Saturday, July 9, 2016

Outlander (Season 2)


Outlander is the a television show based on the book series of the same name written by Diana Gabaldon. It is the story of married World War Two Army nurse, Claire Beauchamp, who travels back in time to the 18th century Scotland where she encountered the dashing soldier, Jamie Fraser. It's second season premiered on April 9, 2016.

Catriona Balfe as Claire Beauchamp
Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser
Tobias Menzies as Frank Randall/Johnathan "Black Jack" Randall  
Andrew Gower as Prince Charles Stuart Edward

I give this TV show a 4/5. Personally, I think that this season is better than the first one. Seeing Jamie and Claire being all bougie in France gave the show more flare. The story this time around was much more cohesive and action packed. It had twists and turns that had me holding onto the edge of my seat. The most heartbreaking scene was when Jamie and Claire said their goodbyes to one another. I'm not going to lie, I did tear up a little. The characters went through a lot of hurdles and had much development compared to season one. Catriona Balfe and Sam Heughan are brilliant in their roles and have amazing chemistry with one another.  Andrew Gower was a FABULOUS Bonnie Prince Charlie. However, the performance that stole the show for me came from Tobias Menzies in episode 1 as Frank Randall when he discovers that his wife was pregnant by anotehr man. His scenes took my breath away. Acting wise, the one weak link in the cast was Sophie Skelton who played Brianna Randall. She really couldn't hold up to Catriona's talent when they were arguing in a scene. The scenery is gorgeous, the clothing is sumptuous, the story is amazing, the actors are brilliant - definitely a go out and see now!

Monday, February 15, 2016

The Royals (Season 2)


The Royals is an E! television drama series on a fictional dysfunctional British royal family. The second season premiered on November 15, 2015 and centers around the ramifications of the assassination of King Simon. 

Elizabeth Hurley as Queen Helena Henstridge
William Moseley as Prince Liam Henstridge
Alexandra Park as Princess Eleanor Henstridge
Jake Maskall as King Cyrus

I give this TV show a 2/5. It's the story of a dysfunctional, drug taking, sex addicted royal family, you know from the get go that this isn't Shakespeare. It's raunchy, it's drama filled, it's a tad cheesy at times but it works. Compared to the first season, the story was a bit all over the place and I felt that the story didn't advance much. The only thing holding this story together was the search for Simon's killer and even that fell a little flat. However, what I felt was an improvement from last season, was character development more specifically for Princess Eleanor's "Len's"character. Alexandra Park, you are a beautiful girl and I hope you get far in your acting career. William Moseley, I'm sorry, you are extremely dull as our protagonist. You had more charisma as Peter from the Chronicles of Narnia than you do here. And when everyone from the story is trying to push you up to be the King they think you are, I don't believe it. Jake Maskall, you CHEW that scenery! Chew it to bits and pieces. His story line was drawl and his character was unappealing - sadly, not in a love-to-hate-him kind of way. Why are the twins even in this series? They aren't funny, they're just annoying. When I heard that Elizabeth Hurley was cast in the role of Queen Helena, my first thought was, "YES!" and she kills it as the Queen. She is at her best when she outsmarts people and boldly says, "I'm the Queen". But her character doesn't go anywhere this season and it feels like such a waste of potential. While I did not approve of Jasper's blackmailing ways in the first season, I saw some potential in him this time around and the unraveling of his backstory was an interesting addition to the plot. It's not good by any stretch of the imagination but if you're looking for some raunchy royal fun, give it a try.   

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Versailles (Series 1)


Versailles is a 2015 Canal+ television series on the court of King Louis XIV of France during the construction of the Palace of Versailles.

George Blagden as King Louis XIV of France

I give this TV series a 1/5. I was genuinely excited for this show when I first heard about it because Louis XIV! The Sun King! Which is why I am sad to say it wasn't that good. Now don't get me wrong, the sets and the costumes were absolutely beautiful and it was a visual feast for my eyes. But it wasn't that good. You can tell they were trying to make "The Tudors" version of Versailles and it just doesn't work. This story is so bastardize by Hollywood that I could get drunk with all the tropes I find in it. Tell me if this doesn't sound ridiculous to you. Claudine is a progressive girl in 17th century France who doesn't believe in the magic mumbo jumbo of that century's medicine, instead she believes in "science". Because of her sex, she must disguise herself as a man to work as personal physician to the King who sees her inner potential. Poppycock! To say that Versailles is historically inaccurate is a bit of an understatement. The show butchers every female character it has. Normally, I would forgive changes to history for the sake of drama but when you have such a rich history as the love life of King Louis XIV of France it is downright insulting. Louise de la Valliere was just a religious nutjob and the romantic way that she and Louis fell in love is reduced to a boob grab in the back of church. Athenais, Madame de Montespan, was no maitresse en titre - boring and bland. Queen Marie Therese had a black baby?! I remember reading that this show caused controversy in France because it is in English instead of French. English is my native tongue and I would prefer it to be in English so that didn't bother me but what did bother me was that the only person on the show with a French accent was Princess Henrietta Anne of ENGLAND. Another English figure they ruined was Charles II of England. I was so excited for the Treaty of Dover but the moment Charles II of England came on screen, I recoiled in horror. The man who sired nearly twenty bastards was gayer than the Duke of Orléans. As I was watching the scene unfold, I could not help but think of a much much better show, Charles II the Power and the Passion, and how it knew its source material. This was trash. The thing I will give Versailles credit for are its two main characters. George Blagden looked the part and he acted the part but the person who really stole the show was Alexander Vhalos as Philippe, Duke of Orléans! The moment I saw him I thought he captured the character perfectly! Perfect, simply perfect. I loved seeing the relationship between the two brothers and this can be extended a little to Minette. However, this show was bland and boring for all of its sex and violence and if I didn't have to write this review I wouldn't have even finished it.