Daredevil: Born Again (Season 2)

Shortly after last time . . .

Wilson Fisk tightens his grip on New York City from the Mayor's office, using the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, personal henchmen, and allies inside the courts. Daredevil and Karen Page debate their dwindling options in a city rampant with corruption. How can one be just in the face of such injustice? What hope do they have? They cannot do it alone . . . and friends old and new will help in various ways. But ultimately, if they want to win, they will put it all on the line . . . and may lose everything.

This 8-episode season was much in keeping with those prior: well-done and extremely suspenseful, with intriguing themes and plot twists. The story moves along nicely, and the characters have depth. The ending was thought-provoking. Let the viewer beware, there is some bad language and it can be gruesomely violent. But overall I give this high marks; Matt and others realize the way out involves help, grace, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice. Powerful indeed. It was nice to see the show reach a degree of closure, even as I hear that season 3 is in development and the door is open for some new focus areas. Overall, recommended.

Rating: A

Maul—Shadow Lord: Season 1

It is a year after Revenge of the Sith. Jedi Master Daki and his Apprentice Devon hide on an unnamed planet, eking out an existence in the shadows. Elsewhere on the same world, Maul does the same. When the Imperials learn that these Force-wielders are present, they send Inquisitors to eradicate the problem. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend . . ." but can Jedi fight beside fallen Sith without being corrupted?

Maul—Shadow Lord is an excellent animated series, filling in the gaps between Episode III and Solo (from a movie perspective) and between Bad Batch and Obi-Wan Kenobi (from a television perspective). The title character is intriguing—a Sith dedicated to destroying his former master. It creates some intriguing dynamics. Though you know how his story ends, and this series is largely an extended hunt/chase sequence, it is suspenseful and captivating. Recommended.

Rating: A

Andor: Season 2

After Andor Season 1 . . .

Cassian Andor ponders his role—if any—in the Rebellion, as he and Bix eke out a difficult existence.

Luthen Rael and his assistant, Kreya, continue their mysterious mission and dubious methods.

Senator Mon Mothma navigates a double life of prestige and covert support for those who resist the Emperor.

Dedra Meero, Imperial Security Bureau, closes in on Luthen while learning not is all as it seems in Palpatine's Empire.

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Here, the 12 episodes are divided into four three-episode 'pieces', each set a year after the former and counting down to the Battle of Yavin (Star Wars Episode IV)—the first three are set in BBY 4, the second three in BBY 3, and so on. And obviously, it sets the stage for Rogue One.

Season 2 started slowly. I wasn't a fan after the first episode or two . . . but wow did it end up blowing me away. Like the first season, this one is about sacrifice, but it packs a bigger punch this time around. You know how it ends for most of the characters . . . but the show draws you in with suspense and struggle (both internal to characters and between those on the same side). And they do a good job portraying both noble actions and annoying flaws in characters on both sides—you know who the good guys are, but they do some extreme things, making you feel the complexity and difficulty of the time. 

The storytelling, both within a given episode and between them, skims along the wavetops (like a Hemingway novel)—a lot goes unsaid, implied, in the shadows. The subtlety was brilliantly done and a refreshing change from the "hand-holding" a lot of modern television shows do. 

In short, it is an unusual but refreshing Star Wars offering, and one most welcome. Now to re-watch Rogue One.

Rating: A

Tales of the Underworld

Tales of the Underworld is a six-episode series of shorts (each running 14-15 minutes). It is in the same vein as Tales of the Jedi and Tales of the Empire. It focuses on formative moments in the lives of two people in particular: Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane.

As with previous releases, it is hard to get any real depth in such short episodes. The first three were about Ventress; the last three were about Bane. The first half was decent; the second was excellent. You should be familiar with Ventress and Bane, though, to really understand any of this (the Clone Wars series). These are more connective tissue between established tales than independent stories. 

Rating: B+

Daredevil: Born Again

Wilson Fisk, AKA Kingpin, has a new title: Mayor of New York City. Matt Murdock, AKA Daredevil, mourns a dead friend and ponders what comes next. As both embark on new chapters of their lives, they will each wrestle with their past (and present) darkness. Can anyone truly change their stripes?

