The Walking Dead 5.08 Coda

The Walking Dead 5.08 Coda

I actually can't believe that ending! Well done for a mid season finale. This first half of season five has offered a lot of action and information for a good season.

Last season, I remembered being bored with the storyline dragging on at the time. Ever since the group got separated after the prison attack, each episode from that point was dedicated to particular groups. I understand the reason was to give more background stories on each character, but it really churned out a slow season. 

I feel this season got it's original vibe back. The timelines kept us guessing with how long Beth has been at the hospital, how long the group has been at the church, how long the priest has been keeping his secrets etc. 

I had an upsetting gut feeling Beth and Maggie wouldn't get their reunion. If it came down to it, either Carol or Beth would go. Carol has been wanting to leave voluntarily whereas Beth wouldn't get her happy ending. 

The way Daryl went in ready to take out Dawn without hesitation – THAT was perfection! It couldn't be Rick to take the kill, but Daryl. He did so much keeping Beth alive and well when they got separated. He also felt responsible for her getting snatched up.

I'm not sure if the final offer at the end was a sincere one. The hospital cops offered plenty of room and resources. Rick trusts no one but his people. Moving his group in with the hospital could have been the game changer. He has baby Judith who needs to be taken care of and a group that can't always keep moving. Then again, Beth got shot before his eyes so all deals are off. Beth shouldn't have shanked Dawn with the scissors; no good came from it. 

I wonder what changes happen come February. The preview showed Michonne expressing her feelings. Maybe she wants to take up that hospital offer? Maybe she's sick of moving around the way they do. Also, what will happen with Eugene now that Washington was a sham this whole time? So many resources and time has been wasted so he could stay alive. It's survival of the fittest at the end of the day, and he was trying his best to survive with the aide of good Samaritans.

Watching Emily Kinney in tonight's Talking Dead episode is so sad. I am a big sop so yes I am crying. She really is attached the character and worked with the cast for 5 seasons long. She really does care about the show as much as the audience; Chris Hardwick couldn't have said it any better.

Whatever the writers choose to do February 2015, I am ready come episode 5.09 :D

OneRepublic's Native Tour (with American Authors and The Script) at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre

Unbelievable! That’s the one word I can use to describe this weekend’s Native Summer tour. Seeing all my favourite bands (sans Royal Teeth) was a great kick off to the new summer season!

The show opened up with American Authors playing seven tracks from their Oh, What a Life album, and I’m so glad to see their progression as a band since they first performed in Toronto at the Drake. The guys were on point with their set and had a lot of fun with the crowd. Part way through, Zac had one of the crew say in his earpiece that the US just scored a goal against Portugal LOL He kept having to justify to us Canadians that Americans actually do care about the world cup =P It was a good laugh, plus I got an update on the game without using my cellular data.

set list:
Think About It
Luck
Believer
Home
Trouble
Hit It
Best Day of my Life

The Script, who are my favourite mainstream band, came on stage after and it was like reliving their concert two October’s ago for their Science and Faith tour when they released their #3 album. They performed nine of their famous singles and at one point, Danny called a fan’s ex-boyfriend during ‘Nothing’ (that’s what they do at all their shows). He saw the guy’s name on the phone and yelled, “His name is PATRICK?! Oh he’s definitely Irish! What did he do to screw up? LET’S FIND OUT!” Danny also ran all the way to the back to sing ‘You Won’t Feel a Thing’ to the audience in the lawn area.
set list:
Good Ol’ Days
Before the Worst
Breakeven
We Cry
The Man Who Can’t Be Moved
Nothing
For The First Time
You Won’t Feel a Thing
Hall Of Fame

OneRepublic definitely know how to put a show together. This is why I get excited when they come to Toronto!  Back in June 2008, they first came to the city and that happened to be my first time saving up for my first concert ever. I remember the tickets being $30 and going with a group of good friends. This time, I went with a smaller group of friends and met up with my friend Michelle, who I ALWAYS see at all the big concerts I attend. We decided we need better communication and just attend together from now on. OneRepublic really changed their sound through the years but always remained consistent. I love that about them (just like Coldplay) and they experiment well with different sounds/instruments. Their set was a combination of all their albums (of course) but the mixture was excellent since they knew when to slow down their songs, mix up their instruments and make songs acoustic. Their final song during the encore couldn’t be more perfect.

