Hey all you lovers of the The CW's Beauty and the Beast! It's been a long time since I've gotten a chance to roar over a new episode of BATB but I'm pretty sure I still remember how. There is a ton to discuss so let's get started.
Here's what a brief summary of what happened: Vincent had wedding bells on the brain. VinCat was a seemingly happy couple enjoying an ordinary life so Vincent thought that the timing might finally be right to pop the question until Cat stumbles on an extraordinary case with the DHS involving somebody who goes on a superhuman rampage. Though reluctant to engage with the case for fear of losing the normality he has found, Vincent finds himself with no other options when Cat is injured after discovering that someone is drugging innocent victims and transforming them into super-humans. Meanwhile, Tess accused JT of stalling his recovery as he tries to understand how he’s still alive.
I guess it's a new tradition to start each season with a soft retool and for the episode to be written solely by Brad Kern. As you may or may not know, I actually loved the season 2 premiere for the most part. It was just most of what came after that, that left me slack-jawed and scratching my head both story and decision wise for a majority of the season. Beast of Wall Street continued a few other trends as well, mainly improved production value (with the exception of that damn infernal green screen rooftop backdrop situation), some sweet ramped up fight choreography, bigger better foes for Vincent to go all code yellow on as well as intense stunt sequences.
I thought Kern did a pretty good job with the pacing and plotting, but all my favorite characters did feel a little off and out of character, but I can kind of write that off because of where these characters were left at the end of season 2. I initially got nervous about the central conflict, but was relieved by the episode's end when Kern let the characters come to the same conclusion we Beasties already know, Catherine and Vincent are stronger together and their love can literally overcome any obstacle.
I really appreciate the show getting an even more Sci-Fi and Action-Adventure vibe with season 3's debut (it made it a lot easier for my boyfriend to watch with me this time around, LOL). I think it's smart and could potentially bring in new viewers. I mean, think about it, The CW hasn't really hasn't had a female lead show with action and adventure with a side of romance since Nikita and if BATB can fill that void maybe this little show of ours can finally get the love, attention and promotion it deserves from it's parent network.
There was just enough of a mix between mid, long and close shots that made my giffing and screencapping fun, varied and interesting so kudos. Although I do feel like New York City is becoming less and less of a background "character" which is why I'm hoping that Cat and Vincent will be going on international adventures shortly because a cop show set in New York that doesn't have a distinct New York vibe falls flat on the ambiance front in my opinion (you can feel free to blame Dick Wolf for that).
Overall, I really enjoyed this episode and found myself looking forward to the potential that this new season has. I'm really hoping that the suits at The CW and the executives of the show finally understand the magic of VinCat. I think it is safe to say that what we the viewers yearn to see is their epic love overcoming all odds and making the world a better, safer place in the process. NOT them being split apart (a lesson those in charge over at Reign could stand to learn as well) so here's to the writers getting creative and being able to come up with a different way to drive the central conflict and giving us our dose of drama in a fresher manner.
Grade: A-
Episode Awards
Aces for Acting• Jay Ryan
Character of the Night
• Cat
Best Character Interactions
• Cat and Vincent (duh)
Scene of the Night
• Cat soothes Vincent's beast side and prevents him from killing Tyler Zane.
Notable Quotable
• Tess: Batman needs a Robin.
Most Memorable Moment
• Vincent proposing to Cat on the rooftop.
That Awkward Moment
• That awkward moment when you're expecting a sexy fun time scene between Cat and Vincent and they cut to the next day. No bueno!
Auf Wiedersehen
• Agent Burnett
Looking for Highlights & Lowlights? Click here.
Miscellaneous
Style Spotlight: If you're a Beastie then you are also probably a Feastie as well like me and live to see what costume designer Catherine Ashton will put our beautiful cast in each week. This week I loved Heather's simple yet elegant wedding gown (and yes Heather I loved it more than the first one).
