The Resident 8x17, Matt Czuchry and Manish Dayal

The Resident 2×17 Recap: Second Chances

In The Resident 2×17 “Betrayal,” there are stories of second chances, redemption, and justice (?). The episode revolves around a gunshot wound, mono, and an undercover takedown resulting in a shootout and a high-speed vehicle pursuit. Is this blowing your mind? Well, it should because when The Resident does action, it does it so well. As the episode reached its end, viewers on twitter seemed to be going out of their minds; and man, was it suspenseful until the very last second.

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Melinda CassiereLeave a comment

Blue Bloods 9×16 Review: Who Framed Jamko?

We’re back from a break and, hopefully, we won’t see another break for the remainder of the season! Let’s jump right in to reviewing “Past Tense”. This was a pretty action packed episode with a lot of familial themes all around.

Jamie and Eddie

I am starting here because this was easily the most frustrating plotline. Poor Jamko just can’t catch a break and, honestly, it’s starting to feel like the writers are a bit complacent at this point. Complacent seems like the wrong word, I know. That’s because they’ve thrown a lot of drama Jamie and Eddie’s away. But that, in and of itself, is complacent.

The show seems to think that for Jamie and Eddie to be dynamic, they need trouble from an external source. I cannot stress how untrue that perception is. Their most interesting moments this season have come from the two of them adjusting to being a couple or adjusting to each other’s families. I would much rather see an even mix of workplace drama and personal drama as opposed to what we’ve been given. Let’s give Jamie and Eddie a break soon, writers. They and the viewers would appreciate it.

This week, for example, I was less interested in the plot to retaliate against Jamie and Eddie and more interested in Eddie’s conflict with Erin. It gave us a beautiful sisterly moment that I would love to see explored on a deeper level. On the whole, I have not had nearly enough of Eddie one on one with members of the Reagan clan. Let’s fix that, shall we?

Erin and Anthony

Now, this plot I enjoyed thoroughly. I love when Erin and Anthony look out for each other. Erin may have irritated Anthony with the DNA test. But if the roles were reversed, then you can bet he would have done the same for her. I also loved seeing Anthony with a little brother. He was so happy to have family, even after finding out his brother wasn’t completely honest.

Additionally, I loved Frank calling Erin out at family dinner and the discussion it led them to have. Hearing each perspective on a long lost sibling was humorous and interesting. I particularly appreciated the exchange between Nicky and Jack. I have close cousins myself and I can definitely relate to cousins being as good as siblings.

Danny and Baez

You all know that I thoroughly enjoy watching Danny get personal on cases. This case is exactly the type of personal I want. I love the rare occasion when Danny gets to be soft. He sympathized with Margo, so much so that it clouded his judgement. He rode with her to the hospital, he made sure she ate, and he genuinely wanted to find resolution for her. That made the turnabout at the end satisfying in a twisted way. It allowed Danny to be angry and disappointed in this person he thought he could trust. Donnie Wahlberg playing angry and disappointed, like a father would be, will always be a favorite of mine. He didn’t disappoint.

Also, shout out to the line “No weed’s that good” for making me laugh out loud in an otherwise serious episode.

Frank and Sid

All of these plots this episode heavily featured two people working together. I find that interesting. Frank’s plot was also a part of this trend. Frank knew Sid was hiding something. Sid should have been up front with Frank and his “have a heart” comment was unnecessary. Frank has shown himself to have a very good heart in the many years since Sid has known him.

The way Frank resolved it in the end really showcased what can happen when you’re honest with your friends or colleagues and come together to solve a problem. Sid thought what he was doing was the best way to help, but Frank’s perspective found a much better way that served the officer better than hiding him away to log evidence. Frank, once again, reminded me why he would have my vote for president if he were real and running for office.

Thanks for dropping by to read my thoughts! Can’t wait to see what the tail end of the season has in store for us. I am worried for Jamko and afraid that the decision to keep their relationship a secret is going to come back to bite them. I hope not, but they’ve had a rough season so far, and I suspect it’s only going to get more dramatic from here.

Blue Bloods airs of Fridays at 10/9C on CBS.

 

Logan Angell2 Comments

The Good Doctor 2×18 Review: “Trampoline”

The season finale is here already, The Good Doctor fans, and I’m really just left with one question: where the hell did the time go? As up and down I feel this season has been, ‘Trampoline’ definitely went out on a high note for season two, and made me excited for season three. Which I was not sure was possible till now.

As cheesy as it sounds, this episode was a jumping off point for a whole new slew of stories, by wrapping up Shaun’s career struggle with Han, who he asked out on a date, Lim and Melendez status change, and Glassman’s leap of faith.

I mean, good lord, did all that happen in one episode?

Professionally, quite a few things changed here, and all of them were welcome in my eyes, as Andrews — surprisingly — decided to fire Han, and rehire Shaun. He’ll be dealing with consequences, no doubt, but this was a fist bump moment after what Shaun went through to treat the guy who literally beat him up in a bar.

I knew Shaun would be alright, but that didn’t make it any easier when he collapsed on the floor trying to treat the guy, and ended up in a hospital bed unconscious. His drive in doing what he believes is right, and acting as a doctor even when not employed was nothing short of commendable. He had no reason to do this other than it is literally in his bones, and it’s what matters to him.

I wish that Dr. Han had been able to see past his own judgement to see what Lim, Melendez, Claire, Dr. Andrews, and Glassman have learned about him. Claire literally walked in his shoes to figure out what Shaun knew, and couldn’t tell, which made me tear up at their friendship.

