HELEN GUSHUE

I just finished watching the last episode of season 2. I enjoyed seeing the details of the Japanese culture, such as using two hands to hand a superior an item. Good character development, but think more development on the main antagonist would have made the series stronger, but I suppose they didn't want the audience to sympathize with him in any way. Due to this omission, I didn't do 5 stars. I failed to see how he could attain his honor status position by being such a stupid, idiotic, detestable, shallow flake/fool in such a world of life/death chess moves. He just didn't fit.

When I was younger I had gotten very excited to see another Cinderella film on TV, but it, too, was a musical starring Leslie Ann Warren. I was very disappointed in it being a musical and again disappointed to see another attempt to make this fantasy story into another musical. The acting was "passable," but lines and actions were very scripted. The show was boring and confusing as to what age group it was intended.

I wasn't familiar at all about this series nor knew anything about the books or the fan following. In viewing the reviews I ask what's so great about the series? To me, the way it has been presented to me in viewing is an ordinary fantasy type series with a few interesting characters, but the storyline thread is just mundane and not unique. It is slow and meandering to the extent I began giving myself excuses to get off the sofa. I'll watch season 2, but this won't be at the top of my priority list of watching. Maybe a lot more could be spent in less padding the scenes. To be honest, these 8 episodes could easily have fit into a decent 90 minute movie.

After watching the first season of this show I was left feeling like it was a waste of my time. For starters, I found I didn't like any of the characters in the series... not any identifiable character development, especially since there is too much unknowns with the sci-fi aspects incorporated. The plot is simple enough, but perhaps too simple to bother caring about viewing the show further than the initial 8 episods. I kept hoping something would happen, but have given up.