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Nikita: Season 2 Episode 13: Clean Sweep – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:23:04 +0000

“Kill them all!” That’s one of the deadly orders given in this week’s episode of “Nikita.” The gang of assassins have their hands full when Percy breaks free and tries to take down Oversight. There’s nothing more dangerous than a revenge-seeking psycho, with Guardians at his disposal.

Check out our review…

The Players

Director: Brad Turner
Writer: Kalinda Vazquez
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Devon Sawa

Episode Title: “Clean Sweep”

Nikita, Michael and Sean attempt to rescue the captured members of Oversight. Percy and Amanda strike a deal that finally grants him freedom. Meanwhile, Alex returns to Division and tries to disable “Operation Clean Sweep.”

The Good:

Percy Has a Way with Words. Percy is the king of manipulation. When confronted by Nikita’s gang, he hit all the hot button topics. He brought up Michael’s part in the death of Nikita’s fiance, then taunted him with a possible Nikita-Owen fling, and tapped into Sean’s mommy issues. He went for the jugular in one fell swoop.
Nikita joins Oversight: After realizing she’s lost control of Amanda, Senator Pierce asks Nikita to help her dismantle Division. At first, Nikita’s against it but Michael convinces her that it’s the safest, smartest way to do it. We never thought we’d see the day.
Amanda’s Gone Rogue: Speaking of Amanda, we can never read her! She’s worse than Percy. Her back-up-back-up plans have back-up plans. We genuinely thought she cared about the innocent Division employees whose brains would turn to mush if the nerve gas was released. But we should have known better. She was prepared to slip on a gas mask and watch them all die. Her fake concern knows no bounds.
Percy’s on the Move: Where’s Percy going? Over the past two seasons he’s been a stationary character. This time, the tables have turned and now he’s on the run. It will be interesting to see him in a different setting that has him adapting to his surrounding. Nikita does it all the time.

The Bad:

Anyone Else Confused?: There are a lot of story lines going on right now and we’re trying to keep up. Nikita is still taking down Division, but with the help of Oversight. Division is in cahoots with Gogal, who’re still working for Semak, whom Alex is trying to kill. Oh, and did we forget to mention that Percy is still out there? Or that Ryan is still imprisoned? And where the heck is Owen when we really need him?!

Overall:

“Clean Sweep” was a decent episode. The first half was rather slow, but the final 30 minutes made up for it. One of the things we love about “Nikita” is its hand-to-hand combat scenes but this week, they were scarce. We mostly saw gun-play and lots of threatening, which is pretty generic.

Rating: 7.5/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode of “Nikita?”

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 12: Sanctuary – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:41:13 +0000

The band’s back together again! After a season of strife between Nikita, Michael and Alex, they’ve reunited and it feels so good. This week, the former agents kick ass on their home turf, and Sean Pierce is on the receiving end. Plus, Oversight’s panicking and Percy reveals the ace up his sleeve.

Check out our review…

The Players

Director: Steven A. Adelson
Writer: Andrew Colville
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley

Episode Title: “Sanctuary”

Nikita, Alex and Michael return to Birkhoff’s hideout. Sean goes on a solo mission to assassinate Nikita but gets caught and captured. Oversight decides to activate a “clean sweep” of Division, which would kill all employees including Amanda. Percy finally shows his hand and is one step closer to freedom.

The Good:

Together Again: Were we the only ones who smiled when the gang reunited? When Michael walked into the room, and Alex, Birkhoff and Nikita were there, it was a beautiful sight. And the sappy music they played in the background was an added bonus.
Sean/Alex: Earlier in the season, Sean made it pretty clear that he using Alex’s emotions against her. But it looks like he genuinely cares for her. If he’s telling the truth, and he’s been trying to protect Alex, we can get behind their relationship. P.S. any episode that features Sean half-naked gets automatic bonus points.
Bickering Exes: What?! Amanda and Percy had a thing? The revealing exchange between these two was fire. Amanda clearly cares for him as more than a colleague but he not interested. Percy dished out some cold lines. He told her she was never his equal and she was incapable of love. It was the first time Amanda ever showed an ounce of hurt.
The Stakes: This episode was extremely tense. The stakes were too high for everybody. The last five minutes were insane. Amanda was about to inject Percy with a coma-inducing cocktail, the Guardians were holding Oversight hostage and Sean, Nikita and the rest of the gang were listening in horror.

The Bad:

Sean’s Lead: Who gave Sean the intel regarding Nikita’s whereabouts? When his mother asked if he was following Alex’s tracker he said, no. He’d got a solid lead. Who could have spilled the beans?

