The Cape

[TheCorpulent1]

I thought they were always a real circus too. What's really bugging me is Max's total turn-around from being a bloodthirsty thief at the beginning to now being this wise old mentor who's somehow qualified to help Vince do things justly. That seemed to come out of nowhere. I guess they're kind of fixing it via Max's backstory now--'killing' Kozmo because he didn't like what that legacy was all about, for example--but it still feels sort of awkward to me.

 

[The Squirrel]

Well it looks like they are steal the Carnival of Crime. I missed last week's episode, are they just changing Characters' motives every week now?

 

[wiegeabo]

I'm still waiting to see tonight's episode, but I'm guessing they're sort of criminals with a heart of gold type thing. Or at least good deep down inside, and Faraday and his quest are bringing it out more in them.

 

[mr. peasant]

I thought they were always a real circus too. What's really bugging me is Max's total turn-around from being a bloodthirsty thief at the beginning to now being this wise old mentor who's somehow qualified to help Vince do things justly. That seemed to come out of nowhere. I guess they're kind of fixing it via Max's backstory now--'killing' Kozmo because he didn't like what that legacy was all about, for example--but it still feels sort of awkward to me.

Well, you could call it different degrees of villainy, evil has standards or that everyone's a self-serving bast(you know the rest). I personally don't have a problem. Seems Max is against corruption and killing people; favouring 'good old fashioned', straight-up robberies instead. Notice, they haven't seriously harmed/killed anyone during their capers.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I keep thinking of when Max first found Vince and cavalierly told his minions to kill him. But I guess in retrospect that might've been a bluff. I hope we get more of a look at Max's and/or the Carnival of Crime's backstory at some point so I can get a better picture of how they were before Vince entered the picture.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Holy crap that was actually good. Trevor is totally going to get two faced

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

Ugh. I'm done. I gave the show 4 hours and I just cant invest anymore time.

Aside from the bad and mostly non-sensical writing and cringe-enducing dialogue which has become a weekly standard, David Lyons just is not a strong lead. And just doesnt have "it" when it comes to playing a superhero. A decent lead can cover a lot of warts on a show, but he just doesnt have the gravitas for this kind of role. Not to mention, you dont really buy him outside the costume either. He's so wishy-washy and almost meek in his demeanor you almost have trouble buying him as a cop much less a vigilante.

I had to stop myself from outright laughing at multiple points in the episode that weren't meant to be funny. The entire train sequence was silly, bordering on absurd. Really, they're going to let some stranger who they believe is a threat, go and hang their corporate CEO off the side of a runaway train (without anyone watching them mind you) so he of all people can cut a break line??? (Also trains brake by using air not hydraulics, so cutting a fluid line wouldnt stop anything but thats another argument...)

I also keep seeing those NBC commericals for a "Create a Villain." I'm half tempted to submit a villain team called Plot, Motive, and Editing. The Cape wouldnt stand a chance.

 

[kguillou]

Ouch! damn hahaha.

 

[wiegeabo]

Really, they're going to let some stranger who they believe is a threat, go and hang their corporate CEO off the side of a runaway train (without anyone watching them mind you) so he of all people can cut a break line??? (Also trains brake by using air not hydraulics, so cutting a fluid line wouldnt stop anything but thats another argument...)

Meh, they do that kind of stuff all the time in comics...and movies...and tv shows. Besides, he had the chief of prisons backing him up (which doesn't excuse not having anyone out there, it's been done before).

And Chess did mention cutting the line would force the air brakes to engage. But I didn't catch what the line was.

 

[DACrowe]

I still don't get why anyone thinks she's special. I thought she was ok in Firefly ...average as a terminator.

On Firefly she had the great and rare opportunity of playing a wonderful character created by Joss Whedon. That is one of the few shows ever, much less one of an ensemble of nine, where every character was a brilliant TV creation.

And River Tam stood out more than the others as the mystery of what the government did to her and what she knew drove its short run and the subsequent movie. However, Glau brought just not a delicate fragility to the part, but a sense of depth and tragedy. Her line readings could have sounded like gibberish but felt almost profound if not fragmented and broken. And she brought a sense of physicality to the "broken girl" part and grace, likely due to her previous professional ballet training.

And she was in a sci-fi show. So she gained a lot of geek fans. Unfortunately, she never has been able to really capitalize on it, it seems.

I will add that she was what made the Terminator TV show watchable. While I gave up on it halfway through its second season, she stole all her scenes and made even the most banal episodes amusing. It was a role that required a lot of physical acting and she did it far better than Kristianna Loken or Avatar-guy did in the Terminator movies.

But I would add she is indeed wasted on the Cape where her role is to be the hero's slinky sidekick who delivers quick exposition and drives him around in fancy cars. A true waste.

 

[DACrowe]

I have to admit I actually kind of liked tonight's episode BTW. It is still a waste of potential and feels like a serial for 10 year olds. But this was a decent installment of that serial instead of feeling bloated, disjointed, overedited and underwritten like the last three episodes. This one had a plot that had a sense of rising action, humor that didn't overtake the story and most of all a villain who was actually engaging in Vinnie Jones. He was a second banana in the pilot, but here he got to be a fun baddie and his scenes with being played off Frain and then later Frain and the Cape sharing a frenemies moment was fun.

