Review: Ripper Street 2x03 "Become Man"

Original air date: Nov. 11, 2013

I didn't write a review last week, but it was because I really enjoyed the episode.  Last week’s episode has probably been one of my favorites of the series thus far (this week’s episode maybe having surpassed it), but every time I sat down to write all that came out was Damien Molony.  So I figured it was just best not to write anything if I wasn't going to do the episode justice. 

Long Susan has been a favorite character of mine for awhile now and this was a big episode for her.  Things that happened in this episode are going to set off a chain reaction for the rest of the season, that’s for sure.   

Review: Ripper Street 2x01 "Pure as the Driven"

Original Air date: Oct. 28, 2013

And we’re back.  It’s 1890 and we’re back on the streets of Whitechapel.  Detective Inspector Reid has taken to living in his office (I don’t think anyone is surprised).  The division is swamped and riots have become common morning occurrence.  Over in Chinatown Sgt. Maurice Linklater is thrown out a window and impales his leg on a fence.  Reid and his department set out to not only find the culprit but also why he would have been in that part of town.

Along the way they discover corruption in the K division.  Detective Inspector Jebedian Shine has started an illegal drug trade with his wife from Hong Kong.  A woman who goes by Blush Pang.  Together they plan on setting loose a new drug onto the streets, Heroine.  At the same time Blush’s brother has come from China to take her home.  He is a skilled fighter and able to punch a man clean off of his feet.  Destruction is left in his wake and he is the one behind Linklater’s fall.  After being confronted by Reid, Shine goes to visit Linklater and kills him so he is unable to witness against him.  He then places the guilt of the Sergeant’s death on Reid.

This was a good solid episode.  A few of the earlier episodes of season one, I confess, didn't always have my attention.  So far, I’m really happy to report that was not the case with this episode.  I'd like to also say I am not just saying that because Damien Molony joins the cast next week. 

Favorite bits from the episode:

• The beginning scene.  Drake so calmly asking Reid to join him downstairs.  Reid politely asking for his billy club before they both join the brawl downstairs.
• Jackson yelling “Reid again?” and just being generally annoyed.
• Just Jackson and Reid and Drake.  I just really enjoy their chemistry.  
• Sergeant Bennet Drake finding himself a wife who loves him.  He made me so sad last season, he was so lonely and was just looking for someone to love him.  I'm glad he found Bella. 

In conclusion: It’s good to be back and I'm looking forward to next week. 

Review: By Any Means 1x06

Original Air date Oct. 27, 2013

That. Was. An Intense. Finale.

Earlier this week I’d read an interview with Elliot Knight about this week’s episode. He said it was intense and darker than the rest of the season, but I didn't believe him.  I mean how intense could it be, really?  Oh I was but a sweet summer child.  Afterward the episode I had to get up, walk around, make some tea and just sit for a second.  I tried to write, couldn't.  I tried to start a different show. Couldn't.  Now I think I can finally get on with it (melodramatic much? amirite?!)

Ripper Street Series 2 Promo

I can't be the only one watching the new Series 2 Ripper Street promo on repeat, can I?

The BBC One drama series airs its second season on Monday October 28th.  Which only gives you a little over a week to do any season one catching up if need be (*whispers* I know I do). 

This season not only do we get the return of incredible performances by Matthew Mcfayden but Damien Molony is also joining the cast.  You can catch a glimpse of him in the trailer (with his natural Irish accent I might add).  I was over the moon when I first discovered that my favorite OCD vampire was soon to be joining a show with such a talented cast.  Here's hoping that this is just the beginning of a long successful television career for Damien. 

Anyone else as excited as I am? 

Review: By Any Means 1x05

Original Air Date: Oct. 20, 2013

So, I've tried to sit down and write about this show before but each time I fall into a trap about how much I loved Tom Tom (Andrew Lee Potts) and Charlie (Elliot Knight).  So with only one episode left let’s see if I can be any more articulate.

If you've never watched By Any Means, it’s vaguely reminiscent of  Leverage in my opinion.  Not to say it has anywhere as near perfect characters as Leverage but it has similarities in the way the story unfolds.  By Any Means centers around a team of four who operate in that grey area.  When someone commits a major crime but for whatever reason the police are unable to convict said person that’s when Jack Quinn, as played by Warren Brown, and his team are called in.  Their mission: to by any means necessary get their man (like I worked the title of the show in there).  What reminds me of Leverage is in each episode their mission seems to be going horribly wrong but in the end its all revealed in quick flashbacks, that had previously been kept from the audience, that everything had happened exactly as planned. 

This week’s episode begins with a man named Ahmed (played by Ashraf Barhom) who shoots and kills a man in the woods whose only crime is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Ahmed is able to get out of his arrest by promising MI-5 important information on suspected terrorists cells working within the country.  Helen Barlow (played by Gina McKee), the team's contact, feels that while the information is important Ahmed’s previous human trafficking and murderous exploits should not go unpunished, so she calls in Jack Quinn.  Jack and the team set out to break his former accomplice, Mehmet (played by Stewart Scudamore), out of prison in order to frighten Ahmed into a murder confession.