Bureau’s Breakroom’s Television Table – Week beginning 27 October 2019

Last week, I was surprised by a new show that I hadn’t even heard was coming out, so I must ask: who watches the Watchmen?  If that isn’t enough Diverse Continuities, Batwoman expands her rogues gallery, Supergirl investigates her criminal fenemy, Black Lightning reintegrates at home, The Flash gets bloody, Arrow continues its victory lap with Thea’s return, and Titans, not content without a description, doesn’t give us a title, either.  In Castle Rock, we hope to get horror, Riverdale, the horrors of ancient video media scares everyone, and A.H.S. gives us unexplored camp horrors.  The Good Doctor alienates people, and on The Blacklist, Red goes to Cuba.

[All synopses (and titles) from Trakt.tv below the cut, except when there really aren’t any.  (If a show’s synopsis is a spoiler to you, do not click More…)]

Batwoman – S01E04 – Who Are You? – A new villain with an eye for all things that sparkle drops in on the city. Kate attempts to find a balance between her personal life and her new role as Gotham’s guardian. Catherine has an uncomfortable encounter with Alice who always seems to be one step ahead of the Kane family. Batwoman pays fangirl Mary a visit to ask for a favor. Meanwhile, Jacob and Sophie try to piece together who was after their prisoner. Luke continues to finetune Batwoman’s arsenal of weapons as the pair track their unwelcome visitor and discover she has more sinister plans than snatching shiny objects.

Supergirl – S05E04 – In Plain Sight – Kara’s investigation into William Dey’s “criminal” activities results in the shocking revelation he is not who she thinks. Meanwhile, the conflict between Malefic and J’onn J’onzz reaches a boiling point.

Watchmen – S01E02 – Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship – As Angela relives haunting memories of an attack on her family, she detains a mysterious man who claims responsibility for Tulsa’s most recent murder. Elsewhere, an original play is performed for an audience of one.

Black Lightning – S03E04 – The Book of Occupation: Chapter Four – Jefferson faces new challenges due to the shocking state of Freeland. Lynn finds herself under intense pressure as she desperately tries to find a solution to the continuing crisis in Freeland. Meanwhile, Anissa continues her work at the clinic. Lastly, Jennifer finds her confidence shaken.

The Good Doctor – S03E06 – 45 Degree-Angle – While performing his first solo surgery, Dr. Shaun Murphy alienates a nurse, which puts his residency in jeopardy. Also in this episode, Dr. Neil Melendez disagrees with Dr. Audrey Lim on a risky surgery, and Dr. Claire Brown spirals into self-destructive behaviors, causing negative ramifications in the workplace.

The Flash – S06E04 – There Will Be Blood – Barry’s efforts to prepare Cisco for Crisis are derailed when Cisco schemes to save Barry’s life instead. Meanwhile, Ramsey Rosso uses his deadly new abilities to save his own life, while sacrificing his humanity in the process.

Arrow – S08E03 – Leap of Faith – Reunited with his sister, Oliver and Thea find themselves searching through a familiar maze of catacombs. Meanwhile, John and Lyla partner on a special ops mission.

Castle Rock – S02E04 – Restore Hope – [No description given.]

Riverdale – S04E04 – Chapter Sixty-One: Halloween – When ominous videotapes begin appearing on doorsteps across Riverdale, widespread fear quickly returns to the town. At Stonewall Prep, Jughead learns about a series of mysterious disappearances that have occurred to former students at the school. Meanwhile, Archie’s plan to create a safe space for the town’s kids gets derailed when some unwanted visitors crash their Halloween party. Elsewhere, Veronica comes face to face with trouble, while Betty’s past comes back to haunt her. Lastly, a haunting at Thistlehouse rocks Cheryl and Toni to their core.

American Horror Story: 1984 – S09E07 – The Lady in White – A hidden chapter of Camp Redwood is revealed. The survivors help a stranded hitchhiker.

Titans – S02E09 – 9 – [No description given.]

The Blacklist – S07E05 – Norman Devane – Liz and the Task Force investigate an infamous assassin who has a long history of weaponizing diseases, but has now turned to even more insidious activities. Red and Dembe travel to Cuba in search of a lead, and Aram considers a new relationship.

11 replies on “Bureau’s Breakroom’s Television Table – Week beginning 27 October 2019”

  1. I’ve been expecting Lena to go evil since the beginning solely because of who is playing her. (It’s not like she played a character that slowly went evil previously or anything.) No, I’m not familiar with the source material so I have no preconceptions from there and I didn’t judge the character based on her name. I suspect she’s being manipulated by someone or something and give even odds they somehow walk everything back.

    • I am not familiar with the source material, nor the actress, and I did judge Lena based on her last name. Though I also didn’t expect the Kid Reporter/Superman’s Pal to be an armor clad hero, so I figure the CW says “Screw the source material, I do what I want!!”

      (Riverdale may have colored that opinion heavily.)

      • The actress played Morgana on that Merlin show from some years back. Very similar relation to the main character and a slow descent into evil.

        My money right now is on Lex having done something insufferably clever related to the macguffin Lena’s currently working on. But, then, Lex doing something insufferably clever is pretty much safe money, isn’t it?

          • I have no doubt you’ve done something insufferably clever, but I did mean one Lex Luthor. (Note: I may, or may not, have detected humour that may, or may not, have been present in your post.)

  2. Batwoman seems to be settling in as a middling “superhero” show. It’s not really 12% awful but it’s also not 71% good, either. I can mostly look past the particularly cringey “Girl Power!!!” dialogue since it really isn’t that prevalent, objectively speaking, and there really is some sort of real characterization at least being attempted along the way. Without some of the nonsense surrounding the show (such as certain comments by certain stars), it might be doing better. Funny enough, people generally don’t like being punched in the face with an agenda. But without all the surrounding nonsense and with some of the cringey dialogue toned down a bit, it would probably be a passable entry into the Arrowverse.

    Still, Batwoman is on my hit list if I need to drop something due to time or other constraints. It has potential to be better and might get there once the “figuring out how to be Batwoman” phase is finished and if they can keep the cringey dialogue to a minimum. I have to say I’m skeptical at this stage, though. As things stand, I won’t be particularly bothered if the show gets cancelled.

    • I don’t really get the “agenda” as a problem. Kane has to establish herself as different from but equal to Batman, and it doesn’t feel any preachier than Supergirl’s first season. But the dialogue and CW tropes are cringy for all kinds of reasons and I’ve stopped watching until we’re into full Crisis mode. The show has a strong lead but a lot of missed opportunities.

  3. Hmmm. I was expecting a time shenanigan of some kind on Arrow. But *that* was definitely nowhere close to what I expected. It seems there was actually a point to that future stuff other than “life goes on” or as a way to tie up a loose end or two. Or whatever.

    • I feel like the manager of the focus group came back and said “The characters are a hit, but nobody cares about the city. Just shoehorn them into the regular story.”

      ,,,and I am fine with that!

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