The Penguin (2024) Review

After 8 Episodes, we have finally made it to the end of The Penguin and I have watched all of the episodes and here is my review for DC's newest show. The premise of the show sees after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb looks to take his spot as the head of the crime families and deals with the trials of tribulations for this. 

Main Character

Colin Farrell is back as Oz Cobb and he is truly amazing here. He is unrecognisable and this is a brilliant interpretation of the character. The show does a fantastic job in making you support and root for this bad character and Farrell is a huge part of this. This is a really strong lead performance and is a huge step up from his already great performance in The Batman. 

Supporting Characters

Cristin Milioti plays Sofia Falcone and for me she is the star of this show and gives one of the best performances that I have ever seen in a comic book property. You really get an insight into her character and the way she thinks and works and I genuinely felt sorry for her. Milioti is superb and this is a mesmerising performance that should be challenging at The Emmys. 

Rhenzy Feliz plays Victor and I really liked his character and the development he goes through this season. He builds up this relationship with Oz and it allows him to become more confident in his life and he portrays that really well on screen. 

Deidre O'Connell plays Francis Cobb and this is a really strong performance that adds a lot of value to the show, especially as the show progresses. Her character gets a tonne of development over the show and they expand on her relationship with Oz really well. 

The rest of the cast are also fantastic and everyone really delivers on being an amazing cast of characters. 

Story

The story is fantastic as we see the ambition and rise of these 3 characters Oz, Victor & Sofia and it is handled wonderfully. The strong performances and strong writing really progress the plot well and shows how the gang world is interreacting in this new Gotham. The ending of the series is really brilliant and dark and feels really appropriate for this shows tone and themes. 

Script

This show has fantastic writing and creates nuanced characters that blur the lines between good and evil. This world has been built up so well and I loved the mix of drama and really dark humour that was nailed on. 

Style

The style of this show continues the artistic feel from The Batman and it does it so well. It is dark, gritty but also quite beautiful, the cinematography makes Gotham feel like another character and why these characters stay here. The show holds nothing back in terms of violence and that absolutely worked for this show and added that extra layer. 

Overall

Overall, The Penguin is one of the best Comic Book shows ever created and I loved The Penguin. It is an amazing watch and should be seen by everybody, especially fans of Batman characters. This is going to be hard to be topped and is the new standard bearer for other shows in its genre. 

Rating - 10/10

Game of Thrones Season 1 (2011) Review

After watching season 2 of House of the Dragon and seeing numerous clips of the original show online, I decided to go back and re-watch Game of Thrones and I have just got through the first season of the show and here is my review. The premise of the show sees noble families attempt to put themselves on top through war, politics and backstabbing. 

Main Character

Sean Bean plays Ned Stark and he is fantastic on this show and is the clear protagonist. This show is full of morally grey characters but Ned is just a good guy and Bean is fantastic in the role. He is a strong presence and I really loved seeing his character having to deal with the politics of the kingdom. 

Supporting Characters

This show has a massive cast, so there is no way I will be able to talk about them all and apart from some of the child actors, everyone is fantastic and really truly cares about their performances and trying to make this the best show possible. 

Peter Dinklage plays Tyrion Lannister and for me he is the best character on the show, he is so charismatic and you can't help but support his devilish side. Dinklage revels in this role and he just owns every scene that he is in. 

Emilia Clarke plays Daenerys Targaryen and her story is very separate from the other characters and she does a fantastic job. She really develops over the season and I think Clarke really grows in her performance. 

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister is a truly fantastic character, she is so unlikeable but there is definitely reasons to sympathise for her and the nuance of Cersei is a big part of the show and Headey knocks it out of the park. 

Aidan Gillen as Peter Baelish and Conleth Hill as Varys are two characters that revel in their screen time and the chemistry that they have together produces some of the best scenes in the entire show. Their characters are really well written and seeing their philosophies clash is fantastic. 

