CITY BOY GEEKINESS

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LET'S CONNECT


Does the third season have a main story?

That's the question I keep finding myself asking with Revenge so far. With five episodes in, Revenge has taken a slow start to pulling these characters together to the main episode (Spoiler Alert: Emily gets shot on her wedding night). Much of the first few episodes erased the entirety of season two and the others have done little to progress the season arch. Small problems were created and two people were "sharpied" but anything that was established has eventually been erased too. Emily's journey the last few episodes aren't setting the tone for a big climactic moment; characters like Margaux, Daniel and Aidan (my guesses for the attack), while potential shooters, haven't shown any reason to do the deed. While it is early in the season and only on episode five, Revenge needs to quickly return to its fast-paced nature and character progression.

This week on Revenge, Daniel throws a wrench in Emily's plan, the culprit behind Conrad's crash is revealed, and Jack finds a new lady love.

LOOSE ENDS, NEW BEGINNINGS
I'm not an Aidan fan. He suddenly appeared last season with a story that connected to The Initiative and became the new third person fighting for Emily's heart; it was a bit much and he hasn't won me over yet. Picking up from last episode, Aidan confronted Jack and threatened him that Conrad (and by extension, the Graysons) will cause his death. Jack's being framed for cutting Conrad's brakes and if he doesn't hightail it soon, he'll soon meet a grisly fate.

Receiving word from Victoria (albeit because of nefarious motives - more about that later on), Emily runs to the Stowaway to help her former flame and discuss a plan of action. Jack's being pulled into yet another set up and he's reached his end with Emily's plans. I would be too with the amount of destruction that Emily leaves in her wake. Moving on from his toxic ex, he kisses Margaux, setting up for another love triangle that won't last.

THE ICE QUEEN MELTS
Emily's pull on Daniel has weakened the last few episodes. All the lies, lack of trust and hidden motives reached the boiling point when Daniel calls off their engagement when Emily arrives late to the Voulez launch party - instead helping Jack first. He's tired of the situation and doesn't know if he can really trust Emily. For the first time, she comes clean about her trust issues, sheds a few tears and shares her resentment toward losing her family. This may be the closest moment that she's ever told Daniel the truth of her past.

FAMILY SCHEMES
Charlotte has shown her Victoria side. She sided with her mother to add doubt in Daniel's mind about Emily and she's successfully pulled Jack and Margaux together. When the "truth" is revealed that Charlotte cut the brakes, Conrad is all too forgiving to reconnect with his daughter but the real truth is more sinister (and believable). In actuality, Charlotte is lying to protect Victoria and keep the truth that Patrick was on the one to cut the brakes. No reason yet why he did it but we'll find it soon enough. But where is Patrick? He's off hooking up with Nolan and getting together for the first time. So far Patrick's five episodes in and already winning at Revenge.

Will Charlotte continue to bring out her devious side? Does Jack have a shot at surviving this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.


The little scrappy show is back to fight again.

Last season had a shocking and uphill battle for renewal. I don't think anyone expected The Carrie Diaries to return with its ratings, especially on a network like The CW, which only has a limited schedule as is. Though, I'm happy it did and I was pleasantly excited to see how the premiere of the second season would turn out. New faces (Samantha!) and more footage in the city, I already prefer it much more than some of last season's episodes. Will the show survive? I'm still on the realistic side, but at least we'll see how things go with the new changes.

This week on The Carrie Diaries, Carrie loses a treasured icon but gains a new ally, Mouse brings the fight to Maggie, and Dorrit's love life is uncovered by her father.

WELCOME MS. JONES
The first season is a faint memory. Change is good and "Win Some, Lose Some" washes away the childish theme of the first season to introduce a more mature Carrie Bradshaw. Who am I kidding! Carrie is still in her naive phase, but she's grown up since Sebastian cheated on her last season. The time away in Manhattan gave her and Walt more independence to grow up and live the life they want. However, when Sebastian shows up with Donna for a party night in the city, Carrie reverts to her old ways and avoids dealing with her toxic ex to attend a different club.

