Dominion: New Delphi's Dark Secret

Do me a solid and get me the key to Pandora's Box...

           Like Mallory, New Delphi seems to be hiding a few dark secrets. "The Narrow Gate" revealed that Julian is really possessed by the higher angel Lyrae. But what's the deal with the other 8balls in the underground fortress and what is Julian's plan?

For stealing my cookies I banish you to the lowest sphere...

 
      The Fallen

             We've seen what happens to a higher angel when they lose grace. They're stripped of their bodies then are demoted to the lower sphere of angels. Being that the New Delphi 8balls are more well behaved and appear more human-like than the others they could have once been higher angels. Maybe they fell during the first rebellion against heaven. The 8balls we already know are bonkers because they never had a physical form before which means they like to take their new bodies beyond their limits while a higher angel already knows the joys of being corporeal so no need to go bananas over it. But then what's the deal with the 8balls in the New Delphi Asylum/Prison? 

Here the inmates are running the asylum

    The Asylum 

               When we flashed back to Sodom and Gomorrah we saw that Michael and Gabriel had plagues in a jar. Darkness, Madness, Blindness, and blood to drown the survivors. I remember seeing the eyeless corpses, some 8balls covered in sores and they seemed crazier than usual; I mean yeah they're deranged and wild but this felt different. They hated the light which could have been the Darkness or Blindness plague (sensitive eyes maybe?). Julian could have used this as a test site for his weapons or those 8balls could have been higher angels that refused to follow him so he punished them. 

There's always 1 eyeless corpse 

     Endgame? 

          So what's Julian's goal? Is he just wading out the war upstairs or does he have his own plans for world domination? To me Julian/Lyrae seems like he just wants to survive and if that means killing a few high and mighty yet ornery Archangels with one of God's wrathful plagues then so be it. We'll see more next episode!

Slowly the pieces of the puzzle are coming together

The Messengers Finale Review

The weather man was right for once.
It's a down pour of righteousness 

                   It really hurts to write the finale of a show that was canceled too soon but it was a damn good finale that would have opened up more, thought provoking story lines. 

One parent to another...

       Children Are Our Future

                The Anti Christ and Archangel Michael story lines were a big bomb drop. Amy seems like such a sweet compassionate girl that it feels inconceivable that she could become so evil in the future. More than that it was interesting to see Satan develop a paternal instinct. His motive for saving the world was renewed in a stronger way where he finally gets to do more than just mess with people. He can watch over and nurture someone into his image like a real parent. Apparently the Devil was having a midlife crisis and raising a future super villain seemed to make him realize he had a hole in his black heart (or whatever's in there) that needed filling. 

The 1 time a kid doesn't have his head phones on...

       Then there's Michael. He finally learned the truth that his parents aren't his parents and we didn't get to find out how he felt about that. Betrayed? Probably. Though finally Kay and Jeff decided to try and do the right thing and give Michael back to his real mother. We didn't really see much of Michael's character to get a real feel for him (another reason why this cancelation sucks). Though if we had I think we would have seen him as a separate character all his own. Maybe see him and Amy bond but also get a glimpse of their future conflict (spin off movie???).

Don't feel bad for not being a child murderer

           Joshua's internal struggle about Amy was a tear jerker. On the one hand killing Amy would have prevented future disaster from her darkness but on the other hand he would have murdered a child. A child that he knows and has grown to care about. Amy has bonded with Joshua as well as the other Messengers making her their child as well as Erin's. Amy's sweet nature may be a front or she could have a darkness inside that can be defeated with love and support. As the Devil said, Amy is at an impressionable age making her perfect for molding and it would have been great to see Erin struggle against Satan to make her daughter into a force of good not evil. 

You deserve a "dad" moment, Raul

            Nadia finally called Raul "dad" though it felt kind of weird for me. I still see Raul as Nadia's uncle but they have developed a special bond. It started out rocky and full of tension but Nadia and Raul rebuilt their family connection and so it was only right that Nadia give her biological father some concession telling him how much he meant to her now. 

Apparently those wings are for show...

     One Final Hail Mary

         Seeing Satan get knocked on his ass was disappointing but not seeing him there wouldn't have felt right. Remember Satan has a complicated relationship with God being the designated Bad Guy but when it comes down to it, the Devil is still an angel of the Lord. I loved what he said about God giving mankind the tools to our "salvation and destruction". It's good because it's true. Humans are capable of great evil but also of great good. 

