Torchwood – 4x08 – End of the Road

Jack is taken to see Angelo and has to discover that he is at the heart of the conspiracy. The CIA takes control. Meanwhile Oswald Danes learns that he has been classified as Category Zero.

★★★★★

*Spoilers ahead!*

When Jack is taken to see Angelo, he didn't expect him to become that old. Angelo has tried to find a way to become immortal like Jack. Turns out that three old families found out about Jack’s immortality when he was tortured back in NY in 1927. They made it their goal to find immortality. They had some of Jack’s blood to start with. They have caused the miracle.

Esther tries to find information about the families but doesn’t come up with any.

While Jack sits with Angelo, he dies. Jack is confused because no one else died.

Since Gwen can’t bridle her temper she is send home.

Jack, Esther and Rex find out that Angelo’s bed stood on some kind of field that was linked to something else. Jack tells them that he needs to get it out of there because it’s not supposed to be in human hands. It’s dangerous.

While they break Jack out he gets shoot and injured. Esther drives away with him while Rex stays behind.

We also find out that one of the CIA agents who is assigned to the case belongs to the families. Nobody else knows.

Oswald was categorized as Category Zero, meaning he will be burned alive. As he finds out he attacks Jilly. She fights back and he runs out. One of the family represents offers Jilly a promotion and she accepts.

This Episode was written by Jane Espenson and Ryan Scott. Another Episode I very much liked. It felt like Torchwood again. Only thing I didn’t like was Gwen and Jack being separated again. I like them as a team. And having Gwen back in Wales and Jack still in the USA… so not working for me. Though I trust Jane and Co. that they have a very good reason for it. ;)

I love the tantrums Gwen was throwing. Bridling her temper is something she hasn’t learned yet. Though I remember her being almost shy at the beginning.

Again, very well written with lots of action and marvelous dialog.

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Quotes:

Olivia Colasanto: He talked about you all the time, Jack. His immortal man in old New York. He never forgot.
Rex: You telling me the whole world got screwed because two gay guys had a hissy fit?
Gwen: Rex, get back in your cave.

Olivia Colasanto: You inspired him. You proved immortality was possible, and he devoted the rest of his life to finding out how to live forever.
Jack: And he did it. He's still alive, he's still young?
Olivia Colasanto: Oh yes, he's still alive. Angelo Colasanto is still alive. But he's not young. My grandfather waited all this time to live forever. And his wish came true. Too late.

Olivia Colasanto: You must be horrified.
Jack: Why would you say that?
Olivia Colasanto: He's grown so old.
Jack: That's how I see the whole world. He's still young compared to me.

Allen Shapiro: People seem to be talking over me, which is fascinating and rare. And forbidden. I'll come back to you.

Allen Shapiro: So these are the Torchwood clowns?
Gwen: Torchwood did more to piece this together than the entire C.I.A.
Allen Shapiro: You're that English girl, Cooper. Have I got that right?
Gwen: No, I'm not English and I'm not a girl.
Rex: Sir, sir, with all due respect, Gwen Cooper has proven herself to be extremely useful. I think it's worth keeping her on our side.
Allen Shapiro: Did you sleep with her?
Gwen: Pardon me?!?
Rex: No sir, I did not.
Allen Shapiro: Because most women that bitter, you slept with.
Allen Shapiro: (to Jack) And what is it with you, Red Baron? Is Snoopy up your ass? (everyone snickers)
Gwen: That's funny.

Rex: Well, Brian Friedkin's a Category 1, the economy's going into a freefall, and one man died. So, how was your day?
Noah Vickers: Welcome back, Rex. Things were kind of quiet without you.
Allen Shapiro: You making a personal call, Drummond?
Esther: No. Sorry, sir.
Charlotte Wills: Is that Mr. Shapiro? You tell him, "Yes, it's personal. Yes, it's important. And yes his wife called. And I sent her flowers on his behalf."
Allen Shapiro: Charlotte Wills. Bane of my life.