Crackpot (or Not) Theory of the Week
• The big bad for this season will end up being an offshoot of the Kabul from last season that Sam Landon went after.
Surprise of the Night
• The black DHS agent didn't die.
• Tess yelling at JT to get over it.
Spotted
• Tess stuck in the old character rut. But hey at least her and JT are getting back on track. I really hope they decide to actually develop the character of Tess this season because Nina Lisandrello deserves it.
Fun Fact: Il Cantuccio is an or rather was an actual place in New York City. It was located at 91 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014 and is now located at 425 Farview Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey 07652.
Shameless Plugs & Self Promotion
New Podcast --> BATB Radio (subscribe to the feed)
Tumblr
==================================================================================
What did you think of this episode? What was your favorite scene? What was the most surprising thing about this episode to you?
As always, feel free to sound off in the comments. You know I love you for reading…
All right, I can officially start chatting about the season 3 premiere of BATB. Can't wait to read all your comments.
ReplyDeleteI thought S3 is off to a great start! The writers are getting back to the original premise of the show. Vincent and Catherine against the world not each other. Liking the possibility that JT might end up with some special "gifts" something to think about. Tess I would like to see more of her walls come down.
ReplyDeletei can easily say that its better than all season 2 eps. if they can ease off on the whole "destiny" thing .
ReplyDeletei m really interested in jt char,next ep seems like a big one for JT. austin basis deserves it.
ReplyDeleteTrue about destiny overkill. However, I'll take it since S2 hurt to watch yet I stayed with it faithfully!
ReplyDeleteThough I appreciated the charmed reference, not sure if piper/Leo can even compare to the chemistry vincat has even after, what six seasons together ;)
ReplyDelete-You made some really good points in this review. Loved the vincat destiny references- how they not only told us but proved to us that they need to be together, that they better eachother and are more than just 2 people in love was done Briliantly.
-I too can't wait for jt to shine. As a side kick jt is amazing. But they've been hinting for a while jt could become more than that, jt and Vincent being equal partners could take this show to a whole new level. I can't wait to see if Vincent will finally have to calm jt.
-I forgot how much I missed ny as a secondary character, their continued references to Times Square, man I miss that!
Gosh, Lilith Hellfire, it's wonderful to be reading your reviews once again it seems like forever, I know I'm extremely happy we're back and you, you haven't missed a beat, this was an awesome premier I hope this is an indication of what we have to look forward to I agree this was a A episode on the other hand you gave it an A- I've got to give it an A+ everything was working, I think Mr Kern might be trying to redeem himself, I hope this isn't a fluke, anyway I'm ready too Roar!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf the first 3 three episodes are any indication I don't think the premiere is a fluke, I honestly think S3 is shaping up to be the best one yet.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean the chemistry between Brian and Holly, I meant Leo and Piper's love and how it changed the magic world. How Piper's love lead to Leo becoming an elder and and an avatar. And how they produced the world's most magical baby. They even shared a past life together. I like a lot of their storylines and if he draws from the best of Charmed then we in good shape.
ReplyDeleteI think they felt the need to remind us that they got our collective message loud and clear and our getting back on the right track.
ReplyDeleteI actually think the S2 premiere was better than this one but we're on a course correcting mission so they are trying put fears to rest.
ReplyDeleteOur King Beastie does deserve to become a bigger part of the show, I'd like a little more focus on the brotp for sure.
ReplyDeleteother than the amnesia storline s2 premiere was okay
ReplyDeleteSorry i want LESS Tess, NO chemistry with her and any of the characters. Leo and Pi[er, long time since i've heard Charmed references and yeah i see that EXCEPT that he wrote that Vincent called Catherine "Cat" when EVERY single Beastie knows that he's the only one one to call her by her FULL name!!!