Huddle up, guys. Zahir's our quarterback
so be human shields!

         God loves a sacrificial lamb. Joshua really has become the leader of the Messengers and him standing up to the Horsemen seemed to inspire the others. Just when all seemed hopeless Joshua stayed strong recovering his faith in God and humanity. Maybe that inspired God to intervene. The Messengers' original plan had failed and they didn't even make it to the generator for Zahir to blow but the point is they were willing to go down fighting. God's blessed down pour even cured Leo's Huntington's Disease! Perhaps it even put out the flames of the motel that Michael was staying in just in time to spare him. 

"Closing time, turn the lights up over every boy
and every girl..."

     Closing Time...

           Perfect shot at the ending having the Messengers celebrate in their favorite bar, The Last Supper. It's a place they feel most at home and safe. Great for closing character arcs. Peter and Nadia are turning into a typical, dorky yet sweet teenage couple. Erin and Raul talking about moving in together and making a family in Denver. He's giving her the freedom to make her own choices unlike Ronny but the look on her face was one of indecision. 

If I found a guy like Zahir I would never need an
iPhone charger again!

      One of the few issues of the finale was that we won't get to see Zahir bond with the other Messengers. Rose stole those moments so I feel kind of cheated that we won't get to see Zahir struggle and triumph with his new family. Also Satan still has a hold on Joshua's soul! That would have been great as future conflict along with the Anti Christ story line. Vera's denial at the end: "They're not demons. They're not warriors. They're kids." Kids grow up, Vera. So shame on The CW for robbing us of what would have been a darker, more thrilling second season!

The Archangel Michael plays catch with the AntiChrist outside a bar...
There's a joke in there somewhere

        I want to thank the producers, writers, and crew for bringing this together and the cast for making such an intriguing amazing story. Diogo was a terrific Devil. The best I've seen and so different from the Satans that came before him and I have high praise for the rest of the cast that had wonderful chemistry. I'm sorry I won't get to see how they would have wowed us with their talents but hope to see them in other projects in the future. 

Here you go, Princess of Darkness...

Thanks, Dark Daddy...

The Messengers: Spark of Hope Review

             The Messengers is coming to close sadly but producers have promised a satisfying ending. I sure hope so because Houston, we have more problems...

And BOOM goes the A-Bomb!

       She Who Is Like the Beast

               Turns out little Amy really is special. She's the Anti-Christ! The Devil's protege that he can mold into his image and do even more damage. Satan takes Eliza's scrap book (which she left right out there in the open so it's her own fault really) and learns some of the Messengers' secrets. But what I'm wondering is what is that chicken scratch in the scrap book, why can't the Devil read it and why does he want to know how to stop the Anti-Christ? Well I suppose on that last part one must have contingencies. As Satan said, he doesn't want to end the world. 

            This is why I wish The CW hadn't cancelled The Messengers so we can expand more on the Anti-Christ storyline! Amy was all the Ring when she drew the Lake of Fire on her wall. Maybe there's a demon inside her or something because she keeps blacking out not remembering what she did or said. Eliza wanted Joshua to kill the AntiChrist but how could Joshua murder a little girl? I think it should be left up to Erin though I'm not sure she'd do it. Not only is she Amy's mother but she's a healer and healer types have a hard time killing someone (well some of them anyway...). 

The Hannibal Lector treatment 

      Jail Break

           We finally meet the 7th Messenger face to face. Zahir is a journalist and on the day he was to go to Houston he "died" then woke up and had these super powers. Of course the government took him into custody. Some guy has electrical powers that can bring down a plane has to be a mutant or a terrorist or let's be honest an alien! I wish we had more episodes to see the Messengers bond with Zahir since Rose spoiled the whole thing. You could see it was a nice relief for Zahir to find out that he wasn't crazy. 

          Koa picked the wrong time to get amnesia. How many times did she shift that she forgets everything right then and there? Thankfully Koa tattooed a symbol of her past to help her remember and it worked! Once the Messengers were united they turned out to be quite the team. Together the costs of their powers disappeared as Koa began to remember things again and Erin didn't collapse. I was kinda surprised to hear that Mark had sent mercenaries to shut Zahir up. I guess he never really was the noble brother that was pushed too hard. 

