Limitless 1.02 Badge! Gun!

<i>Limitless 1.02 Badge! Gun!</i>
Okay it looks like Bradley Cooper's people are making sure Brian keeps his mouth shut about being immune to the NZT drug side effects. I wonder if keeping Brian's father with the stay-at-home nurse in all of this will be the coin toss between staying under with the FBI and continuing an addiction to the drug. He knows because of his immunity, he won't crash after taking so many at once.

I can see the writers are setting up character development between Brian and Rebecca. She's watching over him and actually vouched for his "FBI badge" in the end of the episode. She's probably holding his abilities the closest with the situation of her father. I wonder if Senator Eddie Mora (Bradley Cooper) becomes tied to her father's death. Rebecca explained he was full of hope the last day she saw her, with the traces of the NZT drug in him. Maybe he was the experiment before his body gave in.

It's moving slowly but I like the comedic appeal Brian brings to the show.

Once Upon a Time 5.01, Blood & Oil 1.01

<i>Once Upon a Time 5.01 The Dark Swan</i>

Emma Swan isn't good at playing an evil person. She's better as the saviour, not because that's how we're used to it but she REALLY doesn't play a bad person well. I hope by mid-season, we've resolved having her go dark side. Since the end of Excalibur is the dagger, the connection should be simple to make her a hero once more.

It looks like Zelena hasn't changed her ways either, so this should keep everything interesting.

I can't wait to see what happens in Camelot when we meet Merlin. I like when the writers have a specific setting for a good few episodes. It keeps the consistency and we get to meet a lot of fun characters. I think I'm also excited because Meghan Ory returns as Ruby this season.

<i>Blood & Oil 1.01 Pilot</i>

I was pretty disappointed with this premiere and hoped for something more. The only thing that caught my attention were the last five minutes. Everything else was back and forth with the main couple needing a loan, jobs to make money and saving up for the baby they're expecting. Basically all they did was borrow from everyone and make a bunch of deals through word of mouth.

Limitless 1.01 Pilot

<i>Limitless 1.01 Pilot</i>
I'm surprised I decided to tune in to this show judging by the limited amount of previews, but it turned out interesting! Set in New York (as are most popular shows are) the concept of an average guy Brian Finch suddenly obtains a remarkable memory. The producers made him relatable to anyone who feels they've contemplated their life decisions and career choices. It makes the protagonist likeable and similar to any mid to late twenty-something adult today.

We warm up to Brian Finch's character easily, especially since everyone knows what it's like to be <i>human</i> and not know what happens after letting some time pass you by. We see him cross paths with an old friend, which decides to do him a favour in getting ahead.

We later find out he takes this counterfeit street drug 'NZT', which mainly enhances his brain activity and ability to retain information. It burns himself out just as easily, but it looks like the skeleton of the story throughout the show. There's a lot of intertwining involved with the drug, but it appears to be underground funds for this drug to be a success.

I'm excited Hill Harper and Jennifer Carpenter have a new show. With Bradley Cooper's cameo, I wonder if he'll be a regular since he's such a high profile actor. I'll see how the rest of this show turns out as the season goes along.

Heroes Reborn 1.01 Awakening, 1.02 Odessa

I'm so happy the Toronto International Film Festival added primetime television as a category to the festival this year! I've been looking forward to Heroes Reborn ever since I found out Tim Kring was doing a reboot of his original series. I've been a fan of the Heroes series since first season, which was back when I was in my final year of high school. Also, knowing the producers aged a few of the original characters for this reboot allows us to easily follow the storyline.

My sister and I went to the world premiere at the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre last night, which was a packed house. I always enjoy the Winter Garden theatre mainly for its ethereal interior =) Now on to my review!

Heroes Reborn 1.01 Awakening, 1.02 Odessa
We get introduced to a lot of new characters, both taking sides as heroes and villains. We quickly see not much has changed in the world from the original series except for the time passed and those with special abilities are in hiding. Since "coming out" to the world they are super human, everybody feared change.

I like this idea so much since it is applicable today. People fear what they don't understand, so naturally this will take the series into another Us VS Them situation (in addition to the heroes and villains).  It's a classic theme, one you can't go wrong with. Tim Kring I have so much faith in you!

Kicking off with this setting, we see a lot of people aren't pleased Evos (the label of choice for these humans) exist at all. They feel threatened and even made it illegal for them to roam free to live in peace. I have no idea how they'll be able to organize against this, but I have a feeling Noah 'HRG' Bennett will help out.

We meet a priest and a select few, in Los Angeles, who have an underground organization helping the Evos escape. Depending on how successful we see their outcome, it may put a huge target on their lives.

We also meet a girl named Miko in Japan who may be the most powerful newcomer. We don't know much about her history, only that she's able to digitally move into a popular video game with her dad's katana sword. I already have a theory on her, but it may be wishful thinking of how I've admired this show for 10 years.