This 9-episode arc picks up the story (now on Disney+) where Netflix's Daredevil show left off six years ago (after season 3). I was impressed. The original cast is all back, and they did a good job mirroring (even improving) the tone of the former seasons. It is suspenseful, dark, and sometimes gruesomely violent. It is also stirring in places, reminding us of the darkness within each of us even as some citizens wrestle with how to fight for the light.

Rating: A-

Skeleton Crew: Season 1

Set five years after Return of the Jedi . . .

Wim and his friends live a peaceful, if boring, existence on At Attin. But all that is about to change . . . for a chance discovery will send them on an adventure of a lifetime. Now if only they can find their way home . . . it's a big galaxy out there.

I can't review this fully without revealing some spoilers, so I'll keep it high level. There is a cool story here (or elements of one) and some fun characters (like the droid SM-33). It is basically Star Wars meets Indiana Jones and/or golden age of piracy. But it is at its heart a typical coming-of-age tale—a Disney channel special set in the Star Wars universe—where kids rule the day (and magically know how to do things) and adults are either helpless bystanders or bad guys to be outsmarted.* That annoyed me. The cool elements raise the grade for me, but it could have been so much better.

Rating: C+

*One reviewer called this "Goonies in space." That's it in a nutshell.

The Rings of Power: Season 2

Continuing from season one . . . (with mild spoilers concerning character appearances below), multiple things are happening in Middle Earth and Numenor:

Two Harfoots accompany the mysterious visitor through the arid region of Rhun as he continues searching for his name and purpose. But a dark wizard is keenly interested in the visitor . . . and everyone is in great danger. Hope fades . . . but Tom Bombadil might prove helpful. 

Their lands in shadow and army defeated, southern humans flee to other lands to re-settle. Isildur, surviving the battle, finds and settles with them in Pelargir, an abandoned Numenorean colony. There they will face the perils including Wild Men, but they find powerful allies, too.

In Numenor, the old king is dead. At Queen Regent Miriel's coronation, revelation of a dark secret, accompanied by a foreboding omen, spurs her cousin, Pharazon, to claim the throne. The land descends into chaos as sides are chosen and distrust abounds. Elendil, faithful supporter of the queen, faces the most difficult decision of his life.

In Mordor, Adar raises an army of Uruks intent on defeating Sauron. Adar knows Sauron is in Eregion . . . and so the Elvish city must fall.

The Elvish rings have restored hope to the Elves. But all is not well . . . in Linden, Elrond mistrusts the rings, while Galadriel remains laser-focused on countering Sauron and his schemes. Their fears of a threat to the south are realized when they find legions of Uruk marching on Eregion . . . the Elves might be able to stop them in time, if the Dwarves send aid.

Shadow has fallen upon Khazad-dum in more ways than one. Their light shafts have collapsed, and traditional methods for finding new ones have been unsuccessful. Hope dims until the rings arrive from the Elves, granting King Durin impressive powers. But with it, increased malice and greed . . . and when he delves too deep in quest of riches, an ancient evil may rise.

After creating the three Elvish rings last time, Celebrimbor ponders what comes next in Eregion. He receives a familiar visitor—a so-called emissary from the valar who now goes by Annatar—who encourages and helps him to craft more rings. First comes seven Dwarvish rings, distributed to the Dwarf lords. Now Annatar is intent on creating nine rings for men. But when concerns arise regarding the Dwarvish creations, Celebrimbor has suspicions and struggles to understand what is going on around him. Is he helping Middle Earth . . . or helping to destroy it?

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The theme of season two could be summarized as "things fall apart." 

What I liked:

- the portrayal of Sauron. He is the ultimate manipulator/deceiver, and they do a fantastic job capturing that.

- the overall story. Despite many criticisms from Tolkien fan(atic)s, Amazon is adhering to the spirit of the events in the Second Age, even if they compress timelines, add characters, and inject other differences. (After all, the Peter Jackson films did this, too.)

- the visuals are beautiful.

- the dialogue and wisdom are mostly good.

- the story remains (mercifully) unfocused on romance and inappropriate/unnecessary things in this vein. Tolkien's legendarium had romance, of course, but not in today's way (or for today's purposes), and the show's creators are doing a good job of sticking to that.

