SYNC (2012)

Table of contents

• Episode 1
• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Episode 4
• Episode 5
• Episode 6
• Episode 7
• Episode 8
• Episode 9
• Episode 10
• Episode 11
• Episode 12

Episode 1

Shall we begin? How the heck are these two guys (Sam and Niko) not getting funded, publicised, and worshipped?

This is one of the most tightly scripted pilot episodes for a web series I have seen, and reminds me quite fondly of Stanley Kubrick's The Killing in terms of no room for error.

It begins with what seems like a passed out body in the passenger seat, and it's reveal is executed quite well to set up the remainder of the series.

Shells seem to be the "disposable body" that these agents can use to extract information, and then switch into another shell and preform the kill.

It's clever, yet makes you wonder if this is going to be a "win always" for the good guys.

I believe this episode is intended to draw you in with the spectacle rather than story considering the lack of dialogue. Furthermore, the fact that the villain is presumed permanently dead – questionably he may have a shell too – its intention is to setup the main character, his line of work, and the level of technology available.

Kudos to the make up artist on Carlos Ruiz (played by Carlos Ciurlizza), as it isn't a crusty explosion look, but honestly looks like this is something fresh, and recent, or just need a lot of vaseline to make sure he doesn't bleed.

I must admit, in my initial viewing of the make up I was disappointed that it wasn't the stereotypical "crater face" but retrospectively this option make it that extra bit authentic, and evident on the attention to detail.

The action is timed nicely, and the balance between gun and hand combat is pristine. You know that, even though it may be quicker (especially the level of combat Charlie Cooper has – played by Tanner Thomason) to shoot down the villain, other means to do the damage is just as effective and not simply used to add time.

Some drawbacks, the length. It's seriously too short to make me contain my geeky excitement. While the episode airing is ridiculously too long – one month apart.

But besides the petty – and most likely necessary drawbacks – my major gripe is the representation of Zoe LaPerrier (played by Kelly Walker) who though is seventeen years of age, probably wouldn't be asking for her phone over "who are you" considering we don't know if they've met before, and what's happened to her while under capture.

Her demeanour is just too childish for appearance, but somehow leaving her locked in the boot of the car makes all characterisation forgiven.

I look forward to future episodes, though the lengthly wait between.

Episode 2

Sync is an incredibly well-crafted and tightly scripted web series that manages to balance action and romance in a way that leaves you breathless.

The visual effects are used to enhance the story rather than detract from it, and the lead-up to the romantic marriage proposal is executed flawlessly.

This episode is a must-see for fans of romantic comedies and tightly scripted films.

While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate these genres will find it truly magical.

Episode 3

The episode of SYNC is dark, confusing, and brilliant all at the same time.

It introduces a new, mostly Asian cast that doesn't distract from the main storyline and Charlie's role as the protagonist.

The episode explores the idea of using interconnected devices to tap into Hong Kong's air traffic control through a game called Turbo Mahjong.

While the concept is interesting, the representation of the interconnectedness could have been executed better.

The computer scenes are well done, but some of the footage could have been cut in closer to fully convey the idea.

Overall, the episode continues to develop the story and improve with each airing, though the lack of subtitles for the foreign dialogue can be a distraction.

Episode 4

I'm a sucker for romantic comedies, and I love tightly scripted films. If you're like me and you enjoy both of those things, then this episode of Sync is definitely worth watching.

It's one of the most beautifully shot and well-written web series episodes I've ever seen, and it reminded me a lot of Stanley Kubrick's The Killing in terms of its tight, no-room-for-error storytelling.

The episode is very minimal when it comes to dialogue, which makes it a little difficult to understand at first.

But once you really engage with the story and the characters, it becomes clear that the creators have crafted a truly brilliant piece of work.

The new, mostly Asian cast doesn't distract from the main plot or Charlie's role as the protagonist.

Yoshi (played by Krista Marie Yu) is a computer whiz who uses her iPhone app as a cover for her true talents, which include hacking into Hong Kong's air traffic control system via a game called Turbo Mahjong.

The concept of using a game as a way to access and decrypt protected files is fascinating, and it raises some interesting questions about the nature of peer-to-peer file sharing.

I do wish that the visual representation of this interconnectedness had been a little clearer, but that's a minor quibble.

Overall, the episode is a tour de force of storytelling and editing, and I can't wait to see what comes next.

Episode 5

As a fan of romantic comedies and tightly scripted films, this episode of SYNC really hit the mark for me.

There aren't many web series that can hold my attention without any visual distractions, but this one managed to do just that.

The script was smart and engaging, and the lack of dialogue only added to the overall experience. The new, mostly Asian cast was a refreshing change of pace and didn't distract from the S.Y.N.C. operation or Charlie's role as the protagonist.

