Aurora: 1x01 - Other Side Of the World

When Ian first posted this pitch, I was intrigued. Intrigued enough to give the pilot a read-through when it was posted. Something I'm glad I did.

Having read some of Ians work before, I was straight away caught off-guard by just how much of a departure it was from his normal style. And this is in no-way a bad thing. There's a lot that works in this pilot, and only a few things that don't. So, the positives first.

For starters, characters. Everyone is established very well, from Clara's cold and unforgiving persona, which you just know is a facade for much deeper issues, to Jane, who's already emerging as a very charming individual, who I think potential readers will be very much drawn to. Owen and Thomas don't stick out as much, but there's enough there to lay the groundwork for future stories. I think one of the biggest strengths of the pilot lay in the dialogue. It flows very nicely from character to character, and there's no awkward beats, or clunky sentences. Top marks on that note.

Plot-wise, the first half of the episode moves very nicely, culminatin in the train scene, which is a very nice way of bringing the core characters togeth in a way that's not contrived. It gives us our first glimpse of all the characters together, something which will surely become a focal point to the series.

However, it's here that things start to fall down a little bit. While I appreciate the symmetery of the opening scene, and Clara first waking up in this new dimension, it does feel a little cliched. On top of this come's about 15 pages of pretty much dialogue. While allowing for an interesting character study, it does get a tad boring, with nothing much to punctuate the heavy use of of exposition. That said, things do begin to pick-up again, with the police-station break in, demonstrating these characters working as a team. Ian should be congratulated here on how well the gang gel together - a fea that's not easy to achieve, especially in VS. Things to start to get really exciting here, and he twist at the end, involving Thomas with Liam comes totally out of left field, allowing the pilot to bow out on a high note.

All in all, a very well-put together pitch and pilot, offering good insight into what could very well be a new classic for MZP, certainly well deserving of a spot on the new schedule. "Other Side of the World" gains points on character (good development), setting (very well described) and writing (with no incorrect SPAG in site). Loses some on a few missteps with plot and pacing, but really, not much to complain about. Well done, Ian.

FINAL SCORING
8.5/10

The Company : 2x22 - "Lies Are Lies"

In the action-driven season finale, lines are crossed and lives are lost...

So here we are. The final episode of the Company's second season, which will long be remembered (by me at least) in the VS world, as one of the best damned seasons in existances. Beginning way back in September of 07, it was a season of dizzying heights, and relatively minor lows - all of which culminated with this, the season finale. And boy was 14 month wait worth it...

"Lies are Lies" hits the ground running, and barely stops to take a breath through the hefty page count. It makes for a very exciting episode, that definitely kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

While I think it was a risky choice to basically set the episode like one of 24, playing out in real time - I definitely think it paid off. It definitely featured a number of scenes with massive shock factor. I was genuinely gaping as those explosions tore through the Company.

Plot developments wise, there wasn't a great deal revealed here. Although I don't think there was any problem with tha, given how many jaw-dropping moments have been scattered throughout the proceeding 21 episodes. I also thought the place you ended things was an interesting choice - not a cliffhanger, but definitely an open-ending that will serve as a nice segway into Season Three (whenever that may be.)

What really made this episode for me were those final 10 or so pages. After the fast paced nature of the majority of the episode, it served as nice down-time - and of course, I would've had your head if we hadn't gotten another Morgan family scene before the season was out. The music cue was inspired, and it was genuinely just a really nice place to close the book on such a sucessful season.

So, as we stare down the barrel at the third season, I've got a few things I'll be pondering over the hiatues. Is DaVi in the works? How will Peter knowing Vi's secret alter the dynamic of the show? Has Penny left the cast? Could Bianca and Vi possibly develop a friendship? Will we see Benson reinstated? And just what does fate have in store for the Fixers?

I'd just like to take a moment to congratulate SJ Shepard, and all those involved in Season 2. They've worked their hearts out and overcome numberous setbacks to produce something amazing. So, I'm gonna raise my glass to you and say thank you, and well done. Now, I'm off to my corner to await Season Three...

Final Scoring
9.5/10

The Company: 2x21 - "Backstabbing"

As a mole within the Company is revealed, Penny Morgan graduates Year 12. It's the penultimate episode of the Company S2 - but unfortunately, it's anything but ultimate.

