Merlin 4.7 "The Secret Sharer" Review

Agravaine (Nathanial Parker) rescues Morgana (Katie McGrath) again - she is useless and always needs help.  Emrys knows everything.  Agravaine believes someone's telling him.  Gaius (Richard Wilson) knew he was lying when he spoke as he was the only one who knew of the Femorrah.  If magic was involved couldn't Emrys just know for himself, who said he had to be told.

Not another bedroom scene with Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Arthur (Bradley James).  Merlin gives Arthur a list of what he has to do: presiding over a garland competition.  He drags Arthur out of bed.  Commenting it's like having to work.  Arthur is glad Merlin's friend's at the tavern approve of Arthur doing a great job.

Morgana rides to find Alator the Catha (Gary Lewis) whilst  Agravaine plants the seeds of suspicion in Arthur's mind about Gaius.  Arthur can't believe Gaius is disloyal.  Agravaine tells him he knew where to find Dragoon for his father.  Agravaine wants Gaius to answer questions.  Agravaine: "somebody is plotting against you."  Which is ironic coming from the mouth of the very man who is plotting against Arthur.

Morgana wants someone abducted from Camelot which is not friend to Alator.  She gives him her bracelet blessed by the High Priestess.  Morgana mentions her mortal enemy is being helped by Emrys which is what made him wake up and take notice and help her.

Arthur looks on as Agravaine questions, rather interrogates, Gaius.  Asking what he feels about sorcery.  He replies it's against the law and he did practise it in the past.  Agravaine wants to know how he knew of the sorcerer to help Uther.  Why didn't Gaius just reply it's common knowledge where Dragoon lives, or he made his presence known instead of saying he was told.  Gaius has never met him.  Agravaine tells Arthur Gaius is lying, he doesn't have any evidence. Agravaine will find something.  Agravaine gives Merlin a dagger for Arthur.

Alator kidnaps Gaius, that was easy.  Agravaine leaves the magic book in Gaius's chamber that's why he didn't want Merlin to be around.  Agravaine says Gaius rode away on a white horse and was seen.  Arthur refuses to send out a search party.  Merlin attempts to convince Arthur it's not Gaius as he wouldn't leave without saying goodbye and Agravaine made it up.  Arthur won;t listen cos he's his uncle.  Arthur has had his "heart broken already today" and won't lose another friend.

Morgana asks after Emrys.  Gwen (Angel Coulby) will try and talk to Arthur but he loves Agravaine.  Gaius fights Alator with magic but gives up.  Merlin finds dirt from Agravaine's boots and the magic book in the chamber, couldn't he hide it somewhere.  Agravaine sees Merlin leaving in the mirror.  Gwaine (Eoin Macken) IDs the dirt as iron ore and knows where it's found.  He wants to help.  Agravaine runs to Morgana and Gaius gives Merlin away as Emrys.  Knew Alator wouldn't tell Morgana.  He wants to unite the Powers of the old world and the new..."the time of Albion."  Agravaine wants to kill Gaius until Gwaine arrives, he was right he did take Gaius.  He pretends to check his breath with the knife to see if he's alive and tells Gwaine he followed Gaius here and agrees he was kidnapped.

Morgana wants Merlin to stop interfering in things and wanted info on Emrys.  Alator calls Merlin a "serving boy."  He knows who Emrys is and uses his staff on Morgana.  He watches Merlin's expression when he tells her he knows who and where he is.  Morgana gets knocked out again.  Alator calls it an honour to serve Merlin. He's been hunted and persecuted but he's not alone.  He shares Merlin's hopes and "dreams of a world you seek to build" and will give his life to help him.  He bows before Emrys.

Another of Morgan's plans thwarted.  Agravaine cunningly admits he misjudged Gaius and Merlin was right.  They both owe Gaius and Merlin an apology.  Morgana wakens to find her bracelet.  Oh so she wasn't out cold all day then like last time.  Gaius says he'd protect the secret with his life but he gave it away.  They can't tell Arthur about Agravaine as they've no evidence.  Which is the same story as not being able to tell Uther about Morgana the last two seasons.

Arthur apologizes and Merlin owes Gaius.  Merlin gets time off for more chores.  Gaius loves Merlin too much to betray him.  He doesn't know who took him but is helping Morgana with info about Arthur and Camelot to bring down the kingdom.  Has to ask about Uther and lied about being a sorcerer for fear of being killed.  Uther was dying and he tried to save him.  One day Arthur will understand how much they've done for him.

Another episode where nothing much happened and as usual, the story keeps getting dragged out.  Of course there would be many people out there who want to help Emrys and share his vision, which Morgana doesn't seem to grasp.

The Closer 7.16 "Hostile Witness" Review

Brenda (Kyra Sedgwick) is on the witness stand in court and has a flashback to Provenza (GW Bailey) telling Stroh (Billy Burke) he's a free man after he was accused of rape.  This time he is defending George Harris ((Scott Michael Morgan) who raped Gweneth in a motel room and she was found dead.  Kendall (Ransford Doherty) tells her TOD was between 5-6 hours.  Gabriel (Corey Reynolds) points out her clothes were ripped and torn.  Buzz (Phillip P Keene) comments on how she was out alone on Valentine's Day.  Provenza adds she was 'Looking for Mr Goodbar.'

Tao (Michael Paul Chan) tells her Harris was arrested for rape and Brenda emphasizes he had two room keys, meaning he had a partner.  Morales (Jonathan Del Arco) must look at the Tox screen before he can determine what she was drugged with and she has bruises on her face.  She was handled and dragged.  Claire Baldwin (Amanda Mason Warren) the DDA states the pathologist's report has already been admitted and that she was drugged with rohypnol.  Brenda can only focus on Stroh.

Claire asks Brenda why she thinks Gweneth was murdered and Brenda replies since Harris was the last one to see her alive and he left his driver's licence behind.  Provenza finds the same scenario exists between Gweneth's rape and an earlier case involving Natalie Gilbert who has disappeared.  Perhaps she could ID Harris's partner.  The charges against Harris were dropped as far as Natalie (Julia Whelan) was concerned.  Flynn (Tony Denison) tells Brenda Stroh represented him back then and Provenza asks why he did that?

Stroh says the case gave "purpose to his life."  Brenda knows how to find Stroh and she tracked him using GPS since the Johnson Rule came into effect.  Stroh says they're his clients.  Brenda tells him DNA could prove useful in court and he places the dishes in the bowl of water in the restaurant.  Raydor (Mary McDonnell) reminds Brenda of the Federal law suit which has just been settled; seems everyone's still harping on about it though.  Raydor is still unable to prove who the leak is, cos it's going to be dragged out!  Stroh was also part of the lawsuit.

Tommy (Alex Solowitz) the doorman recalls Harris was the taxi driver and he picked up Gweneth.  Brenda shows him mugshots with Stroh and he recalls Stroh left the club earlier on.  Pope (JK Simmons) is angry at Brenda's investigation after he is approached by Claire.  Telling Brenda Stroh is representing the suspect.  Taylor (Robert Gossett) adds Stroh likes blondes.  Brenda reminds them of the creation of the Johnson Rule.  Claire says if the DNA confirms it then she can make a case for rape.  Brenda wants Harris charged with murder and so he'll give up Stroh.  She must prove it.  Taylor says the case won't go to court for a year so Brenda will have all that time, er, not really she won't.  Brenda will be able to get evidence. She must find the Vic first.  Pope insists, practically orders Brenda to treat Stroh as a defence lawyer.  Brenda:" you're always clear."

Fritz (Jon Tenney) finds Natalie in a mental institution as Marilyn Monroe.  Her licence matches Natalie.  She's back on her meds.   Brenda is so annoyed with Claire and calls her so competitive.  Fritz will see if Natalie is lucid and Brenda wants him to signal her in court.  Brenda is cross examined.  The DNA sample doesn't suggest that Harris raped her and Stroh tells Brenda it's only her opinion that she was drugged.  She can't determine when the drug was taken.  He tells her to read out Gweneth's COD, which was OD and the manner of her death is 'undetermined.'

Stroh tells the court he has two keys to his car, his house, "does that make me a rapist."  Well that was a rhetorical question cos everyone knows the answer to that, especially Brenda.  Brenda says 'yes' and points to Stroh.  Claire is angry and Brenda has "guaranteed us a mistrial." Well that's what she wanted all along so she would have more time to find evidence against Stroh, or at least get Harris to give up his partner.  The Closer in the courtroom, my kind of episode!  At least this episode fooled us into believing they were closing the case with Stroh so Brenda was tying up all her loose ends in the last season.  Brenda is still determined to get her man.

Brenda tells judge Crosby (James B Sikking) that Stroh really is a suspect in the investigation.  Gweneth ODed on drugs but as a nurse she would know the drugs would kill her, which is what Claire says.  Brenda replies murder suspects aren't always told they are such.  The judge orders a mistrial.  Claire agrees to a bail at $25,000 and not $75,000 as asked for by Stroh.  The case will resume in one month.  Brenda asks the judge for a removal order for a witness.

Sanchez (Raymond Cruz) says they re-arrested Harris for raping Natalie, after his mother posted bail, which is why it was set so low.  Flynn says Natalie knows her real name.  Brenda sees Natalie as a Vic but Claire calls her a witness and wants to question her, with Gabriel and Tao present.  Brenda wants Gabriel to get Natalie to look at the photo of Stroh.  Raydor reminds Brenda she doesn't have much time to speak with Harris before Stroh arrives.  Claire wants Tao and Gabriel with her as they're great on the witness stand.

Brenda only wants to make Harris aware of the charges against him.  Sanchez tells him they found Natalie and Brenda knows Harris didn't drug her.  His partner made Gweneth OD which is murder.  Natalie doesn't recall the club or how she got there and recalls a room in a motel.  Gabriel is sorry for what happened but she can put away who did this.  She didn't disappear as she was told when the jury heard she was taking drugs for her bi-polar disorder, they wouldn't believe her.  She doesn't know what happened.  Her life is destroyed and Claire doesn't give Gabriel a chance to show her Stroh's photo.

