A Discovery of Witches

Haven't read the books by Deborah Harkness which this is based on but the tale is familiar.  Neophite witch discovers she has more power than she knows and manages to fall for an ancient, sensitive vampire (he only eats deer, really!).  In the meantime, werewolves/demons, whatever, have some issues with this new hookup.  Pacing is slow and very British (this is a BBC offering) and there is much talk and little action.  When there is action the special effects are sadly inferior, looking more like the over-the-top stuff from mockumentary "What We Do in the Dark" than a serious effort to create magic.  What saves the series is very yummy Matthew Goode, whose lingering looks make me downright melty.  Will the series survive?  I'm not sure.  For now, I'm willing to spend a week ogling. 

RIP, Gotham

Truly, one of the highest quality shows I've seen on television in a good while.  It will be missed.  The production, including writing, acting, direction, set design, cinematography, costuming and more can only be summed up with one word -- "Vision".  A strong vision ran through this show from the very beginning to the (almost) end, creating a detailed, visceral Gotham with strong and memorable portrayals of the characters we have known for so long.  We didn't just see all these iconic characters in their nascence, we saw them growing into what they would become.  Huge bravos, bravas, to everyone included in this rich series, including:

• Ben McKenzie -- portraying a Jim Gordon who tried, and often failed, to find the moral center in an environment which was a moral morass.
• Donal Logue -- who I have loved through many a series but found particularly intriguing here as the guy with questionable behavior who looked to Jim for the light.  
• Sean Pertwee -- Alfred kicks ***.  And he's kinda hot.

Bad guys who were so good that they stole every scene they were in:

• Robin Lord Taylor -- for making the whiny, vicious Penguin a whirling dervish of contradictions.
• Corey Michael Smith -- a psychopath to remember.
• Cameron Monagan -- SOOO creepy.  Made me forget Jack Nicholson.
• Anthony Carrigan -- the deadpan humor of Victor Zsasz had me LOLROTF.

And the "are they bad or are they good" folks:

• Erin Richards and Morena Baccarin -- who went through a LOT of changes and committed to all the crazy.
• Drew Powell -- so darned lovable for a henchman.  I cried when you died.  Both times.

And our young folk.  My one and only complaint is that you were written out of the finale, which really should have been your moment.

• Camren Bicondova -- you made Michelle Pfeiffer proud but also made the role your own.
• David Mazouz -- you so totally deserve to play adult Batman sometime.  Really.

As to that last episode, well ... with the series ending the creators felt the need to "bridge" to what was to come.  Problem is that it's not the bat suits and cat suits, it's the troubled people under the suits which makes us watch (Michael Keaton, anyone?)  So I will forever hold the second-to-last episode in my heart, as the characters there were the heart of this show.  Besides, that episode really felt like the finale.

This show was excellence in television.  Had it been anything other than a superhero story it would have been recognized for its work with numerous awards.  A pity.  This show deserved them all.

Five years of watching these well-known paths being travelled.  Thanks for taking me along for the ride.