Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Holly’s Back – Eureka

Holly’s back…YES!!!  Well kind of.  This week’s episode was interesting.  Aren’t they all though?  I had the feeling in the beginning something wasn’t right.  Jack wasn't freaking out during a disaster.  Anytime something goes wrong in town, one of two Jacks show up.  The serious, someone really might get hurt, caring Jack.  Or the freaking out, screams like a girl at some point Jack.  I didn’t see either.  So, of course it’s a simulation.  Oh, and I read the episode synopsis. 

So another super intelligent learning computer takes preparing for a disaster a little too serious.  It would have been cool to see SARAH play a part in this one.  There could have been a super computer “byte” off.  Back to Eureka.  The simulation computer, laptop actually, starts ramping up the simulations until there is a disaster to overcome.  Disaster averted.  Now back to the Matrix.

Can’t say I blame Fargo for continuing work on the Matrix system.  The only active connection it still has is to Holly.  So we get to see Fargo and Holly reunite.  Holly doesn’t know she’s only alive in this virtual world.  But once she’s finds out, she makes a joke about not having peed in a month.  Always cheery and positive.  That’s why we love Holly.  Felicia Day does an awesome job playing this character.  And she’s just awesome anyway.  Think so?  Check out GeekAndSundry.

The only way Fargo can work on this special project, is with the help of Zane.  Zane creates a mini energy shield to hide their work.  And he takes heat from Jo for keeping a secret.  But, his help shows his compassion.  I think he feels bad for Fargo, knowing he would feel the same way for Jo.

Now last time on Eureka, there was an awkward moment between Jo and Jack(Carter), but Jack was actually Allison.  Confused?  See my last post on Eureka, then you can really get confused.  So, Jo and Allison finally get some face time after a lot of disaster averting.  Though I’m not sure if they really resolved anything.  Jo just accepted things the way they are.  She even toasted Jack and Allison at the diner. I think Jo is sincere and doesn’t mean anything bad in her feelings towards Jack.  There is a circle of really good friends in Eureka, and Jo and Jack are part of that.

In the end, Henry uses Zane's energy shield to protect the town from missiles and the day is saved.  Well, except for Jack’s Jeep.  We need to start a movement, #SaveJacksJeep. 

DS9 So Far Pt 2

Ok, now that I’ve finished Season One and I’m into Season Two, I’ll revisit my thoughts on DS9. 

I’ll start with Season One.  There was a little character development, but not much.  It was a new story each episode, which isn’t bad.  But, the story arc template seems to be proven now.  Sisko’s character has gotten a lot better.  I really like him now.  And Avery Brooks has found his fit into the character.  There were definitely some bad episodes in Season One.  “Move Along Home”, absolutely dreadful.  It was almost like being tied to a bed and forced to listen to the Spice Girls while having your eyes poked.  Only, I forced myself to do it.  But, the last few episodes were really good.

In a wrap, I see some of the bits and pieces of the stories coming into play later.  I’m getting into it.

Season Two.  It’s starting off strong, a three episode story, not too bad.  Just played out too fast over the three episodes.  I liked some of the characters and wished they were still around.  Finally saw some Klingon action, and the symbiote Dax.  Quark howling after an ear injury, Odo turning into a tripwire to trip the bad guys.

Ok, that’s all I have for now.  I’m still waiting for the big war I’ve been hearing about. 

I’m also still listening the Gamma Quadrant Podcast.  If you’re a DS9 fan, I highly recommend listening.

“Every once in a while, declare peace.  It confuses the hell out of your enemies.” ~Quark

Friday, May 18, 2012

Battleship

I took my daughter to see Battleship today.  I know, a 10 year old girl that wants to see Battleship?  Well not exactly, but Hunger Games was a little questionable for her.  And since Rhianna is in it, we were good to go.  I’m trying to geek her out.  It’s starting to work a little, she’s getting into comics.

So, how would I rate it.  Well, it’s no Avengers, but is anything up to that now?  I liked it, even though it didn’t get good reviews.  Sometimes you just watch a movie for what it is, and enjoy it without breaking it down and criticizing it.  It was really fun for me.  And it was actually better than I expected.  My daughter feel asleep.

[SPOILERS BELOW]


You have been forewarned.

Don't go any further if you don’t want to be spoiled.

Ok, now it may have been a little cliché in the science fiction sense.  Aliens come down and a hero has to defeat them.  But, the way it is done keeps you watching.  What do I mean, well it’s creative.  Though I thought it could have been a little more…….too much criticizing, I just liked it. 

How does this connect to the game?  In a clever way.  If you didn’t think so, just means you grew up and have no more imagination.  The alien invader weakness was finally found by the way of the Battleship game.  In grid style.  G14, miss, I29, miss.  J9, HIT!!!  You’ll have to see it to find out exactly how this plays into the storyline, but it came from a Japanese tactic used as a contingency in case of a war with the US.  A fictional tactic of course.  But still very clever.

I really liked how they used the military.  They used real Navy vets, which I thought was really cool.  Some of them were looking up in age.  These guys served their country proudly aboard older battle ships, and were able to portrait that once again on the big screen.  I thought that was very cool and honorable.  I bet they enjoyed it a lot.

