Connie Allen

I'm a writer, cinephile, avid reader, and pop culture enthusiast. I love historical dramas, and fantasy/sci-fi series. Currently living in SoCal.

Most commented posts

  1. The Bitter End. Retrospective: The White Queen “Long Live the King” — 4 comments
  2. Black Sails – “XII” Retrospective. War Games — 2 comments
  3. EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Screenwriter Kayla Alpert About Flowers in the Attic and Petals on the Wind — 2 comments
  4. Season Of The Witch. Retrospective: Witches of East End “Today I Am A Witch” — 1 comments
  5. Are We There Yet? Retrospective: Black Sails – “IV.” — 1 comments

Author's posts

Jul 15 2014

Witches of East End – “The Son Also Rises” Retrospective. Sex, Lies, and Magic Pies?

Witches of East End – “The Son Also Rises” Retrospective. Sex, Lies, and Magic Pies? 1

More mystery surrounds the identity of the creature that came through the portal in this week’s Witches of East End episode, “The Son Also Rises.” Continuing the day after Joanna’s (Julia Ormond) miraculous recovery at the hands of her estranged son, Frederick (Christian Cooke), ”The Son Also Rises” follows up on more details regarding Asgard, Killian Gardiner’s (Daniel Di Tomasso) whereabouts, and Dash Gardiner’s (Eric Winter) search for answers to his mysterious powers.

Jul 14 2014

Salem – “All Fall Down” Retrospective. All Hell Breaks Loose, Literally!

Salem – “All Fall Down” Retrospective. All Hell Breaks Loose, Literally! 2

Viewers beware, the season finale of Salem will make you squirm in your seats, gasp in shock, and scream at your television. “All Fall Down” culminates the show’s tumultuous season of bloodshed, torture, and witchcraft as the Hunter’s Full Moon reaches its zenith, signaling the time to initiate the grand rite.

Jul 12 2014

Dominion – “The Flood” Retrospective. A World Worth Saving?

Dominion – “The Flood” Retrospective. A World Worth Saving? 3

Near death experiences, awkward family reunions, and prophetic messages are the center of the latest episode of Dominion, aptly titled, “The Flood.” If you think the fate of Archangel Michael (Tom Wisdom) is cause enough for concern, you haven’t seen anything yet.

Jul 09 2014

Salem – “Ashes, Ashes” Retrospective. Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen.

Salem – “Ashes, Ashes” Retrospective. Oh, How the Mighty Have Fallen. 4

Over the course of its debut season, WGN America’s Salem has shown the path toward ultimate power is full of sacrifices. In “Ashes, Ashes,” Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery) reaches her breaking point when she must choose between the love of her life, Captain John Alden (Shane West), and completing her act of total revenge.

Jul 08 2014

Witches of East End – “A Moveable Beast” Retrospective. Darkness Becomes You

Witches of East End – “A Moveable Beast” Retrospective. Darkness Becomes You 5

Witches of East End (WOEE) doesn’t waste time getting to the heart of things in “A Moveable Beast.” The season two premiere takes place one week after the catastrophic events in “Oh What A World,” the season one finale, and follows up on Freya’s (Jenna Dewan-Tatum) doomed wedding, Joanna’s (Julia Ormond) vicious attack, and the opening of the portal to Asgard.

Jul 05 2014

Dominion – “Broken Places” Review. The Trouble With Angels.

Dominion – “Broken Places” Review. The Trouble With Angels. 6

The latest episode of Syfy’s Dominion, appropriately titled “Broken Places,” follows up on the whereabouts of Sgt. Alex Lannon (Christopher Egan) as he ventures outside of Vega to the city of New Delphi.

Jul 03 2014

Editorial: Reasons Why Starz’s American Gods Will Be Worth Watching

Editorial: Reasons Why Starz’s <i>American Gods</i> Will Be Worth Watching 7

After over a decade, author Neil Gaiman’s highly acclaimed book “American Gods” will finally see the light of day onscreen. In a recent press release, Starz Network announced a script to series development of FremantleMedia North America’s (FMNA) adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed urban fantasy novel ‘American Gods.’ The pilot script will be penned by Bryan Fuller (‘Hannibal,’ ‘Pushing Daisies,’ ‘Heroes’) and Michael Green (‘The River,’ ‘Kings,’ ‘Heroes’), who will also showrun the series. They will executive produce along with Gaiman. FremantleMedia North America will produce the series.” But what makes American Gods a contender for one of the best upcoming series on television? Here are a few reasons, along with more insight from Starz’s press release.

