Made In Chelsea 4x06: Recap and Review

Episode 6

 

New character Lucy is set to cause trouble this week.

Jamie tells Proudlock and Francis about his date (which according to her was not one) with Lucy, decides to invite her out for drinks.

Cheska, Ollie and Gabs are working out, discussing Binky leaving London, and seeing Jamie on a date. Cheska divulges that she is glad Binky is having some time out from all the drama and she does not have to worry about feeling awkward at seeing Jamie.

Millie and Rosie are out at a bar having a drink, so are Carly and Lucy, the two newbies are discussing Lucy’s meeting with Jamie and it is clear that Lucy is not that into him. Stevie texts Carly for a date, she is playing it coy.

Spencer is back with the boys now Louise is back at university. They randomly are dressing up Francis with a sieve. Spencer seems a bit put out that the boys are so close.

Andy and Stevie come to meet Rosie and Millie and of course bump into Carly and Lucy and arrange a double date. Millie puts it brilliantly – Which one is hot pants? (Why is she wearing hot pants surely at the time of filming it was September?)

Francis is hanging out with Sophia at an art gallery he asks her about what happened with Andy, and she tells him that they have decided to just be friends. He asks what she is looking for in a man now, and she describes him. (There is a lot of flirting going on)

Cheska is back to her desperate ways and has found a flirting expert to help her out, Ollie is dubious about the whole thing.

Jamie and Spencer are at a karaoke bar, and I can safely say that neither of them can sing. Francis and Proudlock are waiting for Jamie to come to dinner, but he is clearly out with Spencer so Proudlock suggests that Francis invite Sophia, arousing suspicion in Francis.

Andy and Stevie are on their date, Carly lets it be known that Lucy is picky and she reveals that she does not fancy Jamie. Andy and Lucy seem to be hitting it off. Stevie is seemingly awkward about the whole thing.

Jamie has chosen to take Lucy to Rosie’s dinner party. Francis has bought a book for Sophia and has written a message inside to her. Proudlock reveals that he stayed at Sophia’s and they slept together.

Jamie rings Lucy who happens to be wandering about in her house in her underwear (who does that?) he invites her to Rosie’s dinner party, but turns him down.

Rosie and Andy are choosing canapés (How the other half live!) Lucy rings Andy to make the first move, and he invites her to the dinner party also.

Sophia arrives with Proudlock at the dinner party. Spencer is filled in on the shenanigans between Proudlock and Sophia. Andy comes in with Lucy and Jamie is annoyed, Spenny looks a little relieved he has moved on from his Louise obsession.

This has to be the most awkward dinner party ever! Couples galore. Lucy kisses Andy right in front of Jamie, games being played all round. Spenny and Jamie seem to be packing the alcohol away fairly efficiently. Jamie is getting a taste of his own medicine and it is very sweet to watch. He and Lucy agree to go for a drink and be friends.

Cheska heads over to flirt with Stevie it is highly awkward and Ollie watches on in horror, Francis is feeling uncomfortable watching Sophia and Proudlock together. Sophia and Francis have a heart to heart and informs her he isn’t angry at her for hooking up with Proudlock. Spencer speaks out about what everything is thinking about Andy’s flavour of the month. All descends into chaos and Binky is brought up, everyone hates on Lucy and she says ‘why is everyone up in my grill’ which sets the girls off Millie: ‘who says that?’    

The Vampire Diaries 4x03: Recap and Review

 

The Rager

 

 

The episode begins with Tyler waking up in hospital, but new vampire hunter, Connor is on the prowl. He steals Tyler’s werewolf venom which means trouble for all the vamps in town.

Stefan has decided Elena needs some fun, and buys a motorbike. Damon asks if he is having a mid life crisis. He announces that he is planning to leave after killing Connor, to honour their deal regarding Elena’s choice.

Elena is keen to live out her senior year but is finding school difficult; she is still feeding off Matt and is having rage control issues after being provoked by Rebekah. She decides to go to her anti-curfew party and takes the white oak stake with her.

