“Come at the king, you best not miss.” – Omar

“Lessons” is a solid character-driven episode. It is, perhaps, a bit more difficult to watch than most installments from The Wire because it features a number of scenes which, while important for the series, really ramp up the conflict. Fortunately, these moments are balanced with one of the few real “action” sequences we’ve seen thus far, as well as a surprising revelation about one of the characters. All told, despite any bumps along the way, the episode once again demonstrates why The Wire is an exceptionally thoughtful and purposeful series.

(more…)

Topics: Crime, Myster, TV Reviews
Filed under: The Wire - Season 1 | No Comments »

You have to give a film like Primer a lot of credit for being a both intelligent and innovative on a threadbare production budget. And any story which chooses not to “dumb down” its content for viewers – instead challenging them to struggle with its complexities – is likewise praiseworthy. But ultimately, the problems with Primer have less to do with its realistic (and thoroughly complex) take on time travel, and more to do with its lack of focus on character and theme. True, it does present characters whose ethics are undermined by the sudden, unexpected power to travel through time. But considering this: Most of the discussions about the film center on unraveling its labyrinthine plot structure than on the morality of their efforts.

In other words, it’s essentially an empty box. Once you figure out how to get inside, there’s little to see or do but wait for enough time to pass so you can get out.

(more…)

Topics: Film Review, Sci-Fi
Filed under: Film | No Comments »

Pedestrian.

Ultimately, “Night of Desirable Objects” is an anti-climactic, relatively unimaginative follow-up to the decidedly successful Season Two premier of Fringe. Instead of building on the momentum of Olivia’s experiences, of the deadly web of conspiracies and marshalling forces of darkness, Fringe essentially reverts to its early Season One form of giving audiences a “monster of the week” plot, with only incidental attention paid to the bigger picture of the series. I suppose the decision itself wouldn’t have been so problematic had the “monster” been something of particular interest. But after nine seasons of The X-Files and one full season of Fringe, watching this particular plot feels a bit like being buried alive.

(more…)

Topics: Mystery, Sci-Fi, TV Reviews
Filed under: Fringe | No Comments »

Flash Forward is the much ballyhooed new series which ABC hopes will fill the void left by the imminent resolution to its other much ballyhooed series, Lost. If expectations were high, the production values were even higher, resulting in a premiere episode, titled “No More Good Days,” that is simply gorgeous in its presentation (less-than-perfect visual effects notwithstanding). The show combines a post-apocalyptic sci-fi flavor with a cryptic mystery and heavy dose of the conflict between fate and free will. And yet, the opening salvo is almost entirely overwrought, burdened by high expectations and high concepts.  The characters don’t jump off the screen, the story isn’t especially compelling, and the final product is middling-at-best – or would be, if the production wasn’t so darned exquisite.

(more…)

Topics: Mystery, Sci-Fi, TV Reviews
Filed under: Flash Forward | 3 Comments »

Over the course of the past couple of days, I’ve invested a bit of time in modifying and reorganizing the navigation links on the site.  My primary objective was to simplify the overall look and make navigation a bit more intuitive here at Dauntlessmedia.net.  To that end, I’ve tried to reduce how “busy” the site looks by removing a number of links on the main article pages.  I’ve also moved some of the navigation tabs below the banner, in the hopes that their new position will make them more noticeable for readers.

(more…)

Filed under: Site News | No Comments »

Smashing.

The second season of Fringe kicks off in typical Fringe-fashion with a bizarre plot-twist and a thoroughly baffling mystery (at least to the characters) that must be solved. But its strengths rest with the character-driven focus of the narrative. What’s immediately noticeable, though, is that the series is much more comfortable and at ease at letting its freak flag fly. There’s no longer any attempt at a technobabble explanation for the “fringe” science at work. Instead, the episode focuses more on how the characters act, and react, to the bizarre occurrences – a trait that, if continued, bodes well for the second season.