- 'cameos' or appearances of familiar characters, events, locations, objects, and beings mentioned in The Lord of the Rings.

- aligning the style with Peter Jackson's films.

What I didn't:

- too many story arcs. There are roughly seven by my count, each getting a paragraph above. Three—Harfoot/stranger, southern human, and Uruk—have their 'cool' moments, but aren't contributing to the progress of the story as much as they are muddying the waters by introducing new elements and that much more to keep track of. 

- the speed of the story. With so many arcs, some moved too quickly. I believe three more seasons are planned, and am curious how those will shake out.

- the portrayal of Galadriel. I think the actress does a good job, but am not convinced the character is faithful to the spirit of the books.

- a few head-scratching plot points. One character appears to die in an episode but returns in the next with no apparent injuries. That is the most egregious one, but there are other, more minor, things that could have been better.

Overall, I think it is a powerful story that is done well. I look forward to season three (likely two years out).

Rating: A-

The Acolyte: Season 1

Set 100 years before Episode I, The Acolyte tells the story of a curious planet, a cult of witches, a Jedi investigation, and a mysterious Force user. At the center of it all are Osha and Mae, twins separated as children by disturbing events. With the truth shrouded, can any of them learn what's going on? (I won't say more to avoid spoilers.)

This eight-episode series has been consistently panned by fans (though part might be due to a review bombing campaign) and applauded by critics. I thought it was okay: it was fun to see a time never before explored on the big screen, new planets, and a wookie Jedi. There were also some good plot twists and intriguing storylines. On the down side, the characters weren't great, some plot elements were the 'same old thing' (in Star Wars stories), and the final episode was poorly done, unconvincing, and maddeningly inconclusive/open-ended. That in particular left a bad taste in my mouth. A second season could redeem it if done well, but as a stand-alone experience, it is unsatisfying.

Rating: C-

Tales of the Empire

Tales of the Empire is a six-episode series of shorts (each running 12-18 minutes). It is basically season two of Tales of the Jedi. It focuses on formative moments in the lives of two people in particular: Morgan Elsbeth and Barriss Offee.

As with Jedi, it is hard to get any real depth in such short episodes. The first three were about Elsbeth; the last three were about Offee. I enjoyed them all, but you need to be familiar with the movies, the Clone Wars series, and Ahsoka for these to make any sense. These are more connective tissue between established tales than independent stories. I wish they had made more and made them more stand-alone.

Rating: B+

The Bad Batch: Season 3

Shortly after Season 2 . . . the Empire badly wants Omega back. Her brothers—the 'defective' (and elite) fighting force now opposed to the Empire they once served—won't let that happen if they can help it. But against the might of the Empire, a hidden facility, and a terrible secret project . . . what hope do they have?

The Bad Batch series ends with a bang. Unlike the first two seasons, this final one felt more directed towards a purpose. It had occasional (and pleasing) cameos or homages to various other stories/series (the movies, The Clone Wars, etc.), and a reasonably satisfying conclusion.

Rating: A-

Batman: The Animated Series (Season 1)

Batman: The Animated Series follows the Caped Crusader as he seeks to bring justice to Gotham City. You'll see him fight foes familiar and foreign, included Joker, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, Clayface, Riddler, Penguin, the Mad Hatter, Mr. Freeze, and so on. Can Batman (and very occasionally Robin) save the day?

This series ran from 1992-1995 and is much loved, even decades later. It was influenced by the popular Tim Burton movies Batman and Batman Returns, borrowing some of the music and tone. The style pays homage to the 1940s, using a style combination of noir and art deco that the producers called "dark deco." And dark it was in theme, too, for a children's cartoon of the time. Re-watching these as an adult, I was impressed with the themes of some episodes, wrestling with things like pain (Mr. Freeze), mental illness (The Ventriloquist), yearning (Mad Hatter), and struggle for healing (Clayface).

Bizarrely, the episode count is lopsided. Season one ran for 65 episodes, followed by season two (20 episodes). Then there was a follow-on show called The New Batman Adventures (24 episodes). Making it more confusing, these two shows were bundled together and sold as a four-volume set (the first three are pictured above). Season one spanned volume one, volume two, and part of volume three. 