Claire tells her all she has to do is go to court as a witness and tell them she had sex without consent.  Brenda wants to offer Harris a reduced sentence in return for his partner, who drugged Gweneth.  He shouldn't take the fall.  Stroh tells Brenda she's the "worst loser I've ever met."  He found the GPS tracker and figured he was being followed by her, not Harris.  He calls her arrogant considering the lawsuit was settled.  More mention of that dreaded lawsuit.

Tao finds Natalie woke up early cos of the drug she was taking as the rohypnol was blocked by the enzyme and she woke up quickly.  Thus they upped the dose on Gweneth.  Raydor says Natalie refuses to ID him.  Provenza says Natalie is homeless so Brenda takes her home under the Johnson rule, for someone who wasn't happy with the Rule, she finds every opportunity to use the rule to her advantage.  As she needs protection.  Brenda is concerned about what will happen to Natalie when she's not here and the man will come after her again.

Fritz doesn't think Brenda is being fair dragging Natalie through the rape again since the GPS shows Stroh wasn't at the bars or the motel.  Brenda wants Harris and Stroh.  Natalie remembers she was at Stella's - the nightclub.  Flynn takes Stroh there and tells him "it's ladies night."  Natalie recalls the doorman, Tommy and then recalls Charlie, the bartender.  Harris's partner.  Brenda is livid, knew something like that was going to happen.  Stroh tells her he can't understand the point in drugging women to have sex with them, they should be free to fight.  Brenda says she can't make deals with murderers.  Stroh: "lighten up, you got your man, as always." Hey I said that earlier on about Brenda getting her man, but she hasn't.  Not the one she really wants to get!

Harris tells her Charlie met girls and agreed to hook him up.  Brenda gives Stroh dirty looks.  She was choking and he shook her.  She wasn't breathing and Charlie put too much rohypnol in her drink.  Brenda shakes Stroh's hand. "you'll see me again, count on it."  Would have thought she would have got his DNA or something, you know she could have scratched him or something.  Claire has told Pope how Brenda behaved towards her, condescending and harmed the prosecution of her case.  Raydor tells Brenda Pope believes she needs to bring the prosecutors into her cases earlier on.  Brenda is adamant she didn't provoke a mistrial.  The DA's office wants more open access to Major Crimes and Brenda can no longer investigate Stroh without Pope's approval.  She has to take his orders seriously and Brenda replies she is.

There Pope goes again, covering himself in light of this case.  Whether or not Brenda provoked the mistrial, made no difference in the end cos she didn't get Stroh and he was the one who was so arrogant, especially when he he knew he didn't rape this time but it doesn't absolve him of his crimes.  He's still guilty and I hope Brenda does nail the slimy criminal!

Although Brenda mentions the Johnson Rule for the GPS on Stroh's car, she still has a warrant for it.  Provenza; "Pope know about this...I take that as a 'no.'"

Brenda; "The Federal lawsuit is settled, Goldman is ancient history.  Who does the leak have left to inform - you?"
Raydor: "wouldn't that be great."  Isn't Brenda at all curious about who the who's been betraying her.  Great episode, every enjoyable.  Hated Claire though, ugh, she was also arrogant in showing she knows how to do her job.  In that respects, she was no better than Stroh.

Stargate Atlantis 5.17 "Infection" Review

Rodney (David Hewlett) says the shield is better as the cloak offers them no protection as a ship approaches Atlantis.  Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) stands by to fire the drones if necessary.  Atlantis is cloaked.  An encrypted file is transmitted using Daedalus algorithms.  It's a message from Todd (Christopher Heyerdahl) who needs help.  Rodney says the file is corrupted.  Ronon (Jason Momoa) wants to blow him up.  Woolsey (Robert Picardo) tends to agree.  Rodney wants to communicate using the jumper and doesn't find any lifesigns.  Teyla (Rachel Luttrell) can't find any Wraith signs but they could be hibernating.

Sheppard says, he's "flattered to think you think Todd would kill me."  They can now locate the bridge on the Hive ship without Rodney's help.  There's no crew awake and they won't wake up.  There's a power fluctuation and they find Todd's file.  The crew suffered from a disease due to the complications of gene therapy.  He took some of the therapy when he was on Daedalus and it worked.  He treated his crew and then saw problems, some died, others are sick.  Sheppard says he can fire drones at them but Woolsey wants him to find out what went wrong.  Revive some of the crew even.

Ronon kills some Wraith.  Teyla doesn't want them all killed off.  Whilst returning back to the Hive a Marine 'extra' is attacked and killed by the Wraith.  The wall is melting down.  The treatment worked and created a disease weakening their immune system.  Rodney says it helps to have an ego.  They can use the life signal detector but they reach a dead end.  A Wraith tried to eat the Marine, is how Ronon puts it.  Sheppard is attacked by an unmasked Wraith soldier.  Rodney adds that "starving the Wraith led to them learning to use their teeth."

Jennifer (Jewel Staite) hasn't gone though the data.  Sheppard: "the IOA can sue me."  Ronon finds the way back looks different and there's a gaping hole where the way out used to be.  Rodney has a theory, glitches in all the systems.  They self-regenerate when damaged and the ship is reconfiguring itself wrong.  There's no communications.  Rodney thinks they should revive Todd and Jennifer says he won't last long.  That's the one thing Sheppard liked about that plan.

Todd says the Hive ship has the disease as there's an exchange of Wraith fluid with the Hive during hibernation.  Sheppard screws his face in disgust.  Hey one track mind there Sheppard!  Sheppard can't let the other Wraith out and gives the go ahead to kill them and call it a malfunction.  Todd finds it funny a human apologizing to the Wraith.  But Sheppard is a soldier.  She's a doctor and his job is to save lives too.  "He just has a different set of tools."

Rodney can override the safety protocol but one chamber doesn't accept the command.  Sheppard suggests to plant C4 but the pods are already opened.  Jennifer uses Iratus DNA in the treatment and she got the idea from Michael.  Todd can undo the disease.  Healthy Wraith can heal themselves and it's a treatment of the last resort using the Iratus bug.  There's no hope for the others.  There is a planet and it's not about wanting the Wraith restored.  Sheppard owes him but he doesn't owe him anything.  Hey wasn't it dangerous leaving Jennifer alone.

Rodney fears the Hive ship could be ripped in half and they're stuck behind  a locked door.  For marines, they tend to leave  a lot behind.  The Hive ship breaks apart and they head for the planet.  Now they need Todd's help and Sheppard agrees to take him to the planet if he lands the ship.  Sheppard can fly the ship across the water, he's done this before.  The Hive sank after being rescued, Woolsey tells him.  Sheppard wishes he was awake to see that.  Sheppard thinks Todd will die anyway, if successful in therapy they will need Todd's help.  Sheppard made a deal and Todd will remember this.

Lots of interaction between Todd and Sheppard here as Sheppard has to ask for his help with the ship in quid pro quo fashion.  Then has to return the favour by letting him go to the planet with the Iratus bugs.  Showing once again he's a soldier first in having no hesitation in 'culling' the remainder of the infected Wraith.  But as Jennifer reminds him, it's also up to him to save lives even as a soldier, it's not all about killing for him.  Still there's a possible conclusion to the Todd storyline here.

Also references to Carson Beckett with the Iratus bug and Michael's work with Michael holding Carson responsible for his condition.  With Todd trying the treatment for himself without Jennifer's help and on the rest of his crew too.  In some ways he probably holds her responsible too.  Enlightening conversation between Jennifer and Todd about compassion which he views as human weakness.  Yet that same compassion is probably one reason Todd is allowed to leave for the planet, any favours or deals owing aside.

Teyla's reference to Todd leaving his crew to their mercy is from the episode The Lost Tribe.  Ronon's reference to a Wraith ship from another reality is in reference to The Daedalus Variations.  Alex Levine wrote on his SciFi.com blog how, "we needed to tell a story that wraps up the Queen/gene therapy storyline..."  Still at least it wasn't a bad episode, lots of humour and Sheppard comes through in the end with letting Todd go.

Downton Abbey Series 3 Episode 2 Review

Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew (Dan Stevens) return to Downton after their honeymoon and Matthew drives up in a new car, which is a luxury he's splashed out on since Downton will be sold soon.  Then again if it is, the show will no longer be able to have that title, ha.  Of course the family are surprised to see the car but more importantly the money issues are still simmering under the surface for Mary.  She still wants Matthew to reconsider taking Swire's inheritance.  He feels he will be cheating the rightful heirs out of it after he broke Lavinia's heart.

Thus leaving Mary and Dowager Violet (Maggie Smith) no choice but to find a way to convince Martha (Shirley Maclaine) to give them the money somehow.  But she sees right through them of course.  Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) and her brother, Harry will share the money and it's not right that her brother should lose out on half his fortune just to save them.  Cora tells Mary she must move on with the times, and isn't too perplexed by them having to move; but Mary insists she wants to save Downton and become Countess Grantham here one day.

More goings on under the stairs, ha, too this week as Thomas (Rob James-Collier) is definitely out for Alfred's (Matt Milne) blood again.  This time he makes mischief by advising Alfred on how best to remove a stain from Matthew's tails.  Instead he burns a hole in there which he can't fix and Matthew can't wear for the elegant dinner Mary has planned.  Thus he sends it to his London tailors, so why not just get another one instead after lavishing money on a car. Alfred insists he doesn't know how it happened and Thomas is adamant he showed him to use soda crystals, however Alfred has an ally in O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) who gets her own back on Thomas by stealing all of Robert's (Hugh Bonneville) good shirts.  Whatever happened to Thomas and O'Brien and their never ending alliance.

Thomas is beside himself when Robert doesn't have any shirt to wear for the dinner and asks him, "are you not so popular downstairs Thomas?"  That should have been obvious two series ago.  Cue Robert and Matthew both wearing their dress suits and black ties instead of their whites.  Alfred gets cosy with Martha's maid and they steal kisses whenever they can which Daisy (Sophie McShera) spies them doing.  She finds it all a bit fast and he says he's happy and that's all that matters, even if it doesn't last.

