Post by Jack Malone on Feb 22, 2011 4:01:15 GMT -6
Review of "Return."
Trinity has been a fantastic series, one I was happy to get invested in and have thoroughly enjoyed. During the course of the season, my hate of Cynthia has turned to love, my desire to see the spark between Quentin and Lana has become desperation, and I'm extremely excited to see these characters develop furthermore in the new season coming later this year.
"Return" was, in the simplist way of saying, an amazing episode and finale, that wrapped up the season and left me wanting more. Though there were some minor flaws, it was a complete page turner and I loved every minute of it.
The finale kicked off in the aftermath of the explosion, in which brought Lana and Quentin back to Cynthia's aid. Having to go into the belly of the beast, Checkmate, they risk everything to save Hank - but as Lana said: "Life is about risks Quentin. The ones WE take and the ones WE don’t, define what makes us ... us." With the help of Stuart Campbell, who suddenly awoke from his coma, they took Waller and her organisation on, and in the end, won.
The story between Lana and Quentin was always the highlight of the episode - they carry the show (Quentin is my favourite character). I'm glad they discussed their feelings, and I'm interested to see how that plays out next season. Their friendship has, like Jason said, reminded me of the Chloe/Clark dynamic in the earlier seasons (only hopefully it ends different: with Lana/Quentin getting together). They did admit their feelings, and they finally kissed -- without being possessed. I'm really excited about their relationship, and I can't wait to see how they develop together, and what obstacles might get in their way; obviously Lana doesn't seem like the person to put their relationship before the world, and maybe her issues with Clark will make her weary of getting into another relationship, but either way, its going to be a fun story to follow next season.
The friendship between Jake and Pete is another highlight for me. Pete is a character who we've had to fill the gaps in a lot with, from being on Smallville for only three seasons, and then returning in season seven. As someone who wasn't a huge fan of how the character turned out, I'm glad he's a different man now, and his friendship with Jake really has become a highlight of the show for me. I also liked how Pete told Cynthia that she may not be wanted, but she's definately needed. It was just a great moment, one I really enjoyed.
The climax of the episode was good, but I did crave more. The showdown with Checkmate was pretty good. I understand how its definately going to be a part of the show for a long time, if not, the whole course of the series, but I sort of hoped for more of a confrontation. A bit more of a challenge. I was all shook up when they traced the IP Address, hunted them down, and then they kidnapped Waller -- but from then on it sort of lost its impact. But what lacked in confrontation was made up in the vision Cynthia had, the kiss with Quentin/Lana, and the return of Lex Luthor. I have a feeling Amanda Waller is pretty screwed now.
Now, the major "minor" flaw I had with this episode was just with Stuart Campbell. I was so sure there'd be this massive showdown between him and Quentin, and was so prepared for it with his flashbacks and the way he smashed the mirror ... but he was suddenly on this path of redemption that seemed too quick. However, as someone who believes it was Tess Mercer's fault that Stuart turned out so "evil," Stuart did sort of return to the character he was shown as before the whole 'getting shot in the face' thing. I just wish there was more show rather than tell with his redemption. When he said the coma gave him time to think, it just reminded me of how Faith was in a coma for a while, and when she woke up, she was still the same Faith that got put there, just more pissed off. I guess my expectations of Stuart's story for the finale were too high, I expected him to be at Quentin's throat ... so I don't think it was poorly done, just was hoping for a different outcome than was recieved.
Overall, this was a fantastic way to wrap up the series, (and when I get time, I want to reread the series; I'm at a loss with the whole backstory of Quentin/Valentina, I feel like I'm forgetting something). One of the great things I love about this show is that you can take these characters in whatever direction, but in the end, they always return together to form that "team." Cynthia being the prime example here. She was off, having her own arc, and Lana/Quentin couldn't trust her, then it comes back around, shaping that 'arc' as the two stories collide, and the team reunites. I loved that! Again, the two greatest highlights for the episode was Quentin/Lana and the friendship between Pete/Jake. Amanda Waller was a blast, and the conclusion really killed me. Seriously, I need Lex as a regular next season! Haha.