Are we in an action movie or a paranormal show?

      The Ugly Truth Is...

           So Satan paid Nadia a visit but luckily she didn't end up like Eliza. Please tell me that Kay and Jeff die horribly because not only are they kidnappers but they're murderers too. I hope one of the satisfying endings is Vera holding Michael in her arms like in Joshua's vision. 

          Raul finally tells Nadia that he's her dad. Surprisingly Nadia didn't freak out. She seems to have always suspected the truth. The one thing she did mind was Raul acting like a dad. Peter's a good kid and yes he's super man but Nadia has proven herself as an adult very capable of taking charge of her life. I have every confidence that she'll pick the right guy and on her terms too.  

Kill the antiChrist... anything else you want me to do?

         Not one of my best reviews though I promise the last one will be better and sooner. I suspect the series finale will be a knock out and I want to thank the producers, the cast and crew for this amazing show and that The CW dropped a gorgeous gem!

Dominion: Something Rotten In Mallory

I smell something off & it's not the hundreds of burning wax candles
(which is a huge fire hazard...)

            Mallory seems like the perfect little town in the middle of no where. Untouched by the Extermination War and safe from 8balls, but when something seems too good to be true it usually is. Who was this prophet and how can the fire still burn with little help and turn 8balls to ash who get within a mile or so? 

If we don't see Raphael this season I hope we get a season 3
and see her then

   Who Was the Prophet?

            One of my theories is it could be an Archangel. Raphael is still MIA but she seems a likely candidate. Raphael is said to be a calculating angel who's very curious about mankind's reactions when given knowledge to the point where she would defy her Father and help the humans for better or for worse. This could be an experiment of hers to see if some humans are worth saving or if Mallory could follow these rules would that work for the rest of the surviving race? Though as we've seen sometimes the rules don't factor in compassion, a human virtue, which in my opinion is a redeeming quality in mankind. Harper ran away because of her shame and when she wouldn't reveal Michael's secret instead of coming up with a peaceful solution, Harper was murdered. So this leads me to think that it may be Lucifer behind this...

The Deceiver. Though which Archangel
hasn't earned that title?

     
    The Fallen Star

             We've all heard about Lucifer. He lead a rebellion against God because he wouldn't bow down to the humans. Ever since he fell he's been the thorn in mankind's side not caring who died or who got hurt as long as it served his needs. Since his name means "bringer of light" Lucifer often comes in the guise of someone offering help but always has a darkness behind it. As a result people do evil acts in the name of the so called "greater good". Yet it could be Lucifer has his own plan for bringing God back. If he can train these humans to behave then perhaps it would be enough to bring God back home because as we've seen even when God seems to abandon humanity to disaster He always leaves a seed of hope in a savior or prophet to give humans a fighting chance. Pretty much shows that Man is God's favorite kid out of all of His other children. Or maybe it's something else...

Harper got burned! Literally!

     The Nephilim

            We haven't covered nephilim yet. Given that a few higher angels have been in hiding living in close quarters with humans could have resulted in children. Wouldn't be the first time if you know the Book of Enoch (which in my opinion is more interesting than most of the other stories in monotheism). Michael mentioned in the Pilot his absolute fear in reproducing nephilim with a human (Vega isn't big on birth control). Michael was terrified because nephilim were scary monsters or giants that wreaked havoc, which was why God flooded the world and killed them all. However, "giant" doesn't have to be literal. As Gabriel said, Humans like to use metaphors to explain horrifying events and then they start to be taken literally. Could be that the nephilim had great power and used it to terrorize the humans. Laurel could be a nephilim or the prophet could have been one. The prophet built that fire that couldn't go out (except when it rains apparently). That could be part of the nephilim's power. 

Please don't put her down...

   
     Sacrifice

            Laurel mentioned "sacrifice". What do the people of Mallory have to sacrifice if they confess their sins? Could be a "sacrificial lamb" situation where one bears the sins of the many then dies for them. I found it weird that in such a short time the town went through 4-5 leaders already in a supposedly safe town. Laurel said they gave their lives for the town. Maybe the leader dies for the sins of the citizens every 5 years in order to cleanse the town? Possible though we'd have to wait for episode 3 before we get a better picture on this "celebration" that's worth killing some poor girl over.   

