Why so much hate for #Inhumans? I enjoyed it! OMG #BlackBolt All Hail @ansonmount!

The TV Powers That Be seem to be listening to us 'fans' a little more now that social media is everywhere. Unfortunately, this also means we're going to probably see even more weird reboots coming down the pipe very soon. Rosanne? Really? Whatever. *Insert eyeroll here*

This isn't a blog about reboots, rather Superhero fatigue.

I don't have it, but I think others do.

The 'critics' who always have more pull than we do for some odd reason hated the first two episodes of Inhumans SO much that people were shredding it to pieces before most of us normal people had a chance to form an opinion. Believe it or not, this does change the way many viewers watch things. If they go in thinking it's going to suck, they're going to find reasons for it to suck. I try not to do this when consuming fictional entertainment.

The moment they announce Inhumans as a TV show instead of a movie I was kinda happy. The little reading I did on the Inhumans (Background for watching Agents of SHIELD) I found the Royal Family to be very interesting.

Okay, I'll give you points, the first two episodes weren't the greatest. But show me the perfect pilot and I'll give you a million dollars.

Most TV shows need at least three or four episode to really get their footing. TV isn't like the movies. Movie writers pick up on one or two main characteristics for their characters to build off because you're writing a two-hour movie. TV characters need to be more complex to keep people interested in them over the course of 6 or even 22 episodes. Episode three and four got better and by the time the last two got here, I was already craving more.

Ramsey Inhuman was an odd villain, but he really is a fun actor to watch when he loses his shit, so he kept me entertained. Crystal annoyed me until she reunited with her family. Karnak's side story was kinda dumb and I skipped most of it, but he and Gorgon are fun together. Lockjaw, so cute! I don't even care that the CGI was subpar. I didn't care that they had to cut off Medusa's hair to save the CGI budget. Her reunion with Black Bolt when he touches her head, knowing how violated she was, broke my heart. And finally...Black Bolt. What a great character! I have my own mute character so I know how hard it can be to write one. More more more of this guy please!

Triton was the one character missing in the beginning that would have made this show that much better. They missed the mark on that one, however, it served the story and created a tense and fun climatic ending.

Considering this was a show about a FAMILY, I didn't mind that there wasn't a big huge throw down at the end. Most real families don't blow each other up or imprison each other, they deal with shit but talking. TALKING! I know what a concept right?

They set up the ending in a way that I felt all right if they don't come back for a season two, but would be really excited if they do because this whole season felt like an "Origin Story" for the whole family.

Either way, they're on Earth. Some of these characters need to cross over to Agents of SHIELD. Otherwise, I think I may be broken hearted again.

How about you? Did you watch? What did you think?

Jenn's TV Recap 2017 #1!

Can you believe it's that time again? TV shows are going off the air for Summer break! I usually have to go online to look at a list to see what ended when to help remind me. I watch a lot of TV!

I usually like to change the format so how about I do Favorite Character(s), What I Remember Most and Will I Keep Watching. Sounds fun! Let's get going.

PS - Possible Spoilers!

The Walking Dead
Favorite Character(s) - Carol, always, and I really like Jesus.
What I Remember Most - Negan, I mean, he pretty much ruled the season. It was great seeing the team band back together toward the end and I thought Sasha was awesome for going out the way she did.
Will I Keep Watching? Yep, not getting rid of this show until it's done or gets horribly bad.

The Vampire Diaries
Favorite Character(s) - Damon and Caroline and I kinda like Enzo toward the end.
What I Remember Most - I didn't like this last season much with the Sirens but I thought they did the last episode very well. It was like the ending LOST wanted to have but just couldn't make work.
Will I Keep Watching? - Last season, probably won't rewatch.

The Good Place
Favorite Character(s) - Eleanore and Chidi
What I remember Most - That twist at the end. I'm not even going to spoil it for you in case you want to watch. I honestly didn't see it coming and wasn't sure how I felt about it, I'm still not sure. LOL
Will I Keep Watching? - I will check out season two and see where it goes.

Notorious
Favorite Character(s) - Doesn't matter
What I Remember Most - It was like News Room meets Scandal.
Will I Keep Watching? - I stopped watching when they didn't ask for more episodes on the back half and yep, it's canceled.

Agents of SHIELD
Favorite Character(s) - Fitz, May, Coulson...pretty much the entire cast really.
What I Remember Most - The Framework. Man, it was so nice to see some old faces. The entire season was definitely the best. I like the way they did the two different stories within the season and had them connect.
Will I Keep Watching? - Yes, season 5 here we come!