Story

The story is fantastic, you get a bit of everything from this show and there is a lot going on. But unlike some other shows it manages to make all of it interesting and make you care about it. Seeing the political debates and issues at Kings Landing with the supernatural elements with The Wall mixed with the war conflict between characters makes it feel like we get everything. The end of the season really pulls no punches and takes risks that I think makes it stand out and truly makes it legendary. 

Script

The script is incredibly well written and every character is written well to make you care and interested in their stories. The dialogue is so sharp and the blend between drama and humour is so well done that you literally just see people talking and it is some of the most interesting scenes in the show. 

Style

The shows look is fantastic, I love the costume design and the clear budget that Game of Thrones has. But it knows how to film scenes effectively that makes you realise that in this season it isn't too over the top and full of CGI, it feels gritty and dark. The different stories bounce together really well and they all are interesting and make you want to continue watching. 

Overall

Overall, Game of Thrones Season 1 is an Epic season of television and one that will go down in the history books and one that everybody should see. It shows the true quality of the franchise and how high the standards are. 

Rating - 10/10

Loki Season 2 (2023) Review

Out of all the MCU Disney+ shows Loki was the best for me and it is also the only one so far to have a second season. The second season has finally finished and I have watched all 6 episodes and here is my review for it. The premise of the season picks up right where the last one finished with Loki trying to figure out what is going on with the branching timelines while trying to save the TVA from He Who Remains and his variants. 

Main Character

Tom Hiddleston has been playing Loki for so long now but this is easily his best performance in the role. He nails every aspect of this character to make him on of the most interesting in any film or TV show. Loki isn't the villain he once was but he still has those traits and the inner conflict is there and it is shown beautifully. He is scared after the events of the previous season and Hiddleston does an amazing job of conveying all types of emotion and he deserves awards for this amazing performance. 

Supporting Characters

I remember when it was revealed that Owen Wilson was cast as Mobius that I didn't understand how it would work. But he gives the best performance of his career here, the dynamic between himself and Loki is fantastic and is one of my favourite parts of the show. He has a real arc here and I loved seeing it progress throughout the season with Wilson nailing it. 

Sophia Di Martino is back as Sylvie and though this season doesn't revolve around her as much as the previous one does she still plays an important role and Di Martino nails it. She is clearly conflicted over her actions in the first season and throughout the show it puts that at the forefront of the performance and she does a great job. 

The only really major addition to the cast for this season was Ke Huy Quan as OB, an inventor at the TVA who helps Loki and Mobius. He is so energetic and adds so much to this show, he just really fits in with the crew and it is really cool seeing him in great roles lately. 

I am not going to mention his legal issues but Jonathan Majors is back in a larger role this season and he is fantastic, he plays a few different roles and I love how he is projected throughout the show and how he has been making all the variants feel very different despite being played by the same man. 

Story

The story is fantastically created. It follows on from the major cliff-hanger of the previous season and makes it even better. It improves on all of the characters and makes us care about them, especially with Loki himself who goes on a great character journey leading to the final which is an amazing episode of television. 

Script

The show is really written well, people criticise Marvel for an overuse of comedy sometimes but that is not present here. Here we have a brilliant blend with great characters being written really well and I can't stop praising it. 

Style 

The show looks beautiful, you can clearly see the care that has been put into it and the huge budget behind it. No matter what time period it is showing it nails it and kept me engaged throughout. It flowed really well and I was never bored during the 6 episodes. 

Overall

Overall, the 2nd season of Loki is a masterpiece and should be seen by everybody. They have taken this supporting character and turned him into the best character in the franchise, it feels like a fulfilling story arc over 2 seasons and I think this is one of the best things Marvel has ever done. 

Rating - 10/10

Line Of Duty Season 4 (2017) Review

So after a little break I am back watching Line of Duty and I have just finished the fourth season and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees AC-12 look into a possible miscarriage or justice by a leading Police Detective. 