Overall:

This was a great episode. The second season of “Nikita” is proving to be stronger than the first. The drama continues to mount with each episode and we’re only halfway through the season. “Sanctuary” had all the makings of a finale episode. We can’t wait to see what’s next.

Rating: 9.5/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode of Nikita?

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 11: Pale Fire – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:46:21 +0000

They’re baaack! Nikita and company have returned from their holiday hiatus. The last time we saw the group, Nikita was going after Ari, while Michael and Owen were tackling the Guardians. Meanwhile, Alex went rogue in Russia and discovered a long lost relative — her mother!

There’s so much drama in the air, so let’s get to it…

The Players

Director: Deran Sarafian
Writer: Kristen Reidel
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Devon Sawa

Episode Title: “Pale Fire”

Nikita travels to Russia to get Ari’s black box but ends up running into Alex. The former partners join forces in an attempt to rescue Alex’s mom Katya. Michael and Owen are busy tracking the Guardians and eager to uncover Percy’s plan. Speaking of Percy, Amanda throws Ryan into his cell hoping he’ll obtain information she can use to topple Oversight.

The Good:

Team Players: This week’s episode was all about team work. Nikita and Alex were together again, Michael and Owen were hitting the streets, and even Percy and Ryan had some couple time.
Katya’s Out of It: Alex’s mom isn’t as innocent as she looks. Semak isn’t her captor, he’s her lover and they’ve been together for years. If that wasn’t gross enough, she’s been brainwashed to believe that Alex is “sick” and has been turned by the Americans. She’s also hopped up on prescription drugs, which Semak encourages her to take.
Shoot’em Up: Once Nikita realized that Katya was a lost cause, she still tried to break her to out. Unfortunately, Katya called for help and Nikita was surrounded by soldiers. Luckily, Alex showed up and they managed to escaped in a blaze of glory.
Ryan’s Alive: Ryan didn’t do much this week, but we were happy to see his face. Him and Owen are valuable assets to Nikita’s team. Even though he spent most of the episode holed up with Percy, his still in the loop.

The Bad:

Group Behind the Group: How many rogue agencies are there? First Division, then Oversight, and now there’s someone else? Percy told Ryan that Oversight was irrelevant and there’s always a group behind the group. It’s getting hard to keep up.

Overall:

“Pale Fire” was an episode filled with revelations and reunions. And judging from next week’s promo, the old band’s getting back together. Nikita, Michael, Birkhoff, and Alex are about to kick ass and take names. We can’t wait!

Rating: 9/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW.

What did you think of Nikita’s big return episode?

Top 10 Macho Movies that Ruled the ’90s

Krystal Clark — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:50:08 +0000

In the 1990′s, action movies evolved. The plots hit closer to home and heroes had Average Joe appeal. This is also the decade that turned former pretty boys into action royalty (we’re looking at you Antonio Banderas and Keanu Reeves). So hold on as we count down the top 10 macho movies that ruled the ’90s — one bullet at a time.

10. Cliffhanger (1993)

Is it cold in here, or is it just us? Forget New York and L.A., 1993′s Cliffhanger takes place in the Rocky Mountains! The film follows Sylvester Stallone as he battles the icy elements and a group of merciless thieves. Not only does Stallone do some impressive rock climbing but he does it in shorts and a tank top! Who cares if it’s 20 degrees below zero, he doesn’t have time to freeze.

9. The Rock (1996)

Before he retired, Sean Connery made a few badass action films, including Michael Bay’s The Rock. As Captain John Patrick Mason, he helps a group of soldiers infiltrate the most secure prison in the country – Alcatraz. Even though he was a senior citizen, Connery still had what it took to get the job done. He may be old, but he’s still James Bond, damn it!

8. Hard to Kill (1990)

Don’t let the ponytail fool you; Mason Storm is hard to kill. After being shot and left for dead, the man just won’t quit. He wants justice and he doesn’t care how many bones he has to break to get it. Unlike Stallone and Van Damme, Steven Seagal doesn’t need bells and whistles to handle his business. Give him a handgun, a pool stick and he’ll make magic happen. Nothing screams macho like low maintenance.

7. Desperado (1995)

Antonio Banderas is the man, the myth, and the legend – El Mariachi. Before becoming the family-friendly Puss in Boots, Banderas made a name for himself as a vengeance-seeking musician. After a drug lord kills his lady love, he goes on a mission to make him pay! El Mariachi is one of the few action heroes who can literally pull a gun out of thin air. And in some cases, his jacket sleeves, guitar case, and even his hair. The man’s resourceful.

