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Buffy Countdown(Eps #69 - #65)

We're getting there people....

#69 - Nightmares(Season 1, Ep#10). Great season one episode where everyone's worst fears come to frightening life. All of them are interesting, and who doesn't hate clowns", but none of them can touch the earth shattering, soul crushing blow of Buffy's worst fear with her father. Strong season one episode with great imagery.

#68 - The Replacement(Season 5, Ep#81). It may not be grand Buffy, but it is a hysterical episode that is fun from start to finish. Double the Xander was great, as was Anya's interest in how this could please her. Season 5 was the first set I got on DVD, and this was the first episode I watched. I just remember how much I enjoyed it, having only seen it once. Again, not superb Buffy, but very fun Buffy.

#67 - Seeing Red(Season 6, Ep#119). This is a hard episode. You get the whole Spike/Buffy controversy, and we get the untimely demise of Tara. It's not the easiest of eps to get through, nor is it one I watch too often, but it is extremely well done, and it shocks and surprises the viewer. Buffy was always the best when it came to that. It did have some great humor, and that was Andrew's awful take off on his jet pack. Funniest thing ever.

#66 - Earshot(Season 3, Ep#52). Another controversial episode well done, though not a constant in my DVD player. What to say?. Buffy and Andrew's words to each other in the tower were great, and the overall episode was a good one. However, I don't think the ep needed to be postponed for as long as it was. At least it wasn't as cringe inducing as the long wait we had to endure for the third season finale!.

#65 - Anne(Season 3, Ep#35). This was only the second or third full episode of Buffy I ever saw, and the first season premiere I watched live. "Anne" never seemed to rank too high, but I always thought it was a strong and interesting episode, not mentioning premiere. It's an episode that has really grown on me over the years, and I like it more and more. People claim that Buffy's premieres were never really "all that", but I strongly disagree.

Posted by Barrybgb, 07/17/2008 10:45am  5 Comments
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Buffy Countdown(Eps #74 - #70)

#74 - Selfless(Season 7, Ep#127). This was a great episode that gave Anya, and Emma Caufield, a chance to shine. It was nice to get a bit more of Anya's backstory and where she came from. That was all fun, but the best, and most emotional part, was Xander and Buffy's moments on what Anya has done and how to take care of it. Strong stuff. It was also great to have another musical moment.

#73 - Same Time, Same Place(Season 7, Ep#125). I thought this was a great way to get Willow back into Sunnydale and reaquainted with her old gang. Despite being a pretty strong and emotional episode, it also featured Gnarl, who may of been one of the most disturbing creatures to appear on Buffy. Plus, who didn't like Anya using Dawn as her own posable figure?.

#72 - Pangs(Season 4, Ep#64). First Halloween, and then Christmas, so why not Thanksgiving?. A fun episode with Angel crossing over from his new show, and Willow moaning the fact that the holiday is a yam sham. It's an interesting take on how everyone takes and perceives the holiday. Plus, it was just funny. Spike getting hit with arrows, Xander getting "the syphilis", and Buffy concerned that no one brought rolls.

#71 - Normal Again(Season 6, Ep#117). Normal Again is a great episode. What if this was all a dream?. What if Buffy was a mental patient who concocted this all in her head?. It certainly isn't the first show to do this storyline, but they make it their own. It's a wonderful "what if?" episode that some people said would of made a great series finale. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't of wanted it as the series finale.

#70 - Revelations(Season 3, Ep#41). Gwendolyn Post. Interesting lady. Buffy wants to kill her. It's another great season 3 episode, although I don't spin the DVD of this one too much. The big fight between Buffy and Faith(the first of many)was spectacular, and it was more proof for Faith that you can't trust anybody. Elsewhere, the gang finds out about Angel, and it's an emotional doozy. Xander might seem like a 5 year old and you may want to smack him, but wouldn't you say something if the guy that tortured you and killed some people were back?.

Posted by Barrybgb, 07/14/2008 8:32am  14 Comments
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Buffy Countdown(Eps #79 - #75)

#79 - The Weight Of The World(Season 5, Ep#99). Good episode, if a little slow and strange at times. The calm before the storm that was the magnificent season 5 ender.

