Hey, guys, Ringer is back. Remember Ringer? I remember trying to like it and failing and then trying some more—and mostly managing to piss off actual fans of the show in my consistently negative reviews. I approached Tuesday night's return with a clear head and a forced sense of optimism: new year, new appreciation of Ringer. At least, that was my intention.
And I didn't hate the show's return—but I didn't like it much, either. This is the same series it was before the extended hiatus, and unless the show undergoes some serious retooling, it's never going to be event television for me. My reaction to most episodes is a shrug—which, in many ways, is worse than actual hatred. I've hate-watched my share of terrible TV, sometimes even finding joy in my ire. But Ringer still just feels flat to me, a show that has fully embraced its mediocrity and is going to soldier on, anyway. Every once in a while it does something interesting, but the series as a whole is bland, bland, bland.
But let's talk about those moments of interest, because I don't want to be a total hater. If you've been reading my reviews of The Lying Game—an ABC Family series with a plot that's eerily similar to Ringer's—you'll know that I like my twin-swap stories with both twins in the same city. It's just more exciting that way! And Tuesday's episode of Ringer, "It Just Got Normal," wins points for creating a few misunderstandings as Siobhan and Bridget continued to (inadvertently) switch back and forth. It wasn't quite as fun as Monday's episode of The Lying Game, but then, Siobhan, however awful, is not Sutton. Yes, Ringer, I am calling you out: Learn from a teen drama on ABC Family.
What doesn't work for me in Ringer's Siobhan-Bridget scenes is the show's perpetual laziness. We finally get to see these twins in the same room at the same time, and then what? Ringer relies on a ridiculous suspension of disbelief—that people go about their days without looking behind themselves, that someone taking a shower wouldn't notice herself being watched, or that anyone trying desperately not to be discovered would walk directly up to said shower in the first place. It was all so silly. And, like Andrew's password being "SIOBHAN," it's just lazy. I get that Ringer has an endgame in mind, but the show seems to have no problem cutting corners along the way.
Am I once again being too hard on Ringer? Does the story progression feel natural to you? I honestly believe these writers could be holding themselves to a higher standard. If you're going to put Bridget and Siobhan in the same room, great—but give me a more interesting escape than "Siobhan sneaks off when everyone's backs are turned." If you want Siobhan to hack into Andrew's computer system—and in this case, props for giving us more of an idea of what she's looking for—maybe make it easier than seeing a photo and realizing Andrew loves "Siobhan" enough to make her his password. What if the real Siobhan had pretended to be Bridget and gotten Malcolm to help her hack into the system? I'm spitballing here.
I have little to say about the Juliet storyline, which is something I've been dreading all through the hiatus. Again, it feels lose-lose to me. If Mr. Carpenter raped her—and her fear did seem genuine this week—I'm not sure what it brings to the story. It's upsetting and it adds to the unpleasant "violence against women" factor, but it's wholly unnecessary. And if Juliet is lying, which I only suggest because Ringer is clearly planting doubt here, what a complete assassination of Juliet's character. Not to mention the fact that "false rape accusation" plots always make me fidget, even on series more mature than this one.
With all that said, I'm not totally pessimistic about next week's episode, especially if the real Siobhan goes ahead and lets Henry in on the secret. I was excited when Gemma found out—and then she had to go and get kidnapped. Let's see what Henry does with this information, if he decides to rekindle things with Siobhan, how he treats Bridget once he knows her true identity. And writers, please keep pushing so that Ringer can finally inspire more gasps than shrugs.
What did you think of Ringer's return?
Just caught up. I want to say that I've been skeptical of this show lately, but that I found this return episode to be quite enjoyable. I thought it a notch above some of the previous episodes and actually found myself caring for Juliet. Though I, as much as I love Dohring since "Veronica Mars", do NOT want it to be a false rape storyline. That WOULD absolutely ruin her character. Looking forward to more next week and it looks like we'll get another person in on the secret.
Normally I have no thoughts on this show except bring on more Jason Dohring but this week I have lots! First, I did actually think this was a pretty good episode. But why are the episode titles now all stupid things that Juliet says?? I flipping hate the rape plot for exactly all the reasons you said. It's lose-lose and playing a rapist is not at all the kind of role I want Jason Dohring to play. It's physically impossible to root for a rapist. However, seeing Buffy Summers punch Logan Echolls in the face was a series highlight (I actually rewound to see it again). Also I think SMG's bangs are super cute :)
I really liked the episode a lot and thought it brought the show forward! I think people are still being to hard on the show. I will say it could be better here and there, but it's still great entertainment and leaves me wanting more. Also the actors are top quality, the sets and everything about the production are appealing to the eye. There was suspense, tension, misdirection, and subtle clues. There was also a lot of character development and I think people just don't know how to watch a show such as this and enjoy it for what it is. I certainly look forward to more episodes and hopefully more surprises!!!!!!!!!