Two major events happened this episode. The purse, as in the Carrie purse, is stolen outside the club and Ms. Bradshaw has a mini panic attack, practically calling the police and breaking down at each available moment. The purse, while nostalgic and important, is better off gone moving forward - Carrie needs to mature and holding onto something from the past keeps her from moving on to the character we all know. The theme was a little too on the nose but if introducing Samantha was a trade-off, I'd be happy to see it gone forever.

Samantha Jones, the witty and larger-than-life character from the main series, is introduced as Donna's cousin and a bouncer in New York. In the span of one hour, Samantha loses her underwear, flirts with cops, helps Carrie break into her apartment, and delivers a multitude of life lessons to Bambi (i.e. Carrie). Samantha's a breath of fresh air the show needed to feel more like the original series and Lindsay Gort owns the role as her own person; fans of the original would be proud. Samantha helps the young Ms. Bradshaw out but calls on a favour to crash at her place for a few episodes. Let the fun begin!

MY ENEMY, MY FRIEND
Castlebury.... if only your storylines disappeared. Mouse and West, picking up their official new relationship from the end of last season, spend fourth of July at the country club for some food and fireworks. Unbeknownst to Mouse, Maggie is working the party to raise money for college and ends up fired by the end of episode - due to Mouse. I've never been drawn to Maggie as a character - she's a little egotistic, self-centered and plays the victim card too much. The Carrie Diaries' writers probably introduced the student and money issues to add some humility to the villainous character. Mouse ends up forgiving her friend but will Carrie be as forgiving?

BOYFRIEND BLUES
Miller and Dorrit balance each other. Both are rebels in their own right, defy the rules of convention, and refuse to conform to the expectations of others. While Tom, failing as parent to spot the obvious, finally discovers that Dorrit not only has a boyfriend but has spent the night with him, invites Miller to the house and meets the new boyfriend face-to-face. It's great to see Tom try and reach out to his daughter; even if he it failed miserably at it. Dorrit takes a stand and reverts back to her punk trendy style. I like the look - it's very Topshop now.

What adventures will Samantha dragged Carrie into next? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

New beginnings, old rivalries.

Revenge is known (or used to be) for its fast-paced storytelling. Barely were there any filler episodes in the first season and Emily only focused on her mission or the events of the Hamptons. While nothing new really happened this week (except for a MUCH needed steamy kiss), this episode focused mostly on exposition.

This week on Revenge, we find out the aftermath of Conrad's car crash, Nolan digs a little deeper into Patrick's life, and Victoria enters the working world.

DIE ANOTHER DAY
Soap operas kill characters off all the time. One day they're casually throwing off-handed comments, the next they're being poisoned by their enemy. Conrad possibly has survived the most murder attempts and assaults over the last three seasons. When Emily finds the car crash and makes the subsequent hospital visit this episode, Father Paul is dead while Conrad, not only survives the episode, but finds out that his Huntington's Disease diagnosis was a lie. Conrad is a megalomaniac but Emily has been dropping the ball lately and giving him the opportunities to outlive these endeavors.

Someone is trying to kill Conrad, though. Emily and Jack's snooping discovered that the brakes on his car were cut, leading to Father Paul's death. Jack is being framed by Aidan but who really cut the brakes? My money's on potentially Patrick or Charlotte.

ART-SCHOOLED
Victoria is trying something new: she's working a real job. Well, she's selling her artwork and invited her rich friends to buy the items at the art gallery. Sheila, her new boss and frenemy, deals in stolen art and when Patrick sells a painting from Victoria, the Grayson matriarch uses the opportunity to force the frenemy out of the Hamptons and takeover ownership of the gallery. Victoria should be proud - she used her new son to take down a threat. So proud!

KISS OR MISS
Nolan hasn't had the best luck in dating. Tyler, Marco, and Padma all fizzled but his newest beau, Patrick, might have a secret or two. Patrick catches his interest and by digging a little deeper into his past, Nolan makes the first move. They're so on! Though, I have to wonder if one or both of them have ulterior motives? The sly looks speak for themselves.

What secret does Patrick really hide? Can Emily score another take down since Father Paul? Will Conrad eliminate Jack? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The holidays tend to keep me busy.

Thanksgiving weekend was held last weekend in Canada. From spending time with family in different cities and the last two work weeks, I haven't had much time to catch up on my favourite shows - let alone writing a full recap. I've only really had time for smaller pieces and quick posts.

