SPOILER ALERT: Colton is not coming back next season. It's been revealed on some other sites for a few weeks now, plus, they just finished filming the fall season last week, and with the way Colton looked at the reunion, there's no way he just got back from 39 days in the game.
Great review, Luke. While I appreciated the producers' attempts to blindside and confuse the audience (rather successfully, I should point out), I think it worked against them this week. I would much rather have seen more of the strategizing and conversation that led to such a strange vote, even if it meant that I would know all going into it who was going home.
Everything about the second half of this episode was completely absurd. Colton's arrogance, disrespect, and offensiveness (to Bill and to Leif too, it should be noted) is purely despicable and I wish he was the one going home tonight -- that might have justified their giving up of immunity, for Colton is truly the "cancer" on their tribe. Anyone with such blatant disrespect for the dignity of others shouldn't be allowed on television.
The fact that the men all gave in to Colton's absurd plan is further proof of the casting department's horrible job in recent seasons. They are probably high-fiving themselves over Colton (he makes for interesting tv) but have failed to give this game people who are willing to play it and play it for the long-haul, not in such an impulsive, naive way.
Grading this episode on the decisions of the people in it, your one star makes sense, but grading it on its quality as an intriguing, dramatic, entertaining hour of television, it deserves five.
As always, a great review, Luke. I was so happy when Matt and his arrogance were voted out, though I'm not too thrilled with Colton's arrogance either.
Great review. Any idea how Olivia got from the gas station to tied up in the dungeon with Nina?? The gas station attendant never saw her, so she must have been removed before she entered the gas station, right? But then Peter would have seen something. I'm so confused... and I love it. Yay Fringe!
I actually think your dropped theory is correct -- Nina (with spurring from David Robert Jones) is using drugs to force Olivia into remembering the primary-Olivia's memories. Nina and DRJ may not know what those memories are, but for some reason they need her to remember and care about the primary universe/timeline -- perhaps to use her to restore it (via the machine?!). Just a theory, but it seems plausible by what we've seen so far.
Eccentric, off-the-wall characters like Dwight require a "straight man" to play off of (which Jim and to some extent Michael have fulfilled on the Office), but I can't imagine there is a "straight man" in the Schrute family. Rainn Wilson is a talented comedic actor, but I doubt Dwight can successfully be the focus of a show. Of course, I'd still try it out.
No thoughts on the cold open? I enjoyed it -- while it started off as a rather lame prank, the reveal at the end that Stanley and Dwight were actually deceiving Jim into giving them dozens of free meatballs was spot-on hilarious.
As for the rest of the episode, I agree largely with you, Dan, though I actually enjoyed the Jim plot. I interpreted him wanting to leave so he could get back to Pam and his two kids, not because he didn't particularly want to be there. Overall, a decent episode but lacking some cohesion.
Excellent review. As far as J.J. Abrams series go, Alcatraz seems more aligned in structure to Fringe than to Lost, considering its hybrid procedural-with-a-heavy-mythology nature. Perhaps Abrams is trying to perfect what he did with Fringe so that he ends up with a show that carries a large audience further than Fringe could. I can't wait to see where it goes from here!
I agree with you, Leigh. Once again, the writers are proving that all they can do is recycle old formulas they've already used, with the Mitchell/Cam story serving as a perfect example. If the only significant dynamic to their relationship is their petty competition, then we don't need to see them anymore.
Why do people hate on Ernie and Cindy so much? I was rooting for them to win, and I'm glad they did. I know Cindy was presented as somewhat off-putting, but we have no idea what she is like in real life. The Amazing Race is a race, and all she did was compete with a strong drive to win like all the contestants are asked to do. I enjoyed watching them race.
Definitely one of my favorite episodes this season. They have really been playing to the strengths of their ensemble cast lately, and tonight was no exception. I especially liked Oscar's bartending and everything about Erin and Ellie Kemper's continuously brilliant performances. Great stuff!
I hope they DON'T have a Hantz on every season. I agree that they need people to actually play the game and be willing to shake things up (that's why I loved Cochran this season), but there's a problem in their casting department if the only people they can find to do that all come from the same family.
It's always frustratingly disappointing when outcomes are determined by good or bad cab drivers, and this leg was no exception. They should just give them vehicles and make them drive themselves, especially in the last few legs when there are fewer teams and this is more feasible.
Excellent review, Luke! The "family" game is really making the latter half of the season boring to watch since no one is really playing the game except the veteran player (Rob last season, Coach this season). Hopefully next season's rumored twist will destroy this new phenomenon.
Yet again, a great episode. The best part -- no equalizer, and yet the placement still was continually shaking up -- that to me is the sign of a well-planned and non-contrived leg. Sad to see Bill and Cathi go, though.
Great review! This was one of the most entertaining episodes in a long time. I loved the twist in leg format and the double leg reveal at the end. And I breathed a lot more easily after Ernie and Cindy made it to Brussels without getting checked for tickets -- they are currently my favorite team.
I still find the show hilarious -- maybe not as great as it was in its heyday, but I don't think the loss of Steve Carell is to blame. People are giving it undue scrutiny because of the casting change, but I still think it's one of the best comedies on network television. We need to stop hating on the show because Michael is gone and appreciate it for what it is NOW, which is still a hilarious show.
I think it's only a matter of time before Brandon has another outburst and screws things up for his Coach-Edna-Rick? alliance. Albert and Sophie just need to capitalize on Brandon's potential craziness.
What a fantastic episode -- dramatic challenges, dramatic people, dramatic tribal council, and dramatically stupid behavior by Ozzy. Ballsy, indeed, and I enjoyed watching it play out. I can't wait to see what happens next week. One question, though -- don't they have 11 people still in the game right now, so merging next week and bringing back in the Redemption Island winner would give them 12, not the usual 10, right?
A good episode overall, with bits of drama here and there, but it was overly cut and dry -- flight, detour, roadblock, pit stop. I always enjoy it when there are more tasks to be accomplished, though I suppose the need to direct their boat captains was meant to instill some of the drama that cab drivers usually provide.
Nikita
Comments by CeS
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The fact that the men all gave in to Colton's absurd plan is further proof of the casting department's horrible job in recent seasons. They are probably high-fiving themselves over Colton (he makes for interesting tv) but have failed to give this game people who are willing to play it and play it for the long-haul, not in such an impulsive, naive way.
Grading this episode on the decisions of the people in it, your one star makes sense, but grading it on its quality as an intriguing, dramatic, entertaining hour of television, it deserves five.
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As for the rest of the episode, I agree largely with you, Dan, though I actually enjoyed the Jim plot. I interpreted him wanting to leave so he could get back to Pam and his two kids, not because he didn't particularly want to be there. Overall, a decent episode but lacking some cohesion.
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I think it's only a matter of time before Brandon has another outburst and screws things up for his Coach-Edna-Rick? alliance. Albert and Sophie just need to capitalize on Brandon's potential craziness.
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