ReplyDeleteAmnesia is NEVER a good storyline, just look at "Chuck"
ReplyDeleteLeo and Piper shared a past life? I do not remember that was he Leo or a past life?, i remember Phoebe's, Prue's and Paige's but not Piper's. Leo becoming an Avatar was so MESSED up!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first watched S2, I had my head in the clouds for the most part. After watching it again a few months after it ended, I also found myself questioning the plot of the show. There were a lot of plot holes, and some things just didn't make sense, and I was disappointed that some aspects of the show wasn't explored. For example, while I wasn't a big Tori fan, I wanted to know HOW she became a beast since her DNA couldn't have changed on account of her father's death. I tried theorizing and coming up with some "territory" argument, but it still baffles me. But, since Tori was basically condemned to death the moment they added her character, I guess it wasn't too important to dwell on the origins of her beasthood. There were other things that I wish they took more time exploring, but whatever. S2 is over and done with. The last six eps of S2 was the show's saving grace, I think. It seemed that once VINCAT was back together, it felt like S1 feels all over again. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the premiere, I FREAKING LOVED IT!!! Great balance of new stuff as well as bring up old stuff from S1 and S2. I loved how they didn't just toss the whole Rebecca and Alistair story aside and actually added it into the storyline of S3; I hope they bring Rebecca and Alistair up more, and I hope we explore their story more too. It could give Vincent and Catherine some answers as to why they are destined to fight supernatural beings.
I also would love to know more about the gem from S2; I hope they explore as to how it has the capabilities to cloak the beast powers. Perhaps they will find a way to use the gem as a way to defeat / save the victims of this new conspiracy. I so hope they give us the origin of the gem, that would be interesting!!!
Anyway, I could talk on and on and on about theories and what I loved about the season premiere, but I'm about to fall asleep on my keyboard so I think I'm going to call it a night! LOL
I think amnesia is "okay" to use in a storyline as long as it doesn't take for freaking ever for the amnesia to be restored. While I stopped watching The Vampire Diaries, they did a good job restoring Stephen's short-term amnesia without making the viewers panic too much. I think the amnesia storyline in BATB was all right, but they dragged it out a bit too far and also didn't specify when V got all of his memories back until he actually said he got all of them back.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough card to play, but if writers can make amnesia work, then kudos to them!
I find it interesting that the whole point of the S2 finale was to prove that Vincent and Catherine write their own destiny and do not have to follow into the path of Alistair and Rebecca, but in the S3 Premiere, Catherine is going for the destiny thing again. I have to believe that due to the recent creature-thing encounter, Cat realizes that maybe destiny has a part in their lives after all - but this time, they're choosing to accept the whole destiny thing on THEIR terms and not from anything written from a journal or from a situation they were forced into (i.e. Gabe going nuts and hunting them down). That's what I'm taking from the premiere. :)
ReplyDeleteNot on "Chuck"
ReplyDeleteThanks, that's really good to know it's really going to be a bummer with such a short season, one things for sure though, we've got a season four to look forward too, yay!!!!
ReplyDeletethanks Lilith - off to work but will come back with my comments later today :)
ReplyDeleteThe roof proposal just beautiful -flawless. Fav scenevof all times for me . felt so real, incredible chemistry and u could just feel how much they love each other
ReplyDeleteLiked the pace of the episode . loved the potential shown for story continuity, loved that jt looks like he ll be having a storyline of his own
Not sure about jt and Tess. I'd much rather see their individual storylines rather than them as a couple
Loved this ep and super excited about s3
what? are u actually telling me that the next two episodes are even better than 301?? hyperventilating here!
ReplyDeletei havent seen that show but i think series ending was the one pretty lamer than amnesia
ReplyDeletetime for vin to play lab rat expt on jt. payback time.lol
ReplyDeleteThey destroyed a character's 5 year development and made it seem like it was beautiful, so if you mean the "Chuck" finale was "lame" you should mean "HORRIBLE!". It sits next to the HIMYM finale as one of the worst series finales in a while.
