby there Sanborn 

At the Rebel base Jason warns Charlie of the upcoming attack and even though she is grateful she says that Jason cannot come with her. Charlie then tells Ramsey this who insists that they fight because they cannot get the wounded out in time. Things are also not going well for Miles and Rachael because they are soon knocked out by a sonic sound gun by Sanborn who says that Randall got to him first. Shortly after this however Miles manages to break free of his bonds and knock out Sanborn, they then take his weapons which includes a RPG. We then see Randall preparing to leave the base he has Grace confined and but insists she continue working on an elevator that will get him to level 12. He leaves a guard to watch her while he is absent.

 

"Look after the house while I am gone"

Back at the Rebel camp Charlie tries to convince Danny to sit this fight out but he refuses and then the helicopter arrives but there are two of them now. The group hold them off as long as they can but a lot of the Rebels are killed, just when all hope seems lost Miles and Rachael come galloping on the wagon. Miles tries to use the RPG that is activated by the pendant but is but knocked out by a helicopter missile, Danny then makes a move to the RPG. He manages to blow up the helicopter with the amplifier in but the other one, crashing because of the loss of power, blindly fires bullets which hit Danny. He dies with Charlie screaming over his corpse and Rachael not really looking like she cares.

 

Looks like helicopter beats guns

With Danny dead Rachael wonders how she could have been such a bad mother and let him fight but Charlie now says that they are joining the Rebels so they can kill Monroe. At Independence Hall Monroe is annoyed by the loss of his amplifier but one of his men tells him someone, who drove here in a Cutlass Ciera, wants to see him. Randall introduces himself along with Sanborn who asks Monroe what they can do for him. The episode ends with Rachael cutting open Danny's corpse and removing and mysterious small and blinking metal object.

 

We must stop this Deadly Alliance!

Now that was quite the explosive episode wasn't it!

 

What I really didn't expect was the death of Danny after we spent ten episodes following Charlie's quest to save him, I guess the writers really want to end that part of Revolution in a really final way. I do like that they went this way are well because it is almost like an F - YOU to the characters; after everything you been through this is the end result, you may have destroyed the helicopter but Monroe still won in the end. What also is good about it is that Charlie and Miles now have a reason to continue the fight on the Republic however what I didn't like is that I expect now that a certain other character will now try to hog a lot of the story.

 

Sorry Danny - Boy your part is over now

I am of course talking about Rachael and this episode once again just proves how much I hate her! Aaron really was the only one who made sense earlier; they had a chance to just go home and hide from Monroe, even if he did conquer America I seriously doubt he would ever have found them again. But no Rachael has to make everything about her and puts what she wants before anything else and she puts her children in danger as well. Also she never even cried or scream when Danny died and I just want to shout; "Your son just died in your arms, show some f***ing emotion for once!" but no the writers are making the really bad move of making her seem like this really detached and strong character that isn't working. Also I know that she was crying a bit when she was expressing regret with Charlie but Elizabeth Mitchell is such a bad actress that I didn't believe it and again her face just wasn't convincing or changed. Plus another reason to hate her is that with that moment she had with Miles makes me suspect that she cheated on Ben so now we can add cheating whore to the list of things she is.

 

One betrayal and it haunts you for life right Jason? 

However enough about Rachael bashing for now a highlight of this episode was definitely the slaughter of the Rebels by the helicopter. Monroe was right earlier when saying that if he had one everyone would bow before him and he was right. I especially like the stand against the two helicopters at the end; it was intense, brutal with some awesome explosions and it was great seeing the Rebels fight back. Overall this was probably one of the best action sequences in the series and I was really worried at first about Monroe losing the helicopter so early but that went away when I saw Randall.

 

"What evil scheme shall I think of now"

It final looks like Randall is going to get more of a major role in future episodes now that it looks like he is joining Monroe, he is such a mysterious antagonist and I want to know what his motives are. I seriously doubt he has just decided to join Monroe; he must have is own overall agenda and he must being planning to use Monroe to get it. However I hope Randall is careful because Monroe is not a man to be played and he is going to use Randall for his own purposes. Also I wonder what why he wants to get an elevator up and running again and why to level 12? I am sure we will find out soon and I bet it won't be good. Also I really liked the character of Sanborn and is sonic gun was really cool, looks like he has joined Randall and Monroe for now but I don't think it will be for long. Looks like he was obviously intimated by Randall and I do want to see more of his character and if he will defect.

