Episode Title: Chapter 8
Originally Aired: March 29th 2017
Ever since they were created in the 1960’s the X-Men have been an allegory for civil rights. To try to help people understand and empathize with their neighbors who on the surface looked so different Marvel created a team of heroes that looked like the majority of America and their friends and family. This relationship finally made its presence known on tonight’s episode of Legion. Continue reading Legion S:01 E:02
Episode Title: Chapter 7 Originally Aired: March 22nd 2017
The penultimate episode of Legion was its best of the season so far, leading up to the climactic battle next week. This episode featured references to They Live, Buried, David’s comic book origins, silent films and anything involving Tim Burton. We finally have our answers about David’s illness and the villain’s identity. Every episode of this show takes you on a visual trip and this one hits every stop on its way. Nothing in it is groundbreaking on its own but most shows and films would never combine them all in a 45-minute stretch. It was not without faults as the show rested on the trusted but well-worn dues ex machina trope. Continue reading Legion S:01 E:07
Episode Title: Shadow Hawk Takes Flight
Originally Aired: March 17th 2017
I haven’t decided if the episode titles mean anything or if they are just supposed to sound profound. A hawk seems to be Danny’s spirit animal or guide because he sees it several times while focusing his chi. I think it would have been better to title this episode, Shadow Hawk Takes Flight over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Most of the episode takes place in a mental institution as Danny tries to convince anyone that will listen that he is Danny Rand and not John Anderson from Canada and not some homeless person who lives in the park. Continue reading Iron Fist S:01 E:02
Episode Title: Snow Gives Way
Originally Aired: March 17 2017
Like Jessica Jones and Luke Cage, Iron Fist/Danny Rand is a lesser-known character that is about to reach a new height in popularity. There has been a lot controversy surrounding the release of the fifth collaboration of Marvel and Netflix. Many people have chided the two companies for not casting an Asian in the lead role, despite the fact that Danny Rand has always been a white man in the comics. Part of it is misguided whitewashing anger and the rest is anger over a perceived missed opportunity. It is true that the Iron Fist could be any age, race or gender but that same thing cannot be said for Danny Rand. For Danny to have a comic book accurate relationship with Luke Cage when all of the Defenders eventually meet up, he has to be a white person. I think it would be great if after a few seasons Danny lost the title of Iron Fist and it transferred to an Asian actor. That way, the next iteration of this show could be for Asian-Americans what Luke Cage was for black people. Continue reading Iron Fist S:01 E:01
When my wife was in college she once came to the aid of a friend who was housesitting for a professor. A bat had gotten into the house. She bagged it and released it. And yet, when there’s a spider in the house, she calls on me to get rid of it. Some people just don’t go for spiders. That includes one of the Power Rangers. See what happens as Zack has to face his case of arachnophobia in Itsy Bitsy Spider. Continue reading Mighty Morphin Power Rangers S:01 E:23
Episode Title: Chapter 6
Originally Aired March 15TH 2017
Well it took six episodes but Legion has fallen off the style over substance cliff. Based on the trailer for chapter 7 it looks like they will be able to course correct into an action packed episode. Tonight though was a disappointment. Yes, it had interesting visuals and it was entertaining but the amount of story it generated could have been told in five minutes. The plot should always be point 1 and then supported by the visuals and music. Chapter 6 had it all backwards choosing to show us weird and interesting things over progressing the story. Continue reading Legion S:01 E:06
Episode Title: Chapter 5
Originally Aired: March 8th 2017
“It wears a human face.” After the fifth episode of the season, we have a stronger idea of who and what our villain is. The song Daily Mail by Radiohead plays a prominent role is this episode and is an apt description of David now that he is back from the astral plane. “The lunatics have taken over the asylum” and there is “no regard for human life” now that David is no longer in control of his body. If you are a fan of 80’s and 90’s horror movies like me you will see a little bit of Freddy Kruger in the way David goes to rescue his sister. Continue reading Legion S:01 E:05
Episode Title: Chapter 4
Originally Aired: March 1st, 2017
“Violence is ignorance, so figure your shit out.” Oliver wants you to know that when you understand something there is no reason to have an irrational fear of it, which will minimize your need to lash out at it. While a great thought provoking thought, it does not seem to have a lot to do with this particular episode of FX’s Legion. His second quote about the stories that we tell our children can be seen all over tonight’s episode. Is David the cute bunny that is getting to close to the ocean? On the other hand, is David the ocean dooming those that get too close? Continue reading Legion S:01 Episode:04
Episode Title: Emily Dates a Henchman
Original Airdate: 2-23-17
While I’m still not entirely sold on either the continued reliance on Batman or the overall chemistry of the cast, I will say right here at the start that this has been my favorite episode of this show so far. It had the right mix of absurdity, comic book references, and self-deprecating humor that totally worked for me. The episode itself is pretty self-explanatory after reading the title as Emily inadvertently starts dating a henchman. Of course, not just any henchman, but one played by Robert Buckley of iZombie fame.