Still hate his family subplots though and find them as dull as dishwater. And Orwell is still an underwritten character. But as a whole the last three episodes ranged from D- to C- for me. This coasts between the C+ and B- range. So either the show is slowly improving or my standards are lowering to the point where I am being too easily impressed.

I'll stick with it just because I suspect NBC will cancel it after two more episodes anyway. Might as well see if it can reach solidly above mediocre by then.

 

[carrrnuttt]

Ugh. I'm done. I gave the show 4 hours and I just cant invest anymore time.

Aside from the bad and mostly non-sensical writing and cringe-enducing dialogue which has become a weekly standard, David Lyons just is not a strong lead. And just doesnt have "it" when it comes to playing a superhero. A decent lead can cover a lot of warts on a show, but he just doesnt have the gravitas for this kind of role. Not to mention, you dont really buy him outside the costume either. He's so wishy-washy and almost meek in his demeanor you almost have trouble buying him as a cop much less a vigilante.

I had to stop myself from outright laughing at multiple points in the episode that weren't meant to be funny. The entire train sequence was silly, bordering on absurd. Really, they're going to let some stranger who they believe is a threat, go and hang their corporate CEO off the side of a runaway train (without anyone watching them mind you) so he of all people can cut a break line??? (Also trains brake by using air not hydraulics, so cutting a fluid line wouldnt stop anything but thats another argument...)

I also keep seeing those NBC commericals for a "Create a Villain." I'm half tempted to submit a villain team called Plot, Motive, and Editing. The Cape wouldnt stand a chance.

If that's how you feel about this, I wonder how you feel about an even worse show. Smallville, for example.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

If that's how you feel about this, I wonder how you feel about an even worse show. Smallville, for example.

Why would my feelings on Smallville be at all relevant to anything in this thread?

Other than of course for your sadly misguided attempt to try and chide me because I, like many others, dared express dislike for The Cape and I have Tom Welling in my avatar?

 

[carrrnuttt]

Why would my feelings on Smallville be at all relevant to anything in this thread?

Other than of course for your sadly misguided attempt to try and chide me because I, like many others, dared express dislike for The Cape and I have Tom Welling in my avatar?

LMAO

You say "dared" like it's a stretch or some feat of courage to speak against this show.

Look, it's a "turn off your brain" kind of show. If you're too damned smart or uppity to do so even for this kind of fare, how did you end up reading comic books in the first place? (Of course, I am making an assumption here...)

I "leave my brain on" for shows like Castle or Fringe, but I also am able to relax for shows like this one and Chuck. If you're too damned uptight to do so; if you are looking for a plotholes in a show that, frankly, barely has a plot, then you aren't the audience for the show. You're doing the right thing by leaving. I'll leave too, when my "relaxed mind" isn't enough to enjoy anything about the show.

Just like I did with Smallville many moons ago, when I found myself fast-forwarding through the melodramatic tripe that show throws up every other minute. Here's where another assumption comes in: I am assuming that you're still watching that show. I don't find myself having to fast-forward through anything in The Cape yet (even the bad stuff is funny/amusing).

So. How are you managing to sit through Smallville's dreck? Is it because you're a fanboy? [Which essentially typifies how you're reacting towards this show.] At least this one isn't mangling an existing beloved narrative (just imitating them ).

 

[BlackLantern]

Smallvilles scant connection to the DC mythos buys it slack in the fanboy department...Im only watching it this year because it is ending and I want to see the flaming wreck finally die

this show does not have that sort of "slack"

 

[Lord Valumart]

David Lyons just is not a strong lead. And just doesnt have "it" when it comes to playing a superhero. A decent lead can cover a lot of warts on a show, but he just doesnt have the gravitas for this kind of role. Not to mention, you dont really buy him outside the costume either. He's so wishy-washy and almost meek in his demeanor you almost have trouble buying him as a cop much less a vigilante.

I thought that was kinda the point. Maybe not the whole point, but part of it. Why cast someone who looks like they're going to be a superhero or masked vigilante? It's a problem I have with Bale as Wayne cause half the time when he's Wayne he's all like "I'm not Batman... but I totally am... or am I? But I am, maybe not... Or maybe yes?" Casting someone who outside of wearing the cape/tights/whatever doesn't look anything other than normal is good. It worked in Burton's Batman and I think it's working here.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

LMAO

You say "dared" like it's a stretch or some feat of courage to speak against this show.

No I said "dared" based on your reaction to my comment and the rant that ensued.

Look, it's a "turn off your brain" kind of show. If you're too damned smart or uppity to do so even for this kind of fare, how did you end up reading comic books in the first place? (Of course, I am making an assumption here...)

So because I dislike something or certain pieces of something it makes me too smart or "uppity"? I thought I was in a discussion forum?

