Gwen: "He was just about to tell us!"Rex: "Thanks? Anybody? Thanks?"
I wasn't emotionally engaged before, but I am now. This was a much stronger episode than the first three. It feels like we finally arrived.
Torchwood Miracle Day: Escape to LA
Gwen: "He was just about to tell us!"Rex: "Thanks? Anybody? Thanks?"
I wasn't emotionally engaged before, but I am now. This was a much stronger episode than the first three. It feels like we finally arrived.
The Ophiuchi Hotline by John Varley
[This is a review of the novel The Ophiuchi Hotline by John Varley, first published in 1977. John Varley is my favorite science fiction author. This is my first review of his first novel. I haven't done a lot of book reviews, so be kind.]It's six hundred years in the future, and the human race has been permanently exiled from Earth by alien Invaders that prefer cetaceans to humans. The remnants of humanity live on the moon as well as pretty much any airless rock and inhospitable planet in the solar system that can hold them.
Haven: Fear and Loathing
Duke: “In my experience when people are scared they either run or they fight. I’d start planning for both.”Wow, things are heating up in Haven, literally. I really enjoyed this week’s episode. We got not one, but three types of weekly weirdness and some interesting tidbits in the overarching mystery.
Warehouse 13: Love Sick
... in which Artie and Claudia investigate a potential artifact-related outbreak, while Pete and Myka get to play out their own version of The Hangover. Eureka: Glimpse
... in which Fargo and Dr. Marten begin interviewing candidates for the Titan space mission. Meanwhile, Jo and Carter test Zane’s latest development: contact lenses that allow you to assess the environment and predict security threats.Twin Peaks: May the Giant be With You
“The mind revealing itself to itself.”Even though the viewership for Twin Peaks dropped off fairly quickly in the second season, this episode—and many that follow it—are more tonally consistent with the lasting impression I have of Twin Peaks than many of the first season episodes are. This premiere is slow, meandering, so offbeat that it’s practically experimental atonal jazz, and filled with surreal moments, only some of which are relevant to the plot.
True Blood: Me and the Devil
Sookie: "I always knew there was decency in you, even when you were a smug, sarcastic ass."This episode was a hoot. We got an upgrade in plotlines I initially thought were a waste of time, and a specific all-encompassing theme: parents, grandparents, great-great-great-great grandfathers, packmasters and makers, and I think we even got an ancestor in there. The whole parental gamut, as it were.
Doctor Who: The Mind of Evil
The Master has never been one to let failure get him down. Operation: Plastic Fantastic might have been a complete and total disaster but that's no reason for feeling downhearted. So quicker than you can say “reverse the polarity of the neutron flow” he's back and up to even more mischief. After all, tomorrow is another day... to try and take over the world.
Torchwood Miracle Day: Dead of Night
"It's the perfect drug for the new world order."We know more now. There's a vast conspiracy by PhiCorp to corner the painkiller drug market, suggesting that PhiCorp caused Miracle Day. But what humans could possibly have the technology to do something like that? It still feels like something alien is behind it. This is Torchwood, after all.
Star Trek: The Omega Glory
Kirk: "And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
I don't think anything can excuse "The Omega Glory." Episodes like "The Apple" and "Spock's Brain" are so campy that they've become somewhat fun to watch. But "The Omega Glory" is so bad that it's actually painful.
Eureka: If You Build It ...
... in which town residents begin building a mysterious device out of a random assortment of items while in a trance-like state.Haven: The Tale of Two Audreys
“They’re not freaks. Some people call them cursed. We call them troubled.”It's a new season of Haven, and Audrey has decided that Haven is her place. This is somewhat complicated by the fact that there is another Audrey Parker, FBI, who I will call Audrey II. The season premiere was good on both the weekly weirdness and overarching mystery fronts. I’m glad I kept watching and I’m ready for this season to get curiouser and curiouser.
The weekly weirdness was a cross between “Inkheart” and Exodus. Haven gets hit with a serious of disasters that seem to follow the plagues that God was said to impose on Pharaoh’s Egypt to convince him to let the Israelites go. They missed a few plagues along the way, but generally these were well done. I particularly liked the flaming hail, but the dying of the firstborn sons was a bit cheesy. At least the “troubled” person, TJ, who just lost his wife in childbirth, was a sympathetic character. I wanted him to be okay. I guess he will have to be careful about what he reads in the future. While the Velveteen Rabbit is a great story--and who doesn’t like big fluffy bunnies? (well, Anya but that’s Buffy)--there are many children’s books that wouldn’t be so lovely if they became reality. I’m glad it was that book in the crib.