Finally, easily one of my favourite characters is Tommy, played by Robbie Kay (Once Upon a Time). He's the protagonist you grow to sympathize and relate to in the times of living on the run. He's trying to adapt as best as he can without letting his ability to give him away. Since it gets out of control, that's where he leaves a trail of bread crumbs behind.

In the final moments of the premiere, we meet our beloved Molly Walker, played by Francesca Eastwood. She symbolizes all the time that's passed and how bad things have gotten. I was particularly excited to see Peter Mooney (Rookie Blue) make an appearance as one of the bad guys. I have a feeling there's a price for Molly's ability, so this may mean there's an organization of the rogue Evos as well? If that's true, they're certainly ahead of the game.

There's so much I want to say without spoiling the first two episodes, but I am liking the direction Tim Kring has taken this show.

Two days in London

My arrival to London was actually my third time in the city. I decided to do all the tourist related stuff I didn't get to do in the past which included a River Thames cruise and riding the London eye ferris wheel. Also, since the last time I was in London back in 2012, The Shard building wasn't built yet. It would've been nice to go in, but It was fascinating to see along the river cruise.

Everything else below were mainly do-overs (I.e.: Tower of London, City Hall, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, City Hall, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Millennium Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Buckingham Palace, High Park) but always good fun when taking pictures in places where the only thing that has changed is you =) 

Love all the sights I got to see, including the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. This was a real treat because this is the second time I got to see the ceremony and it really is fun to see a well practiced routine which occur at specific times.

Take That Live 2015 Tour (with Ella Henderson) at The O2, June 9th 2015

I can't believe a month ago today, I saw one of my longtime favourite pop bands at The O2; an arena I've always wanted to visit for a show. I've been outside The O2 twice in previous years before, but this is the first time I bought a ticket for a performance =) To say it lived up to my expectations is an understatement. This was my first evening of my travels flying out of Toronto and into London. I was severely sleep deprived due to the nature of working straight shifts, including the day of my flight. It all worked out since it kept my body awake to the timezone.

The concert was phenomenal and Ella Henderson did a wonderful job! All of her songs from her opener, except "Ghost", were something new for me to hear. It's nice she also takes part in writing some of her material. I wish her album was available at the souvenir section, but that's why Steve Jobs created iTunes ;). Her voice is versatile, and most solo singers with natural talent rarely get good songs to showcase their sound. I really did admire her vocals and hope she's able to come over to Canada in the near future.

set list:
Glow
Pieces
Mirror Man
Empire
Yours
Rockets
Billie Holiday
Ghosts

I have two Take That tour DVDs; Beautiful World Tour, my sister's favourite since it was the comeback and Circus Tour, which is my favourite because it's the last one with all four of them before Robbie Williams ruined everything.

The set for this tour was diverse, even though this is the only tour I've seen live. A lot of what was incorporated was inspired from previous music videos and live performances. The buskers who opened after Ella wore the outfits from memorable songs ranging from the early 90's into the present. It was a good tribute, especially since it's now three members remaining (I hate you Robbie Williams; you could've left in peace but you had to take Jason Orange down as well).

Once again, there's a lot I liked about the set; "Shine" was performed in its original format with the sparkles and suits, "The Garden" was an underwater experience, "Relight My Fire" used fans as a part of rhythm in choreography and "Back for Good" was done on stools! Mark made a point after introducing the rest of the band it was their second night at The O2 and this would be their second time officially performing in the original form, sitting on stools. I honestly can't wait until the tour DVD comes out. I saw posters all over Belfast and Dublin that a live telecast would happen in the theatres June 19 of Take That at the O2, so I'm hoping they use it for their tour DVD!

set list:
I Like It
Love Love
Greatest Day
Get Ready For It
Hold Up a Light
Patience
The Garden
Up All Night
Said It All
Could It Be Magic
Let in the Sun
Affirmation
The Flood
Flaws
Relight My Fire
Back for Good
Pray
Portrait
These Days
Rule the World
Shine
Never Forget



Side note: Right when I entered the O2, I circled around to our gate and saw Donovan their drummer walking in my direction before the show! I wanted to give him a hello but his cellphone rang. My friend thought I was crazy until the mid-way through the show Gary, Howard and Mark introduced the band members one by one and she saw Don's face on the jumbo screen. Yep, NOT crazy!

I'll organize the remainder of my trip in entries mainly by day. Of course, people will like to see more pictures than text, so I'll work on that as well! I now end this with the lovely Mexican food I ate outside The O2 before the show =)

Travel updates!

Yikes! I know its been a month since I've posted, but all for good reason! I just got back from travelling the last few weeks in Ireland, Wales and England. I meant to write a quick blurb of my absence before I left, but I thought it would be a good idea to work straight shifts up until my flight (I actually don't recommend it. I did a full opening shift the day I flew out and didn't get any sleep until my second night abroad).

I'll talk about my journey in the next few entries as well as the concert I attended at The O2 Arena :) I'll be splitting them up (of course) because there's just so much I want to say and I want to include my pictures to give my entries some justice.