The 100 – “Blood Must Have Blood Part Two”
The 100 is one of the best shows currently on television that people aren’t watching. After two seasons of continual growth in quality, with dire consequences for our characters at every turn, the end of season two ended on an indisputable high point. Facing the unimaginably tough decision on how to save their people from the terrors of Mount Weather, Clarke and Bellamy must make the ultimate sacrifice of killing all of the inhabitants of the facility (innocents and guilty alike) in order to save their own. It’s not an easy choice to make, but season two was all about Clarke making one difficult decision after the other, and this one is the breaking point, leading Clarke to walk away from Bellamy in the end, unable to deal with facing those she’s saved. The 100 has never been afraid of writing their characters as being morally grey, and the season finale does just that, along with showing how the characters then deal with the choices they made, for better or worse. It’s an action packed hour as we see the character development of Octavia (innocent wild child to warrior), Jasper and Monty (goofy kids to two teens who have faced impossible losses), Bellamy (antagonist to group protector) and Clarke (healer to killer) and exemplifies just why this is one of the most interesting shows currently airing. – By Allyson Johnson
The Americans “Walter Taffet”
As I described in my original review, ‘Walter Taffet’ is The Americans at its best. It brings everything that works so well about this Cold War period drama together in exciting and tension-filled ways. Two stellar sequences, in particular, stand out. One involves the discovery of a bug in the FBI director’s office and the wordless actions that follow. Another is the action that ends this episode, with Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ scoring the scene. Other realizations and strong character moments populate this episode as well, which only leads to more annoyance everytime The Americans is overlooked during the awards season. The show had a superb third season overall, but ‘Walter Taffet’ did plenty to represent why. – By Aaron Neuwirth
Better Call Saul – “Five-O”
It still baffles me that Jonathan Banks lost out on an Emmy for his astounding performance as Mike in this episode of one of my favorite new shows of 2015, Better Call Saul. Centered around Mike’s tragic past, it’s a new look at the character for both Breaking Bad fans and new viewers. For episode that didn’t really play into the series’ main story arc, it was essential viewing and allowed us to better appreciate the Jimmy/Saul and Mike partnership. While it may not be the episode that best represents the tone of Better Call Saul, the pacing and interwoven storylines is masterfully done, delivering a gripping hour of television. – By Gabrielle Bondi
BoJack Horseman – “Let’s Find Out”
BoJack Horseman made the right decision in the middle of season one to throw out its more Family Guy like tendencies in favor of emotional storytelling and it has benefited greatly ever since. Season two saw BoJack’s barely concealed depression getting a greater showcase and while he’s never been an easy character to root for, he has become more and more sympathetic as we’ve seen hints of his abusive upbringing and inner self-loathing, but what “Let’s Find Out” does wonderfully is it mixes the pathos of the show with the comedy. Mr. Peanutbutter hosting a game show was always going to be comedy gold, and couple that with just how ludicrous the rules are only makes it better, but adding BoJack to the mix ups the stakes. The episode also highlights just how insightful Mr. Peanutbutter can be, instead of always being the oblivious goofball we enjoy. BoJack gets to run the gamut of personality traits, from moments of insight, to connecting with Mr. Peanutbutter as they air their passive aggression on live television, to BoJack purposefully getting a question wrong at the end (one that serves charity) all in order to stick it to his opponent Daniel Radcliffe. There isn’t a hero of the Netflix series, which makes them all the more fascinating to watch. – By Allyson Johnson
Broad City – “Coat Check”
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The highs of season two of Broad City possessed some of the funniest moments in comedy this year, with stars Ilana Glazer and particularly Abbi Jacobson extending their talents further than in season one. While overall the season lacked the consistency in quality as its debut, it also managed to hone in on what made each character individually funny. “Coat Check” is a highlight by being one of the few episodes where the show is just as funny when the two leading ladies are apart as they are together, and this is greatly aided in the presence of Alia Shawkat and Kelly Ripa in excellent guest starring roles. Shawkat is less of a surprise, having been a charismatic actress for years now, but whoever thought of using her and Glazer’s likeness, and having Ilana be attracted to Shawkat’s character, was genius. It’s a nice way to continue showing Ilana’s fluid sexuality, while also showing that even her narcissism has limits. Ripa was more of the delightful surprise, playing a raunchy, alcoholic version of herself that greatly differs in her sunny, good morning host personality. Watching as Abbi tries to keep up her enthusiasm the entire episode is one of the funniest bits the show has ever done. – By Allyson Johnson
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