6. Double Impact (1991)

Are you ready for “Double the Van Dammage?” In Double Impact, Jean-Claude Van Damme plays twin brothers looking to avenge their dead parents. One packs a punch, while the other packs a piece. What more could you ask for? There are fights, explosions, and lots of unnecessary nudity. This is the perfect movie for a guy’s night in.

5. True Lies (1994)

By the mid-nineties, Arnold Schwarzenegger had played every action character under the sun. But in 1994, he reunited with Terminator’s James Cameron to create Harry Tasker, super spy! By day, he works at a boring office but by night, he’s flying jets and riding horses in elevators. Tasker’s not your everyday badass — he has versatility. Do you need a pilot? He’s on it! You need someone to disable a bomb? He can do that too!

4. Con Air (1997)

Believe it or not, Nicolas Cage used to make good movies. After surviving his time on The Rock, he returned to the action genre in 1997’s Con Air. He plays a former Army Ranger who’s sent to prison after killing a man (with excessive force) in self defense. After serving his sentence, he’s placed on an airplane with some of the worst criminals in the country. What’s more awesome than one man fighting a group of psychos? One man fighting a group of psychos at 40,000 feet!

3. Bad Boys (1995)

Bad Boys is the movie that introduced us to professional pyromaniac and director Michael Bay. The movie features Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as funnymen turned heroes Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett. They’re detectives, they live in Miami, and they’re protecting an attractive murder witness (Tea Leoni). With a set up like that are you surprised explosions and car chases ensue?

2. Speed (1994)

“Pop quiz, hotshot. There’s a bomb on a bus. Once the bus goes 50 miles an hour, the bomb is armed. If it drops below 50, it blows up. What do you do? What do you do?” Before becoming “The One,” Keanu Reeves went after Dennis Hopper in 1994′s Speed. As Officer Jack Traven, he had to maneuver a bus through L.A. traffic, while keeping its passengers calm and safe. Somehow he manages to stop the bus, find the bomber, and get the girl with little to no help. You’ve gotta respect a man who works well under pressure.

1. Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Die Hard with a Vengeance is one of our favorite entries in the Die Hard series. Seven years after the release of the original, Bruce Willis and director John McTiernan returned for what was supposed to be John McClane’s last hurrah. Similar to Speed, this film centers on a psycho bomber who has a bone to pick with our hero. Once again, McClan,e armed with a wife beater, gun, and his famous one-liner (Yippee Ki Yay Motherf*cker!), goes head-to-head with a terrorist/ thief. It may sound over the top to us but for him, it’s just another day at the office.

What’s your favorite Macho Movie of the nineties?

Top 10 Macho Movies that Ruled the ’80s

Krystal Clark — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:00:02 +0000

In the 1980s, action flicks ruled Hollywood. Theaters were overrun with iconic bad-asses like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and the one and only Chuck “Frakkin’” Norris! It’s time to grab your headband and machine gun, because we’re counting down the top 10 macho movies of that decadent decade.

10. Road House (1989)

After the success of Dirty Dancing, Patrick Swayze was ready to shed his twinkle-toe image. So in 1989, he appeared in the testosterone-fueled Road House. The film centers on a bouncer who tries to protect a bar from a sleazy businessman and rowdy patrons. Don’t let his size or demeanor fool you. He cleans house one swift roundhouse kick at a time.

9. American Ninja (1985)

Whatever happened to Michael Dudikoff? He’s the brave soul that went up against the Black Star Army in 1985′s American Ninja. His character’s trained in the sacred martial arts and uses his rare skills to defeat evil. Not only can he handle a gun but he also knows his way around a pair of sais (above). Like the tag line says, the deadliest art of the East is now in the hands of an American. Watch out!

8. Rocky IV (1985)

“I must break you.” It’s been 26 years since Rocky IV’s release and those words still send chills down our spine. The movie isn’t a masterpiece but what it lacks in sensible dialogue it makes up for in spirit. It was Rocky Balboa versus Ivan Drago. It was the U.S. versus The Soviet Union. It was blonds versus brunettes. You get the picture.

7. Missing in Action (1984)

James Braddock can’t forget what happened in Vietnam. After escaping a prison camp, the war hero vows to rescue every soldier stuck behind enemy lines. Armed with a machine gun, fists of fury, and a rockin’ beard — Chuck Norris kicks ass and takes names. Because in his eyes, the war isn’t over until the last man comes home.

