Saving21 Reviews

NCIS: Los Angeles: New Beginnings, Part 2 (2023) Season 14, Episode 21

The final mission after 14 seasons!

[8/10 · 22 May 2023]

So after 14 seasons NCIS LA is coming to an end. I saw some people wanting it to continue but to me it was about time. For the past 3 seasons the show became shadow of its former self. There was no fun anymore, the actors themselves looked tired. And let's not forget the greatness of this show was the teamwork of the four agents working together Callen&Sam/Kensi&Deeks. But ever since covid showed up we barely saw all of them in one scene.

The final episode was fun not great but fun and good final for the show and the characters. I loved that we had the main 4 in action. But I wished we had one scene of the fabulous four together. I thought finishing with Callen wedding was nice closer, as the show started with him and his journey. I loved that Linda showed up even if it was just her voice, we needed Hetty one way or another. Kensi pregnant was beautiful.

The final scene with Callen&Sam going to another adventure with old friends was fitting ending with the bromance.

Goodbye NCIS LA .

Star Trek: Picard: The Last Generation (2023) Season 3, Episode 10

The greatest ending for the our TNG heroes

[10/10 · 23 April 2023]

This was an amazing season final for Star Trek Picard and a great ending for TNG crew, Something that was missing in their last movie Nemesis! I saw some people complaining about too much fan service, nostalgia and Easter eggs but I didn't see it as such, It was called for. We didn't see these characters for over two decades, You can't do a 10 episodes arch without the elements of nostalgia. To Me the main arch was great, return of an old maybe over used enemy but who else could they bring? And a story that is basically about family and love. Picard and Beverly's son, La forge's daughters, Troi&Riker worf saving his TNG family, Data coming back, 7 of nine finding out where she belongs. Enterprise D coming back to save everyone, it was perfect poignant emotional ending and start of the new phase of Star Trek.

Give us Star Trek legacy!!!

FBI: Heroes (2023) Season 5, Episode 11

Episode focussed on the background character- Kelly

[8/10 · 12 January 2023]

The main focus on FBI is the lead 4 team with Jobel&Isabel. We barley see episodes focussed on the tech staff, the analysts. But This episode we did the focus was on Kelly a character we saw from the first season but only as tech support ,this episode was his turn to shine. The episode was really good. I thought the main plot with simple bank robbery turning to something else was interesting plot. I liked the way that they wrote Kelly, he is tech guy not an agent he thought of trying to be hero but he didn't, he knew he couldn't so he listened to his superiors, only did the help at the last minute in a way it can work and not look foolish. And it was shown that he wasn't used to it, he was in shock like a real person would.it was realistic. Also another thing that I thought was good writing, was when they saved the daughter I thought they could just do live video of her to the parents , but then Isabel explained the parents were irrational and would think she was dead and FBI is lying to them that was smart writing.

Good plot and good character episode for someone we don't see in the focus often.

NCIS: Los Angeles: A Long Time Coming (2023) Season 14, Episode 10

NCIS time for big crossover- review for the all story

[7/10 · 11 January 2023]