Overall, I really liked season one. Some episodes were 'filler' or 'chaff', but there were enough solid entries to merit watching the whole thing. I did notice some animation differences; apparently the studio contracted out to several places, and one in particular was eventually fired. That aside, I look forward to a much shorter season two; it took me six months go get through the first.

Rating: A

Ahsoka: Season 1

In the post-Empire world, the fledgling New Republic rebuilds the galaxy and tries to maintain the peace. But rumors of a new—or old—threat emerge: Grand Admiral Thrawn, exiled to another galaxy, may have survived and is trying to return to unite and lead the Imperial remnants. Ahsoka Tano is sent to investigate; can she stop this new menace? She won't be alone; Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, and others will help her. And she'll need their assistance, for the Night Sisters of Dathomir are intent on stopping her. Who will prevail?

Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker's padawan introduced in the animated Clone Wars television series, was largely a prequel-era character until she came back in Rebels. As such, Ahsoka follows the events of Rebels: Season 4 and is effectively a live-action continuation of that animated series. It was decent. I liked the story; the execution felt lacking. The acting seemed a bit wooden, the music a bit underwhelming, and the action a touch unimpressive. It was fun seeing previously-animated characters "come to life," but it could have been better.

Rating: B-

The Mandalorian (Season 3)

The beloved saga continues! Picking up where season 2 left off, Din Djarin and Grogu have various adventures as they seek to (first) return Din to the Mandalorian ranks (by bathing in the waters beneath Mandalore) and (second) assist Bo-Katan and the Mandalorian remnants as they re-take their homeworld. But Imperial fragments, led by Moff Gideon, won't go down without a fight . . . and have a few surprises in store. 

I think the series continues to be solid, though one story in particular in this 8-episode arc was overlong and largely irrelevant. The others were decent, moving Din and Grogu's story forward and greatly expanding Bo-Katan's role. I enjoy seeing the "post-Return of the Jedi" state of the galaxy. I'm told season 4 has already been written, and I can't help but wonder, based on the emphasis this time, if they will adjust the show's name to The Mandalorians.

Rating: A-

The Bad Batch: Season 2

Bad Batch: Season 2 picks up where Season 1 left off. Here, we follow the elite clone trooper force (now independent of, and on the run from, the Empire) as they take on various missions and try to find their place in a now-unfamiliar galactic landscape.

Looking back on my season 1 thoughts, season 2 is much the same. Some episodes seemed like random adventures—filler. Others had important links to other Star Wars canon, foreshadowing plot points we would see in maturity in later shows or films. And there is the occasional 'cool' cameo of a fond and familiar face. On the whole, too little happened in 16 episodes. Season 3 seems inevitable . . . I hope they pick up the pace and bring it to a satisfying conclusion.

Rating: C

Andor: Season 1

Cassian Andor, the Rebel operative who died retrieving the Death Star plans in Rogue One, gets his own prequel television series in Andor. This 12-episode tale follows him through the years immediately preceding the movie- his troubled past, his difficult present trying to sell stolen Imperial technology, his run-in with Luthen Rael (who tries to get him to join the Rebels), his involvement in a Rebel heist, his subsequent flight to avoid such a life, a later unrelated arrest/escape, and the forebodings of his future. But it's not just about him. We also get a look into Luthen's and Mon Mothma's work for the Rebels- one in the shadows, the other as a senator on Coruscant. And we even get some insights into the Imperial perspective through Syril Karn, obsessed with finding Andor, and Dedra Meero, an Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) supervisor. Can a rag-tag band group of Rebels coaelesce to overcome Imperial might- or is it too little, too late?

This show has its share of fans and critics. My kids called it "good but boring." It was certainly grittier and less action-packed than your typical Star Wars fare, focusing instead on the suspense, sacrifice, and machinations required of those planning a Rebellion. I liked it overall, though I thought there were some plot points that seemed forced or poorly explained. And I could get confused with keeping all the characters and storylines straight. 