(more…)

Topics: Mystery, Sci-Fi, TV Reviews
Filed under: Fringe | 1 Comment »

“Its not your fault that things are the way they are”

“Everybody tells themselves that. And nothing ever changes.”

With all of the setup and thematic work in place, “Past Tense, Part II” is free to focus on the more intimate character interrelationships – allowing the real moral value of this two-part tale to be told through example, rather than through strict moralizing. In fact, the more focused character moments produce a heightened tension that makes this installment a much better vehicle for thematic work than its predecessor. Really, the only errors in the entire production come from the silly subplot involving O’Brien and Kira as the search for their missing comrades.

[[Show as slideshow]]

The episode begins at the outset of the William Bell riots – the watershed event of the 21st century. Sisko, now masquerading as Bell, has become history’s safeguard. His actions will determine the “success” of the tragic events, and ensure that his own future will be there waiting for him when all is said and done. Much like Part I, the time-travel elements are best taken with a very large grain of salt. It’s best not to think too much about the plausibility and, simply, allow the episode’s more prominent character explorations to make their impressions (though, admittedly, if viewers do find the time-travel nonsense a bit too, well, nonsensical, it’d be difficult to dispute the point).

In any event, this episode hinges as much on its minor characters as it does on our familiar heroes. Without question, the performance from Sisko is compelling. But even more importantly, the depictions we get of the hostages, the rioters, and the idealists are critical. It’s these finer points to the story that carry the most weight. In particular, the character of Webb – an idealist who just wants his voice to be heard – becomes the de facto heart of the story. It really is his message – that truth is more powerful than violence, that honest work is more beneficial than free handouts, that opportunity is more important than entitlement – that really makes this episode exceptional. And the minor touches, of being a family man and saying good-bye to his son, make the final outcome all the more poignant.

Of course, in true Trek fashion, everything works out as it should. But here, the journey becomes far more important than the destination. As such, Bashir’s bedside manner for infirmed hostages takes on a greater sense of clarity – that helping those in need, regardless of the circumstances , is what defines nobility of character. Sisko’s advocacy for the hostages themselves is a demonstration that the ends do not justify the means. And Webb’s insistence in being allowed a voices reveals the power of truth as an agent of change.

As for criticisms, the whole Kira-O’Brien angle of watching the pair travel through time to end up in oddly embarrassing moments of Earth history just seems out of place. I’m certain it was meant to provide a comedic counterbalance to the more intense main story, but it only serves to pull the audience out of the episode. At the same time, Dax has seemingly little to do, other than convince a media mogul to allow the rioters a venue to express their discontent. In concept, it’s a fine idea. But in reality, her character just doesn’t resonate within the episode.

“Past Tense, Part II” benefits from a much more streamlined and focused story, as well as a bigger emphasis on character. It’s through the character actions – Sisko’s insistence on hostage safety, Vin’s acceptance of Sisko’s message, BC’s more nuanced presentation, and Bashir’s concern for the humanity in us all – that allows the moralizing of the episode to really shine. It’s a case of *showing * rather than simply “telling” the audience the right thing to do.

Filed under: Dauntlessmedia | Comments Off

“A man must have a code.” – Bunk

“One Arrest” is an episode about honor – or, at the very least, a code of conduct. Everyone in this episode has some ethical code by which he (or she) operates. For some, it’s merely self-preservation. For others, it’s revenge. Most prominently, however, the codes seem to strive for a measure of fairness, despite the brutal realities that cops and criminals both must face. In many respects, it boils down to a question of loyalties – to whom to give those loyalties … and when it is acceptable to break them.