8.5/10 ~ Interesting plot, great development, a few minor flaws, but overall, fantastic episode!
Trinity has been a fantastic series, one I was happy to get invested in and have thoroughly enjoyed. During the course of the season, my hate of Cynthia has turned to love, my desire to see the spark between Quentin and Lana has become desperation, and I'm extremely excited to see these characters develop furthermore in the new season coming later this year.
"Return" was, in the simplist way of saying, an amazing episode and finale, that wrapped up the season and left me wanting more. Though there were some minor flaws, it was a complete page turner and I loved every minute of it.
The finale kicked off in the aftermath of the explosion, in which brought Lana and Quentin back to Cynthia's aid. Having to go into the belly of the beast, Checkmate, they risk everything to save Hank - but as Lana said: "Life is about risks Quentin. The ones WE take and the ones WE don’t, define what makes us ... us." With the help of Stuart Campbell, who suddenly awoke from his coma, they took Waller and her organisation on, and in the end, won.
The story between Lana and Quentin was always the highlight of the episode - they carry the show (Quentin is my favourite character). I'm glad they discussed their feelings, and I'm interested to see how that plays out next season. Their friendship has, like Jason said, reminded me of the Chloe/Clark dynamic in the earlier seasons (only hopefully it ends different: with Lana/Quentin getting together). They did admit their feelings, and they finally kissed -- without being possessed. I'm really excited about their relationship, and I can't wait to see how they develop together, and what obstacles might get in their way; obviously Lana doesn't seem like the person to put their relationship before the world, and maybe her issues with Clark will make her weary of getting into another relationship, but either way, its going to be a fun story to follow next season.
The friendship between Jake and Pete is another highlight for me. Pete is a character who we've had to fill the gaps in a lot with, from being on Smallville for only three seasons, and then returning in season seven. As someone who wasn't a huge fan of how the character turned out, I'm glad he's a different man now, and his friendship with Jake really has become a highlight of the show for me. I also liked how Pete told Cynthia that she may not be wanted, but she's definately needed. It was just a great moment, one I really enjoyed.
The climax of the episode was good, but I did crave more. The showdown with Checkmate was pretty good. I understand how its definately going to be a part of the show for a long time, if not, the whole course of the series, but I sort of hoped for more of a confrontation. A bit more of a challenge. I was all shook up when they traced the IP Address, hunted them down, and then they kidnapped Waller -- but from then on it sort of lost its impact. But what lacked in confrontation was made up in the vision Cynthia had, the kiss with Quentin/Lana, and the return of Lex Luthor. I have a feeling Amanda Waller is pretty screwed now.
Now, the major "minor" flaw I had with this episode was just with Stuart Campbell. I was so sure there'd be this massive showdown between him and Quentin, and was so prepared for it with his flashbacks and the way he smashed the mirror ... but he was suddenly on this path of redemption that seemed too quick. However, as someone who believes it was Tess Mercer's fault that Stuart turned out so "evil," Stuart did sort of return to the character he was shown as before the whole 'getting shot in the face' thing. I just wish there was more show rather than tell with his redemption. When he said the coma gave him time to think, it just reminded me of how Faith was in a coma for a while, and when she woke up, she was still the same Faith that got put there, just more pissed off. I guess my expectations of Stuart's story for the finale were too high, I expected him to be at Quentin's throat ... so I don't think it was poorly done, just was hoping for a different outcome than was recieved.
Overall, this was a fantastic way to wrap up the series, (and when I get time, I want to reread the series; I'm at a loss with the whole backstory of Quentin/Valentina, I feel like I'm forgetting something). One of the great things I love about this show is that you can take these characters in whatever direction, but in the end, they always return together to form that "team." Cynthia being the prime example here. She was off, having her own arc, and Lana/Quentin couldn't trust her, then it comes back around, shaping that 'arc' as the two stories collide, and the team reunites. I loved that! Again, the two greatest highlights for the episode was Quentin/Lana and the friendship between Pete/Jake. Amanda Waller was a blast, and the conclusion really killed me. Seriously, I need Lex as a regular next season! Haha.
8.5/10 ~ Interesting plot, great development, a few minor flaws, but overall, fantastic episode!
