Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 13: Devil's Eyes by AverageMansReviews

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 13: Devil's Eyes by AverageMansReviews

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5 things about this episode

Warning: there are flashing effects/other effects/suicide.

Storyline/Why not tell her everything: these two components go hand-in-hand and this is not a good thing. Storyline; it is something solid; I don't know what to say here, because I am still furious on how this TV program has been written, because maybe; just maybe if this TV program had consistently done its background work I would have been more interested in this conclusion.

If anything this TV program is a cautionary tale of how not to write a vigilante or any character from this lifestyle TV program; because on some research generally speaking I have given these episodes positive marks; yes this is true but now if you were to ask me in the grand scheme of things does it really go anywhere, does it do anything major consistently or does it make the best use out of 13 Episodes altogether? For all three of these questions it would be; a big resounding No.

Moving on; so we have Kyle telling  Dr. Harleen Quinzel [unknown to Kyle she is Harley Quinn] telling her a lot in a Client; Counsellor session I really truly don't like these character developments; they are lazy and trying to squeeze everything into these two last episodes [the previous one and this one,] when they should have been building towards this much, much, much sooner which I have already discussed in the previous review Episode 10: Gladiatrix; hence why I said these two components go hand-in-hand and this is not a good thing; the storyline and the character developments needed to be supremely better synchronized or at the very least on the same side of Earth, in the same country, in the same library, in the same genre, on the same bookshelf would have been a good start [yes I'm not even asking for them to be side-by-side, because that would be asking for too much,] so I would have just been happy to have them on the same bookshelf and the viewers don't even find out what happened to Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn at the end of this TV series [I have even we watched the end of this episode/series just to make sure and there is absolutely nothing there.]

In The Clock Tower: these are good action sequences.

Bloopers: so in The Clock Tower we see Harley Quinn doing this big jump with special sound effects to make it sound like she has metahuman abilities; so how is this possible? She doesn't have the skills to jump like this [she would have to be a metahuman to do this] or she hasn't taken a metahuman's abilities to achieve this; so what happened here? Likewise Gordon/Oracle does the same with the same sound effects; but in her case she has been working on this hardware which she put in her body; but it is highly, I repeat highly dangerous and unreliable [she could be left more paralyzed or worse] or unreliable standing up and walking can be done, but it could give out on her at any time so doing this massive jump is out of the question, but it conveniently gives out on her at the end of this sequence of events when everything is finished.

This episode receives: 4/10, this episode is mixed: everything feels rushed which isn't surprising based on my viewing experience of this TV series and neither am I not surprised it got cancelled, to be more precise I am relieved I have just gotten through it and I don't have to watch it again [unless somehow I lose these reviews or I was asked to watch it with someone on my personal time, but other than that hell no.]

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 12: Feat of Clay by AverageMansReviews

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 12: Feat of Clay by AverageMansReviews

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4 things about this episode

Warning: there are flashing effects/other effects.

Storyline/Why bother with these characters?!: these two components go hand-in-hand in this episode. I am beyond fuming so much so I cannot use the words I would like to [because I don't use any adult language in my contents, but I have my ways around that a little.] I know I have just said this but I am beyond fuming with this TV program! Because yes the storyline is good; but what the hell it is far, far, way too far late in the day for these massive upon massive character developments in one way or another regardless if this is just the first series going on to the second series or just a standalone series [which this is,] yes everywhere you look there is either relatively new [from the previous episode between Kyle/The Huntress and Detective Reese] or brand-new character developments in this episode for one example as it relates to Pennyworth willingly letting out this Earth shattering secret, which he would never ever, never ever, never ever do this; so I have absolutely no idea why they would have him do this in this TV program, because as I have just made very 110% transparent he would never ever willingly do this [okay he may tell his replacement on his deathbed or you know a desperate situation] but nothing like this in this episode that is for sure, so I am very not happy with this version of Pennyworth now [yes even though I said the complete opposite in the review of Episode 2: Slick, all I can say is; how times have changed.]I mean why the hell did they bother wasting so much of this series on in comparison to this episode; episodes which can now be seen as a waste of time.

These man-made sculptures: in one way or another there are these man-made sculptures; for one example there is one in somebody's prism at Arkham Asylum [yes I know who it is, I am deliberately leaving out the name, because I don't want to give it away;] but they are all good.