(more…)

Topics: Crime, Mystery, TV Reviews
Filed under: The Wire - Season 1 | No Comments »

“If something disastrous happens … if we are frightened enough, or desperate enough, how would we react? Would we stay true to our ideals?” – Doctor Bashir

“Past Tense, Part I” presents a fascinating and thoroughly engaging look at social and moral decay in a society that is too frightened to do anything truly constructive. The fact that its focus is Earth, and an Earth of our not-too-distant future makes its central narrative much more immediate and compelling. For the most part, this is a philosophical “talky” installment – much more at ease providing social commentary through dialogue, than providing action or suspense. And while some of the episode’s messages are a bit too blatantly on display, it is, nonetheless, a worthy attempt at exploring issues which are just as relevant in the 21st century as they were when the episode was aired.

[[Show as slideshow]]

Unfortunately, the weakest element to the episode is its primary conceit: Sisko, Bashir and Dax, on a routine mission back home to San Francisco are, somehow, beamed back in time. The technobabble explanations for what has taken place are just too obscure and bizarre to hold any real relevancy. As a result, it’s quite possible that the episode could lose viewers right from the outset. Put simply, the story requires suspense of disbelief on a rather large scale. However, if you can get past the explanations and accept what has happened on face value, then the experiences of Sisko and Bashir are gripping and wrenching.

Put simply, Bashir, Dax and Sisko arrive in the 21st century during a time of great social injustice. The less fortunate denizens of San Francisco, like many major American cities at the time, were caged in “Sanctuaries” – which amounted to walled off slums of the city which housed anyone without a job or place to live. The overcrowding and the lack of sufficient food and medical care are, certainly, meant to be shocking. But more prescient is Bashir’s comment about humanity in general, asking, “If something disastrous happens … if we are frightened enough, or desperate enough, how would we react? Would we stay true to our ideals?” Considering the direction the United States took after September 11, 2001, the question is certainly an apt one.

The commentary doesn’t end there, either. Consider the current US debate about health care – about whether or not the more well-to-do members of US society ought to help provide for a national health care system. The episode clearly makes the argument that a society that neglects its own is in desperate need of help. And it is this discussion of how a society can come to such an abyss that makes this installment particularly worthy.

The drawbacks, however, are clear. First, because the episode spends so much time talking about social issues, the pace slows to a crawl. What little plot there is becomes lost in the dialogue between Sisko and Bashir. Secondly, the attention given to the commentary seems to come at the cost of the plot itself. Sisko mentions an impending riot which will herald great social change – but when he identifies one of the more noble participants in the riot, it’s not too difficult to predict that Sisko and Bashir will soon cross paths with this historical luminary.

And, of course, once this historical figure is killed trying to protect Sisko and Bashir, it’s not too difficult to predict that Sisko himself will assume the identity of the fallen man, so that history may be preserved. It just isn’t a particularly strong plot around which to build a strong, socially-aware story. And the subplot involving O’Brien, Kira and Odo on the Defiant is likewise a lost cause, buried in an overwhelming avalanche of technobabble explanations and contrivances.

“Past Tense, Part I” is a fantastic story for its social and philosophical commentary. One wishes, though, that the vehicle that conveyed the commentary was a bit more finely tuned. Between the obscure time-travel conceit and the weak plot, there isn’t much to keep the episode moving forward. In the end, this is a classic episode, well-worth watching. But it’s far from perfection. Give it credit, though, for its prescient notions of a huge economic collapse, severe problems with health care, and a society far more intent on protect its well-to-do citizenry, than providing assistance to those who have fallen upon hard times.

Filed under: Dauntlessmedia | Comments Off

“… and all the pieces matter” – Freamon

“The Wire” is an episode about consequences. Indeed, it’s an episode that Sir Isaac Newton himself (he of the “equal and opposite reaction” law) would have found decidedly compelling. Everything that happens in this episode is a direct result of prior events and, just as importantly, the developments of the episode set up significant consequences of their own. All told, this is a thoroughly compelling installment, portraying a level of realism and insight which isn’t often seen in television.

(more…)

Topics: Crime, Mystery, TV Reviews
Filed under: The Wire - Season 1 | No Comments »

“See if I care!”