Mrs Hughes (Phyliss Logan) finds out she may have cancer as she finds a lump and Mrs Patmore (Lesley Nichol) accompanies her to the doctor.  The house being in even more turmoil now as they haven't the staff and Carson (Jim Carter) doesn't feel Mrs Hughes is pulling her weight.  She wants her condition kept quiet but you know Mrs Patmore will spill.  Daisy notices the oven is smoking but they don't really notice it until the night of the dinner when there's no food cooked.  Martha comes to their aid by telling them to throw together whatever they can find and allow their guests to eat anywhere around the house.  A picnic at Downton. This is all too much for the Dowager who needs a drink and asks Robert for one.  "Oh, I thought you were a waiter," she tells him in his suit.  Alfred finds the shirts and returns them to the cupboard and Thomas can't explain their reappearance.

Anna (Joanne Froggatt) visits Bates (Brendan Coyle) in prison still and is attempting to find info to help him.  She wonders why Vera would write to her best friend instead of visiting her. She brought a garter in France, the highlight of her trip then.  Later on, Bates threatens his cellmate as we see another side of him.  Probably leading us to believe he had it in him to do away with Vera.  He's not happy to hear Downton may be sold.

The scenes with Mary and Matthew make me wonder why they got married, aside from their canoodling, they seem to be so distant especially with Mary showing her elitist snobbery at every moment wanting him to take the money and rescue her family.  Robert is resigned to them losing their home as Matthew tells him about the inheritance and he reluctantly accepts Matthew's decision.  All the while maybe thinking why his son-in-law doesn't have more backbone.

Isobel (Penelope Wilton) has taken it upon herself to help the pros of York and meets up with  the maid with the baby from last season who runs away from her.  Edith (Laura Carmichael) is still pining over Sir Anthony (Robert Bathurst) and the Dowager gets Robert to tell him to keep away from Edith.  Not cos he's a cripple, as Anthony refers to himself, or has money, but cos he's 25 years her senior.  Edith thinks it's cos they don't want to see her happy and she runs to Martha.  She asks why Robert accepted Branson, a chauffeur but can't accept a titled man.  Robert asks her if she's accusing him of being shallow and finally allows the union.  Though they haven't told anyone about their wedding plans yet.

It's no surprise the ratings have dropped for this episode since there doesn't seem to be anything different or exciting happening as in the last two series.  The buzz has fizzled out.  But at least Dame Maggie Smith won an Emmy for Best Supporting actress, without her quips and one liners the show would be even more duller.
Martha decides it's time to leave and they can't wait to be rid of her.  Also singing Let me Call You Sweetheart at the dinner and holding the Dowager's hand in the process.  The Dowager was napping during those proceedings and it's hardly surprising why.

CSI: Miami 10.10 "Long Gone" Review

A man walks his dog home and notices water coming from his neighbour's house.  Ryan (Jonathan Togo) and Delko (Adam Rodriguez) arrive to find the family, the Nolan's, were abducted from their home.  The sink was left running, the stove was on. There is also a daughter, Olivia (Cordelia Reynolds) who lives away from home.  Tripp (Rex Linn) and Calleigh (Emily Procter) go to her house and find a man there.  Officer Delarenzo (Dylan Osean) notices he's not the one in any of the photos.  The man says he'll call Olivia and leaves the room to get the phone.  Why not use one of their own phones, cos he's obviously going to make a run for it.  Calleigh in her heels.

Olivia's boyfriend, Tom (Luke Kleintank) is called and he brings Olivia in.  Her mother, Carol (Timi Prulhiere) suffers from asthma and her inhaler was left behind.  A tooth was found in the driveway and Natalia (Eva la Rue) back this week, analyzes this, finding it's a match to Tom.  He's in the system, as she tells Horatio (David Caruso) cos he applied to work as a teacher.  Tom claims he had an argument with her father, Andrew (Jay Karnes) when he told him he's moving in with her.  There was more going on here than he was letting on.

Ryan says there's not much to go on, as the evidence was washed away by the water and Delko notices an air conditioning system which seems to be sucking air in.  It turn  out to be a dehumidifier and here they find cocaine residue.  Whilst Ryan checks the garage he notices the water was collecting under the car.  In the oil catch they find cocaine.  Olivia denies the family would be involved and she doesn't know her father  lost his job two years ago.

Sam (Taylor Cole) analyzes the cocaine to discover it was from the 1990's and has traces of pesticide the US paid the Colombians to spray over the crops.  Natalia seems to be impressed by this, or rather appears to be humouring her instead.  She tells Natalia she's proficient in firearms and got the highest score.  Natalia suggests they go to the firing range sometime.  She's taken her detective test and can't wait to get back out in the field, as she was previously with the DEA taskforce.  Sam didn't tell Walter (Omar Benson Miller) that.

The drugs belonged to Oscar Duarte (Jonathan Banks)  who was recently released from prison, but Horatio can't tie anything to him.  The visitor logs from the prison show he was visited by Tom who was running the drugs for him.  Duarte buried the drugs in a field which was later developed and the Nolan house was built over this.  Well those developers didn't do a good job of clearing if the drugs were never found!

Andrew found the drugs and sold them to pay for his mortgage.  That's why he fought Tom when he came to retrieve the drugs and his reason for getting close to Olivia.  Tom doesn't know the whereabouts of the family.  When Calleigh and Tripp went to the house with officer Delarenzo, he was introduced as an 'extra' officer, who puts together Olivia's boyfriend not being this man.  analysis leads to Kurt (Blake Shields) the same man at the house and there's a shoot out when they arrive there.  Delarenzo is shot in the neck and Tripp can't save him.  Tripp's known him since he was ten he tells Kurt and he was a friend of his father's.  Another tragedy for Tripp.

On the way to the station, Tripp takes a detour and Horatio is waiting.  Kurt doesn't spill on the whereabouts of the Nolan's so Horatio punches him.  Again crossing the line.  This is getting tedious writing this over and over.  Getting away with police brutality endlessly.  It's not shown what happens to Kurt.  Someone should file a complaint - no really?

Walter had less to do this week.  Delko arrives earlier on at the scene and Ryan mentions the shoeprint and Delko not giving him a few moment of glory.  Andrew convinces Duarte to let him leave and he'll get his money.  He holds up a pharmacy with the gun Duarte gives him and steals money from the till and an inhaler. He then holds the gun on Duarte and pulls the trigger.  He wouldn't give him a loaded gun.  He throws the inhaler to the floor and Andrew agrees to fly him out of the country on one of the company's planes.  Where Calleigh and Delko find him, after a woman calls the police when she spots the van and Duarte spots them both.  Andrew goes for the gun and is shot in the process.  He tells them where his family is before dying.  Horatio arrives in time with the paramedics to save Carol.

Oh look, another shoot out at the airport.  Reminded me of Horatio being shot there and left for dead in an earlier season.  These CSIs have become so amateurish over the years.  No wonder they need to resort to terror tactics.  Can't say I enjoyed this episode much.  Haven't enjoyed one since season 8.  It was about family and what Andrew did to help his but in the longrun he should have known better.  Coming good in the end when he saves his family by taking Duarte out of the motel.

Ryan taking shoeprints from the house which Delko matches to Bobby's shoes.  Ryan: "what is it with you?  You can't let me have two minutes of enjoyment here?"  But Ryan is moved when Delko tells him of Delarenzo's death, cos they've all been there and that close to death too.

Doctor Who 7.4 "The Power of Three" Review

Amy: "life with the Doctor was like this..." Flashbacks to previous eps.  "Real life was like this."  Quite boring. Rory (Arthur Darvill) says they have two lives: "real life and Doctor life."  Should they choose?  The TARDIS lands, they "don't have to choose yet."  Amy (Karen Gillan) "Everytime we flew away with the Doctor we'd just become part of his life [more flashbacks.  ]But he never stood still long enough to become part of ours, except once.  The year of the slow invasion.  The time the Doctor came to stay."  Perhaps cos as said before, he knew something was about to happen.   Notice in the flashbacks they showed that same scene again when they look out of the TARDIS at earth and he watches them both from behind.

Brian (Mark Williams) comes in with a cube in hand, they're everywhere.  The Doctor (Matt Smith) has one too.  "Invasion of the very small cubes.  That's new."  Lots of news broadcasts with more BBC newsreaders. As well as Professor Brian Cox, who doesn't know what the cubes are and suggests they, "ask a better man than me."  That of course would be the Doctor.  Brian comes up with lots of theories of the purposes/intentions of the cubes, which the Doctor compliments.  They need to watch the cubes and Brian does this effortlessly.

The Doctor needs to use their kitchen as a lab.  Rory's heading to work, "what you do isn't all there is," and he says he should imagine what they do when they're not with the Doctor.  Doctor: "mostly kissing."  Which they do a lot of between them too, such as Rory kissing the doctor later on.  Amy is a travel writer.  Amy: "ten years older, ten years of you on and off."  Doctor: "all grown up."  Their house is raided and Rory comments, "there are soldiers all over my house and I'm in my pants."  Something Amy always wanted to say.  A woman from UNIT, Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) comes in.  The Doctor asks since when does science runs the military?  They've tested the cubes and the Doctor talks of people taking them home.  perhaps he should have said his 'sciency-wiency' phrase here.

The cubes have to be observed and for four days nothing's happened.  He's impatient so he has to occupy himself.  Mowing the lawn, kicking a ball, stains the garden fence.  He's only been gone an hour.  He wants to take Rory and Amy away but they don't want to go.  His job is important.  Rory accepts a full time job at the hospital and Amy's to be a bridesmaid.  Real life's started and they like it.

Brian speaks on camera referring to 'Brian's Log.'  Rory tells him he can't call him that.  A girl sits at the hospital with a cube in her hand and a man is taken from the hospital by two aliens.
June the Doctor arrives back.  June 26th 1890, he takes Amy and Rory to the Savoy hotel for their anniversary.  Rory kisses the Doctor on the cheek.  Later the Doctor laments about there being a Zygon ship under the Savoy.  On another trip, they hide under the bed all cos Amy said 'yes' and agreed to marry Henry VIII.  She left her phone charger there.  The Doctor sneezes under the bed, which is good, since no one ever does that when they're hiding out.

