Thursday, May 18, 2017

Comic Book TV recap (5/15/2017 - 5/17/2017)

Agents of SHIELD sees its season finale this week. It has officially been renewed for a fifth season with, although it will not begin as usual with Inhumans taking its slot, which has been moved to Friday night. Supergirl, The Flash and Arrow will be wrapping up for the season next week.

Supergirl: "Resist" - Reya's invasion of Earth begins and Cat Grant and the President return to Central City to face off against her along with the DEO.

Gotham: "Light the Wick" - The Court of Owls grows suspicious of their new recruit, Jim Gordon, as he investigates what they're doing with the Alice Tetch virus, being assisted by Oswald. Ivy tries to revive Selina using plants.

Lucifer: "God Johnson" - Investigating another murder, Lucifer meets a man who claims to be God, and he becomes convinced this is actually his father.

The Flash: "Infantino Street" - The day that Savitar will kill Iris has arrived and Barry has to recruit the help of a past version of Leonard Snart to steal the power source for a cannon that will trap Savitar in the Speed Force.

iZombie: "Dirt Nap Time" - Infuriated at the theft of the remaining doses of the zombie cure, Liv eats the brains of a friendly teacher who also slept around. Major attempts to find the thief.

Agents of SHIELD: "World's End" - The agents reunite with Robbie Reyes in a last ditch effort to shut down the Framework, defeat Aida and stop anyone from using the Darkhold again. The finale wraps up the storylines of Season 4 nicely while setting up new possibilities for Season 5.

Arrow: "Missing" - With Adrian Chase in jail, Team Arrow believes they can breathe easy until they realize Chase's true plans are yet to be realized.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Comic Book Shows Recap (5/8/2017 - 5/11/2017)

Supergirl: "City of Lost Children" - Jimmy befriends an alien boy after his mother is put in custody after causing chaos in public. But what made her act up? The DEO and Kara investigate, linking it to the machine Lena Luthor has been duped into helping Mon-El's mother build.

Gotham: "The Primal Riddle" - Eddie decides to figure out who controls Gotham with a series of deathly riddles aimed at Gotham's elite. Gordon decides to use his connection to the Court of Owls to sort things out. Bruce's impostor confronts Selina. Oswald and Ivy recruit Bridgit Pike and Victor Fries for their army of freaks.

Lucifer: "Deceptive Little Parasite" - Chloe and Lucifer investigate the murder of an admissions officer for a high-class elementary school. Lucifer retrieves the blade of Azrael, which only he can light to allow a return to heaven for himself, his mother and brother.

The Flash: "Cause and Effect" - With Savitar's identity out there, Cisco wipes Barry's memory to prevent Savitar from knowing anything. However, this proves more problematic than helpful.

iZombie: "Some Like It Hot Mess" - Major recovers from taking the zombie cure, but Ravi is anxious to try to test his memory serum to prevent Major from losing his memories. Peyton gets an important secret from Blaine. Liv eats the brain of an irresponsible DJ to solve her murder.

Agents of SHIELD: "The Return" - The SHIELD team has to work on two fronts to take down Ivanov and his LMDs. Ophelia—AIDA's name for her new human self—helps rescue everyone before being captured by SHIELD in a facility that limits her powers. However, when she discovers that Fitz doesn't love her, she returns to Ivanov.

Arrow: "Honor Thy Fathers" - Oliver discovers something disturbing about his father's legacy as he finally tracks down Chase. Rene decides where he should side in a court case.

Riverdale: "The Sweet Hereafter" - As Betty breaks the word that Jughead's father is innocent, tensions rise between Cheryl and her mother. Jughead re-evaluates his place in Riverdale. Season finale.

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Comic Book TV Recap (5/1/2017 - 5/4/2017)

Supergirl: "Alex" - A mysterious villain captures Alex, forcing Maggie and Kara to join forces to find her. Thing is, the kidnapper also knows that Kara is Supergirl. His ultimatum is to get his father out of jail, or Alex dies. Mon-El's mother makes a proposition to Lena.

Gotham: "These Delicate and Dark Obsessions" - After calling in former henchman Gabe, Oswald and Ivy are betrayed and are captured. Despite imprisonment, Bruce begins psychological training to become a beacon of hope in Gotham. Gordon realizes the Court of Owls was behind his father's murder.

Lucifer: "Candy Morningstar" - Lucifer returns from Vegas (and hiatus) with his new wife, Candy, which forces confrontations with the women in his life.

The Flash: "I Know Who You Are" - Thanks to a tip from the future, Barry goes to see Tracy Brand, who is working on a Speed Force trap that can stop Savitar. Thing is, Savitar and Caitlin—now Killer Frost—are dead set on stopping them, and aren't afraid of shedding some blood. And Cisco is having trouble bringing himself to harm his former friend.

iZombie: "Spanking the Zombie" - Liv has to eat the brain of a dominatrix to solve a murder. Meanwhile, Major works on a mission for Fillmore Graves, discovering their barbaric methods of ensuring their ranks are fed.

Agents of SHIELD: "Farewell, Cruel World" - Daisy and Jemma have found the "back door" of the Framework, allowing them to escape. Now to round up everyone and get them to go through. Only problem is Fitz, who still believes himself to be a head of HYDRA.

Arrow: "Underneath" - Oliver and Felicity are trapped in a powerless Arrow Cave, thanks to an EMP that also disabled the chip that allows Felicity to walk. They have to do their best to find the exit along with the rest of Team Arrow doing all they can.

Riverdale: "Anatomy of a Murder" - As it becomes clear that Jughead's father was framed for Jason's murder, mysteries and tensions rise and Archie and his friends scramble to finally discover the truth.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - The sequel to 2014's surprise hit Marvel movie is now in theaters, as colorful and full of excellent tunes and fun and action as a fan would hope.

After recovering Nebula (Karen Gillan) from the Sovereigns, the Guardians run into Ego (Kurt Russell), who reveals himself to be Peter Quill's father and is eager to reconnect with his son. After being betrayed by his team of Ravagers, Yondu (Michael Rooker) joins up with Rocket, Baby Groot and Nebula. None of the Guardians suspect a plot that threatens the entire galaxy.

It's a little difficult to describe the plot without spoiling the movie. As I guessed early on in promotional stages, parenting is a big theme in the movie, with the Guardians caring for Baby Groot, Nebula and Gamora confronting how they've turned out, being the daughters of Thanos, and the comparison of Yondu and Ego, who are both father figures to Star Lord: one is the person who cared for him (admittedly after abducting him from Earth) and brought him up, the other is his biological father.

I was also impressed at the use of female characters in the movie. We once again have a strong leader of a society who is female, Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki). The Guardians also add Mantis (Pom Klementieff), whose power is actually her empathy, enhancing a usually considered feminine trait into a superpower. While Peter is revealed to be falling for Gamora, her own story in the film doesn't revolve around him.

And of course, it's as full of fun and humor and action as you've come to expect from a Marvel Studios film and The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Excellent entry to the MCU, definitely check it out.