Chief O’Brien’s exasperated exclamation is, perhaps, the best way to summarize what has to be one of the most misguided and thoroughly excruciating episodes of the entire DS9 run. When compiling any list of “worst DS9 episode ever,” “Fascination” would have to be part of the conversation. In a way, it’s a bit of a shame. It starts off strongly with some compelling character moments. But with the arrival of the notoriously toxic character of Lwaxana Troi, the episode goes south in a hurry. This time, not only does she infect the story with hokey, embarrassing and pathetic infatuation, she manages to infect just about every major character as well, resulting in an episode that is mess of catastrophic proportions.

[[Show as slideshow]]

We begin with Jake brooding in his quarters over the loss of Marta, who has left the station to study at a far away university. Sisko joins Jake and provides a nice little pep talk. From here we switch gears to O’Brien and Bashir discussing the imminent return of Keiko to the station. Clearly the separation has put a strain on Miles – not to mention the good doctor’s elbow from all of the racquetball matches they have played in Keiko’s absence. The scene is nicely handled, and provides solid continuity between the two characters. Finally, we see Odo making a fairly awkward, subtle, but rather sincere attempt to catch Kira’s attention. The scene works because it allows the undercurrent of emotion to carry the day, rather than using outright expressions. Sadly, that is the last decent scene in the episode.

What happens next is the arrival of Lwaxana – whose arrival is heralded by Molly vomiting on Miles after Lwaxana gave too much candy to the girl on the shuttle trip from Bajor. And that isn’t even the worst scene in the episode.

In typical Trek fashion, it turns out that Lwaxana has some Betazoid virus that causes her to project her amorous feelings toward Odo onto just about every one of the major characters, causing them to suddenly feel, and act, like Lwaxana – in other words, hounding their intended targets, groping them, professing their undying love for them … and all manner of melodrama that would not even be approached by daytime soap. I suppose the episode was going for humor here, but the problem is that the amorous overtures are so incredibly painful to watch, they simply become embarrassing for the characters.

If you’re the sort to keep score:

• Vedek Bareil loves Jadzia
• Jadzia loves Sisko
• Jake loves Kira
• Kira and Bashir love each other
• Quark loves Keiko

Even worse is the O’Brien plotline which is meant to provide the one story grounded in reality. And yet, its machinations are just as bad as the sudsy nonsense from everyone else. Both Keiko and Miles act like little children, yelling and sniping and huffing at one another. They ultimately mend the fences, but by then it’s too late to mend the episode itself which becomes, in effect, a grueling marathon of Lwaxana-esque madness.

“Fascination” gets credit for its opening scenes (until Lwaxana arrives) and for the backdrop of the Bajoran Gratitude Festival, which is the only “fascinating” element to the entire production. Everything else is, simply, a waste of time. I get the whole “latent attraction” thing but, as Bashir himself says at the end, “best not think about it too much.” Which, along with O’Brien’s quote, is a good way of remembering the episode as a whole.

Filed under: Dauntlessmedia | Comments Off

“… a little slow, a little late.” – Avon Barksdale

“The Pager” continues the immersive viewing experience of The Wire. There are two main elements to this installment: a commentary on the importance of connections between people, especially family, and the tangible cloak-and-dagger intrigue of everyone involved in the story. This particular episode isn’t quite as strong as some earlier ones, but once again, it features strong character moments and enough complexity to be a highly valuable viewing experience. Put simply, it’s difficult to not be drawn into to the story and characters because they are portrayed with such honest realism – there are no cookie-cutter caricatures here. And this episode not only reinforces that element of the series … it continues to develop it.

(more…)

Topics: Crime, Mystery, TV Reviews
Filed under: The Wire - Season 1 | No Comments »

There are those few tales which have the ability to transcend the stories with which they are told. The Shawshank Redemption is one of those tales. It’s a movie whose humanity is far more important than the particulars of plot or setting. Or even of the specific characters. And yet, the film does an exemplary job of making use of its plot, setting and, particular, its characters. What makes it special, however, is how well the film speaks to emotions and thoughts – of real human nature. It’s a tale that has almost universal application because it is about *us* — about our decisions, our triumphs … it’s about regrets … and, most importantly, about hope.

