Bleach Review: BABY, HOLD YOUR HAND 3 (Mad Lullaby no.7)

Time for Nemu to shine!

Pernida manages to survive being swallowed and begins to attack with a new set of moves which has Mayrui on the defensive.

Well this was a bit of an odd chapter which I am not to sure I like too much. First off the chapter starts with a vague Flashback of possibly Nemu awakening as a child and seeing a hand greeting him which is probably Mayuri's. Unfortunately we didn't get much of that when back in the present Pernida escapes from Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō and attacks Mayuri, though I think everyone must have called this. What is interesting however is that Pernida begins to use a Quincy bow and arrow and it's speech and behaviour keeps changing, something that Mayrui notices and believes Pernida is evolving. Mayuri then has a hard time dodging the arrows and we get some and shot of his arm being ripped off (and later Nemu's) but  again it was obvious Pernida was going to get the upper hand in this fight eventually. However its seems that Nemu has finally stepped in something that Mayuri berates her for and then calls her Nemuri Nanago (something that Manga Stream translated to Sleeping no.7) which was a surprise. I guess Nemu was not the first artificial being Mayuri created which makes me think there could be a Flashback to her creation soon. However like with Mayuri trying to figure out Pernida's behaviour it is to vague and I would have wanted some more background and flashbacks to explain these more.



"Looky what I can do"

Overall that is all we got, the chapter was not long and the only things that was interesting was Pernida still believing it is a Quincy (I think Yhwach brainwashed it) and some background on Nemu. Also while Mayuri is my favourite Captain I do hope this fight changes up a bit soon like Ikkaku and Yumichika joining in or Ukitake arriving because he had the Right Arm inside him.

SCORE: 6/10

Highlights: Pernida's evolution and using bows and arrows
                   Background on Nemu

Let - Downs: The fighting was alright but just mostly dodging
                      Could have used more Flashbacks and the explanations of Pernida and Nemu are too vague
                      Chapter felt short because nothing much really happened

The Strain Season Two: BK, NY

Ephram and the gang continue the fight against the Vampire threat in a chaotic New York however the Master recruits more to his ranks.

As I mentioned before I wished I could have reviewed Season One but I am glad I have the time now to review this season. It episode starts off with a Flashback not about Abraham (though he was in it as a child) but of the origins of the Master and it was quite the surprise because I didn't think we will get it this early. I liked the way it was done too; with Abraham's grandmother telling it, it felt like a fairytale. We also learn that the Master seems to have to find new bodies when the time comes and I bet he wants to try take over one of bodies in Eph's group. It is also not just the Flashbacks but in the present Abraham runs in to The Born (those Vampire SWAT guys) and the Ancients and from what I heard it seems like the Master is a rogue Ancient. I like that there are different factions of the Vampires but I doubt these Ancients are the good guys, they probably have their own plans that Abraham, Eph and the rest will have to deal with when the time comes. As for the rest of the villains we didn't see much of Eichorst which is a shame but he did turn the blind kids into Vampires and Kelly into one like him that keeps their mind. Now obviously this is to hurt Eph but I wonder if Kelly will try to fight it or just be plan evil now?

As for the good guys I was actually surprised they stayed in NY because I thought the finale of Season One was them leaving it but no they just went to the Bronx lol. Now I guess it did kind of slow done a bit when focused on the human characters but not for long and I did enjoy the interactions such as Eph and Nora discussing a cure or vaccine and between Fet and Abraham. However some was a bit awkward like Eph talking to his son Zach about Kelly because I thought the kid already understood his mom was lost but we have to go through this angry denial and I can't say I really like the new casting either. I am also not sure how I feels about Palmer's new relationship with Coco; it seemed a bit out of place and she is probably there to make Palmer feel regret about his actions in the future but we'll see since it could be good. Finally I am pleased that the action and gore is back like the gruesome scene where the Ancients fed on that poor guy or action heavy fight at he storage lockers. As with Season One a highlight with The Strain is it's awesome actions scenes with guns and swords and I would have been disappointed if the gore wasn't as high as this or wouldn't have been able to take it seriously.

Overall a strong start to Season Two, it had a few problems with it's pace and human drama but those are small.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Origins of the Master and the Ancients
                   Awesome action scenes (storage lockers) and gruesome moments
                   Some great interactions between the characters however....

Let - Downs: ......some where a bit off like with Eph and his kid
                      Pacing could have been tweaked a bit

Falling Skies Season Five: Reunion

Tom acquires a powerful new weapon for the final fight however an unexpected visitor turns up and Pope launches his attack on the 2nd Mass.