#78 - Phases(Season 2, Ep#27). A great episode for Oz, and another wonderful episode for Oz and Willow. It was fun to finally throw a werewolf into the mix, and it was a great move to bestow that honor to Oz. The character was great, and Seth was wonderful in the role, so it was nice to throw a pretty new character some meat like that. Also, it was interesting to see Cordelia and Willow bond over their boyfriend troubles. Good episode.

#77 - Into The Woods(Season 5, Ep#8. It's known by now that I was no fan of Riley or his relationship with Buffy. Even though this was a very good and emotional episode on it's own, the relationship drama in it between Buffy and Riley never hit me or moved me like it did with every other relationship on the show. Blucas did some nice work, but it just never clicked 100% with me. Perhaps the best part was Xander and his moments with Anya. Seems as though the X-Man has come a ways himself.

#76 - Tabula Rasa(Season 6, Ep#10. The episode that introduced us to the wild and wacky adventures of Joan and Randy. That still gets me. This will probably be the episode on this part of the list that will be the one everyone would have higher. Lol. It's a great episode and a lot of important things happen here. Plus, it's just hilarious.

#75 - The Puppet Show(Season 1, Ep#9). Another early Buffy ep that may not be the series' greatest, but one I have always liked. I liked the dummy(and how are they ever NOT creepy?), and the switcheroo on who the demon really is. Plus, it was just funny how Giles had to do this show, given as to how he doesn't have much interest in the student body besides the Scooby gang. Plus, it was the introduction of Principal Snyder. Great character and Armin Shimerman was wonderful in the role.

Posted by Barrybgb, 07/11/2008 9:27am  15 Comments
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Buffy Countdown(Eps #84 - #80)

#84 - End Of Days(Season 7, Ep#143). The calm before the storm, I guess. The next to last episode is a bit quieter than one would have expected, but it's still a good episodes with some nice moments and touches. You have the wheelchair fight, Angel's appearance at the end(nice moment), and Buffy trusting Xander with getting Dawn out of the way. The downside?. Most of the potentials walked away from the bomb.

#83 - Beneath You(Season 7, Ep#124). Another good episode. Season 7 was off to a fun, strong, and interesting start. The ending with Spike and Buffy in the church was great, and both actors were fantastic in the scene. Spike going onto the cross was a great moment as well.

#82 - After Life(Season 6, Ep#103). Things are still pretty dark early on in season 6, but I really liked this episode. Watching the gang become possessed with what was brought back with Buffy from the grave was eerie, especially Anya's part. The creature itself was creepy and scary looking.

#81 - Buffy Vs. Dracula(Season 5, Ep#79). Maybe not the best of Buffy's season premieres, but I thought it was good and fun and enjoyable. The Dracula in this version is a bit lacking, but everything else I thought was good. It was fun to see the man in person in Sunnydale and against Buffy, and Xander got to spout off some hilarious, classic lines.

#80 - Gingerbread(Season 3, Ep#45). Maybe nowhere near the best of the pretty perfect season 3, but I have always liked it. There is a lot to like here. I mean, Hansel & Gretel?!. Xander and Oz's late rescue?. Buffy's death blow?. Perhaps the best is meeting Willow's mother. Mrs. Rosenberg referring to Buffy as "Bunny" was hilarious.

Posted by Barrybgb, 07/07/2008 9:34am  15 Comments
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Buffy Countdown(Eps #89 - #85)

#89 - Never Kill A Boy On The First Date(Season 1, Ep#5). Another early Buffy that I enjoy. An episode that shows that Buffy will never truly have a normal life, and that her calling will always be there as she tries to do normal things, like date. I thought this was a really good, strong episode, and I liked the final fight in the cremation chamber.

#88 - Something Blue(Season 4, Ep#65). An entertaining and funny hour, written by the same person who wrote "Beer Bad". It's not my favorite comical episode, but it's a good one. Spike's comment on Buffy's name for their wedding invitations was great, as was briefly seeing Amy again.

