Ziggy1965 Reviews

Outlander: A Practical Guide for Time-Travelers (2023) Season 7, Episode 7

A few seconds of Jamie and Jemm's fate do not make a show

[4/10 · 1 August 2023]

This is really bad! I feel like I am going through what I did with the last 2 seasons of Game of Thrones. It all started out great and then at the end, it just flopped!

And wasn't that "love" scene with Brie and Roger just creepy! I had to fast forward through it. They have zero chemistry and the writers and directors are trying to make them be the second coming of Jamie and Claire.

Talking about Jamie and Claire, they are now just secondary characters. There is very little spark left there. Also, tell me, what are the chances that a woman can sit on a man's lap out in the open and kiss while there are other men around and no one says anything? This is 1777!!

Maybe with Roger and Bree going into the past, the story won't feel so disjointed anymore. It needs something.

My wife did say that these books were very long and boring. Looks like this spirit of the books has made it into the TV show as well.

Outlander: A Most Uncomfortable Woman (2023) Season 7, Episode 4

How did Brie and Roger coming back really save Jamie and Claire in the fire?

[7/10 · 11 July 2023]

So much is made in this and the last episode that Roger and Brie were successful in their mission of coming back to the past to save Jamie and Claire from the fire. When the fire happened they had already gone to the 1980's, so what role did they play in making this happen?

I could see if they were there at the time of the fire and were instrumental in helping them escape. Then we find out that news article was actually fake news written by Tom Christie.

And I agree with Rob-O-Cop that the appearance of Tom Christie was just plain creepy! I was surprised that Jamie was not present when Claire and Tom met later on. I don't think we have heard the last of Tom Christie.

Brie's interview was hilarious and the writing there was really good! I enjoyed that bit of interaction. It was obvious that Roger would feel the way that he did. But it all turned out for the best.

Kind of slow at the moment and it does not have the tenseness and the intensity of the earlier seasons. It looks like there will be 16 episodes this year and we are only in episode 4, so they have to drag it out a bit.

I guess I will keep watching as I am interested to see how this all ends. BUT if the 1st few seasons had been similar to how the story is being told now, I would not be here writing this review in season 7.

Outlander: Death Be Not Proud (2023) Season 7, Episode 3

What has happened to this great TV show?

[5/10 · 7 July 2023]

I know many die hard fans of Outlander (both the books and the TV show) are not going to like what I have to say. But it needs to be said. I really liked the 1st 5 seasons as the story was interesting and I could really believe in the characters. They felt real to me.

Now it just seems like they are cardboard cutouts. The acting is stiff and I don't feel the chemistry between the actors and characters. Is it the show or that the source material is getting weak? Episode 1 of this season feels totally different from episode 2. Looks like episode 1 was made last year and would have been aired last year had it not been for the restriction in filming due to the lock down.

I thought Fraser's Ridge was a community but where are those people when Allan Christie gets killed by Young Ian in broad daylight. Yes Mrs. Bug sees them but how can Claire and Ian carry his body and no one notices? Where is Richard Brown and his law? It's like they just disappeared.

Where is the story of how Roger and Brianna and especially Jemmy who has never experienced the future integrate back into the future after coming through the stones? We see them walking away with all their colonial clothes to being with family in their fancy clothes and having the operation done on the baby! What happened in between?

When Claire came back the first time, the whole story of how Frank takes her back in and the adjustments she needed to go through was very interesting and realistic and brilliant. Now it just feels like a Marvel movie. "I am here in another timeline so just get accept it".

The baby has no birth certificate in the future, no identity. How did they convince the health care system to do this operation? How did they pay for it?

Now that I think of it, how did Roger, Brianna, Jemmy and the little one get from 1980's USA to Scotland with no money or ID on them? I guess they sold the jems for tons of money? But won't they need the jems if they ever wanted to come back to the past?

Ah, it is too confusing. What irks me the most is that a show as great as this has lost its storytelling. It is all based on emotions of what is going on and have totally left out any logical explanation of how and why things happen. And the show runners are just banking on the loyal fans and audience of Outlander to see the rest of the story through. Oh well, enough said for now.

Beyond Paradise: Episode #1.5 (2023) Season 1, Episode 5

This was an interesting yet "slightly infuriating" episode

[7/10 · 1 April 2023]

The main story was ok. I told my wife right away who was involved with the fires as soon as I saw her. Did not see the daughter angle. Why would the daughter need to break into someones place to get paint when it can be bought anywhere? Also, her painting skills are pretty bad that she has paint all over her hands by just holding a paint brush??