 

Try and aim for the pilot Nora!

Lastly to point out Tom and Jason have finally fallen out and I am guessing they will soon find themselves fighting against each other. Even though Jason was turned down by Charlie she doesn't own the Rebels so I am sure he will find some way in or fight on his own. As for Tom I think he decided to let is son go more out of love than hate because if Monroe found out about Jason sympathising with the Rebels then he would have been killed. Tom letting him go was actually saving his life and it is not like Jason can't survive out on his own and that is because Tom made sure that he could.

 

Have you got a prayer for this Nicholas?

Overall this was a great episode with the scenes with the helicopter being the stand out one of the only things that bothered me was Rachael in it. She was annoying enough in this that I would have to mark it down for it and even though she removed some object from Danny at the end, if it has something to do with her I doubt I will care much. Also quick mention even though I am glad they survived how could that helicopter miss them in an open field at the beginning of the episode? And how could they survive that missile attack in a freezer? this isn't Indy 4!                        

 

 

SCORE: 8/10

 

Highlights: The stand off against the helicopter

                   The possible alliance between Monroe and Randall

 

Let - Downs: Rachael

 

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/



Anime Review: Death Note (The Kira Arc)

Been a while but I thought I'd finally get round to reviewing an anime that I have had for years and is so iconic that I would have had to review it at some point; Death Note. Now if you are wondering why it says Kira Arc next to the title that is because I am splitting my Death Note Reviews in to three parts; The Kira Arc, The Yotsuba Arc and The Near and Mello Arc. The reasons I am doing this because each of these Arc are quite different from each other so I think it is only fair to split up the anime and give them individual scores, plus I can focus more on each one. The Kira Arc is the first part of the anime which consists of episodes 1 - 17, also I do own the entire manga series of Death Note so I can make comparisons to it. Spoilers because I will go in to detail about the plot and characters because like most of my reviews this is for people who have watched it already.

Death Note is about a young adult named Light Yagami a senior in high school about to go to college who is also a genius and excels in everything. However he is extremely bored and resents that the world is full of evil like murder, rape, war and crime in general. Someone who also shares is boredom is a Shinigami named Ryuk who lives in the decaying Shinigami Realm, to rid himself of his boredom he decides to drop a Death Note in the Human World. A Death Note is a tool of a Shinigami that allows them to kill a Human as long as they know their name and face but it can be used by a Human and who just happens to pick it up but Light. Light decides to use the Death Note to rid the world of everyone who commits evil and takes the name Kira so that everyone will know that someone is in judgement of them. Unfortunately for Light the police will not accept Kira and have even brought in the world's greatest detective L to hunt him down.

The Death Note manga was written by Tsugumi Ohba who has only done Death Note and another manga I don't know however the anime was developed by Madhouse and I know quite a bit about their work. I know that Madhouse is really good at adapting serious manga in to anime with two of their most notable work in my opinion being Black Lagoon and Monster. It was also directed by Tetsuro Araki who directed Black Lagoon and would go on to direct two of my favourite anime High School of the Dead and Attack on Titan.

The series is a Detective/Psychological thriller with elementals of the supernatural because of the existence of Shinigami and a note book that can kill people. This first part of the anime mainly focuses on the mind games between L and Kira and seeing which one can outsmart the other and ultimately prevail. For a detective/crime story there are no big action sequences or shootouts because those aren't the type of people L and Kira are instead each one will make these elaborate plan to try and reveal each one's identity. This is the biggest draw of the series because when I first watched this it literally had me on the edge of my seat because L and Kira are such genius that you want to see who will make the mistake first because it will result in death for either one of them.

As for the characters Light is a really interesting protagonist since because of his genius level intelligence and the fact he possesses the Death Note he develops a God complex and feels that he is the only one who can lead the world on the right path. You do want to side with him because he is trying to make the world better however because of his God complex he has no qualms killing anyone who is after him or in his way be them L, the police just doing their jobs, anyone who finds out his identity or Death Note and he even considers kills his family several times. What I don't like about Light is his high level of arrogance and believing that he can never be wrong and I think that is intentional on Ohba's part because maybe he wanted to make some traits the audience won't like (after all he is the villain).