Teaser Tuesday SNEAK PEEK! MIND: The Reckoning (Bk3)

I'm super happy to share with you a sneak peek for Teaser Tuesday! This is the opening for Book 3 - MIND: The Reckoning featuring Bates and his love interest. :-) The book will be out this October!! Stay tuned.

Lt. Colonel Baldwin Owen Bates breathed in the warm air, thankful it finally felt like spring, and grateful to get out of the apartment building after a week of voluntary lock-down.  The MIND team was firing on all cylinders, conducting interrogations, searching for friends and foe alike, while covertly protecting the entire planet from potential alien threats. A reality he was still getting used to these days. He and Dina had spent the better part of the last week and a half making sure everyone involved in their current dilemma had the tools and information required to keep things moving along.  He was in charge of tools, meaning stunner guns, grenades, and other equipment while she handled the coordinates, background data, and whatever else needed at any given time.

The only reason the others agreed to his solo mission was due to its location in New Jersey. Bates had firsthand knowledge of Hoboken since it was the first city he visited when he migrated from the UK to the US. The time alone during the commute from New York City gave him a moment to sort through everything that had happened in recent weeks, but he wasn't sure he understood it all. So, Bates tucked the idea away and gazed out of the window for most of the ride. The others loved to zip to and fro with their teleporting, even offering to bring him here, but he needed these simpler moments of life to keep some of his old habits and guilty pleasures intact. He didn't enjoy being the third wheel or weak link, either.

He sat straighter as the taxi slowed on the corner of 1st Street and Sinatra Drive. The Mayor's Street Fair was winding down but his boss, Duncan, assured him the woman they were searching for would be here. She was posing as a fortuneteller, and with her name appearing on the alien registration from the 1940s, could probably do much more than what she advertised to the public.

After paying and tipping his driver and exiting the vehicle, Bates put his sunglasses on, fixed his tie, and then meandered through the thinning crowd, making his way to Pier A to begin his search. Dozens of face-painted children ran around the park's fountain, zipping between parents and strangers alike, with no worries and sometimes no manners. Several of the street vendors were packing up in the dimming sunlight, complaining about the time, wishing it stayed lighter later like the old days when the United States still practiced Daylight Savings Time. 

As he bypassed the crafters and artists, the scent of Asian BBQ wafted through the air. He grumbled along with his stomach and hoped a few of them stuck around so he could pick something up on his way out.

"How's it going?" Dina Ranger asked via his earcomm, jolting him.

"Shit! Forgot I had this bloody thing in," he replied, taking a breath and shutting his eyes for a second.

"Have to get used to it if you want to be in the field...alone."

"Unlike your brother, I need some me time, Sherlock." This time, he chuckled when he felt her brush his mind with calming thoughts. "How's Lexa? Any change?"

"No, nothing. Never changes. I...just don't get it."

"Likewise," he said with a sigh, quickly putting it out of his mind to maintain his focus. "I just got to the park. I'll check in before I leave."

"Okay. And whatever's got you so hungry, bring some back. Talk to ya."

Shaking his head, Bates waited for the static of the comm to fade before pushing farther into the park, eyeing the tables and tents but mostly their occupants, searching for a face. Miss Takashi had a pretty face, although older now, since the photo from the MIND database was almost one hundred years old.

When he neared the end of the first row of vendor tents, he took in the sight of the city across the river, and then found the second and final row of vendors left to search.

He politely declined several offers to purchase various items like candles and potholders, wondering why his 'blah face'—a term his new friend Kim called his usual stern facade—wasn't working.

Toward the middle of the second row, Bates slowed, eyeing a colorful booth, shrouded in light purple curtains, and a sign that screamed for attention. When a face-painted toddler, followed by a frantic parent, came running out of the booth, he barely sidestepped out of the way. The parent offered Bates a weary shrug. He smiled and carried onward, finally seeing a sign for "Madam Takashi" two booths down.

Bates peered inside the Moroccan style tent of oranges and yellows. Way too many tassels for his liking, yet warm and inviting pillows and seats waited on the inside. At the back, he spotted the traditional setup, a table covered in cloth, a huge clear crystal ball on top with tarot cards spread in a row in the foreground.

Since no one was waiting, Bates stepped in and cleared his throat. The woman behind the crystal ball popped up and smiled.

"Greetings to you," she said.

He frowned.

She blinked. "I'm not what you expected."

"No. Actually," he replied and walked closer while pulling a card out of his suit jacket. "I'm looking for Yukio Takashi...the fortuneteller?"

The woman narrowed her gaze, plucked the card from his hand, and studied it. "Very sorry. Madam Takashi is...more of a brand than an actual person, Mr. Bates. I'm afraid I've only been here a few seasons."

"I see."

"Department of Health?"

"Yes, I'm a consultant. Do you happen to know how I can get in touch with the former Takashi?"