The real story here is the IVF issue. I could never understand why the writers would have Martha and Humphrey in episode 1 wanting to have a child and have Martha opening up a cafe at the same time? There is enough stress with the IVF procedure that to add another stress is a recipe for disaster.

It would have made better sense in episode 1 to just have the story of the IVF and not mention the cafe, then wanting to fulfill her dream of a cafe in episode 2 and finally opening it up in episode 3.

The reaction of Martha and Humphrey at the ends shows how different men and women think with regards to having a family.

No matter how much a man would love to have a child of his own with the woman he truly loves, if he KNOWS that they are unable to have one together he will still love her just the same if not more. He will move forward with his life accordingly. Now if he knows that she does not want to have a child with him, even though she maybe capable of doing so, then he will look at his options.

For Martha, I guess it is all or nothing? I have not seen episode 6 so am not sure where this story line will go.

I really do want to like this show. I found the 1st 3 episodes to be brilliant while episode 4 and 5 to be ok. They either split up, which means the show is ending, hich most likely won't happen. Or they come to a compromise and decide to adopt?

What made "Death in Paradise" so great was the detective and how he came to his conclusions as well as the interplay between him and his fellow staff. I would like to see more of that in season 2.

The People We Hate at the Wedding (2022)

What did you all expect from this movie ... an Oscar?

[6/10 · 4 December 2022]

It is a decent movie that I watched with my wife and she enjoyed the silliness of it all. Plus she likes Allison Janney from the show Mom. Yes all the characters were cardboard but there were some hilarious parts.

The best line was where Mr. Bottom told Alice the real reason why she behaved the way she did around men.

Yes it was silly but what did you expect from these actors. In the end it had a nice ending and everyone was happy and content.

My wife watches movies that I like and she tolerates it. So I can do the same and tolerate the movies that she enjoys. All in all it made for a good evening and beyond! :)

The Crown: Couple 31 (2022) Season 5, Episode 9

One line that could have made this episode even better ...

[8/10 · 29 November 2022]

When Charles meets with Diana at the end and speaks about love for her, she should have said "whatever that means"

This would have been perfect! Not sure if they actually met in this manner. I realize this is drama but if it is to be based on real people, they should at least have a disclaimer.

Dr. Khan was still in the picture till 1997 and here he is made to look like he just bolted.

It is hard for me to see them portray the Queen as if she is SO sad that the divorce happened. She knew from a long time that the two were not happy and did nothing to rein her son in. Just like she did nothing to rein in Andrew. Only when it become public she got involved. Dirty laundry is out. We gotta clean it!

This show clearly reveals what a System and farce the monarchy is. It was dying and got saved by Diana coming into the picture. And once they got their popularity more secure, they ignored her and let Charles do whatever he wanted.

Sure Diana is not without fault but what woman in any marriage would be happy knowing that her husband is only looking happy in public to please them and that he has another woman who he sees on the side and would rather be with her?

My Life Is Murder: Gaslight Sonata (2022) Season 3, Episode 8

Nice episode and I am enjoing this 3rd season.

[7/10 · 4 November 2022]

Boy that new girl looks like she will be an actress for the future. Very bold and knows exactly how to sit, smile and enunciate her words.

Having said that, I find it hard to believe that she can just show up at Alexa's door just like that on her own. I guess I have to put my brain on the side for that one!

The writing for this one was not as good. Yes Madison was bold and did things in a certain way but to just move into an apartment like the way she did is kind of unbelievable.

It was pretty obvious who the killer was. Lets hope the next story is better written and that the writers do not rely on the cuteness of the new actress to carry the show.

Only Murders in the Building: Hello, Darkness (2022) Season 2, Episode 8

The ONLY thing that was good about this episode ...

[5/10 · 12 August 2022]

... was the Sound of Silence song written by Simon and Garfunkle.

Now I have to keep writing something because I need to have at least 150 characters to have a review.

This is kind of useless. About as useless as the writing of Season 2.

Season 1 was so much better and i wish they would have stopped it there.

Wedding Season (2022)

I thought the movie was very nice.

[8/10 · 7 August 2022]

Being of 1st generation Indian background I could relate to the struggles that the kids were having. It was funny to see how the parents were reacting. I wish my parents would have been this nice. It was tough but they have come around now.

We all knew that Ravi and Asha would get together at the end from their first meeting. What we did not know was the the trials and tribulations they would have to go through in order to make that happen.

Their pretend dating was similar to the story line in the 1st season of Bridgerton with Dapne and Simon.

Overall a good movie. I sometimes wonder those who don't like a show if they actually watch it to the very end.

Only Murders in the Building: Flipping the Pieces (2022) Season 2, Episode 7

Shock and awe the audience if you can't put together a good script.

