Review Roundup – “The Girl Next Door” and “Defending Your Life”

I do have to apologize, but given the explosive nature of the previous week’s “The Girl Next Door,” including plenty of comments and controversy over the articles on this site, Review Roundup just got lost in the shuffle.  So this week’s review roundup includes both recommendations for the most recent “Defending Your LIfe” and a few mentions for “The Girl Next Door.”  In other words, plenty of reading to catch up on.  
 
Before I get started, for those that haven’t seen this, if you’re still having issues with the handling of “The Girl Next Door” (like I still do) read this article from our dear friends Lynn and Kathy at Fangasm.  They were at the private Q & A with Jensen at the Toronto Con and he explained where some of the issues came from with “The Girl Next Door.”  Sounds like a few scenes, including a fun one that took place during that 3 weeks of recovery, were cut because of time.  Sound like to me there were if anything some issues with the editing this time.  Anyway, this is a great session with great information. 

 
http://fangasmthebook.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/jensen-aackles-talks-season-seven-at-toronto-con/
 
First, this is my pick of the week.  It’s from someone I haven’t mentioned here before, but out of all the reviews I read, I liked this one the most.  It comes from Tim Surette at TV.com.  Maybe because I was in a cheeky mood but I love his final analysis.  “I found “Defending Your Life” guilty! Of being mediocre!”  Damn, I wish I’d come up with that one.  
 
http://www.tv.com/news/supernatural-guilt-trip-26948/

This is another new recommendation for me.  As many of you know, I used to write for Blogcritics for a few years.  That’s where I got my Supernatural (and TV) reviewing start.  Supernatural reviews have been sporadic (and sometimes non-existent) since I left, but Gerry Weaver, someone I know from covering other TV shows through the years on that site, has chosen to take on a Supernatural review.  Read the joint review on “The Girl Next Door” and “Defending Your Life.” 

http://blogcritics.org/video/article/tv-review-supernatural-the-girl-next/

Here’s Tina Charles’ review of “Defending Your Life.”  I want to say congrats to Tina for her Cards making the World Series.  Tina knows I had so hoped for that Tigers/Cardinals rematch!  Ah well, another year.  

As for the review, she’s in the same camp as I am that the trial didn’t reach far enough.  
 
http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/supernatural-2011/episode-4-season-7/defending-your-life/192272
 
I think Mo Ryan is the greatest TV Critic out there (that’s no secret).  Having said that, her reviews of Supernatural lately have been raising a lot of red flags about the quality of the show this season.  She gives outstanding reasons as to why Supernatural is losing its way, and it mostly falls in the approach to characterization in the writing.  It’s getting to the point where she might stop covering the show.  
 
I’m going to share the links to both “The Girl Next Door” and “Defending Your Life” reviews.  I do have to warn you, the review for “The Girl Next Door” is extremely negative.  It’s accurate, but it’s hard for a real fan to read.  Her review of “Defending Your Life” actually mentions and addresses Bardicvoice’s review here on this site of “The Girl Next Door.”  So thanks for the shoutout Mo and presenting a differing POV, even if it’s one you don’t agree with.  
 
Defending Your Life:  http://www.aoltv.com/2011/10/17/supernatural-season-7-episode-4-recap/
 
The Girl Next Door:  http://www.aoltv.com/2011/10/08/supernatural-season-7-episode-3-recap/
 
 
Here’s Sweetondean’s analysis and I like how her opinions of the episode match many of my own.  The episode just fell short.  Naturally, she has plenty of gushing for Jensen.  A true joy for Dean fans:
 
http://sweetondean.blogspot.com/2011/10/review-supernatural-704-defending-your.html
 
Check out Nicole’s review on Salted and Burned.  As usual, she finds some great Buffy references.  And here I went Star Trek: TNG.
 
http://saltedandburned.com/2011/10/ramblings-on-episode-7×04-defending-your-life-spoilers/
 
See Rekebah’s reviews at our friend and affiliate Support Supernatural.  She had a lot of great things to say about “Defending Your Life.”
 
http://www.supportsupernatural.com/s7e4review.htm
 
As usual, I think I’m missing some great reviews.  Please share your links below.    
 
We actually have one more bonus review coming to this site for “Defending Your Life” very soon.  The episode may have been mediocre, but there were awesome achievements with hair.  Best hair episode of the season.  This time though, it’s both brothers, not just Sam.  Watch for that soon. 
 
 

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Save

Alice Jester

Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business.  She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time.  That’s on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.