So after the Chicago Mega event, after FBI event after LAW&ORDER and of course the Rookie we now have NCIS mega event. But not like the others this was the weakest of the bunch.the story felt weak on all 3 parts. It wasn't awful it was enjoyable at parts but I think there were too many issues that hurt the story. One was it that wasn't full cohesive story from start to finish. Something about CIA rough team that is connected to professor at FLTCE and admiral Kilbride. It got to two kidnapping and agents working together. For me the big issue was the way characters showed up and disappeared. Now I get that these 3 shows are in different places so to go and get actors around it's hard when you still have to shoot your own show. But still they could do better job on that. For example Vance is there, the head of NCIS but we never see him with all his agents in one place that could have been great scene. I did enjoy seeing MacGee with Callen&Sam that was nice touch that since they didn't see each other since the back door pilot in season 6 but still there should have been more . On Hawaii Sam is kidnapped but callen his co partner is not shown up up until the last 20 minutes of the episode? They don't share scenes together ?Torres is not on Hawaii episode trying to find the kidnapping agents but he is there on LA? Why? When we finished Hawaii we had both Jane&Callen leaving together next episode Jane is there but Callen is shown to be there with Sam? And let's stop with the stupid Joke about woman taking over men! It's just sounds stupid and old these guys were handled by women before. And yup it should be callen taking over not her but the LA writing Team loves to downgrade their characters. The action on the third part wasn't bad it wasn't great either. I did enjoy agent Parker in this crossover he was the only one that made sense and looked like a leader to the gang. Still don't really take him as someone who knowing hetty but what the heck .Oh something else on NCIS LA they need to stop thinking we are in covid time they are working too hard to separate the characters. Deeks and kensi didn't share any scenes with callen and Sam even tho they were in the same building! Ugh maybe it's the reason this looked at times as a mess ,because LA producers still working on covid time .

The Holiday Sitter (2022 TV Movie)

Great Christmas movie for hallmark

[7/10 · 18 December 2022]

This was the first gay Christmas movie for hallmark. They had gay characters before, Jonathan Bennett appeared as gay in other hallmark Christmas movie "the Christmas house". But this movie was the first movie that the gay couple was the lead. I think this movie worked well. The story wasn't unique to same sex couple. The story could have been with a woman& a man ,who one of them don't want children and had to open his/her heart to that. The actors were great along with the supporting cast.

The writing was very smart, classic story about how people getting to know each other around Christmas with children in the background.

The twist came in the end when we find out why the guy doesn't want children or he runs away when the subject of commitment comes up. It's because when he he was a child he didn't know he could have a family! That was nice touch to see how far We come with LGBTQ rights.

The last scene with all the families together happy for the couple was great.

A Big Fat Family Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

Chang-tastick holiday-different Christmas story

[7/10 · 14 December 2022]

This was one of the classic tales of hallmark Christmas movies. A women or a man who doesn't like part of his/her family connecting to Christmas finds out that it's actually the best. But in this variation the story is very different. And is much bigger than Christmas. This story is about a Chinese American female photographer from San Francisco who her Chinese family is hosting one of the biggest Christmas parties in the block. She doesn't feel comfortable with it and tries to hide it from her co workers. But when new reporter shows up and wants to do Christmas article about it she is trying to hide it but in the end after lots of missteps she reconnects to her family and kiss the guy.

The story looks very generic but it's not, the movie is much bigger than that when you find out that the main character tried to hide from her Chinese family party , it was because she was bullied as a child and that trauma made her try to protect her identity. This is about being Chinese American in USA or maybe any immigrant in USA. It's about racism and bullying and fitting in. I thought it was nicely done I loved the story & the actors were great. I also liked that they added some Chinese theme music to the soundtrack and had scenes in Chinese. Today it's hard showing social issues in tv, because most of the times the writers are preaching to us and not showing us the real issues. This movie was different it showed us in a beautiful way about Chinese Americans and dealt with today issues but not in a preaching way.

Christmas Class Reunion (2022 TV Movie)

Was this a Christmas movie?

[6/10 · 14 December 2022]

Now I get that most of the Christmas movies in recent years are the same 3 romance stories in different variations. But most of them had some Christmas elements that wasn't just the the tree it had that magical moment of the holiday. But this movie didn't feel any Christmas to me.the story is about high school reunion after 15 years were we meet the group of characters thinking about their school days and where they are now. Did they chose the right path, what did they achieve etc' etc'. The movie wasn't bad at all, the cast was great and had good chemistry. But to me the link between Christmas and the story was weak at best. They could have done reunion at any event because we always think of these questions When we meet our friends. There was no this extra Christmas magic that these kind of movies need to be holiday movie .