Jilly Kitzinger: First I'm trying to set up a joint appearance for you with Madison Wheatley. She's the Bisected Bride. You know, car accident sheared off everything below the bikini line. Got married a week later, propped up on a box. Basically she's made up of positive thinking and colostomy bags.
Jilly Kitzinger: Shawnie Yamaguchi.
Shawnie: That is correct.
Jilly Kitzinger: Go get me a sandwich. Tomato and Swiss on sourdough. And see how well you cope with that. Then you can find me a prostitute.
Shawnie: I'm sorry?
Jilly Kitzinger: Start with the sandwich.

Allen Shapiro: This is a hell of a lot better than nicotine gum, let me tell you. You know what the rumor is from Washington? If cancer cells are immortal, well, then the Miracle switched them around and made them just plain mortal. They're keeping it quiet in case there's an outbreak of spontaneous joy. I mean we can't have that. But it means we've got nothing to worry about. We can smoke our way into the next Great Depression.

Allen Shapiro: Well, I'm sorry, Miss Cooper, but from this moment on, Torchwood is defunct. You will be removed from American soil immediately, and God help Great Britain.

Torchwood – 4x07 – Immortal Sins

Gwen is forced to abduct Jack to ensure the safety of her family. Jack remembers meeting a young Italian immigrant, Angelo, in NY in 1927 who became his lover.

★★★★★

*Spoilers ahead!*

This one was written by Jane Espenson. I’m not prejudiced although I have always been a fan of Jane’s writing. But this one was one of the best Episodes of this Season. And no, I’m not saying this because there was more naked John Barrowman lol. No, it’s simple why I’m saying this… it’s because we finally saw more of the old Jack which most of the Episodes of this Season missed.

Jack falling head over heels for someone is nothing new. However seeing things about his past is always fun.

Gwen always loved Jack but it’s no question that she would sacrifice his life for her daughter anytime. She doesn’t see any other way than to abduct him.

Esther always thinks that she is the weakest link in the team. But truth is she is not. She notices right away that something was wrong with Gwen.

All the time Jack took his immortality for granted and now that he is mortal again he doesn’t want to die. He would even sacrifice Gwen’s daughter for it.

Loved the scene before the exchange when suddenly someone shoots and we find out that Ester and Rex followed them. Also how Gwen and Jack apologize to each other. And Gwen hugs Rex.

And I pretty much loved how Andy is the one to save Gwen’s family. I love how he randomly turns up, being the hero and nobody really gives him enough credit for it.

Thought the scenes where Jack gets killed over and over again were really cruel but still so important. It helps us to find out a little more about Jack. Trusting someone again must have been very hard for Jack. And seeing that Gwen almost betrayed him as well, really breaks my heart. I can understand that she would do anything to save her daughter though. Still poor Jack, who can he really trust?

Turns out Angelo is still alive and his granddaughter wanted to bring him to her and she knows who caused the miracle.

Really a great Episode. And suddenly some unpredictable stuff in there. :D Loved it. Having Jack being himself again is so much better and much more like Torchwood. So thanks for that Jane. Always a pleasure to watch something she has written.

This Episode not only had some great action scenes and naked skin but it also had some really awesome dialog.

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Quotes:

Jack: You should save your money, Angelo Colasanto. Next couple of years, earn as much as you can. Save it all up. Because you're going to need it, bad times ahead.
Angelo Colasanto: Why? What's going to happen?
Jack: Oh. So many things. Don't worry, it gets better. Then it gets worse again.

Angelo Colasanto: You talk funny.
Jack: I'm a very funny man.
Jack: What are you looking for? I mean, in America.
Angelo Colasanto: Speed. Change. New things. People moving so fast they're not looking at me, so I can move faster on my own. Faster than anyone.
Jack: Spoken like a true American.
Angelo Colasanto: Where are you from? American visa, British passport.
Jack: A magical island called Torchwood.
Angelo Colasanto: What does that mean? You keep saying things that don't make sense.
Jack: You'll learn to love it. Makes me more interesting.

Jack: Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. So many times. And that's just today. It's been about, oh, 700 years since my last confession. Where do I start? How about the triplets? Or the naked circus? Or that Sapphic leapfrog jamboree?

