Fresh Take: The Rings of Power Episodes 4 & 5 Spoiler-Free Thoughts

 Available on Amazon Prime

Thoughts

To be honest I have been enjoying this season so far but in these past two episodes it does feel like the story is 'getting somewhere'. What I mean by that is the story is starting to come together. I really like the visuals of the series, there is one shot with a tsunami that I thought was done very well. I also like what they did with their version of the palantir, the seeing stone. The standout to me this season has been Durin and Elrond, when they are on screen together it's just magic. To be fair Prince Durin is probably my favorite character in the series so far him and his wife.  I like the fact that we haven't seen Sauron yet but he's in Middle Earth somewhere, that mystery as well as what's going on with the Elves and them testing Elrond's allegiance. I'm really looking forward to the next few episodes to see how those plot threads play out. 

To me, the weakest part of these episodes has been my main complaint with the season so far and that's Galadriel. I know I sound like a broken record at this point but her story of just vengeance is not well done. I've seen those stories and plots written better and it's a shame because the plot with Halbrand could be interesting but combined with how unlikeable Galadriel is, it's just not working for me. The other thing that I found myself not particularly caring about is what's going on with the people of the Southlands. I guess because I have an idea of what's going to happen to them and also we don't really spend that much time with them. To be fair where they leave them at the end of episode 5 it may pick up. I think there are only 3 or 4 more episodes left in this season and I am still enjoying it. Both episodes are over an hour and are paced well. Have you been watching Rings of Power? What do you think about the season so far? Leave a comment and let's talk about it. Thanks for reading and don't forget to check out the podcast on Sundays at 10am EST.

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Fresh Take: She-Hulk Ep 6 Just Jen Spoiler-free Thoughts

 Available on Disney Plus

Thoughts

So this episode is a self-contained 'wedding' episode. There are a couple of things happening in this episode. The first of which is the episode's main plot revolves around Jen getting invited to her friend from high school's wedding. Titania is back this week and she is petty as hell. I love the camera work because every time Titania is doing something it lingers on her and that little detail works for me. I wasn't really feeling the bridezilla aspect of the show as I didn't think it worked as well as it probably looked on paper. This isn't like the Madisynn situation from a couple of episodes ago. This week's cameo is Mr. Immortal from the comics. This character in the comics is a mutant who like his namesake can't die. It's a funny b plot that goes on with him played by the actor that was the vice mayor in The Book of Boba Fett, you'll realize it when you see it. I love that guy he's hilarious. I'm really liking Nikki as well. The only thing I'm starting to get a little tired of is the constant dumping on Jen. It was funny at first but now I'm kinda wanting her to Hulk out and just handle the blatant disrespect. Also, slight spoiler still no DareDevil this week. I'm starting to think he will be the cameo for the last few episodes of the season. Have you watched the episode? Leave a comment and let's talk about it. Also, be sure to catch the Fresh Take podcast Sundays at 10 am where Fangirl Review and yours truly give our spoiler-filled thoughts on the episode.

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Fresh Take: She-Hulk Ep 5 - Mean, Green, and Straight Poured Into These Jeans

 Available on Disney Plus

Thoughts

This week's episode deals with Titania played by Jameela Jamil and her using the She-Hulk name for her own business purpose. To be completely fair, Titania did get the one up on Jen and denying that she liked the She-Hulk name was starting to get old anyway. This episode doesn't really have a cameo outside of Titania I thought this was going to be the week Daredevil shows up but apparently, I was wrong. There are a couple of funny moments that involve knockoffs. Also, it's kinda funny seeing Jen in oversized suits especially knowing how short Tatiana is it's just pretty funny. Overall I thought the episode was just okay, nothing great but nothing awful either. There is no post-credits scene this week, which I thought was pretty odd seeing as how there has been one every episode so far. There doesn't seem to be an overarching story to this series, which is fine, but I thought they were going somewhere with this one a couple of weeks ago with the Wrecking Crew. This episode does feel more like a filler episode than anything. So have you seen the latest episode of She-Hulk? What did you think? Leave a comment and let's talk about it. As always thanks for reading. If you like the blog please feel free to share. 

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Fresh Take: The Rings of Power Episode 3 Spoiler-Free Thoughts

 Available on Amazon Prime

Thoughts

In this episode, we get to go to a new location. We actually visit the island of Numenor. If you remember in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, Aragon is a descendant of Numenor.  Once again in this episode, the visuals shine and we get to learn a little more about the Southlands and Halbrand, the guy who saved Galadriel. This week we also get to see what the Orcs have been up to and how they have been able to escape detection. From a story standpoint, in my opinion, they are doing a great job of setting up the cat and mouse game with Sauron. I like how he's just lurking in the background but we haven't seen him. The standout for me this week is seeing Numenor. Gotta give credit to the design and effects team they are knocking it out of the park so far. The sets, especially this one, look so well done. Once again Galadriel continues to be the worse thing in the episode as she is just unlikable as a character. I'm hoping that this changes sooner rather than later as this week she was on a combative streak that made me wonder if she was trying to get killed. We did get some time with the Harfoots (Hobbits) and their story got further along. I still think that the Stranger is Gandolf as that would make the most sense but we still don't have a confirmation. This is another long episode it has a 70-minute runtime but I thought it was paced well. I loved the introduction of the new characters as well as the new location. I am actually enjoying Rings of Power it's been cool to jump back into Tolkien's world and I think the showrunners and studio is doing a good job so far. Have watched the episode? What did you think? Leave a comment and let's talk about it. If you want to see the spoiler-filled review please check out Fresh Take on Sundays at 10am EST, with myself and Fangirl Review. Thanks for reading.

