As anyone who watches Doctor Who probably knows, the best episode in the history of the show is the Human Nature/Family of Blood two parter. This was written by one Paul Cornell, who also happened to have written a Doctor Who novel called Human Nature in 1995 about the seventh Doctor. I'm reading this book right now, and while it is very clearly about a different Doctor, it is entertaining for me to see the things that carried over to the television version of this story.
For example, here is the list the Doctor leaves for his companion Bernice in the book:
Things Not To Let Me Do
1: Commit suicide, if for some reason I want to.
2: Do physical harm to anyone, if you're aware of it.
3: Eat meat, if you can.
4: Eat pears. I hate pears, I don't want to wake up and taste that.
5: Leave the area, or you, behind.
6: Get involved in big sociopolitical events.
7: Hurt animals, especially owls.
8: Develop an addiction.
9: Anything impossible.
Compare that with the following amusing (albeit slightly out of character around the middle) video from the deleted scenes of the actual episode:
As you can see, they sadly left out the part about the owls, but the pears at least made it to the deleted scenes.
Paul Cornell, you are my hero. One of these days I'm going to read your original novels and your comic books. And I sincerely hope that you'll write more Doctor Who episodes.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Let's Talk About the Final Four
I've been thinking about the different ways these cylons are handling their newfound cylon-ness.
Tigh. In the beginning, he said he had always been the same man he was, and just because he knew he was a cylon now didn't change any of the things he did in the past and he wasn't going to change now - or something to that effect. So far this season, though, and especially in the last episode, he seems to be doubting his resolve. At the beginning of the episode, when they were leaving Cally's service, and he was walking with Tory, the Chief stopped them both, expecting some kind of remorse shown by either of these people, the only ones who know his secret and thus the people he is forced to trust. I thought Tigh's reaction was strange - worrying more about himself than anyone else. Tigh has never been that emotional of a guy anyway, but he understands what it's like to lose someone and I feel like it would have made more sense for his cover for him to say "sorry for your loss" than to just try to leave without saying anything. His speech later on kind of canceled this out, I think. As for the whole thing with him going to visit Ellen!Six? I have no idea what to think about that. I don't know what was going on there. But it was really messed up. (Also: what male on this show hasn't kissed Tricia Helfer at this point?)
Tyrol. At first, I thought he was going to deal with this whole cylon thing a lot better than the rest, simply because he had a family to ground him - someone to love and care for. But then he started distancing himself from them, and ultimately he lost Cally because of that. Now I don't know what he's going to do. I'm worried about Nicky though... just from rumors I've heard about what could be the direction they go concerning him. The kid they've got playing him is absolutely adorable, though.
Tory. This lady has gone off her rocker... I think she's the only one that is really embracing her new identity. Especially now that she is "perfect," according to Baltar. She's a nymphomaniac and a sociopath. I want to see her fight one of the Sixes. From what she's been saying about "what we can do" and so forth, it seems like she almost believes herself to be a superhero type of person. Or maybe more of a supervillain. She is using her powers for evil, not for good. With great power comes great responsibility, and she's not exactly owning up to that, what with her throwing people out of airlocks willy nilly. Out of everyone, my guess is that she's the one who'll reveal herself to be a cylon first.
Anders. Oh, Anders. I just love you. He's the only one who seems to really just not care that he's a cylon. Maybe this is because he has someone to love who is more messed up than he is, maybe this is because he has actual friends who care about him, maybe because he hasn't lost everything dear to him - who knows. He hasn't let anything change who he is. All four of them agreed not to let anything change, but he's the only one who seems to be living up to that agreement. I'm wondering now if this is going to change about him as the season continues, that he'll start unhinging like the rest of them. If he loses Starbuck again, or if he tells her he's a cylon and she rejects him (this scenario would require her not shooting him like she said she would), this would probably change. Right now he has something to lose, and he's too focused on her to worry about himself.
The reason Starbuck is not a cylon: She keeps saying things like "my body feels like a shell" and "I can't feel anything" and stuff. Tory was saying a lot of the same things about herself too, which seems to indicate that Starbuck would be a cylon as well. Here's what I think, and I think it's probably one of the main themes of the show. Kara came back and everyone thought she had come back from the dead a la cylon resurrection ship, and they all but told her they suspected her of being a cylon. This got into her head and made her start doubting herself, and now she thinks maybe she could be a cylon. Now, going back to the agreement the Final Four made about how they were still the same people they always were and being a cylon hasn't changed anything - they're all having these same doubts about themselves. Tigh going to Six and asking to get beaten up, Tory's encounters with Baltar... neither of them had these problems with wondering if what they felt was real before they knew they were cylons. My theory is that it is all completely psychological. The Sixes seem to have this under control - she knows she's a cylon, but she also knows that everything she feels is real, and that she isn't actually that different from humans. We know through her that cylons are completely capable of feeling emotions. Therefore, the doubts about being able to "feel" are all in their heads. The Final Four have always believed that cylons were unfeeling machines, and therefore they think they shouldn't be able to feel. Starbuck has always believed the same way, and now that she suspects herself of possibly being a cylon, she thinks she probably shouldn't be feeling anything either. Starbuck's journey is a yet another illustration of how cylons and humans are actually extremely alike - they can trick themselves into feeling the same things.
Tigh. In the beginning, he said he had always been the same man he was, and just because he knew he was a cylon now didn't change any of the things he did in the past and he wasn't going to change now - or something to that effect. So far this season, though, and especially in the last episode, he seems to be doubting his resolve. At the beginning of the episode, when they were leaving Cally's service, and he was walking with Tory, the Chief stopped them both, expecting some kind of remorse shown by either of these people, the only ones who know his secret and thus the people he is forced to trust. I thought Tigh's reaction was strange - worrying more about himself than anyone else. Tigh has never been that emotional of a guy anyway, but he understands what it's like to lose someone and I feel like it would have made more sense for his cover for him to say "sorry for your loss" than to just try to leave without saying anything. His speech later on kind of canceled this out, I think. As for the whole thing with him going to visit Ellen!Six? I have no idea what to think about that. I don't know what was going on there. But it was really messed up. (Also: what male on this show hasn't kissed Tricia Helfer at this point?)