I wish all Angels of Death were as sexy as you

         However perfect Mallory is there's something sinister happening there. Whatever it is I'm sure we'll be intensely, absolutely shocked when the truth is revealed!

Agents of SHIELD: Phil Coulson Is A Marvel Super Hero

Coulson doesn't wear a cape but he's our hero nonetheless

            SHIELD Agent Phil Coulson feels like a dark horse. I didn't expect to like him so much. First time we saw him I believe it was the first Iron Man film where he played an unassuming spook. Nothing special about him really but there were occasions where he made us laugh. Though being occasional comic relief doesn't seem to tell the whole story of Phil Coulson. When he died in the first Avengers movie I probably felt the loss as much as the Avengers. We saw a bit more of Coulson's character in this film despite his brief scenes that made us all choke a little when he died heroically but in the world of super heroes, no one really stays dead...

Ok kids safety's off

        If you're going to have a TV show set in the Marvel Universe and about SHIELD, who do you pick to be in it? Of course we need some familiar faces. Phil Coulson seemed the only logical choice. In his short appearances on the big screen we got that Phil Coulson was a spook with a sense of humor, a gentle yet firm hand. He was just full of light and the world seemed dim without him. So we became more enamored of his character as his story progressed.

We lost the battle but there's always tomorrow.
Ice cream?

         We learned of Coulson's virtues not just as a SHIELD agent but as a general human being. Compassionate, idealistic, protective, supportive of his team who became like family, selfless, and optimistic even when it's a bad idea and everything's bleak. Coulson always put tremendous faith in the people he worked with and even though they betrayed his trust, Coulson remains positive that not everyone is bad despite his past experiences that suggest otherwise. He can be surprisingly forgiving though in Ward's case he was relentless in making him pay (which we'll talk about later). He just gives off a "dad" vibe if you think about it. That's definitely the case where Skye is concerned. They have a surrogate Father-Daughter thing going. But like all heroes Phil Coulson has his flaws...

Who touched Lola?

      
        Coulson is by all accounts a spy so he has a habit of keeping the truth from others especially ones close to him. He claims that it's for their protection but there are times where you question that motive. Coulson can also be devious and evasive. As I've said: Spy! And in my opinion there was a time where Coulson crossed the line. Giving Ward back to his abuser? That's cold. Yes Ward did horrible things and almost killed Fitz giving him permanent brain damage but he was a great asset. Coulson didn't have to forgive Ward but handing him over to Christian, the manipulative, cruel, and abusive brother that tortured Grant his entire childhood? Yeah I wouldn't do that to my worst enemy. I'm not sure if Coulson believed Christian's story about the screw driver though it felt like he did... 

Sure, her you forgive, Coulson.

          But that didn't matter to Coulson. I question his motive handing over Ward. It could have been for SHIELD's safety but Coulson could have probably found a way out of it. Ward wanted redemption but Coulson denied him that. Did Ward have a darkness inside him? Absolutely. Did Ward burn bridges? Of course! But when someone wants to change it's up to the other party to at least try to bridge the gap. Forgiveness isn't for the benefit of your enemy it's for the sake of your own emotional health. Coulson was too late to offer Ward the carrot. That will definitely bite him in the ass.

That's a big wrench you got there. Axe was taken.

         Phil Coulson may not wear a costume or a cape or have any super power but he's got the heart and like our heroes still as flawed as any human. We still love and cheer for him because Coulson's motivation for taking risks in saving the world is this: the regular human just trying to make it everyday. He looks out for the little man and wants to keep the world spinning so that the ordinary people can live their normal lives as best they can, to find happiness, and to live full lives. How can you not like a guy like that?





        

The Messengers: Harvest Review

We're 0-4 guys come on!

                   Only 2 episodes left until the series finale (I'm sad to say). This time the Devil caused some friction between the Messengers as they tried to figure out who the last Horseman was. 

Partner in crime with Satan. Sounds so cool & yet it isn't...

You all owe me big time!

