Mystical Magick

Life Unexpected (s02ep03): Criminal Incriminated
★★★
Lux considers buying answers to a test she needs to pass. Meanwhile, Ryan and Cate disagree over who swiped money from Cate’s wallet.

Glee (s02e02): Britney/Brittany
★★★
Will doesn’t want the kids to do a Britney Spears routine. He’s also a bit jealous of Emma’s new dentist boyfriend (John Stamos).

Stargate Universe (s02e01): Intervention
★★★
Rush devises a risky plan to use radiation from the binary pulsar to force the Lucian Alliance to cede control of Destiny. Meanwhile, a critically injured lieutenant Johansen dreams of a rustic life with her baby in the Season 2 opener.

The Vampire Diaries (s02ep04): Memory Lane
★★★★★
Katherine reveals to Stefan secrets about what really happened in 1864 when she turned him into a vampire. Meanwhile, Damon tries to resolve his conflict with Mason, and Tyler attempts to get Mason to tell him the truth about the Lockwoods’ dark past.

Nikita (s01e04): Rough Trade
★★★★
Nikita tries to right a past wrong when she posed as a nanny for a government official who ended up dead. Meanwhile, Amanda forces Alex to deal with her claustrophobia after she has a panic attack.

Fringe (s03ep02): The Box
★★★★
Alternate Olivia joins Peter and Walter on a case involving a strange box that may be causing people to go into trances from which they never emerge. Meanwhile, Walter meets Nina at Massive Dynamic for a reading of William Bell’s will.

I still don’t particularly care about Sean, the lead, but I am intrigued as to why they stole his girlfriend, made his gf’s father hijack a plane, and are now pinning a murder on him. I think there’s more to Sean than we’ve been told though, so I’ll reserve judgment on his character for now.

Blake: There’s no question in my mind, Sophia’s people must be behind it.

That said, I’m pretty happy with the fact the show is quick with the answers, while also bringing up new questions. Within the first five minutes we’ve already found out the fate of the hijacked plane, it’s crash landed in Arizona, after it disappeared into thin air while targeting the President.

We also get a flashback to Leila and exactly how she was kidnapped. Of course we knew Vicki from the cruise was in on her disappearance. But now it seems there’s also this whole mass conspiracy going on with multiple players. I wonder how long it’ll be before we know they why.

Martinez: When I woke up this morning, I thought I was going to be making history. Announcing to the world that humanity was not alone, that I was freeing your people to integrate and to live peacefully among us. Now, I was told many times that I was making a mistake and that I didn’t know your true agenda. Apparently some even felt so strongly they thought they’d try to kill me before I could make that announcement. And as it turns out, it would have been a mistake.

The mystery of the detainees at Mount Inostranka is just like everyone thought, they’re aliens and they’ve been here since 1944. Surprise, Sofia is one of them, and appears to be a leader. I’m surprised they’ve waited quietly until now in detainment to be released. If they have powers, then why haven’t they used them to get out?

We also get a cool flashback to 1944 when the aliens arrived. While Sofia stayed behind with the weak who were then detained, another alien, Thomas, went on with the rest to live among us. Surprise, Agent Lee is also one of those and has infiltrated the CIA. And now he’s being assigned to find his own people. How is that going to work out?

Thomas: We decided that since we had the passengers we might as well use them. The plane is in Arizona… …You’ll understand when you find it.

Then the climax where we learn everyone who survived the plane crash died some time after Sean made a run for it and the black helicopters showed up. Thomas told Lee he put the survivors of the crash to use, but what does that mean?

It’s a much better episode than the pilot. I can’t wait to see what more is in store, and how this show will compare to V.

After things going so great so last week, everyone’s hitting stumbling blocks this week. Granted, I think they all brought it on themselves. Lux’s cheating has caught up with her, Baze’s job really isn’t for him, and Cate and Ryan have to deal with their new living situation.

Cate: We’re you’re family now me and Lux.
Ryan: So what? Paige isn’t?

$300 goes missing from Cate’s wallet and Paige and Lux are suspects. Does anyone keep that much money in their wallets? I do like see Cate and Ryan having their first post-marriage squabble, even if their each taking sides.

Speaking of Paige, I didn’t expect her to have stolen the money, and then using it to pay off Baze for burning down his bar? Did she really think she wouldn’t get caught? Dumb. Granted this is the same girl who made pot baked goods and left them on the counter for anyone to eat. We have to give her kudos for getting Cate stoned though.

Emma: I’m sorry I told you to lie, apparently who you are is more appealing than I realized.
Baze: Thanks?
Emma: And if you need a couple hours because of the kid, the illegitimate one, that can probably be arranged.

I’m glad to see Baze in his corporate gig. And yeah, maybe it’ll continue going well, but it just annoyed me to see him in that environment. I don’t think it’s the right place for him, but if it helps him grow up and learn discipline, then I guess it’s good for him. Ryan and Cate are taking his place in the immaturity department lately anyway.