Now for Light opposite and you could say the real protagonist of the series because he is obviously the good guy; L or Ryuzaki as he likes to be called by others. L is one of my favourite characters because of his unique design, personality traits and intellect. He is like some mad, modern day Sherlock Holmes and just like him he can make accurate assumptions out of the littlest information. For example Light of cause is extremely careful in hiding the fact that he is Kira and to any normal detective there is no cause for suspicion but to L he nit picks so much of how Light acts and his personality that he believes that Light fits as Kira. L also provides a lot of light hearted and comedic moments which is what the series needs like the way he sits or his obsession with sweets.

As for the others characters Misa is really good as the Second Kira and the main reason she is designed was because Ohba wanted a cute girl character to work along side Light and for the most part he succeeded but she can be so over the top and stupid sometimes to the point of annoying. I do like her character but she sometimes seems more of a inconvenience created for Light's plan more than anything else. We also have the Shingami Ryuk and he is one of my favs because it is interesting having a none Human observing Light and making his own side comments. He also provides a lot of fun comedic moments because of his obsession with apples and that he knows less about the Death Note than Light. Finally we have the members of the Japanese Police Department who work along side L and while they are filled with likeable characters like Light's father and Matsuda but I feel there not as important as L and Light in the case. I understand why they are there however because you can't just have two super genius playing a cat and mouse game with each other, you need some more normal characters on the investigation and they do contribute because of L reluctance to show his face.

As for some notable parts in the first 17 episodes we have Light's dilemma in accepting Shinigami Eyes for half his life span which will allow him to see a person's name and life span. There are several moments when Light could really use those eyes but considers it out of the question because of the he does he create such ingenuous plans to get what he wants. Examples of this is the plan to get the names of 12 FBI agents for the real name of one of the FBI agent's wife. We also have the introduction of the Second Kira and a new Shinigami because its interesting to see someone with a completely different personality than Light possess a Death Note. Also there is Light's plan to free Misa from custody and I admit I wasn't sure how he was going to pull that one off and the plan continues in to the Yotsuba Arc.

Finally quickly mention the animation and soundtrack which are two of the best I have ever seen. Probably because of the lack of fast paced action scenes I quality of the animation for character designs, movement and overall look perfect such as Light's evil expressions and I really like how when a character is deep in thought the whole scene slows down and is in a shade of colour; Red for Light, Blue for L. For the soundtrack most of it is orchestral such as Kira's theme music which suits because of how Kira becomes a God - Like figure however my favourite one is L's theme. Also the voice acting is some of the best I have heard especially Alessandro Juliani as L.

Overall the first part of Death Note was a great start to the series and does a good job of establishing the characters and building them up. I recommend this anime but it might not be for everyone because you really have to be highly invested in each episode and you really have to pay attention to what is going on. Misa does let it down slightly because I find her a bit too much sometimes but that is just one small thing and she still is a good character.

SCORE: 8/10

Revolution's Possible Season Three Plot..........That Isn't Happening




As everyone already knows I am a big Revolution fan, I think that it was truly something different and creative; an Action/Adventure/Sci - Fi series that I looked forward to watching every week. So when it was cancelled I was of course devastated like so many others because I know that Revolution has a strong fan base. I hated the fact that the people behind NBC, when they where deciding what shows to renew, would have chosen some reality show or generic comedy over it because honestly who the hell wants to watch stuff like that?

I watch a lot of shows on TV, my current ones are Game of Throne, Falling Skies, Arrow, The Flash, Gotham, The Strain and The Walking Dead. Some old shows that I like and have on DVD are Stargate SG1 and Star Trek the Next Generation, notice anything similar? Not a single reality show or stupid comedy; no what I watch are shows that actually have a story, shows which actually require writing talent and creativity.

So when I lost Revolution from my list I followed in on Twitter and Facebook in hopes of hearing some news on a third season that looks like is never going to happen. However I have recently read an article that was linked on the Revolution Facebook page that may destroy any hope for a third season but makes me optimistic that the story will go on, here it is;

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/revolution/creator-eric-kripke-answers-wi-54948.aspx

This has really put me on a downer because season three sounded like it would have been so good! I don't know what the mystic treasure was going to be but it sounded like it would have been more like season one. Those who have read my reviews know that I like the travelling the most in these kind of shows, of going to new places and the character experience new adventures each time, it is one of the reasons why I like season one more than two. Don't get me wrong season two is still awesome but I didn't like that the majority of it was in the same location; Dr. Porter's village and the surrounding desert area.