      Devil's Advocate

           Satan forces himself into the group by black mailing our preacher man. Since the Devil resurrected him, he has the final say on where Joshua gets to spend eternity after he dies. Pretty unfair given how Joshua is risking his life to try and stop a bunch of psychotic Horseman. But those are the rules. And for a guy who can't interfere, the Devil was pretty helpful in sneaking into a locked office and password protected computer. You have to admit that Satan was a good partner in crime. However, Joshua was more focused on getting some information. As it turns out Smart Rain will cause famine to anyone not using Plowman seeds. Big surprise!

"I'm picking up good vibrations..."

         So Vera got out of that car without any supernatural help, just blind luck. But then she ends up in the hands of the two Horsemen, War and Pestilence (is wearing black a requirement when you turn evil? Just asking). We've already discovered that good intentions give the meteor good vibes that lead to fruit while evil intentions lead to disaster! In other words it's a bitch/dick detector. That would come in handy on blind dates (just saying). Of course Vera does a lot of protesting on helping the evil team but once presented with a bloody Alan, Vera becomes mute then extracts the unknown element without any explosions. Yet Vera was able to bask in those good vibrations the element was sending her way.

Erin is too good at deceiving men with her looks

    Road to Hell Paved with Good Intentions

          Horseman. Horseman. Who's the Horseman of Famine? We had two brothers who were both possible candidates but instead of taking a gamble Koa and Raul figured it was better to just kill them both. How very un-angel of you guys! Though I'm sure some people in the audience had the same thoughts. Killing both brothers would have ended the Apocalypse but wouldn't that make the Messengers no better than the Horsemen and just prove humanity isn't worth saving? It makes you think doesn't it? 

Come on, Raul, you don't owe the Devil this!

         Raul is really tested in this episode. He has this internal struggle where his instinct to kill because who is really innocent anyway? The charges against Raul were dropped (thank Satan) and we know he was innocent of the charges but he was willing to throw it all away again. Morality and instinct to survive always clash. It's for the greater good but evil is still evil no matter what your reason. Erin said as much to Raul, saving him from staining his soul any further. 

Sibling rivalry FTW!

    Mark of Cain & Abel

           Brother vs brother. A concept as old as time. I have to say I was shocked to see the little brother, Mark, become the Horseman and that the seal was about sibling rivalry and not corporate corruption. What a twist! Mark seemed so docile and mild, showing Erin pictures of his kids and feeling nostalgic for the good old days where the business was all about family. 

It's always the quiet ones isn't it

        But then again it makes perfect sense as it parallels with the Cain and Abel story: Two sons. One was more favored over the other who no matter how hard he tried just couldn't measure up to the other brother. God favored Abel's sacrifice over Cain's (Cain & Abel were also farmers go figure!) which threw Cain into a rage. So Cain kills Abel in jealousy and spite. Though we can sympathize with Mark because his brother was being a jerk. Still doesn't justify murder. And just when Satan thought he could have at least 1 Horseman on his side, Famine shrugs him off. Was it me or did the Devil seem impressed (while also being put out) with Rose's ingenuity? He's 0 for 4 now. 

Peter is unforgettable

      
          Peter and Koa have very good chemistry. Peter is the plucky little brother that can make Koa smile when she's feeling low and Koa is the supportive older sister. They had each other's backs this episode and when they were all licking their wounds from another lost battle, Peter managed to cheer Koa up by telling her that she may forget everything else but she should remember that she has a brother to look out for her. Awwww!

Yeah you're so old you still think THAT's a thing

       So the whole evil plan is coming together folks! Rose and her band of miserable (opposite of merry of course) Horsemen plan to start the Apocalypse by raining (literally) on everyone's parade. But there may be hope as the 7th Messenger has revealed himself and his power is... lightning? Bad ass!   

         

Dominion: Best Wardrobe Changes

Told you black was more your color

               I raved about Claire's wardrobe evolution in season 1 and she's not the only one who's had a change in dress in season 2. The ones that stand out to me are Gabriel, Michael, Claire and Arika.