6. Predator (1987)

Predator contains all the elements of an over the top action movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Check! Carl Weathers. Check! A popular professional wrestler. Check! Predator pits the ultimate alpha males against Earth’s biggest threat – aliens! After being dropped in a rain forest, a group of soldiers have to fend for themselves as they’re hunted like dogs. In a situation like that, only the strong survive. No weaklings allowed.

5. Escape from New York (1981)

“One man must go in where no man has ever gotten out.” Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) does the unthinkable when he tackles New York City after its gone to hell in a hand basket. Escape from New York has gunfights, knife fights, even a random brawl in a boxing ring. It’s all the action you could ask for set against the futuristic backdrop of 1997 (Ha!). Oh the ’80s, gotta love ‘em!

4. Die Hard (1988)

NYPD officer John McClane’s (Bruce Willis) plan is to spend Christmas with his family, but that goes to crap when his wife is taken hostage in a high-tech high-rise heist (say that three times fast), thanks to overzealous terrorist/ thief Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). McClane goes from Average Joe to “Yippee Ki Yay Motherf*cker” in the matter of two hours. It’s one man against a building full of professional killers. If that doesn’t get your blood pumping, we don’t know what will.

3. Bloodsport (1988)

Jean-Claude Van Damme split-kicked his way into our hearts when he played martial artist Frank Dux in 1988’s Bloodsport. In the film, Dux travels to Hong Kong to participate in a dangerous, underground competition called the Kumite. Only the world’s best martial artists are invited and mild-mannered Dux has to put up or shut up. Fighters are maimed, blinded and even killed during their matches. They don’t call it Bloodsport for nothing.

2. Commando (1985)

Get your war paint ready, because Schwarzenegger’s going Commando! In this film, the bad guys have messed with the wrong man. They killed his friends, kidnapped his daughter and actually think they’re going to get away with it. Commando is one of our favorite Schwarzenegger movies because the stakes are so high and he just doesn’t give a damn!

1. First Blood (1982)

John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) is the ultimate ‘80s action hero. He’s a loner. He’s quiet. And he happens to be an expert in guerrilla warfare. After being tormented by a corrupt sheriff, Rambo taps into his survival training to fight back. As one man, he takes on 200 police officers and still manages to come out on top. How? Because he oozes machismo! If you send in 200 men against Rambo, don’t forget one thing – “a good supply of body bags.”

What’s your favorite Macho Movie of the eighties?

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 10: Guardians – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:55:28 +0000

He’s back! This week, Devon Sawa returns to “Nikita” as Owen, the Guardian gone rogue. Whenever he and Nikita work together sparks fly, and this episode was no exception. There’s plenty of drama, action, and lots of sexual tension pulsating through the screen. Be warned, it’s about to get hot in here!

Check out our review…

The Players

Director: Dwight H. Little
Writer: Albert Kim
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Devon Sawa

Episode Title: “Guardians”

Nikita heads to Europe to find Owen and recover a black box. But she discovers he’s been working with Gogol and decides to use their connection to her advantage. The duo closes in on the box’s assigned Guardian but run into trouble. Nikita’s arrested by local police and Owen’s betrayed by Gogol (no surprise there). Meanwhile, Alex sneaks into Semak’s home ready to kill, but comes across a ghost from her past.

The Good:

Owen’s Back!: Owen has returned after a long hiatus and his feelings for Nikita were on full display. In earlier reviews, we’ve wondered if a love triangle was on the horizon and all signs point to YES! Owen’s a lot more open with his flirtation (the breakfast scene: “I’d forgotten how bossy you can be. And well, I kind of missed that.”), but he stills respects Nikita and Michael’s relationship. You can tell that he cares for her, because he’s willing to put his feelings aside for her happiness.
Michael’s Entrance: Speaking of Michael, he really knows how to make an entrance doesn’t he? He was M.I.A. most of the episode and shows up in the final 12 minutes in the most baddass way. Nikita and Owen were on the verge of death, when Michael pulled up and started unloading rounds like Neo in The Matrix. He even had the long, black coat to match!
Mama?: Who didn’t see that soap opera ending coming? Thanks to Percy’s prophetic voice over, Alex (and the audience) learned that her parents weren’t really dead. Well, at least her mother isn’t. Alex stumbled upon her in a bedroom, and the poor girl was completely shocked. Interesting side note: Sarah Clarke, who plays Alex’s mom, is the real-life wife of Xander Berkeley (Percy). He really is involved in everything!

