‘Nikita’ is a spy action drama that follows the journey of
the eponymous Nikita (Maggie Q), as she proves that ‘looks can kill’ in her
attempts to destroy ‘Division’ - a rogue
covert espionage organisation in addition to the organisation that trained her.
Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca)
This first season of ‘Nikita’ charts Nikita’s efforts to
take down the Black Ops unit – Division – with her ‘[wo]man on the inside’ Alex
(Lyndsy Fonseca).Throughout the season
the duo attempt to undermine and put an end to Division, whilst thwarting the
schemes and plans of Division’s commander, Percy (Xander Berkeley) and having
to face-off with one of Division’s best agents, Michael (Shane West), who
personally trained Nikita!In addition,
Alex struggles with maintaining her true identity, particularly from the sharp
eyes of Amanda, The Inquisitor (Melinda Clarke) – Division’s top interrogator,
and Seymour Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) aka ‘Shadow Walker’, Division’s best
computer technician and hacker.
Amanda (Melinda Clarke)
Season one of Nikita features several visually impressive
action sequences, from gun fights to fist fights to explosive car chases!This is made even more exciting by a very
high production value,and smart direction, as well as, great costume and set
design.Furthermore, whilst each episode
is packed with action, it also contains plenty of story and character
development which gives every episode a very progressive feel.Additionally, there is a lot of suspense from
the espionage aspects of the show, which helps keep the viewer completely
engaged in the show.Finally, the season
also benefits from some interesting back stories told in the form of flashbacks
that help to develop and flesh out its characters.
Michael (Shane West)
Percy (Xander Berkeley)
The writing in this first season of Nikita is of a good
standard, though it suffers by being too clichéd and predictable at times. Similarly, the quality of the acting proves
to be inconsistent as well.Maggie Q,
Xander Berkeley, Melinda Clarke, and in particular the very impressive Aaran
Stanford, all bring a high standard of acting to the show.Regrettably, though Lyndsy Fonseca and Shane
West leave something to be desired.Though the scripting and writing provides Fonseca a lot of content and
opportunity to develop her character of Alex she really seizes upon this, to
make her character anything more than just a ‘pretty face’.West on the other hand proves a bit more
adept at acting, particular in the action scenes, but unless he is shooting a
gun or engaged in some form of combat he comes across very wooden, with Michael
becoming a very 2 dimensional clichéd character.
Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford)
Overall, though this season has been produced to a very high
standard, and features a plethora of high octane action which keeps the viewer
engaged and on the edge of their seat.Moreover, anyone interested in a very good action drama would do well to
purchase this first season of ‘Nikita’.
‘The Big Bang Theory’ (‘Big Bang’ for short) is an American
sitcom that charts the lives of four Caltech scientists: roommates, Leonard
Hofstadler (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) plus their work colleagues
Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) and Raj Koothrappali (Kunal Nayyar).In addition the main cast is rounded off by
Kaley Cuoco who plays Penny, a waitress at the Cheesecake Factory.
Since the end of ‘Friends’
there is been a huge number of American sitcoms of debatable quality,
fortunately Big Bang does not suffer from this, and is instead a refreshingly
inventive sitcom, though does make its viewers suffer through ‘canned’ laughter…Nevertheless, it is worth putting up with as
this first season provides many laugh-out-loud moments and some truly hilarious
episodes!Indeed Big Bang features some
fantastic script writing, with jokes based around the nerd and geek culture
embraced by Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Raj, but never attacking said
culture.Thus, instead of making its
characters look like ‘losers’, Big Bang embraces its characters and makes this
sitcom have a lot of heart which tends to be missing from most sitcoms.
Much of the comedy is centred on science, sci-fi, comic
books and gaming, and thus feels relatively fresh as this content is not
frequently used in comedy.Indeed, the
jokes hit home for all ages, so whether or not you know the difference between
Star Trek and Star Wars there are plenty of witticisms for viewers.Yet, as with all comedy shows not all the
jokes ‘work’ but, with Big Bang, the humour mostly performs well.
As well as possessing excellent writing and humour the show
also boasts a great group of actors who do justice to the writers.Indeed, writing is only as good as it is
delivered and in Big Bang this is excellent.Likewise, there seems to be a great balance and chemistry to the main
cast with each character feeling distinct and three-dimensional.Of the five main cast members though, Kunal
Nayyar and Jim Parsons really stand out.Kunal Nayyar proves himself an excellent physical comedy actor, whilst
Jim Parsons is a tour de force as Sheldon Cooper, stealing most scenes with his
fascinating performances.Not wanting to
spoil your fun, all I shall say is that Sheldon is a reason on its own to watch
this show!
Ultimately, this show succeeds because it pairs a talented
group of actors with a gifted crop of writers, and thus makes it more than just
‘another sitcom’.Big Bang offers a
great selection of comedy and also has a big heart, which makes for an
outstanding first season.The Big Bang
Theory has raised the bar for sitcoms, and is well worth buying.
‘Chuck’ is a spy comedy drama following the adventures of
Zachery Levi who stars as the eponymous Chuck.Chuck Bartowski is clever but unambitious and working in a dead-end job
as part of the ‘Nerd Herd’ at the ‘Buy More’ in Burbank, California.That is until he receives an encoded email
from Bryce Larkin (Matt Bomer), an old college friend that turns his world
upside down.For encoded in the email is
the only copy of all of the USA’s spy secrets (The Intersect) which are subliminally
downloaded into Chuck’s brain, instantly turning him into the most important ‘asset’
in the whole of America.
Due to the value and importance of the information in Chuck’s
head he is assigned two ‘handlers’ to protect him, the beautiful but deadly
Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski), and the ruthless and uncompromising John
Casey (Adam Baldwin).During this first
season the trio engage in espionage missions using the information in Chuck’s
head to thwart various enemies, whilst simultaneously attempting to keep Chuck’s
secret identity as the human intersect hidden.Moreover, Chuck’s struggle to balance his spy life with his regular life is
a recurring theme throughout the season.
Though ‘Chuck’ contains plenty of action it is the high
quality of the comedic aspects that really make this series stand out.Indeed, it contains a mix of different kinds
of comedy ranging from Call of Duty references to awkward situational comedy to
slapstick pieces, all executed with panache by a talented clutch of actors.Certainly, much of the comic relief is based in
and around the shows main set: the Burbank Buy More, where Chuck maintains his
cover job.Populated by an eclectic assortment
of characters the Buy More provides the perfect setting for the supporting cast
members such as Morgan Grimes (Joshua Gomez), Jeff Barnes (Scott Krinsky),
Lester Patel (Vik Sahay), Big Mike (Mark Christophe Lawrence), and Anna Wu
(Julia Ling) to develop.In fact by the
end of the season you want them to have even more screen time!Lastly, the cast is rounded off with Sarah
Lancaster, and Ryan McPartlin, who play Chuck’s sister and her boyfriend
respectively. ‘Chuck’ also features good
direction, as well as sharp witty writing which are complemented by some great
set design and production pieces.
The main criticisms to be levied at this season are aimed at
the repetitive action sequences.Though
the action sequences are typically great throughout the season, toward the
latter episodes they begin to feel similar and predictable.In addition though Chuck may get in trouble,
such as being captured, he is never in danger.
Nonetheless, this show feels refreshingly original and
inventive with the concept and execution of the Buy More a stroke of
brilliance.Moreover, Chuck season one
is a great blend of action, comedy and heart.If you are looking for an upbeat comedy drama with plenty of action
pieces, then this is well worth purchasing.