(more…)

Topics: Film Review
Filed under: Film | 1 Comment »

“Defiant” is an example of a series indulging in more than a little bit of self-gratification. Sure it’s a lot of fun, with plenty of action and intrigue. But the episode’s plot is almost entirely implausible and, despite its obvious connection to TNG, it is simply unable to generate anything remotely close to legitimate drama. The result is an episode that can easily become a fan favorite, but is, simply, “out of character” for a series that so often pays very close attention to nuance and subtlety with respect to character and plot. Because, let’s face it, there’s nothing subtle about this episode.

[[Show as slideshow]]

The sudden appearance of Will Riker on board DS9 is certainly a cause for celebration – or, at the very least, a cause for being much more attentive to the story. Riker quickly ingratiates himself with both Sisko and Kira, but fumbles his remembrance of Dax and, even more strangely, jumps down O’Brien’s throat by saying, “I have nothing to say to you, O’Brien. I think you know why.” Of course, not even avid TNG fans would know why Riker would say something like that. And, soon enough, Riker reveals himself to be Tom Riker, the duplicate Riker discovered in the TNG episode, “Second Chances.”

It certainly is commendable that DS9 would return to this character who was thoroughly ignored after his introduction in TNG. But the manner in which Tom Riker makes his return is pure fabricated contrivance. The motivation, that he is trying to distinguish himself from his more prominent “twin” just isn’t enough to justify his role as a Maquis, nor his intention to steal the Defiant and use it to invade (invade?!) Cardassia. Oh, sure, we can suspend our disbelief long enough to enjoy the trumped up suspense and action (which, without question, are entertaining). But this is the kind of silly, nonsensical plot from which DS9 so often strove to separate itself.

On the plus side, the theft of the Defiant allows for some interesting scenes between Sisko and Gul Dukat. Indeed, this is where the episode manages its most successful moment: Dukat’s lamentation that the events have caused him to miss his son’s eleventh birthday and, more importantly, that his son will look back on the day and feel anger toward the Federation for causing the absence of his father – a prospect that is regrettable to Dukat. It’s a fantastic commentary on the nature of “enemies” and how prejudice can color how we interpret events.

Aside from that, though, there’s little substance to the story. Instead, we’re filled with plenty of procedural scenes on how Sisko helps Dukat and the Cardassians hunt down the Defiant and how the Obsidian Order desperately tries to keep a secret hidden. It makes for some fun moments on screen, especially the brief exchange of fire between the Defiant and the Cardassian warships and, of course, viewers will have every right to enjoy the experience.

But that doesn’t make this a particular good episode, either. Part of the problem is that, we know, all along, that the Defiant will be returned to DS9 without being captured. And, too, Riker’s posturing never really connects because his motivations are so questionably flimsy to begin with. To top it all off, Sisko simply bargains away Riker’s life, allowing Dukat to cart the lesser-Riker away to a prison camp in exchange for the Defiant and a few Maquis outlaws.

So much for loyalty.

“Defiant” is certainly an episode which will find many loyal viewers. But its popularity should not be mistaken for quality – particularly in terms of depth of story and character development. On those levels, this episode is below DS9’s standards.

Filed under: Dauntlessmedia | Comments Off

“It’s a thin line ‘tween heaven and here.” – Bubbles

As the title implies, “Old Cases” is an episode about the past – about how it informs and influences the present and the future. This installment is, perhaps, not quite as solid as its predecessors, but it’s still effective and features a richly layered story. The key to the episode is an old murder file which gets dropped on McNulty’s desk. It just so happens to be linked to his current assignment, but more important to the episode and the characters are the actions and investigations surrounding the file.

(more…)

Topics: Crime, Mystery, TV Reviews
Filed under: The Wire - Season 1 | No Comments »