Shameless Review: Sobering Situations

The end of Shameless Season 4 Episode 5 was a frightening and awful situation that left Liam in the ICU and Fiona in handcuffs.

Shameless Season 4 Episode 6 only solidified the fact that Fiona is never going to forget that she almost let her baby brother die.

And if she weren't punishing herself enough, Lip is next in line to remind her just what she did.

Jeremy Allen White as Lip Gallagher
The thing is, Lip didn't actually say anything to Fiona to make her feel more awful than she already did. It was his somber silence that let her know just how badly she let the family down.

It may have been an accident, a careless mistake that young people make, but Fiona can't afford those mistakes when she is the legal guardian of four children, one who is still a helpless toddler. (Side note: she doesn't even know where the eldest of the four is.)

In the hospital when the doctor kept telling everyone she needed to speak to a legal guardian and wouldn't tell them anything, I could feel Lip's frustration mounting with every second that passed.

Just because someone is a parent or technically in charge does not by any means make them the most responsible person in the family.

Look my mom's a bipolar drug addict who split years ago, my dad's a drunk, and the cops just hauled Fiona off to jail, okay? Look I'm the only thing that passes for a responsible adult that you're gonna find. Now how's Liam?
Lip
 Permalink: Look my mom's a bipolar drug addict who split years ago, my dad's a drunk, and the cops just...
Lip's rant really said it all. I'm just glad he's over 18 and was able to get to see Liam and figure out the legal issues that needed to be handled.

It's sad that Frank is more trustworthy on paper than Lip. Also great for Frank that he's bonding with his new daughter Sammi, but he has completely neglected his other children. No wonder Carl ran away from him before the sweat-lodge.

Frank doesn't care about people who can't do anything for him. And you know what? His time is almost up.

Maybe Frank should think about making amends because with the way he's looking and feeling, he's gonna bite the bullet really soon. Don't take my word for it, listen to the doctor who told him his death was so imminent that the funeral arrangements should be made yesterday.

Do you feel bad for Frank?

I was completely shocked that Fiona made bail. Kudos to Carl on thinking of Mike to help them out. Anyone else out there really wish it could've been Jimmy/Steve coming back to the rescue. I know Justin Chatwin left the show, but I can't help but hold out hope!

One of the readers in the comments posted that after seeing Ian last week, perhaps he ended up developing bi-polar disorder like his mother Monica. I think that could make a lot of sense, given how all over the place Ian's behavior was.

It was strange and out of character for a kid so disciplined he snuck his way into military school. I'm interested to see how that might play out.

Can somebody tell me what the hell Sheila is doing taking up half of the episode? Nobody cares about her boyfriend and his nephews who made up names like "one eyed snake." We get it, it means penis... can we move on?

Sheila kept looking at Karen's old bed and you know she felt lonely. That's the part where I hope she can come in and help out as a guardian for the Gallagher kids.

We sure as heck all know that they could use the help right now. I wouldn't be surprised if Fiona lost custody after this incident. Then, if Frank gets killed off, who will they have?

Even if Frank doesn't get killed off that social services woman was not happy with the situation she saw. So what's it going to be?

Source: Tvfanatic
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Downton Abbey Review: Admirable Mary

There was a lot of forward movement on Downton Abbey Season 4 Episode 7 - and yet nothing felt particularly urgent, which is odd given the gravity of the situations with which some Downtown residents are dealing.

It's as if in these new times, everyone is realizing that the drama they used to approach some of life's disasters in the past is no longer necessary. They've been through a great war and lost so many and so much that a pregnancy here, and a scandalous engagement there, are hardly worth worrying over.

The new attitude is rather refreshing and it's enjoyable seeing characters through this new light.

Molesley and Baxter
Mary continues to impress. When once her reactions did tend toward the sensational, now she's pragmatic and it suits her well. For once, I'm not even shocked that suitors are piling up at he door, as she's far more of a catch now than she was when she met Matthew. He would be so proud of the woman she has become, and she wouldn't be who she is now without having loved him.

Gillingham has called off his engagement with the hope of landing Mary, and he's not giving up until she's walking down the aisle with another man -- even then he's pledged he'll likely not let go easily. Still, in the contest so far, Blake is winning in this viewer's eyes. His wit and easy banter with Mary hold up more than Gillingham's persistence.

Mary's interference was interesting in Rose's love life and came from a different angle than initially expected. She did it as much with Rose's future in mind as she did for that of Jack Ross. When Rose defiantly announced her engagement to Mary with the teenage excitement of how it would make her mother's toes curl, Mary realized Rose was probably doing it more to hurt her mum than out of love for Jack, something that would be good for neither Rose nor Jack.

Discovering that Jack truly loved Rose and had no intention of marrying her as long as their union wouldn't be accepted by social circles was as touching as was Mary's wish that times were different so that she could champion his love for her cousin.

Mary was also heavily involved in trying to keep Anna free from the likes of Mr. Green once she learned he was the man who raped her. While she respected Anna's wishes to keep the truth from Gillingham, she didn't allow that to stop her from telling him that he must do away with Green.

Before Gillingham had the chance to let Green go, however, he was killed in a lorry accident in London, which conveniently took place on a day when Bates requested the entire day to visit York. And so our minds wonder, did Bates kill Green making it look accidental or did fate have its way with the vile man? Will we ever know?