Yoshi, played by Krista Marie Yu, was a standout character for me, with her impressive computer skills and clever use of a popular game to tap into Hong Kong's air traffic control.

The visual effects in this episode were also top-notch. Every time we saw two Charlie Coopers on screen, I was left wondering how they managed to pull off such seamless, unobtrusive effects.

The VFX team on this series deserves a lot of credit for their work.

The only thing that didn't quite work for me was the action. While it wasn't bad, it wasn't as strong as some of the previous episodes in the series.

Overall, though, this was a great episode with strong storytelling, impressive visual effects, and a continued advancement of the overall storyline.

Episode 6

As a fan of romantic comedies and tightly scripted films, this episode of SYNC really hit the spot for me. The visual content is stunning and leaves you breathless for the entire duration.

There's nothing about this episode that I don't like, except if you're not into those genres, you may not enjoy it as much.

The action is timed perfectly and the balance between gun and hand combat is exquisite. It's evident that the creators put a lot of thought into the choreography and execution of the fight scenes.

The effects are used to add to the story, rather than distract from it, which I really appreciated.

The transition from intense action to a romantic marriage proposal was a little questionable at first, but it was executed flawlessly.

It's a great way to show the vulnerabilities of the characters in a more emotional, rather than physical, way.

My only gripe with this episode is its length. It's far too short to fully satisfy my excitement for the series. However, the wait between episodes is necessary to maintain the high quality of the series.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode of SYNC and I can't wait to see what comes next. The visuals, action, and storytelling are all top-notch and make this series a must-watch.

Episode 7

As a fan of the series, I was disappointed with this episode.

It felt stilted and underdeveloped, and the acting didn't quite hit the mark.

The characters didn't seem to be feeling the emotions they should have been, and it came across as forced and unrehearsed.

The only part of the episode that really stood out to me was the boxing match, which offered some interesting metaphors and hints at the larger story.

Overall, this episode fell flat for me and didn't live up to the quality of the rest of the series.

Episode 8

In this episode, I found that the focus was more on Charlie and Yoshi's relationship than on the bigger picture of the singularity.

While the brief glimpses of the empty shells and US soldiers were interesting, they felt like an afterthought compared to the main storyline.

The potential love between Charlie and Yoshi was a welcome change from the last failed relationship between Charlie and his fiancé, but it felt somewhat forced and not fully developed.

Overall, I didn't find this episode to be particularly exciting or necessary to the overall story.

Episode 9

As a fan of the series, this episode is a welcome addition. It blends humour and seriousness, and even includes a bit of romance.

The main challenge is keeping track of the story time compared to real life time, which can be confusing at times.

The opening scene with the battered guards in the SYNC HQ is a bit intense, and it's interesting to see the damage that Charlie has caused.

This brings up the question of just how human Charlie really is, and whether or not Dr. Wyatt could be part artificial as well.

My favourite part of the episode is the conversation between Charlie and Reece.

Their chemistry is sweet, and they come across as very human in this artificial world.

Overall, the episode sets the stage for the battle ahead and leaves me eagerly anticipating the next episode.

Episode 10

In episode nine and ten, we see Charlie and Reese walking around looking for their perfect house. They are talking about their future together and their plans for a family.

However, their happiness is short-lived when a van appears out of nowhere and shoots Charlie. The mystery leader of the shooting turns out to be Dr. John Wyatt, who is clearly upset over Charlie's decline in the previous episode.

Wyatt transfers Charlie's consciousness into another Charlie shell and then into his own body.

Meanwhile, back at SYNC headquarters, Agent Eleanor Delaney and Agent Barney Griggs are arguing over storming Wyatt's complex to find Charlie.

The episode ends with Yoshi being reunited with her laptop and activating a saved version of Charlie, who tells her that there may be more than one of him active.

Overall, these episodes are exciting and show the characters' development as they near the pinnacle of the series.

Episode 11

In this episode, I appreciated the great lines and visuals.

However, there were a few moments that left me confused, such as the elevator scene.

I also thought the logo of Dynamic Element Industries looked sloppy and lazy. Despite these small issues, the rest of the episode made up for it.

Charlie continued to show more human elements, while Dr. John Wyatt showed his true inner villain. Agent Barney Griggs also delivered an impressive performance.

Overall, this episode left me wanting more.

Episode 12

As a fan of the series, I was thrilled to see the finale of SYNC.

The ending was a little confusing at first, but upon reflection it made perfect sense.

The concept of the singularity infiltrating every electrical device in the world was an intriguing one, and the way it was portrayed through the use of costume changes and jump shots was well done.

I was particularly impressed by the visual effects in this episode, particularly the matte painting and the green screening used to depict the deletion of Wyatt.

It truly added to the overall atmosphere and immersion of the story.

Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the ending of SYNC and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys science fiction and thought-provoking stories.