The Big Bang Theory - Season 7, Episode 1 'The Hofstadter Insufficiency' [Review + Recap]

The Seventh Season of The Big Bang Theory is back, and this is all about the first episode in last night's premiere duo episode. For the link to the review and recap about episode 2 click below:  
http://scenesisters.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-big-bang-theory-season-7-episode-2_27.html 

So, everything kicked off in it's usual manner, with Sheldon 'phoning' Leonard to complain about him having put the Back to the Future 2 disc in the Back to the Future 3 case. Standard. However, it turns out Sheldon was in fact having a missing-leonard-induced nightmare, so he quickly scurries over to none other than Penny's flat opposite, and does his signature 'three knocks' to awaken her. Penny is not too pleased, but after some displacement from Sheldon, she agrees to let him stay over for the night in her flat, under the premise that it is not him that misses Leonard at all, it is her. Of course, instead of just sleeping on the sofa, Sheldon waltzes straight into Penny's room and she sighs at Sheldon's antics.

 

 Things switch to Caltech in the cafeteria, and Howard, Raj and Sheldon are sitting down to eat their meal, however Raj is clearly still hung up about the loss of Lucy in his life, as he reminisces about her face and how he keeps seeing it in things like oil grease and pies. Sheldon makes some off-putting analogy/factoid about dung-beetles which notably puts Howard off his meal. Howard suggests that Raj go to a University function where post-grads will be to meet a new woman. Meanwhile, Amy and Bernadette attend a biology convention together and, whilst drinking at the bar discussing their work, get hit on and bought drinks, which leaves the girls to remark that this never happens when Penny is around, as most guys are only after her. Subsequently they revel in their new found attention as Amy acts all adorable and Bernadette flounces around in her chair. 

Penny and Sheldon try to spend some quality time together, but Sheldon is only interested in playing his 3D chess. He remarks how he 'doesn't miss' the things Leonard used to do for him: like help him with zips, say goodnight through morse code and play chess with him. However, he then asks Penny to help him as he needs to go to the toilet and he can't get his zipper undone. Oh, Sheldon! At the University function, Raj is failing miserably (is that any surprise) and has zero tact or sensitivity when Howard spots Mrs. Davis and exclaims that her husband left her for an undergrad. Raj then seeks to make amends with Mrs. David and tries to have a heart to heart with her about his situation as well.

Meanwhile, Amy and Bernadette fall out due to Bernadette's insensitive remarks about Sheldon and how Amy could do better. This leads to Amy stating that Bernadette's 'husband is weird, and his clothes are ridiculous.' I think we've all missed Amy's sneaky remarks in at the end of everyone's conversation. Eventually, Amy and Bernadette restore their friendship whilst they gossip over the boys who hit on them, only to then realise they are describing Howard and Sheldon's personalities. They quickly go to bed. 

Penny and Sheldon wile away their time until the cave and call Leonard, who is not lonely at all, but in fact is having a good time partying without them. This causes Penny much distress and leads to Sheldon 'trying' to cheer her up (with minimal success). This spurs Penny to try and bond with Sheldon, by sharing something no-one knows about her: she once starred in a horrible low budget movie, appearing topless in one scene about a psychopathic, sex-crazed gorilla. It turns out everyone saw this movie years ago, with Howard showing it to everyone (big surprise there) and Penny is notably embarrassed. Sheldon then tries to share a secret about how he hates the new YouTube 'like' system and preferred the star rating system. Penny doesn't regard this as much of a secret, and turns to leave, but Sheldon stops her, claiming that that was a big secret to him and she disregarded it. Penny apologises and then embraces Sheldon with a hug, causing Sheldon to say that he knows how Penny's character must have felt in the ape movie. 

The episode ends with Leonard showing his friends on the ship Penny's low budget ape movie, exclaiming that 'that's my girlfriend!' as everyone laughs and cheers. Overall, the episode was typical and in-keeping with the style of the rest of the series; Penny was the rock that Sheldon needed, Amy was on form with witty remarks and outlandish behaviour and Sheldon was, well, Sheldon. No doubt viewers will be pleased with this episode and will look forward to seeing what happens when Leonard returns from his trip, and how Amy and Sheldon will progress with their relationship. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing more Amy/Bernadette moments as the writers explore some new storylines for the relatively new characters as opposed to the long-standing cast. Also, how will Raj fare in his quest to find someone to replace his dog in his life? 