The older crowd was nothing short of amazing in many ways. Violet and Isobel were up to their old tricks and together entertained Mary's godfather, Mr. Merton. He appeared to take a fancy to Isobel and unless I have lost any ability to read television emotions, she fancies him back. He even made a horrible social faux pas by mentioning Matthew to her after forgetting she was his mother, but I don't think it mattered.

Violet's investigative skills pulled out of the workings of Edith and Rosamund that something bizarre was going on, and she practically sussed out Edith was pregnant. In the end, she agreed with Rosamund's idea to go to Switzerland to have the baby and give it up for adoption to start life fresh over Edith's choice to trust Downton tenant family the Drewe's to raise it so she could be involved with the baby. Shall we take bets the baby eventually ends up at Downton?

The Daisy/Alfred/Ivy saga has finally come to an end. With the support of Mr. Mason and Mrs. Patmore, Daisy was able to turn a shoulder to Alfred after he realized the horrible mistake he made by being blinded by Ivy and missing all that Daisy offered. She told him she loved him once, but what she had was gone and they'd be friends forever.

Neither she nor we believed that one bit, but she deserves to be a man's number one pick, not ever second best and she's finally come to that realization. If Julian Fellowes fails to deliver to us a beautiful Daisy romance before Downton closes its doors, he's going to have to answer to me.

Finally we had the beautiful friendship that seems to be blossoming between Molesley and Baxter. The two have felt out of sorts all their lives, and offer to each other and understanding and kindness they haven't received from others. With Baxter nearby, Molesley has no problem telling off Thomas Barrow and Baxter felt confident telling him to get his information elsewhere.

All of this happened during one of the more beautifully shot episodes of Downton this season. From the gorgeous walk Isobel took with Mr. Merton through town with the church and graveyard in the background, the glorious hillside where Daisy picnicked with Mr. Mason and the spectacular garden full of brilliant color where Edith and Violet talked about her future -- the green, purple and red simply came alive on the screen.

Source: Tvfanatic
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Girls Review: A Mean, Skinny Miss Hannigan

Okay... Girls Season 3 Episode 7 was hands down the best episode of 2014. Elijah was back and all the girls were together.

There was music, choreographed dancing, drinking, fighting and Marnie being a Type A lunatic. What's not to love?

Shosh and Jessa at the beach
I'm not really sure how Marnie is dealing with living in an apartment the size of a bed - because after just one scene of her channeling her inner Martha Stewart at that gorgeous beach home, you just knew she was just dying to be somebody's housewife.

We all know she's been messed up this season. but once Marnie told the whole story about Charlie to Elijah...holy shit. Like, how does that even go down?

One minute he said he wanted to propose and the next he said he never loved her? Wow, just wow. And then Elijah says he always thought Charlie was gay, but Elijah thinks everyone's gay. He thought Hannah's Dad was gay in Girls season 1.

Can I just say how great it was to have Elijah back? Even if he entered the scene by comparing Hannah's bathing suit and no shoes in public to Spring Breakers?

It was very necessary for him to make up with Hannah considering he is one of the best characters on Girls. Also, his impression of Marnie was pretty dead on.

She's just like walking around, bossing everyone around, like a mean skinny Miss Hannigan.
Elijah [about Marnie]
 Permalink: She's just like walking around, bossing everyone around, like a mean skinny Miss Hannigan.
Marnie was so ridiculously Type A all weekend, trying to control every situation. I know she had this whole idea of "healing" together, but girls in their 20s are just not that organized. Sorry, we aren't trying to adhere to a vacation schedule.

Nobody wants to hang out with the person who is insistent on having everything be "a plan."

When Marnie was in the water saying she was having the best time of her life, she said it with so much deadness and phoniness in her voice I think my eyes rolled back into my head. Also you shouldn't base your life around how it will look on Instagram.

Leave that to the #RichKids of Beverly Hills.

Guys we're so disconnected. I thought this would just be a nice opportunity for us to have fun together and prove to everyone via Instagram that we could still have fun as a group.
Marnie
 Permalink: Guys we're so disconnected. I thought this would just be a nice opportunity for us to have...
Marnie, I know you're having a hard time but that was a pathetic, yet sadly hilarious comment. Also, it was a close call when she mentioned Ray, but luckily Shoshanna never picked up on it or she would've gone even crazier than she did.

I think that was the best scene Shoshanna has ever had including the time she accidentally smoked crack in Girls Season 1 Episode 7.

I noticed this episode was partially written by Judd Apatow and it did have that kind of signature he has in his movies of creating huge blow up fights.

That scene in the kitchen was pretty unreal. It spoke a lot about each of the girls and each of their issues. Well... everyone except for Jessa really, who is personally my favorite character and the person I'd most want to hang out with out of the four.

The ending of the episode was pretty poignant.

Girls have this way of fighting and then not speaking about it the next day but cohesively deciding to move on together in an unspoken agreement. The way they all walked in and just started cleaning was pretty much the only way it could've gone down.

Source: Tvfanatic
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The Real Housewives of Atlanta Review: Another Level of Housewives

It was all about "Dropping the Ball" on The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 6 Episode 15 - but who was at fault when the party went wrong?

We recap the RSVPs and rude behavior in our TV Fanatic +/- review...

Kenya, Kenya, Kenya. After her talk with NeNe Leakes at the spa did she really think an evite would be enough to smooth things over? Minus 12. If so, she was obviously wrong.