Moving Things Along
The larger, overarching mystery was moved along quite a bit. The Reverend Driscoll is recruiting for his “holy” war against the troubles, and Nathan is on the wrong side. Duke says he isn’t taking a side but it is pretty clear that he has become one of the Scoobies. The Chief, who died trying to hold Haven together, traveled around in a cooler in the back of Nathan’s truck for the whole episode, which displays both Nathan’s ambivalence about taking on the role of the town’s protector, and his difficulty in accepting that his father is dead. It looks like, with the chief gone, the balance of power has shifted. Maybe the chief kept the Reverend in line. I was glad that Nathan managed some closure by the end of the episode and that Duke was there to help him bury his dad.
Audrey II spends the episode being Audrey’s shadow, following her around, helping with the weekly weirdness and doing a great job of reminding us how strange all these happenings are, and how acclimatized to them Audrey has become. It is an interesting bit of casting for Audrey II as she looks like Audrey’s shadow - dark where she is fair. Audrey shared a story with Audrey II that makes it obvious that they share the same memories (and also let us know why Audrey became a cop). By the end of the episode, we are left wondering who the real Audrey is. I can’t wait for the second Agent Howard to appear.
Audrey II is not the only new character. Ryan Crocker, Duke’s ex-wife, has shown up in town looking to bring Duke in on a big job. Duke is not interested but Evi is sticking around. This should shake up the Duke/Audrey/Nathan triangle a bit. Duke and Nathan seemed to bond a bit over the death of Nathan’s father. It looks like the Scoobie triangle has solidified and we may have some new additions, at least for a few episodes.
Bits and Pieces
I thought I saw that Duke’s boat was called the Ryan Atlantic. I wonder if this has any connection to Evi’s last name - Ryan.
Vince and Dave are back. They were sweet as usual and they have handy, odd bits of land. I like them.
I am going to name-drop now. I was very surprised at the conclusion of last season when Audrey Parker II showed up. I shouted, "That’s Kathleen!" I know Kathleen Munroe - well really I know her mom but still... It is great fun to see her in shows that I watch. PS: her mom is very good at not giving away anything about shows, so I didn’t know that Kathleen was in Haven until I saw her on the screen.
Quotes
Audrey II: “I’ve never seen that on Animal Planet.”
Audrey: “Firstly, a tricorder is just for readings.”
Audrey: “I’m trying to get some units on the road to block him but they’re busy with the flaming hail.”
Duke: “Why does everyone think I want to help?”
Laverne: “Nathan honey, only the chief can order that. You need to call him.”
Audrey: “I’m not going to waste a perfectly good cooler.”
Evi: “Bug infestations, schizophrenic weather - how do you keep the tourists away?”
Duke: “Just so we’re clear - I’m the lion.”
Note
Just to let you know that in Canada I don’t get to see Haven until Monday night. This means that the reviews will be a bit late in coming. I will be continuing to put up reviews for last season at the same time as I review this season.
Twin Peaks: The Last Evening
“What kind of dangerous game have you been playing?”Even though each episode—indeed, the entire show—weaves in and out of plots, bringing various disparate points together and then separating them, Twin Peaks tends to keep the characters rather separate. This season finale created most of its tension and horror by examining what happens when these separate characters bump up against each other, throwing everyone’s plans off-course.
Warehouse 13: Trials
... in which Myka works her first case since returning to the Warehouse, and Claudia gets to tackle her first assignment as “senior agent.”Eureka: Reprise
... in which a representative from Senator Wen arrives in town, just as everyone begins acting a little strangely. Meanwhile, Allison heads to a medical conference, leaving Carter in charge of her kids for the day.Twin Peaks: Realization Time
“Secrets are dangerous things.”This is very much a penultimate episode. All the strands of the mystery are starting to come together (or to unravel) but it’s hard to discern exactly where they’re leading. Meanwhile, further mysteries continue to develop, raising the question of how, or whether, the Mill is related to Laura’s death, whether Josie is exactly what she seems, and how Hank fits into all of this. Lynch and Frost originally envisioned Twin Peaks as an interlocking set of mysteries within mysteries, like a rainy nesting doll. We can see that plan in evidence here.
True Blood: I'm Alive and On Fire
Sookie: "You drank the whole fairy, and you're going to your room."There was definitely a family theme in this episode. Surprise family (Luna's daughter). Really lousy family (the Mickens and the Hotshot clan). Incestuous family (Bill and the Bellefleurs, and, of course, the Hotshot clan).