Tyrol. At first, I thought he was going to deal with this whole cylon thing a lot better than the rest, simply because he had a family to ground him - someone to love and care for. But then he started distancing himself from them, and ultimately he lost Cally because of that. Now I don't know what he's going to do. I'm worried about Nicky though... just from rumors I've heard about what could be the direction they go concerning him. The kid they've got playing him is absolutely adorable, though.
Tory. This lady has gone off her rocker... I think she's the only one that is really embracing her new identity. Especially now that she is "perfect," according to Baltar. She's a nymphomaniac and a sociopath. I want to see her fight one of the Sixes. From what she's been saying about "what we can do" and so forth, it seems like she almost believes herself to be a superhero type of person. Or maybe more of a supervillain. She is using her powers for evil, not for good. With great power comes great responsibility, and she's not exactly owning up to that, what with her throwing people out of airlocks willy nilly. Out of everyone, my guess is that she's the one who'll reveal herself to be a cylon first.
Anders. Oh, Anders. I just love you. He's the only one who seems to really just not care that he's a cylon. Maybe this is because he has someone to love who is more messed up than he is, maybe this is because he has actual friends who care about him, maybe because he hasn't lost everything dear to him - who knows. He hasn't let anything change who he is. All four of them agreed not to let anything change, but he's the only one who seems to be living up to that agreement. I'm wondering now if this is going to change about him as the season continues, that he'll start unhinging like the rest of them. If he loses Starbuck again, or if he tells her he's a cylon and she rejects him (this scenario would require her not shooting him like she said she would), this would probably change. Right now he has something to lose, and he's too focused on her to worry about himself.
The reason Starbuck is not a cylon: She keeps saying things like "my body feels like a shell" and "I can't feel anything" and stuff. Tory was saying a lot of the same things about herself too, which seems to indicate that Starbuck would be a cylon as well. Here's what I think, and I think it's probably one of the main themes of the show. Kara came back and everyone thought she had come back from the dead a la cylon resurrection ship, and they all but told her they suspected her of being a cylon. This got into her head and made her start doubting herself, and now she thinks maybe she could be a cylon. Now, going back to the agreement the Final Four made about how they were still the same people they always were and being a cylon hasn't changed anything - they're all having these same doubts about themselves. Tigh going to Six and asking to get beaten up, Tory's encounters with Baltar... neither of them had these problems with wondering if what they felt was real before they knew they were cylons. My theory is that it is all completely psychological. The Sixes seem to have this under control - she knows she's a cylon, but she also knows that everything she feels is real, and that she isn't actually that different from humans. We know through her that cylons are completely capable of feeling emotions. Therefore, the doubts about being able to "feel" are all in their heads. The Final Four have always believed that cylons were unfeeling machines, and therefore they think they shouldn't be able to feel. Starbuck has always believed the same way, and now that she suspects herself of possibly being a cylon, she thinks she probably shouldn't be feeling anything either. Starbuck's journey is a yet another illustration of how cylons and humans are actually extremely alike - they can trick themselves into feeling the same things.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Greenpeace remembers that.
Haha... okay, um, wow. I don't really know what I think about this movie. I had never even heard of it until the other night when they showed a preview during Lost... and half the people I was watching with thought it looked amazing and the other half thought it looked stupid. I totally understand both perspectives. I'll probably see it though... Jason Bateman is in it, I like Will Smith, and the special effects at least look great.
Doctor Who 4x04: "The Sontaran Strategem"
How long has it been since Martha and the Doctor saw each other?
Okay, UNIT is cool, probably cooler than Torchwood because they seem like they actually know what they're doing.
"Donna, by the way, Donna Noble, since you didn't ask. I'll have a salute."
I'm glad Martha found someone. I heard about how she did on Torchwood, and how this guy had saved her life or whatever, but I thought it would just be some random guy at UNIT. Turns out it was that doctor guy she met during The Year That Never Was, and then looked him up afterwards, after his death had been reversed. So I'm now wondering whether he even remembers that he saved her life... not like it matters, because she knows he would do it again.
Martha: "That's why I thought we needed an expert."
The Doctor: "Really? Who'd you get? (long pause) Oh right! Me, yes."
I love when the Doctor puts his glasses on.
Whoa, the thing in the water is totally disturbing. Especially the mouth. I'm impressed with how actually intelligent these two random soldier guys are. Too bad they're about to bite it.
I like Martha standing up to the Doctor after he bitched at the guy holding a gun, I forget his name. The Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart of the new UNIT.
Martha still waxes eloquent on her "ex" for someone who's engaged to someone else. That's kind of annoying.
You know how British people get annoyed when movies get Americans to do British accents for stuff? Well, I get annoyed when they get British people to do American accents for stuff. Like with this Luke Rattigan kid. He's not really American, FYI. I looked the actor up on IMDB. Whine whine whine over something miniscule and unimportant.
Oh my gosh, please give the Doctor a car to drive. I want to see him drive a car. I think it would be so funny.
Donna, come on. Stop with the "I'm going home" psych outs. I know you're going to be here the whole season. OH - HAHAHA. Okay never mind. That was really funny. "...You're just popping home for a visit, that's what you mean. And then you're coming back." Donna did make it sound like she was leaving for real though. And she didn't stop him after he went off on his little speech.
OHHH... so in the taxi in Partners in Crime, the thing in the window was the Atmos sticker. Which is part of the Sontarans' little plan to take over the world, revealed in this episode.
I love Donna's grandpa.
The Doctor is like a kid in a candystore with this genius school place.
Sontaran: "We have an intruder!"
The Doctor: "How did he get in? In-tru da window?"
Okay, that was the worst pun ever.
EW. Those things ARE clones. I wanted to say that at the beginning because I thought of that movie The Sixth Day, the clones look like that. And now there's a MARTHA clone. Gross.
Oh please. Like the Doctor would ever die by drowning in a car that drove itself into a river. Anyone who thinks he'd be defeated so easily has never watched this show.
HAHA! I liked when the Doctor and Wilf met. Donna: "And you NEVER SAID?"
The Sontaran chant at the end disturbed me.
To be continued...
Okay, UNIT is cool, probably cooler than Torchwood because they seem like they actually know what they're doing.
"Donna, by the way, Donna Noble, since you didn't ask. I'll have a salute."