Hayley, Tyler’s friend from the mountains shows up, something tells us that he has not told Caroline about her.

Jeremy learns that he is a potential vampire hunter as he can see Connor’s tattoo. Connor is keen to train him and Jeremy seems interested. He uses this to lure Connor to the hospital later in the episode in order for Damon and Klaus to kill him.

Damon checks out Connor’s trailer and becomes trapped, he phones an unlikely source for help, Meredith, (I sense a new Ric?) Meredith tells him that he is a good brother pretending he does not care that Stefan and Elena are together. She encourages him to make things right with Stefan and Elena as she insists she cannot be his new sidekick. He then walks into his room and catches Elena looking for the white oak stake and an intimate moment occurs as she watches him as he undresses in front of her.

Klaus returns and brings hybrids to protect Tyler. He uncovers who Hayley is and uses this to his advantage against Tyler and to possibly win over Caroline. It is pretty convenient that he is back in town as the drinks at the party are spiked with Tyler’s venom. Both Elena and Rebekah are affected and suffer hallucinations. Elena sees Damon and asks why she is thinking about him, he replies ‘because you are a vampire now and you are a lot more like me than you are like him’ meaning Stefan.

Damon and Klaus join up to kill Connor. Klaus knows about the tattoos and states that Connor is one of the five (???) We think that Connor is blown up in the hospital but Klaus saves him, it seems that Klaus knows more about Connor and his past than he does himself.

Stefan and Caroline sit down for a serious chat, Stefan confesses that he is afraid when he is around Elena as he wants her to enjoy being a vampire but if he lets her do this he will become ripper Stefan. A blossoming friendship is forming here, or maybe something more which will add to the Tyler/Klaus dynamic.

Elena again feeds off Matt and cannot stop herself, Damon intervenes and has to compel Matt to forget that she did this to him. Elena is beside herself that she has hurt Matt and Damon promises to teach her how to ‘right’ way to be a vampire.

So that is another week in Mystic Falls. Who are the Five? And how will Damon teach Elena how to be a vampire, personally I am hoping for some more snatch, eat, erase.

 

MIC 4x03: Recap and Review

 

We start off the episode with a bit of Foster the People, always a good start in my book! The music is always excellent on MIC. We have another new character, Sophia, we learn that she has a bit of history with Spenny (Who Doesn’t?) and has arrived to stir up trouble in London, although she makes it very clear that she is not interested in Spencer.

Gaby is taking their gang on a trip to a detox spa, Binky has not heard from Jamie and sees it as an opportunity to not think about it for a few days. Cheska asks Binky for Sam’s number and texts him asking if he would like to meet up. However it is clear he is not interested and just wants them to be friends. At the spa all of their phones are taken in, it does not look very relaxing as the gang are put through their paces. Nice chat between Gaby and Ollie, (exes can be friends can’t they?) Gaby has a boyfriend and Ollie is now 100% women, they decide to attend Richard’s boat pardy together. Binky still has not heard from Jamie by dinner and they all agree he needs a kick up the arse!

In the Candy Kittens shop, Jamie is chatting with the other two lost boys (Proudlock and Francis) and he says that he thinks Binky should call him, he is clearly still confused over his feelings. Spencer rings and the boys are off to Brighton. They engage in a game of volleyball Spencer’s team vs Andy’s (Obviously!) Andy wins and it clearly annoys Spencer. The girls arrive and Spencer makes things awkward between Sophia and Francis, it seems there is some chemistry there. However Andy seems to take a fancy too.  

The talk turns to Binky in Brighton and at first Jamie argues that he is not tied down. After a chat with Proudlock he realises he has left it too long to call, and does so. Binky lays it down, she deserves better and she does not want to be messed around, she blows off his offer for dinner but arranges to meet at the boat Pardy.

Binky goes for coffee with Spencer to discuss Jamie, Spencer winds her up a bit saying that Jamie likes games and to make him work for it. Andy and Jamie seem to be in an ice cream parlour discussing Binky, he gives Jamie some really good, honest advice. He tells Jamie that he cannot go halfway with Binky as he was the one who instigated the crossing of the friendship barrier.