Main Character

Thandie Newton plays the guest lead character this season and she is really good in her role. She is an interesting character and Newton is really effective in selling her characters emotions and the way that she thinks and operates. The highlights of the season is when she and AC-12 go head to head in the interview room and she is incredibly captivating and even puts them under significant pressure at times. 

Supporting Characters 

All of the regulars are back this season, Adrian Dunbar as Hastings, Vicky McClure as Kate and Martin Compston as Steve and they are of course all great. I was worried about where they were going with Kate and Steve at the beginning of the season but they sorted it out quick enough and the characters are at their best here and it is interesting to see both of them now of the same rank after the events of the previous seasons. Hastings has always been a big highlight and I just love this guy, he has the best lines and he is just such a great character, with the three of them being a great triple act. Royce Pierrson is an actor I recently criticised for his role in The Irregulars but he shows up here and is good in his role providing a fresh and new face inside of AC-12 that is a welcome addition. 

Story 

The story is really good, it is always entertaining seeing AC-12 going on the hunt for corrupt police officers and it is in full force here and this season had me gripped for sure. The show makes you think you know what is going on at first but then it starts adding more and more twists and turns and layers that makes it so intricate and dynamic. Also the last 20 minutes of the finale is some of the greatest TV I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of TV. 

Script

The script is really good, I always wonder whether the show will ever get bogged down by the police jargon but it really doesn't and it is easy enough to follow but keeps you guessing throughout. The drama and humour is well balanced and the show manages to create captivating and interesting characters. 

Style 

The show has a truly special style, it can take something like an interview and turn it into must watch TV and that is no different here. The show moves at a very brisk pace and keeps you interested and invested really well with a show that knows exactly how much time and episodes it needs to succeed. 

Overall

Overall, the fourth season of Line Of Duty is truly epic. Honestly, this is some of the best TV you will see and I am truly of belief that this show is one of the best made maybe even ever and if you haven't started then get on it as it is amazing. 

Rating - 10/10

Line Of Duty Season 3 (2016) Review

With Line of Duty Season 6 coming out, I am continuing my watch of the previous seasons and here is my review of season 3. The premise of the season sees an armed response officer being investigated by AC-12 when it is suggested he unlawfully killed a target. 

Main Character

Martin Compston as Steve Arnott is probably the one we spend the most time with here and he is really good. He is still the officer who is on the hunt the most and Compston does a great job in showing his determination and how he is a good officer. The show does some interesting things with his character and the spotlight is really shone on him as things start to become more complex and it makes his character much more interesting. 

Supporting Characters

Daniel Mays plays the guest character and he is given less to do then the others but he is still really good. He is a very complex character and as you learn more about him, the whole moral compass has to get looked at and he is a character with a lot of depth and intrigue. Vicky McClure is back as Kate and she is also great, Kate is given plenty to do and I think this season is the one where we really see just how good at her job she is as she manages to pull off the majority of the investigation. Adrian Dunbar plays Hastings and I think he is my favourite character on this show, he is just really good in the role and is firm but fair and also has some real funny moments as well with some of the best lines. Craig Parkinson as Cottan has always been a character that has felt like the fourth wheel to the team and that is emphasised here and he is really good at doing it and gives a strong performance. 

Story 

The story is really good, the show heads in some different directions in terms of its storytelling and freshens itself up enough while staying true to the identity of the show. The characters are great and as the story progresses the twists and turns are relentless culminating with one of the best finales you will see in any TV series that tip it over the edge. 

Script 

The script is really great, it has a great amount of twists that keeps you interested and allows you to follow. The drama and humour is really well balanced and it allows the show to feel real and dynamic with its storytelling and characters. 

Style 

The shows style is also really good, the show never slows down and keeps moving at a quick pace that you just want to watch the show all at once. The action when it is here, is brutal and really well done and the interview sections are some edge of the seat stuff. 

Overall

Overall, this is possibly my favourite season of Line Of Duty so far. It is really well paced and just kept me interested and glued to the screen for all six episodes. 

