Necrotongue

Right from the start, the opening music felt like a blow to the head, setting the tone for what would become a series of disappointments. Once again, Netflix stuck to its formula, introducing a gay character that made my eyes roll harder than a medieval cartwheel. The plot stumbled through logical gaps, Albion felt strangely condensed (or maybe someone was using teleportation?), and key characters seemed to vanish into thin air. The fourth and fifth seasons pale in comparison to the series' former glory, and this one feels like the final nail in the coffin. / Lesson learned: Don't expect miracles, brace yourself for disappointment.

What's particularly disappointing is that the creators obviously had a bigger budget to work with, but oddly enough, this seemed to harm the quality of the writing. There were moments where I genuinely felt sorry for how clumsily certain plot twists were resolved. / Lesson learned: Money can't buy talent.

The finale of this season was a letdown in certain respects. While I appreciated how Uhtred's story came full circle, I couldn't overlook some glaring issues in the lead-up to it. The siege scene, in particular, reminded me of the dynamic duo of Benioff/Weiss, who often employed questionable tactics in the battle scenes in Game of Thrones. In this instance, about fifteen men attacked the gate with a battering ram, while the rest of the army seemed to be waiting around. Plus, the brave king failed to realize he could've sent some men to the woods to tie up some ladders, so they all stood around like workers waiting for the morning bus. The show has definitely seen better days.

It's hard to tell if I'm reviewing the entire series or just its first season at this point. Nonetheless, the finale certainly left the door wide open for a potential second season, and I wouldn't mind seeing it. While this season may not be a masterpiece, the creators delivered a fresh, action-packed spectacle with a B-movie vibe based on the comic. It kept me entertained without overwhelming me mentally. / Lesson learned: Two heads are better than one. 3*+

The finale didn't quite match the quality of the fourth episode, but I was relieved to see the creators steer away from overthinking and dive back into the realm of cheap splatter films, a tone that suits this series perfectly. I wasn't interested in pondering the origins of the open heads or their trajectory in the sixth episode; I simply wanted to revel in another round of action-packed carnage without taxing my remaining brain cells. And that's exactly what I got. / Lesson learned: Sometimes, appearances can be deceiving. 4*-

Up until now, I've approached the series as a straightforward B-movie action splatter without lofty ambitions. However, in this episode, I sensed the creators attempting to inject some depth into their otherwise undemanding spectacle, a move that, in my opinion, missed the mark. The previous episode was undoubtedly superior in comparison. / Lesson learned: Trust isn't easily earned.

Well, color me surprised! After the chaotic mess that was the fifth episode, I didn't hold out much hope for the rest of the season. Even though this episode wasn't packed with action or medieval torture antics, I'm giving it five stars. It delved into conversations instead, with dialogues that sent shivers down my spine at times. I can't decide if I was more shocked or delighted. / Lesson learned: Never underestimate the power of quality camouflage.

Well, it's not exactly a show which requires you to do much thinking. But you know what? I'm starting to care less and less about that, just like I'm becoming more forgiving of the occasional lapses in logic. After all, this series is based on a Japanese comic, so I'm not going to start griping about every little plot hole. With all the action-packed scenes, I found myself enjoying it so much that I'm giving it a solid four stars. / Lesson learned: Murphy would just shrug and say, "I told you so."

This episode was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Don't get me wrong, I did have a good time watching it, but the essence of the earlier seasons has somehow gone missing. Yet, I can't say I was left completely disappointed. That said, I wouldn't mind if the creators steered the plot in some fresh directions. And then, there was that whole "All for one!" finale, which felt a tad too cheesy for my taste. / Lesson learned: When the gods align, things tend to take a turn for the better.

The second episode followed a similar formula to the last one, delivering a decent dose of action and drama. Things were going smoothly until the Korean creators decided to up the number of weird-shaped heads. While most of the head-fights left me chuckling, I still found myself having a pretty good time overall. That B-movie vibe really adds to the charm. / Lesson learned: Watch out when dealing with folks; you never know what might pop into their heads.