I'm glad Martha found someone. I heard about how she did on Torchwood, and how this guy had saved her life or whatever, but I thought it would just be some random guy at UNIT. Turns out it was that doctor guy she met during The Year That Never Was, and then looked him up afterwards, after his death had been reversed. So I'm now wondering whether he even remembers that he saved her life... not like it matters, because she knows he would do it again.
Martha: "That's why I thought we needed an expert."
The Doctor: "Really? Who'd you get? (long pause) Oh right! Me, yes."
I love when the Doctor puts his glasses on.
Whoa, the thing in the water is totally disturbing. Especially the mouth. I'm impressed with how actually intelligent these two random soldier guys are. Too bad they're about to bite it.
I like Martha standing up to the Doctor after he bitched at the guy holding a gun, I forget his name. The Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart of the new UNIT.
Martha still waxes eloquent on her "ex" for someone who's engaged to someone else. That's kind of annoying.
You know how British people get annoyed when movies get Americans to do British accents for stuff? Well, I get annoyed when they get British people to do American accents for stuff. Like with this Luke Rattigan kid. He's not really American, FYI. I looked the actor up on IMDB. Whine whine whine over something miniscule and unimportant.
Oh my gosh, please give the Doctor a car to drive. I want to see him drive a car. I think it would be so funny.
Donna, come on. Stop with the "I'm going home" psych outs. I know you're going to be here the whole season. OH - HAHAHA. Okay never mind. That was really funny. "...You're just popping home for a visit, that's what you mean. And then you're coming back." Donna did make it sound like she was leaving for real though. And she didn't stop him after he went off on his little speech.
OHHH... so in the taxi in Partners in Crime, the thing in the window was the Atmos sticker. Which is part of the Sontarans' little plan to take over the world, revealed in this episode.
I love Donna's grandpa.
The Doctor is like a kid in a candystore with this genius school place.
Sontaran: "We have an intruder!"
The Doctor: "How did he get in? In-tru da window?"
Okay, that was the worst pun ever.
EW. Those things ARE clones. I wanted to say that at the beginning because I thought of that movie The Sixth Day, the clones look like that. And now there's a MARTHA clone. Gross.
Oh please. Like the Doctor would ever die by drowning in a car that drove itself into a river. Anyone who thinks he'd be defeated so easily has never watched this show.
HAHA! I liked when the Doctor and Wilf met. Donna: "And you NEVER SAID?"
The Sontaran chant at the end disturbed me.
To be continued...
Battlestar Galactica 4x06: "Escape Velocity"
I'm really bored with Lee.
Tigh is is my least favorite character in anything I've ever seen or read.
Am I supposed to feel this much sympathy for Gaius Baltar at this point? His speech at the end kind of put me off a little, about the perfect stuff, and the crowd's reaction was weird, but still.
Tyrol better not kill his baby.
Starbuck does not look too great.
That's all I have to say about this episode.
Tigh is is my least favorite character in anything I've ever seen or read.
Am I supposed to feel this much sympathy for Gaius Baltar at this point? His speech at the end kind of put me off a little, about the perfect stuff, and the crowd's reaction was weird, but still.
Tyrol better not kill his baby.
Starbuck does not look too great.
That's all I have to say about this episode.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Lost 4x09: "The Shape of Things to Come"
Open letter to Benjamin Linus: Don't you even THINK about laying a HAND on Penelope Whidmore. If you do... well, I would hunt you down myself if I didn't know Desmond wouldn't be way ahead of me.
Open letter to the Smoke Monster: Is there anything on American television more fantastic than you are? You... complete me.
I got sad when Claire woke up and called Sawyer Charlie. I thought she was dead for sure... I am still not totally sure how she survived that. How awesome was Sawyer this episode, though? Seriously awesome? Yes. I love how he actually cares about people now. Such a big change.
Most horrible thing ever: "She means nothing to me. She's a pawn, nothing more" - the last thing Alex heard her dad say before she died.
What was with Ben in the Sahara Desert with a coat on? He has some kind of way of transporting himself there. Like that polar bear they found.
I wanted to laugh when Jack started crying or whatever. I think I understand that the prescription meds (warning: addiction imminent) are messing with him, and obviously he's sick of being on the island, but still. That was a bit much.
Previews: Jack has a nervous breakdown. His appendix bursts. Everyone thinks he's gonna die. Unnecessary drama is caused because everyone watching already knows he makes it off the island. Here's a theory... maybe he caused his appendix to burst, so he could get them to take him back to the boat because of a medical emergency. He's a doctor, he might know how to do that. I wouldn't put it past him.
Open letter to the Smoke Monster: Is there anything on American television more fantastic than you are? You... complete me.
I got sad when Claire woke up and called Sawyer Charlie. I thought she was dead for sure... I am still not totally sure how she survived that. How awesome was Sawyer this episode, though? Seriously awesome? Yes. I love how he actually cares about people now. Such a big change.
Most horrible thing ever: "She means nothing to me. She's a pawn, nothing more" - the last thing Alex heard her dad say before she died.
What was with Ben in the Sahara Desert with a coat on? He has some kind of way of transporting himself there. Like that polar bear they found.
I wanted to laugh when Jack started crying or whatever. I think I understand that the prescription meds (warning: addiction imminent) are messing with him, and obviously he's sick of being on the island, but still. That was a bit much.
Previews: Jack has a nervous breakdown. His appendix bursts. Everyone thinks he's gonna die. Unnecessary drama is caused because everyone watching already knows he makes it off the island. Here's a theory... maybe he caused his appendix to burst, so he could get them to take him back to the boat because of a medical emergency. He's a doctor, he might know how to do that. I wouldn't put it past him.
Doctor Who Ranting, Speculation, and Spoilers through "Planet of the Ood."
For the love of God. David Tennant is not going to regenerate at the end of this season. He's coming back for all of 2009, for three specials or whatever it is. He's said it like a million times, okay? When the Ood said "Your song will end soon," he is NOT talking about that. That is ridiculous. He is OBVIOUSLY talking about Rose. I wish I knew that someone was reading this who cared about the amount of thought I have put into this. Whatever, I'm writing it anyway.