Rating - 10/10

Line Of Duty Season 1 (2012) Review 

With a sixth season of Line Of Duty coming to the UK next week, I thought it was finally time I sat down and watched this much praised show and I have watched the first season and here is my review. The premise of the show sees an anti corruption unit investigating one of there own, that leads to larger stakes then they realise. 

Main Character

Lennie James has become quite a big deal with his time on The Walking Dead and Save Me and he plays the main character of the first season of the show and he is superb. He is such an interesting character and James adds so much depth and layers to him and in a show that is really well acted he delivers a extremely strong performance. 

Supporting Characters

Martin Compston plays Arnott and he is also really good. Something happens to his character right at the start of the show and you see how it shapes him throughout and he delivers a strong performance. The dynamic between him and James is really interesting and you see their power struggle really encapsulate the season with two interesting characters and two interesting viewpoints. Vicky McClure plays Kate and she is also a highlight, she is a really strong actress and she gets stuck between Compston and James but it feels natural and that she is on a level with them. She has plenty of depth to her and she is a character that is really interesting and McClure does a great job. Adrian Dunbar plays Hastings and this guy is truly great as the leader of the group, he is just so cool and he is just a great character that has plenty of stand out moments. The rest of the cast are also great with the other police officers being portrayed strongly. 

Story 

The story is so gripping here, it keeps moving at a pretty brisk pace and it is so much better for it. The show has twists and turns that will keep you invested and rises above other shows within the same genre. It also nails a fantastic ending that is really high quality and keeping you guessing to the final second. 

Script

The script is great, all of the characters feel like real people. They have intrigue and development which feels natural and makes them all interesting, they have there funny moments and when the drama starts it goes deep and is really intense. 

Style

The show has a great style and I think a lot of that has to go down to the camera work. The show is always moving and the camera seems to be always moving, at times it can be a bit annoying but for the most part it makes everything seem a bit more frantic and fast paced and it worked for me. Also, if you want your car chases, shoot outs and interrogations they are all here in force too. 

Overall

Overall, I love this first season of Line Of Duty and I can't believe it has taken me this long to watch this show. If you haven't started watching it then do so and I will be spending the next few weeks catching up with the rest. 

Rating - 10/10 

Cobra Kai Season 2 (2019) Review

After the fantastic first season of Cobra Kai I couldn't wait and got right onto the second season and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees Johnny attempt to change Cobra Kai's philosophy while Daniel reopens Miyagi dojo to take them on. 

Main Character

William Zabka is back as Johnny and he is even better here, his character progresses really well and I really cared about him. You see how the events in the season 1 finale affects him and changes some of his mindset but doesn't completely change the character and the way he portrays him and he does a great job. Ralph Macchio is also back as Daniel and he is also really good here, he has his own personal struggles and it is mostly interesting. What I think this season does really well with these characters is that they are not exactly like their former masters and they are both flawed in their own ways despite there age and experience and these guys do a great job together. 

Supporting Characters

Martin Kove makes his big return as John Kreese and he is such a great addition to the show. The way his character impacts the story and the two main characters is fascinating and credit to Kove for playing this truly horrible man that makes you really root against him. The younger cast are given more of the spotlight and are much better this season. The characters of Robbie, Miguel, Sam and Hawk in particular are great and credit has to go to these young actors as they have to really deliver on an emotional level and they really knock it out of the park. 

Story

The story is so much better this season, you see these two different dojo's and philosophies going head to head and the addition of Kreese to the story adds this big wildcard and it adds a unique element to it. Yes there is still this teenage drama but I thought it was handled much better this season and the lack of school really helped with that and allowed these characters to have these interesting altercations in other environments. Also it helps that this one of the best season finale's to a show I have ever seen, it raises the stakes to such high levels and hits the drama to a level I wasn't sure this show could and credit really has to go to everybody involved for that. 