Watch The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 6 Episode 15 Online
But Kenya did say she tried to invite NeNe out for a little roller derby with the girls but Ms. Leakes wasn't returning her calls.

Roller derby actually looked like fun and plus 25 to Porsha Williams and Cynthia Bailey for actually getting out there and trying, even if they did spend half the time falling on their faces. It made Kandi and Phaedra look that much lazier for warming the bench and texting. Why bother coming at all?

Speaking of Porsha, she must have really been working on her singing. Plus 33. That was the best performance we've heard from her and Kandi looked elated to have her friend do well…well enough to earn herself a part in Kandi's musical. Fingers crossed she keeps up the hard work.

Especially since Kandi continues to have her hands full at home. Minus 50 to Mama Joyce who tried to hire someone to set Todd up with another woman and take pictures. Ugh.

I couldn't blame Todd for being ticked off and he's right. This will be a continuing problem in their marriage if Kandi doesn't put her mama in check.

It was so sad to hear Kandi cry that at least her mama won't ever leave her. But she failed to realize that Joyce also doesn't seem to care if her daughter is happy or miserable. Counseling might be a really good idea to help Kandi handle this horrible situation. Plus 27.

Back to Kenya's party. Who pulls off a masquerade charity ball and only sends out e-vites? I know it's economical but it's not very classy. Minus 15.

Kenya's Masquerade Ball
And did she leave a message for NeNe explaining her intent to honor NeNe's charity?  One moment NeNe made it sound like she knew nothing about the event and then she sounded like she knew but didn't know she was being honored.

Despite her issues with Kenya, it was great to see NeNe show up…until it all went wrong.

NeNe's speech was incredibly rude. Minus 35. If she wasn't there to help the charity then why bother coming at all? She didn't make Kenya look bad as much as she made the guests feel uncomfortable.

But what got to me was her attitude, "None of the these bitches here are on the level I'm on."

Minus 23. What level is that exactly? You're all getting a paycheck for being on the same reality TV show. I'd say your all on the same level.

Peter pitched a fit about NeNe's behavior and told her how he felt. At first I wondered if he was vying for the next open housewives spot but I suppose if Cynthia's going to take him to all of these crazy events, he's got the right to speak his mind.

Now we wait for next week, when it appears that NeNe walks away from a fight! There is a lot of snow outside my door. Perhaps hell has frozen over.

Source:Tvfanatic
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The Walking Dead Review: Adventures in Babysitting

The rest of the gang has arrived.

While The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 9 was all about Rick and Carl bonding, Michonne finding her way to the father/son team and pudding, The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 10 gave viewers a glimpse at various other characters in the aftermath of the prison’s destruction.

There wasn’t much new here to explore, but it did allow for movement towards the next step in the characters’ lives. And, sure, whether there is hope amongst all the despair.

At this point, all of the “safe haven” locations have fallen (the farm, the prison, Woodbury) and with them a number of people. If those didn’t work out, what will?

I did find that the structure of the episode was unique (although, I guess not everyone gets to have a full hour to themselves) in that the timeline wasn’t linear and often certain camera shots were replicated between groups to illustrate the crossing of paths at different times. And I like that the mix-up of character partnering wasn't who we might think would normally be together.

And clearly, The Walking Dead wants us to know that when it comes to kids, they can be pretty difficult to deal with.

It’s got to be a very different experience for someone like rough and manly Daryl to suddenly be watching over/teaming up with Beth. And the same could be said for Tyreese and the girls (who frankly, I could care less about).

Luckily, Carol arrived conveniently in time to help save Mika (who couldn’t move when walkers were bearing down) and Lizzie (who remains crazy in her antics from killing bunny rabbits and suffocating covering Judith’s mouth).

Oh, right. Turns out, Judith is alive, and the whole bloody baby seat in The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 8 was a trick for the audience. A bit disappointing that the show just didn’t stick with what the audience was supposed to believe, especially after Rick and Carl’s heartbreaking reactions to her “death.”

It will be interesting to see how Tyreese handles being with Carol, no matter how contrived the reunion was, because he still has no idea she killed his love. What was her name again? But I'm pleased Carol is back.

It is good to see Bob and Sasha bonding, and Bob trying to convince the group to make intelligent decisions. Except those two got stuck babysitting emotional Maggie. So, how did everyone on the bus become walkers? Wait, and how did Glenn get off?

I was worried Glenn would get killed off, and sometimes I feel he’s been relegated to minor character that we haven’t gotten to know much more about him... but at least he was able to regroup and storm out of the prison like a badass. Even his pairing with Tara was a nice twist in that she was playing for the opposing side before.

But I am still curious how the heck he got off the bus and on top of the broken bridge? I guess we just have to believe like he and Hershel did.

A lot of characters, despite the separation, were holding on to the hope that the others were still alive. Which is good, especially after all they've been through.

But wow does it remain frustrating watching pretty much any non-main character on this show and their levels of incompetence. You know, like the randoms at the train tracks. Did you ever fear for Tyreese getting bit? Beth? Maggie? Probably not. For the people we have no clue who they are like that baseball swinging guy? That old man telling them about a safe place down the tracks? Sure, walkers, bite away on the easy obvious prey.