At the boat pardy Sophia hits on Andy, Sam completely blows off Cheska, and Binky and Jamie talk about maybe staying friends but he wants a second date to sort his mind out. She does not want to be hurt, but que Louise to meddle further, saying that Jamie never contacted her either while they were seeing each other. The episode ends with Jamie telling Spencer he wants everyone to keep out of Jinky.

A look forward to next weeks, Ollie and Gaby seem to be getting closer, will they get back together?

Will Jamie sort his head out and stop messing Binky about? I do not think he will by the reaction Ollie is giving in the trailer.

And Andy is up to his old tricks again pursuing Louise.

Lateness

 

Apologies for the lateness of the next two posts been a crazy week!

The Vampire Diaries 4x02: Recap and Review

 

The Memorial

 



‘Well here’s a newsflash, we are not Japanese’

Stefan and Damon were never going to agree on what Elena should eat as a vampire. In this episode we see Stefan trying to get her to drink animal blood in order to become like him and Damon is trying to get her onto a different method, human blood. She is struggling with Stefan’s methods as she cannot keep animal blood down. Damon offers her a blood bag, again to no avail so he offers her his blood, which she takes not knowing it is a form of intimacy between vampires.

Elena is still learning all her new skills and we see her in this episode learning to run, compelling and learning about desires in an intimate moment with Stefan.

Two new characters appear in this episode, Connor, the new vampire hunter and April, pastor Young’s daughter and old friend of Elena and Jeremy.

April has returned following the death of her father (blew up the council) for the memorial service. She knows Jeremy and Elena as Elena used to babysit her (a potential new love interest for Jeremy?). Connor has arrived in order to hunt the vamps in town and quickly uncovers Tyler. He uses strange marked bullets that burn to the touch and has a tattoo that only Jeremy can see.

At the memorial service Connor attacks April to try and trap the other vampires, Elena is struggling as she is starving, Matt volunteers himself and Elena drinks from him. Tyler takes one for the team to prevent Elena being discovered by Connor and is shot in front of the church. Damon rushes after Connor but is shot and Stefan appears to come to his rescue, however punches him for blood sharing with Elena.

Meanwhile Elena is eager to help April and goes off to find her, however the urge is too strong and goes to attack her. Caroline intervenes and helps Elena use her compulsion in order to keep April safe.

Stefan and Elena argue that she went to Damon, he is upset that they blood shared and Elena breaks down claiming she just wants to cry all the time. Stefan has a plan...

The gang congregate to light Japense lanterns for the people they have lost over the seasons (there is a lot). Damon is not impressed with the goodbye they are giving and goes off for his own goodbye at Ric’s grave. It is a heartfelt goodbye, Damon talking openly to his friend ‘you’ve left me to babysit, I didn’t get the girl remember?’ Damon is unaware that Ric is sat watching and listening to him, and the episode is given a nice ending ‘I miss you too buddy’

Things we learnt this episode: Vampires drink whiskey as it helps with the cravings, Ric is very much still a part of mystic falls and we may encounter him again, blood sharing is intimate, Damon is still very much upset he did not win Elena

Things that we are intrigued by: Why did Connor suddenly appear in Mystic falls? Why do the bullets burn with the engraving? Why can only Jeremy see the tattoo?

Made In Chelsea 4x02: Recap and Review

Is it a date?

There is much confusion in this week’s edition, what constitutes a date? This is where we find ourselves at the beginning with Cheska, Ollie and Binky chatting about the Jinky (Jamie and Binky) date. Ollie remarks that is very confusing as Binky has agreed to also go on a date with Sam (could not agree more Ollie!) He also regards that it all seems a bit desperate, if there is one word perfect to describe Cheska it is desperate.

Across the way in Chelsea, Rosie and Millie are all chummy again after last series’ bitchiness. New chums Stevie and Spencer are off on a man-date to the gym.