Now that the schedule has calmed down, I will be returning to recapping shows like Revenge and Sleepy Hollow as of today. You should be getting a new post of Revenge with tonight's episode. This weekend gave me a chance to catch up and get up-to-date on what's happened since I last watched them. Also, congratulations to Sleepy Hollow on the renewal for a second season!

If I'm ever behind or the site feels a tad slow, you can definitely send me a comment or a post to my social feeds.
I have a penchant to enjoy a good horror movie. Some can be quite entertaining while others follow the same horror tropes that were introduced decades prior. The movie on today's list originally premiered in 2011 at the Toronto International Film Festival but delayed due to production and mainstream release. Today's film review is the horror slasher: You're Next.

The Premise: Set at a luxurious mansion nestled deep in the woods, the Davison family returns to celebrate their wedding anniversary with their adult children and spouses. While dealing with unsettled family drama and fighting, a group of masked killers await in the woods to finish off the family before sunrise. Erin (played by Sharni Vinson) is new to the drama and must help the splintered group survive the night, while also trying to locate her missing boyfriend, Crispian Davison (A.J. Bowen).

The Results: 3.5/5!
You're Next was surprisingly an interesting take on the "home invaders" horror genre. Slow motion, dramatic tension and albeit genuine scares, I enjoyed watching something more than a body count running throughout a mansion with a killer on the loose. Did the movie offer something new? No. You're Next is a simple plot: a large trying to survive a group of serial killers. Nothing new will define the horror genre but even with that in mind, You're Next is still a good popcorn movie to watch.


The unlucky axe finds its first victim.

Revealed by Deadline on Friday, ABC has cancelled its rookie drama Lucky 7 after only low-rated two episodes. Premiering to a 1.3 (in the 18-49 demo) in its first week, Lucky 7 fell to a sharp 0.7 in its second airing before being pulled by the network. Reruns of Scandal will be aired temporarily in its timeslot moving forward. 

Someone has to be the first fall cancellation of the 2013-2014 season. Low ratings from one of the Big 4 networks spells imminent cancellation but time only tells if and when the axe will fall. Lucky 7 will join other illustrious shows like Made In Jersey and The Playboy Club in the first fall cancellation category.

Are you sad to see Lucky 7 go? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Never try to hide from the Sandman.

This week on Sleepy Hollow, the past rears its ugly head, Jenny reveals more than she originally let on, and Ichabod finds a safe haven for their apocalyptic mission.


MR. SANDMAN, BRING ME A DREAM
Eyes full of sand and nightmares that tear the soul, the big bad this week in the quiet little town of Sleepy Hollow is the nocturnal dream creeper, the Sandman. After witnessing the "suicide" of Dr. Vega, Abbie discovers that the ill-fated victim was the doctor that treated her sister Jenny. Unable to save the next victim, Abbie and Ichabod learn that the evil this time is the Sandman; a monster that is on a mission to exact revenge against those who've caused a great injustice through lying and deceit. Dr. Vega, Mr. Gillespie (the man that found Abbie and Jenny years prior lost in the woods), and Abbie all lied about what really happened in the woods; causing Jenny to be mistakenly sent to a psychiatric hospital to be treated.

With the Sandman running around in the dream world, Ichabod and Abbie needed the help of a shaman to enter the realm. Their help came in the form of a car salesman that reluctantly allowed them access to find the monster. Abbie overcame her inner-demons and sent the Sandman away, but the damage was already done and only she could repair her sister's trust.


THE OTHER HALF
Jenny is the unknown piece of the mystery. Both her and Abbie experienced the blackout and witnessed the monster in the woods but while Abbie denied the truth, Jenny embraced it. She knows the truth and possibly might know more of the mystery than others around her. Ichabod tried to reach out, giving her bits and pieces from the outside world, but she pushed him away. She's escaped from the institution and might pop up in a later episode. This won't be the last we'll see of her.

HOME SWEET HOME
A new revelation is the safe haven and workspace for Abbie and Ichabod. They've discovered a new office room where they can work on their weekly missions and plot to stop the apocalypse. With all these hidden rooms and tunnels around Sleepy Hollow, how has NO ONE discovered them before?

Will Abbie and Ichabod find Jenny? What next monster will appear next week? Share your thoughts in the comments below.