Once Upon a Time (OUaT) Season 4

The last time I did a post on OUaT was in 2013 (click here to read that). I thought I would share what I think of the show now that it got better in my opinion and it's close to the end of the 4th season!!

The second half of the 4th season is much more interesting and entertaining then the first half. I got over the whole Frozen thing so it was just getting annoying to see it everywhere, but the inclusion of new characters like Cruella was a good idea. It might get tiring at times to keep track of all the characters and their stories, but once they start to connect, it makes more sense.

Episode 20 "Lily" was my favorite episode from the second half of season 4. This episode was really suspenseful and it was interesting to see Regina and Emma team up to beat Gold's plans. The way Regina was talking Emma out of doing something she would regret was great and it definitely showed how much Regina has changed from the very beginning. I love how Regina is now on the good side; a hero in her own way. The episode also ended at an interesting point ;)

I can't wait for the finale and wonder if there will be another season! I highly suggest you watch the show if you haven't already. You can watch Once Upon a Time on Hulu.

Merlin

First impressions

So I was getting tired of Once Upon a Time (now on its 4th season...) and was looking for another TV show to watch. I remembered some friends mentioning Merlin and how much they loved it, but for some reason, I thought it would be like The Lord of the Rings (which is not my favorite). So, I hesitated to watch it for a long time. In my boredom, I finally decided to see what it's about.

I was really surprised that the first few episodes got me interested. The show overall is suspenseful. Some parts of Merlin are scary, sad, and disgusting! I think the show really emphasizes on destiny and revenge. Merlin (the show) is nothing like what I thought it would be and I'm glad I found a new favorite TV show!

Watch Merlin!

I know I'm late on it, but watching Merlin after all 5 seasons are complete isn't so bad. I don't have to wait for episodes to air and can watch them at my own pace. I am currently on season 5 and watch Merlin on hulu.com. All 5 seasons (65 episodes) are free on hulu.com and if you haven't watched Merlin yet, you can still watch them here at http://www.hulu.com/merlin. Beware of the ads on hulu though. They ruin the fun of continuously watching Merlin!

The characters

Speaking of Merlin, this time the MAIN character of the show, I love his funny sarcastic remarks! He is also very brave, smart, and a good friend, especially to Arthur. For this reason, I hate how Arthur treats Merlin. Arthur does eventually admit they are friends, so I guess their "horseplay" is just how Arthur shows he cares and needs Merlin.

Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, is probably one of the dumbest characters, despite him being king. Uther is also a big hypocrite, which I hate! From the "good" characters, I dislike Uther the most. Arthur is different I think, because people like Merlin make him believe in himself and that he is a worthy individual. The two Pendragons are quick to overlook facts and not believe those who are trustworthy.

Gwen, along with Merlin, is another one of my favorite characters. She is really  smart and looks for good in others, especially in Arthur! At first I didn't like how the only woman of color on the show (if I can remember correctly) plays a lower class character. But it did make sense in the end.

Morgana! I didn't have a problem with her in the first few episodes, but once she turned bad, I really hated her. I'm sorry fans of Morgana, and please excuse me saying this, but she is an evil b****!!! This is what I think every time she messes things up and tries to take revenge. I know there has to be an evil character, but if Merlin would just have killed her the many chances he got, everyone's life would be easier. I feel like almost every other episode includes her and the ones that don't, are fillers. I don't mind the show taking a break once in a while from focusing on Morgana and some of these episodes are actually good.

Final thoughts

I enjoyed watching Merlin and am a little sad that I am almost done with the series :( I really wish there was more! I highly recommend the show to everyone, especially to those who are interested in the story of King Arthur or fans of shows/movies with magic.

Once Upon a Time (OUaT) and OUaT in Wonderland (on ABC)!

I'm finally doing this. My reaction post on the winter finale of OUaT and its partner in Wonderland! To read my last post on OUaT, please click here. I never shared my initial thoughts on OUaTiW, so I'll start with that.

Once Upon a Time in Wonderland

Honestly, I wasn't excited about Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. After seeing the trailer of what this spinoff to OUaT would be about, I got the impression that it was too lovey dovey, basically not for me. I am not a fan of hard core romance in any form of entertainment, so I hesitated to watch OUaTiW when it first came out. But, I watched the first episode on a whim after the first few episodes came out. It wasn't as great as the original OUaT, but not bad either. Yes, this show is focused on love, which just goes to show how much of American culture is obsessed with love. Why did I continue to watch it? Besides that this "series will have crossover episodes with Once Upon a Time that will also involve a connection with the characters that are trapped in Storybrooke, Maine" (Wiki), OUaTiW got interesting. I like the idea of mixing and matching characters from different stories all together (see my fairytale mash up ;), so characters from Alice in Wonderland mixed with Aladdin was a new idea.