Inventing the Christmas Prince (2022 TV Movie)

A Christmas movie delight

[8/10 · 4 December 2022]

This movie is a Christmas delight. It's combining two stories romance and finding Christmas in a beautiful way.

The movie is about a single widow mother who is telling her daughter a fantasy story about Christmas prince. In a mistake her daughter believes the mom's Scrooge boss is the Christmas prince from the story so in an agreement the boss agrees to play the Christmas prince and she agrees to stay on the job. While he is granting the daughter wishes as Christmas prince he learns about Christmas magic and falls in love with the mother. Everything in the movie worked for me, I think the actors were great especially Tamera Mowry-Housley who is hallmark house name and her movies always work. Ronnie Rowe Was great as well and the two had great chemistry.the story itself felt magical about finding Christmas and falling in love. I have to admit I had tears in the end.

One of my faves this season.

Christmas at the Golden Dragon (2022 TV Movie)

Great hallmark Christmas movie this year.

[8/10 · 30 November 2022]

This movie is one of my favourite Christmas movies this year. It isn't typical Christmas movie it is different and it works. The movie is about a neighbourhood Chinese family restaurant that gathers people from all corners of life and making them a family. The movie showed more than one story and maybe for some people it was too much.but for me it worked I felt the movie moved along great and I could focus on all characters . I loved the main story, how can one place be link between different people from all walks of life. There were romance stories but they weren't the main focus, the focus was on Christmas and family. Have to admit the final scene made me a bit teary..

Haul Out the Holly (2022 TV Movie)

Over the top cheesy

[5/10 · 30 November 2022]

This was a disaster. They tried to do Christmas comedy with romance but failed. This is a story about a woman played by Lacey Chabert hallmark house name who isn't the most Christmas cheerleader going back home to a place that is all Christmas joy. This was supposed to be a movie about finding the joy and happiness of Christmas. But instead it became unbearable to watch. All the characters were over the top cliche that were too annoying. It wasn't funny or magical . They tried to do romance story but it didn't work. I love the actor another hallmark actor but the character was as annoying as everyone else in this movie.

This could have worked better but when most of the characters including the awful parents are annoying there is nothing to make you enjoy the movie.

There is a little thing that I noticed. I think I saw Lisa Chabert Wearing the same white sweater in a Christmas movie before. Look in "Time for Us to Come Home for Christmas" from last year. It's the same.

Three Wise Men and a Baby (2022 TV Movie)

Christmas delight.

[8/10 · 30 November 2022]

So what happens when you bring your three actors that are your leads, write a cute story with Christmas theme ? The answer is a Christmas delight!

One of the best hallmark Christmas movies this year. A movie about three brothers who all have issues in their life and have to carry for a baby that isn't their own and all that takes place around the Christmas time. Everything in this movie worked. Good actors who each have their own charm and Together their charm explodes in our screen. Great supporting cast that helped the story. The story itself wasn't your typical Christmas tale, finding your true love story. It was about growing up and moving on with your life.

Funny thing about the movie was that the best part was the The sugar plum dance and not the baby lol I wished that they would have done it again.

This is going to be a hallmark Christmas classic.

My Southern Family Christmas (2022 TV Movie)

Christmas family story

[7/10 · 29 November 2022]

Not like most of hallmarks movies. This movie the focus was on family and not finding your love. It was about a woman trying to get to know her biological father and the family he built without him knowing that. The story worked because there was no big drama with will she tell him or not. They focused on the story her getting to know them and they her. I loved that the reveal wasn't this big melodramatic moment but more calm, you don't need the big reveals sometimes.

There was romance,how can you not? But again it didn't take from the lead story.

I loved the actors they all did great work in this movie , the setting was the south and not in snow land , NO FAKE SNOW. I think it helped the story with some south costumes.

One of the better hallmark movies this Year.

