HERO EDITION

Who doesn't love an ass-kicking hero? If you want to stay-in on a rainy spring day and cruise through your queue, or maybe you're taking a sick day and browse through your suggested titles. What could brighten a cloudy day or lift your spirits but a superhero to the rescue! Here are a few that I have watched and suggest:

#1 DAREDEVIL

It is a Netflix Original Series through Marvel Studios and in association with ABC Studios. This series I couldn't stop watching even if I wanted to. Daredevil stars Charlie Cox as The Devil of Hell's Kitchen, otherwise known as Matt Murdock and of course by the end of season one, his legendary hero title of the iconic Daredevil. I did not read the comics but as a fan of the Marvel Universe and what the creators have delivered, I am truly just so excited about this series, and highly anticipating season 2. Not to mention Vincent D'Onofrio does an outstanding portrayal of Wilson Fisk a.k.a Kingpin. The compiled cast is phenomenal, I'm still not completely sold on Elden Henson who portrays Foggy, but I loved the friendship flashback of Foggy and Matt when they were in college. By the end of the season all the puzzle pieces fit wonderfully together and the last few minutes of the last episode I literally had hair-raising-goose-nips, it was that awesome. What I really loved is that it is darker, edgy, and more personal. I think this series brings comic fans and those of us that just enjoy what Marvel has to offer, and we can all agree that the studios have produced an amazing series. Of course it wouldn't be Marvel without amazing action, and continues their expertise wielding of drama with hints of comedic charms as well. If you haven't checked it out yet I would highly recommend doing so. Just be warned, once started there is no return.

Series Break Down

Episode 1 - "Into the Ring" - 53min

Episode 2 - "Cut Man" - 53min

Episode 3 - "Rabbit in a Snowstorm" - 52min

Episode 4 - "In the Blood" - 52min

Episode 5 - "World On Fire" - 56min

Episode 6 - "Condemned" - 48min

Episode 7 - "Stick" - 50min

Episode 8 - "Shadows in the Glass" - 53min

Episode 9 - "Speak of the Devil" - 57min

Episode 10 - "Nelson v. Murdock" - 56min

Episode 11 - "The Path of the Righteous" - 58min

Episode 12 - "The Ones We Leave Behind" - 59min

Episode 13 - "Daredevil" - 56min

Total Time Invested: 703 minutes or 11.72 hours

#2 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Continuing in the Marvel Universe, Netflix provides us with the viewing candy that is Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. It picks up after the Battle of New York and dives into the mystery of Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg). Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) makes a few quest appearances which are awesome, of course along with Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) and Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander). The series starts with Agent Coulson and his attempt to bring together a group of talented agents for his super-team. Of course there is plenty of mysteries to solve, drama to unravel, and plenty of great nail-biting action. I love Agent Coulson, but I particularly am fond of Agents Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge) and Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker); this duo has so much charm and romantic angst that it pulls perpetually at the proverbial heart strings. 

Series Break Down

Episode 1 - "Pilot" - 44min

Episode 2 - "0-8-4" - 41min

Episode 3 - "The Asset" - 43min

Episode 4 - "Eye Spy" - 42min

Episode 5 - "Girl in the Flower Dress" - 42min

Episode 6 - "F.Z.Z.T" - 43min

Episode 7 - "The Hub" - 42min

Episode 8 - "The Well" - 42min

Episode 9 - "Repairs" - 43min

Episode 10 - "The Bridge" - 41min

Episode 11 - "The Magical Place" - 42min

Episode 12 - "Seeds" - 43min

Episode 13 - "T.R.A.C.K.S." - 42min

Episode 14 - "T.A.H.I.T.I." - 42min

Episode 15 - "Yes Men" - 43min

Episode 16 - "End of the Beginning" - 41min

Episode 17 - "Turn, Turn, Turn' - 43min

Episode 18 - "Providence" - 43min

Episode 19 - "The Only Light in the Darkness" - 43min

Episode 20 - "Nothing Personal" - 43min

Episode 21 - "Ragtag" - 43min

Episode 22 - "Beginning of the End" - 43min

Total Time Invested - 934 minutes or 15.57 hours

#3 ARROW

Quickly addictive, full of master combat, and great storytelling,  The CW's Arrow will keep you entertained and craving more. Currently in their third season, Netflix has the first two seasons available and with 23 episodes each, buckle in for the long-haul. Starring the delectable Stephen Amell who portrays the billionaire Oliver Queen, through extensive series of events Oliver is transformed, and when he finally returns home he is there with a primary objective - basically to kick some major ass. I don't want to spoil anything and I'm not reviewing just suggesting what you should binge on next (if you haven't already), but this series is intricate to say the least! It's not only worthy of a test drive, it's definitely a keeper. I love this series because I just can't seem to stop wanting to watch Amell's performances. It will keep you on your mental toes too between the plots of the present and the flashbacks of the past, you'll be drawn into the drama all to quickly. 

