Limitless - Bezgranichnyy - Review: "An Episode of Hot and Cold"

For every 20 things I adore about Limitless, there are only about one or two things I would change or fix. This episode showcased this concept wholeheartedly. There were many things I appreciated and want to praise about this episode, however I have some gripes too. Nothing too serious, though, because this is still the best and my favourite show on TV right now, and it still needs more viewers.

Previously on Limitless...Brian and Rebecca had their fights about NZT, Brian's mother treated him like crap and banished him from their home, and Brian decided to flee to Russia to find Piper. The previously on lead us right into some of the best opening 10 minutes of any episode of television I have ever seen! Brian, off NZT, is at a Russian party of sorts, talking to someone whom he believes can help him find Piper. While describing himself, and NZT to him (naughty boy, Brian. NZT is top secret stuff), he also thinks about many different scenarios involving his friends and family back home. This was after four, three, and two shots, mind you. I still have a strong suspicion that mixing alcohol and NZT is a bad decision. People have been comparing this intro to something out of Drunk History. I have never seen that show, but if it's as funny as this scene was, I might have to check it out. Anyway, Brian's impressions of everyone were hilarious, and I especially enjoyed his Mike, Ike, and Sands impressions. It was a great and fun way to start the episode. Next, we get introduced to Yuri, who gets into contact with Andrea, Who Knows Things. Brian then has a lengthy conversation with his subconscious. At one point they laughed together in unison, which I thought was adorable.

We're taken back home to a worried Naz, Rebecca, and Boyle. Boyle drops an emotional line, "Those guys, they don't know Finch the way we do." Awwww. Boyle cares. Naz shows up and has a glorious scene with Rebecca. I really enjoying their interactions. Especially when Naz said, "I just don't want him to get shot. I want him to come home, in one piece, so I can shoot him." It wouldn't be so funny if I believed she would actually shoot him. Ike then texts Rebecca to come meet him and Mike in the file room. Rebecca has Ike listed as Jason in her phone. No last name, not Ike, just Jason. I for one want people to start calling him ikejason. Anyway, Mike and Ike try to hide how worried for Brian they actually are, especially Ike, whose voice starts breaking when talking about this potential lead. Mike even turns on the Christmas lights in the room, because it "didn't feel right without them." That's the sweetest thing I have ever heard. On to the Game of Thrones portion of the episode, Brian is apparently talking to the writer and creator of the books, George R. R. Martin. But he couldn't tell us that until later. In case you didn't know, the title of this review was me trying to make a reference, even though I am not a fan of this show or the books. Brian gets a hold of his publisher, who was great by the way. Admittedly, not being a fan of this made me feel weird during these scenes. Then again, all I had to do was imagine that someone who talked to J.K. Rowling approached me and offered me the ending of Harry Potter and allowed me to name a character after someone of my choosing.

Brian gets the info he needs in exchange for him to leave Russia immediately. The parallels between this scene (of him being taken on the truck ride and dumped) and the one later in the episode was really well realized. Brian looked really happy to see Piper, both times. However, this montage they have lasting for a week didn't really sell me on their relationship and hookup. This brings up the issue I wanted to talk about all along, and the reason why the episode felt cold to me. Why does every female character introduced on this show (bar Naz and Rebecca, but who knows what they have planned) have to sleep with Brian? I get it, his charm is irresistible, even Mike and Ike know this. But when they decide to make every single awesome female character we get become a love interest for him it's kind of insulting. This has nothing to do with my shipping bias - it's just plain insulting to women. Piper, Lucy Church, and more were great characters by themselves, and they even have great platonic interactions with Brian. But the fact that the writers feel compelled to have all of them sleep with Brian at some point feels like they're shoving heteronormativity in my face. And I'm really not a fan of that. This show wants to be different, and I truly admire it for that, but short of having unique cases and writing and not putting Brian and Rebecca in a relationship right away, I don't see how they're achieving this 'difference'. That's just my two cents, but from what I've seen, even some male watchers are annoyed at this too. You be the judge.

The rest of the episode was fine, Naz and Rebecca had another great scene later on. Rebecca's talk at the Finch's house was intense as heck. I actually sided with Dennis once again. If it was Marie attempting to care about Brian now that he fled I might have thrown my TV out of the window. Brian trying to get some money by playing guitar in the subway was an amazing callback to the Pilot. He was even singing the same song, which I love. I adored the fight scene between Piper and that guard after she tried to obtain the last ingredient for the enzyme. I thought it was really well filmed; one of the best fight scenes I have seen in a long time. And finally, Rachel deciding to come on her own time to talk to Rebecca about the man Brian covered for was great. The revelation that both Rebecca and Sands know certain things, dangerous things, was wicked cool. Poor Brian, he has quite the storm coming to him next week.

Side Notes:

- Boyle really needs more screen time. Like, desperately. Give him more to do and say, please!
- Naz is a bad ass. Don't you forget this.
- Game of Thrones fans would enjoy this episode the most.
- Certain scenes in the episode really reminded me of Chuck. Piper talking about how it's not real, then changing her statement later, fixing Brian's tie, fighting while Brian is playing an instrument - all of which can be seen in Chuck episodes. Even the music during that fight scene was similar to 'Bryce Larkin Super Spy'.
- Andrea really does know things.

What did YOU think of Bezgranichnyy? Are you nervous for next week's episode putting Brian under 24-hour surveillance? Ready to see Bradley Cooper again? Please leave a comment down below!

About the Author - Laura Markus

Laura Markus is a Media Studies student from Canada, infatuated with several TV shows. Past favourite include: House, Psych, Chuck, White Collar, Dexter, Arrested Development, Boy Meets World, Battle Creek, Scrubs, and The Listener. Some of her current favourites are: HTGAWM, Suits, Daredevil, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Criminal Minds, and probably 70 others. She also enjoys music from all genres, but her favourite band is Muse. She is a huge Potterhead, and loves books by John Green. She is currently reviewing Limitless for the 2015-2016 season. Feel free to connect with her on any of these social media sites.

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