June again.  Brian says they've been away as they're wearing different clothes, which no one else noticed.  They've been gone 7 weeks.  Brian asks what happens to others who travel with him.  Doctor: "some left, some left behind, some, not many, but some died.  But they won't."  It's like he's convincing himself they won't or whether he'll believe it if he says it enough times.  The Doctor is staying to keep an eye on them as he misses them.  Cue The Apprentice with Lord Sugar firing someone for not selling enough cubes.  Er, why would anyone buy them when they've been picking them up for free!!

They eat fish fingers and custard and the Doctor mentions them being  pudding but savoury.  The cubes move and one attacks the Doctor.  He tells it the planet and people are precious to him and he will defend them to his dying breath.  He also comments on having  a"metal dog that could do that."  Hover that is.  Rory takes Brian to work. Whilst he heads to the Tower of London with Amy.  All the cubes activated at the same time.  All cubes were monitored and behave individually. The Doctor tells Kate her father, Brigadeer Lethbridge-Stewart didn't despair.  She dropped his name as she didn't want any favours.

The cubes become dormant.  The Doctor needs air.  He knows that Amy and Rory are stopping, at least they're thinking about it.  She doesn't know yet.  There were years when she couldn't live without him and since he came back they have their own life.  Travelling feels like running away.  The Doctor denies he's running, as each corner of the universe never remains the same and there's so much to see.  'I'm running to things before they fade forever...one day soon, you'll stop, known for a while.  You were the first - the first face... and you're seared onto my heart Amelia Pond.  I'm running to you and Rory before you fade from me.'  See he knows/knew something's coming; something will happen to them and he wants to spend time with them.

He gets a brainwave, the cubes have stopped since they've scanned everything - in every room.  The power goes out and the cubes begin a countdown from 7.  Why 7?  Seven Wonders of the World, 7 sides of a cube, the inside counts as 7.  They must get the people away from the cubes, (or the cubes away from the people.) The cubes have profiled earth's existence.  Kate says they can work out how to attack them.

Brian is abducted at the hospital and Rory follows, ending up in a spaceship.  The Doctor sits with the cube, but there's nothing inside.  He says every action was deliberate and people are dying across the world from cardiac arrest.  He is also affected, but why him?  He only has one heart and the other's not working.  They sucked power like signal boxes and were targeted at the human heart - that's how to destroy humans.  The scan he was running, is located to the hospital.

Doctor; "how do you people manage with one heart, it is pitiful."  They must locate the portal and he notices the girl, an android monitoring everything.  The Doctor suffers cardiac arrest and Amy uses a defibrillator on him, getting both hearts started.  Doctor; "welcome back Leftie - two hearts back in the game.  Never do that to me again."  Well, she won't.  Along with his disco moves and Amy ripping his shirt open.  Not that she hasn't seen him naked from 5.1 The Eleventh Doctor!!

The energy signals converge in the lift and they find Rory.  The Shakri (Steven Berkoff) appears to him saying there are so many crawling the planet.  The Doctor doesn't believe it's possible, the Shakri are a myth to keep the Gallifrey young in their place.  Like the Keyser Soze of Gallifrey.  They travel alone and together: 7 portals, 7 minutes.  They're targeting humanity before they colonize space.  The Shakri speaks of the 'human contagion and the Tali' which is judgement day/reckoning.  Shakri serves the Tali.  Amy mentions him having weird bedtime stories.  The Doctor replies what about the wolf in grandmother's nightdress.

The Doctor believes humans to be "creatures of hope, make mistakes, learn, strife for greater and achieve it...will back humanity against the Shakri everytime."  A second wave will be released to kill more people so they must stop it by disconnecting the Shakri portal.  They can use the cubes to turn the hearts back on.  They escape from the ship before it explodes.  Take it everyone else on there couldn't be saved.

Kate calls him "remarkable" just like her father said and kisses him on the cheek.  Doctor: "a kiss from a Lethbridge-Stewart."  The Doctor leaves and Amy and Rory have beautiful, messy lives and shouldn't give them up.  Brian replies they can't give him up and shouldn't.  He encourages them to go with the Doctor and save every world the can find and he should "bring them back safe."

Amy: "So that was the year of the slow invasion when the earth got cubed and the Doctor came to stay.  It was also when we realized something the Sakari never really understood - what cubed means.  The Power of three."  So there you have it.  Yet more sad moments interspersed with jokes and humour.  As we know how much they all mean to each other and to us and how we'll miss our fave companions when they go.

This was an enjoyable episode focusing on Amy and Rory before their swansong.  Also moving away from the Doctor's dark side on display over the past few weeks.  Being more comedic and sombre in tone.  Re the Doctor loving his companions, missing them and spending time with them before "they fade."  Was this some sort of fading reference to how they leave?  Fade from existence, from memory.  Probably their final scenes will be something completely different to how we all imagined!  The scene with the Doctor and Amy outside the Tower was exceptional and they were having their own heartbreaking farewell, along with us.  Doctor: "You were the first, first face this face saw.  You are seared onto my hearts."  Which was so true and what more could you ask for in terms of sentiments.

The cubes were stopping human hearts, inducing cardiac arrest, so it follows the aliens would be at a  hospital, where the Shakri could observe what happens during cardiac arrest and what is done to help people.  They were there after all, for over a year and so found the best, according to the cubes/Shakri, method of wiping out humans.

The Zygon ship under the Savoy, the Zygons were in the Fourth Doctor, Terror of the Zygons.  UNIT HQ was last seen as the Tower of London in The Christmas Invasion.  Apparently it was said Matt emphasized 'Twitter' as he stated he wasn't going to be on there.

This episode was the final one filmed with Karen and Arthur as Amy and Rory.  After they got into the TARDIS with the Doctor, they all hugged and cried.

There was no filming at the actual Tower of London due to the Olympics.

NCIS Ten Seasons and Many Many More...

You may not have noticed but our very special show will reach a milestone of ten years next year having first aired 23 September 2003 in the US.  Back then I wonder how many thought this show would become an instant hit, perhaps not instant, but it was bound to catch on.

Coming from the pen of Donald P Bellisario (always wanted to say that) it would be watchable, irrespective of whether it would attract the necessary audience to keep it going.  He has after all been the mastermind behind many TV shows, which everyone knows by now; but if you don't, the better known ones include Magnum PI (Tony's favourite) Airwolf (with Tony's favourite name of Stringfellow Hawke, which he called himself in Dead Man Talking.) Quantum Leap and JAG.

NCIS followed hot on the heels of JAG and the introductory episodes of NCIS were part of JAG, which could be called its parent show (or as some like to joke, grandparent.) NCIS is of course a real agency having its roots in NIS (Navy Investigative Service) becoming NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) as we know it today.

On NCIS Donald Bellisario commented, "If you want to look at it in the Law and Order mode, NCIS is law, JAG is order.  NCIS is about military investigative officers operating in a protective way.  JAG is about investigative officers operating in a reactive way."  Also the show when it began was called NAVY NCIS which Bellisario wanted to keep to maintain the distinction and so viewers would knwo instantly what the show entailed, but the network, CBS wanted 'Navy' dropped from the title.

Many stories in NCIS are based on real life events and have been declassified lately.  Infact Mark Harmon has a real life NCIS agent to ensure the stories and his character are also portrayed as true to life.  Not sure about the headslapping though, ha.  "It is an extremely dangerous job - it is not extremely well paying for the danger.  I am proud to be representing these people.  It is a job and I couldn't do for real."  Commented Mark. "It takes a very rare individual."

The highlights of the show are not only the stories, the jokes, the heartaches, but also the actors themselves who keep the lines coming and their characters whole and fun loving, at times, as well as emotionally charged;  not to mention the writers who keep the scripts finely tuned.  As Mark said, "the scripts either move you and and you get through them or you stop at page 20 and say, 'No thanks.  I'd rather not be  a part of this.'  But this was a real page turner and I was excited about closing the last page of the script."  He also added, "I had to kiss a lot of frogs to get here - this is one of those lucky groupings of actors.  It is a terrifically talented ensemble and they make it look easy."

Mark: "the White shadow' sometimes it is just in a name.  Leroy Jethro Gibbs was Donald Bellisario's dad's best friend growing up in Pennsylvania.  I read that name and it stopped me."

Michael Weatherly spoke of how "really great is the way NCIS operatives have to work in the field by the seat of their pants.  They're trying to figure stuff out in a country where they don't speak the language, they don't know what the behaviour is...but they have a mission and an ethical code that they adhere to as much as they can."  Surely they need to know some languages and something of the country they're in or life would get very messy and difficult if they don't observe certain protocols or customs of that country.  Which humorously enough brings me to Ziva, who started out as a foreign national in a foreign country and the strife she got into with the language!  Thus her 'Ziva-isms.'

Ziva  in Hiatus Part 1: "Ducky drip it."
Ducky: "Do you mean drop it or zip it?"
Ziva: "Ah, American idioms drive me up the hall."
Ducky: "Well - actually never mind."  Or as Tony would tell her, 'you're in America now, assimilate already.'

Cote de Pablo was brought onto the show after Sasha Alexander left after two seasons, as Donald Bellisario wanted "an European or Australian girl who is very comfortable with her femininity".  Cote is Chilean American and was happy in NY, but within the space of a fortnight she was on her way to LA.  "I had one little bag and moved into a one bed apartment and my life became NCIS."  She found the early years to be hard but fun and challenging too.  "It was like a boot camp as I'd never really been in front of a camera for 15 hours a day and as a lead.  You embrace it."  As did we with her endearing character, warts 'n'all.  Nah she don't got no warts, just her little idiosyncrasies, which make her Ziva.  Like "18 ways to kill with a paperclip."

Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette) everyone's enamoured with the feisty, fun loving forensic Goth.  Pauley has Abby's larger than life happy persona and attitude.  She feels everyone on the show is a real family.  "We've been through so much together, we've kept each other together and on our feet through so much trauma over the last few years and really happy times too.  It's almost amazing like this full circle thing that we get to do this together!"

Abby's tattoos are real and she has about 13 or 14 but she's given more on the show.  The one on Pauley's neck isn't real, as you will have noticed from photos, it's a vinyl transfer and she doesn't like it, describing it as "old chewing gum."  Or something you'd stick behind you ear; under Tony's desk.

Creator Donald Bellisario told her that, "when he created Magnum PI, he wanted to introduce a Vietnam Vet who defied the negative stereotype.  So with Abby he wanted to take an alternative style person with tattoos and make her someone who is happy, totally put together and successful.  All the script said about her was black hair, caffeinated and smart - she looks weird.  She thinks she looks pretty and never calls herself anything other than happy and I fight for that."

No show would have been complete without Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) sweet geek extraordinaire.  Computer whizz and the show's resident Probie when the show was in its early seasons.  MIT grad as well as Johns Hopkins and forever the butt of Tony's teasing and jokes.  Not forgetting nicknames: "McGeek, McGoo, McProbie, McNerd, McFlowerpower.  In a conversation between Vance and Gibbs about the best model NCIS agent in season 6 Collateral Damage, led to Vance saying McGee was his model agent, whereas Gibbs prefers Tony's traits as an agent.

Sean said, "The only thing I ask writers is to evolve my role to avoid the routine...in the beginning he mumbled.  He couldn't manage to express himself clearly and he couldn't manage to do anything else but read what was written on the computer...today he manages to conduct an interrogation, thanks to Gibbs who believed in him."  He says in real life, he's rather discreet like McGee is and his friends are reserved too, so meeting Michael/Tony must have been enlightening, to say the least ha.  McGee, "deep down he can be frank without being aggressive."  Someone we'd all like to meet.

Dr Donald 'Ducky' Mallard ME, who has something to say about everything, he's very opinionated in a nice way and that's why at times, you see the characters run away.  David McCallum said, "at my age doing a part like this is like having having eaten the most wonderful chocolate cake all my life and now I am eating the cream.  I feel incredibly lucky and delighted to be with all these people."

Brian Dietzen was brought onto the show as Ducky's assistant, Jimmy Palmer and has made it to the opening credits as series regular in the tenth season.  He also exhibits many of Ducky's character traits, such as having plenty of stories and anecdotes to tell, as well as getting lost a lot in Washington traffic and streets.  Though Ducky doesn't do that.  One other thing Ducky doesn't do much of is actually date.  Let's face it, Palmer has seen more female action in Autopsy and around the NCIS building, no doubt.

He's giving Tony a run for his money.  But not so as he met Breena and got engaged.  One of the first NCIS characters to do so, aside from Gibbs, don't mention his 4 wives, or divorce.  Okay it's safe to mention wife number 1, Shannon as she was his soulmate.  The others just didn't compare or rate a mention.

Brian was only meant to be in one episode, which became 9 years.  "They liked the chemistry between David McCallum and myself...I became friends with everyone so...8 years later I'm still showing up for work."  And for the show he calls it, "a really big testament to hard work paying off...everyone has a really great time on our set...working extremely hard and being sure to enjoy it while we can.  These things don't happen twice in a lifetime."

As for being similar to Palmer, Brian states they have the same pants size and that's where any similarity ends.

Those in charge.  NCIS has had three Directors, Tom Morrow (Alan Dale) in season 1 replaced by Jenny Sheppard (Lauren Holly) (an old flame of Gibbs) after Morrow went over to Homeland Security.  Jenny was killed in a shoot out at the end of season 5 and went out in style, it could be said.  Though she was dying anyway.  Jenny was replaced by Leon Vance, (Rocky Carroll) a man with many secrets and ghosts.  Gibbs has had a friction between the latter two; a tentative peace/truce with Vance, they do really trust each other but don't see eye to eye.  Must be something in the air seeing as Rocky was also on Chicago Hope with Mark.

Mark said he "worked with Lauren Holly briefly on Chicago Hope.  She came at the end of that run.  We sparred when we first met each other...but I like her a lot.  I like her more now in this role. [Jenny]"  Lauren commented, "he had big input into me coming onto the show.  I was wary of coming back into that [hour] drama world, and to join a show that's already on - you never know the temperament of the set.  You better love working there, because I can't tell you how depressing it can get if you don't."

Rocky recalled the final episode of season 5 when "Vance breaks up the team and I'm standing at my desk with the other cast members standing there so I can give them their assignments...Vance usually has a toothpick in his mouth.  They all decided that on my closeup, they were all going to have toothpicks in their mouths.  SO when their backs were to the camera and where you couldn't see them, each one of them very calmly grabs a toothpick in the middle of the scene...everybody's there because they deserve to be there."

Couldn't talk about the show without mentioning movies.  Each one brings something to the episode but most especially to Tony's character.  A movie or TV show will sometimes make or break a case for him and he gets riled over it by the others.  As in Corporeal Punishment episode when Ziva and McGee think he's going to mention The Fugitive again and tell each other not to remind him, but he does it anyway.  That's the endearing nature of the show and just a small part of its success.

Ooh written too much, so I penned an unofficial book to one of my most very special and favourite shows, in celebration of 10 seasons. Ten years next year!
My NCIS An Unofficial and Unauthorized Guide to NCIS - The TV Show which you may or may not find interesting, appealing.
It's available here:  http://www.lulu.com/shop/mila-hasan/my-ncis-an-unofficial-and-unauthorized-guide-to-ncis-the-tv-show/paperback/product-20366043.html

as well as at amazon.

Happy watching, reading and all the rest!

Merlin 4.6 "A Servant of Two Masters" Review

Out on patrol to look for mercenaries, Merlin (Colin Morgan) comments no one would be in the Valley of the Fallen Kings.  That's why Arthur (Bradley James) chose it.  They're attacked and Merlin saves Arthur and is hurt.  Arthur has seen worse than this.  Merlin: "on a dead man."  Arthur says he won't die and he'll get the glory when he's not around, that's what happens.  Merlin's a loyal and brave servant, how many times have we heard that line.  Merlin would save him too.  Arthur carries Merlin back and he wants to be left here.  They're attacked again.

Merlin uses magic to cause a rock slide and is cut off from Arthur.  Agravaine (Nathanial Parker) takes Merlin to Morgana (Katie McGrath) and she wants to kill him.  Agravaine wants him saved as he can be useful.  See that's Morgana always needing help again.  He condemned her sister, Morgause to a slow death.  Merlin wants Arthur to know of his achievements so he can die happy.  Morgana tells him he won't die.  There's no sign of Merlin, but the knights find Arthur.

Morgana heals Merlin, he's loyal but she won't understand why, no, she's healing her own enemy.  A piece of Merlin's clothing is found and there's no trace of the mercenaries.  Agravaine thinks they were sent by Alinor.  But Arthur tells him the route was only known to a few.  Sir Leon (Rupert Young) says they "have a traitor in their midst," yeah and they're looking right at him.  Gaius (Richard Wilson) looks at Agravaine.

Morgana conjures her pet Femorrah with seven heads.  She cuts one and plants it in Merlin to control his mind.  It will suck his life force and replace it with one thought - to kill Arthur.  Arthur gets a new servant, George (Leander Deeny) yeah that was quick, who brings him a feast for breakfast.  Arthur says he already has a servant.  He spends most of his time in the tavern.  Arthur doesn't have a shirt - again. Gaius doesn't want Artur going on his own to search for Merlin, so Gwaine (Eoin Macken) is going with him.  Arthur says George "...condemned me to a day of mindless chatter."  Merlin is found in a ditch.

Merlin looks for the strongest bottle of poison, Aconite and takes the whole bottle as he needs to kill someone and laces Arthur's food with it.  Gwen (Angel Colby) already prepared his food and he dumps it in the pig sty.  Merlin adds he'd take Gwen's side.  No one knows Merlin's not himself.  Merlin doesn't want to share his problems with Gaius.  Merlin gets a crossbow from Leon for Arthur and they joke Merlin wants to kill Arthur.  He's getting on Merlin's nerves.  Arthur: "Don't worry Merlin, I don't think you really want to kill me."  Gwen had to find the pigs dead and the food.

Gaius mentions wolfsbane which is known as aconite  and notices Merlin is acting strangely, about time.  He's not in his right mind.  The crossbow misfires and misses Arthur when he opens the closet.  Merlin thinks of who the traitor could have been, such as Percival (Tom Hopper).  Arthur thinks of Elyan (Adetomiwa Edun).  Arthur in yet another shameless, shirtless scene, ha.  Merlin is knocked out with a sword.

Gaius finds the Femorrah and explains what Morgana said.  The serpent can be paralyzed but it grows back.  Arthur accuses Agravaine of being a traitor as he was the only one who knew the route, but he talks him out of it. He doesn't have any reason to doubt him.  Arthur is all that's left of his sister and he would never betray her.  He tells Arthur Gaius knew the route.  Oh he'd turn traitor now after serving Uther all those years and Arthur too.  Also Agravaine wants to see Arthur dead cos he's Uther's son, never mind being his nephew.

Merlin pours acid in Arthur's bath which burns the sword.  Gwen sees Arthur naked! completely.  Merlin is knocked out again.  Are they just going to stand around then?  The serpent is paralyzed again and Merlin is revived.  "Arthur's socks smell." Gaius says they must kill the mother beast.  Merlin comes up with the idea of becoming his old self, Dragoon, once more.  That's getting old now.  He reveals himself to Morgana as Emrys who she's seen in her dream.  The knights think he's stealing  a horse.  Merlin dresses the same under his robe and no one's noticed and not even his boots are different.  He's also got a new shirt this episode, which disappears at the end.