Remember in series three, in the third episode, they ran into the Face of Boe, and he was like "you are not alone" to the Doctor? And it seemed like, oh, that's a good thing! He's not alone! Maybe there are more Time Lords or something! That would be a good thing right? Because now he won't be depressed that he's all by himself? Yeah! Good! But then at the end of the series - no. No, it was actually bad. It was the Master, and he took over the world, and everyone on Earth was oppressed, and Jack got killed every day, and Martha's family was forced to work as servants for the Master, and the Doctor was even more depressed after his "I was a Time Lord Dobby*" incident. And then the Master ended up getting killed which depressed the Doctor even more, because then he really was alone again - he lost everything all over again. But that is beside the point.
The point is - this was the third episode again, and we get this little warning like "oh, something might happen to you" only this time it sounds ominous and worrying but I'm pretty sure it's the exact opposite of that.
One of the things I love about this show is how thoroughly they (usually) tie things together. And one of the best ways they do that is with the music. Everything they do with the soundtrack is so intentional, and as a result it ends up being absolutely gorgeous and enhancing the show in ways soundtracks haven't done before, to my knowledge at least. The most obvious examples are the songs with words - Song For Ten, Love Don't Roam, and The Stowaway. Each of these songs were from the Christmas specials, and they carried some kind of meaning for the season that was to follow.
Song For Ten was obviously about the new Doctor, and it plays at the end while the Doctor is sitting with Rose and her family for Christmas dinner. The song says "I wish today was just like every other day, because today has been the best day" - he gets the domestic family time he never got to have before. It's very sweet and romantic, but then at the end of the song - something I didn't notice at first, because I was being unobservant - "well I woke up today, and you're on the other side. Our time will never come again" and then "but if you can still dream, close your eyes, it will seem that you can see me now and then." This is obviously a reference to what happens at the end of S2, when Rose gets trapped in the parallel universe.
Love Don't Roam doesn't have any obvious plot points in it, but it is a song about the Doctor not letting his love stray from Rose. This is exactly what happened, because even though Martha was a perfectly good companion (I'm being objective), and she loved him, he couldn't love her back, because his love had already been fixed. The song set the tone for S3, which was that the Doctor was still profoundly affected by losing Rose, and he got a lot more dangerous than he ever would have if Rose was there - she would never have let him get that far gone. If you've seen S3 you must have noticed how much darker he was in terms of how he dealt with the various villains - Human Nature/Family of Blood comes to mind. And at one point, he even asks to be killed, screaming "it's my turn" at a dalek. The song didn't allude to any of these things directly, but the overall idea of the Doctor's love not roaming from Rose in any respect was important. Here's my theory: because he had lost Rose, he couldn't really, truly love anything or anyone. He was ruthless because his love couldn't be spared for anyone but Rose.
The Stowaway is much more blatant than the other two songs. It's from Astrid's perspective, talking about finding a stowaway on her ship. The entire song is about how the Doctor more or less used Astrid as a substitute for Rose. Or, as the song puts it, "his love." And the chorus goes "Borrow or steal, I'll find a way to be with my lover upon Christmas day." And well, this is all speculation of course, but what with all the Rose Returning moments we've been getting so far in S4, I'm thinking this Christmas is going to be a lot better for the Doctor. Or so I hope.
Finally... I have to talk about the Doomsday song. Firstly, this is my favorite song on either of the soundtracks, rivaled only by "This is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home" on the S3 soundtrack. They have played this song twice so far in S4 - very briefly either time, but it was there. The first time, it was when Rose made her surprise appearance in "Partners in Crime." When she turned around after Donna leaves, the pulsing piano beat plays, the driving force of the song that plays through the entire thing, representing her heartbeat. The second time this song plays is in "Planet of the Ood," when the Doctor is talking to the Ood for the last time. The Doctor says he has "a song of his own," and the singing part of Doomsday plays, the part that I now believe represents the Doctor's song of sorrow and his desperate cry for his "shining star." And that's when the Ood says, "I think your song must end soon." My opinion (which is extremely widespread among people who care about this sort of thing) is that the two parts of the song are separate because they are separated. The Ood saying that this song will end soon is pretty obviously saying that Rose is coming back, and he won't have to be sad anymore. And I'm basically dying in anticipation of this finally happening.
*I stole that from someone on LiveJournal... I thought it was too hilarious to not use here.
Remember in series three, in the third episode, they ran into the Face of Boe, and he was like "you are not alone" to the Doctor? And it seemed like, oh, that's a good thing! He's not alone! Maybe there are more Time Lords or something! That would be a good thing right? Because now he won't be depressed that he's all by himself? Yeah! Good! But then at the end of the series - no. No, it was actually bad. It was the Master, and he took over the world, and everyone on Earth was oppressed, and Jack got killed every day, and Martha's family was forced to work as servants for the Master, and the Doctor was even more depressed after his "I was a Time Lord Dobby*" incident. And then the Master ended up getting killed which depressed the Doctor even more, because then he really was alone again - he lost everything all over again. But that is beside the point.
The point is - this was the third episode again, and we get this little warning like "oh, something might happen to you" only this time it sounds ominous and worrying but I'm pretty sure it's the exact opposite of that.
One of the things I love about this show is how thoroughly they (usually) tie things together. And one of the best ways they do that is with the music. Everything they do with the soundtrack is so intentional, and as a result it ends up being absolutely gorgeous and enhancing the show in ways soundtracks haven't done before, to my knowledge at least. The most obvious examples are the songs with words - Song For Ten, Love Don't Roam, and The Stowaway. Each of these songs were from the Christmas specials, and they carried some kind of meaning for the season that was to follow.
Song For Ten was obviously about the new Doctor, and it plays at the end while the Doctor is sitting with Rose and her family for Christmas dinner. The song says "I wish today was just like every other day, because today has been the best day" - he gets the domestic family time he never got to have before. It's very sweet and romantic, but then at the end of the song - something I didn't notice at first, because I was being unobservant - "well I woke up today, and you're on the other side. Our time will never come again" and then "but if you can still dream, close your eyes, it will seem that you can see me now and then." This is obviously a reference to what happens at the end of S2, when Rose gets trapped in the parallel universe.