My favourite single off their Native album was always ‘If I Lose Myself’ but I remember it never got enough radio play when it was released (not like ‘Counting Stars’ does). At the time, I caught it twice on the Toronto radio stations and never heard it again. I remember Aloe Black and Avicii released ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’ and Swedish House Mafia announced their One Last Tour around the same timeframe that summer.

OneRepublic’s track was overshadowed by this tour and I think nobody knew about their new album as well as I did in the city. The familiarity between the genre would overlap well, but I guess SHM knew what they were doing with advertising themselves as best they could to sell out their tour. Anyway, their final song ‘If I Lose Myself’ was insane! I can’t explain properly how well they did it, but they changed it up by adding dance beats from the Alesso mix and added percussions to it! This was a fantastic blend, especially since American Authors always use their snare drum up front in their shows. Again, it was remarkable and I can’t even explain how wonderful this experience was. I can’t wait until the next time they come back to Toronto. Hopefully I’m not waiting another eight years to see them in Toronto once again!
setlist:
Light It Up
Secrets
All The Right Moves
What You Wanted
Stop And Stare
Something I Need
Apologize
Rude (Magic cover)
Preacher
Come Home
Counting Stars
Can’t Stop
Au Revoir
Feel Again
Good Life
I Lived

encore:
Love Runs Out
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong Cover)
If I Lose Myself

Once Upon a Time 3.21, 3.22

Once Upon a Time 3.21 Snow Drifts // 3.22 There's No Place Like Home
AT LONG LAST! A proper two hour season finale that does a show rightful justice. From start to finish, this was a flawless finale. It covered all basics and even went back to the reasons why we first started watching the series to begin with. Re-telling Snow and Charming's love story was one of the many firsts connecting all characters of the Enchanted Forest.

Emma has finally reconnected herself into who she's meant to be. Killian was the one who lead the way for her to see truth! He chased after her when she contemplated her move back to New York. He also went after her when she got too close to the barn. He's not going to abandon her anyway. He even ensured her survival while he did a sword fight against the castle guards. His love for her is almost as intense as, dare I say X-Men's Wolverine for Jean Grey.


I didn't expect Marian to be the secret character! Makes sense for it to be her, but I was open to a new enemy. She believed in Snow's innocence so having it be a fellow lady in the woods like Red is also a plus. I don't think she will be a threat in the upcoming season since her main concern would be for the son. Robin will probably love Regina still and work things out with his family. I also believe Regina can work light magic again. She knows how to love again and making her the villain is old.

Rumpelstilskin will be the neutral villain in the background, but his marriage to Belle should overpower his need to control with the dagger. When he has urges, I am sure Belle will bring him back to his human self. Aside from that, I think Zelena used up enough of her screen time. She had to go and I am glad Rumpel was the one who did it.

I'm excited for Elsa to come to the show. Since the vault contained unstable and misunderstood magic, it will probably involve Anna being able to calm her. I wonder who will be cast as the character since Idina Menzel's famous characters are getting some spotlight time!

I'm so impressed with that wonderful ending where Killian could finally prove he was a hero! There was so much consistency with his character and his love for Emma all along. The whole time from the start of the season (even prior to this season), his goal was to bring Emma back and help her believe everyone in Storybrooke needed her. He did all that. Not Henry or anybody else; Killian did it all! Now we know he sold the Jolly Roger all for her. REAL FAIRY TALE LOVE!

I'm glad this series has made it through to fourth season. I can't wait to see what the producers have next =D

Reign 1.20 Higher Ground

Reign 1.20 Higher Ground
This show keeps changing! Glad Leith is coming back in the picture. Francis looks like he is  saving him the whole way and will allow him to marry Greer. That was a pretty bad fight those five guys went through. A bit unrealistic but Francis was able succeed on his own terms. Crazy King Henry better stop with his difficult behaviour because I have a feeling he may be the reason why Francis dies early. I also wonder if that will happen before second season.

Mary has lost it, but I dont blame her. She's been put through the wringer and dragged through the mud with everything thats happened to her in France. Now that shes capable of killing and hiring an undercover assassin, she's going to be ruthless here on out. Catherine still has her suspicions (she has every right to), so this will play out to be really interesting.

There's more with Bash and Kenna nowadays, but Lola and the mysterious husband is grabbing more attention. He finally confessed that he has no money to his name but is manning up at last. I think the birth of the baby can bring them closer,  just as long as he never finds out it's an heir to France.