He asks Percival if he's bigger and Arthur's in danger if he sees him.  Elyan threatens Arthur and he uses magic.  Pity he didn't arrive there in time to see Agravaine with Morgana as he implicated Gaius.  Morgana isn't happy since Gaius isn't dead.  How did the two of them get together anyway?  Oh Merlin does see Agravaine leave, finally.  Morgana runs when she sees him.  Merlin was a bit slow wasn't he.  He's not here to kill her, more's the pity but his magic is still stronger than hers.  She has the audacity to beg for her life.

Merlin's cured now.  Arthur introduces George and he's going to give Merlin some training, in armoury, his fave lesson number 1 is polishing.  Merlin says that's his fave too.  Arthur says George is boring and he wouldn't give him the job.  Agravaine sets off to Morgana again!  Agh will he never learn!

Arthur is concerned for Merlin once again and it seems seems episodes where both or either one is injured are coming thick and fast.  Yet when Merlin is found, Arthur doesn't notice he's not wounded.  He also can't see Merlin's acting stranger than usual, he acts like a buffoon a lot of the time, but not every moment he's with Arthur.

Morgana finally gets to see Emrys in person but is no match for him.  Yet whenever she uses her magic, she seems to get one up on Merlin, when he's Merlin.  Merlin was a clumsy assassin but then Arthur always accuses him of being clumsy, weak, a girl.  Probably why he didn't notice the change in him.

The Closer 7.15 "Silent Partner" Review

Goldman (Curtis Armstrong) is in prison and talks to Reggie Moses (Dennis LA White).  He can appeal his death sentence and set up a new trial appeal for him.  All he needs to do is to prove the police officer who took his confession is corrupt, just as in the Rampart scandal.  When Reggie was arrested no one was trying to kill Turrell and he was blamed for the murder.  Reggie called his friends to tell them he was being released.  Goldman has a witness who can testify to this.  Brenda (Kyra Sedgwick) loses everything if he testifies and he'll be free.

Provenza (GW Bailey) tells Brenda and Gabriel (Corey Reynolds) they must sign in.  The Vic was parked illegally.  Taylor (Robert Gossett) was called, who in turn called Major Crimes. Cos the car was registered to Turrell Baylor.  James Turner was shot in the backseat four times.  Sanchez (Raymond Cruz) IDs him as a member of the 1-10 Cripps.  Flynn (Tony Dension) tells him Goldman's card was found in his pocket.

Pope (JK Simmons) says there's no connection to the Federal law suit and Brenda adds finding the card on his DB is a clue. Gabriel interrupts them yet again and mentions his friend who carried out a credit rating check for him, the info is untraceable.  Goldman was in Oakland and specifically at San Quentin.  Reggie made a call.  Buzz (Phillip P Keene) says the prison is sending them the audio file of the call to a disposable cell.  The audio file tells of 5 investigators on the case and one talks too much.  Gavin (Mark Pellegrino) says he is to be interviewed by Raydor (Mary McDonnell).

Goldman refuses to answer questions.  Raydor comments he signed in at the prison so his visit is a matter of public record.  Brenda says he has a good motive, meaning J Rock, the DB, was a witness to Turrell's murder.  He says he couldn't ID the gang members.  Raydor says Goldman is withholding their names.  Gabriel finds the cell is registered to a company in Seattle.

Brenda confronts Goldman, cos no one saw her leaving and offers him protection.  He refuses and she comments she'll know where to start looking if he doesn't show up for work.  He's afraid but doesn't admit it.  Gavin adds if Goldman knows the names then they can settle the lawsuit.  Raydor tells them Brenda wants to be cleared in court.  Pope wants to ensure Goldman doesn't wind up dead and he tells Brenda to also address the leak in the Division, "be aware of all the moving pieces on the board."

Sanchez finds the family already knew of J Rock's death.  Morales found he was shot by 9mm bullets.  Provenza tells Brenda that if Goldman doesn't give up the names, then he's not their problem.  Taylor says Turrell's mother would give J Rock the car.  Tao (Michael Paul Chan) found lots of prints in the car, especially inside.  Sanchez offers to show her what happened and she tells the others to listen to the audio tape as they converse privately in the car.  J Rock was killed by his own gang and this wasn't done without permission.  Brenda wants to follow the money.  Sanchez says they won't get the man in charge that way.

Brenda realizes the violence goes back to the store owner, Charlie.  They have to find out who paid for the funerals.  Sanchez suggests she should follow up without the others cos of the mole.  "if when you're not sure who you can trust Chief, don't trust anyone," which are Sanchez's words of wisdom.  She replies she knows them.  Boy they sure are making it difficult for us to figure out who the mole is with all these red herrings floating around.  It's okay for those who have watched it, but we've still got another 6 eps and I don't want to read anything until I figure it out myself 'til the end.  Provenza looks at Sanchez.

Fritz (Jon Tenney) wants her to figure out what she's doing here.  She asks if he wants her to give up "everything I own, or everything I am."  Charlie's daughter sold his store for three times it's value and was converted into a cell store by Marvin Evans (Jason George).  He covered the cost of the funerals.  Brenda tells Fritz he's the only one she can trust and he's happy he can actually help.  Adding if Goldman finds out about Marvin then so will the leak.

Brenda didn't order surveillance, it was requested by Raydor to protect Goldman.  There were 12 prints in the car belonging to Cripps' members.  Brenda wants the entire team watching the interview with Marvin.  Marvin's lawyer is Tommy Wong (Tom Choi) and Marvin isn't going to cooperate with her.  Notice how Taylor was last in the room along with Flynn.  Though don't suppose that means anything.  Brenda tells him he has to care about J Rock.  Fritz sends her a message she's 'good to go.'  Brenda tells him Goldman is implying he knows the names of Turrell's killers which could put him in danger.

Flynn says that didn't go well.  Raydor; "it all depends on what you think just  happened.  Goldman knows who Marvin is and she told him .  Marvin will put a contract out on him, which still changes nothing.  Brenda says protection can still be arranged and Goldman admits he knows the names.  Raydor tells him this isn't  a pre-trial conference.  Pope wants the list of Turrell's murderers who were Ided by J Rock.  Brenda: "so much for the conscience of the justice system.

C Jazz and Deloin have tickets to Vegas, Turner a trip to NY.  Bugsy was paid money.  Brenda goes off to finish the conversation with Marvin, her team can't know about it.  Well, she wouldn't go alone so obviously she's got something up her sleeve and it's not a wire.  She's not here to arrest him, which she wasn't but he searches her for wires.  J Rock was meant to expose Brenda and Marvin killed him for himself, not her.  Marvin ordered the hit on Turrell and that's when her troubles started.  Marvin didn't want him to talk.  Charlie was there for all of them and helped them survive.  Brenda wonders if Charlie would be proud of how he paid them back.  Goldman needs to go.  Their partnership is at an end and the FBI arrests him.  That's the message from Fritz, telling her his place was wired.

Ricky Turner shot his own brother.  Gavin has reached an agreement and Raydor wants her to read it anyway.  Brenda's name is dropped from the suit and Goldman is paid a million dollars.  Brenda doesn't agree with this.  Gavin says it doesn't matter if she agrees cos she's no longer being sued.  She doesn't want The Johnson Rule : a special order that states when the LAPD releases a suspect, they will not be released into a knowingly or hostile environment.  Brenda angrily fires Gavin.  The rule is disgraceful and "you're selling me out."  Which in effect they were.

Goldman is in danger when he leaves the building and Brenda wants Raydor to ask him to reveal the leak and order protection for him, whether he likes it or not.  Raydor calls it the 'honourable thing to do.'  Brenda: "it's the Johnson Rule."  Well, they were selling her out just to save themselves really and the LAPD.  Isn't the Johnson Rule a roundabout way of actually admitting Brenda was responsible for Turrell's death and that she knew he was in danger when she let him go.  Haven't they been denying that all along!

Another great episode of the show with yet more references to the leak but did Brenda really think Goldman will reveal who the leak is, when she told Raydor to ask him, they should be able to find this out for themselves, if they can catch criminals, surely they can come up with some sort of a trap to catch out the leak.  Loved the way Brenda used her police 'methods' she uses on suspects on Goldman, having the tables turned on him like that and putting him in danger was good to watch.  He deserved a little of his own medicine acting all high and mighty and as Brenda told him, it wasn't about justice at all.  It was making  a name for himself and taking that money too, re the settlement.

Sad to see they could hang Brenda out to dry like that with the Johnson Rule, after all she's done in her line of work and putting away dangerous criminals, she doesn't deserve this sort of treatment.  But this storyline was all for Kyra leaving the show.

Goldman mentions the Rampart case.  This was the revelation of widespread corruption in the LAPD's anti-gang division, Rampart Division of the late 1990's.  This was brought to light by Officer Perez, leading to convictions being overturned due to his testimony.  However the extent of the corruption is unknown as many cases have not been solved.

Amanda Tapping plays an Angel in Supernatural

Great news for Amanda Tapping fans and those who loved her in Stargate SG1 and Sanctuary as she has been cast as an angel in season 8 of Supernatural.  She plays Naomi and will be seen for the first time in the episode 8.7 A Little Slice of Kevin.  She is set to have a recurring role on the show.

Jeremy Carver who returned to the show this season as writer said she's "cool and mysterious, part of a new group of angels we've never seen before."  Wonder how Castiel (Misha Collins) will receive her as well as the Winchesters.  Apparently she's not altogether as she looks and has deeper issues.  Isn't that Cas all over again.  He seemed to be rational, naive and 'together' until he met the Winchesters, I jest.  Though he did unravel as the war in Heaven heated up.

Other Stargate SG1 actors who made it onto Supernatural include Michael Shanks in season 5 and Corin Nemec in season 6.  As was Kavan Smith in season 3.15 Time Is On My Side as a gym Vic.  Malcolm Stewart played Dollen on Stargate SG1 and was Aaron Fuller in Supernatural.  Ty Olsson played Col Barnes on Stargate SG1 and played Eli on Supernatural.  He returns to season 8 as Benny.  Andrew Airlie was Dr Carmichael, Kalan on Stargate SG1 and Larry Pike in Supernatural.  Colin Lawrence was Major Lawrence, Warren on Stargate SG1 and Jason, Reggie Hull on Supernatural.