The Bad:

No Birkhoff: We know Birkhoff is at home licking is wounds but he was missed this week. The covert missions just aren’t the same without his witty lines and quips. We miss our “nerd.”

Overall:

This week’s episode of “Nikita” was all about chemistry. Nikita, Owen, and even the brief moments with Michael were amazing. The actors gel well and there was enough sexual tension to set Alex’s old house ablaze!

Rating: 8/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode of “Nikita?”

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 9: Fair Trade – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:53:01 +0000

This week’s episode of “Nikita“ is entitled “Fair Trade,” and it’s all about Birkhoff. Nikita’s reckless ways puts her sidekick in danger and she’s forced to barter with his life. At Division, Sean continues to stroke Alex’s ego to gain access to Nikita, while Michael’s settled in to his new domestic life with Max.

Find out more in our latest review…

The Players

Director: Nick Copus
Writer: Juan Carlos Coto
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Dillon Casey

Episode Title: “Fair Trade”

Nikita’s still reeling over the loss of Michael, so she buries herself in work. Her dangerous actions backfire and inadvertently put Birkhoff in harm’s way. The tech genius is kidnapped by Division and used as leverage to draw Nikita out. Meanwhile, Alex tries to re-enter Russia by posing as an illegal prostitute.

The Good:

On the Run: This episode featured an amazing foot-chase between Nikita and Sean. It followed a shoeless Nikita as she ran through the street, hopped over benches, and dodged Sean without missing a beat. The scene was beautifully shot and covered a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
Amanda’s a Psychopath: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — Amanda is a Black Widow. She was stone cold during her torturing session with Birkhoff. She’s one of the most sadistic characters on this show, but we can’t stop watching her. Melinda Clarke is fantastic!
Nikita’s Breakdown: Following her pseudo break-up with Michael, Nikita’s been living on the emotional edge. After Birkoff’s capture, she called Michael and pitched a fit. She shouted, “Why aren’t you here?!” The real question is: Why is she upset? Didn’t she encourage him to stay in London with his son? Either way, it was great to see Maggie Q stretch her acting (as opposed to physical) muscles for once.

The Bad:

Sean’s a Mama’s Boy: We get that Sean wants to protect his mother, but lately he’s been blowing it. He killed one of Oversight’s members because they were going to expose his mom, then he shot the black box Amanda was dying to get her hands on. Why does either organization deal with him? He’s too close to the mission.
Alex’s Seduction: The phony concern that Sean’s showing Alex is hard to watch. As viewers, we can see through his lies but Alex is none-the-wiser. We’re not sure how long we can sit through this farce.

Overall:

This week, Nikita went coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs. But all the mishaps were worth it because we got to see rare side of the character. It was a welcomed change of pace for the super-stealth assassin.

Rating: 8/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode of Nikita?

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 8: London Calling – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:20:03 +0000

This week’s episode of “Nikita” entitled “London Calling” is filled with baby mama drama. Cassandra’s back and puts Michael in danger when a threat from her past resurfaces. Percy and Alex join forces for an important transaction and Sean makes plans for his Division exit.

Find out more in this week’s review…

The Players:

Director: Jeffrey G. Hunt
Writer: Kalinda Vazquez
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley

Episode Title: “London Calling”

Michael travels to London to visit Cassandra and Max but is sidetracked when she’s kidnapped. Him and Nikita join forces to find out who’s taken her and why. At Division, Percy persuades Alex to transfer a large sum of money to a client. In exchange for her help, he bankrolls her mission to kill Semak (to the tune of $100 million). Meanwhile, Sean decides to seduce Alex to get closer to Nikita.

The Good:

Michael’s in Daddy Mode: Making Michael a father (again) is one of the best storylines this season. The interactions between him and Max are touching and allow us to see Michael in a different light. What’s not to love about a grown man and his son watching cartoons together? It has Forrest Gump written all over it.
Fight Choreography: The fight scenes on this show are always top-notch but they were extra awesome this week. Michael was in full Ethan Hunt mode in the park, while Nikita literally walked on a ceiling in the middle of combat. Even Cassandra got in on the action with some no-nonsense Jui jitsu.
Cassandra’s MI6: Speaking of Cassandra, she’s an agent too! She works for MI6 and was a spy way before she met Michael. With her as his mom, and Michael as his dad, Max is going to be one tough cookie! That’s some dangerous stock!