#87 - Real Me(Season 5, Ep#80). I loved season 5, and some critics thought the start of the season was slow and nothing special. I, for one, loved it. The addition of Dawn was a great mystery, and season 5 felt more "homey" than season 4. Keeping us guessing about Dawn was great. We should never doubt Joss. Plus, Harmony back was great too. "Your the hair puller you big girl!".

#86 - Him(Season 7, Ep#12. Some people think it's too silly, but I thought this episode was hysterical. I liked how there were things of Buffy past in season 7, and seeing Buffy's old cheerleader uniform was funny. I especially loved the scene with Buffy and the rocket launcher, and Willow's part in all the mayhem. Maybe not classic Buffy, but hysterical and entertaining nonetheless.

#85 - Out Of My Mind(Season 5, Ep#82). I never really cared for Riley, but he and Marc Blucas had their moments every once in a while. He does a pretty good job here. Elsewhere, we get a taste of something being wrong with Joyce, and with Dawn. Plus, I get a kick out of Spike and Harmony together.

Happy 4th!!!

Posted by Barrybgb, 07/04/2008 8:40am  15 Comments
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My Recent Reviews

 
9.1 Superb
Reaper
Coming to Grips
Avg Score: 9.38    Total Ratings: 204    Total Reviews: 10
Users who agree: 5    Users who disagree: 1
In my last review, I boasted how Reaper was finally on a roll and looked to be getting out of the repetitive rut the show has pretty much been in for most of it's short run so far(while still fun and entertaining). Thankfully, last week's wonderful episode proved to be no fluke, as last night's episode kept up the momentum the series has suddenly found itself in and, in my opinion, was even better than last week!. Things are really starting to heat up and get very interesting with the show, so it would be a shame if the series, still ratings challenged(but has a season average that's better than "Gossip Girl", which has already been renewed for some reason), got cut down right as it was becoming something. It definitley deserves a chance to keep growing. It needs a second season. Are you listening, CW?. The mistakes you seem to make on a daily basis need to stop!. Without Supernatural, Smallville, and Reaper, the network would look like the N crossed with a younger version of Lifetime. Not everything needs to be more predictable "young" soap operas that seem to be cliched rip-offs of "One Tree Hill" and "Gossip Girl", themselves cliched rip-offs. But no need to continue ranting about the bad. Let's get on with the good....

As usual, there are a couple different storylines running through the episode, so let's begin with the biggie, shall we?....

Sam gets his latest mission from the Devil. The escaped soul is a man running a sperm clinic who's only donor is himself. A specimen he thinks is nothing but utter perfection in every way. He can also reproduce if you don't catch all of him. Makes sense with his occupation, huh?. The vessel is a scythe and it's about time!. The show IS called Reaper, after all. Lol. Anywho, Sam and his pals go to confront the soul and do their thing. In doing so, Sam chops the man's head off with the scythe. What he wasn't counting on was Andi, who followed them to the man's office and saw Sam chop the man's head off in the window. Naturally, she is freaked. Wouldn't you be?. She confronts Sam about it and says she will go to the police. He goes to the Devil for help, who allows Sam to tell her the real story. Of course she doesn't believe it. Sock and Ben take it to themselves to help out and kidnap Andi before she can go to the police. In trying to help Andi believe him, they take her to see Tony(Ken Marino), the only survivor from last week, who is holed up in a private cabin in the woods and trying to put together another army against the devil. He transforms into his demon form to show Andi, who rightly freaks and leaves. Andi confesses to Sam that she believes him now, but that she can't handle all the incredible new information she has just received about Sam and the world. When he tells her that he loves her, she responds by saying that he scares her. In the end, Sam finally gets the soul, and Andi comes around.

I'm glad that they finally got Andi in on the secret. It needed to happen. The secrecy and going around behind her back was already old, so this is better. It was sad when she tells Sam that he scares her, but she thankfully comes around and all seems fine. It would of been a letdown if they continued with Andi being afraid of Sam and put up yet another wall between them finally being together. We've seen it a hundred million times. We don't need to see it anymore. Get together!. It will be fun and interesting to see how the dynamic of the show and the relationships go from here now that Andi is in on the mission. This was a great storyline and a brilliant move in the right direction the show has been going in here lately.

