Clamorous Night - Reviewed 4/21/2018
I will preface this by stating this episode was very much highly anticipated since originally 18 was to be the last of the season. I've been tracking ratings data, afraid it will be yet another casualty of inaccurate ratings' reporting since Nielsen does NOT count our streaming service viewings in their numbers reporting to networks, anxious to find out if they'll renew on of my favorite shows for another season. The jury is still out on whether or not adding four more episodes bodes well for the show, or was a last ditch effort by the creator/writers to push enough content to bump ratings up. Only time will tell...
The first frame captures you by focusing on Jane's eyes, then panning back to show the full frame. The director did a superb job structuring the scenes for what would otherwise be a fairly clunky episode, where the story elected for character development as opposed to action.
The script took a bold move, allowing the audience to experience each character's varying perspectives. I was a bit miffed with the idea that Jane would be the only one who didn't stave off her attackers, however she was double-teamed and electrocuted from behind, so she gets a pass. True to character, she takes some time to evaluate the situation and talk to Roman before deciding on her plan of attack. One of the things we love the most about her is her ability to find her way out of any seemingly impossible situation.
I'm not sure what Rich's ulterior motive is for trying to interfere in each of their lives at this moment in time, but it seems he has a larger scheme in mind. Reed's time with Milicent is equal parts awkward and uncomfortable, which is by design. Tasha's speech at the memorial was heartfelt and emotional. The new insight into her character was a nice arc. Patterson's date was horribly awkward and disastrous. I think we all are relieved she quickly discovered they are not a good fit and called it quits. I find myself relating to her more and more, even though I love Jane.
It was nice to see a little progress with Tasha and Patterson, however it feels a bit unnatural for Patterson to still be giving Tasha the cold shoulder, especially after their near-death experience should offer her some fresh perspective. I understand she's hurt, but the punishment isn't fitting the crime at this point. Patterson is more mature than to continue to hold a grudge when she knows she's ultimately going to give her another chance and work on their friendship again.
Now, all that being said, I can't help but feel the show is losing it's way a bit, and losing some of the core audience, by departing from tattoo cases. I'm all for a show growing and evolving much like its characters, however that is the formula that works, and most episodes had a great dynamic and were well-balanced with dramatic character development and intense action.
I was happy that they gave us another sweet Jeller moment, something that has unfortunately been absent through the majority of the last half of this season. Personally, I believe that's another reason why the ratings have suffered. The writers got their audience hooked on the relationship of their two core characters, and then left them to suffer after a major breakdown of trust. While it is smart to explore having to rebuild their trust, considering the situation and with her knowing him, I think they drew too hard of a line for the sake of exposition.
At any rate, I sincerely hope we get a Season 4, because this show and the actors have too much potential to give up now. They are by far one of my favorite teams on television, and the writing of the cases and characters is too dynamic to allow to fizzle away into Nothing But Cancellations aresenal. PLEASE keep this show alive. It's so frustrating that networks aren't taking into account ratings from streaming data like HULU. My DVR continues to not cooperate, so I can't play it from there to ensure the rating is counted, but I'm a die-hard fan from the Pilot on, and this show is FAR more deserving than most others renewed this year.
8.0 out of 10.0
I will preface this by stating this episode was very much highly anticipated since originally 18 was to be the last of the season. I've been tracking ratings data, afraid it will be yet another casualty of inaccurate ratings' reporting since Nielsen does NOT count our streaming service viewings in their numbers reporting to networks, anxious to find out if they'll renew on of my favorite shows for another season. The jury is still out on whether or not adding four more episodes bodes well for the show, or was a last ditch effort by the creator/writers to push enough content to bump ratings up. Only time will tell...
The first frame captures you by focusing on Jane's eyes, then panning back to show the full frame. The director did a superb job structuring the scenes for what would otherwise be a fairly clunky episode, where the story elected for character development as opposed to action.
The script took a bold move, allowing the audience to experience each character's varying perspectives. I was a bit miffed with the idea that Jane would be the only one who didn't stave off her attackers, however she was double-teamed and electrocuted from behind, so she gets a pass. True to character, she takes some time to evaluate the situation and talk to Roman before deciding on her plan of attack. One of the things we love the most about her is her ability to find her way out of any seemingly impossible situation.
I'm not sure what Rich's ulterior motive is for trying to interfere in each of their lives at this moment in time, but it seems he has a larger scheme in mind. Reed's time with Milicent is equal parts awkward and uncomfortable, which is by design. Tasha's speech at the memorial was heartfelt and emotional. The new insight into her character was a nice arc. Patterson's date was horribly awkward and disastrous. I think we all are relieved she quickly discovered they are not a good fit and called it quits. I find myself relating to her more and more, even though I love Jane.
It was nice to see a little progress with Tasha and Patterson, however it feels a bit unnatural for Patterson to still be giving Tasha the cold shoulder, especially after their near-death experience should offer her some fresh perspective. I understand she's hurt, but the punishment isn't fitting the crime at this point. Patterson is more mature than to continue to hold a grudge when she knows she's ultimately going to give her another chance and work on their friendship again.
Now, all that being said, I can't help but feel the show is losing it's way a bit, and losing some of the core audience, by departing from tattoo cases. I'm all for a show growing and evolving much like its characters, however that is the formula that works, and most episodes had a great dynamic and were well-balanced with dramatic character development and intense action.
I was happy that they gave us another sweet Jeller moment, something that has unfortunately been absent through the majority of the last half of this season. Personally, I believe that's another reason why the ratings have suffered. The writers got their audience hooked on the relationship of their two core characters, and then left them to suffer after a major breakdown of trust. While it is smart to explore having to rebuild their trust, considering the situation and with her knowing him, I think they drew too hard of a line for the sake of exposition.
At any rate, I sincerely hope we get a Season 4, because this show and the actors have too much potential to give up now. They are by far one of my favorite teams on television, and the writing of the cases and characters is too dynamic to allow to fizzle away into Nothing But Cancellations aresenal. PLEASE keep this show alive. It's so frustrating that networks aren't taking into account ratings from streaming data like HULU. My DVR continues to not cooperate, so I can't play it from there to ensure the rating is counted, but I'm a die-hard fan from the Pilot on, and this show is FAR more deserving than most others renewed this year.
8.0 out of 10.0