Orphan Black "Nature Under Constraint and Vexed" Discussion Thread

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Tatiana Maslany stars as multiple clone characters in BBC's "Orphan Black" (Photo Courtesy BBC America)

The biggest surprise for me over the past year was just how much I dug Orphan Black. On the surface level, the show could just as easily have been one of the Sci-Fi (SyFy for those that insist on using the branding) series that gains a cult following, but it's far more than that. Tatiana Maslany is fantastic throughout the show, the way that she's able to seamlessly create multiple versions of the same character - exuding their personalities (and even having to portray one clone pretending to be another) is incredible to watch.

Another draw to the series is that I absolutely have no idea where things are going from episode to episode. There's no predictability to the plot which is refreshing. There are handlers? There's a big-bad corporation involved? Wait... did they seriously just kill that character? 

The first episode of the second season airs this Saturday on BBC America - make sure to watch or DVR then come back to SPT to discuss!

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. "Providence" Discussion Thread

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Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) and Agent Koenig (Patton Oswalt) meet in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Photo Courtesy ABC)

On last night's Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Coulson's team is on the run following the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. With the Bus running on fumes and a menacing General Talbot hot on their tails, Coulson's team retreats to a secret base called Providence. It's there that they meet Agent Eric Koenig, one of Fury's most trusted associates who has been underground since the Chitauri invasion at the Battle of New York. All the while, a traitor among Coulson's team has shown his true colors and returns to the team as a snake in the grass.

Tell us your thoughts on the episode in the comments section! Beware, there may be spoilers after the comment jump...

Silicon Valley "The Cap Table" Review

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Mochaccino (Porscha Coleman), a celebratory stripper hired by T.J. Miller's Erlich in Silicon Valley. (Photo Courtesy HBO.com)

Mike Judge's debut on HBO is off to an incredibly promising start. Getting the premise of the show out of the way in its debut episode last week, the second episode of the series comes out swinging really giving a taste of what this show has to offer. In the episode, Peter Gregory (played with impeccable distance by Christopher Evan Welch) has invested in Richard's algorithm and is now on the hunt for a business plan and results. Enter Hooli employee and former Dan Melcher lackey Jared (played by The Office's Zach Woods) to help guide Richard and his fledgling company down the business venture path... even if it means firing his best friend Big Head.

The highlight of this episode hands down is Woods' Jared, who takes his character from the Office and puts a slight spin on him for the purposes of Judge's show. His dedication (and possibly his post-traumatic stress) from working at a large company like Hooli shines through in how eager to please he is to Richard. Kumail Nanjiani and Martin Starr really tackle the Mike Judge style quite well and their interactions I can see turning into quotable items on a weekly basis. Amanda Crew, as Peter Gregory's second in command still seems to sidelined and I'm hoping that more is done with her character in episodes to come. You get a sense in each of the team's meetings with Gregory that she's looking to help them, but hasn't jumped into action quite yet.

Lots of slams on Mass Effect 3 and its multiple endings are to be had in the episode, which seemed to be lost on Kelly but felt like a gut punch to me (I actually am in the minority that really enjoyed Mass Effect 3, apparently).

All-in-all a much more solid episode than the series' debut outing, based on this installment the rest of the season should be a treat that gains more and more momentum as it continues.

Crown for King

Joffrey Baratheon (played by Jack Gleeson) - Courtesy of HBO.com

Last night's episode of Game of Thrones Season Four finally reached a milestone that a lot of Song and Ice and Fire book readers have been biting their tongues to not divulge to the television viewing audience. 

Spoilers below! You've been warned...

The infamous heir to the Iron Throne, Joffrey Baratheon is mysteriously poisoned on his wedding day and all eyes are on his Uncle Tyrion as the primary suspect (despite the fact that everyone and their grandmothers has been and was ready to wring the little $#@!'s neck). A moment that will once again shake up the power struggle for Westeros, the death kicks off the season on a note to once again expect the unexpected and that nobody is safe. Who will take his place? Well, his younger brother Tommen is next in line. But Margaery Tyrell, who finally had fulfilled her destiny to be the Queen (for all of a couple hours) might not be so happy about it. And why was Cersei Lannister so insistent that she still be addressed as the Queen Regent? All questions to be answered in the episodes to come!