Speaking of relationships, Ben has his own side B storyline here. Ben has a list of all the qualities he is looking for in a woman. His friends make fun of him for not only having such high standards, but listing qualities they don't think exist in any woman!. So, imagine their(and our)surprise when Ben is suddenly married the next morning to a british girl from work. They only got married so she could get a green card, but apparently the girl thinks it's much more than just a simple nice gesture. While in the action of catching the soul at the hospital, Ben meets a receptionist who seems to be everything he is looking for. He has found her!. Unfortunatley, his "wife" forbids him to go any further. They are married now!. What's Ben to do?. It was light filler, but funny and enjoyable filler. Ben is a good guy, and it was nice to see him have his own thing going on that wasn't just about helping Sam or getting injured. The humor from Sock about having a wife was funny too. And speaking of Sock, he and Josie, after their little "tryst" in the last episode, are seemingly together again. Sadly, nothing much was made of this except for a little thing early on that was only a few seconds long. Where is this relationship now?. Who knows. I guess we will find out later.

"Coming To Grips" bests last week's episode, and is easily the best episode of the series since the Pilot episode. Things finally happened here that we wanted to happen, and more exciting and interesting things have been set up. The Devil and Sam have a new deal that they made in order for Sam to reveal to Andi their secret, and the favor that Sam has to do for the Devil involves Tony and his new resistance army. What is to become of this, and will things get bad and messy with Tony?. Only time will tell, but I am afraid we and the show may not have time. Do the right thing CW!.
Report Abuse Posted Apr 30, 2008
9.0 Superb
Reaper
Rebellion
Avg Score: 9.42    Total Ratings: 208    Total Reviews: 9
Why, what's this?. Reaper finally getting interesting and seeming like it was going somewhere?. I and a lot of others, including critics, have been somewhat disappointed with Reaper after it's absolutely wonderful pilot episode. While the show still remained fun and entertaining, but mostly forgettable, it seemed to go nowhere after the pilot. Many episodes seeming to be like slight variations on others they have already done with no clear path or idea where they were going or what they were going to do when they get there. Here lately, with the last few episodes, it appears that things are changing. The additions of Sam's new girlfriend who may or may not be some kind of wacko related to the Devil was a nice twist. Now, the addition of gay demon neighbors Steve and Tony have upped the ante a little bit. The addition of them into the fold has been the best thing this show has done so far in it's very short run. Michael Ian Black and Ken Marino are wonderful in their roles, and these characters have really brought something to the show. As we have learned, these two are not just gay but demons!. I would of loved to of seen Joss and Co. tackle that!. But they have been good guys(so far), and absolutely hilarious!. Once we found out that they have a thing for the devil and learn that Sam is the "go to guy" to get to him, things instantly started cracking on the Reaper front. They had a story. They seemed to be setting things up and actually going somewhere. Things came to a pretty explosive point in this episode, which may be the best episode so far since the pilot. Has Reaper finally found it's game plan?. I guess we will see in the rest of the episodes in store for us for season 1.

The big to do here is that Steve and Tony take Sam to a special demon support group, where demons try to be good people and others try to help them stay in line. There, Sam learns what they have in store for the Devil. Kill him with kindness. When it appears that that isn't strong enough, Tony really wants to go for the kill. And the key is Sam. Sam has to lure the Devil to their support group place and they will take care of the rest. When the Devil does appear, it quickly appears that you cannot pull one over 'ol Lucifer.

