NCIS Los Angeles Review: “Citadel”

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Here’s my review of NCIS Los Angeles season seven episode “Citadel.” Please note that this isn’t a recap of what happens. I’m assuming that you’ve already seen the episode. There are spoilers in this review.

I was not disappointed with the second episode of this season. While “Citadel” could have been improved by continuing the character drama from last week’s “Active Measures,” it was still an interesting hour of television. It had a good balance of action and quiet moments. And focusing on Talia, a familiar semi-recurring character, made the story stronger.

Vicious Review: “Wedding”

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Here’s my review of Vicious season two finale “Wedding.” Please note that this isn’t a recap of what happens. I’m assuming that you’ve already seen the episode. There are spoilers in this review.

I can’t think of a better way to end this wacky season of Vicious than how they did it in “Wedding.” We had an abundance of classic sitcom tropes, a lot of funny lines, and even a few well-deserved heartfelt moments. There was nothing particularly surprising in the plot, nothing that broke the mold or stepped out of the box. Usually I would say that’s not a good thing, but this time I think it’s perfectly fine.

Thoughts on Writing: Point of View

Have you ever looked at an object through different lenses? Let’s say you look at the blue sky while wearing red-tinted glasses. The sky is going to look purplish. Let’s say you look at a while wall with goggles that are splattered with mud. The wall you see is going to look dirty too. And let’s say you tie a thin, sheer piece of fabric over your eyes and then try to walk down a staircase. You’re not going to see much of anything then. And actually you might trip and fall down the stairs with your impaired vision. (Don’t try this at home, kids!)

So what I’m trying to say is that your viewpoint is important and it can change depending on how you look at something. When you are writing something, point of view is definitely something to consider. Should you tell this story through the eyes of your character or from an outside perspective? Choosing the right point of view can make your writing more effective.

So let’s talk a bit about the different point of views to choose from, what situations to use each one in, and then hear some other perspectives on the topic from other writers as well.

NCIS Los Angeles Review: “Active Measures”

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Here’s my review of NCIS Los Angeles season seven premiere episode “Active Measures.” Please note that this isn’t a recap of what happens. I’m assuming that you’ve already seen the episode. There are spoilers in this review.

This episode was an excellent start to season seven. Since we didn’t end on a huge cliff-hanger, “Active Measures” gave the audience a little time to breathe before starting on a new story. There was mystery. There was action. But there was no race against the clock to stop terrorists from blowing things up, so it was a welcome change of pace. And on top of all that, it planted the seeds for more storylines to come, which is what any good season premiere should do.

Vicious Review: “Flatmates”

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Here’s my review of Vicious season two episode “Flatmates.” Please note that this isn’t a recap of what happens. I’m assuming that you’ve already seen the episode. There are spoilers in this review.

After really enjoying the previous episode, I was a bit disappointed in “Flatmates.” I can’t quite put my finger on why. I’d like to say it was the lack of Penelope because she brings out the most laughs from me, but I suspect even if she was there, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it. Perhaps the problem lies in not exploring the full potential of shaking up our core dynamics.

Vicious Review: “Stag Do”

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Here’s my review of Vicious season two episode “Stag Do.” Please note that this isn’t a recap of what happens. I’m assuming that you’ve already seen the episode. There are spoilers in this review.

Like usual, the plot of this week’s episode, “Stag Do,” was simple. The whole thing revolved around wedding planning and Ash throwing a party for Freddie and Stuart to celebrate their engagement. Of course, tensions get high, tempers flare, and not everything goes according to plan. But in the process, the whole thing is an entertaining and hilarious half hour. So I wanted to spend this review examining the humor and why it was so effective in this episode.

Vicious Review: “Ballroom”

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Here’s my review of Vicious season two episode “Ballroom.” Please note that this isn’t a recap of what happens. I’m assuming that you’ve already seen the episode. There are spoilers in this review.

The thing I always find fascinating about Vicious is the relationship between Freddie and Stuart. They’re absolutely horrible to each other, hence the name “Vicious” for the show. But underneath all that rudeness, they genuinely like one another. I tune in to each episode because I want to better understand this relationship. I’m not quite sure they will ever truly explain it enough to satisfy me, but I still enjoy watching it for the little moments of tenderness wedged between the onslaught of insults. “Ballroom” marked an important step forward for both of them and it made this one of the best episodes of the season so far.

Vicious Review: “Gym”

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Here’s my review of Vicious season two episode “Gym.” Please note that this isn’t a recap of what happens. I’m assuming that you’ve already seen the episode. There are spoilers in this review.

The second episode of the second season was fun but it didn’t quite reach its full potential. Unlike last week’s “Sister” which had a solid and clear plot, “Gym” felt a bit scattered and separated. Perhaps it was a bit like a half-cooked soufflé. The episode ended before we got any real substance out of it.