Even if a newbie doesn’t last long, I’d like to feel like they’re some semblance of a character and not just someone for the walkers to eat because you can’t kill off the main characters every episode.

The same could be said for all the “good people” on the bus that Bob mentioned. It just doesn’t hold the same impact when we have no clue who they are.

That said, I hope that these smaller groups allow for some character exploration as The Walking Dead Season 4 continues. Certainly, the prospect of a new place to head towards is a also good one.

There was something eerie and haunting watching Glenn move through the prison one last time, but I’m glad the show is moving on from there.

Of course, thanks to the introduction of new characters, including actor Michael Cudlitz from Southland fame, this prospect of a new phase for the series and characters keeps that appealing notion that things are just getting started and the best is yet to come.

Source: Tvfanatic
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American Idol Review: Hello, Top 30!

It's another round of solo singing on Hollywood week on American Idol. By the end of this week, the judges will have narrowed down our contestant field from 70 to the Top 30 for 2014.

The talent this year has been greater than in years past, but this is the point in the competition when things start getting tough for viewers at home. By now we've started getting to know some of these faces and over half of them won't be sticking around.

For some, there's always next year. But for many, this is the end of the road.

Who'll be staying to sing another day and who'll go home? Let's find out now...

American Idol Hollywood or Home Week
Before the singing begins, Harry Connick Jr. addresses the crowd to give them one of his pet peeves. He doesn't want to hear the contestants whine before they perform. In fact, he never wants to hear how they feel at all. He came to hear them perform and saying "I don't feel well" just tells the judges how they're supposed to feel about the contestants.

"Just suck it up and sing." PREACH, Harry.

Emily Piriz auditioned in Atlanta and this is one of the few times we're seeing her. She played piano in her final solo performance and wowed the judges. She has a really nice voice and definitely star quality. She could hit up the Sara Barielles-lane and go pretty far. She makes the walk into the judges' chambers and Jennifer fakes her out making her think she's not staying around. But she is!

The first guy to go before the judges is Spencer Lloyd. He's been a favorite since his audition in Texas. He sang an original song during his second solo round that didn't leave the judges with a great impression. The lyrics were pretty dumb, actually, and didn't, according to the judges "showcase him in the best way." With Spencer on the verge of tears, Jennifer tells him he's sticking around.

Another original song singer, Jillian Jensen, chose to do a song of her own to show that she can have longevity in the industry. She sort of chews on the lyrics a little bit, but it's better than Spencer's. Jillian has a great artist look about her. Harry starts talking about what they're looking for and how sometimes the judges don't agree and Jillian starts to cry and then Harry says she's in.

Madelyn Patterson auditioned in Austin and she's a crier. She's a tiny girl with a big, big voice. There's a little church in there, too. Keith tells her that she's had great performances over the course of the competition, but she's going home.

Michael Simeon, Lebryant Crew, and Sabrina Lentini​ also hear that they're not making it to the Top 30.

George Lovett, who auditioned in Atlanta, pulled out all the stops during his final solo audition and got a standing ovation from Keith and Jennifer. J.Lo doesn't take her time telling him that he's in the Top 30.

Sam Woolf took a risk on his second audition and sang an original song he wrote when his mom moved away. While most of the original songs showed a lack of originality, Sam's didn't. His was from the heart and moved the judges. Jennifer tells him this was the most intense week like he didn't just live it. Then she tells him that he really could be the next American Idol and he's staying.

Keri Lynn Roche chose an Etta James number for her final solo audition. She's an awkward chicken kind of performer, but she has a great voice and a great look. Keith tells her that there's been an amazing level of talent this year, but they only have 15 spaces available and none of them are hers.

Up next, 16-year-old Malaya Watson heads off to meet the judges. She was in a group with a crazy person during group week and chose Fantasia's winner's song for her solo audition. It got off to such a bad start Harry made her go back and start over. And then she nailed it. She got a standing ovation from Jennifer. When she walked into the room, Harry said her name wrong and she quickly corrected him. Then he said "I'm glad you corrected me because that name has star potential." And she's in the Top 30.

Another Detroit auditioner, Maurice Townsend, heads in next. He sang Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball" during his solo audition. It's hard to hear anyone other than Miley sing this song and he pretties it up a little too much for my taste. It's an odd choice that Harry calls smart because of the arc into the chorus. Keith says that he's a good singer, but there's an undefinable thing that contestants have to have as well. He doesn't have it, apparently, but they want to see him in the Top 30. At 26 years old, he might be the oldest contestant this year and suffer from Elise Testone-syndrome.

Bria Anai Johnson speed walks her way to the judges. She's a bundle of nerves, but on the stage, she was in the groove with "This Is A Man's World." Jennifer tells her she made it into the Top 30 and she runs out of the room to fake out her mom!

During group rounds, Jessica Meuse​ found herself in the center of some drama. She sang a Beyonce number which isn't her speed at all because that's the only group that would have her. During her solo auditions, she sings an original number called "Done" which she says is "about an idiot." She's a singer-songwriter and that's what she wants to showcase. There's a Bonnie Raitt-Stevie Nicks vibe to her voice, but with way too much edge.

Jesse Roach never thought she'd be seeking a career in music. She chooses "Wide Open Spaces" for her solo auditions and it's a little lackluster, probably because she forgot her lyrics.