This was probably the best storyline the show has had going for it since it started. The Devil was always cool and fun to watch with his little segmentscoming in and going and whatnot. We saw some little things that shows the real dark side of the Devil, and I have always said that the show and it's writers have got to start exploiting that more. Get something good and juicy going on here, especially with the Devil himself. Up the ante a bit. Get more serious. While there is always humor hanging over everything most of the time, maybe it's time to grow up a bit more?. Turn things deadly serious. Anyways, the moment that Ray Wise steps into the scene where we learn that he knows everything(and takes care of it), is quite a fantastic scene. I, and I think a lot of other people, have been waiting to see something like this finally happen on the show. It also appears that we will finally see something happen that we have been waiting for next week too. And what was with the ending with Tony?. He didn't look too happy. Things are finally getting real good.

The two other storylines going on in this episode seem disposable in lieu if the big stuff that is finally going on elsewhere. The escaped soul and the "vessel" was all that the show really had going on when it first appeared. There wasn't much else going on except the usual romantic tangle-ups between Sam and Andi. Now, the escaped soul is the least interesting part. Here, it is a lawyer who uses leeches to suck the blood out of his clients. Ha ha. Get it?. Pretty typical, writers, and so was the Devil's line where he said they have a lot of lawyers where he comes from. Bet you didn't see that one coming!. Lol. Anyways, it was a fairly blah and forgettable escaped soul this week, with a vessel(a whip)that was kind of cool, but didn't make much sense. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. And where is Gladys?!. We need more Gladys!.

The filler of th ep, while still humorous, was the fact that Ted wants to ask Josie out on a date, since she gave him her scarf(even though she admits that Ted is too stupid to notice that it is a girl's scarf). Sock is stunned when she accepts a date with Ted, but Ted gives Sock something to chew on about dating. When he confronts Josie, it's not true, and the two of them have a moment together. Okay, "two" moments, when Ted comes calling. The best part of this was getting to see Valerie Rae Miller more. Let's keep it up, 'kay writers?.

In the end, "Rebellion" was an exceptional episode of the show. There has been some good episodes of the show since the pilot, but it has been getting into the best since the pilot here lately. Reaper is still finding it's feet, but I think it's getting there. Let's hope the CW has a brain(I know, I know)and gives this show a second season, for which it can really reach that goal.
Report Abuse Posted Apr 27, 2008
10.0 Perfect
Supernatural
Ghostfacers
Avg Score: 8.22    Total Ratings: 571    Total Reviews: 95
Users who agree: 1    Users who disagree: 1
Supernatural is finally back, and not only is it back, but it returned with what may be it's funniest ever and it's most quotable episode ever. There was so much to love here, and so much to laugh at. The work and detail that was put into the episode was another showcase of the great work the writers and everyone not only put into this episode, but always put into every episode. Supernatural fans are loud and vocal, and they certainly say what they think. Some say this episode detered from the main goal of the season this late in the game. Some think the homosexual aspect in this episode was too much and offensive(which is absolutely ridiculous to the nth degree). Some don't like it when they get "creative" and do funky one offs like this(like X-Files doing 'Cops' and other stuff like that). I strongly disagree. One off, stand alone eps like these are usually some of the best episodes of these shows. I love it when a show, be it Supernatural, X-Files, or Buffy, do something funky like that. It usually turns out to be brilliant and very well remembered episode. The fact that Supernatural was taking on TV shows like "Ghost Hunters" and "Paranormal State", which I love as well, was a stroke of genius. Not only that, but it fits. It works. It makes sense. Leave it to Eric Kripke and the rest of the Supernatural team to pull it off like no one else probably can and deliver an episode that was as hilarious(if maybe even more)than the NBC sitcoms that were playing that same night. Something many critics stated as well. As a huge SN fan, I love it when they shake things up and deliver episodes like this and season 2's "Tall Tales" and "Hollywood Babylon". You need to play around and not make the same episode over and over again. Now, exactly what went on?.