It seems like that they want to conclude the Revolution story a different format and by the sound of it the options they are considering is book or comic. Now I guess I wouldn't really mind it too much if they decide to do that because I read all the time but I admit it probably won't have the same excitement of a new season. So while this does seem that they creators are working on something I kind of still hope that it is a new season because I just love watching Revolution.

Now if they still use the same storyline of the good guys and bad guys looking for this mystic treasure in a new season or book here is what I would like to see:

The Treasure: They say that the treasure is supplies so maybe they are powerful weapons that where unaffected by The Blackout and can possibly combat the Nanites. Also the Nanites can't see them or know where they are so they can't get to it straight away.

Kill Rachael: Just f***ing kill the b***h!

A race to the treasure: The three main groups I want racing to the treasure are Miles, Charlie and Aaron, the New Monroe Republic which includes Monroe and Connor and the Nanites which includes Tom and Truman. I know Monroe worked with Miles in season two but that was strained at best and I want a New Monroe Republic because I just really miss it. Tom and Truman are two of my of my fav characters and since they lost everything in the last episode I think they might work with the Nanites.

Nanite - Ben: Ben is one of my fav Revolution characters (Rachael should have died not him) and I have mentioned before that he should be the permanent avatar for the Nanites. I hated the Nanites taking over Aaron's wife because I don't think it worked very well but I really liked it when the took on the form of dead characters.

See more of America: Texas was good but we really need to get these characters travelling again and I think the treasure is a great excuse for that again. Also maybe we could include other countries as well, maybe they heard of the treasure and sent armies in by boat to get it.

There you go my thoughts on the recent news of Revolution and what I want to see with the new storyline.

The great screenshots was provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/

Revolution Season One: Nobody's Fault But Mine

Half way through the series now.

This episode begins with a Flashback five years after The Blackout where Miles, Monroe and their Militia are fighting in the ruins of Trenton, New Jersey in a what would later be known as the Trenton Campaign. Monroe jokes about how they would be forced to use swords soon because ammunition is running out but Miles is hurt. He tells Monroe to leave him but Monroe refuses sayings that if Miles dies he will die with him.


Joking about using sword; you got to love unintentional foreshadowing 

It then changes to the present and the group are moving through the streets of Philadelphia at night and Charlie is still feeling bad because of the knock to the head last episode. Miles manages to get them inside the house of an old friend of his when he was in the Militia and then leaves to group to find out where Danny is. In Impendence Hall Tom tells Monroe that Miles is likely in the city (because they found the body of Wheatley) and suggests he moves to their base in Boston for a while however Monroe refuses to run from Miles. Not long after that Charlie, Aaron and Nora are captured by Tom who guessed this was one of the few places Miles would try to hide them.

"All according to my plan"

Charlie is thrown in to cell away from the others, which her mother is also in as well and of course she is shocked to find her still alive. Rachael tries to explain but Charlie does not want to hear it because they need to escape and find Danny. Meanwhile Tom has Aaron and Nora in a separate place as bait for Miles to try and rescue. Tom also recognizes Aaron from computer magazines before The Blackout and says that even though he was a fan of his work, he is glad that a once millionaire is helpless at the hands of a once faceless paper - pusher.

How the tables have turned

Miles goes back to the house but notices the presence of Militia and instead goes to Tom's house before Tom gets back. He holds his sword to Julia's throat and demands that Aaron and Nora be brought to him, which Tom reluctantly leaves to do. Back in the cells Charlie and Rachael try to escape but are stopped by the arrival of Strausser who brings them to a beaten Danny. Monroe then orders Strausser to shot one of Rachael's children if she doesn't finish the amplifier that Jaffe was working on. Charlie insists that her mom shouldn't finish the amplifier for Monroe and even says to Strausser to kill her but Rachael breaks and says that she will complete it. Tom brings Aaron and Nora to Miles though he insists he cannot bring Charlie or Danny but says that they are being held at an old power plant, Miles then locks Tom and Julia in a closet before leaving.

"This is the first time your meeting me Charlie, you should be honoured"

The next morning Miles, Aaron and Nora make it to the power plant and find that it is heavily guarded, lucky for them Aaron knows where the back service tunnel is and Miles and Nora infiltrate it while Aaron stays outside with a bag of explosives to blow the front gate. In Monroe's office in the plant Baker asks Monroe if he can bring himself to kill Miles and we then have a Flashback two years before The Blackout. Turns out Monroe's parents and little sisters where killed by a drunk driver and Monroe is at their grave contemplating suicide however Miles shows up and convinces him out of it insisting that they are still brothers.