You know that whip I let you borrow, Michael?
I need it back

     Gabriel

            In season 1, Archangel Gabriel was all about black and leather and slicked back hair and even a hood. Basically someone who runs an underground S&M sex club. His demeanor in season 1 sort of fit with his wardrobe choice though. On the surface he had an air of impish delight, your pain was his pleasure but there was a dangerous rage simmering underneath. Black has many meanings including our perception that those who wear black are evil but in this case it is a color of mourning and denial. Gabriel was mourning his Father's absence but also in denial that if he did these violent, horrible things then God would return. The hood (as we'll discuss with Michael later) is a symbol of disguise and represents deception as in the Pilot Gabriel met with William (who was also wearing a hood) where he was deceiving him and then again in the finale where Gabriel "surrendered" to Vega. Then in season 2 Gabriel decides to drop the black and even let his hair free a little.

Fun's over. Blowing up my club house is crossing the line

         Gabriel trades in his casual black attire for a suit of armor. And his bubbling, cruel humor and smile have been replaced with somberness and a new determination. After achieving his goal in getting Alex I suppose he felt it was time to get more serious because his dream of bringing his Father home is starting to feel so close that it may soon become a reality. Gabriel's also a bit meaner. He's not playing games. If he wants something he's going to get it through force, violence and terror. Angels are warriors first and foremost and Gabriel is ready to step things up in this world and burn it all down with everyone in it to the ground. 

"I'm a wanderer. I'm a wanderer..."

    Michael

          Michael has traded his cool colors of blue and gray to simple black. Gray is a color of steadiness, a mixture of light and darkness, yet it's also a color of uncertainty. Blue is a color of wisdom, spirituality and divinity. All of these were a prefect representation of our warrior Archangel in season 1. In the beginning Michael was pretty zen, steadfast, and very spiritual, giving out some snippets of wisdom to help guide others. However, through the course of season 1 we saw that Michael had some darkness hidden beneath his calm facade. His uncertainty sort of came up in the end where Michael began to question his allegiance with the humans. This became full blown rage (divine wrath) when he found out his ex-lover was dissecting angels behind his back. So Michael left Vega to sojourn through the desert.

Chicks dig guys in black

       Season 2, Michael sort of switches styles with Gabriel and dawns simple black. He even wears a hood. Wearing a hood is sometimes viewed with suspicion because it masks the wearer's face. It's a symbol of disguise and invisibility and Michael hasn't really worn it yet but the message is there and is enforced with the black color which is secrecy as well as having other meanings. Michael is traveling incognito and having a crisis of faith. If we add in the meaning of mourning then we can say that Michael is grieving a loss of purpose as well as Becca whom he killed with his own hands. He was seeking redemption but found himself driven off course once again. Yet black is also a color of maturity so we can say that Michael has become a little wiser these past few months he's been on the run. He may be starting to learn that there are a few bad apples in the human race but that doesn't mean the whole barrel is rotten. 

She's been hanging out with Arika too much.
Claire's got the same glint of mischief in her eyes

     Arika & Claire

             Arika's outfits were exotic and vibrant with color to make her stand out. Purple is a color of royalty and Arika was really Queen Evelyn in disguise. She had shown herself to be a bigger player than she wanted everyone to believe given her allegiance with the Archangel Uriel (who was also her lover) and plan to take Vega's nuclear power. Arika had all of Vega fooled. Claire's evolution of fashion had an interesting journey and we ended season 1 with her wearing solid black to show her maturity and how far she had come emotionally as well as spiritually. 

Look at my top and tell me I'm not serious

         In season 2 both women have taken to wearing bright yet neutral colors. Arika seems to be trying to be more subtle, more careful especially since Uriel may or may not be dead leaving Arika without a safety net. She's giving Claire advice when she asks and giving her moral support. Copying Claire in style means Arika is on Claire's side... for now at least. David is wearing darker suits in contrast with Claire's white outfits to symbolize that they stand on opposite sides: light vs darkness. Claire wants to bring Vega into the light of a utopia; a city of equality while David wants to keep the city in the dark ages sticking with a feudal system with the serfs on the bottom and the noblemen on top. 

Good bye black leather. I've outgrown you for a suit of armor

         Thrilled about the whole season! I'm sensing that they pumped more money into Dominion to make it more vibrant and to expand on other parts of this universe. Can't wait to see what more they'll surprise us with! 

        **Special note: My friend, Ellis Minatee is trying to raise money to help Indie Film artists. If you can donate that would be fantastic! If not then you can help spread the word! And follow Ellis on Twitter @MajorMinatee88. Thank you!** http://igg.me/at/-OxfWPSGZ6M/x/11114569