All in all, it was fun.  You see the aliens, but don’t really know what their plan was.  Kind of peculiar though, you think their plans might be revealed in one scene, but nothing.  Hmm.  Go see it and have fun.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

“Jack of All Trades” - Eureka

Wow, what a great episode.  Alison(Salli Richardson-Whitfield) and Jo(Erika Cerra), again WOW.  But i do Miss Holly(Felicia Day), though there was a hint she may be coming back.

Colin Ferguson did an outstanding job playing the part of Carter as other characters when there was a “neural switch”.  In other words they switched bodies.  He is my favorite character, probably because he is out of place in the town, but fills in perfectly.  My favorite line of this episode, “I’m half scarecrow, half Andy Griffith”, when Carter and Zane switched bodies.

Neil Grayson(Fargo) is always great to watch.  I do have a certain sympathy for him though.  He lost his first love after returning form the past.  Now finding his next love, Holly, he loses her.  He was so excited to be out of “The Matrix” and see Holly, only to be met with bad news.  But Jo took the responsibility of telling him.

One thing I am a little confused by, and not sure where it’s going to go, is when Jo had a “talk” with what she thought was Carter.  So, Zane and Carter switched bodies.  Carter, now in Zane’s body, switches while Zane is in the shower.  Immediately Jo, completely naked, steps into the shower behind Zane, now Carter.  And Carter, now Zane, ends up in bed with Allison, in only under wear, very sexy under wear.  Ok skip ahead a bit, and Allison, Jo, Zane, and Carter realize what happened.  Allison isn’t happy Carter, who was Zane at the time, was in the shower with Jo.  And Jo isn’t happy that Zane, who was Carter at the time, was in bed with Allison, and he thought he was dreaming so he just went with it.

Ok, back to what I’m confused about.  Jo went to talk to Carter, who happened to be Allison at the time, about some sexual tension between them.  She lays it all out there trying to get beyond the weirdness, no bad intentions at all. But Carter, remember it’s Allison in his body, doesn’t tell Jo that she’s not talking to Carter.  So Jo asks Carter, now Allison, if he has ever just wondered about the two of them, since they work together often and are very good friends.  Carter, now Allison, responds by saying no, not really.  This makes Jo very uncomfortable.  Made me uncomfortable to.  I mean Jo just laid it all on the line to get past any awkwardness from all that's been happening.  So what next?

Last bit on last night’s episode.  The Beer Battered Potato Ring.  What you say?  Yes, it’s the engagement ring given to Allison by Carter after he proposes to her.  It was a totally spur of the moment thing and the only thing he had.  I thought that was awesome, perfect Carter style.

That’s it for this episode review.  Look forward to many more.  Oh yeah, I’m a Wil Wheaton fan, so we need more Parrish.

“Normally you play the part of an asshat.” ~Dr Fargo

DS9 So Far Pt 1

Well, I’m about half way through the first season of DS9.  It’s starting off a little slow, and maybe hard to keep my interest.  But, I’m waiting for better character development and less theatrics for the sake of averting a disaster, just cause.  I’m hoping the story so far will lead into the story arc that I’ve heard happens later in the series.

I know DS9 fans will tear me apart for this, but I think Sisko is badly acted.  I’m not saying Avery is terrible, just not what I expected.  He seems to be getting better, and I hope that trend continues. 

My favorite character is Quark.  He’s one character that seems to be in place thus far.  Odo is a strange one.  He overacts all the time.  Probably bipolar.  And his shape shifting is horrible, but I’m sure the CGI was top notch back then.  Wow, almost 20 years ago.

I also like Kira.  A fiery little one she is.  She has a short fuse.  Jadzia Dax and Dr Bashir will have some romance in the future.  I can see it in the future, or the past, depending on how you look at it.

O’Brien, I’m not sure of yet.

And with this, I’ll be back at the end of the next star date.  Oh yeah, still keeping up with the podcasts over at the Gamma Quadrant.

"In my expert medical opinion, I'd say... it's sick" ~ Dr. Bashir

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Sci Fi on My Mind

Well, I think I’m back to blogging. 

Lately, I’ve been watching a lot more TV, sci fi and anything geeky of course.  I love TV shows, but it’s sad when the series ends(Insert “It’s so hard to say good bye” here).  Babylon 5, Eureka, the X Files, etc etc.  I have found a few podcasts that review episodes of these and similar shows.  I really like the Secrets of Babylon 5, though I’ve stopped listening for now, I really want to watch the series again and follow the podcast with the series. 

I have started watching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and listening to podcasts from The Gamma Quadrant.  This is my first time watching the series, and the podcasts give me a different take(several actually) on DS9.  I pick up on things that would normally take a 2nd or 3rd watch to catch.

I’m also watching the last season of Eureka on Mondays.  I wish this show could last forever.  I’m sad it has to end, and I’m sad Holly has died.  What is going to happen in the town of Eureka after this season?  I hope the writers do a good job ending it.

Ok, I’m off for now, time to work in the garden.

 

“The universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: Energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest. “  ~G’Kar