As for some characters, the Knave looks like someone from HP4 and the Red Queen plays her role well (ie. a snobby, spoiled Queen). My favorite episode out of the 8 so far, was the 7th where Jafar's past is explored. I had a feeling from the beginning that the old man in the cage with Cyrus was the father of Jafar and this episode proved me right. The Sultan really wasn't a great father. I kind of sympathize with Jafar for his past and blame the Sultan for the way Jafar turned out, hence the name of this episode "Bad Blood." Of course, Jafar's growing evil desires didn't help, but the bad influence from his father was the catalyst it seems. The family problems/ relationships makes this show similar to OUaT, which I found interesting.

Winter Finales!!!

On the note of OUaTiW, it is about time the Red Queen/ Anastasia came back to her senses. Of course, she did make big mistakes that she regrets, so she has to deal with the consequences like any other person. I loved how it ended with Will/ Knave taking Cyrus's place in the bottle. Not that I don't like the Knave after all his help to Alice, it just got interesting and I can't wait to find out his experience as a genie. I am curious to see how the Red Queen's reacts now that Will is gone.

As for the original OUaT, the last episode "11: Going Home" was sad. After watching what Regina went through to get Henry (episode 9; my fave episode overall from the first 11), the fact that she had to leave him to save everyone was unfortunate. But, I guess that is the price she had to pay for all the bad things she did out of revenge. From the "villains", I grew to like Regina the most. She did try to change for Henry, even if it was too late. I loved this show from the start, so I really can not wait till March for OUaT to continue!

Once Upon a Time on ABC Sunday @ 8/7c

Ever since I did my first review on a TV show, I have wanted to do a review/ impression of Once Upon a Time. The show is currently on its 3rd season, but for those who are not familiar with this ABC show, below is a little bit of the plot from seasons 1 and 2.

Season 1 (Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_Upon_a_Time_(season_1)

The show is based on the theory that there is an alternate universe where every classic fairy tale character exists—a world that has a loose connection to our world. On the night of her 28th birthday, bail bonds collector Emma Swan is reunited with Henry Mills- the son she gave up for adoption ten years ago—and takes him back to his hometown of Storybrooke, Maine- a place where nothing is what it seems.

Henry has in his possession a large book of fairy tales and is convinced that Emma is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming who sent her away so she would be protected from a powerful curse enacted by the Evil Queen, a curse in which she is the only one with a happy ending. It's because of the curse that everyone in Storybrooke is frozen in time with no memories of their former selves—except for the Queen, who is Storybrooke's mayor and Henry's adoptive mother Regina Mills. Emma refuses to believe a word of Henry's "theory" and returns Henry home, but then decides to remain in the New England town...and causes the hands of the clock tower to move for the first time in 28 years. As Emma stays in Storybrooke and soon becomes Sheriff following the sudden death of Graham Humbert, Regina's antagonistic attitude raises her suspicions and prompt her to move in with Henry's teacher Mary Margaret Blanchard, who is really her mother Snow White...

Snow and Charming reunite with each other and Regina returns to her mansion alone as Emma begins to wonder why no one is returning to the Other World since the curse is broken. Rumplestiltskin reunites with his true love Belle and takes her to a Wishing Well deep in the heart of the forest, a well with the power to restore that which one had lost. He takes the potion and drops it into the well, causing a purple cloud to emerge and consume Storybrooke as the Clock Tower strikes 8:15.

Season 2 (Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_Upon_a_Time_(season_2)

Following the curse being broken by Emma Swan, the purple smoke that brought magic to Storybrooke by Mr. Gold clears and the residents reunite as their fairytale selves. Emma, Snow White/Mary Margaret and Prince Charming/David try to stop the wraith from taking Regina's soul. However, Emma and Mary Margaret are sent through the Mad Hatter's hat and are transported to part of the fairytale land whose inhabitants were spared from the curse. The two later form a bond with Aurora and Mulan, who agree to assist them in finding a way back to Storybrooke. On their journey, they meet Cora, the mother of The Evil Queen/Regina. She forms an alliance with Captain Hook to also find a way to travel to Storybrooke...