NCIS: Los Angeles: Let It Burn (2022) Season 14, Episode 8

What a bore episode

[5/10 · 28 November 2022]

The plot of the week was boring and wasn't exciting like most plots recently. The character writing wasn't helping the episode either. First was Callen and Kilbride scenes. So Kilbride doesn't like that Callen is looking someone from his past (the all Callen was going trough indoctrination as a child) so he gives him info about the guy in charge, telling Callen that he thinks it's hurting his job. Now we saw Callen doing his job just fine the last few episodes. And if it's hurting his job WHY give HIM THE FILE ON THE JOB!! It doesn't make any sense. I love love the actor but Kilbride is just annoying character he doesn't add anything to the story only being old grouchy and yelling on the team, team that is doing this business for over a decade. It's just too much.

The other writing isn't helping the episode either. Roundtree is just boring character and his GF from the past was blah a. Fatima listening in and giving gossips to everyone was just too juvenile for a fed.

I'm trying to understand that even tho we aren't in covid time we still don't get big cast scenes together. Deeks and Callen were in the same building but didn't share screen time.

NCIS: Los Angeles: Glory of the Sea (2022) Season 14, Episode 6

Surprising to say this was good episode.

[7/10 · 15 November 2022]

Let's be honest,NCIS LA is after its peak for the past few seasons. This season feels very bore. The plots are really boring and not exciting. There is more focus on the characters stories than focus on good plots of the week . I love the characters but they used to balance character writing with plot writing much better. Also there is still lacking of characters interaction between Callen/Sam/Deeks and kensi like they used to do.

But this episode was good, not great but good. The plot was fun with the all Scavenger Hunt theme. I liked that the story was more about the plot of this week and not the characters . We had good character writing with Sam&Callen but it wasn't the focus. I loved that Callen&Sam worked together in this episode, we don't get much from these two lately. But this episode we did and it felt like old time with the classic banter between them. This was fun enjoyable episode.

NCIS: Hawai'i: Blind Curves (2022) Season 2, Episode 2

Enjoyable episode

[7/10 · 27 September 2022]

Surprisingly I actually liked the episode. The plot was classic genetic story that wasn't high stakes but it provided interesting plot with car chase scene in the end. The character scene was also fun to watch. As much as I hate the character drama stories, this episode I enjoyed them. Kate&Lucy wasn't bad, I liked that Kate was scared of what will be when her FBI co workers find .out especially if she can still work with Lucy as NCIS liaison it was real. I also liked that little line that her boss thought her BF was a guy normal response and felt real. The other story about Tennant and her son wasn't bad either, yea teen stories are annoying but they played it well not taking the all episode and her son wasn't too annoying.

So far I liked this episode more than the mother show episode of NCIS.

NCIS: Daddy Issues (2022) Season 20, Episode 2

Weak episode.

[6/10 · 27 September 2022]

I wish I could like this episode because Tim is my favourite character. But this episode was awful to cringe level. The plot was boring with the attempt to steal armour leading to PTA. There were parts I felt it was cringe like the all father gathering party, agent knight trying to give bad cheese jokes. They tried humour but it failed. There was no excitement or something to look for in this episode, there was no tense moment, it all felt low-key. Episode that should be in the middle of season not at the start.

This is the second episode this season after not good opening season, when you start a season you start on high, keep viewers excited. But so far there is nothing that makes you want to watch NCIS.

Law & Order: Gimme Shelter - Part Three (2022) Season 22, Episode 1

Anticlimactic end for a good crossover

[7/10 · 25 September 2022]

This was the third part of this big Law&Order three shows crossover. The story and the way it was played during the three parts arch was good. I thought the way they incorporated characters from 3 shows was done well and it felt natural like they really work in the same town it didn't felt too pushed. The way they built the story was good with Detective cosgrove being the first character in the story and then have Benson and Stabler joining in. I liked that they used the war on Ukraine as part of the story because many shows don't really show that there is huge event in the world.