This episode receives: 8/10, this episode is excellent; now as a professional I would say as an individual episode this is excellent because it has many things happening in it; consequently it has so much to offer its viewers.

But in the bigger picture; I really, really, really, really strongly didn't like this episode. I really didn't enjoy watching/as you may have got the less than subtle hint by now it made me infuriated/angry on the grounds that for a lot of this series it hasn't been anywhere near this kind of standard or developments or anything and to see what we could have had and what we should have had before the final episode of this series ever; well it is just massive donkey diarrhea piles.

 

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 11: Reunion by AverageMansReviews

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 11: Reunion by AverageMansReviews

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5 things about this episode

Warning: there are flashing effects/other effects/discrimination/breaking of necks, the objectifying women [specifically Helena Kyle,] some kind of scientific reaction/quick decomposing element.

Storyline: it is tedious; my patients is running on fumes as it relates to this TV program.

Gordon/Oracle is in a wheelchair so what!: I know this TV program was made in the early 2000's, but this whole segment of Gordon's/Oracle boyfriend Brixton's Mother in this TV program [in TV land I will explain this more later] is so, so outdated even for the early 2000's, this kind of thing is more like a early 1990's thing so as I am looking/watching this segment of this TV program in 2020 it is unbelievably outdated and what we hear and see he doesn't stick up for her or anything like this; so I don't know if this was meant to be a social prod; where it is trying to say "People with disabilities are still people." This is speculation of course; but it is still an epic fail and I am entitled to that opinion because I am in a wheelchair myself.

Now briefly back to [in TV land I will explain this more later;] which is now the funny yet incredibly sad thing is [when this review was first dictated this TV program was roughly 18 years old.] But in reality things are going backwards as it relates to people looking past a disability or mental health or other things [just to cover my back I can also say this about mental health, because I have a mental health illness as well.]

Without going on and on about it; without pointing fingers and so on and so forth; I put this down to two things basically; the first being we are living in more of a superficial society; so basically anyone that doesn't fit in or has something wrong with them out you go and secondly for those that make more noise regardless if it is right or useful or just garbage seem to get heard loud and clear, whilst others down the pecking order struggle to be heard or are not heard. I know this has always been the case as it relates to people being heard, but in today's world it seems as if it has reached a new level of sound/broadcasting because of the Internet and social media.

Men: because there are two character developments mainly going on in this episode, I will discuss one here and leave the other one out. I am really starting to go off this TV program, because there are enough examples in one way or another of men [be them straight or gay in this episode] publicly devaluing or objectifying women as it relates to specifically Helena Kyle, even when this character [Barrett] is trying to be nice by saying "Lucky you weren't here; you could have been really hurt." Which Kyle replies "Really lucky." This is an excerpt; I know, I know Barrett is trying to be nice and I know Kyle has to say these things to keep her other life a secret as The Huntress, but I still don't like this implication that she is a vulnerable woman and she needs to be rescued by a man; this was such a great idea to have your lead character being devalued or objectified by men it completely undermines her credibility, yes she verbally or physically retaliates but her credibility takes a knock that is for sure. But in fairness and balance it doesn't help the situation when Kyle does this "I always liked him in high school thing" as it relates to Barrett [you will know what I mean when you see it and hear it,] this on reflection really doesn't help things either.

Don't get me wrong I do think in a situation; depending on the situation we should help each other out but this whole vulnerable woman thing doesn't fly with me and just to cover my back if you're wondering briefly about the other character developments which I am not going to discuss; just for the record I am far, far than impressed with these character developments either, I just wanted to clear that up so you wouldn't think I was trying to control the narrative of what I am talking about in this review; in a nutshell either way I am far from happy.

Many flowers: there are these many flowers in this scene [involving Gordon/Oracle and Brixton;] eye-catching art.

This episode receives: 3/10, this episode is poor; the men components [minus Pennyworth, Detective Reese, Brixton, Brixton's Father Joe, Kafka and Barrett; I know I have criticized this character, but I can also see he means well and is a nice guy at heart, yes I know he physically helps out Kyle earlier in this episode as well which is fine; it's just I had to add what he says, because it is a contribution; so if he had just said this without all the other men things I would have let this go;] but other than that I really don't like the men component to this episode.