With the aid of Hook, Regina attempts to put a plan in motion that will help transport herself and Henry back to the Enchanted Forest. Her plan revolves around a fail-safe that was planted within the curse, which if triggered could wipe Storybrooke off the map and kill all of its inhabitants. Regina tricks Hook, though it is revealed that Hook was double-crossing her in collaboration with Greg and Tamara, the latter two kidnap her. Against Neal's protests, Emma believes that Tamara had something to do with Regina's disappearance. She is later proven to be correct when Mary Margaret and David find Regina being tortured by the pair. Tamara then shoots Neal, sending him through a portal to the remaining part of the Enchanted Forest, after revealing to Emma that he still loves her. Greg and Tamara begin the trigger to destroy the town, though it is stopped by Regina and Emma. However, Greg and Tamara then kidnap Henry and take him to Neverland. Emma, Mary Margaret, David, Regina and Mr. Gold join Hook on his ship with his magic bean to follow them to Neverland and save Henry.

My Thoughts on Seasons 1 and 2

So what do I think of Once Upon a Time from the beginning? The show first caught my attention from the trailer. It looked action packed and who doesn't like fairy tales with a twist? I started watching season 1 after I found out they could be watched online on ABC's site! The season was close to the end, but I managed to watch over 5 episodes one after the other to catch up. Plus it was interesting! OUaT has a lot to learn about family life/ relationships so it is definitely modern with all its problems. There are some parts in the show that are inappropriate, so it might not be suited for a young audience. Between seasons 1 and 2, I think I liked the first better because the idea was new of course and had a lot of suspenseful parts. I really liked the backstories to different characters, especially Rumple's and Regina's/ the Evil Queen. If you missed either seasons or any episodes, you can watch them on Netflix.com or try borrowing the season collections for free at your local library!

Season 3!!!

I know this post is getting long, but the story doesn't end there. I was excited to hear that there would be a season 3! It wouldn't make sense to end the way it did in season 2. After all, fairy tales are known for there happy endings ;)

From the 4 episodes so far in OUaT season 3, I liked episode 3 the most. The addition of Tinkerbell was nice and included more of Regina's past, which was interesting. But, the ending was a bit weird with the revelation of Mulan having feelings for her friend Princess Aurora (Spiderwick Chronicles anyone?!) when previously Prince Philip seemed to have caught Mulan's attention...

I feel like Peter Pan is lying to Henry that Henry is destined to save magic. Didn't Pan want to destroy it by using Owen and Tamara from season 2? And although it is nice to have Hook on the good side so far in the season, I feel like he is a mystery. He doesn't seem to share much info. on his past, yet is risking his life to help Emma, her parents, and Regina. It will be nice to see a backstory of Hook to learn more about him! I think that is about it for this review/ impression post on OUaT. I might continue to do this once in a while, so check back for more. Also, leave your thoughts on the show for me to read in the comments below! Watch season 3 episodes here

Whodunnit? TV Show (ABC Sundays @ 9 p.m. Eastern/8 p.m. Central)

I was on a hunt for a new TV show to watch a few weeks ago and came across Whodunnit? Just the night before I found out about this show, me and my older sis. were talking about a Forensic Science class we took in high school and how much we enjoyed it. While I don't like blood and guts and seeing people hurt each other, I still like the mystery aspect of it all. I watched an episode of Whodunnit? and was hooked!

About Whodunnit?

"Whodunnit? is a murder mystery reality competition television series broadcast on ABC. The series premiered on June 23, 2013, and is currently airing its first season. The series follows 13 guests, one of whom is secretly the "killer," living in a Beverly Hills mansion named Rue Manor. They are guided by the butler, Giles who also acts as the show's host. Within the show's fiction, the guests, along with Giles and two maids, are trapped by the killer within the house grounds until they determine who the killer is. The killer sends messages to Giles to relay to the surviving guests, informing them of their situation and cryptic instructions for determining his or her identity.

Each episode, at least one guest is "murdered" (through staged events by production) by the killer, either while the victim is alone or through pre-arranged circumstances while the remaining guests are congregated as to avoid revealing their identity. After the shock of the event, Giles offers the remaining guests an opportunity to search one of three areas (usually the crime scene, the last known whereabouts, or the morgue containing the victim's body) to discover clues about how the murder was carried out. Guests are free to select which area to search though are limited to only one area, with a limited amount of time, and confined to the bounds set by production. Guests then participate in a riddle challenge that leads them in a competitive search through the mansion. The guest who is able to complete the challenge receives an additional clue that may greatly help in solving how the murder was committed.