We arrive at the Jinky date. *Awkward* it is the same date that he took Louise on last series, Golf. (A Producers stroke of genius perhaps?) Jamie is pleased as punch that it is a date however, his happiness is short lived as they are interrupted by the gruesome twosome Andy and Sam. Jamie is miffed to learn that Binky is going on a date later with Sam.

In the gym Stevie and Spenny engage in some awkward penis chat. Not entirely sure they have done a lot at the gym due to both scenes involving them sitting down. Spencer is trying to be the bigger man and invite the three to his birthday pardy. Although it seems it is a ploy by Spencer to try and steal Andy’s BFF.

We then get a juxtaposition of the two groups discussing the Jinky date. Binky is peeved that Jamie has not contacted her since the date, so she goes ahead with the double date between her, Cheska, Sam and Stevie. Cheska seems uncomfortable and nervous and drops Binky in it. Binky admits she has feelings for Jamie.

I’m not even going to mention the disaster that was Dannielle/Ollie/Ianthe/Richard’s bowling outing, it made for very uncomfortable viewing.

At the Pardy, the lost boys give Spencer his present, nipple tassels (mmmm great?) Jamie is jealous that Binky has been on the date with Sam. She presents him with an ultimatum, go hard or go home. He does not take long to think about it and goes for a kiss. I’m worried for Binky as it seems Jamie just wants a girlfriend, can he leave his player days behind him?

In other news, Spencer buries the hatchet with Andy. Rosie is actually being a decent human being for once and Gaby returns.

That is it for another week in Chelsea, we look forward to next week’s antics which looks to spell trouble for Jamie and Binky.

The Vampire Diaries 4x01: Recap and Review

 

4x01 Growing Pains

‘You feed or you die’ – Damon Salvatore

Damon’s words underlie this premiere episode. After the shock of Elena waking up as a vamp, we follow her transformation, sensitivity to light is the first one to which she responds by breaking a light bulb with her hand.

As it is Elena, the gang embark on a method of trying to reverse the vampirism. Damon is not optimistic, voicing the audience’s opinion. It is a bit of a pointless storyline as we know Bonnie will not be able to succeed. But it allows progression of Bonnie’s storyline into her use of dark magic. This allows us to see Grams again, warning Bonnie to stay away from dark magic.

In the season 3 finale, Alaric outed the gang to the council, and the pastor is on a mission to round up all the vampires. He captures Caroline and Rebekah and transports them to a modified cattle ranch. Klaus (In Tyler’s body) catches wind of this and rescues Caroline, whilst revealing his true identity to Rebekah. Caroline is relieved to find Tyler alive and they engage in a make out sesh. She uncovers that it is infact Klaus after he calls her love. This will make for an interesting secondary love triangle this season. Klaus will probably be sticking around as Rebekah destroyed his bags of doppelganger blood as revenge for saving Caroline and not her.

The pastor captures Stefan and Elena, he keeps Elena prisoner in order to draw Damon out. Again we see Elena struggling with her urges, looking hungrily at the meat the pastor is cooking. The cinematography for this episode is really excellent; it really heightens the audiences emotions whilst following Elena. The pastor suspects that Elena is a vampire after she tries to escape and puts her in the cells with Stefan and Rebekah.

Rebekah is pleased to learn that Elena has not fed and she can watch her die all over again. However, she softens when she sees Stefan and Elena saying goodbye and helps lure a guard in so that Elena can feed. Damon brings Matt to the ranch and uses him as bait. New vamp Elena bursts out though and attacks Damon. They then discuss Elena’s choice and she informs him that she remembers that they met first and asks why he did not tell her. He argues that he would have saved her over Matt because he wanted her to have a life and grow old. This shows his change as a character wanting only the best for her. The dialogue in this scene was brilliant as Damon says to Elena ‘I’m selfish but you already knew that’ in reference to when her compelled her to forget him telling her he loved her.

Klaus meanwhile is forcing Bonnie to put him back in his own body. But she has been warned not to perform dark magic, he threatens Tyler’s life and she has no choice. This results in the spirits taking it out on Grams on the other side.