Over the course of the season, all of these people have been through numerous challenges, both personally, and professionally on hospital grounds. Yet the one element that keeps me wanting to see what happens next is simply caring about these characters, in spite of the drama introduced that felt contrived at times. This hour, though, showcased how much changes when you let the characters drive what’s going on, rather than letting drama alone be the focus.

Case in point, the moments we got to spend just sitting down, and seeing these characters interact, and what happens when they believe in each other is why it’s so compelling. Claire giving Shaun advice on how to ask a girl out. Park and Morgan going back and forth on their patient, to Lim, and Melendez debating on the future if one of them becomes Chief of Surgery.

If I had to pick out my favorites, though, it would definitely be Glassman proposing to Debbie, and Shaun asking Carla out. Glassman has been through hell and back fighting cancer, and while I’m glad he’s fit as a fiddle, it felt far more poignant for him to make this choice with complete honesty.

Shaun, in his own moment of courage marched right past Lea, and to Carla’s home to ask her out with flowers, and chocolates! Okay, I can’t lie, I was so happy he did this, and her accepting made me cheer as loud as Shaun did in the street. This guy has been through the wringer, and this much needed victory is one date I can’t wait to see in season three.

Really, I just want season three now. How about you guys?

final Thoughts

  • When Shaun walked past Lea in a suit, with his flowers and chocolates, I literally was debating who he was going to ask out; because before Carla came to the door, I legitimately didn’t know who he was going to see.
  • This finale flowed like a proper balance between all the characters, and I’m hoping next season it feels more like that. More character story balance, less roll your eyes at the screen drama, okay, writers?
  • Regardless of who becomes Chief of Surgery next season, I don’t think things are going to be easy for Lim, and Melendez so it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.
  • Can Claire find love too next season? I love this girl, she fully deserves it, and more screen time.
  • I’m getting the feeling romance is going to be a tad more prominent from this finale, and God, I hope I’m right because I need more of these characters personal lives, mixed with hospital time.

The Good Doctor will return next fall on ABC.

Sarah ThomasLeave a comment

Y’all Fucked Up: One Day at a Time Edition

Fellow white people, we really need to talk about One Day at a Time. Honestly, we need to talk about a lot of things; but I think I’m going to start here because Netflix just fucked up. Big time. And, given what I know about some of our/y’all’s viewing habits with other great television series that weren’t about or “for” us — wtfever that even means — so did we.

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Shana LiebermanLeave a comment

The Good Doctor 2×17 Review: “Breakdown”

The Good Doctor has a way of making their titles, i.e. “Breakdown”, hit the nail on the head for what’s going on with their characters. Shaun, especially, as he finally hits the wall on being excluded, and loses his job.

Frankly, I know a lot happened in this episode, including Glassman getting BIG news, and the resolve of the quarantine, but it’s hard for me to take my attention away from how this story has played out so fast with Shaun and Dr. Han. This episode broke down to the heart of some of our main characters, altering lives in the process. When it comes to Shaun, his career, I’m afraid, is never going to be the same again.

Claire, Melendez, and Lim all have their differences as doctors, but the one thing I know they can agree on is Shaun’s capability as a surgeon. He has faced quite a few challenges up to this point, and despite all the obstacles in his way he’s managed to overcome them. He might have needed help to get over that brick wall, but frankly I doubt there’s a surgeon out there who thinks they can do everything in their job alone.

It’s difficult to reconcile Han being the kind of doctor who’s willing to hire a P.I. to make a board back off of taking away the licenses of any doctor under his charge, and still refuse to budge on letting Shaun learn through experience, because of the mistakes he might make.

This hour featured a case of a man who was facing down a risky surgery to remove a literal 200 pound tumor, that was sucking the life out of him. Despite every mind at hand, including Han’s, when it came down to it, Shaun was the one they knew could figure out what they needed to do to get this tumor out, and save the patient.

The fact that everyone around him was telling him the positives of being in Pathology, and yet they still had no qualms of dragging him right back into his old stomping grounds for his skills. I can’t blame the surgery team, but it really just proves the point of why Han’s decision WAS A BAD ONE. I mean, come on, writers, why are you doing this to Shaun?

My frustrations aside, Freddie Highmore’s performance is no less than brilliantly heartbreaking, between losing it at Han, and when Claire is sitting there with him in the locker room packing his stuff away.

The emotional juxtaposition between him losing his job, and Glassman getting the news he’s cancer free (!!!), can be summed one in one word for me — “Damn!” I couldn’t decide whether to be more happy for Glassman, or wanting to scream at Han for Shaun. Writing choices on when to keep, and drop story-lines are frustrating as hell, but this show knows how to make you feel for their characters.

Which begs the question, now that Glassman is healthy, Lim & Melendez let out their secret, and Shaun’s fired, what in God’s name is going to happen in next week’s season finale?

You better believe I won’t miss it.

The Good Doctor airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC.

Sarah ThomasLeave a comment

The Good Doctor 2×15 Review: “Risk and Reward”

The Good Doctor is back and so am I! Pardon my absence the last few episodes but to be entirely honest I’ve struggled to put pen to paper (figuratively speaking) about this show the last few weeks as I’m at a loss at where these writers are going. ‘Risk and Reward’ seems like an appropriate title for both the surgery landscape, and the personal character stories.

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Sarah ThomasLeave a comment