Ultimately, I see the show's primary value in its portrayal of sacrifice. Multiple characters give of themselves in varied ways for the Rebel cause. Perhaps the most poignant moment of the whole series is this exchange (copied from here):

Lonni Jung: And what do you sacrifice? 

Luthen Rael: Calm. Kindness. Kinship. Love. I've given up all chance at inner peace. I've made my mind a sunless space. I share my dreams with ghosts. I wake up every day to an equation I wrote 15 years ago from which there's only one conclusion, I'm damned for what I do. My anger, my ego, my unwillingness to yield, my eagerness to fight, they've set me on a path from which there is no escape. I yearned to be a savior against injustice without contemplating the cost and by the time I looked down there was no longer any ground beneath my feet. What is my sacrifice? I'm condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them. I burn my decency for someone else's future. I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I'll never see. And the ego that started this fight will never have a mirror or an audience or the light of gratitude. So what do I sacrifice? Everything!

Powerful.

Rating: B+

Tales of the Jedi: Season 1

Tales of the Jedi is a six-episode series of shorts (each running 12-18 minutes). It focuses on formative moments in the lives of two Jedi in particular: Ahsoka Tano and Master Dooku.

It is hard to get any real depth in such short episodes. The first three were boring; the last three were excellent. You should be familiar with Episodes I-III and the Clone Wars series for these to make any sense, though. These are more connective tissue between established tales than independent stories.

Rating: B

The Rings of Power: Season 1

It is the Second Age of Middle Earth. Galadriel believes Sauron, long-missing servant of Morgoth, has returned and intends to invade. As she tirelessly tracks this perceived threat, she meets Halbrand, the rightful (but fleeing) king of the Southlands, and their journeys take them to Numenor, a powerful island kingdom who was once strongly allied with the Elves. Convinced that Sauron will strike soon, she works to enlist both parties in her quest. 

Elsewhere, a mysterious stranger has fallen from the stars. The Harfoots- precursors to Hobbits- find and take him in. They know nothing about this strange being, other than he has tremendous power but seems unable to communicate. Will his presence spell fortune or disaster for this nomadic people?

The power of the Elves is failing. When Elrond discovers through his friend, Durin, that the Dwarves have discovered mithriel, he believes their salvation may be at hand. But will Durin's father, the King, agree to trade with his traditional foes? And what will the Elves do if he doesn't?

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Oh. My. Goodness. Three episodes into this eight-show arc, I blogged about my initial thoughts. My enjoyment only increased, and I must amend some criticisms (but keep them secret to avoid spoilers). Overall, I was extremely impressed. It started slowly, but really picked up steam, and the season finale was overwhelming. In addition to what I mentioned previously, I like that it:

- maintained the spirit of the Tolkien books and Peter Jackson films

- had stunning visual effects

- featured eloquent dialogue and smatterings of wisdom

- focused on the core story of good and evil and how we grapple with perilous times

- was wonderfully devoide of sex scenes (even innuendo) and trendy pop culture topics

Season one far exceeded my expectations. I cannot wait for the next.

Rating: A

The Rings of Power, so far

It is finally here! One week ago, Amazon released its much-anticipated, much-feared series The Rings of Power, a sort of prequel to The Lord of the Rings movies. We are three episodes in to an eight-chapter first season. I don't normally review things before completion, but this is getting enough attention that I thought some words were warranted.

When Amazon paid a bajillion dollars* in 2017 for the rights to produce shows set in Tolkien's world, fans held their breath. Would Amazon be faithful to Tolkien's material, worldview, and vision? Or would this become yet another vehicle to push present-day agendas? When trailers started releasing months ago, there was an outcry that elves, dwarves, and other races all included minority actors- seeing a black elf, dwarf, and harfoot** didn't sit well with some, who claimed that didn't fit Tolkien's vision. That initially surprised me, to be honest, but ultimately didn't bother me- though I did wonder what else would be in store. So I awaited the show with bated breath, trying not to get my hopes up, yet cautiously optimistic. 

Here is my opinion through three episodes: the show isn't bad. I have some criticisms, but on the whole, I think they are doing a good job. Keeping it as spoiler-free as possible, here is what I liked:

- The visuals are stunning. The production value here is sky-high. 

- Exploring other areas of Middle Earth not previously seen in film is exciting.