Jones: Is that why you came last night? To get in on their cheating ring?

I hate how they’re making Lux so immature this season. I know she’s a teenager and doing teenager things, but she just seemed a lot stronger last season. This season so far, she’s stealing test answers from Mouth, cheating on her test, and even kind of cheating on Bug. It’s no wonder Jones this week doesn’t recognize her. Hell, I almost didn’t recognize Jones with his new hair cut.

Ryan: I got an idea – how about guys vs. girls. Baze and I will be on the same team for once.

One good thing comes out of Lux’s cheating, more time with Eric as her tutor. I so knew that was going to happen. No good can come of this arrangement. I’m glad Cate and Ryan are helping Baze helping out to pay for his bar, but it’s not really their responsibility.

And Cate and Ryan kick Paige out and now she’s renting from Baze? I cry foul. Though I did like the ending with everyone playing basketball as a family. And Ryan and Baze on the same team? I must be dreaming.

Brittany: I hope you all respect when I, Brittany S. Pierce, can escape the torment of Britney Spears.

This was totally Brittany’s episode. No, not Britney Spears, but Brittany S. Pierce, that hilarious secondary character who usually only gets a line here or there. This time she pretty much took over the whole episode, and I think it’s the most we’ve seen the girl speak. And now she sings, too?

Still, this episode was too much of a plug to Britney Spears for me to enjoy it completely. From Kurt mentioning her every scene, to Will denying the Glee kids to sing her, to Britney standing for empowerment every chance they got. I think the Madonna episode felt a lot more natural.

Brittany: I don’t brush my teeth. I rinse my mouth out with soda after I eat. I was pretty sure Dr. Pepper was a dentist.

Emma’s finally back too and this time we get to meet her boyfriend, John Stamos as Carl. They make a cute couple and lord knows I could care less about her and Will. I’m glad Carl’s helping her out a little with her OCD tendencies, but isn’t he a little old for her?

Meh, it was still awesome to see Stamos come in as a dentist and check all the kids for cavities. Britney using Dr. Pepper as her dentist was hilarious, and also kind of gross… I also found it amusing that Britney songs were brought into the mix by having the kids under anesthesia. I’m sure there’s some kind of joke that can be made here.

Finn: How do you feel about me not being on the football team anymore?
Rachel: I kinda like it. I don’t have to fantasize about what song I’d sing at your bedside if you got paralyzed.

Rachel and Finn continue to be cute, and pretty much the only reason I watch besides the music. Though this week their problems with jealousy and acceptance, even if completely normal and natural for teenagers I guess, just frustrated me. I’m glad they made up in the end, even if I do think it was wrong for Rachel to use Quinn to test Finn like that.

Now the music, Brittany pretty much took over the whole episode with ‘I’m a Slave 4 U’ and ‘Me Against the Music’ with Santana. I thought they were average. My least favorite was actually Rachel’s ‘Baby One More Time’. My favorite was Artie’s ‘Stronger’ that I think just sounded good enough for an original song. (Even though I think the storyline of him joining the football team is stupid.) And then there was also the cast’s rendition of ‘Toxic’.

Dr. Caine: I have learned one thing in all of this, and it’s that out here on the edge of the universe, who you are and what you believe is everything. So it’s up to you to decide if this is a blessing or a curse.

This season starts with TJ waking up back on the planet where she wanted to stay to raise her unborn child, but was forced to abandon last season while others stayed behind. I think it’s so tragic that as she learns her baby (Carmen) is alive and well on the planet, back on the ship TJ lies unconscious and her baby is really dead.

Originally, I figured her body dreamed her baby stayed behind on the planet to deal with the loss in real life. However, I love the last scene when TJ sees the same aurora on Destiny as she saw in her dream. It gives me hope that maybe a part of it was real, and her baby is still out there somewhere. At the least, I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of that planet and Dr. Caine.

Eli: Just another day in outer space.

One of the other cliffhangers was Matt and Greer, and whether they’d get back onboard Destiny in enough time. Their storyline was actually resolved rather quickly, but judging by previews I’ve seen for the rest of the season, Chloe isn’t going to be so lucky. Those aliens really did a number on her, and it’s not clear yet to what end.

Dannic: You and your people would die with the rest of us.
Rush: We’re willing to die to prevent you taking over this ship. Can you say the same?

A big change for this season seems to be coming with the addition of the Lucian Alliance. They seemed to come out of nowhere at the end of the last season, and their storyline was resolved just as quickly in the premiere. It’s going to be an interesting change to see them merge with Destiny’s crew. I’m thinking ala ‘The Others’ on Lost.