The last scene shows how the pastor has gathered all the council members in his kitchen and blows them all up, leaving the audience to wonder for what purpose.

An explosive premiere, with everything that is good about the Vampire Diaries, and maintains the momentum by leaving a cliff hanger ending, A few things could have been left out such as Bonnie trying to save Elena’s soul, but I see how it was essential to her individual storyline. Praises to the acting from Nina Dobrev and Micheal Trevino played Joseph Morgan (Klaus) brilliantly. Though I am glad he was not Klaus for too long.

Hart of Dixie 2x03: Recap and Review

 



2x03 If It Makes You Happy

I have been following this programme since its debut last year. My main attraction was the casting of Rachel Bilson, as I am a big OC fan. Once you get past the irritating accents you find a Gilmore Girls-esque small town drama of a fish out of water, city girl, Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) which is not only charming, but draws the viewer into small town life and make you really care for the characters.

A little rundown of the main characters,

Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) – A doctor, inherited her biological father’s General Practice, originally from New York and she struggles to fit in to the Bluebell way of life.

Lavon Hayes (Cress Williams) – Ex-linebacker, Mayor and BFF to Zoe

Wade Kinsella (Wilson Bethel) – Zoe’s next door neighbour and love interest. Spent all last season pining for Zoe, before they got together in the finale. They have a love/hate relationship.

George Tucker (Scott Porter) – The other love interest for Zoe. She spent the first season pining for him, but when he finally left his fiancé Lemon for her it was too late! She told him to date other people as she does not want to be his rebound.

Lemon Breeland (Jaime King) – Ex-fiancé of George. Had affair with Lavon, causing the end of her relationship with George.

A busy first season, we join at episode 3 of the second one. Zoe and Wade have decided to stop sleeping together. Lavon is facing competition for his re-election in the form of his ex girlfriend, Ruby, a new character for this season. George is busy doing what Zoe told him to do and is dating again. Lemon, not willing to be outdone decides she needs a night out to find a new man.

Every episode seems to focus around a problem for Zoe, usually caused by her being an outsider. For this particular episode, a journalist from her school alumni magazine is coming to interview her and write an article about how she has changed healthcare in Bluebell. The problem being, she exaggerated to him about how valued she is within the community.

The journalist seems uninterested in town life, until Tom comes into the practice with a rash. Zoe identifies that one possibility could be leprosy, spying a good story for the article. Tom has recently been in contact with crazy Earl (Wade’s Dad) so Zoe enlists Wade’s help to investigate. A nice scene occurs at Earl’s where he refers to Zoe as Wade’s girlfriend, putting Wade on the defensive. Whilst Zoe seems pleased he talks about her with his dad. It turns out Earl has come into contact with an Armadillo, a known character of leprosy. So they set off to catch the armadillo named Randy.

George is enjoying his dinner date when Brick (Lemon’s dad) walks in and introduces himself as George’s ex-Father-in-Law-to-be, thus ruining the date. What follows is a much needed scene between the two characters as they have not addressed their relationship since the failed wedding. Lavon plays mediator between the pair and has an epiphany about why he likes being mayor.

Lemon has success at the bar after competing with Ruby for the same man. She hooks up with the guy but she realises she is not ready and it is not about beating George. She also decides that it is time to move out and Anabeth offers her the houseboat. She also needs a job and insists on being Lavon’s campaign manager. I predict fireworks with this storyline considering their history.

Meanwhile, Tom’s results are back and no signs of leprosy, so the article is a bust. Zoe is disappointed, but given a pep talk about happiness by Wade, who is very philosophical this evening. It obviously rubs off on her as she tells Tom, ‘It’s your life, you have to be honest with yourself about how you want to live it’

This leads to a good scene between her and Wade, we see Zoe relax and give into Wade’s charm. At first Wade seems annoyed that she has crashed his video game night. But id pleased when he finds out that she is there because she listened to him and took his advice.