The two go into the judges room together to learn their fates. It was too close for the judges to call the day before, so the girls are going to have to sing again. Right now. Jessica Meuse goes first with "Simple Man." She's got a weird rasp in her voice that isn't bad but definitely different. Jesse Roach sings "Do Ya." Her voice is the clearer of the two, but she's kind of boring.

They send Jessica through.

Dexter Roberts walks into the judges room "scared to death." Keith says people in the competition can't be phony, "all hat no cattle." Dexter gets into the elevator and cries and lets out a scream when he gets back into the holding room. He's in the Top 30. That was a good choice.

Former airline worker Emmanuel Zidor​ "literally left his blood on the floor" during his second solo round. (He's also wearing the same shirt. Maybe it's a lucky shirt.) I really like his voice, but I don't necessarily like him. He breaks into an ugly cry in the judges' chambers and has J.Lo in tears. And it's through those tears that she tells him she'll be bringing him a pair of shoes next time she sees him. He's in the Top 30.

MK Nobilette is sitting in the room with the judges talking about how hard it is to see people going home when they've all gotten so close and they all want the same things. MK had a rough group round performance, but was back in her lane for her solo audition. There's something really intriguing about her and her voice. Really intriguing. She makes it to the Top 30.

Kristen O'Connor is a nurse who decided she wanted to be a singer. She chose "Unconditionally" by Katy Perry for her final performance. She's pretty, her voice is great, but she's a little dime-a-dozen, sort of reminiscent of Pia Toscano. She acknowledged that she didn't get any sleep the night before her final performance, breaking Harry's rule, and J.Lo said that's what this industry is all about and those who make it are those who just keep going. (J.Lo has a notoriously crazy high work ethic, in case you haven't heard.) They put her into the Top 30.

15-year-old Jordan Brisbane still believes he has what it takes to shut American Idol down. He sings "Halo" during his final solo audition. This boy has a big, big voice. It's his birthday, so he's finally 16. He's been singing for a decade and Keith says the hard part of their day is having to say "no" to people. Jordan hasn't heard a lot of no in his life because he's so young. He's not hearing it that day, either. Happy birthday, Jordan!

Casey McQuillen​ gets a no. So does Nica Nashae​.

Leah Guerrero and Andrina Brogden are asked to go up to see the judges together. Leah has a really cool voice. Really cool. Andrina has a whole package going. This is kind of a tough decision between these two. Leah doesn't make it. Andrina does. Harry tells Leah she's really talented and not to quit.

When the two walk back into the room with the rest of the contestants, no one can cheer for Andrina who wants to be happy and deserves to be happy because Leah is so sad. Not a fan of the 2 by 2, Idol.

Malcolm Allen sang "I'm Goin' Down" for his final solo audition. Hopefully it's not a premonition and he's just going up, up, up! He has a great voice! Harry says they're trying to find the top talent and then says he's made it through.

Salt Lake City contestant Alex Preston makes interesting and unconventional song choices and so far, that's served him well. He does it again and walks into the judges' chamber with his guitar. Alex is a multi-instrument musician with a style completely his own. Keith says he's glad Alex has made it this far, but they can't take everybody. But they're taking Alex!!

The judges call CJ Harris and Casey Thrasher back at the same time. The two have become friends over their journey on Idol, and now it seems it will be the end of the road for one of them. Casey sang "Amazed" during his solo audition and CJ played guitar on a Sam Cooke number. Based on those two performance clips alone, CJ stays.

Harry says that this, their similarities, make this decision incredibly hard. He needs them to sing again on the spot. CJ jumps up first and sings without his guitar for only the second time in the competition. He's jazzy and Bluesy and I like him.

Casey clears his throat and jumps into a fun little number that makes CJ look worried. The judges don't take long at all to deliberate before telling Casey that...

To be continued. DRAT! Cliffhanger!

So far, the following contestants have made it into the Top 30, and we'll round out the rest of the list tomorrow night. Live performances will begin next week.

GIRLS:
Emily Piriz
Jillian Jensen
Malaya Watson
Bria Anai Johnson
Jessica Meuse
MK Nobilette
Kristin O'Connor
Andrina Brogden

GUYS:
Spencer Lloyd
George Lovett
Sam Woolf
Maurice Townsend
Dexter Roberts
Jordan Brisbane
Emmanuel Zidor
Malcolm Allen
Alex Preston

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Review: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Xbox 360)

We've been here, mere hours away from the end of the world, before. World-saving has been the defining theme of video gaming's first 30 years, from fending off shuffling space invaders to skewering ideological threats in Civilization or Call of Duty. But it's rare that a game set on the eve of the apocalypse manages to elicit any real sense of urgency. Japanese role-playing games are the perfect example: the world may be perilously close to extinction and our band of heroes will be off racing giant chickens or pursuing a side-quest to upgrade a leather coat. We understand that the world is in danger and that we are instrumental in its salvation, but we also know that ours is an appointment which cannot be missed.

Lightning Returns, the third entry in the uneven Final Fantasy 13 trilogy, fixes this inconsistency. You are seven days from the apocalypse. A clock counts down in the top right hand corner of the screen, pausing only when you enter a menu screen, engage in a battle or return to a celestial waiting room at 6am to signal the end of that day. Other than these brief moments of respite, time in the game is finite - and the truth is that there isn't enough time on the clock to complete every quest and storyline before the endgame.