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 10: Gladiatrix by AverageMansReviews

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 10: Gladiatrix by AverageMansReviews

Review Time:

5 things about this episode

Warning: there are flashing effects/other effects/woman slavery.

Storyline: it is mediocre; at this stage of this series it is way too late to come out with this kind of rubbish really, they should be looking at winding down this series and heading towards some kind of conclusion/series finale.

Where is Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn?: Now I would have brought this up sooner, but I didn't want to make myself look stupid; if she turned up in the next episode, so I was waiting to later on in this series to see how things turned out, so regardless if she now turns up in the final three episodes. I now feel more than comfortable to say this; what the hell is the point of putting her in the opening [second lot of credits] when she is hardly in this TV series?

I mean this TV program went from using this character dynamic between Dr. Harley Quinzel [Counsellor] a.k.a. Harley Quinn and Helena Kyle [Client] a.k.a. The Huntress; yes they don't know about each other's aliases, so this would have been a really interesting and engaging character dynamic throughout this entire first series, but in reality we didn't get any of that instead we got predominantly the Birds of Prey kicking male characters posteriors; yes sometimes having Harley Quinn or linking back to Harley Quinn, but other than that and Episode 8 Lady Shiva; unless I have forgotten something which I will apologize for that now if I have just to cover my back, but other than that up to this point it has all been male oriented.

Because I am a Caucasian man I have to be very careful on what I say next; I am not saying that because the Birds of Prey are women they should go after women, [I was just thinking I would point that out before someone took issue with what I'm saying,] but all I am saying is variety would have been nice. I am just simply saying/pointing out when you bring a character like Dr. Harley Quinzel/Harley Quinn to the table she needs to be either your figurehead of your project/first season at least or at minimum much, much, much, much better utilized than what this TV program does; so unfortunately this version of Dr. Harley Quinzel/Harley Quinn is a complete waste of time and character dynamic with Helena Kyle/The Huntress/other characters linked to her in this TV program and yes I know we still have three episodes to go, so they could use her in the final three episodes, but my opinion will still remain the same; because nothing against this performer you can't have her in the second lot of opening credits [basically shown as this TV programs criminal figurehead and then not have her consistently show up.]

Let's get ready to rumble: these cage fight sequences are good action sequences [just to cover my back; yes I know the phrase I have used for this section is associated with the boxing industry and not this industry.]

Blooper: I am positive that Lance; when she is taking on this criminal for this episode [Malcolm] at the beginning if you look closely she needed a stunt-double twice, what you're looking for; is a change in her hair style; meaning wig, the camera is low down roughly diagonally to capture this combat, but a poor two attempts of hiding the fact this is a stunt-double [the camera follows the action,] the viewers can see the face and it isn't the same person; once you pick up on it; it sticks out like a sore thumb and yes I am one of those very sad individuals that has replayed this sequence a small amount of times to analyze this.

This episode receives: 4/10, this episode is mixed: what can I say; it just has enough about it to get given this mark.

 

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 9: Nature of the Beast by AverageMansReviews

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 9: Nature of the Beast by AverageMansReviews

Review Time:

5 things about this episode

Warning: there are flashing effects/other effects/breaking of necks.

Storyline: it is good; it is a continuation from Episode 5: Sins of the Mother.

The Huntress & Detective Reese: now on one hand this double-team to take on this character known as Specialist this action sequence is good, but on the other hand them individually denying that they are boyfriend and girlfriend in this episode is tedious character developments; especially when this TV program has been sowing seeds of this throughout this TV program; so can we just make it official so we can move on to something much more interesting or something much less tedious at this point I will take anything.

Star Wars would be proud: without giving too much away this character; Specialist gets stuck/trapped in this door it looks like when Han Solo gets Frozen in Carbonate [Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back 1980;] this is excellent art.

This episode receives: 6/10, this episode is good; but I fear we are running out of time to cover someone big in the realms of this TV program, I would have brought it up in this review but as you can see I have already covered between 3 to 5 things about this episode and I can't bring up anymore this time around.

 

Wild Wild West 1999 by AverageMansReviews

Wild Wild West 1999 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/facial scarring/head decapitation/stepping in the neck/animal cruelty

Storyline: it is good and the pacing is something safe and reliable when it gets going.

