Hey there all you lovers of the The CW's Beauty and the Beast. Are you ready to discuss this week's episode? I know I sure am. There was a lot that I loved and a few things I wasn't so crazy about but overall there were more things to like than hate so it was definitely a solid line in the win column in my opinion. Wondering what I loved and what I loathed? Well, come on in and see for yourself.
If I had to sum up this episode succinctly, I guess I would break the episode down like this: Vincent moved in with Cat which forced them both to address the rapid changes in their relationship while they investigated a shocking new lead in their hunt to track down who is behind the super-human experiments. JT tried (and succeed) to impress Tess’ brothers and discovered that there may be some side effects to the medicine he received from Agent Thomas. Meanwhile, Heather returned to town with a surprise announcement.
I couldn't believe that he was the one responsible for the crappy dialog that was exchanged between JT and Vincent. Definitely the biggest lowlight of this episode, in my opinion. While I loved that were together, bonding, I hated what came out of their mouths, worse still that it mostly JT and trying to cloak it in science. Nope. I call shenanigans. It was a better way of going about it and this was clearly a first draft that no one bothered to revise.
Not to mention the quintessential stereotype of Tess' brothers. I mean, sure there's machismo and then there is the one dimensional meat head that looks and acts like a Jersey Shore caricature. I've waited a long time to get more information on Tess' family and was happy that we would be meeting some of them this season only to be severely disappointed with what showed up on my screen.
Sometimes I wonder if Brad Kern and company actually understand that the main demo of Beauty and the Beast are women between the ages of 28-55. My biggest concern last season was that girl power message of the first season slowly began to fizzle out and that BAMF Cat especially, started to make less and less appearances. For some reason it seems to me that under Kern's reigns Cat has become really whiny, needy and less in control of her life. It's almost like he doesn't get (or maybe he doesn't want to) that she's the main character. She should be likable, she should be relatable and she should someone you want as a viewer want to be like.
I was a little shocked that the director of Coyote Ugly (one of my favorite guilty pleasure flicks of all time) was actually recruited to direct an episode of Beauty and the Beast. Strange but true. I thought McNally did a wonderful job of keeping with a bare bones and basic approach of directing that we had last week. I loved the use of light during the interior scenes, gave a pleasant aura to overall scenery. We also got a lot of day time scenes which I'm always a fan of, even when I clearly tell that they're in Toronto and not New York City. I liked how most of the scenes consisted of just two people interacting with no distractions. Made the episode feel very intimate.
I have to say they really turned JTnT around this week. I really enjoyed their interactions the best. I'm all for JT becoming a superhuman because I know he can handle it and won't go evil. JT's heart is pure and true.
We had very little positive interaction with Cat and Tess, unfortunately. I thought we were going to get some good gal pal talk about "useless" men and what not, but it turned into Tess, actually passive-aggressively slamming Cat on their way to the offices of Homeland Security. But Cat being way too self-absorbed didn't even get offended.
In summation, I liked this episode, but I didn't LOVE this episode. I found it interesting and it really feels like we are building an excellent foundation for a new mythology (that just might have ties to the old mythology, which would provide an excellent bridge between the show's past and the show's present and future in a neat way). However, the fab four really feel off and I don't think we've actually had them all in a scene together yet. Hopefully, that will get rectified shortly. I want to see a cohesive Team Beastie (and maybe, just maybe, have VinCat and JTnT go on a double date).
Grade: B
Episode Awards
Aces for Acting
•Zach Appelman
Character of the Night
• JT
Best Character Interactions
• JT and Tess
Scene of the Night
• Tess being proud and supportive of JT as well as being reassuring.
Notable Quotable
• Cat: Or maybe you just saw your fiance and she happened to take your breath away.
Most Memorable Moment
•Vincent accidentally barging in on Heather in the shower.
That Awkward Moment
• That awkward moment when you try to surprise your girl but end up getting an eye full of her little sister instead.
Auf Wiedersehen
• Agent Thomas
Looking for Highlights & Lowlights? Click here.
Miscellaneous
Style Spotlight: Heather's style for the win, once again this week. Especially the outfit pictured below.
Burning Questions
• Did they retcon information about the serum in the previously on Beauty and the Beast introduction this week? I, for the life of me don't remember them saying any of that in the season 2 finale despite the MANY rewatches.
• Is Heather going to move into the houseboat? I mean no sense in letting a perfectly good set go to waste.
Crackpot (or Not) Theory of the Week
• Tess actually gets the promotion and becomes the captain of 125th precinct.