Reviewed by Mel.

Sky Ferreira - You're Not the One (Official Music Video + Review)

With a name like 'Sky Ferreira' it's not real wonder she became a singer/songwriter, and 'You're Not the One' is Sky's first single from her debut album Night Time, My Time. The track is a mixture of Electronica and Pop; Sky's sultry repetition of 'You're not the one/ Guess you're not the one' draws the listener in and adds a casual sounding but addictive tone to the song. The music video (watch below) features Sky with her usual slick-backed hairstyle, wearing red lipstick, in her old-styled black leather jacket, performing around in her usual dazed manner, and we love her for it.

The video features an array of neon lighting and various colourful tones and impromptu shaking and dancing from Sky and she glides around the dance floor. Possessing some dark undertones, the video is released under label Capitol Records and produced by Ariel Rechtshaid, and if you fancy listening to some electro-pop with a sensuous and disturbing video then this is most definitely for you. 

It looks as if Sky is back for good this time, having had previous successful singles such as 'One' which reached 64 in the UK and 'Obsession,' so, what do you think of this newest addition?

Reviewed by Mel.

Castle - Season 6, Episode 1 'Valkyrie' [Review + Recap]

The eagerly anticipated first episode of Season 6 of Castle is here! The episode, entitled 'Valkyrie', kicks off where the 'cliffhanger' of Season 5 ended - with Castle having just proposed to Beckett, ahead of her announcing that she had got the job in DC. So, many fans might have guessed it, but Beckett said 'yes' after initially saying no, then yes, then no, in an awkward mish-mash of emotions, and the pair exhibited typical Caskett behaviour. 

Of course, at this point everyone will be wondering how the two will be able to cope with the long-distance relationship as Beckett hurries off to DC to her new job, working with House's Lisa Edelstein who plays Kate's work partner, McCord. 

We've know flashed forward to a couple of months later and Castle and Beckett haven't seen each other in 6 weeks. Hmm, who smells an impromptu Castle meet-up coming? Well you'd be right. After Beckett fails a training exercise, and a new case comes up meaning she can't fly back to see Castle, she reluctantly goes back to her apartment to find none other than her fiance, Rick, lurking around. 

Castle and Beckett have a good ol' reunion in the only way they know how, and suddenly it's the morning and Beckett is looking over her new case files. Being the ever inquistive soul her is, Rick pushes Kate to tell him details about the case, but she refuses. However, low and behold, she drops the case file on the floor, and after exiting with her new partner (who shares an exceedingly awkward introduction with Castle), Castle recovers a transformer with a serial number on it, prompting his own investigation into the case. Castle calls on the help of his old work buddies Esposito and Ryan to help him figure out what's what, and they manage to track down a golf course.

Simultaneously, Kate and McCord have deduced that the robbers stole something from one of the buildings and escaped through the sewage systems and exited through the golf course, so, they go to check it out. However, the manage to run into Castle, who is also investigating, and McCord is not impressed; she warns Beckett, but doesn't tell her superiors about Kate's fiance's interference.

 
Unfortunately, Castle manages to get himself abducted at gunpoint by a suspect, who later dies while trying to interrogate Castle. It turns out (eventually) that the suspect was poisoned and set-up by other person unknown, who stole a chemical agent which they made airborne and put in the initial suspect's car ventilation. It's then announced that Castle himself has now been infected with the chemicals and has only a day to live. Well that was sudden and dramatic. Looks like it's up to the caped crusader Kate to find the people responsible and save Castle from his imminent death. 

 
Oh, and apparently Alexis, Castle's feiry and intellectual daughter, has a new boyfriend named Pi. No I'm not kidding. He's also a fruitarian. No I'm serious. He makes papaya 'steaks' and everything. So, will this relationship last and how will this affect Castle (presuming he lives)? The episode notably focused around the proposal from the last episode and will no doubt please fans that Beckett and Castle have (at least for the moment) agreed to wed. However, considering their history, this may be long-winded, or feature someone dying at their wedding or someone being shot and injured. The pacing was good through most of the episode, however the 'ending' of the first part (it's a two-parter) was a little sudden with Rick's deathly diagnosis but the episode overall will no doubt please viewers, whilst giving them some more drama to satisfy their appetite.