Series Break Down

Season 1

Episode 1 - "Pilot" - 42min

Episode 2 - "Honor Thy Father" - 42min

Episode 3 - "Lone Gunman" - 42min

Episode 4 - "An Innocent Man" - 42min

Episode 5 - "Damaged" - 41min

Episode 6 - "Legacies" - 41min

Episode 7 - "Muse of Fire" - 40min

Episode 8 - "Vendetta" - 42min

Episode 9 - "Year's End" - 42min

Episode 10 - "Burned" - 42min

Episode 11 - "Trust but Verify" - 42min

Episode 12 - "Vertigo" - 42min

Episode 13 - "Betrayal" - 42min

Episode 14 - "The Odyssey" - 42min

Episode 15 - "Dodger" - 42min

Episode 16 - "Dead to Rights" - 41min

Episode 17 - "The Huntress Returns" - 42min

Episode 18 - "Salvation" - 42min

Episode 19 - "Unfinished Business" - 42min

Episode 20 - "Home Invasion" - 42min

Episode 21 - "The Undertaking" - 42min

Episode 22 - "Darkness on the Edge of Town" - 42min

Episode 23 - "Sacrifice" - 42min

Season 2

Episode 1 - "City of Heroes" - 42min

Episode 2 - "Identity" - 42min

Episode 3 - "Broken Dolls" - 41min

Episode 4 - "Crucible" - 42min

Episode 5 - "League of Assassins" - 42min

Episode 6 - "Keep Your Enemies Closer" - 42min

Episode 7 - "State v. Queen" - 42min

Episode 8 - "The Scientist" - 42min

Episode 9 - "Three Ghosts" - 42min

Episode 10 - "Blast Radius" - 42min

Episode 11 - "Blind Spot" - 42min

Episode 12 - "Tremors" - 40min

Episode 13 - "Heir to the Demon" - 42min

Episode 14 - "Time of Death" - 42min

Episode 15 - "The Promise" - 42min

Episode 16 - "Suicide Squad" - 42min

Episode 17 - "Birds of Prey" - 42min

Episode 18 - "Deathstroke" - 42min

Episode 19 - "The Man Under the Hood" - 42min

Episode 20 - "Seeing Red" - 42min

Episode 21 - "City of Blood" - 42min

Episode 22 - "Streets of Fire" - 42min

Episode 23 - "Unthinkable" - 42min

Total Time Invested - 1,924 minutes or 32.07 hours

What I love about the Netflix Original Series is that all the episodes are released on the same day, so you can binge watch, or take your time through the season. PLUS, the feature that I love the most - no commercials! Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D can be seen Tuesday's on ABC and  Arrow can be seen Wednesday's on the CW. Check your local listings. If you have binged these series please leave a comment on your thoughts, what you loved, and maybe what you didn't love so much. Also, if you have any hero themed suggestions to binge on next I'd greatly appreciate them. Enjoy!

BINGE WORTHY

There are many reason why I love Netflix so much, binge watching is just one of those attributes. Something I watch for is how often a show updates their season on Netflix. Much to my surprise, Once Upon A Time updated and I was able to catch up to the finale of season three just in time for season four to start later this month. Not only am I a renewed "Oncer" I'm a believer in the show again. However, I will say the wait was worth it. One of the reasons I have such a hard time watching the show on it's network time, is because of the commercials. Maybe it's just this age and we've become spoiled to such pleasures as Netflix and not having the cumbersome commercials to nag us. Even when we try to watch on-demand through our cable providers, there are commercials. So, I threw down my remote and proclaimed: no more. This is why I am a true believer in the powers of Netflix. That being said, catching up from where I had previously left off took me a solid two days! And who knew Captain Hook was so swoon worthy!?! 

There are far too many plot points to try to tell you all about them. If you have Netflix I would highly suggest you check the show out. What I do love about this show are their constant reminders of renewed hope and second chances; they seem to be hidden plots within themselves. Constantly, they are showing us how life can get complicated but, we can't lose hope. If you don't like fairy tales than this might be harder for you to grasp and enjoy. I grew up watching Disney movies, so when they make those references I thoroughly enjoy them. However, the one aspect I could do without is "the Savior" jargon. Couldn't they come up with a better hero's title than that? Apparently not. In season three they wavered from Emma being the sole "savior" to Regina having the ability too; encouraging that we all have the power within us. I'll include a link below if you want to read my other postings about Once Upon A Time about the beginning characters and plots.

I'm excited yet I have some apprehension about this season. Have rating slumped that they feel they need to ride the Frozen bandwagon? I just hope people aren't tired of Frozen that they'll still tune in and watch. Hopefully the writers know what they're doing and can get it right. So far they have bewildered the viewers with mind-boggling assaults. Not so much in a bad way; those that we know from tales before to be good, turn out to be bad etc. I love the twists and turns and especially the romance sizzling between the main protagonist Emma Swan and Captain Killian "Hook" Jones. It is almost enough to renew this ladies belief in romance!