"Don't hog all the booze Bass"

Rachael then manages to complete the amplifier and at that time Charlie and Danny have escaped from their cell and Miles and Nora have gotten inside the plant and of course all hell breaks loose. After leaving Charlie and Danny with Nora, Miles goes after Rachael who has killed Strausser and after a tense reunion with Miles leaves with him. Baker however catches up with them but they both escape then come face to face with Monroe.

Now your using cover Charlie!

Miles tells Rachael to go and confronts Monroe himself and in a Flashback we see that the two of them have been friends since they where kids and that the Monroe 'M' actually stands for both of their names. Monroe asks Miles to re-join saying that it hasn't been the same since he left and that he will forgive him for trying to kill him. However Miles refuses believing that Monroe has gone too far and saying that he is nothing to him now, this enrages Monroe who draws his swords. After a truly epic clash they are interrupted by Baker and some Militia and Monroe orders them to kill Miles but he manages to escape. 

Like some epic boss battle

Outside the Aaron manages to blow the front gate and the group, which is all reunited, escapes from the plant. The episode ends with the group running across a grassy field but slowly turns around and stares at UH-1 'Huey' helicopter, imprinted with the Monroe emblem and equipped with an amplifier, takes off in the distance.

Yep you are all screwed

I guess the hunting for Danny arc is now fully over and the end of this episode indicts that that war between the group and a Monroe Republic with power has truly begun.

Now that was quite the awesome episode and that is that after nine episodes of the group making their way to the heart of the Republic they finally made it and it did not disappoint. I didn't expect it to be all fitted in to one episode, I thought they would spend one episode sneaking around the city but they only did that for barely the first half of the episode and they rest was an epic confrontation at the power plant.

They used this shot in the trailer

The first part with Tom capturing the group was really good however I thought it was resolved a bit too fast because Miles immediately found out about the ambush and threatened Tom's wife who then immediately frees Aaron and Nora. Also because Tom was then locked in a closet he was not part of the big showdown at the plant and that was a shame because I think he could have been great there. Maybe because Tom is one of my favourite characters but I wanted to have seen him involved in the latter half of the episode.

Even if it's powerful that is one ugly amplifier

Next is the action that happened inside of the plant and it was some of the best that Revolution has had so far. We got some awesome gun fighting with Charlie and when Miles and Nora first got in but what was truly a standout was the fight between Miles and Monroe. It has been really hyped of a major confrontation between these two characters and it lived up to it; we had them fighting over that rifle, Monroe dual wielding against Miles. It was all shot brilliantly, none of it looked fake and it was not some over the top, jumping all over the place sword fight. We also got more back story on the two of them and that Miles has refused Monroe's offer to re - join the Republic and I have to say that I side and sympathise more with Monroe. When his family was killed Monroe only had Miles and he just tired to kill him and then abandon him, Miles really has to take responsibly that he has influence Monroe in to who he is now.

You wasted your chance Miles

Finally we got a truly awesome shot of that helicopter at the end, it was really cool how they did it; hearing the blades whirl in the background, the group slowly realizing what it is and the look on their faces when they see a helicopter for the first time in fifteen years. One of the best reaction shots in the entire series, even more than when the light house was turned on.

"I haven't been idle these past fifteen years Miles"

Two things that I wished could have been different, and this first one is small, is that I wish we could have seen just a bit more of Philadelphia. As I mentioned above I didn't expect the infiltration of the city to be done in one episode so we didn't get a chance to see what the people are like there and just how the way of life is at the capital. Secondly (and again) Rachael does ruin parts of this episode for me because I can't believe she is the one to kill Strausser, I wanted him to go out a lot better than that I just hate it when Rachael kills people in the series. Its hard to explain but it just feels wrong and makes me hate her even more; like when she killed someone like Jaffe and I just wish someone like Charlie or Miles killed Strausser because they probably wouldn't have gloated over his corpse like she did.

Baker should defiantly have been in the series a lot more

Overall this is one of the best episodes of the series and a great mid season finale because they went on a break for a couple of months when this was airing.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Miles and Monroe confrontation
                   Showdown at the power plant
                   The shot of the helicopter at the end

Let - Downs: Tom not part of the second half
                      Strausser deserved a better death
                      Didn't see as much of Philadelphia as I would have liked

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/