OK, so here's Luther's big plan: 1) Somehow get Alice and Mark to help. 2) With Alice, steal a gun which has his fingerprints. 3) Set up a meet with Ian, knowing full well police sharpshooters are there. 4) Have Mark steal the diamonds from the locker room to lure Ian away. 5) Get a recording of Ian admitting to shooting Zoe.
Really, Luther? At least on Prison Break there was discussion before embarking on such an unwieldy and convoluted plan. There are so many places the plan could go wrong that it would seem much easier for Luther to turn himself in, tell the truth, and let everyone else sort things out. There has to be another link between Ian and the kidnappings beyond the diamonds.
"Episode Six" was no less illogical than "Episode Five," with just total ridiculousness going on. And as we see the character of Ian continued to be defined, he's not an average guy who got sucked into a scheme and could do nothing when everything spiraled out of control, he's just a cold-hearted bastard. There's no two ways around it. In the span of two episodes, Ian went from Luther's regular buddy, to a sicko who's one or two steps below Alice.
It seems like the writers bit off more than they could chew. They wanted an exciting and intelligent show, but ended up with an exciting and extremely stupid show. I guess it's entertaining, but nothing more.
Score: 8.0/10
Showing posts with label Luther. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luther. Show all posts
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Review - Luther Season 1 Episode Five
Umm... what the hell was that? Luther has had short bursts of ridiculous behavior--wacky for a while, but never in the long, sustained manner like "Episode Five," the episode which goes completely overboard with everything unrealistic. I didn't even know how to react. Watch uncomfortably? Laugh?
Ian is a character who lurks in the background and, along with the other characters sans Luther, Zoe, and Alice, isn't developed whatsoever, though there is a distinction between him and a boyscout like Schenk. But somehow, he's turned into this wackjob in "Episode Five" who finds himself involved in a robbery and then starts killing people. Why and how does this happen? For the sake of crazy shit happening, of course. Obviously there's no logic behind this.
Looking ahead to the season finale, all the insanity will carry over as Zoe is now dead, Ian is out there, and Luther will probably be the prime suspect in his wife's murder.
Score: 7.0/10
Ian is a character who lurks in the background and, along with the other characters sans Luther, Zoe, and Alice, isn't developed whatsoever, though there is a distinction between him and a boyscout like Schenk. But somehow, he's turned into this wackjob in "Episode Five" who finds himself involved in a robbery and then starts killing people. Why and how does this happen? For the sake of crazy shit happening, of course. Obviously there's no logic behind this.
Looking ahead to the season finale, all the insanity will carry over as Zoe is now dead, Ian is out there, and Luther will probably be the prime suspect in his wife's murder.
Score: 7.0/10
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Review - Luther Season 1 Episode Four
How about that ending? Between all those sappy montages and the hammer splat at the end, I couldn't help but chuckle. We're past the halfway point in the show, and if there's one thing we've learned, it's that the criminals and investigations are way over the top.
Instead of only the serial killer being show, as has been the case in previous episodes, "Episode Four" heavily features the wife of the killer. She's unaware of exactly what her husband does, but knows something may not be entirely right. When she learns the truth, then, she's not entirely surprised. Her pain and grief comes from the fact that her deepest suspicions were confirmed and that she was with this monster for so long but could do nothing.
Luther once again is drawn into Alice's web, and their scenes are still great, despite the lack of huge development. Alice dispatches of Henry Madsen who is only able to get out the word "Luther," before Alice kills him later. With two episodes left, big things should be happening soon between them.
Score: 8.5/10
Instead of only the serial killer being show, as has been the case in previous episodes, "Episode Four" heavily features the wife of the killer. She's unaware of exactly what her husband does, but knows something may not be entirely right. When she learns the truth, then, she's not entirely surprised. Her pain and grief comes from the fact that her deepest suspicions were confirmed and that she was with this monster for so long but could do nothing.
Luther once again is drawn into Alice's web, and their scenes are still great, despite the lack of huge development. Alice dispatches of Henry Madsen who is only able to get out the word "Luther," before Alice kills him later. With two episodes left, big things should be happening soon between them.