- Exploring other times- before the events in the books- is also great.

- The overall story seems good enough.

- It maintains Tolkien's sense of an epic good vs. evil battle. And of 'the good guys' grappling with how they should act in that moment of time. I like David French's article contrasting this to (say) A Game of Thrones, which is effectively an amoral power struggle.

Here's what I criticize, though I add a caveat afterwards:

- Galadriel never struck me as a warrior type. Seeing her portrayed as such seems to reinforce this idea in my mind that American filmmakers feel the need to show strength through physical, and not mental or spiritual, characteristics. 

- Halbrand seems too Aragorn-like.

- Oddly, I was bothered that most elves do not have long hair. Isn't that a requirement or something?

- One story arc in particular seems bizarre. So far.

My caveat to my criticisms: I am not sure if my criticisms are founded in Tolkien's vision or just me complaining. Though I've read a fair amount of Tolkien, I've never studied his universe critically; I enjoyed the stories for their adventure and wisdom. I haven't paid close attention to Galadriel's early days or Halbrand or the Elves' hairstyles. So though I have images in my mind of what they should be, those impressions are likely tied more to Peter Jackson's movies than Tolkien's works as a whole.

On the whole, so far I'm pleased. I look forward to what's coming.

*okay, is was $250 million for the rights, plus $750 million invested to produce the first six series.

**precursors to hobbits. They are in Tolkien's work.

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Season 1

*Mild spoilers below.*

Ten years after Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi lives a reclusive life in the sands of Tatooine, keeping a distant eye on young Luke Skywalker. Now known as Ben, Kenobi goes to great lengths to conceal his identity, knowing the dangers should he be exposed. Little does he know just how near danger is . . .

Leia Organa is being raised as a Princess on Alderaan. She lives a peaceful, idyllic life until her kidnapping . . .

Darth Vader terrorizes the galaxy as second in command in the Empire. He employs dark Jedi, called Inquisitors, to hunt down any showing promise of Force use. As they make their way through the galaxy, one gets a whiff of Kenobi's trail, and Vader's obsession comes to the fore . . .

Heroes and villains from across the Star Wars movies and television series will collide in this epic tale of bereavement, suffering, reflection, and resolve.

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Overall, I enjoyed this 6-part series. Seeing Obi-Wan struggle with the past and his present responsibilities is powerful. And that moment Obi-Wan realizes that Vader is Anakin . . . wow. The cinematography and style is good- I couldn't help think about how the prequel trilogy could have been improved (in delivery) with this director and film crew. Seeing young Luke and Leia is fun. And there were some good cameos. But it wasn't all gold.

Some of the characters and plot lines felt rushed or strange. More importantly, exploring this era diminished the mystique of A New Hope and introduced some inconsistencies. Two examples:

- In the original movie, you get the sense that Obi-Wan and Darth Vader had not met since their parting almost twenty years prior in Revenge of the Sith. We now know that wasn't true.

- Some of Leia's pleas to Obi-Wan (via hologram) don't make as much sense now. 

Ultimately, I think filling in all things mentioned or implied in the films messes with the impression of depth. And as Tolkien says, "to go there [investigating events only glimpsed] is to destroy the magic." There was new magic generated here, but at the expense of the old.

Rating: A-

The Bad Batch: Season 1

Introduced in Clone Wars: Season 7, "The Bad Batch" is an elite clone trooper force, genetically mutated with varied special abilities. Now with their own television series, The Bad Batch: Season 1 tells their story as they witness the rise of the Empire, flee its cruelty, learn of their inhibitor chips, remove them, and figure out how to survive in a galaxy very different from the one they were created to serve. All while protecting another genetically deformed clone, Omega.

This came out over one year ago. We started this 16-episode series then, but lost track of it when we moved back to America. Picking it up months later certainly led to gaps in memory, but it was enjoyable enough. Some of the episodes seemed like random mercenary adventures. Others were poignant, showing how the Empire started the move away from clones to 'regular' troopers. There were a few pleasing tie-ins to the series that were set before and after (The Clone Wars and Rebels, respectively). Overall, it was decent. Season 2 is in production and due out in September.

Rating: B