Alex Zahara was Eggar, Iron Shirt, Michael, Shy One, Warrick Finn, Xe'ls on Stargate SG1 and was Vance in Supernatural.   Kwesi Ameyaw was a professor in the season 2 What Is and What Should Never Be.  In Stargate SG1 he was Olokun.  Adrian Holmes was a Special Operations sergeant in Stargate SG1 and was a Demon in Supernatural.  Garwin Sanford was Narim on Stargate SG1, one of Sam Carter's love interests and was Deacon in Supernatural.  Steve Bacic was Camulus and Major Coburn on Stargate SG1 and played Dr Sexy in the Supernatural episode Changing Channels.

Downton Abbey Series 3 Episode 1

Series/season 3 of Downton Abbey opened with news that Robert Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) has lost his investments in a pre-war railroad investment and practically all of Cora's (Elizabeth McGovern) inheritance.  Which comes as a blow especially with Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Mathhew's (Dan Stevens) wedding so close.  Spelling the arrival of Sybil (Jessica Brown-Findlay) and husband Tom Branson (Allen Leech) in tow, ensuring friction is never far behind in this show.  Not forgetting the arrival of grandmama Martha (Shirley Maclaine) to add her two cents worth.  Was that harsh? As she introduces herself as being "an American"  Just to ensure the point gets home.

Robert breaks the money news, or lack of, to Cora, who wants him to hold off telling Mary.  As we all know Mary will marry into money.  Yet another thing for the two lovebirds to argue over, as you know that's brewing too.  Seems to me there was some trouble in paradise there as soon as the show began, almost got the impression they didn't want to marry after all, which is confirmed when Mary after finding out Matthew may inherit money left to him by Swire, urges him to keep it to help poor old papa keep Downton.  Well, he's going to be part of the family now.  Their argument being overheard by Edith (Laura Carmichael).

Yes Edith who is still pining over Sir Anthony (Robert Bathurst) and seems to be throwing herself at him every chance she gets.  He however, is oblivious to this.  Lots of goings on downstairs too, with the help getting into a tizzy over having to bow to a lowly chauffeur, Branson, when he arrives!  Carson (Jim Carter) point blank refusing to play valet to him, as does Thomas (Rob James-Collier).  This is seen by his arrival and Branson clearly sticks out like a sore thumb in his 'ordinary' suit.  He won't waste money on 'appropriate' attire so as not to become "one of them."  Sybil thanks Robert for sending her the money which obviously he hasn't cos there's none to send!

Lots of goings on about Branson not having a proper morning coat or tails for dinner and he refuses to get one even when his wife asks him to.  Now he's not into all that refinery but if she asked him, he could have made an effort instead of looking like a scruff.  This was left to the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) to take it upon herself to get him wear a proper suit for the wedding, albeit one of Matthew's hand-me-downs.  Again he objects to this and Isobel (Penelope Wilton) and the Dowager after listening to his objections, insists he's getting the new suit.

Cue the arrival of Lord Merton (Douglas Reith) and Larry (Charlie Anson) an old beau of Sybil's so naturally there'll be lots of jibes and jokes there at Branson's expense.  Again shown when Larry remarks on Branson's luggage being lost which explains his clothes.  Branson replies it wasn't lost unlike his manners.  Sir Anthony spots Larry getting up to something, which is revealed at the dinner table when Branson goes into a rant about politics and the Brits yet again, appearing drunk.

Sir Anthony capturing Edith's heart all over again as he defends Branson when he tells everyone Larry put something in his drink, a pill, making him appear drunk.  To which Larry's father Lord Merton objects in the strongest possible terms and Matthew asks Branson to be his best man. A favour returned by Branson when he talks Matthew into marrying Mary after their blew as he wouldn't be happy without her as long "as she roamed the earth."  As he wasn't without Sybil.  They're marrying/married into the family and need to stick together.

Thomas and O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran) are at loggerheads, what happened to their conniving alliance of two series.  Thomas now valet to Robert doesn't want to help new footman Albert (Matt Milne) fast track his way into being a valet. Daisy (Sophie McShera) is in a sulk as she wasn't made Mrs Patmore's (Lesley Nichol) assistant and there was money enough to hire Albert but not a maid to take her place.

Bates (Brendan Coyle) is still in prison with scenes interspersed with Anna (Joanne Froggat)  visiting him there, just so we know he's still around. She finds a journal written in Vera's handwriting and they again discuss the issues surrounding her suicide.  He also tells her to go on the honeymoon with Mary and Matthew to the South of France for them and to make some memories for them.  Seems nothing much happened with the case then, which is being dragged out.

Robert finally accepts Branson into the family and Sybil finds out it was the Dowager herself who sent them the money so she could come over for the wedding with her husband.  Which is news to everyone.

I found this episode to be a little slow off the mark and not quite the same as the other two.  Though it did have its moments such as the arguments, over politics, over money, it didn't have the same feel to it.  Wonder if there will be any point to the marriage seeing as Dan Stevens has said he may not be back for another series, wishing to make his mark on Hollywood. He doesn't like the way in which they're only given a few scripts so they don't know what's happening throughout the series.

Still hope it does get better as we hit the roaring twenties and roaring they were as far as all the arguing, ranting and raving that was going on.

CSI:NY Personal Relationships in Season 9

Isn't it great when you can predict the future, ha, or at least what will happen with your fave character, glad to see I was right on both counts, especially with Flack (Eddie Cahill) and the upcoming new season 9.  In my last blog entry about CSI:NY season 9 stories, I mentioned a new detective Lovato (Natalie Martinez) and that hopefully she wouldn't become Flack's new love interest, agh, I'll eat my words!!  Cos that's exactly what is happening.  NOOOO and I also said she'd be like Angell (Emmanuelle Vaugier) and she is, even in terms of looks.

It's not fair maybe I should keep my mouth shut, but where's the fun in that?  Come on, the poor guy needs to get away from work and meeting women at work in a romantic capacity.  Anyway, Pam Veasey told XFinityTV.com exactly what I wrote!   Saying, "There may be a hot, little fire going on between these two...he can't resist what is just inevitable."  Yeah he can, by meeting someone else, ha.  Yes I did write my blog entry before reading this article if anyone's curious.  Also that Lavato would be Flack's type.  Oh well isn't that just transferring what feelings he still had for Angell to her instead as she is similar to Angell.

This was in response to the show taking a more in depth look at the character's personal lives, well they didn't have to get so personal with Flack, ha.
She added, "this year we thrown caution to the wind, and take a left turn - either on the concept of the episode or the lives of our characters - so the audience goes, 'Wow!  That is satisfying.'"

Also re Mac (Gary Sinise) and his shooting, he will have psychological scars from his shooting and the fallout from that to deal with.  As for his relationship with Christine (Megan Dodds) Veasey said, he needed to move on from Claire (Jamie Ray Newman) and now he will be "making a continued pursuit, driving toward that relationship.  He did need Claire to say, 'Go, don't give up on this.  Don't give up on the hard stuff.'"

Let's hope the producers and writers also do this and make the season as good as the other 8 seasons!

Actually what about poor Adam (AJ Buckley) when's he going to get a love interest, it'd be great to see him stumbling and bumbling about in his lovable character trait, trying to balance everything at once and still be the Adam we know and love!  He misses out yet again, especially since he is an important part of the show as well.  He needs to be shown some appreciation!

CSI: Miami 10.9 "A Few Dead Men" Review

1992 Tripp (Rex Linn) in uniform at the time, comes across a murder, a DB of a boy tied to a tree, tortured and murdered, that of Troy Faber (Spencer List).  With Tripp's reaction, he vomits after finding him, it appears this is his first chancing upon such a gruesome murder in his capacity as a police officer.  Three other teens were arrested and charged with his murder.

2011 the three men charged with his murder are released after the main witness recants his statement and they hold a press conference with singer, Kayla Bledsoe (Susie Abromeit) one of their supporters.  Toby's parents are disgusted and Horatio (David Caruso) has to prevent Toby's father, Bruce (David Andrews) from attacking the three.  Tripp has to lead them away to safety and he's clearly disgusted over that.

A party ensues at Kayla's mansion where she seems to be 'free' with them.  One of them, Rocco (Mac Brandt) is killed in the bathroom, the Vic of an apparent copycat killing.  He's stabbed several times, ME Tom (Christian Clemenson) counts ten wounds.  The murder is exactly the same MO as Toby's, including having his genitals cut.  A piece of info that was never released.  Walter (Omar Miller) thinks that as the crime happened a while ago, that things happen overtime, such as parents or other people talking.  There's an impression on Rocco's pants which Ryan (Jonathan Togo) analyzes as belonging to the Shadow Elite, a knife issued to members of this group of Marines.  Bruce happens to be a member, surprise, surprise.  He asks Horatio what he would do if it had been his son.  Horatio being quite flippant or arrogant replies he wouldn't get caught.  Well he hasn't thus far.

Toby's mother, Connie (Michelle Greene) admits she stabbed Rocco, but only once.  Calleigh (Emily Procter) stops Kayla's trailer as she leaves and questions her but she doesn't talk with Ryan around.  Then says Victor raped her.  A sex kit is taken at the hospital and Calleigh tells her, one thing she hates are liars.  Don't know about a male conducting the exam, especially after what she had gone through and she didn't even object to it.  That was insensitive to say the least, not to mention intrusive.  Why couldn't Calleigh do it for herself like they used to before; like Catherine and Sara in CSI or Stella in CSI:NY.

Connie didn't kill Rocco and the other stab wounds are found to be caused by a different blade.  Walter notices some trace on Rocco's leg, which ME Tom either didn't see or didn't get round to finding yet.  When analyzed, it's revealed as being dried blood belonging to Toby.  Therefore he was killed with the same murder weapon, said murder weapon never being found.