Continue reading Powerless S:01 E:04
Episode Title: Chapter 3
Originally Aired February 22nd 2017
“Have you heard the one about the poor woodsman and his wife?” A simple story about things not being what they seem and leaving well enough alone, told to us by a Pee-Wee Herman inspired coffee maker, hints at the underlying themes of the show. Is everyone who they say they are, or are they even who they think they are?
An aggressive visit from Lenny makes David question Melanie’s motives and his own reasoning for not going to save Amy. Is he unwilling to risk this new life where he is surrounded by people who don’t think he is crazy, they even think he is important, and of course Syd is there. By the end of the episode, we no longer wonder where his loyalties lie, Amy and Syd are one and 1a in a distant second is Melanie’s compound. Who is David is he just a misunderstood powerful mutant who will one day be the one who turns the tide in the war against Division 3, is he a scared child stuck in an adult’s body? Is he James McAvoy from Split, with an untold number of personalities fighting for control, or is he actually the yellow eye demon? How does the thing with the yellow eyes have so much control over what is going on in David’s head, is he trying to control him, steal his powers or is he just an underlying personality trying to exert itself.
Those three possibilities give us an idea of who the villain of the season actually is. If he is trying to steal David’s abilities, he may be a reimagining of the comic character the Shadow King. The Shadow King is a powerful psychic who is always trying to challenge other telepaths in an effort to control them and increase his power. We have no idea how powerful David actually is, each week we seem him do something we’ve never seen before. At one point Ptonomy even asks David “what are you” after he teleported the three of them 600 feet into a building while he was in a trance.
If they wanted to tie the show into the movies in a small way then the demon could be Professor Y. He is a comic character that is the manifestation of David’s resentment for his father Professor X. This seems unlikely for multiple reasons, most notably because it would be the only major tie in to the X-men other than hints and random x’s around the building; it is its own story. We also got a strong indicator to the time that this story is taking place. Melanie’s husband inherited the compound in the 1940’s and he spent 30 years building it with Cary. That means we are somewhere in the 70’s or early 80’s at the most. That would explain the outfits and most of the technology. The items we cannot explain can be chalked up to mutants made it or secret government agencies kept it to themselves.
If the true identity of the yellow-eyed devil is Mojo then the most popular fan theory will be correct. Mojo is a character known for putting others into battles to the death or other intense situations all for TV ratings. In a previous episode, we see a field of TVs showing moments of David’s life, which could hint at this being true. Maybe every time they access David’s mind they are coming one-step closer to revealing the truth and releasing David from the Matrix. All three outcomes have something different and exciting to offer that at this point I still cannot decide if I have a way I want it to go. We could end up with a psychological thriller as a man battles his own mind because of his past. Alternatively, we might get a different take on how our society views TV and the harm it could be doing to us, and the people behind our favorite reality shows. Finally, we could end up with an all-out psychic battle, which would be the most exciting to watch. With the reliance on visuals that has played a large role in the series to this point, a psychic battle could give us some very interesting images.
The relationship between David and Syd is still my favorite part of this show. The funny moments as they discuss what they did or did not do while in control of the other person’s body. They also have an intimate moment when Syd wants to be there when they go back into his mind and David is terrified that when she sees him at his worst she won’t want him anymore. The confirmation of the existence of the soul was particularly fun, as we hear about some of the other bodies Syd has taken for a ride.
Channel: Superhero 