[6/10 · 5 August 2022]

Parts of the show was good and has emotional stuff such as Theo's story. Mabel's back story meant absolutely nothing and had no sense to it except that her dad died young from cancer and encouraged her to do jigsaw puzzles upside down. Hence the title "flipping the pieces".

I am surprised that in NYC that a person can stab a person on the subway, which is on video and no one is able to find her or even attempting to look for her. Especially someone who is so well known.

The detective is a total farce. Not even a cute baby (and what a big baby ... what is the time frame between season one and 2 anyways?) can save this episode.

And they go to Coney Island in broad daylight and break in and take forever to get what they want. I guess the purpose there was to get that picture in the trio's hands.

Too much jumping around and there seems to be very little that connects in a reasonably sensible way.

Let's hope the next episode is a little better.

Only Murders in the Building: The Last Day of Bunny Folger (2022) Season 2, Episode 3

1st 2 episodes were bad ... this one was great!

[8/10 · 7 July 2022]

I trashed the last 2 episodes in my reviews. However, this was a good episode. The writing was tight and focused on the main theme and did not try to be stupidly funny. Interestingly enough, I even enjoyed the Mabel character. Let's hope the remaining episodes are just as good.

Only Murders in the Building: Framed (2022) Season 2, Episode 2

Ok ... Bold prediction on who killed Bunny

[5/10 · 4 July 2022]

I am writing this because I feel the writing is so bad that they have already given out who the murderer is.

It is Alice and she is using Mabel to steer the attention away from herself.

Overall the show really stinks (I really liked season 1) and I am barely watching just for Steve Martin and Martin Short.

Selena Gomez ... oh boy ... what can I say?

Only Murders in the Building: Persons of Interest (2022) Season 2, Episode 1

Someone please explain this to me

[6/10 · 4 July 2022]

How come there is so much blood on the floor in one spot from Bunny's stabbing, yet no blood anywhere else from where she was walking in the apartment?

Bunny's shirt had no blood on it yet Mabel's top is filled with blood. Did she roll on the floor?

The apartment is a crime scene and I am surprised that someone was able to go in there so quickly after the fact.

The details in the writing is pretty off.

Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story: Part 1 (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

If I did not know who Jimmy Savile was, I would have stopped this show after 20 minutes

[5/10 · 9 May 2022]

It would have been nice if the show would have started with the end in mind. Show us who this guy really was and then go back to the beginning with all the video stuff that shows how he tricked everyone and kept his personal life a secret.

The average person who has no idea who he was would probably be bored. It will be interesting to see what Netflix does with episode 2 and how far they really expose this story.

He used comedy to hide himself and no matter what he said he could twist it in a way to make it funny.

Looks at all the comedians we laugh at now and never give a 2nd serious thought as to the meaning behind what they are saying.

Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators: Most Wicked Speed (2022) Season 4, Episode 4

This was the worst episode of them all so far.

[3/10 · 8 May 2022]

I know the reviews will only be read by fans since all those who loved the show probably stopped watching 1/2 way through season 3.

This show has gone downhill since DI Marlow left.

I am still watching since my wife likes it but even she felt this episode was really bad and confusing and all over the map. And the mother and son reunion came out of no where! Maybe I was having a little snooze earlier in the show and missed it.

Also, I am just getting tired of their facial expressions and trying to be funny when they are not.

I will give it 1 more episode.

Outlander: I Am Not Alone (2022) Season 6, Episode 8

My beef is not with the story BUT the way the story has been told

[5/10 · 3 May 2022]

These 8 episodes could have all been done in 4 episodes but so much time was spent with fillers that one loses the sense of the story.

I can't say that it was all bad but I can't say it was all good either.

Since the readers of the books state that this is accurate to how Diana Gabaldon wrote it, then I must say that this book must have been a drag of a book to read.

The ending was good but it just took so long to get there.

Why can't Jamie and Claire state that they are innocent when they are accused of murder? By staying quiet it adds to their guilt from those who think otherwise?

Also why are Bree and Roger playing with their son's hair and having their face in there when they know he has lice? Though it was a nice touch to find out who the real father is.

So overall, it was an OK season with lots of fillers but enough good stuff to tease us into watching more. Like I said, if I could edit this season I would have made it into 4 episodes.

BTW, I have figured out who killed Malva and my wife who has read the books concurs. It is pretty obvious.

Outlander: Sticks and Stones (2022) Season 6, Episode 7

I realize most of these story lines are in the book ... but they are others that are more exciting

[4/10 · 27 April 2022]

There is a lot here to not really like this season. The feel has become more gothic and horror and it is not a genre that I particularly care for.