Love Don't Roam doesn't have any obvious plot points in it, but it is a song about the Doctor not letting his love stray from Rose. This is exactly what happened, because even though Martha was a perfectly good companion (I'm being objective), and she loved him, he couldn't love her back, because his love had already been fixed. The song set the tone for S3, which was that the Doctor was still profoundly affected by losing Rose, and he got a lot more dangerous than he ever would have if Rose was there - she would never have let him get that far gone. If you've seen S3 you must have noticed how much darker he was in terms of how he dealt with the various villains - Human Nature/Family of Blood comes to mind. And at one point, he even asks to be killed, screaming "it's my turn" at a dalek. The song didn't allude to any of these things directly, but the overall idea of the Doctor's love not roaming from Rose in any respect was important. Here's my theory: because he had lost Rose, he couldn't really, truly love anything or anyone. He was ruthless because his love couldn't be spared for anyone but Rose.
The Stowaway is much more blatant than the other two songs. It's from Astrid's perspective, talking about finding a stowaway on her ship. The entire song is about how the Doctor more or less used Astrid as a substitute for Rose. Or, as the song puts it, "his love." And the chorus goes "Borrow or steal, I'll find a way to be with my lover upon Christmas day." And well, this is all speculation of course, but what with all the Rose Returning moments we've been getting so far in S4, I'm thinking this Christmas is going to be a lot better for the Doctor. Or so I hope.
Finally... I have to talk about the Doomsday song. Firstly, this is my favorite song on either of the soundtracks, rivaled only by "This is Gallifrey: Our Childhood, Our Home" on the S3 soundtrack. They have played this song twice so far in S4 - very briefly either time, but it was there. The first time, it was when Rose made her surprise appearance in "Partners in Crime." When she turned around after Donna leaves, the pulsing piano beat plays, the driving force of the song that plays through the entire thing, representing her heartbeat. The second time this song plays is in "Planet of the Ood," when the Doctor is talking to the Ood for the last time. The Doctor says he has "a song of his own," and the singing part of Doomsday plays, the part that I now believe represents the Doctor's song of sorrow and his desperate cry for his "shining star." And that's when the Ood says, "I think your song must end soon." My opinion (which is extremely widespread among people who care about this sort of thing) is that the two parts of the song are separate because they are separated. The Ood saying that this song will end soon is pretty obviously saying that Rose is coming back, and he won't have to be sad anymore. And I'm basically dying in anticipation of this finally happening.
*I stole that from someone on LiveJournal... I thought it was too hilarious to not use here.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
hey look guys
It's another Chronicle of Narnia.
Here's a fun fact: there's going to be a Switchfoot song at the end of the movie, during the credits I guess. They just filmed the video for it, and the guy who directed it went to Baylor. Cool huh? Just say yes.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Guess what I found on Hulu?
The entire first season of Babylon 5. Wooo! Now I don't have to Netflix it!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Doctor Who 4x03: "Planet of the Ood"
Alternate post title: "Ood have thought it?"
I'll fill this in more later, once I've watched the episode. But I would like to draw everyone's attention to this non-spoilery blog post from my blog a year ago, and you should maybe keep it in mind when you watch this episode. It might be important.
By the way they also mentioned this in Partners in Crime.
ETA:
I like the Ood. When they aren't possessed, they're really sweet.
I think I've decided that I'm in favor of the new theme song because the strings get a more awesome part.
"Set the controls to random" - how is that different from every other time he lands the TARDIS somewhere.
Doctor: "I can always take you home..."
Donna: "Don't laugh at me."
"Now that's what I call a spaceship. You've got a box, he's got a ferrari."
I like how he actually started to repeat his little inspirational speech about Donna when she came back out of the TARDIS.
The Doctor can hear the soundtrack!
The Second Great and Bountiful Human Empire stretches out among three galaxies. That's cool.
Oh, there's the bees reference. They're disappearing. Doctor, if you increase the bee population more than necessary, you'll probably lose some points with me.
I have a really serious issue with the Ood slavery. I understand that they "live to serve" or whatever, but that doesn't mean they deserve to be bullied and abused and whipped if they fall down. Come on. They live to serve, but they should be treated much better than this. They aren't cattle, they're sentient. I'm getting worked up over fictional aliens being mistreated.
"Is that why you travel around with a human at your side? Not so you can show them the universe, but so you can take cheap shots? Well don't, spaceman." I love when Donna puts the Doctor in his place. Pretty sure he likes it too.
OMG, the Doctor is going to get picked up by the claw. That is hilarious but also extremely screwed up. The guy controlling it is kind of sadistic about it. He was the guy I was getting pissed at for whipping the Ood. Why is that claw thing there anyway? What is that even for? It doesn't look big enough to pick up the Ood containers.
I think this guy's hair loss is a little more than "stress."
The Doctor is slightly psychic apparently. He's going to mind meld with Donna. I read a fan fiction once where the Doctor said Gene Roddenberry traveled with him and stole a bunch of real things to put in his show, and Mr. Spock was based on him. It was funny. Yes, I read Doctor Who fan fiction. You're missing out.
Okay, let me explain to you the situation I'm in right now. I'm watching this episode in clips on youtube, and in the third part, the Doctor and Donna find some natural born Ood in a cage somewhere on this compound. And these Ood are enslaved against their will, so the Doctor is trying to befriend them. They're all holding something, and he asks them what it is. One of the Ood holds it out to him and just as he starts to open his hands... the clip was over.
Okay. So the Ood hold their brains? That's... interesting.
I'm assuming this episode happens after the Impossible Planet episodes. Because if it was before, the Doctor freeing the Ood (presumably that's the outcome of this whole thing) would screw up the timeline.
I love how the Doctor says "oh yes!" It's um... adorable. Okay, so maybe that's a David Tennant thing. Still. I love it. He did it several times in this episode.
The guy with the hair loss is turning into an Ood or something like that. Am I right...? HAHA! I AM. WOW. GROSSEST THING EVER.
The Ood music is really beautiful. Kudos to Murray Gold.
AHHH - WHAT?! "Your song must end soon" and then they played some of the Doomsday music. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!!!!!!
Oh great, Martha comes back next week. Fantastic. The Sontarans are also back though which should be interesting... another classic villain brought in for the upgrade. The cool factor of that might cancel out the Martha thing. I'm sorry, but I can't like her. It's not just the "she's not Rose" thing anymore. I just... I don't like her. I don't think she's a good actress and her character is annoying. She wasn't bad on Torchwood, but... the preview from this episode? Yeah, not promising. Maybe that should be blamed on the writing though, because the line was idiotic. "Doctor? It's Martha. And I'm bringing you back to Earth." What? I'm pretty sure he does what he wants. You're not bringing him anywhere. Whatever, maybe it won't be that bad. I will do my best to get over it.