ReplyDeleteGreat review ;) and great epi :) love it all
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Lilith! I love how you structure the post with all the episode awards and things. Very fun to read! I really enjoyed this episode. Of course I loved the proposal at the end the best! Yay!! That was fantastic. I must say, the destiny thing feels cliched and overused to me. I'm tired of it. And I also don't like how they jerk around Catherine's character, first having her want VinCat to get involved, then trying to stop Vincent. I understood the reasons but it felt too jerky. The writers often make Catherine a little too self-righteous, in my opinion. Fortunately Kristin Kreuk is such a great actress that she surpasses those challenges. But I wish they'd stop writing her character like that. (Also the way she always puts her sister second isn't my favorite. She ditched out on shopping for her wedding dress like it meant nothing? Not cool! And she didn't even remember her sister was leaving.) But I was happy to see Heather back (with Nicole Gale Anderson as a series regular. Thrilled about that.) I love her character and what she brings to the show. And I loved seeing her give Catherine advice. It showed us how much we needed Heather! I actually enjoyed JT's crisis of confidence in the beginning. I thought it made sense to the story after what he'd been through. It was kind of fun to see him like that and then gain his purpose once again. It would definitely be fun if he had some kind of beastie/supernatural qualities come out, which they kept hinting at with the unknown medicine the feds gave him and not knowing why it worked. Looking forward to a great season and more of your reviews. :)
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to read you Lilith and it is so good to share thoughts between us BATB fans.
ReplyDeleteWhat catches my interest and deep respect is Jay Ryan's ability to show us Vincent and his emotions in such a subtle and varied way. From happiness and slightly nervous expectations, through disappointment, fear and distress and finally to resignation, acceptance and hope.
The most important for me in this episode is Vincent's passionate plea for not being a beast again and that it falls on deaf ears as far as Cath and JT are concerned. It is as if they don't even listen to him, I get the feeling KK and AB are looking at their next lines in the script instead. Vincent begs to escape from this future that Cath is so fascinated of. But to no avail, both Cath and JT are determined to force him into it by any means necessary.
As for Kern's skills I have serious doubts about his having any. The main theme of the episode is about how Vincent hates and fears his beast side. So it is very strange how Kern opens the episode with the roof scene where Vincent contentedly, even smiling, merrily uses his beast powers to be in time for a date! That gives a definite lopside to the whole episode. I suppose they are building up to that Vincent will in time accept his beast side but that is a longer process and the first scene is certainly not consistent with the distress and fear that he is showing later.
We were also treated by Kern to an astounding turn-around from Cath (not unusual but I was hoping for a better portray of her this season) in her line "you were given a gift". Okay, she has evidently changed her mind from earlier season when she acknowledged that being a beast might be a burden for Vincent. But they could at least show some reasoning how she jumped from one opinion to the opposite. It gave me a nasty feeling to hear that declaration come out of her mouth so unconcernedly, it was so unempathic and frankly cruel.
And the scene when Vincent pins the new beast to the wall and Cath begs him to stop. It is an almost exact redo of the Bob-against-the-wall scene in 209. I felt kind of "oh, here comes the humanity speech, again". And it did.
Kern's aptitude for romantic drivel, ring in champagne glass, candles, proposal on your knees, red roses (was roses in this scene?), etc, feels definitely outdated and really not that Vincent would do, knowing his practical, gun-toting Cath. I'd think he would be more likely to succeed if he presented his ring in a new, hand-crafted gun holster.
Just a little side note: what about the climbing a sheer wall ability, it was hinted but not shown that Vincent now can do that too. He looks up the wall of the high-rise and nest shot he is on the roof. Or has he always been able to? That was quite interesting and new (if not exactly an original thought) but no mention of it. And how did that tie in with his hanging by his nails to the building? Can he climb a wall like a spider or not? Never mind, it is not the beastly powers that interest me in BATB.