Torchwood Miracle Day: Rendition
Lynn: "You're the best England's got to offer, then God help you."Gwen: "I'm Welsh."
This episode just galloped past, but I found it difficult to write about. And I usually love writing about Torchwood. Maybe I'm just not acclimating yet.
Twin Peaks: Cooper’s Dream
“Fellas, let’s pack a lunch. We’re taking a walk in the woods.”Three investigative teams went exploring in secret places this episode: Cooper and the sheriff’s boys in Jacques Renault’s cabin; Audrey in the space that shouldn’t exist in the walls of the Great Northern; and Donna, James, and Maddie in Laura’s hiding place. Each investigation seems to be moving towards something, but if that’s something useful for understanding who killed Laura and why is still undecided.
A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
Warning! Here be huge spoilers! Read the book first!This isn’t a book review. A book review would focus on the merits of the book—perhaps the characterization, a nod to the complicated and convoluted plotting, occasional felicities of language, and so on. Having marathoned my way through George R.R. Martin’s most recent entry in the Song of Ice and Fire, I’m still in the “Wow!” “No way!” “Arrgh!” stages of the reading process.
NewsFlash: Emmy Nominations 2011
As well as anger and frustration when they are not (don't worry, Sean Bean, there's always next sea...oh).
Actually, this year hasn't been so bad. Yeah, I'm a little pissed off that both Fringe and Community have been snubbed yet again. But I'm overjoyed to see Justified finally getting Emmy recognition with noms for Timothy Olyphant, Walton Goggins, Margo Martindale and Jeremy Davies. Ditto Game of Thrones and Peter Dinklage (naff accent or not, he has to win).
Also, as a loyal fan of The Wire, I'm happy to see the mighty Idris Elba finally getting some Emmy love.
Here's the (almost) complete list of nominations:
OUTSTANDING DRAMA
Boardwalk Empire
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Game of Thrones
The Good Wife
Mad Men
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Kathy Bates, Harry’s Law
Connie Britton, Friday Night Lights
Mireille Enos, The Killing
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
Michael C. Hall, Dexter
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Hugh Laurie, House
Timothy Olyphant, Justified
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Alan Cumming, The Good Wife
Walton Goggins, Justified
John Slattery, Mad Men
Andre Braugher, Men of a Certain Age
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Margo Martindale, Justified
Michelle Forbes, The Killing
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Bruce Dern, Big Love
Beau Bridges, Brothers & Sisters
Michael J. Fox, The Good Wife
Paul McCrane, Harry’s Law
Jeremy Davies, Justified
Robert Morse, Mad Men
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Mary McDonnell, The Closer
Julia Stiles, Dexter
Loretta Devine, Grey’s Anatomy
Randee Heller, Man Men
Cara Buono, Mad Men
Joan Cusack, Shameless
Alfre Woodard, True Blood
OUTSTANDING COMEDY
The Big Bang Theory
Glee
Modern Family
The Office
Parks and Recreation
30 Rock
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Laura Linney, The Big C
Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Louis C.K., Louie
Steve Carell, The Office
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Chris Colfer, Glee
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Jane Lynch, Glee
Betty White, Hot In Cleveland
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Idris Elba, The Big C
Nathan Lane, Modern Family
Zach Galifianakis, Saturday Night Live
Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live
Matt Damon, 30 Rock
Will Arnett, 30 Rock
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Kristin Chenoweth, Glee
Dot-Marie Jones, Glee
Gwyneth Paltrow, Glee
Cloris Leachman, Raising Hope
Tina Fey, Saturday Night Live
Elizabeth Banks, 30 Rock
Star Trek: By Any Other Name
This is probably the best entry in the "aliens corrupted by carnal human bodies" theme.
Eureka: It's Not Easy Being Green
... in which a prank leads to disaster when Fargo and the GD bowling team face their archrivals in an annual tournament.Doctor Who: Terror of the Autons
Back when he was the undisputed overlord of the entire Doctor Who universe, Russell T. Davies was often heard to say that he liked to reboot the series at the start of every season, treating each season opener like it was ‘Rose’ all over again (which explains the high turnover of companions). Barry Letts did a similar thing with ‘Terror of the Autons’, effectively rebooting the entire series to better suit his idea of how it should be.
Alphas: Pilot
I didn't want to review this premiere, mostly because I got burned so badly by Heroes. But I am pleased to report that this pilot is surprisingly good. Which is great, because I hate writing negative reviews.Warehouse 13: The New Guy
... in which Pete is forced to take on a new partner after Myka leaves the Warehouse.
