DarkClarissa

Having read Diana Gabaldon's books many years ago, I was intrigued to see a TV adaptation. Based on the first episode I think this may well be a very good series. It may seem like a slow start based on the first episode, but the back story is needed in order for other things to make sense further on. I was pleased to say that I felt it was very true to the original book, but I see that Ms Gabaldon is a consultant for the TV show so this is how it should be. I hope that it stays true to the books in the upcoming episodes.

There wasn't anything that jarred historically from my personal knowledge (not an expert, just an enthusiast). The use of proper Scottish Gaelic is exactly as described in the books and the physical descriptions of the characters are very similar to the actors chosen to play the roles. This episode was good, I always withhold full judgement until further into a series, but it's looking good. Anyone into fantasy, time travel, historical drama with a large smattering of romantic entanglements should enjoy this immensely.

I like this! Although the subject matter is way beyond the realm of normal life, they way the script is written, the actors and the directing makes it gripping and compelling. Within the space of the first episode many questions have been raised. A lot of different characters have made their appearance and strange links are beginning to appear between the different realms of what is possible in The Whispers. It is spooky without being OTT and the kids are amazing little actors! I'm not usually a big fan of dramas that utilise a lot of kids in the storyline, but this looks like it's going to work well. I can't wait until the next episode.

Why? This is the question that I was left asking myself at the end of the pilot episode. Why indeed. Why did they give an arguably great cast such an intensely awful script? Why was the director, Eagle Egilsson, allowed to make such a ham-fisted attempt at creating suspense? Why did an Oscar winning actress, Patricia Arquette, give such a wooden performance? Why did I really, really not give a damn about the other characters?

I am a geek, a nerd and technology obsessive. So I was looking forward to this new 21st Century CSI. But it was so awful, so lacking in any insight into the world of cyber ANYTHING. All it did was make obvious statements about how social networking sites make it easy to find out about people (no, really?) And how it is possible to hack baby-cams (this is such old news and has been dealt with YEARS AGO).

It was as if the writers were asked to come up with a story that seemed "hip" and "with it". You know, like someone's dad trying to remember all the "cool" things to say in front of his teenage kids' friends so they think he's "awesome". But, of course, no one uses any of those expressions any more. I felt like CSI:Cyber was set when the internet was ON DIAL UP. I'm surprised that the theme music isn't that horrific noise that the old dial-up modem made as it attempted for the tenth time to connect to the internet.

Just because there was a room full of monitors flashing useless graphics (cue huge picture of missing baby's face), and a virtual morgue into which holographic images of dead bodies could be "teleported". YES, I cannot believe that the word TELEPORTED was used. I am so close to wanting to put a huge line of emoticons indicating my utter frustration.

I very, very rarely give up after one episode. I am going to try and watch the next episode, but I have my doubts that it will be any better. I need to have a large, stiff drink to calm my nerves after watching that pilot... see you when I sober up!

A nostalgic drama that every 40-something will relate to. Imagine being able to travel back twenty years to the mid-90s and have the chance to change the decisions you made, to rewrite the life you've lived. Becca is given such an opportunity. She is helped along the way by her best friend Lolly.

So far this has been a fun, quirky, insightful and engaging. It's easy to engage with and surprisingly emotionally engaging. It's also made me remember that life before smart phones was a real pain.

My review is based on about half of the pilot episode. I can't really be objective, I'm afraid. The "musical" style of TV shows have never appealed to me. For instance, I know Glee is a huge hit, but, as much as I love music, I just can't watch things were people burst into song. So Empire was fighting a losing battle with me straight away. If you like over the top musical melodrama and have a penchant for hip-hop then this will probably be right up your alley. But it's a no go for me, sorry guys!

It's always difficult for a TV series to be as good as a classic cult film. The original film starring Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt and Madeleine Stowe is an excellent example. Based on the idea behind the original short film La Jetée, this dark tale of time travel and human failure, 12 Monkeys is a film that can be watched again and again and still more layers are visible.

So now we come to the TV adaptation. It was necessary for the storyline to be tweaked somewhat from the film. The film is a tight, circular timeline that would be difficult to serialise unless in the form of a finite "mini-series" type format. Therefore, from the start there are differences and divergences from the original story.

Aaron Stanford and Amanda Schull play the main characters of Cole and Cassandra respectively. Right from the start both the script and the acting sets 12 Monkeys apart from other TV adaptations. There is a depth to the character development and thought given to how the story needs to be the same yet different from the original. Additional characters and a padding out of the back-story makes for satisfying viewing.

There is a lack of good pure sci-fi on TV at the moment. I have enjoyed the three episodes that have aired so far tremendously. If the standard is maintained, I can see 12 Monkeys being very successful and a joy to watch. I seriously hope this the first of many great seasons to come.

I wasn't that enamoured of the acting during the first half of the first episode. It seemed stilted and just a little off. But I'm a real sci-fi junkie, so I persevered and the twist at the end of the first episode more than rewarded me. I have continued to watch with baited breath as the 600 souls on-board Ascension try to contend with fraught dangers and personal problems. The acting seems to be deliberate, a bi-product of the weird and wonderful world of Ascension.

I have watched three episodes as I write this and can't wait for the next installments! Unfortunately, I cannot, in all good conscience tell you anymore about the plot of this excellent show without possibly giving out spoilers. Suffice to say, just when you think you know where things are going, they change direction - abruptly. If you like your sci-fi stirred with conspiracies and a good sprinkling of paranormal, this is definitely the one to watch.

One of the best sitcoms ever produced. Hilarious, likeable characters, each very different. It is such a shame that Dermot Morgan died and no more could be made (the actor who played Father Ted). One of those shows where it is impossible to pick out a favourite episode because there are so many. I recommend this irreverent gem to everyone. Do you think you'll watch it? Ah go on, go on, go on...

I have to say that this was surprisingly good. I didn't hold out much hope for this even though I liked the premise. But we have Scandal and Homeland, not to mention Covert Affairs. So there are lots of opportunities to get a dose of White House/CIA story-lines. Also, State of Affairs has a female lead, which I am very glad about (redressing that balance), but it did make it seem like it might be very similar to what is out there already.

Katherine Heigl, despite being so very beautiful, manages to portray a cynical and believable battle-weary edginess. Her facial expressions are none too sweet, she is condescending, rude and judgmental. But Ms Heigl manages to make the character work. The storyline of her fiance who was the son of the US President being killed one year previously introduced sufficient tension, uncertainty, and links to other characters without having to reveal too much in one go. The pilot's storyline was tenuously related to her fiance's death without it becoming overwhelming and it gave the opportunity for the characters to discuss other players.

It is refreshing to see the US President depicted as a black woman. I hope that the writers develop her character sufficiently. I look forward to a complex, flawed yet strong individual. Maybe charming, yet controlling? It will be interesting to see.

I am sufficiently hooked to want to see more and am intrigued to know more about the other characters.