I'll fill this in more later, once I've watched the episode. But I would like to draw everyone's attention to this non-spoilery blog post from my blog a year ago, and you should maybe keep it in mind when you watch this episode. It might be important.
By the way they also mentioned this in Partners in Crime.
ETA:
I like the Ood. When they aren't possessed, they're really sweet.
I think I've decided that I'm in favor of the new theme song because the strings get a more awesome part.
"Set the controls to random" - how is that different from every other time he lands the TARDIS somewhere.
Doctor: "I can always take you home..."
Donna: "Don't laugh at me."
"Now that's what I call a spaceship. You've got a box, he's got a ferrari."
I like how he actually started to repeat his little inspirational speech about Donna when she came back out of the TARDIS.
The Doctor can hear the soundtrack!
The Second Great and Bountiful Human Empire stretches out among three galaxies. That's cool.
Oh, there's the bees reference. They're disappearing. Doctor, if you increase the bee population more than necessary, you'll probably lose some points with me.
I have a really serious issue with the Ood slavery. I understand that they "live to serve" or whatever, but that doesn't mean they deserve to be bullied and abused and whipped if they fall down. Come on. They live to serve, but they should be treated much better than this. They aren't cattle, they're sentient. I'm getting worked up over fictional aliens being mistreated.
"Is that why you travel around with a human at your side? Not so you can show them the universe, but so you can take cheap shots? Well don't, spaceman." I love when Donna puts the Doctor in his place. Pretty sure he likes it too.
OMG, the Doctor is going to get picked up by the claw. That is hilarious but also extremely screwed up. The guy controlling it is kind of sadistic about it. He was the guy I was getting pissed at for whipping the Ood. Why is that claw thing there anyway? What is that even for? It doesn't look big enough to pick up the Ood containers.
I think this guy's hair loss is a little more than "stress."
The Doctor is slightly psychic apparently. He's going to mind meld with Donna. I read a fan fiction once where the Doctor said Gene Roddenberry traveled with him and stole a bunch of real things to put in his show, and Mr. Spock was based on him. It was funny. Yes, I read Doctor Who fan fiction. You're missing out.
Okay, let me explain to you the situation I'm in right now. I'm watching this episode in clips on youtube, and in the third part, the Doctor and Donna find some natural born Ood in a cage somewhere on this compound. And these Ood are enslaved against their will, so the Doctor is trying to befriend them. They're all holding something, and he asks them what it is. One of the Ood holds it out to him and just as he starts to open his hands... the clip was over.
Okay. So the Ood hold their brains? That's... interesting.
I'm assuming this episode happens after the Impossible Planet episodes. Because if it was before, the Doctor freeing the Ood (presumably that's the outcome of this whole thing) would screw up the timeline.
I love how the Doctor says "oh yes!" It's um... adorable. Okay, so maybe that's a David Tennant thing. Still. I love it. He did it several times in this episode.
The guy with the hair loss is turning into an Ood or something like that. Am I right...? HAHA! I AM. WOW. GROSSEST THING EVER.
The Ood music is really beautiful. Kudos to Murray Gold.
AHHH - WHAT?! "Your song must end soon" and then they played some of the Doomsday music. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!!!!!!
Oh great, Martha comes back next week. Fantastic. The Sontarans are also back though which should be interesting... another classic villain brought in for the upgrade. The cool factor of that might cancel out the Martha thing. I'm sorry, but I can't like her. It's not just the "she's not Rose" thing anymore. I just... I don't like her. I don't think she's a good actress and her character is annoying. She wasn't bad on Torchwood, but... the preview from this episode? Yeah, not promising. Maybe that should be blamed on the writing though, because the line was idiotic. "Doctor? It's Martha. And I'm bringing you back to Earth." What? I'm pretty sure he does what he wants. You're not bringing him anywhere. Whatever, maybe it won't be that bad. I will do my best to get over it.
Battlestar Galactica 4x05: "The Ties That Bind"
Here's my problem with Lee not being a pilot anymore: this was the end of the world. They don't have very many pilots anymore. You would think they need all they can get. You would NOT think they would just be all "oh, yeah, that's fine if you retire, you're only one of the best viper pilots we have... you go on and chase your little political dream."
Boomer is making out with Brother Cavill. That is slightly horrifying.
Why did Cally throw up? I'd be pissed if I caught my husband at a bar with some other chick in the middle of the night when he could be helping me raise our child but I don't think I would throw up because of it. So she must be sick or something.
I'm confused. I thought Kara was all by herself but apparently a bunch of viper pilots are with her. What's the point of that?
Anders is a freakin' saint for putting up with Kara. Seriously.
I'm pretty sure this thing with Lee is just an excuse to get more of the political aspect of the fleet into the storyline. And I've heard theories that he might become president eventually.
CALLY he isn't cheating on you, he's a cylon. It's much better. Also, you're an idiot for leaving your toddler alone in your quarters.
Torrey needs to brush her hair. She always looked nice before but ever since she found out she's a cylon she's been all frazzled. Why hasn't someone asked her what the deal is?
Is Cally seriously going to space herself and her baby? Good thing Torrey came and thwarted that little plan...
Okay, actually, maybe not. Torrey seems to be embracing her cylon-ness. She certainly didn't have a problem spacing Cally... probably because she knew about them being cylons. I'm just glad nothing happened to the baby. That would have been messed up, even for this show.
Boomer is making out with Brother Cavill. That is slightly horrifying.
Why did Cally throw up? I'd be pissed if I caught my husband at a bar with some other chick in the middle of the night when he could be helping me raise our child but I don't think I would throw up because of it. So she must be sick or something.
I'm confused. I thought Kara was all by herself but apparently a bunch of viper pilots are with her. What's the point of that?
Anders is a freakin' saint for putting up with Kara. Seriously.
I'm pretty sure this thing with Lee is just an excuse to get more of the political aspect of the fleet into the storyline. And I've heard theories that he might become president eventually.