So the two parts were really well done with good and interesting story& good action. But the third part was killing the momentum. I get that they wanted to show the legal part but it was boring. I also felt that McCoy pushing for a deal with a killer of a girl was OOC for him. Also Rollins doing protective assignment for a witness that is involved with killers without flack jacket was stupid (you could see she wasn't wearing one). I get that they needed a way to start her leaving SVU (the actress is leaving) but they should go it smart. I liked the new partner of cosgrove from the first part he seems fitting in.

In the end it was enjoyable crossover and good start for law&order world 2022/23.

Body of Proof (2011–2013)

It could have Been better

[6/10 · 24 July 2022]

I saw the first season close to its air date but didn't get to see the rest so now I finished it.

It reminded me of crossing Jordan just little less good. But still it worked the cast of characters were good and had good chemistry. The main character DR Haunt was a bit too self righteous and knowing it all. But the others characters helped make her character work especially Peter as her Sidekick with the lab crew and the detectives. In season 2 the show felt complete with good stories and interesting cast dynamic that was created. But in season 3 they scraped all that, kicked Peter with the two detectives out pushed aside the lab crew and focused on Magen and the guy from her past. It just ruined what could have been a show that had potential to do more seasons..

NCIS: Los Angeles: Come Together (2022) Season 13, Episode 22

More show ending than season ending

[7/10 · 23 May 2022]

This episode wasn't bad, but it felt more as show ending than ending a season. Could be because the producers didn't Know they are continuing to season 14 so they didn't want to keep the viewers guessing. It felt the characters had closing and no one has to wonder what will be the next thing.

As for the episode itself, like big part of this season, more characters driven plots and less action tales. The best action episode was last week, the rest is just mediocre episodes.really as much as I loved the family gathering and the proposal that were done well. I miss the action, the great big action scenes and and good humour that was.

Next season I want Hetty back she needs to be there for Kensi&Deeks and Callen&Sam.

The Rookie (2018– )

Mature cop show

[7/10 · 18 May 2022]

In today's law enforcement shows are becoming to be more politics and less real police work, in many of the shows sometimes you feel you are watching tv lecture and not tv drama. The tv writers today don't know how to write it well. In "The Rookie" it feels different, we still have the idea that cop work in the 2020's is different than it used to be but it feels natural and not preaching. There is dealing with race and over policing but it feels the writers don't show it in black and white they give us the gray area. There is good and bad in everything. Nathan Fillon is great as a 40 years old rookie, he can do comedy and drama well with the rest of the cast. The plots are good up until the season 4 opening (the action in Guatemala was ridiculous) but the rest is good.

Also need to say that when two of the lead actresses got pregnant the writers just wrote in the show and didn't try to hide it with coma and other ridiculous stories that other tv shows do stupidly.

NCIS: Los Angeles: Down the Rabbit Hole (2022) Season 13, Episode 21

One of the better episodes lately.

[8/10 · 16 May 2022]

This episode was good. It reminded me of other frank milatry episodes that he wrote in early seasons that were great episodes in NCIS LA. There was almost no weak spot or weak scene. Only Few things bothered me, the big one was that Deeks wasn't around and the team felt incomplete. In these kind of episodes were one of the main characters Sam Callen Deeks Kensi are in trouble, the showing of the remain characters trying to save him or her is great drama, these guys are family family that we want to see working together, fighting together and enjoying each other, not having Deeks trying to save his brother in arm made the episode feel lacking. There could have been great team scenes. This is on the production team they should arrange their episodes differently, making sure that in the important characters story the others will be present.

Last episode, there was no React team helping them so Kilbride and his assistant had to leave ops centre, this episode they called them. Someone should really work on scripts.