Jul 01 2014

Salem – “Cat and Mouse” Retrospective. Dirty Deeds & Dark Legacies.

Salem – “Cat and Mouse” Retrospective. Dirty Deeds & Dark Legacies. 8

As Salem inches closer towards its first season finale, many of the characters we’ve grown to love may be living on borrowed time. After the riveting cliffhanger in “House of Pain,” where John Alden (Shane West) becomes the latest target of the vicious witch hunter, Increase Mathers (Stephan Lang), the entire town of Salem is at a near standstill.

Jun 28 2014

Dominion – “Godspeed” Retrospective. Vega Today, Vega Tomorrow, Vega Forever.

Dominion – “Godspeed” Retrospective. Vega Today, Vega Tomorrow, Vega Forever. 9

In the aftermath of Dominion’s “Pilot” episode last week, where humanity struggles to hold on amidst a war with God’s not so benign angels and archangels, the prophecy of “the Chosen One” and the consequences of discovering Alex as the true savior remains the center focus throughout “Godspeed.”

Jun 23 2014

Salem – “House of Pain” Retrospective. The Taste of Ashes.

Salem – “House of Pain” Retrospective. The Taste of Ashes. 10

“House of Pain” is truly one of Salem‘s defining moments thus far. Not only do we discover the full depth of Increase Mathers’ (Stephen Lang) sadistic nature, we learn more about Tituba (Ashley Madekwe), the demon who may not truly be a demon, and Cotton Mather’s (Seth Gabel) continuing downward spiral into depression.

Jun 21 2014

Dominion– “Pilot” Review. Weclome to the War.

Dominion– “Pilot” Review. Weclome to the War. 11

Some of the hottest and most talked about shows on television today revolve around supernatural entities like vampires, witches, or zombies. So, when Syfy announced last year it was going to turn the popular fantasy action movie Legion (a story about warrior angels and humans fighting in a world on the brink of an apocalypse) into a television series called Dominion, it was hardly a surprise.

Jun 16 2014

Salem – “Children Be Afraid” Retrospective. A Tangled Web.

Salem – “Children Be Afraid” Retrospective. A Tangled Web. 12

Salem’s “Children Be Afraid” is a mixed bag of action and intrigue as Increase Mather’s (Stephen Lang) witch hunt continues, wreaking havoc and stirring up more tension among the Salem townspeople. Meanwhile, Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery), Tituba (Ashley Madekwe), and Mercy Lewis (Elise Eberle) rush to find a solution in dealing with George Sibley (Michael Mulheren), who will be the coven’s demise should he awaken from his coma-like state. With so many critical moments this week, it’s a pleasant surprise to find some lighter scenes in between the darker ones.

Jun 10 2014

Salem – “Departures” Retrospective. The Devil’s Due.

Salem – “Departures” Retrospective. The Devil’s Due. 13

Witches are not the only monsters in Salem as Increase Mather’s (Stephen Lang) hunt for “the devil’s whores” takes a pivotal turn in “Departures.” WGN America’s original series Salem hits its stride with strong performances from the cast, and fast-moving action sequences. There are several compelling scenes that shine, so much so, it’s possible to look past the series prior imperfections.

Jun 03 2014

Salem – “Our Own Private America” Retrospective. High Stakes and Dark Desires.

Salem – “Our Own Private America” Retrospective. High Stakes and Dark Desires. 14

Salem packs a punch this week in “Our Own Private America,” not only because of the sharp dialogue and plot thickening with suspense, but because of the memorable special guest starring role of Stephen Lang as the menacing, witch hunter clergyman, Increase Mathers. If the name sounds familiar, it should; Mathers is the father of Salem’s current reverend, Cotton Mathers (Seth Gabel). Interestingly, there is no moral grey area in Increase’s eyes—the means always justifies the end, which doesn’t bode well for some of the characters in Salem. Meanwhile, in town, the witch hysteria spirals out of control as more innocent lives are taken, and the latest addition to the coven, Mercy Lewis (Elise Eberle), begins her training as a witch. Hogwarts watch out!

May 28 2014

Petals on the Wind – Retrospective. Sex, Revenge, and Double The Drama.

Petals on the Wind – Retrospective. Sex, Revenge, and Double The Drama. 15

Before you cozy up to the television to watch Lifetime’s original movie Petals on the Wind (based on V.C. Andrews’ sequel to her controversial novel “Flowers Iin the Attic”), make sure to keep an open mind because the movie Flowers in the Attic is nothing compared to the amount of jaw dropping ball of crazy happening in Petals on the Wind.