This BATB obsession with the word destiny, as if it is something romantic or marvelous. It isn't. Looking it up the definition is "inevitable". I can't find the romance in inevitable, it sounds more ominous to me and anyway has absolutely nothing to do with loving and caring for someone or our favorite expression "epic love". No sane person of today would use the word destiny, it takes away the whole "free will" notion that (rightly IMO) is so valued in our society. A suitor that tries to declare his love with the words "I feel it's our destiny to be together" would be considered mentally deficient. Yet somehow in the BATB writers' room it is perfectly okay, they make even JT, the scientist, use it.
I agree but I guess they need a plot . Btw I don't think Brad Kern envision Catherine character the same way we do.
ReplyDeleteOf course they don't have the same sparkling chemistry as VinCat but I very often get a laugh out of their weird interaction . Too be honest VinCat are not really funny.
ReplyDeleteI grading on curve here. I talked about how repetitive the dialogue felt and how out of character the fab four seemed. I too think Kern doesn't have a grasp on Catherine but it's a slight improvement from the wishy-washy Cat of last season. I think Roger Grant has a better understanding and we will see if that it true in the next episode. Kern won't write many episodes this season so maybe Catherine will improve by that fact alone.
ReplyDeleteCatherine has always been flaky with everyone. I hate it but it's literally been one of her traits since s1 and got way worse in s2. Kern loves to show off that trait to the max.
ReplyDeleteThanks. 11 months of hellatus. I'm just happy the show is back and VinCat are together.
ReplyDeleteI like Austin and Nina on screen together but JTnT felt forced and continues to feel that way for me. I think they will be breaking up very shortly. But unfortunately for the character of Tess that means she will absolutely stayed an underdeveloped character.
ReplyDeleteGet your money, sister! LOL.
ReplyDeleteHey @Kimberly! I'm curious about the mythology they are building as well. Jay Ryan says that's his favorite thing about this season.
ReplyDeleteFor me it feels that way, it addresses many of my gripes from my least five favorite things about this episode. Plus, we're getting Alan van Sprang in episode 3 for a 3-4 episode story arc. I'm a Reign fan and I think this might give us a boost in the ratings. Our guest stars this season are stellar.
ReplyDeleteI know the year wait is going to be a beast but at least I have my Beasties to keep my company. Hopefully I can do more live tweet events. If this season improves, we might even get a s5. I'd love to get back on the fall or mid-season schedule, honestly.
ReplyDeleteYep, it's from an early season before Paige. But the point of him becoming an Avatar was that he did it for his family. I hated when they got separated. That to me was when the show truly jumped the shark, not say I didn't like the Chris subplot.
ReplyDeleteThat comment FTW!
ReplyDeleteI never understand all of the dislike for Tess. I guess it's my weird need to root for the underdog in every situation. I think Nina deserves to be able to shine.
ReplyDeletei was/still a fan of himym.but i kinda knew in s02 .why else would he tell that marathon story i came to a conclusion his son and daughter didnt now their mom.that was my logic.
ReplyDeleteThanks again Lilith. I read your top 5 moments earlier in the week and I think it "Spoiled" the episode for me. Reading the comments from Beasties is always insightful, too insightful, all I could think about were the plot holes that were pointed out. It was like opening all your christmas presents on christmas eve, then there's nothing left for christmas morning.
ReplyDeleteSo where is Vincent's nephew? And how were they able to restrain that superhuman dude, the green gem?
I fear last season her character used up most of the credit she got
ReplyDeletein S1 setting a very bad impression in audience mind . And I agree :both Nina and Austin deserve their moment to shine.
We got a 0.3 (no surprise) but hey i still have hope
ReplyDelete2 * 13 episodes during two seasons is not worse than 22 episodes per season.
ReplyDeleteOh, sorry, to hear that. But BATB is still the underdog of The CW. Every little thing helps and every fan in this fandom really does actually count. I want a bigger, better budget, more promotion and maybe just maybe to get back on the fall schedule eventually. So I hope you'll get the itch to start rooting for BATB again.