I "leave my brain on" for shows like Castle or Fringe, but I also am able to relax for shows like this one and Chuck. If you're too damned uptight to do so; if you are looking for a plotholes in a show that, frankly, barely has a plot, then you aren't the audience for the show. You're doing the right thing by leaving. I'll leave too, when my "relaxed mind" isn't enough to enjoy anything about the show.

you think you come off as "relaxed" huh? lol

Just like I did with Smallville many moons ago, when I found myself fast-forwarding through the melodramatic tripe that show throws up every other minute. Here's where another assumption comes in: I am assuming that you're still watching that show. I don't find myself having to fast-forward through anything in The Cape yet (even the bad stuff is funny/amusing).

and yet you continue to foist your off-topic opinion of Smallville upon me as if I were to care about it?

So. How are you managing to sit through Smallville's dreck? Is it because you're a fanboy? [Which essentially typifies how you're reacting towards this show.]

At least this one isn't mangling an existing beloved narrative (just imitating them ).

Look, despite your best efforts you're not going to drag me into some pointless fanboy argument about Smallville where we pointlessly debate the pro's and con's of it versus The Cape in 200 consecutive posts.

We get it, you think you're too smart for it and you dig The Cape. Bully for you. Either attempt to refute the points I made about The Cape or ignore them and move on. If you'd like to debate Smallville, we have an entire forum for it just a few clicks away.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

I thought that was kinda the point. Maybe not the whole point, but part of it. Why cast someone who looks like they're going to be a superhero or masked vigilante? It's a problem I have with Bale as Wayne cause half the time when he's Wayne he's all like "I'm not Batman... but I totally am... or am I? But I am, maybe not... Or maybe yes?" Casting someone who outside of wearing the cape/tights/whatever doesn't look anything other than normal is good. It worked in Burton's Batman and I think it's working here.

Except that with Burton's Batman there was still a clear delineation between Keaton as Wayne and Keaton as Batman. Keaton's Batman wasn't just Keaton's Wayne in a costume, which is effectively what you get here. "The Cape" is just Farraday in a mask, and the same sort of mannerisms and feel of his character that could be workable as the "everyday person" falls flat when he's in costume.

He allegedley dons the costume to "become something greater than himself" and "make a difference" or whatever cliche lines they recycled. If that's the case why does he sound and act exactly the same? It's like Dean Cain's Superman/Clark Kent all over again.

 

[BlackLantern]

don't you talk that way about Dean Cain

 

[mr. peasant]

Except that with Burton's Batman there was still a clear delineation between Keaton as Wayne and Keaton as Batman. Keaton's Batman wasn't just Keaton's Wayne in a costume, which is effectively what you get here. "The Cape" is just Farraday in a mask, and the same sort of mannerisms and feel of his character that could be workable as the "everyday person" falls flat when he's in costume.

He allegedley dons the costume to "become something greater than himself" and "make a difference" or whatever cliche lines they recycled. If that's the case why does he sound and act exactly the same? It's like Dean Cain's Superman/Clark Kent all over again.

Does he really say that? I thought he was just using the cape as a means to an end (clear his name and a way to connect with his son).

 

[XBRoughneck]

I thought that was kinda the point. Maybe not the whole point, but part of it. Why cast someone who looks like they're going to be a superhero or masked vigilante? It's a problem I have with Bale as Wayne cause half the time when he's Wayne he's all like "I'm not Batman... but I totally am... or am I? But I am, maybe not... Or maybe yes?" Casting someone who outside of wearing the cape/tights/whatever doesn't look anything other than normal is good. It worked in Burton's Batman and I think it's working here.

Bingo. The Cape is Matt Murdock (comic book) not Bruce Wayne. I think the lead actor is perfect for the role. Unfortunately I feel the SHOW isn't good enough to stick. I haven't seen this weeks episode. I hope it's an improvement.

 

[Ultimate_Superman]

I think this show is okay. The main problem I think this show will have much like Heroes and No Ordinary Family is that with this not being an established comic book series it is going to have trouble keeping an fan base or not coming off as a rip off of other comic series. For example if Smallville was any other name that show would have been off the air in 3 seasons. What really kept that show going is the Superman name other than that the show should have been canceled years ago. The cape and No Ordinary Family will be the same thing. Unless they really find a way for them to connect with the audience then these shows will be over as well in 2 to 3 seasons. Although I see No Ordinary Family lasting longer than The Cape.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

They addressed my concern with the Carnival of Crime in the most recent episode and Portman being a Cape groupie is awesome. I like the show.

 

[The Shape]

Yup, I had fun with this week's episode, too. Setting up Max as a future villain was pretty cool, and I liked The Cape publicly forcing Fleming to help him save the train. The show keeps expanding its mythos (like with Scales' backstory, etc) and I really like that.

 

[Lord Valumart]

Although I see No Ordinary Family lasting longer than The Cape.

Really? After two episodes of No Ordinary Family I was bored to death. After two episodes of The Cape I wasn't wow'd or anything but I was interested enough to look out for the next episode. If anything I see The Cape lasting longer what with it being far less boring.