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Willow Episode 4 (Disney+): It really is such a waste that Warwick Davis is relegated to delivering exposition for most of the time he’s on screen. The twist with Graydon is painfully obvious and is an utter waste of time in the show that could be used exploring something else, although none of the plot lines are engaging enough to point to any single one of them as something that would be more interesting to watch. That kind of defines the entire show that has now become a chore to watch.
Doom Patrol Episode 3 (HBOMax): The DC television shows have always worked best when they act as character studies of deeply damaged characters. For example, The Flash’s strongest episodes are the ones where Barry is stuck in the Speed Force and is forced to confront the worst aspects of his past. Episode 3 of Doom Patrol does this and gives a ton of room for Rita to grow and expand as a character, not that she hasn’t before, however this is added depth that makes the show interesting.
National Treasure: Edge of History Episodes 1 and 2 (Disney+): Notwithstanding the dubious historical context for the treasure being hunted (the Mayan, Incan, and Aztec empires do not have a record of trade between them, especially considering how far south the Incans were and the Mayans disappearing about a hundred years before the Aztecs and Incans were established), the show is pretty solid. Jess is an endearing protagonist and the fact that she’s a DACA recipient works well within the plot to isolate her and keep her from getting institutional help she needs. If there is an issue it is that the purpose behind stealing Montezuma’s treasure is never really made clear. Is Billie just trying to steal the treasure for personal gain? If that’s the case why does Jess have such a close tie to the proceedings besides just being really good at being a detective and wanting to be in the FBI. Further episodes will probably explain that but typically the stakes should be laid out for the viewer by the end of the first third, however since its ten episodes that gives it one more chance to explain that in a meaningful way.
The Santa Clauses Season Finale (Disney+): There hasn’t been a finale that has resolved every single character arc in an unfulfilling way in a long time. Scott’s discovery that he needs to be Santa does not feel like where his story was when he was put back in Chicago and Carol’s discovery that she needs to be Mrs. Claus is diametrically opposed to what the viewer is shown about her going back to her life as a high school principal. Also, Cal’s discoveries into his powers are entirely shoehorned into the last two episodes without any indication that they exist before that point. It’s almost as if there is an episode missing in the show that ties these things up nicely before they go back to the North Pole. The effects are some of the worst in the show, from the family going out to fly on the sleigh together on Christmas Eve and the reindeer looking unfinished to Pikachu’s cousin from the Uncanny Valley in Chip N Dale: Rescue Rangers that Sandra interacts with to Santa’s suit that is sentient for some reason and is crawling along the ground like Anakin Skywalker after losing three limbs on Mustafar that keeps clipping through itself like a college animation project that would probably get a D. At the end of the day, at least the show is over until next season because it got picked up for another season.
Black Adam (HBOMax): In case a viewer missed it in theaters, Black Adam is now available to watch at home. Alternatively, they could just go to the post-credit scene on YouTube and see the only enjoyable part of the movie which now means nothing since DC Studios is rebooting Superman with a new actor. It’s a convoluted plot, inconsistent in logic both within itself and within the wider universe, the Justice Society is just kind of there for no reason but whatever, at least it probably won’t be getting a sequel. For a full review, click here.