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Fresh Take: She-Hulk Ep 4 - Is This Not Real Magic? Spoiler Free Thoughts

 Available on Disney +

Thoughts

Oh boy, this one is probably going to piss some people off. Not me. However, I can see people getting a little upset due to how the episode played out. This episode sees Wong return and ask for Jennifer's help with a struggling magician Donny Blaze and yes when I first heard it I thought they said, Johnny Blaze. This leads to a series of events in which we see Wong make a new friend in Madisynn, a drunk party girl who spoils shows he's trying to watch, and the infamous date scene from the first trailer. The tone of this series has been consistent so if you have been having an issue with the comedy or CG you may as well tune out because this is how it will be going forward. Personally, I thought it was just okay, it wasn't bad and while the Madisynn character could have gotten annoying I feel that she was in it just the right amount and her interactions with Wong were pretty funny, at least I found humor in it. The episode doesn't address last week's Wrecking Crew attack at all which I don't think is smart seeing as how there are only 9 episodes. I hope this doesn't come back to bite them as these early episodes have had a very self-contained feel to them. As of the time of this posting D23 is going on and they did release the midseason trailer for She-Hulk which showed Charlie Cox's Daredevil, I am hoping that he shows up in the next episode as it looks like that interaction will be very interesting. I didn't think this was a bad episode overall. I am worried though that this series doesn't feel like it has a point like other MCU series. Have you watched the episode? What did you think? Leave a comment and let's talk about it. Also, catch Fresh Take on the YouTube Channel Sundays at 10 am EST. If you miss those you can catch the audio version available on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Anchor, Amazon Music, and Breaker Radio.

Midseason Trailer

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Trailer via Marvel YouTube

Fresh Take: Rings of Power Ep 1 & 2 Spoiler Free Thoughts

 Available on Amazon Prime

Thoughts

I will say this I don't know why all the hate because what I saw was a very competent start to the series. I know that they are taking liberties with the source material but from what I saw in the first two episodes it worked. It felt like Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings in some points and I think that kinda helped me, personally, from a visual standpoint. Most of the acting was well done, in my opinion, I liked most of the characters. It was just something about it that felt nostalgic to me and I was glad to be back in that world. The CG is very good hopefully they will be able to keep it up and going throughout the season. While my expectations were in check, I was pleasantly surprised with what was presented. While it wasn't overly violent, the times that the action picked up it was done well. One of my fears was that the showrunners may try to 'Game of Thrones' it a little bit and I am glad they didn't as I think that would be a bad idea with the series.

I did have one major issue with the first two episodes and that was Galadriel. I think the actress that is playing her is doing a good job but her character is just insufferable and not very likable. This may change as the season goes on but the first two episodes did nothing to make her likable or even have me as a viewer empathize with her. For every badass moment she had, there were two more where I legit wanted someone to tombstone piledrive her through a table. 

Overall I enjoyed the first two episodes and outside of Galadriel, I think that they have enough with the mystery of where Sauron is hiding. Who is the man the halflings found? Personally, I think it's either Saruman or Gandalf. To keep things interesting going forward. Have you seen the first two episodes of The Rings of Power? What did you think? Leave a comment and let's talk about it.

Trailer

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Fresh Take: She-Hulk Ep 3 - The People vs Emil Blonsky Spoiler Free Thoughts

 Available on Disney Plus

Thoughts

This episode picks up where episode 2 left off with Jennifer having to deal with the fallout of Abomination showing up in that fight club. Tim Roth stole the episode for me, he was over the top but not in an annoying way. It was funny seeing Jennifer try to pivot and convince the parole board that Blonsky could be set free. This episode does call out a lot of stuff that gets talked about on social media and I feel like that was the writer's acknowledging that the people complaining are full of it. Wong from Dr. Strange is in this episode as well and I love that character Benedict Wong is an outstanding actor. Most of the comedy in this episode stems from the cameos. The one thing that didn't work for me was the Megan Thee Stallion/light elf storyline. I understand why it's there but it didn't work for me, you could have cut that completely out and it wouldn't have taken away from the episode. Oh almost forgot the Wrecking Crew show up in this episode with their enchanted Asgardian weapons as we see someone wants to get Jen's blood to possibly make a Hulk. That makes things a little interesting going forward as I have no idea who this individual could be. All in all it's another short episode, overall I thought it was fun. There were a couple things I think didn't work as well as I would have thought but it didn't take away from the episode for me. So what did you think about this week's episode? Leave a comment and let's talk about it. Thanks for reading and if you like the content please share and stop by the YouTube channel where we do our spoiler-filled thoughts on Sundays.