In the episodes ‘Lost Girls’ and ‘Blood Brothers’ last season we saw what happened back in 1864. But this week, we get Katherine’s POV of the same events. Though one has to wonder, can we trust her version? This show is really like fine wine, it only gets better with age.

Katherine: I could rip you to shreds and do my nails at the same time.

It starts in a flashback-dream induced by Katherine herself. She’s getting really good at pretending to be Elena, and she’s clearly stronger than either Damon or Stefan. It’s actually a bit worrisome, but thankfully like last time, Stefan realizes it’s her pretty quickly. I do wonder though, did he go to sleep with her or just wake up with her on his bed?

This season is turning into quite the cat and mouse game. Stefan convinces Katherine he still cares about her, just before stabbing her with vervain. He even had me going with their almost kiss. Then, Katherine diverts his attention from why she’s here, to getting him to admit he still has feelings for her.

She’s really asking all the right questions to convince him. Why did he come back to Mystic Falls? And why does he still have Katherine’s picture? It does beg the question. Something tells me we’re going to see these two getting a lot closer by season’s end.

Katherine: Go ahead – torture me, keep me captive, drain me of my blood until my body turns to dust. It will never change the truth. I never compelled your love – it was real and so was mine.

I do like this new harder Stefan, sweet on the inside, but still able to get the job done. There’s a fine line to cross with it, I think what he did to John will come back to haunt him. Torturing Katherine though, well, she did kill Caroline.

Katherine begins her own version of how they met and fell in love. Truth comes out, she never compelled his feelings for her. That’s what I’ve thought all along, but it’s nice to know for sure now. Though it seems Stefan would rather he didn’t know. It must be difficult to rationalize this new information.

Stefan: They were your friends, they were your family and you sold them out.
Katherine: Without blinking.
…
Stefan: Damon and I died for nothing.
Katherine: No, you died for love.

We also learn werewolves were around in 1864, and Katherine sided with a Lockwood ancestor to plan her whole being captured, fake burned, and disappearing act. So, all those vamps who were captured or died? Her fault. Stefan and Damon who lost their lives saving her? Casualties. Harsh.

Turns out Katherine’s also been busy since she’s been out, becoming immune to vervain after drinking it for 150 years. It was quite a surprise to see that she hasn’t actually been captive by Stefan, but she actually chose to stay and chat. You got me again, show.

Elena: This is what she wants. She wants us to get in a fight. She wants to get between us.
Stefan: She already has, Elena.

I really didn’t know what Stefan would do after Katherine threatened to kill Elena if he didn’t break up with her. That said, I completely bought Stefan/Elena’s fake fight, hook, line, and sinker. I had a mini-upset, but continued watching anyway. I’m glad I did, because their make up kiss was grand. I should have known Stefan wouldn’t let go that easy.

Also, if this were any other show, Caroline totally would have gotten away with being so suspicious and trying to get Elena to break up with Stefan. I find it so fascinating that Stefan and Elena are now playing everyone, including Damon, Caroline, and Katherine. I hope this doesn’t backfire on them. And please don’t let Caroline hurt Elena.

Mason: Let’s not spark some age old feud that does not apply to us.

Katherine took up so much of the episode, it’s hard to remember there was a werewolf storyline, too. Also, Damon does his usual stupidity and makes an enemy with Mason for nothing. Note to self, silver doesn’t work on werewolves, but will just make them angry. This is going to be bring so much drama.

Also, after much begrudging, Mason finally tells Tyler he has to kill someone in order to activate the curse. I really wish he’d kept that to himself. Now the question is, who will be the person Tyler kills? You know it’s going to happen now, right?

Elena: All this just to get you back.
Stefan: Katherine doesn’t care about anybody but herself. She never has. She’s incapable of love.
Katherine: I love you Stefan. We will be together again, I promise.

But most important of all is why is Katherine back? Stefan insists she doesn’t care about anyone, and he’s certain there’s another reason she’s back besides him. But we see in a final flashback after he’s been shot that she loves him, and they’ll be together again. I’m starting to think Stefan is wrong. Or maybe they’re both right.

Birkhoff: Man, Nikki’s all hardcore about this huh? Kinda crazy how she’s going back to her greatest hits, no pun.

Nikita as a character grew on me this week as she went back to her first job for Division. I appreciated seeing a more personal side to her character since she’s been so cold so far in the series.

All the more reason I liked seeing her flashbacks to when she joined Division and her relationship with Michael. We get to see the softer and warmer Nikita, before Division destroyed her. I look forward to more flashbacks with her past.

Michael: Nikita, have a moment?
Nikita: I’ve been down here a year. I got nothing but moments.
Michael: Good, ‘cause I’m on a schedule.
Nikita: What have you got behind your back?
Michael: Nothing.
Nikita: I may just have to fight you for it. You scared?
Michael: Terrified. Well, OK. One arm behind my back?
Nikita: It’s your funeral.