The amateur ghost hunters that were first introduced back in season 1's equally hysterical and fantastic "Hell House", are back. This time, the two guys have their own TV show called "Ghostfacers". The episode opens with the two talking to you the viewer(and more than one person might see a resemblance to the season 7 Buffy episode, "Storyteller"). An introduction that was most welcome and let you know that this was no ordinary episode of Supernatural. It was hysterical from the start(especially when they refered to the recent writer's strike and called them "lazy fat cats"). From then on, you were taken into an episode of Supernatural like no other. The whole episode was down with the same kind of hand held video cameras you see on "reality" shows like this. No ordinary camera like always until the very end. The pair and their troop of fellow ghost hunters go to investigate an old spooky mansion(is there any other kind?), that reputedly becomes the most haunted house in America for one night every 4 years. On that night, people come in, but they don't come out. While there, they run into Sam and Dean, who are investigating the place themselves. Sure enough, they soon become trapped and all you know what breaks loose, and everyone has to strive to survive the night.

Right off the bat, this episode had all of the conventions and cliches of reality paranormal shows down pat. The camera angles, the style, everything. If you didn't know better, you might of been easily fooled. The episode starts and moves along flawlessly and the first part was resoundingly hilarious. However, for an episode that was very funny and what seemed "light" at first, soon changed. This is Supernatural after all. The moment things start happening in the house, things aren't so funny anymore. It becomes strikingly eerie and scary and serious, and the faux reality camera style of the episode adds to it greatly instead of detracting from it. While the humor remains strong throughout the entire episode, it comes off as natural and normal in the situation. How many times have you been so scared that it's almost funny?. Elsewhere, the look and style of the episode is top notch. If SN ever gets cancelled(which would be a crime to television), the paranormal reality shows know who they can come too to work on their shows!.

The episode was written by the brilliant Ben Edlund, the genius who wrote the "Smile Time" episode of "Angel" a few years ago. Just knowing that Edlund wrote an episode is cause for celebration. You know that you are not going to get an ordinary episode, but a brilliant and fun episode that has the "fun", but doesn't lose sight of what the show or the characters are about or doing. He wrote an episode that I mentioned earlier is extremely quote-worthy. Possibly the most quote-worthy episode of Supernatural ever. Where to start?. 'Chisel Chest?'. "Go be gay and help that poor, dead intern?". There was a lot to love here and a lot of great lines. Equally memorable is how there was cursing on the show but was bleeped out every time a character did it. Or the blurry vision of whenever Dean gave a certain 'salute'. Everyone had the bases covered.

In the end, "Ghostfacers" was an impecible episode that gets an A for every little detail they did. It's sad that there seems to be a lot of negative things being said for such a fun and well done episode that was one of the most entertaining of the season. It was incredibly directed, written, and acted. Hats off to Kripke and company for yet again delivering an episode that shows why Supernatural is so respected and critically acclaimed. Give me this over doctors, lawyers, and crime scene investigators any day.
Report Abuse Posted Apr 27, 2008
8.7 Great
Reaper
Hungry for Fame
Avg Score: 9.16    Total Ratings: 208    Total Reviews: 10
Users who agree: 1    Users who disagree: 1
Well, it has been quite some time since I have written a review for Reaper. Or written a review of anything for that matter. I came to the point where I felt it was the same review over and over again because it seemed Reaper was doing the same episode over and over again. You can only write so much when it feels like you have already written it. So, I gave it a break. As for Reaper, the addition of Sam's new girlfriend, who may or may not be the devil's daughter, was a fun little addition. It gave the show some extra mystery, although still didn't improve the series. But now, Reaper is back from what seemed like an eternity. Having watched this episode last night, I realized how much I do like the show and missed it, if not actually love it. I would like to see the series continue to a season 2. Maybe then, over the summer, they can figure out exactly what to do with the show and where to go. So far, it still doesn't seem clear that they do. Also, how weird was it that this episode was a Christmas show?. It was a little startling to see Santa and Christmas trees in March. Lol. Oh well, let's get on with it....

We have a couple of storylines here....

First things first. The escaped soul this time around was a guy who was a cannibal in his real life. Bodies have been popping up, and the Devil tells Sam that the soul usually comes back to finish off the corpse, wherever it may be. This guy is a real character. Sock and Ben have a conversation over this guy being the scariest soul compared to the others. I think he just may be. He looks and dresses like Mr. Rogers, but look out for those teeth!. Anywho, our gang track down his mother and learn that he is probably coming back home and hanging around there. That night, they catch him, after Sock has a moment with him first in the backyard. But wait, our cannibal is not over yet. He figures into storyline B.