May 27 2014

Salem – “The Red Rose and the Briar” Retrospective.  Embrace The Darkness.

Salem – “The Red Rose and the Briar” Retrospective.  Embrace The Darkness. 16

It’s about time Salem started picking up the pace. For weeks, Salem dragged its feet in delivering insightful details into the lives of its main characters. That isn’t the case with “The Red Rose and The Briar,” the latest episode shedding light behind Mary Sibley’s (Janet Montgomery) rise to power.

May 26 2014

INTERVIEW: Petals On the Wind Screenwriter Kayla Alpert Talks Adapting A Cult Classic And Future V.C. Andrews Movies.

INTERVIEW: <i>Petals On the Wind</i> Screenwriter Kayla Alpert Talks Adapting A Cult Classic And Future V.C. Andrews Movies. 17

What started in V.C. Andrews’ salacious literary series Flowers In the Attic, continues with the TV adaptation of the sequel Petals On the Wind, debuting for the first time on the Lifetime network. [warning]: Spoiler Alert! If you have not read the books, or seen Flowers In the Attic, there are spoilers ahead. [/warning]   Petals …

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May 20 2014

Salem —“Lies” Retrospective.  Know Thy Enemy.

Salem —“Lies” Retrospective.  Know Thy Enemy. 18

Salem picks up steam in “Lies” as battle lines are drawn, alliances falter, and long awaited questions finally get some answers. It’s the beginning of an important turning point for the series with most of the core characters finding themselves at a crossroads.

May 12 2014

Salem – “Survivors” Retrospective.  Dirty Little Secrets.

Salem – “Survivors” Retrospective.  Dirty Little Secrets. 19

Salem hits major turning points in this week’s episode, “Survivors,” giving its viewers new insight about the show’s core characters without any distractions like say, oh, another execution. There is heavier emphasis on the power play and inner turmoil among the coven set to take over Salem versus the killings needed to finish their sacrificial ritual known as “the grand rite.” Captain John Alden’s (Shane West) mysterious past becomes a focal point when a familiar face enters town, and the Grande Dame Mary Sibley (Janet Montgomery) finds herself almost at a disadvantage against an enemy.

May 06 2014

Salem – “In Vain” Retrospective. All Is Not Lost Or Is It?

Salem - "In Vain" Retrospective. All Is Not Lost Or Is It? 20

WGN America’s supernatural series Salem indulges a lot in its ability to shock and unnerve viewers. This week is no different as creepy dolls maneuver around a room, and simulated orgies serve as an intro to the latest installment of the series, “In Vain.”

Apr 29 2014

Salem – “The Stone Child” Retrospective. Whoa, Mama!

Salem - "The Stone Child" Retrospective. Whoa, Mama! 21

In the wake of all the death and blood depicted in WGN America’s series premiere of Salem, it’s safe to say nothing much has changed in this week’s latest episode, “The Stone Child.” As the citizens of Salem continue to struggle against the dismal conditions of their times, they must also contend with the beginnings of a massive witch hunt.

Apr 22 2014

Salem – “The Vow” Retrospective. Sex, Magic, and a Toad?

Salem - "The Vow" Retrospective. Sex, Magic, and a Toad? 22

FX’s American Horror Story threw down the gauntlet when it exposed television viewers to a whole new vision of horror. This year, WGN America is answering that challenge by way of its unique and wildly graphic series, Salem.

Mar 17 2014

Into The Abyss. Retrospective: Black Sails Season Finale – “VIII.”

Into The Abyss. Retrospective: Black Sails Season Finale – “VIII.” 23

All good things come to an end, and the season finale of Black Sails, “VIII.,” leaves many questions and much reflection in the wake of its epic conclusion. The episode, directed by T.J. Scott, provides an eerie atmospheric setting while the script’s well executed dialogue is full of loaded statements.

Mar 10 2014

Only God Forgives. Retrospective: Black Sails “VII”

Only God Forgives. Retrospective: Black Sails "VII" 24

Black Sails proves once again that no one is safe. The characters we’ve grown to love or hate can flip the script pretty quickly. As new alliances are made among old enemies, there are plenty of OMG moments making ‘VII.” the perfect lead into next week’s season finale.

Mar 03 2014

Sea Battles and A Booty Call. Retrospective: Black Sails – “VI.”

Sea Battles and A Booty Call. Retrospective: Black Sails – “VI.” 25

Last week, “V.” gave viewers one of the most (literally) explosive episodes thus far. You’d think there might be some breathing room for viewers to digest everything that went down, but that wouldn’t be much fun.

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