Surprise of the Night
• Agent Thomas dying.
• Heather's fiance calling off their engagement.
Side Note
• If you liked Zach Appelman in this episode then please be sure to check out Kill Your Darlings (2013).
Shameless Plugs & Self Promotion
New Podcast --> BATB Radio (subscribe to the feed)
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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 below.
You know I love you for reading…
As I said in the review, I LIKED this episode but I didn't love this episode. It was good but no great. Some glaring issues in the writing department for sure but I don't like to dwell in the negative. Some great interactions and hey VinCat learned a good lesson for the relationship going forward.
ReplyDeleteBy the looks of the promo for next week it looks like the Houseboat is going bye-bye.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping we see Vincent's nephew, the firefighter, again. It would be nice if Heather meets him and maybe hooks up with him now that her engagement is off since Matthew dumped her. We never did get to meet Matthew. There's so much more to tell in this series that with each episode it gets more and more interesting, Lilith Hellfire, you may not have loved this episode as much as I did, but on the whole it was a great episode with a little bit of everything. I'm crazy about VinCat and I hope Vincent does continue to be a doctor - he can always help Cat when they're both off-duty from their real jobs and help DHS in their spare time in trying to find out who is behind making these people go beyond what's humanly possible. Can't wait for next week's episode, and so far S3 is looking great. JMO.
ReplyDeletelilith, is episode 3 similar or different to this one - especially regarding the lightness of it
ReplyDeleteI really don't think Vincent will stop being a doctor or at least I hope he won't.
ReplyDeleteAnd that Tess and Cat scene in the beginning, I don't think Tess was being passive-aggressive. I think she just laid it out plainly for Cat on the way she is. She even proved the point like you said, because she didn't even notice it. I don't even think Catherine can get offended because Tess was stating facts.
Really really really bummed Agent Thomas died. After everything they all did and after JT busted his butt to get him the serum, it almost felt like a waste. But I enjoyed the cliffhanger, cause I'd really like to know who's behind all this.
I also like the episode, not the best I have seen....not sure why but I guess I was hoping for a love scene after getting engaged but we really did not get much. Love JTnT they are such a great couple....and I guess that Tess will become head of precinct. The house boat for Heather no it explodes in the next episode by the new promo.
ReplyDeleteHello Lilith, thank you so much for this review. Agree totally and love you for mentioning my pet peeve about BK: he seems to hate the character of Catherine. Last season I felt as if I was watching an imposter. I do not and will never understand why he turned her into a doormat to 'the one we will never mention again'. She totally deferred to him, became co-dependent and submitted to him dictating to her whom she can or cannot call friend, It was painful and embarrassing to watch.
ReplyDeleteHoping to see more of the old Catherine from now on.
Same here. Thank you for stopping by and especially thank you for commenting. LOL about 'the one we will never mention again'. I'm glad that it wasn't just me that noticed it. It's quite bothersome and borderline worrisome.
ReplyDeleteAww, man, I hate losing a set.
ReplyDeleteI feel like they want to tear Cat and Tess apart again and on a more permanent basis. I definitely think Tess was being catty but it's probably because I'm on high alert with this batch of writers for sexist and/or misogynistic behavior at all times now. I wonder if they are going to clue the audience in about the big bad or if we'll have to wait as long as the characters to find out.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't I think of that? Yes, Heather and Aaron need to hook up ASAP and if that doesn't happen on the show, look forward to some smutty fan fiction, LOL. I still think season 3 is on solid footing but I do miss the special something Sherri and Jenny brought to the show. A "B" is still pretty great.
ReplyDeleteThis next episode is when the season really starts to kick into high gear. But it still has a great mix of action, comedy and romance.
ReplyDeleteYes Lillith, "B" is still pretty great. All the other series on the CW don't always come in with an "A" either. I so want #BATB S3 to be high in the ratings (those crazy ratings). I hope we do see more episodes where Sherri and Jen jump into the writing too. So far both Epi 1 and 2 had me mesmerized. Next week's episode looks very interesting - more of a "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" look to it from what the trailer showed. I want more romantic scenes (at least now and then and more now than then) between VinCat. Nobody does it like those two. Glad you like the Aaron and Heather hookup and at least Vincent would get some of his family back. Might be exciting to see Tess become Captain of the precinct and it's still a mystery as to what JT's powers are. So far he's a perfect shot - something he never even attempted before. I think it will be for the good and not out of control like these other people who were given the evil serum. JT would be too good to lose over something like that. Will JT's condition be permanent or will JT find something to offset this evil serum in the end? A lot of questions and a lot of story to unfold. I'm just lov'n it. Since Heather's wedding is off, wouldn't it be great to see Cat and Vincent get married? I do hope we get that treat at some point.
ReplyDeleteNaa, Lilith, you do not really hate losing THAT set. He lived there with the red-haired trollop. That bed needs to go along with the boat! I hated seeing my lovely Catherine waking up in that bed in 216.
ReplyDeleteNot as much as seeing Cat waking up in Gabe's bed. Bleah
ReplyDeleteI miss Sherry and Jenny of S1 - Not sure about S2.
ReplyDeleteGreat recap as always Lilith I agree with the rating B it is for me as well, I'm over the way there writing Catherine's character the pettiness of how she was not making Vincent feel welcome when he was moving in one drawer come on now, having problems with everything he was bringing in, at least Tess had strength and told her off, it rolled right off her, however, Heather and Vincent had a few good moments, character of the night JT, so now Catherine can talk other ppl down beside V, I know this was only the second episode, but something felt of to me, can't put my finger on it, ooh but I'm sticking around to figure it out I love this show!!!!!! Thanks for making it even more enjoyable reading your take on things
ReplyDeleteHmmm, that's very interesting. I liked last season when we knew more than the characters but this time round I wouldn't mind finding out at the same time as the characters.
ReplyDeleteHey BB (that's your nickname now, deal with it, LOL)! This show has such a great cast and so much untapped potential that I just want more than what's being given. It's a slight improvement over last season yes but I feel like Cat who was my favorite character during season 1 gets more and more tarnished as the series progresses. I do like that we are focusing on Vincent and really showcasing JR's talents but you don't have to tear down one character to the raise the other up, especially when you only have 4 main cast members.
ReplyDeleteI think you are on to something. We do seem to get a big leap forward only to be yanked back a lot of the time. At first I chalked it up to the first two seasons having 22 episodes but now I'm not sure. I do think that it will get better in the coming episodes and next season SHOULD be plotted better because of the deal for two season renewal.
ReplyDeleteNo I really won't miss it at all. But it does give the show variety. But I think we will be getting a change of scenery soon enough so no big deal.
ReplyDeleteOMG, yes, most definitely.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Keeps me on my toes!
ReplyDeleteYes, only really referring to S1 as S2 they got knocked down a peg unfortunately. I really hope they find another project to work on together. Maybe that Charmed reboot? Wouldn't that be funny since Brad Kern worked on the original.
ReplyDeleteYep. I definitely think we're about to get into some "Nikita" styled action. I want the ratings to go up to at least a .5 in the demo but four days in between is just too long for a lot of Beasties to wait, especially since S4 is already guaranteed. I thought I read somewhere that VinCat will definitely be getting married this season and that wasn't planned for initially when they had Heather become engaged.
ReplyDeleteThere's a little devil in you ..
ReplyDeleteOMG Sarah, yes! THAT was awful. I am still bitter about BK going there, giving Catherine a frontal lobotomy and making her forget what that slimebag did to her and Vincent. When I think of this scene: well, I cannot even eat enough for the amount I want to throw up there.
ReplyDeleteI had huge issues with cat last season, that is until Vincent's arrest. Now I see your concerns..now that they are happy and normal she has taken a step back. Tess said if beautifully, it is all about her. I'm still finding her somewhat judgy, and even selfish. It's feeling more and more that she's willing to sacrifice everyone, esp Vincent, but then gets upset when it's not on her terms. She barely asked heather about her breakup, or Tess about her relationship. I see glimpses of cat s1 and end of s2...the end conversation with Vincent, her constant need to save the world, others I can see our heroin is just not the same anymore to the point where even vincat scenes don't feel the same. I still like cat, but the writing team needs to step it up with her, because if vincat doesn't feel the same it won't be the same show-if they are destined to do great things together then prove it.
ReplyDeleteLillith, you're so sweet I literally blushed at you calling me BB, that's what my friends and family call me, I'd be honored you calling me that as well, I do hope we get Cat back from season one, I really admired that kickarse, and selfless lady back then, who is this selfish lady there're showing us, I've got to remember tho, we're only two episodes in, I've got faith she'll be Baaack!!!!:)
ReplyDeleteOh and Tess brothers being steriotipically matcho bothered me too. But what was worse was that they were also forgettable. I had high hopes of meeting Tess family...
ReplyDeleteI really hope VinCat have a wedding somewhere in this journey. It would be the frosting on a terrific and exciting series. I live for Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. This show has a great romance angle and loaded with exciting scenes. I can feel my heart pounding when VinCat put themselves at risk to save lives. It's a "Nick and Nora Charles" beefed up a thousand times.
ReplyDeleteIf you live tweet with the show, I'd love to follow you, always looking for Beasties to live tweet with (that is actually an invitation for all my lovelies who read my reviews).
ReplyDeleteI just want the theme of girl power back and for Cat and Tess to spend some quality time together. They barely feel like partners, let alone friends right now. For Cat to be as old as she is she sure has a lot of growing up to do. But at the same time everyone around her let's the world revolve around her so until the show some backbone, that's just the way it's going to be.
ReplyDeleteYep, I've got faith Cat will return to being the lady I fell in love with during the first season. Next episode is really good and we will get some fun parallels to VinCat's relationship. Great guest stars and a good case of the week.
ReplyDeleteTo that I'll say Yay!!!!!!!:)
ReplyDeleteFirst I was baffled by the suggestion that Vincent felt "primal fear" over commitment. It doesn't match his character at all, his eagerness to propose, his genuine love for Cath and the fact that he had no problem with sharing 10 years of his life with a room mate in the most difficult of circumstances. The primal fear psycho babble is so obviously JT's (or Brad Kern's) transferred fears about commitments. But looking more closely at the scenes I see something more. Vincent seems a few times actually ill. He touches his side and his heart. He is worried and anxious. It strikes me that Vincent (rightly) feels that he has been pushed to accept the using of his beast, the beast that he fears and hates and he is genuinely afraid of what will happen to him. As usual I am blown away by Jay Ryan's ability to show us something deeper and more interesting going on than the outer story. He is subtle at the same time that his energy burns the screen. I found it unexpectedly moving when Vincent cries out "I can't hold him any longer" in the hospital scene. His beast is becoming more and more another person. And when Vincent says that the mental powers will not affect him because his brain isn't working in beast mode - actually quite tragic.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the brave, funny, clever Cath? Gone, turned into a self-righteous, whiny, frankly sometimes stupid person. I can understand the writers and the showrunner feebly declaring that they wanted to make her a more complex character but it is hard to make a shallow character seem complex. It takes better writers to accomplish that.
I am refusing to go into the inanities of the characters of Tess, JT and Heather. Tess being girlishly and shyly flattered over that anyone would see her as boss? Heather, with her painfully gaping mouth in every other scene? JT actually hard-selling quasi-scientific stuff about primal fear in order to push Vincent into beast acceptance so that he can save JT? Not happening.
Hey Lilith - I do live tweet and would love for you to follow me @Buffygirl4.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree Barbara. I hated Season 2 and all of the things we couldn't stand about it lasted throughout the whole season with the exception of the few episodes at the end of it. I have S1's DVD, but can't bring myself to even want to buy S2. Can't bring myself to want to watch any of it again. I really hated when Cat hooked up with "you know who". She turned into a simpering whimpering dishrag around that guy. VinCat belongs together with a headstrong Cat to keep Vincent grounded and the two of the them together.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't bother me as much (cats downfall) if they wrote her character better-better lines that sound a little less Winey, more opportunities to share scenes with a wider range of characters. You are so right, she's had little screen time with her own partner this season, and when she has it hasn't been on the best of terms. Though I'm secretly happy that for once someone put her in her place-its about time! Yet the boys have had plenty of bonding moments and most of the time better script. Not that I'm disappointed, I love vincent and he has one of the most complex and diverse characters on tv today, I just wish sometimes they took as much care into cats character then in Vincent's.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, I'm optimistic vincat will be back to working as a great team in no time!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I'm doing this, I'm not really a big heather fan, but I don't think she's as naive as I once thought, though at first appearance she looks ditsy. In fact, she might be one of the smartest ones on the show Right now. She knows what's going on, she knows what Vincent is and that him and her sister are off saving the world. yet she chooses to stay away from it and focus on her own life knowing she has little to offer-she's not super human a cop or a genius. Self-absorbed maybe but not stupid, her life can't always revolve around vincat. But she does help, she offered advise to both Vincent and cat on stuff she can relate to despite her own screwed up life, quite well. She has even accepted Vincent knowing he could be dangerous to her sister, it's like she's finally starting to see what cat sees. I guess she's starting to grow on me.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you!! This back and forward with Cat is driving me crazy!! She's always pushing V ti beast out and when he does she starts with her "losing yourself, losing us" stuff!! I can't stand that!!! Make up your mind!! I'm so sad watching where our show is going!!
ReplyDeletewe've got to remember that Cat has lived alone for a long time and so has Vincent. I think this episode has them stumbling to adjust to their new life together. Their jobs are very demanding too with Cat being a cop and Vincent back to being a doctor as well as dealing with the Beast within him. I think the episode did just that - dealing with each other as a serious engaged couple. The promo next week looks awesome and I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED THIS EPISODE. It was unique and funny in every way. Breath of fresh air in comparison to what's on TV right now. Action figure shows and undead show are starting to wear thin on me, supersaturated on TV, so for me this combo. is perfect. It had just the right balance. PERFECT
ReplyDeleteSay what you like, but, I loved this episode. Heck, I could pinpoint what's wrong with eps. on EVERY TV show, but I would drive myself nuts. Bottom line, it was entertaining, Jay's performance, delightful. This is why I watch TV shows, to be entertained, mission accomplished.
ReplyDeleteIt made me laugh, and that alone is worth an AWESOME score from me
I think Vincent may be mutating again. Wouldn't that prove interesting
ReplyDeleteHey Lilith- as usual I agree with all you said. You know how much I was a fan of S1 and hated S2 so am a little Leary of what is in store. I do see an improvement as I think if BK learned anything it is that VC need to be together. I really miss the Tess /Cat partnership from S1- the banter- the playing off each other- the making each other accountable. There were so many good Tess lines in S1a-one of my favorite- when Cat thought she was pregnant - and Tess went to Breaking Dawn - part 2. Where are those lines and interactions, it seems like it is VC and TJT and never the twain shall meet.
ReplyDeleteI liked parts of the whoe primal fear thing and as much as I love the relationships stuff between VC I also feel like the writers this year are trying too hard to do both and both are not getting the time they deserve. I haven't really felt the new threats have been explained well in the first two epsides. Hopefully now that VC are engaged and living together we can just see those sweet romantic moments between the two like we saw in s1 and we can learn more about the threats. I agree we. Need the old Catherine back- she was written so well I S1-way too judgy in s2 and not the same person at all. The writers need to sTOP making her the only one who can save Vincent from himself- the scene where she yet again gave the humanity speech to both beasts was weak, IMO. As someone else said here-Vincent went in that journey on his own in s2 and we don't need the humanity speech ruining us and losing everything in every epside. If Vincent can practice medicine again he can keep his human side as the strong side.
Squee, it's Maureen! I'm really loving the more comedic elements too! Jay Ryan is a real doll and seems to genuinely enjoy the new direction so that eases my worries a little. I too want some more VinCat romance time, I think once they get the living together thing down, we'll see it. I also think with the element introduced in the next episode there will be a light at the end of the relationship tunnel for VinCat. They see that they can actually achieve everything they want, so there's that.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I watch live on Sundays with the west coast Canadian Beasties but save my live tweeting for Thursdays with the east coast Beasties.
Yeah, BATB is definitely different than what's on TV right now. Glad you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI'll add you today! Are you east coast or west coast time zone?
ReplyDeleteHi Lilith - I'm on the East Coast, and thanks for adding me to your list of Beastie lovelies.
ReplyDeleteYou know Lilith I'm really hoping this batch of writers aren't sexists. I don't want Cat's strong will to be compromised like it was when the writers decided to couple her with Gabe. What a mistake that was and should never have happened. Both Vincent and Cat became subservient to Tori and Gabe at that time and I thought it was the ugliest the episodes sank to. Very poor writing in S2. I want our characters to be strong and able to overcome the obstacles they're going to come up against. It's going to be tough, but like Cat always says - "We can overcome anything as long as we're together". Vincent will be nowhere without Cat and I don't think Cat can survive without Vincent. So what I'm saying is, I hope they don't decide to tear them apart. Somebody better clue these new writers in about this. Thanks for reading my rant Lilith.
ReplyDeleteI really loved how they handled Vincent moving into Cat's apartment - the way the incorporated Vincent's beast side into the all-too-familiar routine of a guy going into commitment kicking and screaming was great. Also loved how they used the song "Let Go Or Get Dragged" by Beginners when Cat asked if he thinks they're moving too fast. Great subtle use of a song's lyrics to reinforce the on-screen happenings (plus it's a great tune).
ReplyDelete