A sad, pathetic street musician named Ryan(played by Jamie Kennedy), desperatley wants to be a real rock star. Unfortunatley for him, he doesn't really have the talent, the voice, or the songs. The Devil sees this as another person who's soul he can catch. He gives Ryan what he has always wanted. A touch of fame, and being the rock and roll star he always wanted to be. Once he tastes that, the Devil will step in with the papers. Sam tries to change this. The guy is already sad and down in the dumps, so why ruin him even more?. Sam tries to warn Ryan not to get involved with the Devil, or "Jerry Belvedere", as he calls himself. Ryan won't have anything of it, but Sam and the others bring out the cannibal to show that they mean business. Ryan finds out the hard way how right they are, and how sharp the cannibal's teeth are.

Elsewhere, Sam is still going strong in his new relationship. Things get a bit messy when she finds the necklace that he originally got for Andi, thinking it was meant for her. Sam doesn't disagree. The two have a slight falling out but reconciliate when Andi sees the necklace and gives her the cold shoulder. While I like Andi a lot more, Sam's relationship with this girl is a lot more interesting. Who is this girl?. Is she the devil's daughter?. Is she hiding a secret?. Her little talk with Andi shows that the girl has some issues she obviously needs to work on. She says she has, but we all know that she could probably use a little more don't we?.

Lastly, there is a little storyline concerning Sock and his mom. His mother has been away in Las Vegas, and comes home with a little surprise. She has married, in Sock's words, an "asian cowboy". Sock is hurt and angry. His mom and he are supposed to be a team. Things aren't made any better when she tells him that he is 25 now, and he should move out and be on his own. Sock doesn't believe it and gives her some time to change her mind. Will she?. This was mostly fluffy filler, but it had some funny moments. Sock moving out and bunking with either Sam or Ben(most likely the latter)could lead to some more humorous moments. Then again, so could staying home with mom and her "asian cowboy" Morris.

"Hungry For Fame" was a pretty fun and satisfying episode. The episode did feel like it was suffering a bit from too much going on. You had the cannibal soul to catch, then there was the rock stay Sam was trying to save, and there was Sock's family drama and Sam's girl troubles. It could of used some editing, and saved some of this stuff for other episodes. Even though it felt like it was packed in tight, it moved pretty breezily and got the job done. The usual dose of humor was there, and Ray Wise continues to dazzle as the Devil. His closing scene with Sam at the work bench was killer. There is a real scary dark side there(well, he is the devil, after all)and we get little glimpses of it here and there without the writers fully jumping into it. Let's hope they pull the rug out from under our seat soon. Oh, and actually give Valerie Rae Miller more to do.
Report Abuse Posted Mar 14, 2008
9.2 Superb
Supernatural
Bad Day at Black Rock
Avg Score: 9.63    Total Ratings: 678    Total Reviews: 81
Users who agree: 1   
Another week, another great, stellar episode of Supernatural. Leave it to the great Ben Edlund to write a teriffically interesting and funny/goofy episode that doesn't deter away from the core of the show or the characters. He said he had written an episode that featured no real special effects. At first, I was a little worried. But I should know better when it comes to Supernatural and the genius Mr. Edlund. In the world of the Winchester boys, you don't need some high falutin' effects or monster make-up to make a riveting and compelling episode. The storytelling, mythology, and well rounded characters are enough. All the fun in the monsters/demons/make-up/effects are just special icings on the cake. "Bad Day At Black Rock" has the edginess we all know and love about the show, the ongoing storylines we are all so invested in, and had a great sense of humor and fun. Some people claim that SN is too serious and takes itself too seriously. Obviously these people who claim such things are not regular watchers of the series. If they were, they would know that the show has always had a sharp and fun sense of humor. A sense of humor that's normal, natural, and organic. Not soo obvious and in your face like other shows. This episode has to be one of the show's most comical. Jared Padalecki hardly ever gets the funny stuff, but he does here, and it's a hoot to see because Sam is usually the more serious one. Jensen Ackles also gets to have a little fun with the nature of this week's fun and entertaining story. Also, another new girl is introduced to the Winchester world. More on that a bit later. But for now, it is time to get with the show and my thoughts on this week's wonderful episode....

