Change Your Image
Cryptic_constable
Reviews
Father Brown: The Requiem for the Dead (2022)
More subdued than the usual, but none the worse for it
This particular episode is much darker than a standard episode as the synopsis suggests. It is certainly a much better episode than most of the series (and indeed the previous ones) with the excessively hammy acting dialled a down to match the subject matter.
The flaws of the episode are much the same as the flaws of the show in general, including an overindulgence on 'deus ex machina' solutions but the emotional responses are much more on point than in a regular episode and the scene in the cottage at the end was surprisingly moving, before it became a little stereotypical for my taste.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Treachery, Faith and the Great River (1998)
Jeffrey Combs' Masterclass
This Season 7 episode comes with two very different story lines. On the one hand we are thrown right back into the Dominion war with Odo and Weyoun 6, whereas Nog helps O'Brien to fulfil the captain's demanding requests.
Both storylines are good, but what elevates this story is the Weyoun 6 and 7 relationship with Jeffrey Combs which is so well done, not to mention Casey Bigg's Damar playing the Kanar-loving leader of the Cardassians and Rene Auberjonois really giving the sense of Odo struggling with his innate rationality and the emotional problems he'd rather not face. I don't think it is quite a 10/10 episode (like say "In the Pale Moonlight") but a tour-de-force nonetheless.
The Pingwings (1961)
Simple children's entertainment
Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin's first foray into 3D stop motion (moving on from Ivor and Noggin's 2D pictures) this beautifully simple series is wonderful entertainment.
I think it deserves a high rating because it shows that entertainment can be simple and pleasing without having to have massive budgets. It goes back to a simpler time but shows that what matters is not the budget but the care and attention of its creators. Nostalgic, yes, but we can all appreciate the care and intricacy that went in to this series and laid the foundation for the much-revered Clangers and Bagpuss later on. The legacy of stop-motion can be seen in Aardman's work and I would argue that their work pays a tribute to shows like this.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: The Visitor (1995)
Deeply moving work from the DS9 crew
It seems unnecessary to write yet another 10 star review for this episode; but it deserves it for a deeply moving portrayal of grief. The acting is on top form, Tony Todd certainly, but I think Cirroc Lofton finds the perfect niche as Jake Sisko when it matters. This episode brought me to the edge of tears at least three times and for a 45 minute show to make you care that much is a sign of just how good it is. (Acknowledging that it helps to have seen other DS9 previously)
The aspects of time travel have been examined before but whether or not this life of Jake Sisko would occur just adds to the emotional engagement.
Inside No. 9: Misdirection (2020)
Shearsmith and Pemberton deliver another success!
"Misdirection" is a beautiful concept, and unlike some episodes of Inside No.9 it is extremely successful and works well. After finishing the episode, all the loose ends tie together elegantly and the acting is nailed by all concerned. Some fly and some fall; this no doubt flies!
I would say 9/10 as it isn't a knockout success like "12 Days of Christine" or "A Quiet Night in", but it is still very good indeed.
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
No "Empire Strikes Back"
Rating any film/TV series is inherently a difficult thing, do you do it immediately after, after a day of thought? Perhaps a minimum/maximum score would work (saying a film is 6-8 rather than choosing one of the options?)
Episode IX is stylish with its effects and the acting is good, but there ends most of the positives. The fundamental flaw is that this episode is all show and no substance. A contrived plot twist which feels "shoe-horned" in, the writing just moves from quest for A to quest for B, C, D and works well for viewing once but there's very little rewatch value.
It's not a bad film, it's just not good. It tries too hard to please fans and fails to take any risks; it is Star Wars but to use another expression it just "rings hollow".
Doctor Who: Planet of the Ood (2008)
What Doctor Who does best
Like Star Trek Doctor Who has always been one to make ethical questions and this is one of the best. The Ood concept is expanded and the prosthetics department have done a marvellous job again. This episode makes you question humanity's actions and shows how exploitative people can be.
Donna's experience continues in the same vein as Fires of Pompeii and again she proves herself as a rich and complex character and builds series 4 up to its final conclusion at Journey's End.
Doctor Who: Army of Ghosts (2006)
Tension and action in perfect harmony
Like so many two-parter Doctor Who episodes often the first part surpasses the second and I think this story is no exception (although Doomsday is still great). This episode oozes tension and the eerie atmosphere, never more so than when the doctor states "a footprint doesn't look like a boot". The torchwood institute is sinister and the ending is one of the greatest cliff-hangers in television.
Doctor Who: Dalek (2005)
The Best Dalek Episode of the Reboot.
Of all the dalek serials since the Doctor Who reboot in 2005, this is, in my opinion the best. I was lucky enough to be a child when this came out and its one of the few to stick with you (in a good way - not like "Boom Town"). The threat is there from the beginning and it's difficult to decide whether to be more afraid of the dalek or the fear/rage of Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor!
The design of the animatronic dalek is brilliant and its infinitely superior to the CGI version in "Into the Dalek". It seems a shame that the rough CGI returned in comparison to the hard work and effort of the Series 1 dalek. Best episode of series 1 too.
The Wrong Trousers (1993)
The greatest thirty minutes of television!
The Wrong Trousers is in my opinion one of the greatest things to watch if you only have thirty minutes. I can think of nothing wrong with this episode, from Peter Sallis' Wallace, to the gags, to the animation, its all brilliant. There is something wonderfully creepy about the character of Feathers McGraw especially when he rubs his hands together in Gromit's room, individual scenes are brilliant and to think of all the work that goes into the "train" scene. Every second working on this project by Aardman was clearly worth it!
Doctor Who: Turn Left (2008)
Well used premise - brilliantly executed
The changing a point in history plot has been used ad infinitum in all forms of sci-fi shows but I think that Russell T Davies' interpretation is one of the very best. Piper's character is a bit flat but I wonder if this is deliberate as it allows Catherine Tate's Donna to shine in all the peril the episode contains. Hard to believe that there was doubt about her character seeing as Tate was more famous for comedy back in 2006! This, "Planet of the Ood" and "Fires of Pompeii" stand out to me as some of Tate's best performances as Donna.
Of course the writing is tight and well-done and Cribbin's Wilf is always excellent too.