Can't believe that next week will be the finale of the entire Falling Skies series but no time for that now since I have to review this episode. First off the main plot point was the return of Lexi and I was both glad and disappointed; glad because I have always liked the character I just found the storyline in Season Four in Chinatown they gave her to be boring, disappointed because it is a bit of a repeat of the Marhsall Clone episode and it was obvious from the start she was a clone. However I did like the conflict she created by toying with the emotions of the Mason family like Anne and Tom but Matt was really good in it. Him dealing with the decision of bringing her back and justifying it to Hal made for some great scenes; I don't know about anyone else but I just get annoyed with Hal lately and want to punch him right in his smug damn face. All in all her return was handled really well, giving doubts to the 2nd Mass so close to the endgame and wanting you to wish it really was the real Lexi. The next big plot point was with the Dorina and while I am glad to know more about them and see them properly I find their magic bullet to be dues ex machina. I would have preferred the humans to think of their own plan to win rather than rely on an alien weapon that suddenly appeared but I did at least like the testing scenes with Marty and Anne.

As for everything else I did kind of like Pope's attack (good gunfight) on the 2nd Mass but it just felt so lacklustre in the end; it was over so quickly that I'm sure the 2nd Mass just treated it as a five minute inconvenience. Now this could either be because Pope actually survived the explosion and the writers have plans for him next week or they just didn't know what to do with him in the end. I hope it is the first one because this is POPE he just can't go out like this but I hope if he does come back it is for redemption. I will say again I would much prefer him surviving until the end fighting with the 2nd Mass than dying as a villain. Finally there is Ben's determination to get more intel on the Espheni which gives his character something better to do than cry over Maggie, it was like he was back to his old self where he was so important to the plot. The episode ended with an awesome shot of the flying Skitters attacking which should mean the finale will open up with a cool battle.

Overall a really good episode just before the finale, I am not going to put Pope's death in the Let - Downs because I'll save it for the finale if it is confirmed. Still finding out where the Queen is and Tom talking to the other Militia does get me excited for the final battle.

SCORE: 7/10

Highlights: The conflict Lexi Clone created with the Masons
                   Matt and Ben where real standouts
                   The action scene between Pope's gang and the 2nd Mass

Let - Downs: The magic bullet just arriving now to solve everything
                      Another clone so soon after the last one.
                      That was it for Pope's big attack?

The Arkham Knight Character: My Thoughts (SPOILERS)

Thought I'd do something different and that is giving my thoughts and opinions on the infamous Arkham Knight character that was the in latest Batman game of the same name. This might seems that it is coming a bit but I was late getting the game any way because I went on holiday not long after it's release and I decided to get The Witcher 3 first before I went anyway. Plus the good thing about this is that by now everyone has played the game and probably don't care about spoilers much.

For those who don't know the Arkham Knight was the secondary antagonist in the latest Batman Arkham game; he wore a his own version of the Batman suit, was equal to him in skill and controlled the military that took over Gotham for Scarecrow. His identity was one of the biggest attraction of the game for many Batman fans (including myself) because of his unique design and that Rocksteady promising it was a original character for the game series. So imagine my disappointment when the man behind the mask turned out to be Jason Todd, the second Robin who wanted revenge on Batman.

Now for those who don't know who Jason Todd is he was the second Robin to work for Batman but was really violent, insolent and disagreed with Batman's views many times. He was kidnapped by the Joker and beaten almost to death with a crowbar before being blown up along with his mother. However he was indirectly resurrected by Superboy Prime and taken in for a while by the League of Assassins and even bathed in the Lazarus Pit. He then became the violent vigilante known as the Red Hood who returned to Gotham to get his revenge on Batman.

You know I thought the Arkham Knight was so freaking awesome when I got the game and I still do don't get me wrong; he was badass, his suit was such a great design and he was a match for Batman. I had so many theories to his identity (will list them) before the game's release and while I was playing it and to find out it was Jason Todd was so lacklustre and kind of lazy. It is almost the same story line as in Under the Hood where Jason, thought to be dead, comes back as a new persona in Gotham except that instead of becoming the Red Hood he becomes the Arkham Knight. What is annoying however is that Jason still becomes the Red Hood anyway at the end when part of the Arkham Knight suit is ripped off and it looks like the same Red Hood mask. What was also pretty annoying was that it wasn't even much of a surprise because halfway through the game Batman hallucinates seeing Jason tortured by the Joker and I thought after seeing something like that Jason just had to be the Arkham Knight. Why else would they have shown those flashbacks because if they wanted the Arkham Knight to be someone else then by that point in the game they would have gave hints of that someone but no they flat out tell you it's Jason. In the end Rocksteady decided to play it safe and just repeat a storyline used in the comics when the true identity of the Arkham Knight could have been lots of other Batman characters.