Sam and Dean get word that someone has broken into their father's storage unit. Even more surprising is the fact that they didn't even know anything about it!. They go to the facility and find it stock full with their dad's belongings, as well as mementos from the boys' past. They come to realize that a box is missing from a shelf. Who has it, what was in it, and why was it taken?. A couple of thieves have the box and when they open it, they are surprised at what they see. It is nothing more than a rabbit's foot. Ah, but it is MORE than just a rabbit's foot. It brings luck to whoever touches it in their hand. The power of the rabbit's foot is obvious from the get go when the boys come to the thieves' quarters and retrieve the foot. Because Sam grabs it, everything goes well for their side in a seemingly perfect fashion. The same can't be said for one of the poor robbers. His luck turns deadly. When the brothers' luck gets even better, good 'ol Bobby lets them know that that can change. If you lose the rabbit foot, your luck will turn into the opposite. Nothing but bad luck that would result in death. Anyone surprised?. The foot is taken by a shifty female thief named Bela(Lauren Conrad), who steals artifacts like this one for rich clients. The boys must get the rabbit's foot back, destroy it, and save Sam and Dean from having their luck turn to the worst possible luck there is.

What can I say?. This was pure fun and entertainment. We all know how a rabbit's foot is supposed to be lucky, but I have never seen it come to life like this before. The bad luck aspect was just another great twist. High comedy comes from this situation when Sam's luck starts to take a turn for the worse. At first, it's just goofy bad luck that would just annoy the heck out of you. But we all know it would get much worse. Sam is a klutz when his luck turns sour, and it was hysterical to see Sam in such a situation. I am sure Padalecki had fun with this. Very rarely does he get the funny part. Dean touches the foot and runs into some good luck of his own, especially in a riotous scene in the motel room when he saves Sam from Gordon's goons. And Bela?. I have to say she was quite charming and interesting. More than Ruby. Lauren Conrad is exquisitely beautiful and she did a good job. I didn't mind her character at all. Most fans were worried about these two new additions, but so far I am not too worried anymore. I like Bela a lot more than Ruby.

In other areas of this episode, hunter Gordon rears his psycho head. A friend of his comes to see him in prison. They talk about the opening of the gates and Gordon asks if Sam was there. Obviously, Gordon doesn't know everything and thinks Sam is still this evil thing. The YED personal toy. He sends an acquaintance out to track down Sam. Gordon still persists that Sam needs to die. Will this guy give it a rest already!!. Moving on, the two stumble upon Sam only after his luck starts to go south. This is their lucky day. The main guy thinks it's god's work that had made it so easy to find Sam. Little does he know it was just the work of a rabbit's foot. Dean manages to save the day and a report is given back to Gordon in jail. Sam is definitley evil. Now, Gordon just needs to get out of this jail. The Gordon character is interesting, and Sterling K. Brown does a great job, but this guy needs to get his and get it soon!.

In the end, "Bad Day At Black Rock" was another solid and well done episode. Very rarely does SN falter, and even if it does, it's still well made and better than most others. Ben Edlund is a great and talented writer(he wrote the 'Smile Time' episode of "Angel"). He writes very interesting and smartly entertaining episodes. 'Interesting' and 'smart' are words that can always be pointed Supernatural's way. This episode was clever in it's execution and structure, witty and intelligent in writing and acting, and was just another wonderful episode of a brilliant series. CW, you need this for a season 4.
Report Abuse Posted Oct 19, 2007

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Barrybgb
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Barrybgb
I hate these things. I never know what to say, or exactly how to say it. I just love TV and movies. I love spending time here and blogging, and writing reviews. I like what I like, and I think what I think, and I can be pretty opinionated in certain things. Mostly, I like to come here, have fun, and hopefully add to the wonderful friends I've already made.
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