Alright...I'm gonna come right out and say this. I was dissapointed with this episode. That's not to say it wasn't well written, or that the plot didn't advance significantly. It just...didn't have the sparkle of a typical Company episode, and for an episode with so many important episodes, it's just a shame it ended up being so underwhelming.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly where this episode went wrong. I mean, the teaser was strong, as were the opening scenes of Act One. I don't know if it's because there were issues backstage, or if it was simply rushed to completion. The scenes were just dull, and the dialogue didn't have that Company-esque charm, that we've all become accustomed to over the last 30-something episodes.

I don't wanna spend this whole review bitching and moaning, so I'll shift more to the positives now. The story idea in itself was a great one, and the fact Doreen was the traitor was an interesting twist in the tale, although I must say, for the first time since I began reading the series, I actually saw the ending, with Dianna coming in advance.

What else was good? Morgan family scenes. You know I'm a fan, and it was great to see them out in full force this week. I'm also enjoying the direction being taken with Bianca's character post-revival. As for Penny's plans to move back to Sydney after the HSC? I'm guessing that means she won't be on the show next season?

Anyway, I really hate to be so negative about what remains to be my favourite VS. This episode just failed to live upto the extremely high standards set by the preceeding 20 episodes. So, I guess that's sort of a backhanded compliment if you will. Here's hoping next weeks season finale makes up for this weeks mis-step.

Final Scoring
6.5/10

The Company : 2x20 - "Disconnect"

In a direct follow up to last weeks exciting installment, Disconnect shifts the action from Vi's perspective to new Company recruit, Bianca Parry. A risky move, albeit an extremely sucessful one.

Whether it was intended or not, "Disconnect" will definitely go down in the books as an extremely intergal episode to the Company, on a whole. Why? It was the first showcasing of just how much the show, and the universe in it, has expanded in such a short time (33 episodes, to be exact). The series protagonist Vi Morgan has a very scarce prescene in this episode, only showing up in a few scenes, scattered throughout the episode.

Instead, we saw the action through the eye's of Bianca Parry, Vi's long time nemesis, and newly revived Company employee, of the controversial Breakers Branch. The fact that such a dramatic shift in tone can be observed within the space of only one episode, with such a flawless transition speaks wonder for SJ as a writer.

The plot continues to move forward at a fairly quick pace, and while there were no major developments this week (apart from cementing Bianca's new position), this was offset by the arrival of Bianca's brother. While he was first introduced as somewhat of an ass, a startling revelation at the end redeemed him, making for a very nice scene. The revelations about her parents also helped to add a new layer to her character.

I'd also like to add that the Vi/Bianca scene in the recovery room was both one of the best written scenes I've ever read, and the most confusing. It took me awhile to fully understand it, and when I finally did, it made things all the more amazing. It really doesn't feel like this show has been running long enough for me to get nostalgic, but the homage's to the Company's pilot, sprinkled throughout the ep certainly gave me that feeling.

Summing things up? Fantastic episode of a fantastic season. We're two episodes out from what I'm sure will be a dramatic end to the season, and I for one can't wait to see what happens next.

Final Scoring
9/10

The Company : 2x19 - "Morality"

Lives are lost (and regained) in this game-changing episode of the Company. With more twists than a pack of twisties, and all the action of a hollywood blockbuster, one question remains. Was it good?

I'll admit - I really wasn't a fan of this episode.

That was, until the action became completely centered on the present. It was here where it began to scale the levels of awesomeness so quickly I became dizzy. Seriously, SJ and Co. (And Matt, who took the reigns on this episode) really know how to throw a curveball - and what a curveball the ending of the episode was, but more on that later.

I'll start with the (brief) negatives. I found the opening scenes a tad confusing. While the voiceover was nice, and it definitely made sense by the end of the episode, I felt that it was a little jarring to start with (of course, this may have been the intention). I also didn't really like Penny completely ditching Vi, with the bus. I understand their sisters, and they don't really get along, but I really didn't see it as very believable.

Anyway, on to the good. I basically was just amazed by how well the story came together in the end. I kid you not when I say that my jaw dropped at least three times in the last 2 acts alone. Niko's death was very random , and I must say, at least for me, it created a false sense of security. Surely there wouldn't be another death after him?