Young Priest: The Volstead Act makes an exception for sacramental wine. And the brothers upstate produce more than we can use.
Jack: The extra income feeds a lot of widows and orphans, I'm sure.
Young Priest: Yes. We're doing this entirely for charity. Every last cent.
Angelo Colasanto: It's not very good.
Jack: It's the blood of Christ, Angelo. I'm sure it's good enough.

Gwen: I don't remember. Just east.
Jack: Did they say get on the Ten going east? Or on the eastbound 10 Freeway? Or what? If they said highway, they could be from back east. If their grammar was wrong, it could mean that English is not their first language.
Gwen: I didn't notice anything wrong with it.
Jack: You're Welsh, you wouldn't notice if the vowels were missing.
Gwen: Button it!

Gwen: That's what I'm saying, have you got what I'm saying to you, Jack? What I'm saying is "no more." Because I know exactly what you're thinking, Jack Harkness. I know it. "She won't do this, not really. Not my Gwen. Oh Gwen, she can't hurt me. Gwen loves me, she'd never hand me in." Well this is about my daughter, and I swear, for her sake, I will see you killed like a dog right in front of me if it means her back in my arms. Understood?
Jack: Understood. And let me tell you, now that I'm mortal, I'm going to hang on to this with everything that I've got. I love you, Gwen Cooper, but I will rip your skin from your skull before I let you take this away from me. Understood?

Angelo Colasanto: Besides, I always hoped... if God is love, maybe He loves me, too.
Jack: That's blasphemy.
Angelo Colasanto: That's Christianity.

Jack: It's a species of brain spawn treated as vermin on more than one hundred and fifty planets that I know of. And valued as dinner one other. they taste like oysters.
Angelo Colasanto: You did not.
Jack: I had to be polite.

Jack: I came back, Angelo. I came back for you. Believe me, I have never done that before. I--I even got us that same old room.
Angelo Colasanto: You came back for me?
Jack: Yes. Yes I did. You don't know whether to hit me or to kiss me, do you? Come on, you can try both.

Gwen: What's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? Not just on Earth.
Jack: I'm not doing this, I'm not giving final speeches.
Gwen: Understand me, anywhere in the universe.
Jack: I saw a firebird once. A tiny little thing, even smaller than a humming bird. Literally made of fire. It only lives for a minute. It blazes different colors. It sings. It gets so bright you have to close your eyes. And when you open them, it's gone. But the image stays behind your eyelids for longer than it was alive.

Leverage 4x10 – The Queen’s Gambit Job

Jim Sterling asks Nate and his team for help taking down a researcher who designed a nuclear weight that will help terrorists to manufacture enriched uranium.

*Spoilers ahead!*

★★★★★

When Sterling asks Nate for help it’s clear you still can’t trust him. However they still agree to help since they can’t risk having the nuclear weight in terrorist’s hands. While Nate has to take part in the chess tournament to play against the researchers stepdaughter, Sophie get’s arrested. Sterling drugs Elliot. And it soon becomes clear, that Sterling has an ulterior motive. Hardison prepares Parker to still steal the nuclear weight. It’s not an easy mission due to the fact that the security system is set to the researchers movements and weight. As soon as it’s clear that Sterling has other motives he triggers the security system. Parker gets out through jumping onto the elevator and jumps with a parachute from the roof. Elliot and Hardison break out Sophie while Nate races after Sterling. The researcher’s stepdaughter is Sterling’s daughter and he needed to get her out.

I’m really a sucker for the Hardison and Parker moments. The scenes are always so beautifully written. Parker gets all frustrated since she is used to be light and now has this heavy backpack and heavy boots and she isn’t able to mirror the researchers movements and Hardison just starts dancing with her and humming into her ear and suddenly it works. So nice. Especially after she is in the fault and asks him to hum the melody. It’s such a big step for Parker to ask someone for help. After all she has been on her own for most of her life. Plus the way Hardison tells her that she isn’t alone anymore and that she has a team now, that she got him and later when she is on the roof with no way to escape and then Hardison tells her to get the parachute out of her bag, which she had no idea was in there and she realizes that it’s true she’s got him… awesome scene. :D Totally loved the Parker/Hardison Moments in this Episode.