Score: 8.5/10
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Review - Luther Season 1 Episode Three
Luther is show that only works because of Luther and Alice. The criminals in the second and third episode have been boring and surprisingly average considering how great Alice was in the first episode. They lack the shock factor of most Criminal Minds psychos and aren't nearly as cunning as Alice. "Episode Three" features a deranged killer who previously evaded the police until Luther, predictably, mindgames and arrests him.
Alice is still scary in the third episode, doing whatever she wants to antagonize Luther. This time around she decides to beatup Mark and blame it on Luther, although by Luther's request, she gets Mark to recant his story. One thing I don't understand is that if Alice has been doing all these things, clearly in public view, why has Luther not taken it to Rose so he can be more aggressive in his investigation? After all, shouldn't Alice be a person of interest in her parents' murders?
Score: 8.5/10
Alice is still scary in the third episode, doing whatever she wants to antagonize Luther. This time around she decides to beatup Mark and blame it on Luther, although by Luther's request, she gets Mark to recant his story. One thing I don't understand is that if Alice has been doing all these things, clearly in public view, why has Luther not taken it to Rose so he can be more aggressive in his investigation? After all, shouldn't Alice be a person of interest in her parents' murders?
Score: 8.5/10
Monday, October 25, 2010
Review - Luther Season 1 Episode Two
Just like that, Luther went from an intense psychological drama to an action drama on 24 levels. The standalone story of a soldier on a cop killing spree is very predictable, but the stakes are unbelievably high. First he snipes multiple officers and then blows up an entire building filled with more cops! Of course we know Luther is safe, but the scale of death is something we never see on procedurals.
Likewise, the Luther stuff, being on the edge literally and figuratively is too predictable. Alice, however, remains as scary as ever, playing games with Luther and Zoe without restraint.
Score: 8.6/10
Likewise, the Luther stuff, being on the edge literally and figuratively is too predictable. Alice, however, remains as scary as ever, playing games with Luther and Zoe without restraint.
Score: 8.6/10
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Review - Luther Season 1 Episode One
Luther has a heady premise: brilliant, troubled cop against a brilliant, psychopathic killer. The show isn't revolutionary by any means, apart from the fact that Luther knows who the killer is, but the execution is clearly on point.
The pacing is taut, never a dull moment in the pilot, and there are plenty of memorable moments. Because there is no drive to finish a complete story, i.e. wrapping up an entire investigation like a normal procedural, "Episode One" is chalk full of confrontations, made oh so delicious by Idris Elba's looming presence, which are left unresolved.
Whether it's his mercurial visits to his wife Zoe or simmering interrogations with the killer Alice, Luther is an immensely compelling character who we can both cheer for and question. Let's hope future episode maintain the same quality.
Score: 9.0/10
The pacing is taut, never a dull moment in the pilot, and there are plenty of memorable moments. Because there is no drive to finish a complete story, i.e. wrapping up an entire investigation like a normal procedural, "Episode One" is chalk full of confrontations, made oh so delicious by Idris Elba's looming presence, which are left unresolved.
Whether it's his mercurial visits to his wife Zoe or simmering interrogations with the killer Alice, Luther is an immensely compelling character who we can both cheer for and question. Let's hope future episode maintain the same quality.
Score: 9.0/10
Preview of Week 10/17/10 - 10/23/10
Forgot about writing this, so it's very late.
Rubicon - AMC, Sunday, October 17, 9:00pm ET
It's almost hard to believe, but the first season of Rubicon is over. And last week's tanker explosion at the end of the episode was only the beginning. We'll see what the writers pull off this week to top that.
Mad Men - AMC, Sunday, October 17, 10:00pm ET
What game-changing twist will happen in the fourth season finale? The possibilities are endless.
Luther - BBC America, Sunday, October 17, 10:00pm ET
Idris Elba of The Wire fame gives a sterling performance as John Luther, a cop with a troubled past.
Rubicon - AMC, Sunday, October 17, 9:00pm ET
It's almost hard to believe, but the first season of Rubicon is over. And last week's tanker explosion at the end of the episode was only the beginning. We'll see what the writers pull off this week to top that.
Mad Men - AMC, Sunday, October 17, 10:00pm ET
What game-changing twist will happen in the fourth season finale? The possibilities are endless.
Luther - BBC America, Sunday, October 17, 10:00pm ET
Idris Elba of The Wire fame gives a sterling performance as John Luther, a cop with a troubled past.