The world's inhabitants work to their own schedules and appointments; some missions are only available at a specific time on a specific day. The question then becomes: on what or whom will you spend your remaining time? And will your choices avert the impending disaster? As one of the game's later boss characters quips, "In this dying world nothing is more precious than time. Why do you waste it on me?"

1
The game world is divided into four core regions: two cities, one wide area of verdant farmland and a sprawling, mystery-pocked desert.
It's a structure that we've caught glimpses of before. Publisher Square Enix's own Brave Fencer Musashi pioneered an in-game clock whereby certain shops and events were only available at set times, while Nintendo's exemplary The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask laid down the idea of an imminent calamity that must be prevented against the clock. It's an unusually effective conceit in the context of a Japanese RPG, as it lends urgency and focus to the sprawling narrative. Flee from any battle in Lightning Returns and you not only lose out on its potential rewards, you incur a one-hour penalty - a strong incentive to fight to the bitter end of every encounter. A train ride between one of the game's four main locations can take up to an hour, a consequence that forces you to carefully plan your journey, and only move between locations when absolutely necessary.

"The new structure has a revitalising effect on the trilogy. It's arguably the most game-like Final Fantasy yet made"
The new structure has a revitalising effect on the Final Fantasy 13 trilogy. It's arguably the most game-like Final Fantasy yet made, as every decision you make has numerous knock-on effects. No longer are you merely tracing a single predestined line of plot, you are choosing which lines of plot to trace from a spider-web network of interlinking options. You choose where to be and when, which key missions to tackle in which order, and the minutiae of Lightning's armoury and ability sets. The game's premise states that Lightning is the only one who can save the world. 'Twas ever so in the Final Fantasy series, but never before has it been so easy for the player to mess it all up.

The resourceful development team has been less successful in fixing Final Fantasy 13's amateurish mess of a storyline, which has problems that run far too deep for any new chapter to solve. The basics of coherent storytelling - establishing an antagonist, establishing an objective, providing clear obstacles that hinder that objective - have been missing from the start of the trilogy. They remain absent in the broad sweep of narrative here, a deficiency that indisputably holds Lightning Returns back.

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Attributes can only be improved through completing missions; battles only reap financial reward and refill your EP gauge.
Lightning's lot, then, is to help the world's inhabitants in whatever task they have for her. Completing their requests earns 'Eradia', a substance of gratitude that adds time to the clock, up to a maximum of seven extra days. Meanwhile, Lightning must chase five key missions that help solve the riddle of how to save the world. The more tasks she completes for individuals, the more time she has to try to save the multitude.

Lightning becomes a god of small things: she might be called up to herd some sheep into a pen for a farmer, or to find a distraught child's missing doll, or to fetch some accessories for a juggler girl who wants to draw a larger crowd. These routine objectives can seem trivial under the eye of the apocalyptic clock, but they humanise Lightning in a way that the previous two games failed to do. In her newfound care for the little things she grows more likeable as a protagonist, even if her steely resolve is clear in every battle in which she stands alone (or occasionally flanked by a pet Chocobo) against a multitude of terrors.

Final Fantasy 13's battle system has always been its strongest asset and Lightning Returns offers perhaps the best and certainly most flexible version yet. Lightning has three costumes that can be equipped, each with its own armour, weapons, adornments and clutch of skills. Different set-ups might emphasise magical attacks, physical prowess or impenetrable defences. In battle you may switch between your three set-ups with a brisk tap, responding to the ebb and flow of the fight while attempting to parry incoming attacks and exploit your opponents' weaknesses.

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There's a certain dress-up doll appeal here: Lightning can be adorned with hundreds of items including afros, hats, an endless array of sunglasses and plush toys.
Square Enix boasts that there are millions of costume permutations, each with their own benefits and drawbacks, and for tinkerers these strategic depths will prove irresistible. Creating a set-up of unique clothes, weapons and other statistical modifiers is like building a contraption: when everything works smoothly and efficiently, it's deeply pleasing to the human mind. Lightning Returns often delights in this way even if, during its most troubling boss battles (and this is undeniably one of the most challenging Final Fantasy games yet made), it equally infuriates.

The fine-detail strategy is reflected in the broader game strategy. EP is perhaps your most valuable resource in the game. This substance can be used to freeze time during battles (allowing you to attack the static foe), heal Lightning and, most usefully, temporarily stop the clock while in the world. You begin with just five EP per day, although this slightly increases as the week progresses. EP is refilled in tiny increments by completing battles. Optimal players will spend EP exclusively on freezing time, extending the 24-hour day by a few hours, thereby allowing for more missions to be completed and more of the world to be explored. Each of the game's systems pulls pleasingly in the same direction.

It's a strong end to an uneven trilogy, then. There is little consistency across the three games, from the ultra-focused linearity of Final Fantasy 13, to the dimension-hopping skittishness of its sequel and on to this almost entirely freeform conclusion. It's a deliberate demonstration from the team that it's able to deliver on various approaches to game design (and tone) within the Final Fantasy umbrella. From its dazzling battle system to its overarching temporal puzzle, this is the best of the set - even if it's dragged down by an exhaustingly impenetrable plot that its creators will no doubt be pleased to be done with.

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Downton Abbey Review: Scandals are Brewing

Without qualms, I can easily say Downton Abbey Season 4 Episode 6 was down the best hour of the season.