"She has long since passed away," she said. "Can I be of assistance?"

"Only if you can see the future," he said with a sigh, instantly catching himself. "Pardon. Bad joke. The records we have from...some years ago claimed she had an expertise in ah, personality disorders from her former career and we wanted to seek her help."

New Madam Takashi gave him the once over with her eyes yet her face was as still as he usually kept his, part of his English upbringing whereas hers seemed forced. When he tried to peek into her thoughts, she scoffed. "You've seen much but you don't believe in fortunetellers?"

Bates chuckled. "I wouldn't exactly say no to that, but I believe we make our own luck, it's not just out there waiting for us."

"You are wise, Mr. Bates."

"Do you know of any relatives or friends who knew the previous Madam Takashi?"

"I can reach out to a colleague; see if she knows of anyone who can help."

Unable to get a read on the woman and realizing she was being evasive, he pulled off his sunglasses, placed them in his top pocket, attempted his best friendly face and sat down in the empty chair opposite her. "I would appreciate the help and since I'm already here, I wouldn't mind hearing what you think my fortune is."

She grinned, seemed to relax, and playfully looked at him sideways as she gathered the tarot cards from the table. He expected her to shuffle them; instead, she set them aside and then pushed the crystal ball out of the way. Madam Takashi extended her hand, palm facing up, and motioned for his.

Without really thinking it through, Bates placed his hand on top of hers and jolted in place when their fingers touched. The irises of her eyes went completely white.

Jerking away, he bolted out of the chair.

She was gone.

Jenn's TV Recap #3

Well, regular TV is over for the season. Do you remember when 90210 had their summer season? They pretty much started that trend. I have a few shows to look forward to this summer, sadly, only of them is NOT So You Think You Can Dance. Makes me sad.

Anyway, I have a nice long list of shows to recap for my final blog of this season. They are not in any order. POSSIBLE SPOILERS!

Seriously.

Last warning!

SUPERNATURAL
While I didn't really care about the Amara story line for the most part and really hate Rowena, Cass as Lucifer totally made up for it. Then they bring in Chuck at the end...confirming him as God? Freaking brilliant. The last few episodes of the season were fantastic. I'll never stop watching the Winchester Brothers. I don't care if they jump the shark or not.

LEGENDS OF TOMORROW
I should just go and live at The CW. I don't think the writers thought through this plot enough but for a short, first season, it was pretty good. I liked all the cheeky time travel easter eggs and tropes they pulled out. I hated how they bounced around time, just to end up back at the same spot they started. I did, however, like how they eventually split up into three teams in three times to beat three Savages. That was pretty brilliant and saved the season. And no lie, I was JUST starting to like Snart and then they kill him. Meh.

THE FLASH
This is probably my third favorite show on TV right now behind GoT and TWD. I love the entire cast, younger and older members. I love the fun and lightness. I don't mind the darker stuff either. Although I know the original Flashpoint story, it didn't work for  me how they got there at the end of this season. However, I got the man in the mask partially right, so I'm glad we get to see more John Wesley Shipp on the show.

AGENTS OF SHIELD
I've never had a problem with Skye/Daisy. This probably goes back to my comment once about acting. I can't, so unless someone is really bad and I don't believe they are the character they are playing, I probably won't notice much. That being said, Ward as HIVE was amazing. I'm really going to miss him. I think this show gets better each season, so I can't wait to see what they have in store for S4.

CASTLE
What a horrible ending! OMG, I know it was tacked on just "in case" they got canceled, but man, couldn't they have thought of something better? Or asked ABC for a two-hour movie tie up next season? There are a dozen ways they could have done this, but they chose to screw their fans and take the easy way out. Oh well. Don't have to worry about it anymore.

THE ORIGINALS
This is another one of those shows I'm not sure why I still watch. It's probably because I have a crush on Elijah. Love that character. I was SO excited to see Marcel die at the end of this season. He's always been one of my least favorite characters. He just rubs me the wrong way. However, his relationship with Davina was his saving grace. I hope Vincent sticks around next season. He's awesome. RIP Cami, I'll miss you most of all.

ARROW
I'm really happy they went all 24 and dropped a bomb. There is only so many threats the team can thwart without having hardly any consequences. I didn't care about Laurel's death. She was just an OK character, I liked her MUCH better on The Flash, so I hope they bring her back there. Damien was a badass character but I feel like there was something missing this season and I just can't put my finger on it. Next season should be interesting with Oliver as Mayor.

So that's pretty much it. Now I have lots of time to write some books this summer! What was your favorite new show this year? Did one of your old favorites surprise you this season?

Would you be interesting in reading a blog post about the new shows coming next season? I can start working on it if you guys are interested. :-)