The So-So:

Sean’s Plan: We’re conflicted about Sean. Last week, we empathized with his desire to leave Division and Oversight. But using Alex to protect his mom is a dangerous method. No one can fault him for wanting to save her from Nikita’s wrath but come on. He’s going to use Alex to draw her out? That’s all he’s got?

The Bad:

The Break-Up: We’ve never been 100 percent “Team Mikita” but we see their appeal. Therefore, the whole break-up following the Cassandra incident burned. Yes, Michael has a child with her, and yes there’s still a spark between them but they’re not acting on it. There’s no reason why he can’t love his son and continue his relationship with Nikita.

Sidenotes:

Percy’s Privileges: In Percy’s first scene he was shown sitting at a desk writing with a pen. It was a sharp, reflective pen! Couldn’t he use that as a weapon? Shouldn’t they be taking every precaution necessary? The man’s a career criminal and manipulator. Come on Amanda, you’re better than that.

Overall:

“London Calling” was a solid episode. It’s not as strong as the previous two but the action was up to par and the spy-vs-spy scenario was extremely entertaining.

Rating: 8/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode of Nikita?

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 7: Clawback – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:36:35 +0000

This week’s episode of “Nikita” is titled “Clawback” and it’s filled with drama. Ryan, Nikita’s favorite convict becomes public enemy number one after discovering Oversight’s questionable funding methods. Nikita and Michael work together to break him out of prison but are sidetracked by an unexpected complication. Do they make it in time?

Check out our review…

The Players

Director: Eagle Egilsson
Writer: Brandon Guercio
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Dillon Casey, Noah Bean

Episode Title: “Clawback”

Nikita and Michael are summoned by former CIA analyst and current prisoner Ryan (Noah Bean). He’s managed to decode Oversight’s money laundering scheme and has been targeted by the covert operation. Nikita personally does whatever it takes to protect him from the group. Speaking of Oversight and Division, Alex and Sean are attacked by Gogol operatives, and Sean reveals a stunning secret about his past.

The Good:

Ryan’s Dead and Alive?: This episode played with our emotions. After shedding a tear for Ryan, who was “killed” in the prison infirmary we learned that Amanda faked his death! It was a wild ride, but the execution was flawless. We need to keep Ryan around for the long haul. He’s one of Nikita’s only friends and that’s really saying something because she doesn’t have many.
Sean’s Family Secrets: Mr. Pierce is the son of Senator Madeline Pierce, a key member of Oversight. But the agent is starting to question the organization and their amoral practices. He hates what they’ve become and wants out but first he has to make sure his mother’s safe. He’s like Michael Corleone in The Godfather: Part III, every time he thinks he’s out, they pull him back in!
Amanda’s a Woman Scorned: Amanda’s cold-blooded. She uses every dirty trick in the book to get what she wants. For someone like Sean, who grew up around Oversight, he’s not the sharpest tool in the box. Everyone knows that the government can use cell phones as listening devices, and Amanda did just that with him and his mom. Also, the little two-second delay she faked before giving Roan the kill-order for Nikita and Gaines was hilarious. “I have to check with Oversight. Please hold [looks at nails]…kill them both.”
Percy vs Amanda vs Oversight vs Nikita vs Gogol: Oh, what a tangled web we weave. As we stated earlier, this season is turning into a real dog-eat-dog competition. Percy’s angling to get out of prison, Amanda’s angling to overthrow Oversight, while Oversight tries to overthrow her, Gogol’s still trying to kill Alex, and Nikita wants them all in body bags. With so much treachery and backstabbing, it’s hard to keep up. Is this an action drama or a soap opera?

The Bad:

Alex Hits a Wall: Alex can’t catch a break. Her childhood friend Yuri got “cancelled” after being caught by Division. Alex really thought she could get through to him, but she should have known better than to trust Amanda. She’d never let something like that slide. Now Alex is stuck at Division, in what looks like the same room she slept in when she first arrived over a year ago. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Overall:

This season is turning into pure drama. There’s a baby daddy storyline with Michael, Sean and Alex are both having doubts about their goals, Nikita went off the rails and Ryan’s living in Division’s basement. These are just the topics that were covered in one episode! We can’t forget the other storylines like Owen’s backdoor deal with Gogol or Percy’s master plan to escape. Keep it coming!

Rating: 9.5/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode?

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 6: 343 Walnut Lane – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 04:53:38 +0000

It’s like looking in a mirror isn’t it? In this week’s episode of “Nikita” entitled “343 Walnut Lane,” Nikita came face to face with her father. Unfortunately, her bio-dad isn’t all he’s cracked up to be. Over at Division, Alex and Amanda continue to get played by Percy, who has a master plan to regain his power — one manipulation at a time.