It's taken far too long to get here, but the stories are all across the board right now. We have happiness, and darkness, good decisions and bad - and, with so many different tales being told, the hour flew by.

There were four big stories that I think warrant attention and that's what I'm going to focus on.

I daresay I finally found the Lady Mary I'd want to be friends with. Far more than she was even with Matthew, the Mary we saw with Mr. Blake was carefree and just shy of being self-sufficient. It turns out that she can do more than put herself to bed when Anna is away, she can make herself breakfast so she won't starve to death after she saves her pigs from dying of dehydration!

I've never been so proud of Mary as I was during those scenes. There wasn't a hint of shock or mild agitation at slopping through mud to take care of her livestock, only the reality that she had made a commitment to her farm and her animals and she needed to see it through.

That she didn't let on to anyone how much she really enjoyed her adventure with Blake was proof of just how much fun she had in his presence. The mud fight followed by eggs and wine was the best I'd ever seen Mary look and she was in the highest spirits. She had accomplished something she never imagined. She's a fully realized woman now. A woman who doesn't need someone like engaged Lord Gillingham pining after her like a puppy.

Edith took her trip to London to terminate her pregnancy, but not before she confided in her Aunt Rosamund. Rosamund came through with incredible resolve, concerned not for social standing and what others may think, but genuinely worried that Edith would make a decision she could live with. Edith's heart was breaking, again.

Rosamund accompanied Edith to the appointment and offered to stand by her side when the time came to tell Cora she had chosen to have a baby. She's always had the best interests of her nieces at heart, even when her worst fears have come to fruition.

While they were going through an extremely difficult situation in London, Rose was busily building her own castle of trouble. She and Jack Ross are getting far too close, and have even taken to kissing in public. Mary has kept what she saw to herself, but when it goes into wide release (theaters everywhere!), she'll have no choice but to let Rose know what her future might look like should she choose that path.

Mary was let in on another secret when Robert was called to America on family business and Mrs. Hughes thought it best Bates remind behind. She had to confide in Mary about what happened in order for Mary to convince Robert to take Thomas.

The secret is always bubbling just under the surface of everything that goes on at Downton, and when Gillingham had to show up to see Mary, he brought along Green. Baxter noticed Anna's reaction straight away, but Bates was tipped off when Green flippantly talking about walking away from the concert.

Now does anybody think Green wasn't provoking Bates on purpose? Mrs. Hughes already told him Bates knew, but didn't know who did it. By saying he was downstairs at the time of the incident, he was egging him on. The guy is an idiot as well as a rapist. I do hope he comes by a horrible ending by the end of next week.

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Shameless Review: Attempts at the American Dream

One word: wow.

I don't want to say that Shameless Season 4 has been a little lackluster thus far, but it has been lacking. Maybe it's Fiona in corporate America, less Lip and a missing Ian, but whatever it was something felt askew.

However, that all changed on Shameless Season 4 Episode 5, leaving my jaw on the floor by the end of the installment.

Searching for a Cure
It needs to be said that this show is continuously overlooked by all of the award shows. Some of the crap that is winning out there is incomparable to the incredible acting that is displayed on Shameless. All of the characters are putting in nothing less than 110% and I for one am sick of that not being acknowledged!

We started out another week on the Southside with Frank looking for a cure for his liver failure. Now that Sammi knows she's his daughter and they've hammered out some issues, she's on his side and wants to help. Frank can get over 100K in insurance money but it won't be for over a year. By then he'll be dead. Or possibly not because it's Frank and he can basically withstand anything at this point!

Sheila's storyline this season has felt out of place and pointless, but it nicely tied in with Frank's when her boyfriend Running Tree (I think?) suggested Frank do a sweat lodge to help clear some toxins out. The most interesting part of that whole scenario though was when Carl ran off on Frank after hearing him say that Sammi was his last chance at family.

Carl ran home to the family that has been raising him and the family that he loves. Even though he and Debbie bicker and he's a total devil child, he's still part of the Gallagher family and he wasn't about to let Frank make it seem like that's nothing.

Carl knows he has people who love him. Unfortunately, Carl pretty much came home to a nightmare.

I'm expressing myself creatively. You're counting for underarm hair with a mirror.
Debbie [to Carl]
 Permalink: I'm expressing myself creatively. You're counting for underarm hair with a mirror.
Fiona has been playing with fire since she first slept with Robbie in Shameless Season 4 Episode 3. Even though she cut it off, Robbie is unstable and there was always a risk he'd tell Mike.

Well, he finally did and Fiona feared she'd lose her job. Though she acted depressed about losing Mike, I'm with V on this one. Fiona was never that into him. Mike was a tater tot.

It made me sad when Mike was saying that he's sorry he couldn't be more exciting, he was just trying his best to be the best guy possible. And Mike is a great guy, but that doesn't mean he is compatible with Fiona. It made me even sadder when Fiona went on her rant about not deserving him.

Fiona does so much to try and keep it all together. Sometimes we forget how young she is and that mistakes are normal. She takes on a lot. But sometimes all of the bad stuff in your life can build up and come crashing down around you to an unthinkable consequence...like your baby brother overdosing on your cocaine.

Fiona is going to carry that guilt with her for a really long time.