I'm afraid the hiatus was hurtful. I left that show with a good feeling. Even though the first episodes were sloppy, I got used to the cheesy side of the show and just enjoyed it for what it was. However, that episode did not work on me. To be honest, I only liked the scene where real-shioban stole the files from the computer. It was tension filled to me. The next scene in the bathroom was imo ruined by the teasing at the begining of the episode. If you tease a scene, then make something happens and I mean more than a ring getting stolen.
I laughed when the FBI agent got the clue about Charlie being friend with shioban and not Bridget. I mean if the guy so much luck such as finding a witness (a waitress) ten months after the fact remembering two people in her restaurant because it was her birthday... He's not even close to solve the case !
I think that they need to wrap up everything and get a clean season and series finale (without a last twist... please).moreless
It was mr. Carpenters evil twin. (To obvious). I have given up on Ringer still like to read the recaps. Somewhere there is an interesting story in there.
I really liked the new episode. It introduced a new character that seems a lot more interesting than Gemma, it made the move of potentially making Juliet a more sympathetic character -which really needs to happen, because up until, she's just been an annoying back burner character- and with Siobhan back in the city, it really amps up the tension as Bridget deals with the consequences of Siobhan's meddling. Even with all the flaws of the show, it's consistently gotten better with each episode, which makes me hopefully for a wonderful season finale.
Also, the sheer hatred/disgust on Siobhan's face as she watched Bridget and Andrew spoke volumes about her character. Whether it's hatred that Bridget is better at her marriage than she ever was or disgust because she never loved Andrew and Bridget was able to bring out a side of him Siobhan was never able to... I'd be very interested to see them delve into that a little more.
I'm a broken record Ringer keeps getting better and better, great episode, loved the guts my Siobhan breaking/sneaking into her own pad, then coping Andrew's files, then have the guts to go right up to shower, the turn and swipe the ring, plus we all know that Juliet is lying about Mr Carpenter, nice bitch slap by Bridget I can go on and on
Actors like Ioan Gruffudd, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Jason Dohring are wasted on a show like this. Go do something better!
I liked the episode, didn't love. I really liked the fact that Siobhan is finally taking matters into her own hands. I also actually liked all the near misses with Siobhan and the fact that they were always so close and her passing as Bridget. I liked the shower scene, it was creepy and sort of reminded me of a trashy Psycho. I didn't understand why they showed this scene at the beginning and then in the middle of the episode again. If they were going for a non-linear narrative, then they didn't make that really clear...
As for Juliet, her character is so unnecessary and annoying and they should seriously kill the character or make her more interesting. They could bitch her out and make her work with Siobhan. But right now, we're supposed to care about her character and we just don't.
The whole point of the show, is that you're not suppose to take it seriously. It's what makes it fun, I mean c'mon everything is so ridiculous and campy. You're not taking it for what it is: soapy escapism fun, a trashy and ridiculous show.
As for the show itself, the main problem is that it could be even better than it already is. I mean it's a fun and good show but I feel that if they wanted it could be even better. It just hasn't reached its full potential as a show.... It reminds me of Dallas when it started. It was a good show but not great, but around episode 10 it got so good and addictive and turned into the great show we all know.moreless
I prefer "The lying game" too. It's sad, but I don't get "Ringer", I don't know why I can't like it enough. Something is off for me to like this show.
Don't take the show too seriously and everything will be alright ;)
Talking about lazy and silly scenes , the silliest one was the scene where the black guy show off his great coding skills in the meeting....geez it was funny and stupid :D
That was the WORST scene ever, it was so ridiculous! What kind of sophisticated high end business software is that, which generates a sparkly gif animation power point presentation in seconds ? I gotta have that!
Sometimes I wonder if this show is being made for children - the plot is so predictable!
I saw this episode as an improvement to the show. I also, agree that the show could have done soo much better and that its writing is mostly lazy (the whole kidnapping and death of Gemma - was all wrong) but - I am still invested ... it's probably because of Sarah Michelle Gellar. In regards to this episode, it was an improvement,,plus, I really liked that it was Siobhan central and not Bridget,,, as its a far more interesting character
I tried again but... it's just awful... nothing makes sense...
I gave the show up after the winter finale, it just felt like such a chore to keep up with even though I love Sarah and Kris they aren't enough to keep me invested
Ive been watching to figure out why I hate thhe show and realized it is because of the lead actress. Its my theory that the story line problems wouldn't exist if the lead actress wasnt as self absorbed. "The joke is that I'm playing five characters," is the joke.
In the spirit of less hate, and more open-mindedness, though I find the story line entirely too predictable I just can't turn away. Its like watching a train reck.