ReplyDeleteI will take 13 good episodes over any 22 mediocre ones .Last season was a feast of mediocrity.
ReplyDeleteI think they are on the right track as far as where the fans want the show to go.I loved of course the proposal on the rooftop(my favorite scene).I think going forward they should have Vincent continue as a doctor!He needs some of his old life back too.All in all,a great first episode!
ReplyDeleteI agree.If they keep this up,they will get back a lot of fans that left.The destiny thing is a bit much!I only liked a few episodes from Season 2.Pretty sad!
ReplyDeleteI agree.Don't let Brad Kern write too much of these episodes.He almost got the show cancelled last year,because he could not get it through his head what the fans wanted,a Beauty and the Beast together!I don't think he knows how to write real good storylines for Catherine!I still loved this episode though!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!
ReplyDeleteWell Vincat are more of the "straight man" couple right? LOL
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, I haven't missed an episode yet and don't plan to. I didn't think about them getting back on the fall schedule, that would be great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, as usual great review. This show is forever engraved in my heart. I don't look at the ratings, they don't DICTATE what I like or don't like, what I watch or don't watch. SCREW THE RATINGS 😂😂😂
ReplyDeleteOMG totally understood your -Piper Halliwell/Leo Waytt- reference, you bringed back my Charmed memories 😍😍😍 hope he keeps inspiring on them! I personally loved the first and the last scene of the chapter, and definitely loved the "normal" we saw in their lives... They needed it!
ReplyDeletei roll my eyes whenever they say "destiny" even vin does that .lol
ReplyDeleteAgree, someone please tweet the writers about that.
ReplyDeleteThanks LOL
ReplyDeleteCHRIS!!!!!!! I loved him, i wanted a prequel series of Chris and Bianca fighting Evil Wyatt in the Evil Future.
ReplyDeleteAdultery, she was implicit in it, that's why i will never EVER like her.
ReplyDeleteSo what do you think of VinCat attitude ? They both cheated on their partners . I don't see any difference with Tess situation. When you are in a committed relationship and , whether we like it or not, both Vincent and Catherine were all-in with Tori and Gabe, a wedding ring shouldn't make any difference. I'll give Tess some credit for acknowledging her mistake and regretting her involvement with Joe .
ReplyDeleteLast season failed to bring in new viewers and those who left will never come back. Pretending season 2 never happened is a waste of time. I will be happy if numbers will stay steady at 0.3
ReplyDeleteI still don't like that, but with Tess she KNEW and still did it, that's not a quality i like in characters. With Vincent and Catherine, they broke up with those two when they did it, Tess didn't. The only reason she broke up with Joe was because they wrote him off the show, not because she gained a conscience.
ReplyDeleteJoe deceived Tess He let her believe his marriage was over. Sometimes I feel we are giving the green light to VinCat because we like them. I know I'm hitting a nerve but Vinny was secretly spending his nights on the phone with Cat while Tori was warming his bed upstairs. Did he really dump her ? How convenient she died .Catherine was still happily sleeping with Gabe , a man she was in love with , when she jumped in Vincent bed. And the day after she crawled back on the "I'm with Gabe" bandwagon again. If that's not cheating, I don't know what is it.
ReplyDeletethey didn't say "epic" .
ReplyDeleteScrew the ratings to a certain point but if we want a season 5 we have to put more butts in the seats we have to be vocal and profitable.
ReplyDeleteI liked Charmed and Human Target . I knew he could write for women and men. I had high expectation upon his arrival in BABT but everything went badly wrong.
ReplyDeleteOMG so nice to read one of your reviews again! As always excellent review- honest and realistic, I agree there was lots to like in this episode and so far it appears some lessons from last year were learned. The romance of VinCAT has always got to be front and Center in this show as that is the foundation it is built
ReplyDeletethank god for that.
ReplyDelete