Then there's Erin. When the bus exploded, I literally couldn't believe it. When he flatlined, the same applied. Was Matt Latham finally getting his wish, in killing off Erin in his own episode? Of course, that was not to be. Erin will live to annoy another day - of course, all this was leading up to the shocking plot twist at the episodes conclusion. Bianca as a breaker? It makes so much sense, in terms of plot oppurtunities, I'm amazed I didn't see it coming.

With the high intensity of this weeks episode, I'm almost scared to find out what's coming over the final three weeks of S2, and after developments here, S3. Great job to Matt here, and excellent job to SJ, and anyone else involved in the production of the episode. From a readers perspective, it was a great way to kick off what will surely be a frantic dash to the finish line of Season two.

Final Scoring
9/10

Hell's Gate : 1x01 - "Small Town Life"

Ah, so here we are. The pilot of Hells Gate. Let me start this review by saying I felt some sense of loyalty to reviewing this. After all, Robb and I both had our series picked up at the same time, and it's both of our debut showrunning efforts. In some ways, it feels like we've taken this crazy MZP ride together. Now, onto the actual episode.

I'll admit I'm not a fan of the Jossverse, although that's probably becaue I've never seen an hour of Buffy or Angel in my life. I'm hoping that, as a spin-off, I can grasp the premise and characters easily enough, without a grasp on all things Whedeon. In that respect, Robb has definitely done a great job.While I'm sure there were a few things that probably went over my head, I did generally understand everything that was going on. Thats certainly a good sign.

"Small Town Life" hooked me from the word go, with those incredibly engaging opening scenes. It had just the right amount of mystery to it - enough to keep a reader interested, but not so much as to scare people away. So, good work there as well. I also liked those scenes in the diner - it was a very subtle way to give us some much needed background on the boys, as well as give us our first sign this is actually a Buffy spin-off, through mentions of Sunnydale.

Loved the little meta reference to Firefly. I'm really enjoying the humour of this episode. Robb has fortunately been able to intertwine the action and humour. It's a technique which, while often attempted, doesn't always work. Thankfully, it does here.

The characters are fairly well done. I really liked the rapport between Mike and Tyler in those early scenes. Vi was a little bit...strange, but I understand shes an exisiting character from the Jossverse right? So thats probably how she's intended to be. It did take me awhile to establish who all the regular characters were (apart from the exceptions of Mike, Tyler and Vi), so maybe some further work could be done on giving them their own voices?

The plot moved very organically, culmination in some excellently paced final scenes., so top marks for that. I really liked the technological flair added to things. Also? That final scene was an excelllent way to end things, adding more than enough insight for readers of this episode to return for next weeks outing.

All in all, a great start, and an excellent ticket into the Jossverse on my part. Hopefully, Robb continues to impress.

Final Scoring
8.5/10

The Company : 2x18 - "Stitch"

Let me open this review by saying that, with all the talk of Year 11 formals throughout the episode, in my mind the role of Vi was played by Ja'mie King.

Now, onto the actual review. I really can't put my finger on what exactly it was, but Stich, as an episode, was pretty special. There was just something different about it. I really get the sense that, this is gonna be one of those episodes remembered fondly when looking back on S2.

For one, the whole sewing metaphor. The scenes with the little sewing club were so simple, yet effective. It just helped so much with the plot of the episode - and anything that can actually make me like the character of Erin is nothing short of miraculous, so top marks on that note. I really do need to stop looking at episode titles in advance however, because in the weeks leading up to this episode, i was convinced its plot would feature a stitch in time, or something along those lines.

It's really nice that the action is starting to move back to Garreton High. While I understand the reasons that it took a backseat in the middle of the season, I really am enjoying the fact that the teen drama is starting to move back to the centre of things. After all, Vi & Co. will be out of High School after next season, so it makes sense to milk the teen drama angle now, while it's still plausible.

I also must admit how pleasantly surprised I am with the developments taking place with Peter, as he continues his search for information regarding Vi. It's not a plot I expected, and if I'm right in my assumptions, then this stuff is gonna play a big role in the seasons last few episodes.

And those last few scenes? Reminded me once again why I love the character of Vi so much. She's just so...crafty? Selfless? Nice? All of the above?

Anyways, to sum up, as I've said above, Stitch was a fantastic episode, for it's more low-key approach to storytelling. With only 4 episodes remaining until the end of Season two, somethings telling me things are going to kicked up several notches from here on out.