True Blood: If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin'?
Eric: "Would you like to be mine?"Sookie: "Not really. But thank you for asking."
I love True Blood, but I find myself constantly miffed that episodes don't stand alone in any way, shape or form – it's all arc. But I suppose transformation was the common theme in this one: Eric, Jason, Jessica, Marnie.
Twin Peaks: The One-Armed Man
“In the heat of investigative pursuit, the shortest distance between two points is not necessarily a straight line.”And that, my friends, is the mission statement of this show. The first few episodes established the major players and major plots, the intersection of the supernatural with the mundane, and the major themes of mysteries within mysteries and the dark places that are both inside of us and all around us. Now, it’s all development of those major points. Watched all in a rush—which might be the only way to watch this first season—these episodes are incredible.
Eureka: Insane in the P-Brane
... in which Allison appoints an old friend as the new head of (the recently reopened) Section 5. Meanwhile, one of GD’s top theoretical physicists comes to believe he can contact the spirit world.Torchwood Miracle Day: The New World
Rex: "You mean Wales is separate? It's like the British equivalent of New Jersey." New cast, new setting, new story -- I expected the first installment of a ten-episode story to consist of set-up, and it was. Very good set-up.
Eureka: Your Face or Mine?
... in which Jo takes over as acting sheriff while Carter undergoes his bi-annual recertification test.
Got Welsh?
As though you could forget...but just in case you did: Torchwood's new season Miracle Day premieres on Friday. For those of us stateside, that means we have to get Starz.
Warning: getting Starz might mean that you stay up until sunrise watching the oddly addictive movie The Social Network. I suppose it's a small price to pay for more Captain Jack.
Billie, of course, will review the new episodes as they air. In the meantime, please enjoy this clip of John Barrowman singing "Anything Goes."
Doctor Who: Inferno
For a science fiction series with such a long and diverse history as Doctor Who it is somewhat surprising that ‘Inferno’ is the only time in its original 26-year run that everyone’s favourite Time Lord ever ventured into a “parallel space-time continuum”. Can’t understand why they never did it again because ‘Inferno’ is very good indeed.
Haven: Consumed
“This local thing is going to take a while.”A wise woman (Billie) said to me that you know by the third episode whether you are going to enjoy reviewing a show or not. I’m enjoying reviewing Haven, but I’m not really sure why. The episode plots are a bit thin and the overarching plot is moving slower than molasses in January. On the other hand, I laugh out loud at least once each episode and I am loving the characters. There is definitely something charming about this show.
The Weekly Trouble
In episode four the weekly mystery is food going suddenly rotten. The fun begins at the Haven farmer’s market, a lovely bucolic vision of organic food, sno-cones and children playing--until some of the produce turns black and gooey. It looks as if acid has been poured on it, and those unfortunate enough to eat the food end up pretty sick. Of course this a product of the “troubles”. This was the messiest episode so far. (Exploding cow udders - ‘nuf said.) But my response was not "Ooh I can’t look” and/or “I feel sick”. It was more “Eeeww, gross!”. And maybe that is the key to this show. Don’t take it too seriously. Enjoy the cast of characters and the snappy one liners.
Why do I Like This Show Again?
In this episode the one-off characters, who carry the weekly “troubles”, don’t have a lot of depth. Bill and Jeff, the brothers who owned the cafe, were predictable caricatures and I didn’t much care when Jeff showed up dead - not of the troubles but of a good old-fashioned poisoning. And the fact that Bill could turn food to poison if he ate it when he was angry was interesting, but that’s about it. But there are some wonderful on-going town characters. My favourite scene in this episode was the newspaper brothers, Vince and Dave, helping Audrey pick out a dress for the restaurant opening. They had a surprisingly good sense of fashion and obviously enjoyed seeing Audrey in a dress and finding her just the right thing.
Audrey in a terrible yellow dress: “What’s wrong? Is it too professional?”
Dave: “No, no, but it is too..."
Vince: “Too sunny.”
Audrey: “I don’t do sunny.”
Everyone is warming to Audrey. Duke certainly thinks she is attractive. Nathan seems to like her in a dress as well: he wants Audrey to stay and he wants her to fit in. He buys her “local” clothes and a coffee mug with the hometown team on it. The Sorrel boots were a bit much in the heat of summer, but I loved the Nor’wester hat. We didn’t learn much about the “big” mystery this week but we did get some character development. It seems that Audrey is in Haven to stay.
Bits and Pieces
The local ice cream store keeps the cows out back. Or at least they did.