Check out our review of Nikita…

The Players:

Director: Nick Copus
Writer: Andrew Colville
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley,(Guest Star) David Keith

Episode Title: “343 Walnut Lane”

Nikita and Michael go on a search to find her biological father Richard (David Keith). They discover he’s a former CIA agent, who’s been on the run for years. Percy continues to pit Alex and Amanda against each other by feeding them lies. And Birkhoff’s house takes a serious hit after Division attacks his hideout.

The Good:

Percy Pulls the Strings: Percy is one bad motherlover. While imprisoned, underground, in a glass cage, he still manages to manipulate everyone in his path. He has both Alex and Amanda eating out of the palm of his hand. Alex even more so, thanks to her secret meetings with Nikita. Percy knows she betrayed Amanda, and he’s using it as blackmail. When he said, “I own you Alex,” truer words have never been spoken.
Daddy Issues: Richard was too good to be true. Nikita really wanted him to be her biological father but it was all a scheme. Richard was Division and a part of a master plan Percy set up years ago. We were more than happy to see her bust a few caps into his body after the crap he pulled.
Birkhoff Fights Back: Did Birkhoff throw some hands? Yes, he did! The computer geek went toe-to-toe with Richard after Alex revealed his true identity. He got roughed up a bit but he wasn’t afraid to defend himself. Birkhoff continues to amaze us.
The Truth’s Revealed: Thank God they didn’t drag out Michael and Max’s paternity secret. After dealing with Richard’s lies, Nikita felt guilty about keeping Michael from his son. She explained to him that Max was born nine months after he left his mission in Minsk, and that he was a daddy — again. His response was shock, disbelief and a touch of anger. Nikita should have told him sooner but technically she only waited a week. That’s like a minute in TV time.

The Bad:

We’re Homeless: After Division’s invasion, Birkhoff’s home was blown to bits, leaving our rogue trio homeless. It’s a real shame considering the sweet set-up they had. But judging from Birkhoff’s hidden luxury car, and endless amount of cash, we’re sure they’ll have a new spot in no time.

Overall:

This week’s episode was great! It kept us on our toes. Each lie led to another secret to be unveiled. Percy’s slowly regaining control and Alex is one step closer to returning to Nikita’s side. Oh, and Michael knows he has a kid! How will that affect him and Nikita’s relationship? Only time will tell.

Rating: 9.5/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode of Nikita?

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 5: Looking Glass – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:55:02 +0000

What a tangled web we weave. This week’s episode of “Nikita” entitled “The Looking Glass” was filled with lies, betrayal and hidden identities. Michael and Nikita’s relationship hits a serious rough patch after a new element is thrown into their midst. Also, Alex and Sean come to a mutual understanding, while on a rescue mission to Belarus.

Check out our review…

The Players

Director: Ken Girotti
Writer: Albert Kim
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley

Episode Title: “Looking Glass”

Nikita and Michael travel to Belarus where they plan to excavate the first lady and Michael’s former “asset” Cassandra. Upon their arrival they learn that Cassandra has a son and her own plans to escape the country. But when they fall through, she turns to Michael for help with her and “their” son’s escape. Sean and Alex also arrive in Belarus to recover a captured agent, but are too late to save her. Their rescue turns into an assassination hit that’s pleasing to Amanda, who may have engineered the whole thing!

The Good:

Michael’s the Daddy: From the first moment Cassandra’s son Max appeared on screen, it was evident that Michael was his dad. The young boy who plays the child favors Shane West and looks absolutely nothing like his mother’s husband. This paternity revelation is going to put a serious damper on Nikita and Michael’s relationship — if and when he finds out.
The Switcheroo: Sean placed a bomb in Ovechkin’s car in order to kill the power hungry ruler, but he almost blew up Cassandra instead. We have to admit, for a moment the thought of watching Michael lose another mother and child due to Division interference would have been too much to take. Thank goodness for Nikita’s fast feet and quick thinking!
Double Mission Success: This was the first episode where Michael, Nikita and Alex had a related goal that didn’t cancel each other out. Division wanted Ovechkin dead and he is, Michael and Nikita wanted Cassandra and Max safe, and they are. It was a win-win.
Nanny’s Got a Gun: How badass was it for Max’s nanny to be a part-time killer? That lady was ready for war when she realized that Nikita had been speaking to Max. She put up a good fight. She still got killed by a toy, but still, a helluva fighter.