Why is Claire dealing with her trauma on her own. She knows that Jamie went through a rape as well at the hands of Jack Randall so one would think they can confide in each other? At the end of the episode Jamie finally says that he will support her. According to the timeline Claire's rape was over a year ago?

In this episode, no one really goes to Claire, well maybe Jamie, and tries to help her with finding Malva in the field like that. Her daughter Brianna does not even console her and is more busy with Roger. BTW, does anyone else here can't stand this character? Roger who is suppose to have his calling does not say much to Claire. And as soon as Roger and Brianna decide that Roger will go to his minister school, they leave the next day! And that farewell scene with Jamie and Claire was pretty soft. It was almost like, "I can't wait to get out of here". While in the episode before Brianna does not leave her mom's side while she was sick?

Sure Malva story is crucial to the book but I want to see other stuff as well that deal with the history of the time. Story of Jamie turning sides and dealing with the local tribes were far more interesting. Malva's story has taken up too much screen time.

I really thought something good would happen when that guy in prison was whistling "Yankee Doodle Dandy". But alas nothing so far. I am sure it will come.

My wife who is reading the current book says the set is all wrong. There is no way Jamie and Claire have such a big estate with lavish furnishings. They just had a cabin and were building a 2nd floor on it. They did not have servants. The church gets built way later. I thought Aunt Jacosta had died and left them her inheritance. But she is still alive.

Bring back Lord John. He is more interesting. Also, I am getting tired of Jamie and Claire's "holier than thou" look. They just don't seem as nice of a people as they have in the past.

Anyways, I hope the makers of this show turn this around in season 7 or else this show will have the same ending fate that came upon Game of Thrones.

Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (2022)

It started off really good and had great hopes for it ...

[6/10 · 14 April 2022]

... but by the 3rd episode it too fast, too confusing, just too convenient and silly and stupid.

I was really excited to watch this but I definitely prefer the 1980 version, which is also on BritBox, with Francesca Annis and James Warwick as it is a much superior production. Check it out!

Bridgerton: Capital R Rake (2022) Season 2, Episode 1

THe 1st episode of season one was Meh as well

[6/10 · 28 March 2022]

Hopefully it gets better. The 1st episodes in these shows tend to set the scene and go from there.

Who here thinks that the Viscount Bridgerton will marry or get together with the elder Sharma sister?

Murder in Provence: Episode #1.2 (2022) Season 1, Episode 2

The 2nd eposode was much better

[8/10 · 3 March 2022]

A much tighter story and was much better than the 1st episode. The chemistry between Antoine and Marine is quite nice and has some good promise. Overall, I am looking forward to the 3rd episode.

Murder in Provence (2022– )

It's not so bad. Let's see how the next episode is

[7/10 · 2 March 2022]

I am only watching it because of Roger Allam since I loved him in Endevour. Overall it was not so bad. The writing could have been tighter. Just find it difficult to keep track of the guest characters since they all have French names. Let's see what happens next as I feel it has some promise.

Sister Boniface Mysteries (2022– )

It's ok but I was expecting it to be a lot better

[5/10 · 16 February 2022]

The first episode was good and had good promise. The motive of the murder was stupid but at least it was watchable. I have seen 2 more and for me it is going downhill. With so much else to watch on TV, I would rather spend my rest and relaxing time watching something else.

The story needs a backstory of how Sister Boniface got so much power over the police department. They just show up and expect the sister to do all the intel work and then they clean up the rest.

If you are looking for farcical no brain activity type of story, then this is for you.

But if you want something that is more intelligent, there are plenty of other shows to choose from.

Vera: The Way the Wind Blows (2022) Season 11, Episode 6

That was an amazing episode

[10/10 · 5 February 2022]

This for me was the best episode of the season. Everything made sense from the start to the end and there weren't any loose ends. And best of all the murder and how it was done was portrayed in a way that made me think that it could have happened that way. Too often I am left shaking my head to the reason behind the murder. This time I was not. So enjoy!

Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators: How the Rogue Roar'd (2020) Season 3, Episode 1

Episode 1 of season 3 was quite a let down

[5/10 · 29 January 2022]

The chemistry is not there any more. They are trying to be funny but it is not working. It almost feels like a comedy stage play. Too bad the character of DI Marlow is no longer there. If it keeps up like this, I am not sure I will be able to watch it any longer.

The Madame Blanc Mysteries: Episode #1.6 (2021) Season 1, Episode 6

That was just plain horrible!

[4/10 · 18 January 2022]

If they were hoping that viewers would be curious to watch season 2, well that is not going to happen with this viewer.

It had good hope from episode 1. How many here figured from the episode 1 that the woman in the red nails was the lady sitting with her in the airplane? I did!