Nathan: “Big Benjy’s ice cream where you get to meet the cows that make your ice cream.”
Audrey: “Isn’t that a zoning problem?”
Nathan: “No you put the store where the cows live.”
I grew up in a small town and this is totally in character.
Haven has a sailing team and a football team (The Black Bears). I think any town over 20 people in the United States has a football team. In Canada, we love our football but it’s more likely to be a hometown hockey team. Mr. John Robert is a fast food franchise king, selling Lobster Pups (“Processed sea food product, seasoned right. Tastes the same. No lobster necessary!”). Lobster rolls (hot dog buns with real lobster salad in them) are an east coast thing. You can buy them at the local gas station.
Quotes:
Vince: “A little branchy.”
Dave: “Leafy branchy.”
Duke: “You have a certain federal-agent chic going on.”
Nathan: “They’re opening with a menu that features only local ingredients.”
Audrey: “What, you can cook pine trees?”
Audrey: “I’ve seen this movie. It doesn’t end well.”
Audrey: “I’m out of good ideas.”
Nathan: “So we should embrace bad ones?”
Duke: “It’s a shame you’re a cop.”
Audrey: “Why is that?”
Duke: “I don’t usually socialize with cops.”
Audrey: “Did it every occur to you that that might be their choice.”
Duke: “No.”
Twin Peaks: Rest in Pain
“We have a responsibility to the dead.”As Major Briggs explained, funerals are the rituals we use to achieve a new stage in the grieving process, to move from terror and pain to the tender acceptance that is necessary to getting through the series of days that constitute the rest of our lives. They’re also a time for a community to come together, for old friends and odd acquaintances to show their support.
Eureka: From Fear to Eternity
... in which Eva’s efforts to permanently bury the underground bunker come to a head as Zoe begins exhibiting signs of advanced aging.Doctor Who: The Ambassadors of Death
I want to love ‘The Ambassadors of Death’ but find it so damn difficult.
True Blood: You Smell Like Dinner
Eric: "Why do you smell so good?"I enjoyed this one as much as the premiere. Some licking and biting, a lot of nudity, a little amnesia, what's not to love?
Twin Peaks: Zen, or The Skill to Catch a Killer
“The idea for all this really came from a dream?”The final scene of this episode is so iconic that even if you’ve never seen Twin Peaks, you will probably recognize it. In fact, it is so iconic that before I began my re-watch, I’d thought we returned to the red-curtained room in nearly every episode. That scene is the show, for me and likely for many other people.
Eureka: Here Come the Suns
... in which an already heated campaign for mayor is disrupted by the sudden appearance of a second sun.Star Trek: Patterns of Force
Ah, the dreaded Nazi episode. I wasn't looking forward to it.
Alphas
Alphas (2011-2012) follows a group of specially evolved humans who have what most of us would call superpowers. They came together through their doctor, Lee Rosen, who helped each of them deal with the difficulties they experience from having their "gifts." Now they work as a secret government team, dealing with new Alphas as they emerge.
This is the kind of science fiction I love, grounded in real science and possibilities that we may face in our future.
Season One
1.1 Pilot
1.2 Cause and Effect
1.3 Anger Management
1.4 Rosetta
1.5 Never Let Me Go
1.6 Bill and Gary's Excellent Adventure
1.7 Catch and Release
1.8 A Short Time in Paradise
1.9 Blind Spot
1.10 The Unusual Suspects
1.11 Original Sin
Season Two
2.1 Wake Up Call
2.2 The Quick and the Dead
2.3 Alpha Dogs
2.4 When Push Comes to Shove
2.5 Gaslight
2.6 Alphaville
2.7 Gods and Monsters
2.8 Falling
2.9 The Devil Will Drag You Under
2.10 Life After Death
2.11 If Memory Serves
2.12 Need to Know
2.13 God's Eye
Cast
David Strathairn (Dr. Lee Rosen)
Ryan Cartwright (Gary Bell)
Azita Ghanizada (Rachel Pirzad)
Laura Mennell (Nina Theroux)
Warren Christie (Cameron Hicks)
Malik Yoba (Bill Harken)
Doctor Who: The Silurians
With ‘Doctor Who and The Silurians’ (to give it its full and accidental title) Malcolm Hulke takes the alien invasion story and flips it on its head. What could’ve so easily been nothing more than a simple tale of human battling lizard men becomes a morally complex thriller thanks to Hulke’s intelligent storytelling and sharp characterization. It's a masterpiece and one of my favourites from Worzel’s tenure.
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