I see more politics and bloodshed in the show, as opposed to love as the chief decision maker. Everything needs to be played smart, not with the heart. Its all politics and survival of the fittest. Really hope it stays that way since the "dark magic" story line is getting old.

The Following 2.15 Forgive

That was an action packed start to a finale! I didn't think Joe would shoot Preston dead! Then again since his dad died for him, he wouldn't have had use for the rest of the episode. Pretty stoked Emma is officially out of the picture. I think she is too much and really needed to go before third season came around.

I actually predicted this kind of finale. I thought Joe and Ryan would have to team up for a common purpose. Before Claire showed up midseason, I thought it would be to take out the twins and Lily.

The change in their behaviour once they show up to rescue Claire. I personally thought it was a voice recording in the hidden room. I noticed the twins took out their anger on Ryan more than Joe because of their soft spot for Claire (Joe is better with words and manipulation, Ryan is the hero).

I'm glad they took out evil twin Luke. Mark is a whack job in his own way but at least he is tamed. I wonder who the mystery person in the driver seat is. It's definitely someone blending in with society. I hope season three lives up to all of the action that has happened.

I also wonder if they will keep Max and Mike together and Ryan with the newscaster.

This finale was fantastic!

Reign 1.18 No Exit

Reign 1.18 No Exit
I'm actually glad Francis turned everything around and stood up for himself. I know last weeks episode I was thrilled Mary did the same for herself and Scotland, but this time Francis was the one who took control to protect Mary.

I think James is the one who hired the third party Englishmen to order the assassination on Mary at sea. If he would want to be king of Scotland, he would be ruthless. He's also a half brother too so he would feel threatened by Mary controlling three countries.

Kenna and Bash look like they're finally getting along. I think their story will grow into something better. As for Lola, I think she got herself in a bad marriage. The guy probably has no inheritance even though everyone hears he comes from wealth. I wonder if Francis will ever find out about the baby. That will be a plot twist but Francis may die before he knows about it.

I'm glad Nostradamus is staying behind in French court. He needs to be around for the sake of his sanity (and Catherine's). King Henry better get back to normal and explain these visions. I think it was a younger brother or friend of his that passed on. I thought it could be young Henry but I don't know why a younger version of himself could be tormenting (especially when you're king).

The Following 2.13, Bates Motel 2.07

The Following 2.13 The Reaping
Is it strange my sister and I were cheering for Mike to shoot Lily? We knew Ryan wouldn't hold it against him for his anger, but now he may turn him in to the FBI and say it wasn't self defense. Mike has been aching on the inside since his father, so I hope he doesn't get thrown off the case =(

Now that the cult has been destroyed, Ryan should find clues to get closer to Joe. Not sure what the end game will be though because you either put him in jail or do the same thing Mike did =/ I also think Claire is going to get herself killed again now that Joe knows she's alive. She thinks the secret message will throw him off his game (which it has for now) but I see agitation and aggression coming out of this. Yes it will lure him out of hiding but it endangers everyone.

Two episodes left in this season?! I can't handle this!

Bates Motel 2.07 Presumed Innocent
Norman's alter ego is getting stronger. He's speaking up more against Norma, but she is smothering him way to much. If she keeps it up, Norman may burst out and permanently be stuck in the "black out" part of himself.

Alex Romero is strangely attracted to Norma and is probably going to stop her from seeing George Heldens (Michael Vartan). There was male rivalry in the eye contact at the police station so I think this is going to be a new story unfolding. I also think George isn't an entirely good guy. He probably has skeletons in his closet.

I'm sad to see Cody go! I feel she was the only other good person, besides Emma, in Norman's life. Dylan already walked out because of the seriousness of his parentage and hatred for Norma. Miss Watson the likeable teacher mysteriously died in an unsolved murder, leaving Norman confused. Norman really only had Cody left to rely on without question. It's evil of Norma to twist everything and claim Cody is the problem to try and cover up her own tracks.

Now we know Norman slept with Blair *jaw dropping news* This is going to change everything from how easy Romero has been with the Bates family this season to the gossiping town reaction.

Oh and I have a random scene spotting; front desk girl in the police station plays Holly from Rookie Blue! I miss my Toronto cop show so much that I am noticing the characters everywhere.