Elliot was awesome as always. Love the way he got all pissed off after Sterling drugged him and he takes it out on the guards in front of Sophie’s door. Also loved the way Hardison asks him if he wants to take out his anger on some bad boys.

I also really like all the Sophie and Nate Scenes. Sophie dazzling the one player with the mirror and luring the other one in giving up, was just great. Nate telling her he can win without her… always fun. Too bad he doesn’t really realize yet how much he actually depends on her and his team.

I know, I know… only praise and no critic for this Episode. What can I do when Leverage is so marvelously written? Blame Dean Devlin for it because he is the genius behind Leverage. ;) Oh and always a pleasure to see Mark Sheppard on the Show.

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Quotes:

Alec: This thing is like the nuclear equivalent of the One Ring.
Sophie: Ring? What ring?
Nate: Oh, please. Don't get him started.

Elliot: I'm not letting Sterling slide on this.
Parker: Well, at least I got to jump off a building that was like eight other buildings on top of each other.
Elliot: Good for you. I ain't letting him slide.

Sophie: So, what, the salt was Plan B?
Nate: No, no, that was Plan M.
Alec: Don't I die in Plan M?
Nate: Yeah, usually. Yeah.
Alec: What you mean, "usually? How many plans do I die in?
Nate: C, F, and M through Q.

Leverage – 4x09 – The Cross My Heart Job

While stuck at the airport, the team must retrieve a heart donated to a fifteen-year-old patient when a sick defense contractor intercepts it.

*Spoilers ahead!*

★★★★★

While stuck at the airport Nate notices a woman with a transplant box. When she heads for a telephone he asks her if everything is alright. She confides in him that someone kidnapped her daughter to get the heart. It doesn’t take the team long to find the girl and rescue her. This case gets pretty personal for Nate since he doesn’t want the 15 years old boy to die. Memories of his dying son come up. Sophie is there to have his back though. They even take over the tower and give out a hurricane warning to stop the heart from leaving the airport. In the end they get the heart back and over to the boy. Nate calls the defense contractor and tells him that he is watching him.

This Episode had some very beautiful scenes between Sophie and Nate. I love how she always has his back and he doesn’t really notices it. I mean, I’m sure he notices it but that the way he should. They “only” have sex… they are friends with benefits. At least that’s what they keep telling each other when they are both so much more to each other. Denial is apparently the best defense. ;)

And Hardison taking over the tower and suddenly having to get a plane down… I love how he uses a flight simulator for it. You just have to love that guy. Best scene him trying to get into the tower and ranting about sexual harassment and intolerance because on his ID was a picture of a female. Hilarious.

And Elliot being Elliot and kicking some serious butts. Always awesome. Totally love he stunt work Christian Kane is doing. He is really brilliant at what he is doing.

It’s also nice to see Parker getting more comfortable in interacting with people.

So far I loved this Season. So yeah, sorry no critic for this one. ;)

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Quotes:
Sophie: Well, that trip was a complete disaster.
Alec: It was a train wreck.
Elliot: No, it was a shipwreck, and you want to know how I know that? Because I was in the wreck.

Elliot: You carry high heels in your purse?
Sophie: I always travel with heels.
Elliot: Don't suppose you travel with handcuffs.
Sophie: No, not on this trip.

Sophie: Hey, you all right with this one?
Nate: What?
Sophie: Well, you said it yourself--a kid's life is at stake. You don't think that might get too personal?
Nate: Does it matter?

Alec: Look, man, this is like stone knives and bearskins, okay? Nobody's asking Elliot to fight a guy with a Nerf sword.
Elliot: Damascus, 2002.
Alec: Like you've been to Damascus.

Nate: I know what you're gonna say.
Sophie: I think you should have a drink.
Nate: Okay, I didn't know what you were gonna say.

Dean Chesney: I'm fighting for my life, Mr. Ford! What are you fighting for?
Nate: I am fighting for that 15-year-old boy that you're going to kill.
Dean Chesney: God helps those that help themselves.
Nate: And I help people who can't.
Dean Chesney: Well, Mr. Ford, it seems you've killed me after all.
Nate: Oh, I didn't kill you. God killed you. I just... made sure it took.

More Reviews...