Final Scoring
9.5/10

The Company - 2x17 "Vi of the Future"

It's business as usual, as the Company returns to the Status Quo. Of course, that's by no means a bad thing.

After the high-stakes drama of the last few installments, it was a nice to get back to something more low-key. Vi of the Future does just that, offering up an Assignment-of-the-week, as well as advancing the plot with a number of characters.

Firstly, this weeks assignment - I must admit, it was a bit of a letdown, especially based on the title, which I'd been speculation on for awhile. However, once things got going, I found I was enjoying it. Fil was an interesting character, and the story on a whole was very entertaining. Although, I must say that I really never actually believed he was from the future - it seemed way to extreme for the Company, which, while using some supernatural themes, tends to be grounded mostly in reality.

Something I really enjoyed about this episode was some very significant scenes featuring the Morgan family. I know I've said it before, but it's something I really do love about the show, so I'm always a fan of the episodes that tend to include them more. Interesting choice to wait until now to include Peters discovery about the book - you could genuinely feel the shock in him when things with the advice columnist, Vi, and the destruction of his book began to match up.

Also? I'm a bit disappointed that Shane and Gwens relationship was over before it really had a chance to begin, but I suppose it makes sense. I hope we keep on seeing her in the show but, as she's a fun character.

Anyway, an enjoyable, albeit not exactly the most memorable episode. Five episodes to go - we're on the homestretch now!

Final Rating
7.5/10

The Company : 2x15 - "The Life Of the Party"

[Please excuse the sheer crappiness of this review. I've got some serious writers block going on, and a 12 minute History presentation due in a few days.]

I want to write a list of what exactly I loved about the episode, but it'd end up being about 12 pages long. So I'll refine a few of the finer things:

- Drunk Vi! I can't say how great it was to see her finally let her down, at least temporarily. You really captured the teenage party scene perfectly. Which, makes sense given that your a teenager. Loved the snappy one-liners from Vi, as well as her interactions with pretty much everyone at the party. Special mentions to Sophie and Cute Guy/Finn.

- The Andrew/Jenna date. An instant classic. I don't know if your a fan of How I Met Your Mother, but it reminded me alot of the date Ted takes Stella on in a S3 episode. Yeah, I definitely love these two together.

- The break up of Erin and Vi. Maybe now that there not together he might rise to become at least a little tolerable. Especially with some groundwork now in place for what appears to be a storyline involving his sister. Who I'm also assuming is dead.

Alright, now that's out of the way, I was curious as to the assignment this week. Did I miss something, or did it just get pushed off into Off-Screen land?

Anyway, to bring an end to this pitiful excuse of a review, The Life of the Party brought the teen drama of the Company up several notches, and moved the story of key characters ahead. It was a great episode, and it served as a nice departure from the darker tones of the past few weeks.

Final Scoring
8/10

The Company : 2x14 - "The Day That I Died"

As the Company makes its comeback, it's employees struggle to come to terms with the death amongst them, while also sharing a few stories of their own "deathdays". It all makes for a very finely crafted episode, high on emotion, and the character driven moments that make the Company what it is.

To start with, I have to give marks to whoever decided to use the Five Stages of Grief. Dividing it between the teaser, the four acts was a brilliant idea - and,although its a trope used frequently on TV, it was done so here in a new way. Where this episode excelled was that it encompassed nearly every Company employee we've met since the series began, along with their varied reactions to the death of Kou.

Alden should really be congratulated on just how flawlessly he captured the esscene of the characters here. It really does feel like SJ has written about 95% of this show, defining the characters in very sublte, yet complex ways. The transition from one writer to another was flawless here, and everyone, from Diana to the Morgan family to Shane we're in fine form. Also? Sidneys eulogy at the funeral was amazing. It squashed any qualms I had about the guy as a character, and really served in adding a few extra dimensions to him.

Plot wise, while the episode lacked an assignment, it was hardly noticeable. Seriously, seeing glimpses of how various Company employees bit the dust was a great touch to an already heavy episode. Sidney's little flashback was hilarious - adding a much needed touch of humour.

Anyway, while this episode was a nice departure from the assignment-of-the-week stories, I'm still looking forward to seeing what's to come in the final eight episodes of the season. SO, well done to Alden, and everyone else involved in this episode!

FINAL SCORING
9/10