CALLY he isn't cheating on you, he's a cylon. It's much better. Also, you're an idiot for leaving your toddler alone in your quarters.
Torrey needs to brush her hair. She always looked nice before but ever since she found out she's a cylon she's been all frazzled. Why hasn't someone asked her what the deal is?
Is Cally seriously going to space herself and her baby? Good thing Torrey came and thwarted that little plan...
Okay, actually, maybe not. Torrey seems to be embracing her cylon-ness. She certainly didn't have a problem spacing Cally... probably because she knew about them being cylons. I'm just glad nothing happened to the baby. That would have been messed up, even for this show.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Retro Who Report
I love Doctor Who, don't get me wrong, but the classic show is the purest kind of science fiction crack that ever aired on television. I'm watching The Ark in Space. The first part was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Here is a basic rundown of what happened.
The Doctor, Sarah Jane, and Harry Sullivan land on a deserted space station. There's not very much air. The first five minutes are devoted to the Doctor using the sonic screwdriver to turn the air on. Then Sarah Jane gets trapped in another room that has the air vents turned off. She passes out. The Doctor and Harry come in and try to turn the air on in this room, but then they get trapped in there too. Just as the Doctor is about to pass out, he does some more sonic screwdriver magic and the air starts flowing into the room. Sarah Jane is extremely weak from this experience and has to lie down on this bed that is mysteriously in this control room. There's another five minutes.
Harry and the Doctor try to leave this room to go do... something, but they are thwarted when a robotic security system comes down from the ceiling and tries to zap them. They hide behind a conveniently placed 70s style endtable. Crawling underneath it, they manage move it around to the other side of the room to get to the control panel to turn off the security robot. In the process, the Doctor's hat, scarf, and both of Harry's shoes get fried.
Meanwhile, Sarah Jane has been magically transported elsewhere on the space station and gets cryogenically frozen. She hears soothing voices telling her about how she has been chosen and other stuff like that. It takes Harry and the Doctor kind of a while to notice she's missing. When they do, they start wandering around the station looking for her. In the hallway, they find some slimy green stuff that looks like wet saran wrap on the ground. It is leftover from a giant caterpillar that Harry saw briefly. They decide it is not worth discussing further and they move on.
They discover that this space station is where humanity has tried to preserve itself from some disaster that has befallen the earth. They go into a room with a bunch of people in plastic stasis pods. Harry starts opening them, and somehow this doesn't affect the people at all. Suddenly, Harry discovers Sarah Jane in one of these pod things. "We can't help her now!" he says. "No, she'll be like that for three thousand years at least. Even if we had a resuscitation unit, it's doubtful we could revive her now," says the Doctor. "There must be something we can do!" says Harry. "What would a resuscitation unit look like?" He starts opening cupboards, and then, SUDDENLY:
The Doctor, Sarah Jane, and Harry Sullivan land on a deserted space station. There's not very much air. The first five minutes are devoted to the Doctor using the sonic screwdriver to turn the air on. Then Sarah Jane gets trapped in another room that has the air vents turned off. She passes out. The Doctor and Harry come in and try to turn the air on in this room, but then they get trapped in there too. Just as the Doctor is about to pass out, he does some more sonic screwdriver magic and the air starts flowing into the room. Sarah Jane is extremely weak from this experience and has to lie down on this bed that is mysteriously in this control room. There's another five minutes.
Harry and the Doctor try to leave this room to go do... something, but they are thwarted when a robotic security system comes down from the ceiling and tries to zap them. They hide behind a conveniently placed 70s style endtable. Crawling underneath it, they manage move it around to the other side of the room to get to the control panel to turn off the security robot. In the process, the Doctor's hat, scarf, and both of Harry's shoes get fried.
Meanwhile, Sarah Jane has been magically transported elsewhere on the space station and gets cryogenically frozen. She hears soothing voices telling her about how she has been chosen and other stuff like that. It takes Harry and the Doctor kind of a while to notice she's missing. When they do, they start wandering around the station looking for her. In the hallway, they find some slimy green stuff that looks like wet saran wrap on the ground. It is leftover from a giant caterpillar that Harry saw briefly. They decide it is not worth discussing further and they move on.
They discover that this space station is where humanity has tried to preserve itself from some disaster that has befallen the earth. They go into a room with a bunch of people in plastic stasis pods. Harry starts opening them, and somehow this doesn't affect the people at all. Suddenly, Harry discovers Sarah Jane in one of these pod things. "We can't help her now!" he says. "No, she'll be like that for three thousand years at least. Even if we had a resuscitation unit, it's doubtful we could revive her now," says the Doctor. "There must be something we can do!" says Harry. "What would a resuscitation unit look like?" He starts opening cupboards, and then, SUDDENLY:
The Sarah John Adventures
HAHAHA! Oh man! I crack myself up!
Basically this post was an excuse to use that as the title. But to make it more substantial, here is a link to an article about The Sarah Jane Adventures. I have yet to watch any of this show... I'm not sure if I ever will, but, you know, just letting you know it exists.
Basically this post was an excuse to use that as the title. But to make it more substantial, here is a link to an article about The Sarah Jane Adventures. I have yet to watch any of this show... I'm not sure if I ever will, but, you know, just letting you know it exists.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Doctor Who 4x02: "The Fires of Pompeii"
I don't really think their clothes wouldn't attract weird looks. But whatever.
I like the music in this episode.
I feel smart because I know what Vestal Virgins are thanks to my Classical Mythology class.
I love Donna... I love their bickering.
"I am... Spartacus." "And so am I." AWESOME. Lots of great lines in this episode.
Whoa, this battle of the soothsayers is pretty crazy. I think the Doctor agrees... "She is returning." Hmm, I wonder who that might be referring to... WINK. Also, what was that about Donna having something on her back?
I always get nervous whenever the Doctor and his companion are separated. Judging from the previews for this episode, my fears are not unfounded.
Wasn't there a disease where people turned to stone in New Earth? I can't remember what it was called.
The only gun the Doctor would have on him WOULD be a water gun.... that's great.
This episode was pretty brutal at the end. I'm glad Donna is there for the Doctor now, and I'm glad he's glad about it too. I wasn't surprised at all to see who their new household gods were. I'm pretty much over the religious symbolism though. It wouldn't bother me so much here if they hadn't completely overdone it in Voyage of the Damned. It makes slightly more sense here because of the religious system of ancient Rome, but still. I knew they'd have some kind of shrine thing to them. I just knew it.