More Reviews to come soon. Torchwood and Leverage to follow tomorrow. ;) I know I'm a little behind but reallife is a bitch right now. ;) Well, that and I caught up with 6 Seasons of Doctor Who and 4 of Torchwood. So bare with me... I'm working on it. ;)

Doctor Who - 6x08 - Let's kill Hitler

While crashing the Tardis, the Doctor and his mates accidentally save Hitler's life.

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★★★★☆

*If you haven't seen this Episode yet, you better stop reading now cuz otherwise you'll get spoiled!*

It was a very great Episode. It had drama and a lot to laugh about. Poor Amy always get's impersonated by someone else. Loved the beginning with Amy and Rory racing through the cornfield and how you can see “Doctor” written in it at the end. Also River’s regeneration gives the Episode a nice touch. The idea of River growing up together with them was pretty nifty. Am not quite sure about the title of the Episode though. Yes, they stumbled over Hitler and accidently save his life while doing so but that’s pretty much it. They just lock him into a closet and that’s it. So no need to actually name an Episode after him. However I totally loved the way that Rory pushed Hitler into the closet. Seeing River more or less as a teenager was fun. Killing the doctor through a kiss was a really epic idea. I mean that totally calls “Romeo and Juliet”. And it’s a pretty cruel way to kill someone. While the Doctor is dying he still won’t let go of River. And he still knows that there is a lot of good inside of her. The way he treats her with so much respect and love although he never seems to spend much time with her is great. When Rory and Amy tell Melody who River Song is and she suddenly understands and asks if the Doctor is worth to be saved and she than saves him… such a beautiful scene. And I loved how the Doctor gives River the Journal. :)

Alex Kingston is such an incredible actress. Her portraying of River Song makes that Character so interesting and marvelous. And Matt Smith… he impresses me more and more. Such a brilliant actor. Always thought that I couldn’t like someone as much as David Tennant. But Matt is just as brilliant.

I loved this Episode. Only giving 4 ½ stars though since I’m pretty much thinking that there are even better Episodes coming up soon.

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Quotes:

Young Mels: But how can he travel in time?
Young Amelia: Because he's got a time machine, stupid!
Young Rory: (comes through door) I thought we were playing hide and seek! I've been hiding for hours!
Young Amelia: Well, we just haven't found you yet.

The Doctor: You shot it! You shot my TARDIS! You shot the console!
Mels: It's your fault!
The Doctor: How is it my fault?
Mels: You said guns didn't work in this place! You said we're in a state of temporal grace!
The Doctor: Oh, that was a clever lie, you idiot! Anyone could've told it was a clever lie!

Female Teacher: Mels, did you not understand the question? I'm asking you why the Titanic sank.
Mels: Because the Doctor didn't save it. Except you don't know about the Doctor because you're stupid.

The Doctor: Sorry. Hello. Doctor not following this, Doctor very lost. You never said I was hot.

Mels: I need out of here now.
The Doctor: Anywhere in particular?
Mels: Let's see. You got a time machine, I've got a gun. What the hell, let's kill Hitler.

Amy: Okay, Doctor, explain what is happening, please.
Mels: Short for...
The Doctor: Melody.
Amy: Yeah, I named my daughter after her.
The Doctor: You named your daughter after your daughter.

Rory: Is anybody else finding this day just a bit difficult? I'm getting this sort of banging in my head.
Amy: Yeah, I think that's Hitler in the cupboard.
Rory: That's not helping.

Rory: What's wrong with you, what's she done to you?
The Doctor: Poisoned me. But I'm fine. Well, no, I'm dying. But I've got a plan.
Amy: What plan?
The Doctor: Not dying.

River: Are you serious?
The Doctor: Never knowingly. Never knowingly be serious. Rule 27, you might want to write these down.

Melody Pond: “Who’s River Song?”

Doctor: “Spoilers…”

Doctor: “Come on, there must be someone left in the universe I haven’t screwed up yet.”

The Doctor :“She did kill me. And then she used her remaining lives to bring me back. As first dates go, that’s mixed signals.”

River: Just tell me. The Doctor. Is he worth it?

Amy:Yes! Yes, he is!