Good things about the Episode: Lots of Wade/Zoe scenes, there is development and progression in their relationship, it is not just about lust anymore. Lemon is also changing as a character, showing the change from a traditional domestic role, being defined only by having a husband to a modern, independent woman, living on her own and with a career.

Bad Things: I am not sure about the new character, Ruby, she pops up everywhere but I guess her role will be to stir up trouble.

 

 

Made In Chelsea 4x01: Recap and Review

 

 

So we begin with a quick recap of last series' love triangle and the Kimberley debacle. Her whiter than white self is noticeably not present in series 4.

The first faces we see are Jamie and Francis, and their bromance seems to still be going strong. On their adventures in St. Tropez we are introduced to newbies, Andy and Stevie. These are Jamie's pals from his school days. (Can't help but notice they like a bit of pink) Also Francis seems a bit put out he has to share his Jamie.

Louise and Rosie are also on holiday, discussing Spencer, Louise claims she will play hard to get. Something tells me that this will not be the case due to previous record. In rolls Spenny having a small James Bond moment and appears to have not shaved all summer. Time for a serious chat with Louise, and she is being slightly coy about the whole affair.

Meanwhile, the most pointless characters, Mark Francis and Victoria, are discussing swimwear. First fact of the night 'Overly tanned stomach's are not chic'

Back in Chelsea, Binky is learning to drive, under Ollie's instruction. (A recipe for disaster?) In typical Ollie fashion, his method of teaching is 'watch me' Binky looks unimpressed.

Millie and Proudlock seem to be having a dull time back in blighty having been left behind.

Back to France, another series chat and the L bomb is dropped by Spenny, Louise is putty in his hands and it is the first smooch of the series.

On the boat, the boys are chatting girls, Andy drops the bombshell that he has a little attraction to Louise. (I smell trouble)

Switching back to London (feeling a bit dizzy at this point from all the travel) we meet Richard's new girlfriend, she looks very familiar to his most recent ex, Kimberly. Cheska approves of her though and her and Rich are all hunky dory. Ollie uses this opportunity to announce a big change in his life, he's having a trim! 10 Inches! Never thought I would see the day.

Jumping accross the channel again, and a 'chance' meeting leads to some major flirting between Andy and Louise.

The event is set, a poolside pardy for Victoria's swimwear launch. Event set, now let the drama commence. Jamie tries to warn Andy off Louise, but Spenny has caught wind and is jealous. Jamie and Spence reunite and engage in a random hippo, polar bear debate. I feel a serious chat coming on, sure enough Spenny is wanting a firm chat with Andy and throws down his dominance. Can't help but notice Spencer is looking like a bit of a wet flannel in his tshirt and shorts next to Andy's toned body.

The travellers return and Proudlock is pleased as punch to have his boi's back. The painting is revealed, and it is a 'Promamis', a mash up of Jamie, Francis and Proudlock's faces. The best quote from the night comes in this scene from Francis discussing Jamie's dry spell. 'I think its called a hosepipe ban'

Quite late on we meet another newcomer Sam, he joins Andy and Stevie, gets his game face on and then its off to the Pardy...

Yay! we now have a Binky and Jamie scene, not entirely sure if this is a sure date that they have agreed too. Before we have the chance to find out though, Jamie's new BFFs swoop in and steal Binky away from underneath his nose.

Millie is still rocking the hat from earlier, looking stunning, she is up on the roof terrace with Louise. Andy rocks in to spoil the chat and immediately pours some wine (he likes his pink doesn't he?) Serious chat no. 4 Andy apologises to Louise, but before its all rosy Spencer enters immediately getting the wrong end of the stick and there is no love lost between the pair.

That brings us to the end of the first episode filled with all we want in a programme. We have the emmergence of another love triangle Louise/Andy/Spencer, a smooch, and what the fans have been waiting for; the start of Jamie and Binky. I think however they should do away with Mark Francis and Victoria, they bring nothing to the episode other than background noise. For the next episode I want more Millie and Binky/Jamie and will we see a punch up between Andy and Spencer.

Frances Ward