Later, guests are individually taken to a private room where, in monologue, they describe to the unseen killer how they believe the murder took place and make an accusation as to who the killer is. During dinner, Giles presents a message from the killer. The message states which guest had the most correct theory and is subsequently spared from being the killer's next victim. The message then fully explains how the murder was completed. After this, Giles hands an envelope to each remaining guest. Those receiving cards with the word "Spared" performed well enough to advance to the next episode. The lowest-scoring guest, along with at least one other low-scoring guest will receive a card with the word "Scared." The killer may attempt to mislead the other guests by receiving a "Scared" card as well, though the killer cannot be eliminated. The killer will then eliminate the lowest-scoring guest(s) by "killing" him or her, in turn setting up the murder to be solved in the next episode. In the finale, the guest who survives to the end and unmasks the killer will leave the estate with $250,000." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whodunnit%3F_(U.S._TV_series)

What I Think of Whodunnit?

First of all, the staged deaths look realistic to me. At first, I thought the players were actually getting killed, but who would really allow that?! I also enjoyed all the episodes equally so far, but it is weird to learn all these ways to kill someone... About the players: Sheri was the first player to get "murdered". I don't understand how she got a chance at the prize if she was gone when it all really started... Melina is dramatic, but reminds me of a favorite high school teacher. Ronny is smart and his experience as a bounty hunter must have paid off to keep him alive close to the end. I least like Kam of all the contestants. He is bossy and I think he is the killer. He always has a grin and fits the profile when the murderer is "shown" committing his crime at dinner. Whodunnit? is almost over and I can't wait to find out if I was correct in guessing Kam as the killer and who will win a quarter of a million dollars! To watch Whodunnit? online, go to http://watchabc.go.com/whodunnit/SH55303214

The Taste: Tuesday at 9|8c on ABC

From the teasers that Influenster provided for episode 6, I like the one when Ludo and Malarkey are being sarcastic, saying they never fight and are best friends. I caught up with all the episodes so far, and Malarkey and Ludo are the most competitive amongst the mentors. Sometimes even more then the contestants themselves! Since three of Ludo's team members joined his team and not Malarkey's, they have been at each other even before the actual competition started. Watch this teaser here http://www.influenster.com/product_videos/the-taste-on-abc/5531

This week's episode, #6 Nose to Tail, was definitely the most dramatic so far. First of all, the contestants had to cook with disgusting ingredients, almost every part of a pig could have been used, blood, head, ears, tail, you name it! Gregg from Ludo's team had a bad day this episode. Gregg's area of the kitchen had a little explosion and he cut his own finger. On top of that, Gregg won immunity (he can't get disqualified) for the past three episodes, so other contestants weren't too happy about that and are even jealous. Enough about Gregg.

Diane is way too confident, almost arrogant, constantly saying her dish should have gone up to represent her team, team Anthony. When it came time for contestants to be sent home, three instead of two this time, leaving seven contestants for the last two episodes including the finale, some sympathy was shown. Lauren, the only one left on Nigella's team, was allowed to stay while Ninamarie, Uno, and Adam were sent home. Lauren should have been sent home instead of Ninamarie who got a number of gold stars in the past few episodes.

Can't wait for the next episode! To catch up, go to http://abc.go.com/watch/the-taste/SH55253383/VD55278803/nose-to-tail

The Taste: Tuesday at 8|7c on ABC

I just recently started watching The Taste on ABC and actually enjoy it! Since the 1st episode, Audition 1, was almost an hour and a half, I only watched that so far but plan to watch the other episodes of The Taste (going to catch up right after this post ;). I use to watch a number of cooking shows, even though I don't like to cook (I would much rather eat than cook :P), but it doesn't hurt to learn!

"Starring top chefs Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Ludo Lefebvre, and Brian Malarky, The Taste has all the flavor of your favorite cooking shows paired with the fire of competition. Each Chef has chosen a team of four contestants to mentor through the competition, but when the time comes for tasting, they do it blindly."

From the first episode, I liked the fact that at least two home cooks were chosen to continue on the show, which goes to show that home cooks are just as good as professionals and you don't have to be a pro. to know your food. It's crazy how some of the contestants quit their job to participate in The Taste. Also, like some contestants from Audition 1 mentioned, the blind taste test gives everyone an equal chance to continue on the show. The only thing I didn't like was that some judges cursed. Just a little word of advice to the judges (and to everyone really), please don't curse to express yourself, especially since young kids might hear and will learn! If you could get past the cursing, I would recommend The Taste to anyone who likes cooking or food in general mixed with competition.

So that's my two-cents on the show so far. I may continue doing posts on my thoughts for each episode, if anyone wants! I might also eventually post on some of my other favorite TV shows ;)

Watch the most recent episode here http://abc.go.com/watch/the-taste/SH55253383/VD55274355/dairing-pairings