The Bad:

Nikita’s Insecurity: We get it Nikita — you’re jealous of Michael’s past relationship with Cassandra. Nikita showing signs of vulnerability leaned too much towards the needy side. Plus, with the revelation of Max’s paternity, you already know she’s going to keep that secret despite how much it’ll hurt Michael. Judging from next week’s preview he’s still none the wiser. I smell a break up coming and it will be all her fault. Calling all Owen lovers.

Overall:

“The Looking Glass” was one of the best episodes this short season. Missions got accomplished and new personal developments were made. We already liked Michael but adding Max just made him a lot more interesting. How long do you think it’ll be before he finds out the truth and turns on Nikita? The season finale?

Rating: 9.5/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode of Nikita? Tell us in the comments!

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 4: Partners – TV Review

Krystal Clark — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:14:30 +0000

The plot thickens on this week’s episode of “Nikita.” Nikita’s chasing Kelly, Kelly’s chasing Alex, Alex is chasing Nikita and Michael’s two steps behind them all. “Partners” is filled with lots of action and plenty of betrayal to keep you glued to your screen.

Check out our review below…

The Players:

Director: Dermott Downs
Writer: Kristen Reidel
Cast: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Xander Berkeley

Episode Title: “Partners”

When Kelly, a former Division agent escapes a Turkish prison, Nikita wants to help. Kelly’s a former ally, who Nikita threw under the bus to break free from Division. Because of her selfishness, Kelly spent four years in prison and Nikita wants to make things right. Meanwhile, Amanda sends Alex and resident creepy guy Ronan to find and capture Nikita, while Zetrov’s Semak hires Gogol to eliminate Alex.

The Good:

Gogol is Back: Last season, the introduction of Gogol was one of the highlights of the show. They, along with their leader Ari, seemed to be a formidable foe to Percy and Division. Two weeks ago, Ari reappeared at the end of the “Falling Ash” episode and this week he’s finally front and center. Move over Oversight, Gogol’s back in the game!
Ari: We love Ari. Anytime he’s onscreen we know some type of corruption will take place. Like Percy, he’s a control freak who needs things done his way and in his time. With Percy on ice and Amanda in charge, how will Ari fit in?
Zetrov/Semak Story: As the season progresses, the Zetrov story is getting more and more complicated. Alex is using Division and their resources to destroy Semak, Amanda is using Alex to get access to Zetrov, and Semak is using Gogol to kill Alex. It’s a giant circle of crazy!
Percy’s Imprisonment: Percy’s making the most of his prison stint. The “tea chat” between him and Amanda was particularly entertaining. So far, his scenes have been very limited but we know his wheels are spinning. By the end of the season, he’ll probably reveal some sick plan that’s been in the works from the beginning.

The Bad:

Alex is losing her spark: Last year Alex was a badass. She fought almost every episode and was a close second to Nikita in hand-to-hand combat. But this year, she’s been getting roughed up — a lot. In the season premiere Nikita practically maimed her, and this week Kelly had her on her knees. What happened to the smart, quick-witted Alex? We miss her. Please, bring her back.

Overall:

“Partners” was a great episode. It introduced some new elements, which add another layer of drama to the already complex plot. Gogol is a welcome addition to the overarching storyline, which is tied to Division, Owen, and now Alex.

Rating: 9/10

“Nikita” airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on The CW

What did you think of this week’s episode? What do you think of Gogol’s resurgence?

ScreenCrave.com » Krystal Clark

Nikita: Season 2 Episode 13: Clean Sweep – TV Review

The Players

Episode Title: “Clean Sweep”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 7.5/10

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Nikita: Season 2 Episode 12: Sanctuary – TV Review

The Players

Episode Title: “Sanctuary”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 9.5/10

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Nikita: Season 2 Episode 11: Pale Fire – TV Review

The Players

Episode Title: “Pale Fire”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

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Nikita: Season 2 Episode 10: Guardians – TV Review

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Episode Title: “Guardians”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

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Nikita: Season 2 Episode 9: Fair Trade – TV Review

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Episode Title: “Fair Trade”

The Good:

The Bad:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

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Nikita: Season 2 Episode 8: London Calling – TV Review

The Players:

Episode Title: “London Calling”

The Good:

The So-So:

The Bad:

Sidenotes:

Overall:

Rating: 8/10

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Nikita: Season 2 Episode 7: Clawback – TV Review

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Episode Title: “Clawback”

The Good:

The Bad: