User Reviews

{the spoiler bit is clearly marked at the end, so you could read on safely}

First off, let me just say, yeah, I have been this guy throwing criticism regularly episode by episode. I found much of the story-line to be utterly complicated and totally disliked the intrusion of new character coming-out-of-the-blue Aiden and the replacement Takeda was a bone of contention as well. But, watching episode by episode on DVD, these past few screenings I have been riveted by the air of suspense that quelled my criticism completely. I have been a fan of this show, contrary to indications week by week here, but these past few episodes really won me over.

I have the greatest respect for both Madeleine Stowe and Henry Czerny for their superb performances. My personal favorite is the princessly Christa B. Allen (by now EVERYBODY knows that) and I can fully comprehend the value of Emily VanCamp, I am just "too old-school" to go for a heroine who is herself duplicitous (after all, she is toying with initially-innocent Daniel, she uses underhanded methods, okay, I know, I know, she is fighting fire with fire, it is the theme, it is the shows reason for existence, STILL Emily is on- screen quite obviously consumed (good acting then, yeah) AND I'm just not biting at her (wouldn't dare!) as an ideal heroine SO that counts against the show for me personally)(but that's just me, I know)

Anyhow, tension reaches breaking point here. It's been building up ever since the black-out. And if you think that the previous episode had suspense, this one sends it through the roof.

Highly recommended. If you are on the verge of watching, oh lucky you, to read this and KNOW you have a great watch ahead of you!

The spoiler bit: I really, really loved the flashes of young Amanda as Jack finally recognized his childhood love. That is what made it an unequivocal Ten without question.

Special message now that the message boards are no longer there:

Emily Alyn Lind, young Amanda, I'm hoping you're gonna grow up as cute as you were back then, lotsa lotsa movies, I'm always gonna root for you, dear!

Oh my Lord. This movie-length episode brought me on an emotional roller coaster. It was just crazy. Possibly the most action-filled episode I have seen of ANY show. The deaths of Deketa and then of Deklan! Also, at about 40 minutes into the episode, I was having a moment of antagonistic feelings towards nearly all of the characters. Jack was making me mad because he was being foolish with his actions, and wouldn't listen to Nolan or Emily. Aidan was making me mad because at first when I watched him kill Deketa and also try pull Emily out of her quest for revenge, I thought it was absurd and selfish of him. Then there's Daniel, who I was just so frustrated with because I feel like he knows absolutely nothing and looks like an idiot when he thus gets mad. Oh, and before I forget, that Regina girl is just the icing on the cake, isn't she? I despised her with a burning passion; how she treated Deklan, how she lied to get Charlotte to side with her. Then, at the end, Conrad for revealing how the initiative was false, and the way he justified his actions.

But, I must admit that towards the end of the episode, my heart strings were tugged at by each character, even Victoria. With Charlotte losing Deklan and being pregnant, and Victoria having to witness all of this and have that guilt, I can't imagine how overwhelming it must be. Then there's Jack, who finds out the truth about Emily and I am so relieved because that is what I have been waiting for this WHOLE time. Then, there's Nolan who is now being accused of the blackout and the bomb explosion JUST like David Clarke was, and of course the new wound that he has gotten by finding how Padama betrayed him (...and is still alive? I'm slightly confused by this) which makes his chance of being proved innocent decrease to almost none. Poor poor Emily, and now I think Aidan is dead (and I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this, but I am sure that I am not going to like the effect THAT will have on Emily) and that will just be horrible. Then there's Daniel, and to be honest, I don't think I would mind if they killed him off the show instead, because I have really grown to dislike him. Who else am I missing out? Oh, then there's Ashley on the sidelines, whom I sort of resent but sort of understand at the same time.

It's all a bunch of mixed, uncertain emotions. I know with certainty however that I do not like Conrad and Daniel. The rest have their good days and bad days. That was such a crazy experience, and I cannot wait to download season 3 and embark upon that journey as well!

All in all, this was an excellent finale and the highlight of the season. As usual, the action and suspense kept up throughout the whole double episode as all the events unravelled. I felt that the turn of events in the finale was immensely satisfying, the best of which being the death of whiny and idiotic Porter brother I have so long awaited. I've never understood why Charlotte Grayson would be attracted to someone poor and stupid like Declan Porter, especially after the things he's done to her. This unworthy character coupled with a miserable portrayal made me very happy to see him go. Strangely, I don't get what all the fuss is about with Nolan and Emily crying over his death; he seemed like an insignificant character with whom they didn't have much interaction with and it didn't feel like much of a loss. They almost wept as much as when Amanda Clarke (who was a much better character) died earlier on in the season. For me, these unnatural reactions were probably the only hitch in this episode, once again, the writers have put forward a sensational story and left many exciting possibilities for Season 3.

I marked this as a spoiler, so don't read further if you haven't seen this yet. Revealing MAJOR plot points here. To the director/editor/writer/whomever: you don't kill off one of the few truly redeemable and likable characters in just a couple minutes in such a disposable way as you did with Declan Porter and expect fans to love you for it. Characters die all the time, but this was treated as a blip in the drama. A reason for Jack to go nuts so Amanda could come out to him. Declan's character was one of the few oases of non-bitterness in this angry, catty show (which I love in general), and if you're going to dispose of him, you should have spent more time on it. I was so disenchanted by this that I almost don't care about checking out Season 3.