True Blood Recap & Review (5.2: Authority Always Wins)

Oh Sookie! Just what have you got yourself into this time turning your best friend into a vampire? A very hungry and violent Tara tried to take a bite out of Sookie and Lafayette, and all Pam could do to help as her maker was command Tara not to eat either of them, or leave Sookie's house. Cue destruction of Sookie's house! Sookie and Lafayette were both good this episode, Sookie, showing what must be her only admirable quality with compassion and understanding towards Tara, and Lafayette, who was acting all scared and torn over bringing Tara back. Tara herself was a little underwhelming, and for the most part you couldn't tell whether she was actually a retarded vampire, or whether she was just having a little difficulty after her transition. In the end it turned out to be more the later, her telling Sookie and Lafayette that she'll never forgive them before running off. And she's back, and I hate her already.

Too bad Pam couldn't stick around and act all authoritative and sarcastic towards her, but she had to return to Fangtasia where she could have some completely unimportant and uninteresting flashbacks to when she and Eric first met.

Terry started his compulsory war flashbacks this episode too, and they were so brief and full of fiery imagery and Patrick, that it made me care even less about what happened. Arlene was though, considering Terry's crazy upped the anti a bit and he started standing over her in the middle of the night and pushing her across Merlotte's kitchen. She goes to Patrick and tells him to fix it (oh I wish it was the easy Arlene), and Terry reveals to Patrick that one of their old war buddy's is in fact alive. Patrick thinks he's responsible, and if this storyline couldn't be annoying enough in Bon Temps, it looks like we're going to get a road trip.

After an unsuccessful road trip of their own, Bill and Eric find themselves at the hands of the infamous Authority. Their hideout looked pretty cool, but their torture methods were outdated and predictable. Plus, they have this super weird religious vibe about them (haven't we done this already?) and they all seem more of a bunch of characters interested in playing bible study and politics to actually do anything. Which is why Bill suggests, predictably, that he and Eric go hunt down Russell as to not have him spoil the Authority's plans.

Alcide has plans of his own, and they don't involve eating dead wolf pack master Marcus or having anything to do with the pack. Just when we think all is done with the werewolves, (wasn't season three the season of the wolf?) Marcus's mother comes to talk to her granddaughter Emma and try and convince Luna to let her have the pack in her life. Luna refuses, and for some ridiculously stupid reason, Sam thinks it might be a good idea for Luna. Much more understandably, Luna kicks Sam's stupid ass out.

Jessica does the same when Steve Newlin comes a knocking trying to buy Jason's love from her, which she naturally refuses. She's still partying it up in Bill's house, but Steve's taunt that Bill's no longer the King might put a serious damper on her new lifestyle, god forbid she tries to be mature for once.

Maybe she should take a leaf out of Jason's book, who's no longer sleeping around and is trying to repent for his past indiscretions, but is actually doing some good police work too. Him and Andy find Debbie's car, and I get all excited that a good storyline might be starting and that a characters actions in True Blood will actually have consequences for once. But that's all put to the side for another episode, as Jason must continue to pay for his past mistakes when some kid comes to the police station and punches him in teh face for having sex with his Mum, and then again when he tries to apologise to Hoyt and is rejected.

This episode was a slow one, but the set up allows for a lot of promising storylines, here's hoping there's more action from now on and that the pay-offs are good ones.

Rating: 3/5

The Big Bang Thoery Season 5 Final Recap & Review (5.24: The Countdown Reflection)

I love the fact that Howard is achieving one of his biggest dreams, yet he is so afraid to do it at the same time. It shows some depth to his character, and with him marrying Bernadette in this episode as well, he's come a long way. The scene where he gives her a star necklace is touching, but simultaneously crude as he asks her 'Close your eyes. Put out your hand I got you something special', to which she replies 'Come on, Howard, I'm not falling for that again.' Ewww!

I can't say I cared for the retelling of the wedding once Howard was already in the spaceship, but I guess the writers thought it might have been a good way to hook viewers at the beginning of the episode, despite the fact it was painfully obvious they were getting married in the episode.

I loved that Amy wore her bridesmaid dress and tiara to city hall, but I'm not so sure how much of Amy I will be able to handle as she continues to try and change the relationship her and Sheldon share. Thus far it's been amusing, but how long until Amy says enough is enough? Or the even worse possibly, how long until she changes our beloved Sheldon? Sheldon grabbing Amy's hand at the end of the episode as Howard's rocket went into space was a little of enough gesture for me to breathe easy that the writers aren't going to go too fast with this, and that Sheldon will remain as he is.

I'm annoyed Leonard and Penny have hit their rough patch already. And they're fighting over exactly the same thing that broke them up last time, Leonard being too emotionally ready, while Penny in emotionally stunned! I mean, we had to deal with all this two seasons ago, why must we go through the exact same thing again? Hopefully this is cleared up soon, and next season the writers can try and do something different with the couple.

The fact that the entire gang became ordained ministers to oversee the marriage was cliched and full of sentimentality, but what are you going to do, it's a sitcom wedding, that's what they are. I did love everyone's speeches however, similarly touching and amusing.

I was wondering how they were going to incorporate Mrs. Wolowitz into the wedding without her being seen. Having her sitting so far away was a lame idea in my opinion, surely they could have come up with something better?

It's very much a bummer feeling constantly bad for Raj, and to be honest, I'm sort of dreading the disillusion of his bromance with Howard now that he's married to Bernedtte. I always was a little annoyed that we never actually got to see too much of just Raj and Howard just hanging out together, instead we were given constant homosexual jokes about their relationship.

Overall, a pretty standard season final, but it most definitely felt like the closing of a chapter, and next season each of the three main couples will be in interesting stages of their relationships. I'm hoping writers are able to keep the dynamics of the couples, and their context within the group, fresh and interesting. And while they're at it, give Raj something to do.

Rating: 3/5