Comedy/Action/Art: now in one way or another we have these three components going hand-in-hand, but I will give you one that has all three components working hand-in-hand and one other of just two components, followed by some individual components; let's begin right at the end of the film we have Secret Service West/Smith and Secret Service Gordon/Kline awkwardly [there is some tension here] let's just say Secret Service West/Smith is really not interested in the question that Secret Service Gordon/Kline wants to ask as they slowly move into the sunset; in this one sequence it incorporates everything you need to know about this film; goofy comedy, the action being in this sequence what Secret Service Gordon/Kline is controlling [no I am not going to give this away] and it being visually highly imaginative and creative and not forgetting the landscape and it walking off into the sunset this is eye-catching as well.

Art & Comedy; we have US Marshal Gordon/Kline examining this victims head [Professor Thaddeus Morton] which his head is situated on this machine so basically when you shine a light through his eyes we can see his final image on this projector screen, which at first US Marshal Gordon explains to us why it is upside down [so he rotates Professor Morton's head around/upside down which makes this image the right way up] and to finish off to get a crystal clear image, because this image is blurry; US Army Captain West/Smith puts Professor Morton's glasses on him and in this scene we have US Army Captain West/Smith just saying a small amount of times "That is a man's head."

Comedy individually; US Army Captain West/Smith and US Marshal Gordon/Kline are discussing Escobar/Hayek and US Marshal Gordon slips up in this dialogue exchange and US Army Captain West/Smith pulls him up on it, he denies it and then slips up again but saying something else [both times they are about her figure.]

Action individually; the viewers get to see/hear this highly sophisticated [for this time period;] this mechanical tank.

Art individually; the skies with clouds and the landscapes throughout this film are good, in fact as you can see there are many good things in this film but [I will continue this later on in the final section of this review/blog.]

Characters/Performances: including the on screen chemistry these are what you come to expect from this type of film; so I would say once again "They are something safe and reliable, but good when they get into the swing of things."

This film receives: 6/10, this film is good; but [to continue from earlier on,] from the beginning it does somewhat lean too hard into its comedy as if they are trying too hard or they are not allowing the comedy to breathe, but when they pull back on it a little, then after everything is said and done this mark is a fair outcome.

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 8: Lady Shiva by AverageMansReviews

Birds of Prey [Series 1,] Episode 8: Lady Shiva by AverageMansReviews

Review Time:

5 things about this episode

Warning: there are flashing effects/other effects/animal cruelty.

Storyline: it is mixed; the Batgirl and the connecting elements are good, but the Dinah Lance narrative is irritating.

Lady Shiva vs. Batgirl: so we have Gordon/Batgirl taking on Sandy Woosan/Lady Shiva one-on-one at the beginning of this episode; this action sequence is good.

Gordon/Batgirl's costume: this costume is situated in this secret location; encased in this see-through casing, which Gordon can open with a button on her wheelchair, it standing up on this basic design of a manikin eagerly waiting for its owner to take it out of retirement to fight again for justice; this is great art.

Birds of Prey have men in their lives: so they all have a man in their individual lives on some level now; do you know how boring this is? It is so incredibly boring; why do they have to have men in some capacity in their lives; they could make one of them bisexual or lesbian [this is speculation on my part; I know this TV program was made in the early 2000's, so I can partially understand why they didn't because somebody's sexuality was just becoming more accepted better and if the TV viewers took badly to this it would have been a TV ratings killer,] but anything would have been better than Dinah Lance narrative in this episode where she uses her abilities to get to know this boy [Matt] and let's be honest this boy is nothing special in fact he comes across as someone that has a very limited intelligence, but as long as he is good-looking that is all what matters, I mean what a great message to put over to your viewers Not; and let's make Lance's female friend a lesbian [Gabby] just for the cherry on the top of the cake [so they did it here, why not do it with one of the Birds of Prey?] So as you may guess I don't think too much to these character developments and yes I am aware in this section I have been contradictory as it relates to being lesbian; on one hand I can understand why they didn't; but on the other hand questioning why they didn't either? This is one of those occasions where on both sides I needed to be balanced even though by doing this; I would have successfully contradicted myself in the long run.

This episode receives: 5/10, this episode is mixed: this episode really could have done without the Dinah Lance narrative, because other than this you have a lot of good things happening or to see, but as things are this episode finds itself at this mark.