NCIS: Los Angeles: Work & Family (2022) Season 13, Episode 20

Mediocre episode for landmark episode

[6/10 · 9 May 2022]

This episode was supposed to be special, 300 episodes is landmark in TV. But this episode was falling flat. First thing I loved the characters scenes with Sam&his dad, Callen& Arkady was funny as always, we need more Arkady, even the Kensi/Deeks scene with the refugees was good. The character stories are interesting. But that's the only thing I liked. The story of the week was weak, yea it was the second story but it still should be good tale. I didn't care about Fatima&Roundtree or Shila&Kilbride the focus should have been on the four main characters and they should have been in Action alone. Also did they really need Shila&Kilbride? Didn't NCIS LA have REACT team in standby when they need help??! And Oops centre was always high tech place that only few people can run it like Eric&Nell, they probably would have find a way to see the place, now everyone can run oops?

In the final scene we should have seen Sam Callen Deeks&kensi together, this was the 300 episodes the show works because of the family the characters created, the montage was stupid. This is post covid and the show is still fragmented.

NCIS: Los Angeles: Genesis (2022) Season 13, Episode 17

Good episode but still has issues.

[8/10 · 25 April 2022]

This was really an interesting episode, the Callen story continued to take centre stage while the other stories were back burner. The Callen story with Katia obsession and his upbringing is getting more and more interesting, I like the all KGB CIA story. As always Cold War stories are great story to tell. It's good to have Nate back ,hope he will stay more.

But the episode still has faults, one was the second story with the missing Agent I don't know what was the deal? It felt to me the writer decided to focus on Callen and wrote the second story to fill the episode. It wasn't needed actually. I don't care about Fatima and Roundtree I find them boring and filter to main cast.they could just give up on that storyline and write longer the Deeks&kensi talk about adopting that is another good story. Also add scenes with Sam kensi and Deeks talking about Callen. That one line between Sam&Kensi was bad, these guys were so close, they would check at each other, sam wouldn't just call Callen He will be there for him forcing Callen to work with him and Nate. The show is too much Fragmented, we are not in COVID world anymore, the cast can be in one scene like other tv shows doing. It hurt the episode in the end.

NCIS: Los Angeles: MWD (2022) Season 13, Episode 16

Character driven episode

[7/10 · 18 April 2022]

This episode like last week episode focused on character story and the NCIS mission is secondary. But not like last week, that to me was weak, this episode felt better. Maybe the reason is that it wasn't a social issue that the writers can't write properly, instead it was on the core characters. In this case Callen and his rewrite past and Sam dealing with his father that suffers from dementia, there was also talk about last week's events with Roundtree and Fatima but It wasn't interesting. With Callen even tho it feels they are over playing with his past (rewriting it every season) it was interesting story about Cold War doings and Hetty and I loved that they brought back Nate. It was about time Callen will have chat with Nate, if any character needs it Callen is it. It will be interesting to see what it will lead up to. Sam and his father is just at the start so we need to see how it evolves, to see how the writers write it, they got kensi& Deeks baby story to be boring.

The plot of the week was kidnapped dog while it was cute story and I loved how everyone cared for the guy. We need to be back to big action story with great action scenes that made NCIS LA stand out. Covid time is behind us we need to be back to the basics Callen Sam Kensi and Deeks shooting and beating guys with style and humour.

NCIS: Los Angeles: Perception (2022) Season 13, Episode 15

Bland and boring

[6/10 · 12 April 2022]

Again in this world when you do a law enforcement show you deal with political and social issues. Even in previous seasons NCIS shows dealt with them. Even JAG showed social issues in the milatry world. Only issue is how you write it. In previous seasons NCIS LA showed them in subtle way not forcing the viewers to listen to lectures, the writers made want to listen and think. This time I was waiting for the episode to end. It felt forced especially when the characters asked us why this is still happening, it felt they didn't had real conversations between characters it felt they were talking to the viewers and that that didn't feel right. The last scene between Sam and roundtree was over the top.

The second plot wasn't that great either, I get it was just filter but you could guess the plot before the characters understood it . And I didn't like Deeks talking dirty with kensi in a crime scene where a women was murdered. Not funny just gross, they can't write humour as well? Deeks was the funny guy..