The plots definitely thicken! In a strange twist within the last two seasons the trip to Neverland turned out to - once again - reunite family. Peter Pan turned out to be Rumpelstiltskin's horrid father. Pan was quite wicked and through his lackeys kidnapped Henry, Emma Swans "The Saviors" son. The family (Prince Charming, Snow White, Regina, Emma, Rumpelstiltskin and Captain Hook) ride on the Jolly Roger through a portal opened by the last magic bean, in an attempt to get to Neverland. Meanwhile, Neil (Henry's father) had been shot and fell through a similar portal; leaving everyone to believe he was dead. However, he was found in the Enchanted Forest shore lines and made his way to save those that he loves.

Neil reaches Neverland where he had lived once before and knows a lot of tips and tricks to help the crew on the quest to rescue Henry (and themselves). The only thing is, right at the end, Pan switched bodies with Henry. The reason no body knew this right away is because Pan's body was trapped in Pandora's Box (which was really Henry). However, Emma knew something was off and through her determination they figure out that Pan is actually in Henry's body but, they're too late. Pan already enacted a curse and the only escape was for Regina to work her magic. All but Emma and Henry would return to the Enchanted Forest while they would return to New York with wiped memories.

Season 3 starts off with Emma and Henry's perceived life in New York being normal. She's even been seeing a (what we believe to be) a charming man. She's stopped in her tracks though when he purposes and Emma being the stubborn woman that she is, can't make the choice. It could also be her super power telling her something was off. Henry was all for it and it wasn't until Killian Jones arrived at her door step that she thought she would marry her boyfriend of 8 months. Captain Hook convinces her to drink a potion where she will regain her memories from the previous year.

With her memories restored Captain Hook tells Emma of the present danger in Storybrook. Know that she knows her family is in danger, she packs up Henry (who doesn't have those returned memories) and they leave for Storybrook, Maine. Once they arrive it's heartbreaking when Henry doesn't know the people he so desperately has fought for; especially Regina. In a twist however, during their time in Neverland we learnt of Regina and Tinker Bell's past and how Tink showed Regina a true love to pursue (that would bring her happiness) - Robin Hood (because of his lion tattoo on his inner forearm). The town pulls together to find out who enacted the curse and why. 

Enter The Wicked Witch and Oz or as she's known as Zelena. What is her ulterior motive? Revenge. She wants what her little sister Regina has, that she feels she was neglected of and that she should have had. Zelena has been able to break through the barriers of time travel and wants to go back in time to make things right for her. This endangers all the other inhabitants as this could change many fates. Zelena begins by collecting Prince Charmings Courage, Regina's heart, Rumpelstiltskin's brain and the last ingredient - Snow White's baby. Once she has all of her ingredients she opens a portal and is about to change time when the hero's ban together to stop Zelena's attempts.

We learn that only white magic can stop Zelena and who has the best white magic? Emma. However, The Wicked Witch knows this and slams Captain Hook between a rock and a hard place. When he professes his love for Emma she curses his lips, that if he should kiss her he will drain her of her powers. Of course, Killian being the hero that he wants to be for Emma and her family, he doesn't. Zelena then continues to twist the knife in Killian's back by drowning him, forcing Emma to place her lips upon his to save his life, draining her of her magic and ability to stop her. What really ticked me off about this was that Emma was upset with Killian over his choices when he did the right thing. 

When the heroes are facing Zelena in her finest hour (after opening the time portal), Regina switches her dark magic to that of love (white magic) and is able to knock Zelena down and get her pendant that she wore (which Glenda explained housed her powers). Regina locked up the pendant in her tomb while Zelena was locked up in Storybrook's jail cell. She didn't last too long though after Rumpelstiltskin visits her, after she tortured him and used his knife for her bidding, he stabbed her turning her into stone that crumbled to the ground and disappeared. However, this initiated her pendant in Regina's vault and unbeknownst to the residence of Storybrook, the time portal was opened once more.

Emma and Captain hook are sucked into the time portal and go on quite the quest to save the preservation of her parents meeting and falling in love. Through this time however her and Captain Hook have a new found love which I enjoyed watching! Emma also rescued someone and brought her back with them once she was able to reopen the time portal (using a magic wand that Rumplestiltskin lent them). When they are all reunited back at Granny's, she introduces the woman she brought back: Maid Marion (Robin Hood's wife and mother to his son). Regina's livid because she finally let her guard down and fell in love with Robin, they were happy. Through her anger she tells Emma that she's just like her mother (naive heroism) and warns Emma that she hopes she didn't bring anything else back with her...

Links

Once Upon A Time ABC Go

Wait Watch Wonder - Once Upon A Time previous posts 

Once Upon A Time on IMDb.com

Storybrook Website

Once Upon A Time on Facebook

Once Upon A Time on Twitter

Once Upon A Fan (blog)