I wonder if this incident will be the catalyst to bring Ian home. Not gonna lie, Ian seemed a little coked out himself. While I'm glad that Lip let Debbie come along to find Ian because Debbie needs to be treated like more of an adult, there are definitely things that Lip will need to handle alone. Reasoning with Ian will be one of them.

It was a fantastic episode that ended up with an unconscious Frank, Liam in the hospital, Fiona arrested, Ian on the lam from the military and Lip just taking it all in that no matter how hard he tries, and no matter what advantages he himself has, he will always come from this crazy messed up world.

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Girls Review: Growns Ups

The young women of Girls struggled with the idea of making some adult changes on Girls Season 3 Episode 6.

Could Hannah ever go corporate? It's kind of hard to picture. Yet it's a possibility.

Hannah's Cubicle
Now that Hannah's book is delayed indefinitely after the contract mess in Girls Season 3 Episode 5, she needs to try and getting her writing out where she can. Even if it means selling out a bit doing advertoiral work. Still, GQ is GQ!

Ray is doubtful, but Ray is also pessimistic and has a hard view of the world in general. But we'll get to that in a minute.

Hannah had a fabulous first day at GQ, making a few friends, pitching awesome ideas and even getting accolades from her icy boss, an awesome cameo by Jenna Lyons. There's even a free snack room. Hannah Horvath + Free Snacks = Bliss.

Adam is a little down on the whole corporate gig and thinks the free snacks are all full of chemicals. Hannah approaches her second day with the positivity and self aggrandizing nature she can sometimes emit.

However, after a talk with her coworkers about how she wouldn't be there forever because she was a "real writer" she soon finds out that they were all once versions of her. But sometimes that corporate world with health insurance, dental, stability, gym membership is just too damn tempting.

I think this episode did an excellent job really grasping what the show Girls is about. These four girls in their early 20s are struggling with making more adult choices while still holding onto all the confusing but sometimes enjoyable aspects of their youth. That's why it's called "Girls" not "Women." They are still children in many ways.

This episode was a perfect summary of that.

Whether it was Hannah breaking down and crying at work after realizing how tempted she was to sell out of that creative, carefree, risk taking writer lifestyle; or Marnie attempting to date Ray, everyone was trying something new. Well... everyone but Jessa, who could really give a crap. Her only purpose in this episode was to listen to Shoshanna and make a few hilarious remarks.

Shoshanna really thinks that it's time to stop sowing her oats but she knows she can't go back to Ray, she hurt him too much. She also doesn't know that Ray is now sleeping with Marnie in some weird twisted attempt at a relationship.

Those two can't stand each other, could it ever even work? What will happen when Shosh finds out?

This episode left us with so many questions. Is this the girls way of trying to be grown ups? Could Hannah make it in corporate America? Would Shoshanna and Parker ever work out or is he just that dumb? I happen to be the most curious about Marnie and Ray. Those two are the odd couple.

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The Real Housewives of Atlanta Review: Shady Ladies

Talk about "Peaches Divided" on The Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 6 Episode 14. There was plenty of shade in Atlanta as only one Housewife stood up and took responsibility.

Kandi Burruss may have lost it at NeNe's party but she had her reasons…and then she womaned up, took responsibility and apologized.



Plus 50 because that's a lot more than we can say for the rest of the Housewives.
I say she had her reasons for losing it because Cynthia Bailey and then husband Peter got in her face and for some reason Malorie got into the fray. Mal shoved Todd and pushed Kandi.

Mal claimed she'd kick Kandi's ass if Todd let Kandi go. Minus 13. Ha! I'd say she'd have a tough time taking on Kandi. She may be little but she's fierce once she's riled.

But at least the next day Kandi could look at her own behavior and say she wrong. Plus 22. No one else was able to to that.

We'll give Porsha a Plus 15 for having the good sense to walk away when things got crazy. We won't even take away points for her talking about evil spirits entering the room.

NeNe Leakes took no responsibility for anything. She set up this party and picked questions she had to know would put everyone on edge, but in her mind she wasn't to blame. Minus 18.

She pointed the finger at Kenya. Maybe Kenya shouldn't have gotten up but that's hardly a reason for the melee that ensued. Chris did grab her arm. Brandon stepped in, and then Apollo beat on him.

In Apollo's mind he was diffusing the situation and it was everyone else's fault. Kenya's right. He's lucky he didn't end up getting arrested.

Minus 30. Apollo grabbed Brandon by the throat and threw him back down on the sofa! Then when everything was over he charged back into the room to have another go. How can Phaedra not see how her husband escalated everything?

Even Cynthia should take some responsibility here. She happily spread the rumors about Todd and then tried to make it sound like she did nothing wrong and didn't mean any harm. Minus 19.

Not to mention that it's rather ironic of Cynthia to spread the rumor of Todd being an opportunist and using the women in his life to pull himself up when all we've seen is Peter using Cynthia's money to fund his failed business ventures…and his new Mercedes in the driveway.

And what's with Peter jumping into every confrontation these days?

Despite everyone else's nonsense, Kandi invited the ladies to a spa day so she could apologize and even though Porsha had no idea what she's talking about, she came anyway because…"Who's going to pass up a free massage?"

Have to agree with Porsha there. Plus 10.

Unfortunately there's not enough green tea and aromatherapy to diffuse the tension in this group. Cynthia kind of accepted Kandi's apology but her body language said otherwise. And Kenya and NeNe couldn't stop screeching at one another.

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