Here is a list of characters I think would have been better for the Arkham Knight, most of these where my theories before the game's release:

Damien Wayne: The son of Bruce with Talia, Damien could have become the Arkham Knight as revenge against Bruce and to prove he is a worth successor to Batman, which is why his suit is similar.

Thomas Wayne Junior/Owlman: Since this character s so well known in the comics and not featured as much as other villains I thought they could have change as much as the want about him without spoiling the character.

Thomas Wayne Senior: Was featured a lot in the commercials so I thought it could be possible he was still alive in the games. It could have been similar to Flashpoint where he was Batman but had no problem killing criminals.

James Gordon Junior: Because Gordon and Barbara where heavily involved in the plot like tricking Batman into thinking Barbara committed suicide and Gordon turning against you I thought it might have been someone close to them. James Gordon Junior his a psychopathic killer who does torment his family in the comics and while he has never been portrayed as a fighter who can stand up to Batman they could have changed it a bit for the game.

Hush: A side quest in Arkham reveals that Hush performs surgery on his face to make him look exactly like Bruce Wayne so he can ruin him so why not be his own version of the Batman while he is at it? But no they just gave him a silly five minute side quest in the game which was a shame.

Clayface: We never did get to find out if Clayface survived his fall into the Lazarus Pit or if it changed him in the end. He could have become the Arkham Knight to get revenge on Batman for his defeat in the last game.

Jean - Paul Valley/Azrael: This character actually was Batman at some point in the comics but was a lot more violent than Bruce. Like Hush I thought Azrael would be featured in the main storyline of the game instead of just being a side mission.

There you have it just a little rant about the Arkham Knight character.

Bleach Review: BABY, HOLD YOUR HAND 2

Not a very pretty Bankai

Though Pernida has taken some serious damage it refuses to give up the fight so Mayuri reveals a new ability of his Bankai

Back with a Bleach review and before I start I want to say I did manage to read the two chapters on holiday and finding out that Pernida was the Left Arm of the Soul King was a big WTF moments. It has also been a really awesome fight so far with Mayuri (my favourite Captain) kicking some serious ass! On with this chapter it just continues the fight but with some surprising twists with the most obvious one being a new form to Mayuri's Bankai; Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo: Makai Fukuin Shotai. Having a modified Bankai that can adapt to the enemy does sound OP but it is so typical of Mayuri and the new Jizo bursting through the fat thing's stomach was really disgusting lol. As for Pernida that thing just refuses to go down and even have some disgusting shots as well such as pulling off it's own fingers to make new fingers and hands (I don't know how the anime is going to adapt this with it's censoring lol). We also get some more back story on the hands and a shot of a younger Mayuri studying up on the Soul King's arms which was interesting. All in all the chapters feels short but that is typical of ones that just involves fighting and I don't think this is it for Pernida which Nemu seems to agree with, with her stare at the end.

Bleach has made an Alien reference!

Overall another great addition to the Mayrui vs. Pernida fight and probably one of my favourites this arc. What I really like about this fight is how Mayuri is taking a more active role in the fighting like he did with Uryu.

SCORE: 9/10

Highlights: Mayuri's modified Bankai
                   The awesome fight
                   Some great disgusting shots with Mayuri's Banaki and Perndia

Let - Downs: Felt short

Falling Skies Season Five: Stalag 14th Virginia

While Tom and his family await their execution Weaver tries to get the soldiers of 14th Virginia to turn sides and finds a shocking secret about Marshall.

I got to say that this two part arc has been really good, it may be late in the season to still be fighting humans in my opinion but still very enjoyable. First off Tom was great in this episode and proved why he is a leader by turning quite a few of the soldiers to his side, such as the guard and when Weaver showed his speech to the others. Speaking of Weaver he is another reason I really liked this arc because it has mainly been focused on him and how he has been this unstoppable force like chocking the Overload and taking out the Marshall Clone. Plus he also had a sad moment at the end, realizing that his old flame has been dead for a while and watching Marshall Clone die. I did like the twist that it was a clone; while the reveal that Marshall was working with an Overlord was obvious from the start the fact she was a clone was a surprise and not a far fetched one because the Overlords have been working with Human DNA for ages now. Despite liking this arc I am really glad the two forces are now marching on DC because the final battle is what I really want to see and it looks like we might see something new with the reveal of a "Higher Being" the Overlords are bowing down to.

