Amy Bolaski
English 100
October 10, 2013
I chose a review on the last episode of Lost titled, “‘Lost’ - ‘The End’: See you in the other life, brother,” by Alan Sepinwall. The review is on a similar, addicting show that you keep watching to find out the truth behind all the scandals and mysterious happenings, particularly a finale episode that reveals many answers to the series. Because the show was a similar show that I chose, the approach of the intro had caught my attention. Sepinwall mentions relationships of characters, as well as a mystery of the show, and then tells you if you loved these then he suspects you loved this finale episode because of the reunions of characters and answers to the mysteries of the island. He then speaks of the secret that the audience had learned from the show and how it emotionally affects the audience by “tugging at the heartstrings.” This approach works perfectly with the show I chose to review.
I didn’t just pick this review for the intro though. I enjoyed how the author spoke to his reader on a more personal level rather than formally as he discussed and analyzed the events in the episode. He also asked questions engaging the reader, which is an element that I like. At the end he also stated his opinion of whether this series finale was a success in mythology and emotion, and explained why he felt the way he did, using examples from the episode. I liked the way Sepinwall caught the viewers’ of Lost attention in the intro, spoke at a personal level to his audience, analyzed the episode with examples, and voiced his opinion of the success of this episode.
Critical Review Intro:
If you followed A’s evil tactics to destroy the Liars’ - if you mainly cared about Aria and Ezra, or the significance of CeCe Drake, or unlocking the mystery that is A - then I suspect you loved the Pretty Little Liars summer finale, “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t.” After all, it revealed answers to Ali’s disappearance and the identity of the A-team - or at least, the identity of Red Coat being CeCe and possibly even Ali, since we learn that Ali may be still alive in hiding. The reveal of the possible leader of the A-team at the end of the episode leaves the viewers in shock and hungry for even more answers.
If you followed A’s evil tactics to destroy the Liars’ - if you mainly cared about Aria and Ezra, or the significance of CeCe Drake, or unlocking the mystery that is A - then I suspect you loved the Pretty Little Liars summer finale, “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t.” After all, it revealed answers to Ali’s disappearance and the identity of the A-team - or at least, the identity of Red Coat being CeCe and possibly even Ali, since we learn that Ali may be still alive in hiding. The reveal of the possible leader of the A-team at the end of the episode leaves the viewers in shock and hungry for even more answers.
2 comments:
I absolutely love that you chose to write about PLL. It's the most addicting show on television right now. I like what you have so far. I'm not sue if you've read the books as well or not, but they would be a good tie a review on the show, since there is so much difference in the two. :)
Hi Amanda (and Kailyn!)
Haven't seen the show, so I can't attest to it being the "most addicting show on television right now." My vote goes to "The Walking Dead." :) Ha.
This is interesting: "particularly a finale episode that reveals many answers to the series." I think people felt very similarly about a number of popular shows ("Lost" definitely being one; "The Sopranos" and "Breaking Bad" as well). I'm glad you found something you feel is such a good match.
You write, "I enjoyed how the author spoke to his reader on a more personal level rather than formally as he discussed and analyzed the events in the episode." I think the chapter assigned for this week on mixing formal and informal language might be useful, then.
I would like to have seen a few examples from the review itself in your post, but you summarize well.
Your intro: "If you followed A’s evil tactics to destroy the Liars’ - if you mainly cared about Aria and Ezra, or the significance of CeCe Drake, or unlocking the mystery that is A - then I suspect you loved the Pretty Little Liars summer finale, “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t.” After all, it revealed answers to Ali’s disappearance and the identity of the A-team - or at least, the identity of Red Coat being CeCe and possibly even Ali, since we learn that Ali may be still alive in hiding. The reveal of the possible leader of the A-team at the end of the episode leaves the viewers in shock and hungry for even more answers."
Great job with your intro sentence: ""If you followed A’s evil tactics to destroy the Liars’ - if you mainly cared about Aria and Ezra, or the significance of CeCe Drake, or unlocking the mystery that is A - then I suspect you loved the Pretty Little Liars summer finale, “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t.” I assume you're writing to an audience already very familiar with the show (i.e., someone who hasn't seen the show wouldn't know who "A" is).
Usually shows are organized into seasons; you say "summer" finale, though. Does this fall into Season 3? Season 4? etc.
When you write, "The reveal of the possible leader of the A-team at the end of the episode leaves the viewers in shock and hungry for even more answers", do you plan on offering the 'spoiler' that would provide this revelation? I wouldn't - readers who haven't actually seen the episode yet, or who may be catching up via Netflix or Amazon, for instance, will NOT want to know what happens.
You're off to a good start!
A
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