Tripp and Horatio need to find the other two and this leads them to Zach Anderson (Josh Coxx) a supporter of Darren's who was also on the same track team.  He refuses to give the location of his boat, which Victor escaped on, throwing Darren (David Meunier) into the water.  Darren having said the boat belongs to a friend.  Zack refuses to give his phone to Tripp, allowing Tripp to use some 'persuasive' measures - he grabs the phone from him and pinpoints the location of the boat.  Zack feels some affinity towards Darren as he too could have been falsely accused.

Horatio warns Calleigh that Victor is headed her way, where she wields her gun at him but he gives her the slip, not surprised in those heels, was she really going to give chase in those, no wonder she gives up at the top of the stairs.  Victor is confronted by Horatio and he shoots him as he takes hold of a woman hostage.  Calleigh and Tripp go over the old case files at the station and Tripp confesses this was his first murder case which has affected him deeply.  Calleigh thinks the murder weapon could still be in the woods, which no one thought about all those years ago.  Here Ryan finds a piece of metal embedded in the root of the tree which is coated with zinc and is identified as a javelin belonging to Darren.

Thus Horatio is convinced Darren is guilty. He tells them he overheard Rocco and Victor at the party when  found at Toby's grave.  They admitted to killing Toby and ruined his life in the process.  Toby was going to tell coach about their PCP use.  Tripp is kind of glad to see Rocco dead and he doesn't hide his contempt towards these men, believing they are guilty.  Horatio having the 'forgiveness' question asked him again by Victor before he dies, as with Memmo.  Horatio tells Victor he won't be forgiven.

Darren found his javelin at the CS and exacted his own revenge on Rocco and Victor.  Yet this revenge lands him back in prison again.  So was it worth it?  It could be said he has nothing to lose since he spent over half his life in prison anyway paying for something he didn't do, so now he'll spend time there for something he did.  He thanks Horatio for taking care of Victor for him.

Tripp takes Troy's photo from evidence and places it at the tree where he was found.  He tells Horatio he'll never get over this case with Horatio adding that's what makes him a good man.  (Can't say much the same about the others or Horatio, seeing as how their characters have changed so dramatically over the years, as they terrorize suspects and enact a kind of vigilante justice.  Not the behaviour of officers or CSIs at all.) Also seen by Horatio's reply to Bruce, "I wouldn't have got caught."  Sums up entirely what the show has become really.  Reinforcing the CSI's tactics towards suspects and also how they have fallen from being good CSIs.

Tripp doesn't get such episodes too often and when he does, he conveys his emotions strongly. The same can be said when he gets the more funny lines and scenes; as in the vampire episode 10.6 By The Book.

This episode was CSI: Miami's take on the case of the West Memphis Three.  The three also were allowed an Alford plea where they speak their innocence whilst still reaffirming that if there is a re-trial, there is sufficient evidence for a conviction.  No such problem here though.

The Memphis Three were accused of killing as part of a satanic ritual, had long hair and were listeners of heavy metal.  They were released after 20 years on the undertaking they could not sue for wrongful imprisonment.

Doctor Who 7.3 "A Town Called Mercy" Review

"When I was a child my favourite story was about a man who lived forever, but whose eyes were heavy with the weight of all he'd seen.  A man who fell from the stars."  Could also be a reference to the Doctor (Matt Smith) himself.

A craft lands on a  planet where it's met by some sort of a cyborg telling the occupant to "make peace with your gods." Before firing upon him as he reaches for his gun.  Of course Terminator would come to mind with a blue eye substituted for red.  The Doctor arrives in Mercy with Rory (Arthur Darvill) and Amy (Karen Gillan) already in tow.  Apparently they were heading to Mexico to see the Day of the Dead festival, which is kind of appropriate under the circumstances.  Especially when the gun toting cyborg will shoot anyone who crosses the line out of Mercy and threatens the entire town with this fate later on.

The Doctor notices something's not quite right in Mercy as there are electric lamps which are flickering and the Doctor puts right with he use of his trusty Sonic.  Question being, where they always flickering or did they begin that only after the three arrived?  The Doctor asks for a cup of tea in the saloon (no Custard Creams or Jammie Dodgers though.)  This is music to the townspeople's ears, well sort of, and as he's a Doctor he's marched out of town and made to cross the line.  The cyborg approaches in random flashes but he's not the Doctor he's after.  A man holds a gun and brings the Doctor back in.

In the sheriff's office he introduces himself as Issac (Ben Browder).  Amy reminds the Doctor he is still an alien.  A man behind bars admits to being the Doctor the cyborg is after.  His name is Kahler Jex (Adrian Scarborough).  His ship was damaged when he crashed here and being the Doctor and helpful soul that he is, he offers to repair his ship for Jex.

The Doctor comes up with a plan, that being Issac dresses as Jex and takes Rory along with him as bait to lure the cyborg after them, whilst the Doctor looks for the ship.  To do that, he needs a horse, who the Preacher (Byrd Wilkins) tells him is called Joshua.  The Doctor corrects him, he speaks Horse and the horse is called Susan.

The Doctor comes across an electric wire and this leads him to the ship, which isn't danged at all.  Meanwhile Rory and Issac are shot at by the cyborg and are pinned behind rocks for cover.  The Doctor access the shop's personal files after overriding the self destruct.  He realizes Jex is a scientist who experimented on people who lost their lives in the process.  Kahler Mas, the cyborg (Dominic Kemp) is his creation, which went wrong.  He is hunting down Jex for his crimes.

Here the story becomes a bit of Frankenstein's monster.  As well as being a reflection of the Doctor's own past as far as killing is concerned.  Jex even tells the Doctor that his own life mirrors that of the Doctor, in yet another dark moment.  The Doctor accuses him of being a murderer but Jex responds he's "a scientist."  Believing himself to be a war hero.  Many have been killed in the hopes of making things better, which is familiar to both.

The Doctor takes Jex from the cell and forces him to cross the  line, making himself out ot be as bad as Jex.  Amy wants him to not do this and Rory is in agreement with the Doctor.  The Doctor once again demonstrating his dark side, having no tolerance for murderers (a point he proved last episode.)  That was the only bit of darkness we saw since in no time at all, he's back into comedic Doctor mode.  The cyborg comes for Jex and Issac rushes to push him over the line, only to be shot in his place; making the Doctor sheriff before he dies.

The Doctor comes up with yet another plan but not before he's confronted by one of the men who wants to give Jex to the cyborg, as they no longer agree with Issac's decision.  The Doctor talks him out of it as he's here to help them, adding, "give me a Dalek anyday" than people.  Yeah he won't be seeing a Dalek anytime soon.  Amy reminds him this is what happens when he's without a companion for long periods of time.  So meeting at high noon, the Doctor tries to outsmart the cyborg by having as many people with painted faces similar to Jex running around the town as decoys, enabling Jex to reach his ship.

Jex however grows a semblance of a conscience and sets the ship to self destruct so Mas can't follow him anymore.  Begging the question of what the whole purpose was in getting Issac killed if he just wanted to end it all anyway.  Jex could have done that a long time ago and saved everyone the rouble. Many have asked the point of this episode.

Amy and Rory decide to head back home as they've been gone a long time and their friends will begin to notice they're ageing faster than them.  They've never had that problem before (a hint for the next episode.)

Mas decides he's fulfilled his purpose and will set to self destruct also as he's only a killing machine.  He can't go back to his world, as he's a "creature of war - no role to play during peace."
Doctor: "except maybe to protect it."  The Doctor wanted to take Amy and Rory to see the dogs and monkeys that were first sent up in space.

"By the time the gunslinger arrived, the people of Mercy were used to the strange.  Where he came from didn't matter as someone once said, 'America is a land of second chances.'  Do I believe the story, I don't know, my great grandmother must have been a little girl when he arrived, but next time you're in Mercy, ask someone why they don't have a sheriff, a marshall or a police officer there.  'We got our own arrangement' they'll say.  Then they'll smile like they've got a secret.  Like they've got their own special angel watching out for 'em.  Their very own angel who fell from the stars."

apparently they arrived in Mercy when Rory left crumbs whilst eating at the console which the Doctor disapproves of.  Matt Smith excels once again as the Doctor's dark side takes over.  The anger is always ready to implode or explode onto the scene.  At least he gets to don a Stetson once more, even if it is bullet ridden as in 6.1 The Impossible Astronaut.  Also got Issac (from Farscape and Stargate SG1) to mention his bowtie.  Many were impressed with Ben Browder actually being in a Doctor Who episode.  Which was a bit Westworld meets Terminator meets Doctor Who.

This episode was filmed in Almeria, Spain and was written by Toby Whithouse who also wrote season 6's The God Complex, one of my fave eps, School Reunion (2006) and The Vampires of Venice (season 5) (See my comments for that episode elsewhere in my blog.)

The Doctor mentioning he knows what happens when his mercy is on show: mercy towards the Daleks et al; it comes back to haunt him several times over.  A lot of mentioning of the Daleks since they are meant to be gone forever from the show.  It's also his other actions which come back to haunt him, like taking lives especially as he used to say "no one dies today" very frequently and he hasn't said it at all recently.  He says, here, "today I honour the victims first."  In much the same way he did in the previous episode.

The Wild West hasn't been seen in a Doctor Who episode since The Gunfighters (1966) so it was long overdue, even if it was cliched in places.  Matt Smith said of Ben Browder that he made " a good cowboy...with...that great drawl."  The Doctor carries a gun and he hates those as once again he battles his own morality with the situation he encounters.  It would have been better if we saw more of Amy and Rory who were relegated to the sidelines, especially since  they'll be gone soon!

By the way, was meant to mention this in my review of the previous episode but did you notice the flickering lightbulbs in each of the three eps.  In Asylum of the Daleks the light bulb was flickering just before Amy got abducted by the Dalek in her dressing room.  In the dinosaur ep, Rory and his father were replacing the lightbulbs in their home and also at the end when they returned.  This ep, the town has flickering bulbs in the lanterns.  Wonder if that's some sort of foreboding for the future, re the departure of the two, or whether it's just coincidental.  Anyway, have to look out for that occurrence in the next episode.