Script

The script is really good, that cheesy humour is still there and it genuinely made me laugh a lot and made these characters a fun watch. But this season really ramped up the drama and really hit every emotional beat that is better then most you will see on TV. 

Style

This show has awesome action scenes, there are quicker and more brutal this season which is fantastic and some of the best action you will see around. The pacing of the show is great and the length feels right, long enough but not too long and it makes you love this show and the way it flows with its storytelling. 

Overall

Overall, this is one of the best seasons of television I have seen for a long time and I was hooked from minute 1. If you are a fan of this franchise this is the best thing I have seen from it and even if you aren't get watching Cobra Kai I can't stress just how good it is. 

Rating - 10/10

The Mandalorian Season 2 (2020) Review

So 2020 has been a terrible year, no doubt about it but at least the 2nd season of The Mandalorian has come to Disney+ and after 8 brilliant weeks the season has come to end and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees Mando on the hunt for more Mandalorians that can hopefully lead him to more of The Child's people - The Jedi. 

Main Character

In my Wonder Woman 1984 review I was gushing over Pedro Pascal and that continues here as he is superb as Mando. For a character who's face you don't see he adds so much depth and emotion to the role by just changing the cadence of his voice. You truly buy that the relationship between him and The Child has developed and it is the thing that carries this show and really makes you care about him and this story and real credit has to go to Pascal for that. 

Supporting Characters

The Child was the standout from the first season and he is great again here, it always amazes me that this puppet can be so adorable and make me care so much but it does it. Like I said above the relationship between those two is what carries this show and is really well done this season and that is a great thing to see. Gina Carano is back as Cara Dune and despite her social media issues I think she is a good addition to the cast. I really like her dynamic with Mando and Carano manages to add some layers to the character and she is great in the action scenes as you would expect. Carl Weathers is back as Greef Karga, though he is a much smaller part of the show he is just such a fun addition to the crew and he also directed a great episode so credit has to go to him for that. Giancarlo Espositio is back as Moff Gideon and given a bit more to do and what would you expect is what you get he is revelling his role as the villain and you learn a bit more about him and Esposito is just great. Now there are plenty of new supporting characters, some on the poster above but I don't want to really talk about them as they are something you should experience yourself all I will say is that they are handled really well and it adds more layers and quality to the show. 

Story

The story is better this season, the relationship between Mando and The Child is further expanded and developed and I really felt that connection and that it had been a natural development from the first season. One of the things I criticised from the first season was the lack of overall story but I feel like that was sorted this season. Yes it still has a bit of an episodic feel but pretty much every episode has a point to it involving the main story and it definitely develops at a better rate and has way more meat to it leading to one of the best season finales you will ever see. 

Script 

The script is great, I mean when your main character has his face covered it has to be a great script to make you care and this show does that. It does a great job of advancing the drama and also have that nice addition of humour too. Is their fan service this season? yeah but I am a huge fan so I am serviced and it never felt out of place for me and never took away from the show and actually added to it. 

Style 

The action scenes are fantastic, they are all so fast in pace and feel very unique depending on the episode that you are watching. Also what I love about The Mandalorian is the fact that every episode has a different run time, there is very little filler the shorter stories feel the right length and the longer episodes feel the right length. Usually I complain when shows are streamed weekly but The Mandalorian is the exception to rule as I loved the hype each week and I am just a bit sad that the season is over. 

Overall

Overall, this season is amazing. If you are a Star Wars fan at any level you owe it to yourself to watch this show because you will love it. The show hits all the high levels and is worth every minute of screen time and is a must watch and one of the best of the year for sure. 

Rating - 10/10

The Queen's Gambit Mini Series (2020) Review

So this show has been getting rave reviews since it came out and I have now watched The Queen's Gambit and I was looking to see if it lived up to the hype and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees an orphaned child discover and become a master of Chess but has plenty of issues in her life. 