Damn, I haven’t really been interested in Michael/Nikita so far. This week brought in the UST as we got to see their close relationship in training and on missions. Nikita questioned everything and Michael protected her from getting ‘erased’. He must have had his hands full with her, er, figuratively and literally. He even directly helped her out this week.

Alex: It’s this place. It reminds me of the way how I used to live, how I was forced to live.
Amanda: When you were held by the Russians.
Alex: Why don’t we just say it? I was a sex slave. They locked me in a hole, and told me when it was time to perform. At least they had the decency to keep me high the whole time.

Alex was secondary in this episode to Nikita, but I still think she outshined her again this week. The scene with her having a panic attack while diffusing a bomb underneath the car and Thom rushed in to bring her back out. I still don’t really ship them together yet, but I think they’re cute and have potential.

Then, there’s also Amanda locking her up in that suit until she could control her panic attacks. We keep only getting glimpses to Amanda at work, but she’s mighty creepy. Also, there was the revelation that Alex used to be a drugged up sex slave. Even more interesting was the flashback to the day Alex’s parents were murdered, and her faking the details to Amanda. And now Amanda suspects she’s hiding something. Uh, oh.

Nikita: Why are you so loyal to Percy?
Michael: Because I owe him my life.

We also got a lot of insight in Michael and his relationship with the students under him as well as Percy. He has just as much care for Alex as he had for Nikita back in the day, even if with Nikita it seems like there was something more. We also learn Michael owes Percy his life and that’s why he’s so loyal to him. There’s this whole other backstory to Michael now and I’m loving it.

Also, an aside, I loved seeing Russel Wong back on tv. Brings back fond memories of Black Sash on the WB.

Broyles: Dr. Bishop, do you have any idea why this machine would or could be configured for Peter, why it would respond to him?
Walter: I know that this machine is dangerous.
Broyles: Which is why we need to understand it. If it is indeed a threat—
Walter: …then to ignore it would be irresponsible. I’ve heard that argument before. That’s what you people told Oppenheimer when you discovered that the Nazis were working on a bomb. And how do you think he slept after his little invention had killed hundreds of thousands in a fraction of a second?

We’re back on our side of the fence this week, but it still doesn’t feel right without our Olivia. Seems someone heard my complaint last season about not getting enough mythology in MOTW episodes, because this week the box they hunt down also happens to be part of the doomsday device to destroy our world. And damn, no one can resist looking inside an unlocked box. I jumped when the guy’s head exploded, FYI.

Alt!Olivia: You don’t have to remind me whose side I’m on. I don’t care how long you’ve been here. This is my operation.

Alt!Olivia’s running around doing the other side’s dirty work this week. She’s really no comparison to our Olivia with her photographic memory, strong will, and sympathetic nature. This Dunham though has no problem shooting a deaf guy in the back of the head after saying sorry when he can’t see or hear it. Oh, and she definitely won’t be convinced to fight for our side anytime soon.

Peter: It’s not like they gave him a picture of himself with fireballs coming out of his eyes while he was strapped into a doomsday machine. I can’t close my eyes without seeing that picture. And whatever is in those blueprints is my connection to that machine. What if they’re right? What if that machine does exactly what Broyles and Walter think it does? Is that my destiny, my fate? Am I supposed to destroy worlds too? Because, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t really want to turn out like Walter.

I hate what she’s doing with Peter, too. It’s going to really suck when he realizes his whole relationship with ‘Olivia’ has been a lie. Not only that, but she’s using her feminine wyles to distract him from killing people right under his nose. Ugh. Seems like they also meant for Peter to get the box and thus help create the end of the world. Sneaky, sneaky. Even worse she had no second thoughts after he confided in her about it.

Walter: Peter, you need to hear this. When Peter…my Peter…died…I lost all hope. The only thing that kept me alive was Elizabeth, and my window into your world. I always told Belly that we couldn’t cross over, that it was far too dangerous. When I saw that you were dying too, and that I was the only one who could save you…
Peter: …you kidnapped me, Walter. You took me from my family. From my world.
Walter: I didn’t plan to. That was not my intention. I love you, Peter. And if I had to make the choice all over again, I’m not sure that I’d be strong enough to act differently, but, now I understand that it was wrong, that I should never have crossed the line, that it was terribly wrong.
Peter: I can’t talk about this yet, Walter.

At least not everything is on a downward spiral for Peter. It seems his relationship with Walter is on the mend, even though he’s not ready to talk about what happened with him. I think he just needs to hear from Walter the other POV.

Walter: I know what Belly left me. He left me Massive Dynamic. I’m the sole shareholder.

I felt just as bad as Walter when he wasn’t mentioned in the will, but I’m glad he got something in the end from William Bell. Wow, what’s he going to do with Massive Dynamic?  How will this change him? Guess we’ll have to wait two weeks to find out when we’re back in our world again.