Reviewed by Mel.

The Great British Bake Off - Series 4, Episode 6 (Review)

 Well this week the remaining bakers had to concoct a variety of sweet doughs including a signature tea loaf, Apricot Couronne for the technical and 36 sweet European buns for the showstopper - now that's a lot of dough. Surprisingly, most of the bakers fared rather well with the twistingly tricky Couronne,  

which proved to be a hard one to call, with the ever self-deprecating Ruby securing the top spot on the technical (much to her surprise). 

This, coupled with her zesty citrus tea loaf which proved a hit, and her Twisted Swedish Kanelbullar and Saffron St. Lucia Buns which turned out to be cooked to perfection, secured Ruby the title of Star Baker for the second time. Notably, this prompted joking from Sue and Mel about how they didn't want it to all go to Ruby's head. So maybe Ruby will finally give herself some credit for her baking skills and stop being so down on herself (we can hope). 

Poor Glenn struggled a bit this week, with his Almond and Apricot Brioches clinging onto the baking trays, refusing to budge, (and eventually crumbling) as Glenn fought to try and get 36 european buns out. It seemed to be a rather sticky situation for Glenn as the final hurdle finished, but fortunately for Glenn, poor adorable Howard was there to take the fall as he stumbled his way into the hurdle and crashed admist a sea of sweet dough disasters. 

Howard's peachy buns were lacking in peachy flavour at all, he came last in the technical with his fairly fruitless Couronne, and his date and tea hemp loaf wasn't all that great. Therefore, Mary and Paul deliberated, which culminated with Sue and Mel announcing that Howard had to go. Others who fared well in the technical were Frances and Kimberley, scoring second and third respectively. So, a fairly predictable outcome this week, and now it's time to cast our minds to next week's challenge which is Pastry. So, as always, who do you think will be next to go, and who do you think may manage to produce a perfect pastry?

Reviewed by Mel.  

23 (Explicit) - Mike Will Made-It ft. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J [Official Music Video]

Mike Will Made - It's new music video for his track '23' features excessive amounts of jordan's (trainers/sneakers), more Dr Dre Beats (by this point, Miley Cyrus may as well be the poster girl) and a set which looks like it's straight out of High School Musical. Follow so far? Joining Mike for his video (incase you hadn't already guessed) is the highly publicised Miley Cyrus, who has a go at rapping for the track, Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J.

No doubt many will focus on Cyrus in the new video as she struts her stuff in a variety of basketball-themed outfits: mini-skirts, crop tops, jackets - the lot. I'm not quite sure entirely what to make of the video, but I don't think it would be out of place to say Cyrus probably makes the track (which would be missing vital female vocals to add to the chorus) and no doubt will garner more than enough attention for the video on Mike's behalf. 

The video itself opens in a headteacher/principal's office which Mike soon invades with his beats by Dr Dre and livens up the whole school who perform a dance number in the gym. Cyrus can be seen in red stilettos, smoking and writing '#23' on a bathroom wall in red lipstick; positioning herself on a window ledge, she rocks out to the beat and raps her way through her first verses. The video features (naturally) a lot of tongue sticking out but surprisingly no twerking from Cyrus in particular, although she does managed to clamber a way up to perch herself on the ring of a basketball hoop. 

Oh and as previously mentioned, there's a whole lot of close up shots of jordan's. So many. The whole thing could easily be converted into a trainer/sneaker ad, but I digress. The video also features a pretty out-of-it Wiz Khalifa who rather unsurprisingly pops up in a chemistry lab with an array of liquids and concotions whilst psychedlic effects overplay and he raps about drugs and trainers. Miley's foam finger also makes an appearance along with Juicy J and the rest of the gang who jump about enthusiastically in the school's gymnasium post-party.

Once again Cyrus appears, perched on her hoop with a bejewelled and sparkling basketball to match her outfit. So, what did you make of the video? Did you enjoy Cyrus' rapping and Khalifa's segment? What did you like/loath about the video or track?

Reviewed by Mel.