Main Character

Anya Taylor Joy is a young actress who has already gained a huge reputation and she is amazing on this show and steals the show and is up their for one of the best performances of the year whether that be TV or Film. Beth Harmon is a fascinating character and her drive to succeed makes her a really interesting character and one that you just want to study and see develop and she does a great job of selling that. I can't talk enough about how good she is in this show, I don't care about Chess but she manages to make me really interested by it and get excited for every episode and I can only see huge things in her future and can be one of the biggest stars in Hollywood for years to come. 

Supporting Cast 

This is Anya Taylor Joy's show, she owns it and dominates it but she has a stellar supporting cast around her. Bill Camp plays her Chess teacher and he does a really good job, he mainly takes part in the beginning of the show with her younger self but the scenes are captivating. Seeing this Janitor train this young special girl is interesting and you see how their dynamic shapes the season and shapes the character of Beth Harmon throughout the show. Harry Melling from Harry Potter & Thomas Brodie-Sangster from Game Of Thrones play fellow Chess players and they are great, even though they are rival chess players they aren't portrayed as villains, it is a competitive environment and I love how both of their characters interact with Joy and how it develops. Everyone else does a stellar job, the whole cast are great and excel in their roles and make this a really well acted show. 

Story 

The story is truly fascinating, seeing this young girl excel at chess and from her young time to her becoming at a celebrity is is really interesting. You see how Chess is her addiction and how she looks at the game is different to everybody else, for any competitive person you can understand where she is coming from as she is truly trying to be the best. It gets even more interesting as the show goes on as she becomes more involved with other things and you see how she tries to balance life with Chess and how it becomes more difficult. The show also builds to a truly superb finale that has you on the edge of your seat and keep you interested throughout. 

Script 

The script is great, it does a really good job of taking the Chess jargon and making it pretty easy to understand and actually makes you more interested in Chess as a whole. It also writes its characters really well and make them complex and multi dimensional with a great blend of drama and humour for some really well written characters with a truly superb lead. 

Style  

The style of the show is maybe the most standout thing on this show for how surprising it is, the Chess matches are so intense and captivating, hell I have no idea what is exactly going on but it intrigues me and keeps me invested. The show looks great in terms of its time period and costume design and also the fact that it has 7 well paced episodes really helps and doesn't feel like too much filler, everything feels like it should be there for the development of the main character and the story. 

Overall

Overall, this show truly lives up to the hype and is fantastic, if you are sceptical, don't be, watch this show as quickly as you can you won't regret it. It seems I am giving a few more 10 scores then usual, but this show truly deserves it and will be one of the best for the next few years. 

Rating - 10/10

 

 The Fall Season 2 (2014) Review

So The Fall is still one of the most watched shows on Netflix and after being heavily invested by the first season I have now finished the second season of the show and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees Paul Spector return to Belfast where Stella attempts to find out the identity of The Belfast Strangler. 

Main Character

Gillian Anderson was great in the first season of this show and you see that she is even better here. I mentioned in my first review how she was pretty much devoid of emotion and that is still kind of the case here but her character has developed and really been hit by this case. She is still a really strong character but there is just more depth this season and even more reasons given to really care about the character. Jamie Dornan really excels in his role as Paul Spector, you just can't help but feel uncomfortable by just looking at the guy , he is slimy and disgusting that you just want to see him get caught. But the more you watch the show and the dynamic between our two main characters develop it becomes fascinating that maybe they aren't so different and that is something the show does really well. 

Supporting Characters

John Lynch is back as Jim Burns and he does a really good job too, he is just very powerful in his performance. He isn't given as much screentime but what he is given he delivers really well and gives a memorable performance. Everybody else also does a good job, most of the supporting characters are given slightly less to do due to the show focusing so much on the two main characters but everybody does really well in their roles. Actually, Aisling Franciosi as Katie is much better this season, you just see how Spector has messed with her mind and totally controls her and it shows a different side to his character. 

