If a project was produced by GMA Public Affairs, I would give myself a try to watch it because they do it better than GMA Entertainment. Black Rider so far, satisfied my creative appetite as an audience. However, it is too early to rate. I have just seen 6 episodes.
Black Rider Episode 2: A Review
Episode 2 was about the Palangga massacre. The victims were Elias's pregnant wife, the child she was carrying, and their daughter who was, perhaps, 5 or 6 years old.
The massacre scene was intense, its graphic portrayal would almost turn your head away. Though its realism is not something that would surpass scenes from Saving Private Ryan, its depiction of the horrors of murders is something that you can only watch on HBO or Netflix.
How the horrific scene was depicted totally justified Elias's decision to take a revenge as Black Rider.
Kudos to Ruru, who played Elias, and Kylie, who played the wife; likewise to its director, editor, and prosthetics artist.
This was aired on TV on 8 November 2023.
But What's Lacking
The scene could have had more depth and substance if the director captured details like what the criminals were wearing such as their shoes, watches, jewelry and even perfume. Those details would be used to make Elias more convincing as the sole witness of the massacre.
In the following scene, fake criminals were presented before Elias. Elias was absolute that they were not the real criminals, but the chief of police did not believe him.
The writer could have included to the script how reliable and credible Elias was as a witness. Something like this:
Elias: Hindi! Hindi sila ang pumatay sa mga mag-ina ko. Mayayamang tao sila!
Chief of police: At paano mo namang nasabing mayayaman sila?
Elias: Nakita ko silang isa-isang bumaba sa kanilang mga kotse. [flashback scene where the criminals were getting off their cars.] Kung get-away cars 'yun, bakit kailangang tig-iisa pa sila. Ang suot nilang mga damit at sapatos, hindi basta-basta. [ flashback: scene from the massacre when Elias's face hit the ground noticing one of the criminal's shoes.] Ang singsing, kwintas at relos. [flashback: Elias noticed the ring of the one who slit the neck of his wife.] At amoy ko rin ang kanilang mga pabango habang nakikipag-suntukan ako sa kanila. [flashback: Elias's nose reacting to what he smelled.] Bakit magagarang sapatos at mamahaling alahas ang suot nila kung meron lang silang papatayin. At bakit kailangang pa nilang magpabango? Kaya tiyak ako na hindi sila karaniwang tao na katulad nila [pointing to the fake criminals].
Then Elias reasoned further. He instructed the fake criminals to turn left to show to the chief of police the protruding tummies of the fake criminals.
Elias: Wala ni isa man sa kanila [referring to the real criminals] ang may malaki ang tiyan. Lahat sila ay sa mga edad 20 hanggang 29. Itong sinasabi ni'yong umamin sa krimen ay matatanda na.
If Elias was presented as a reliable witness, that would scare the chief of police; and Elias's friend, who was one of the cops, would have a reason to believe Elias's claim.
Why is this important?
The television, by default, is an educator. Whatever you broadcast there, whether right or wrong, good or bad, the audience would believe it, at least, subconsciously. Presenting Elias as a good witness, would give the audience a sense of how important to be always alert and observant when faced with similar incidents.
The action scenes
Kudos to the editor and martial arts choreographer of Black Rider. They delivered the actions scenes more credibly and exciting compared to the other GMA drama series where the action and fight scenes were dull, stupid and boring. An example are those of Voltes 5 Legacy.
The reason why I stopped watching Voltes 5 Legacy was because of its stupid and lame action scenes, poor editing, not to mention, whatever boring the writers added to the original script. The only good about Voltes V Legacy was its CGI. So, kudos to Riot Inc.
Soon, Mark Reyes, who directed Voltes 5 Legacy, will be directing Sang'gre, a sequel to the successful Encantadia. So, don't expect the action scenes to be lively and exciting and as powerful as those of Black Rider. Certainly, action scenes are not Mark Reyes's forte.
The credible blood
Another thing that I appreciate about Black Rider is the use of fake blood – it looked real. In most drama series on TV, the use of fake blood was very unintelligently applied for the reason that the blood looked more like the orangey banana kechup.
Another scene from Black Rider that is worth mentioning is the surgery scene in the operating room of a hospital. That scene was cinematically convincing; simple but you'd get the feel.
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