As for everything else while Weaver was a badass for taking out the Overlord that did seem a bit too easy and I kind of wanted it to have a larger role. Then there is the scene at the end with Pope watching over a death match and finding out that Tom is still alive and while I am glad to see Pope again I am a bit disappointed. I mean really, this is what Pope has become now for the final season of Falling Skies? I don't know about anyone else but I really would have preferred seeing him staying with the 2nd Mass and marching to DC too. Again the fault in this lies with Tom for allowing Sara to die but what annoys me a lot is that Tom now seems to be back to his old self, the one that wouldn't have made Pope an enemy. We could probably expect some big battle between Pope's group and the 2nd Mass that should be fun to watch but I am still hoping Pope and Tom may ally once again. This is because I am sure a main character might die in the finale but out of all of them it really should not be Pope because he is the best character and has developed the most. Yet the writers are turning him into the villain who will most likely die, it is like they have thrown everything he has been through right out the window.

Overall a great conclusion to this arc and makes me look forward to the events of the last two episodes.

SCORE: 8/10

Highlights: Tom proving why he is a leader
                   Weaver was great once again
                   The reveal of Marshall being a clone

Let - Downs: The Overlord was killed off too soon
                       Pope still after Tom     

Falling Skies Season Five: Episodes Six and Seven (Quick Reviews)

I recently came back from holiday, which is why I haven't posted lately, but I am back now with my reviews. I just thought I'd really quickly review the two Falling Skies episodes that I missed but managed to watch on catch up, I'm just listing their Highlights and Let Downs.

Episode Six "Respite"

Highlights

• I admit it was actually nice to see Tom interact with this family who have not involved themselves with the war and we had some good moments such as when Tom broke down crying at the dinner table or returning to his old self for a while.
• Glad that Marty wasn't just forgotten and managed to advance the plot by finding the communications device and it was funny that Weaver is a bit uncomfortable with him.
• Always good to see Cochise involved when he can and I liked how he offered to remove Maggie's spikes when Anne refused (because she was just wrong to).

Let - Downs

• No Pope!!
• While the scenes with Tom and the family where nice to watch there is no denying that it was just filler because in the end it didn't really contribute to the story overall; Tom was just there and he left with nothing changed. Plus I find it so unlikely that land wasn't touched for three years by aliens or bandits and that the children where kept in the dark for so long.
• I can't believe that Isabella is now being thrown in to the stupid love triangle; I have said it before but I am just sick of it now.
• And continuing on with the love triangle Ben's "I love you" confession to Maggie was just so pathetic when I heard it. He was the most interesting of the Mason children in the previous seasons but now he is ruined slightly by the damn live triangle.

Overall it was a nice watch but it was mostly just filler, a small distraction for the group on their way to DC.

SCORE: 5/10


Episode Seven "Everybody Has Their Reasons"

Highlights

• By far my favourite parts of the episode was Dingaan and Cochise working together on the communications device. This was such a great team up for two characters that defiantly deserve more screen time.
• Weaver actually had some great personal conflict to overcome when the person accusing Tom and the 2nd Mass was someone from his past.
• Tom was great in this episode when he defied the whole court marshal and brought up some good points on how it is a waste of time for humans to fight each other,
• It was a nice surprise to see the human collaborators brought up again when I thought they where just going to be a one off thing for Season Four.

Let - Downs

• No Pope!! (Not going to mark it down for this thought because they are obviously now saving him for the right moment)
• If I'm honest I am a little disappointed that Marshall is being controlled by the Overlord (saw that coming a mile away) and that all the military people are jerks (like the prick who tortured Ben). I wouldn't have minded if the military where actually some honest soldiers who just join the 2nd Mass straight away and continue the march. I am saying this because we have already had something similar in Charleston in Season Two where it turned out the military there wasn't fighting and then turned on 2nd Mass.
• I am not looking forward to this Maggie and Isabella team up because there are probably going to get on each other's cases about Hal.

Overall a lot better than the previous one because we had some great moments and more focus on characters like Weaver, Dingaan and Cochise.

SCORE: 8/10

Thought I'd mention that I am going to be really busy now so I probably won't review Agent Carter now and just review the season as a whole when I finish watching it.