Story

The story takes the right approach that it pretty much gets rid of the side plots and everything is connected to the investigation. Seeing the manhunt feels really authentic, in that it isn't always over the top thrills and that is what I really like about this show, it feels gritty and real. Also the stuff to do with Dornan's character is just as interesting this season for different reasons and it all culminates with a fantastic finale with a really great ending that sets up its final season. 

Script

The script is really good, there are some really interesting conversations and dynamic going in this season. The writing is top notch to keep you interested throughout but not giving you everything too early and making you want more. This show is as dramatic as it can be and it does a great job of showing just how big the investigation is getting. 

Style

The show still takes the methodical approach to its style but that is the right choice. Its slower pace makes everything fell real and so when the pace does pick up, which it does it adds to the intensity. The show is still brutal, maybe not to the degrees of the the first season but it still does enough in that department. It has an extra episode but it still feels the correct length and doesn't drag at all. 

Overall

Overall, I loved the second season of The Fall. It pretty much improves upon everything from the first season and by focusing on its two main character really nails it and makes this show a must watch. 

Rating - 10/10

 Des (2020) Mini Series Review

So this show has taken over The UK this week and I have just watched the three part mini series called Des and here is my review for it. The premise of the show is based on the true story of a serial killer who is arrested when human remains are found in his drains. 

Main Character

David Tennant plays Des and just give this guy all the awards now as he is truly amazing here. He totally throws himself into this performance and it comes across as chilling and mesmerizing, you just can't take your eyes off of him and are super interesting. When telling a real story about a serial killer there is a line that needs to be kept, you don't want to make him too fascinating and you don't want to make him too boring and Tennant nails this. He just seems so normal and that is what makes it so creepy and it really leads to this incredibly memorable performance. 

Supporting Characters

Daniel Mays has had an interesting 2020 from Code 4040 to White Lines to his role as the main police officer in this show and he is fantastic here. He is so good that I actually wasn't sure he was capable of this performance he is that good here, he gives a very dramatic performance and seeing this guy tracking the case makes you want to root for him and see him succeed. Jason Watkins who is a big British actor plays Des' biographer and he is very good too, his relationship with Des is really interesting to watch. It is very unnerving and disturbing but you see how they need each other and it brings out the interesting part of Des's story that the other police officers can't get. The rest of the cast are also great, it's full of great British talent that will hopefully have a long future and get more great work like this.  

Story

The story is really interesting, this is based on a true story which is what really makes this horrific but for me it is the fact that Des doesn't stand out particularly, he seems a normal guy who was pretty intelligent but he was capable of true horrors. The investigation is gripping and intense, mix that with the interesting scenes with the biographer it feels like a complex story that we are seeing from different angles. Also the courtroom scenes in the final episode are a highlight keeping you on your toes throughout.  

Script

The script is great, there are twists and turns throughout and it keeps you interested throughout. The characters are written in a complex manner and the debates are really interesting which culmiate in some intense scenes. It just comes across as a really clever show that does a good job in adding the intrigue and tension. 

Style

The style is gripping and tense, some people might call it slow at times but I never felt that. It dragged me in and made me really interested and wanting to see this guy get taken down while learning more about him. This show also knew that 3 episodes was enough and the fact that it is shorter in length works and means there is very little downtime on the show. 

Overall

Overall, this is just one of those shows that sucked me in and had me fascinated, it is one of the best of the year and if you are a fan of intense stories based on true events then you owe it to yourself to watch this one, and once again David Tenant is amazing here.  

Rating - 10/10

Better Call Saul Season 5 (2020) Review

Better Call Saul Season 5 (2020) Review

 After catching up on the previous 4 seasons of the show I have now finished watch new fifth season of Better Call Saul and here is my review. The premise of the season sees Jimmy McGill restart his law practise under the new name Saul Goodman, while Mike and Nacho are in the middle of a war between Gus & Lalo. 

Main Character 

Bob Odenkirk is back as Jimmy McGill and this is the season where he really starts the transition from that character to the more sleezy Saul Goodman that we would see in Breaking Bad. There is so much depth to his character, he is uber charismatic in his Goodman persona but it is the more personal scenes that stand out for me. Jimmy's relationship with Kim is one of the most fascinating relationships on not just this show but any show on television and it really adds to both characters. 

Supporting Characters

As mentioned Rhea Seehorn's character Kim Wexler's relationship with Goodman is a real highlight of the show. She is a great character and one that you truly empathise with as her development over the show has been just as interesting as Goodman's has been. Jonathan Banks as Mike has a great arc this season too, you see how the effects of last season really hits him and makes him question exactly if he is making the right decisions whis adds layer to his performance. Michael Mando has been on the show from the very beginning and he continues to do a great job on the show, he has so much depth to him and you see just how his relationships with the gangsters is really affecting him and you really just want to see him succeed. Tony Dalton gets a larger role as Lola Salamanca and wow this guy is a scene stealer, he is so charismatic and even though he is a terrible person he actually can come across as quite likeable and somebody that you actually would want to hang out with. The one thing that should be said is that the showrunners heavily hyped the return of the character from Breaking Bad Hank Schrader and if you come to see him then don't he isn't really on the show and feels like it shouldn't have been advertised so heavily. 

Story

One of my criticisms of the show has been that the stories have felt quite seperate, but this season really fixes that. You see how Saul Goodman's life is affected by all these things and all the arcs are fascinating and makes these characters feel like people we can care about. It also feels like the stakes are risen this season and that adds some more excitement to the plot, the last few episodes particularly are a real rollercoaster and are truly memorable. 

Script

The script is brilliant, this is probably the funniest and most grim season of the show. The humour works really well especially with Lalo and Saul who are very funny people but the drama is nailed this season. The simple meetings are made more intense by some fantastic writing that fleshes out the characters and truly make them feel like real people in exceptional circumstances. 

Style

Again my other criticism of the show has sometimes been the pacing of the show but it is much improved this season, the 10 epsiodes fly by and feel appropriate to get the most out of all the arcs. The style is also more fast paced and thrilling which adds to to the high quality there are some truly memorable scenes that are editied perfectly and delivered brilliantly.

Overall

Overall I have thought Better Call Saul has been a great show, but this season steps it up in every way, it is a brilliant season that if you have given up on this show then get back on as the characters are truly memorable. 

Rating - 10/10 

Tiger King (2020) Limited Series Review

Tiger King (2020) Limited Series Review

 Over the last few days this series has taken over both Netflix and the internet so my curiosity overcame me and I decided I had to watch the documentary series Tiger King and this is my review for the series. The premise of the series sees a rivalry between big cat owners take a dark turn where Joe Exotic is caught in a murder for hire plot.

Now if I described this show as an animal rights show it isn't doing it justice, it is a story about the world of these people owning Big Cats and how they are pretty narcisitic and eccentric to say the least. Joe Exotic is the main guy the documentary follows and wow this guy is as eccentric as they get, if somebody created this character I would have thought it was a bit far fetched but this guy is a real person and you can't take your eyes off of him. He is very entertaining to watch and you just want to see more and more of him on this show.

What this show does really well, is that it is pretty fair, every main character has some real issues, there are pretty much no good people on the show and even the animal rights activists are incredibly shady and just as unlikeable as the animal owners in my opinion.

It is fascinating, to see so many hypocritical people involved with this show and the steps that they take to try and prove their point as it feels pretty tragic as the majority of things were unneccessary and really feel like people just trying to show their the top people in there field. 

I was a bit worried when I saw this show was 7 episodes but it flew by perfectly, the show uses cliffhangers brilliantly to keep you interested and invested in it throughout with the stakes rising higher and higher leading to a satisfying ending but one that has me asking for some more questions.

Overall, for me this was an epic documentary for me that I couldn't take my eyes off and it will interest you all the way and leave you wanting more. 

Rating - 10/10