I like the music in this episode.
I feel smart because I know what Vestal Virgins are thanks to my Classical Mythology class.
I love Donna... I love their bickering.
"I am... Spartacus." "And so am I." AWESOME. Lots of great lines in this episode.
Whoa, this battle of the soothsayers is pretty crazy. I think the Doctor agrees... "She is returning." Hmm, I wonder who that might be referring to... WINK. Also, what was that about Donna having something on her back?
I always get nervous whenever the Doctor and his companion are separated. Judging from the previews for this episode, my fears are not unfounded.
Wasn't there a disease where people turned to stone in New Earth? I can't remember what it was called.
The only gun the Doctor would have on him WOULD be a water gun.... that's great.
This episode was pretty brutal at the end. I'm glad Donna is there for the Doctor now, and I'm glad he's glad about it too. I wasn't surprised at all to see who their new household gods were. I'm pretty much over the religious symbolism though. It wouldn't bother me so much here if they hadn't completely overdone it in Voyage of the Damned. It makes slightly more sense here because of the religious system of ancient Rome, but still. I knew they'd have some kind of shrine thing to them. I just knew it.
Battlestar Galactica 4x04: "Six of One"
Why didn't it occur to anyone earlier to send Kara out into space on a ship to see if she can find Earth again? I mean... this seems like a pretty simple solution, and they don't risk the whole fleet. I thought of this halfway through the episode and didn't understand why it took so long for anyone else to think of it.
Lee: "Besides, I never really could say no to anything."
Kara: "Except me."
Um... Kara, remember how Lee was like, "hey, let's just finally be together, you tell Anders and I'll tell Dee and everything will finally be right" and then as soon as you woke up you went and married Anders instead? I'm pretty sure you were the one saying no there. But - they kissed. That was wonderful.
Anders looks so nice in uniform.
This cylon civil war thing is going to get interesting.
My favorite thing this episode: "Oh my giddy aunt." Gaius has reached a new level of crazy. I love when he talks to "himself." Here are those clips for your viewing enjoyment.
Lee: "Besides, I never really could say no to anything."
Kara: "Except me."
Um... Kara, remember how Lee was like, "hey, let's just finally be together, you tell Anders and I'll tell Dee and everything will finally be right" and then as soon as you woke up you went and married Anders instead? I'm pretty sure you were the one saying no there. But - they kissed. That was wonderful.
Anders looks so nice in uniform.
This cylon civil war thing is going to get interesting.
My favorite thing this episode: "Oh my giddy aunt." Gaius has reached a new level of crazy. I love when he talks to "himself." Here are those clips for your viewing enjoyment.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
New Amsterdam 1x01: Pilot Episode
A man who can't die... I have never heard that premise for a TV show before. Seriously though - John Amsterdam needs to get together with Jack Harkness and hang out. Jack would probably like him. A lot. I'm just saying. They can share death stories.
Okay, so here are the things I don't like about this show:
1. "You won't die until you find your soulmate." That... is stupid. And very, very Hollywood.
2. Eva, John's partner.
3. I wish there were aliens.
John goes to visit an old lady he once had a thing with. He did not have Jack's foresight and neglected to make up a story about being the son of the man the old lady used to love. That would have been a good idea.
I like John Amsterdam and his show... he's interesting. But I'd like this show even more if it wasn't just a straight version of Jack Harkness playing at Law and Order. Overall, though, I really do like this show and I'll keep watching it. It's an interesting and different take on a guy living forever. In Torchwood, Jack has to deal with the people he loves dying before he does... in New Amsterdam, John is spending his immortality looking for the love of his life so he can become mortal. It's corny, but different and I guess potentially less angsty.
Basically, I'm going to watch the rest of the episodes this show has had (first season and it may or may not get renewed, thanks a lot, WGA - oh, and also it's on FOX, who cancels everything) and every episode is going to be comparing it to Torchwood. OK?
Music watch: The Decemberists and Death Cab For Cutie were both featured in this episode. (OMG SELLOUTS)
Okay, so here are the things I don't like about this show:
1. "You won't die until you find your soulmate." That... is stupid. And very, very Hollywood.
2. Eva, John's partner.
3. I wish there were aliens.
John goes to visit an old lady he once had a thing with. He did not have Jack's foresight and neglected to make up a story about being the son of the man the old lady used to love. That would have been a good idea.
I like John Amsterdam and his show... he's interesting. But I'd like this show even more if it wasn't just a straight version of Jack Harkness playing at Law and Order. Overall, though, I really do like this show and I'll keep watching it. It's an interesting and different take on a guy living forever. In Torchwood, Jack has to deal with the people he loves dying before he does... in New Amsterdam, John is spending his immortality looking for the love of his life so he can become mortal. It's corny, but different and I guess potentially less angsty.
Basically, I'm going to watch the rest of the episodes this show has had (first season and it may or may not get renewed, thanks a lot, WGA - oh, and also it's on FOX, who cancels everything) and every episode is going to be comparing it to Torchwood. OK?
Music watch: The Decemberists and Death Cab For Cutie were both featured in this episode. (OMG SELLOUTS)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
"Sarah, The Bachelor isn't science fiction."
I don't care. The Bachelor is as equally realistic as any of the other shows I watch, so leave me alone.
I really like this bachelor. Probably because he is British. Everyone keeps talking about how he moves a little fast - he's already kissed like, all of them - but I think it's just because he's from Europe. As much as that's stereotypical, I think it's true. That doesn't mean I agree with that approach, but whatever.
Robin is obnoxious and I don't blame any of the other girls for despising her. Ashlee is brain dead. Shayne makes me laugh. Kelly is slutty. Chelsea is funny. Noelle is adorable and I want her to get more time with Matt because she seems really sweet and nice, and she's from Colorado.
Okay, so here's what I just noticed: this stupid drama with Robin takes away from them showing what one-on-one time Matt and Noelle are having.
Robin is kind of... confusing. "I don't have a lot of good girlfriends so I don't know how to respect you." WHAT? That makes no sense. Use your brain.
If any more of these girls sing to him, I'm going to kill myself.
So did Matt and Amanda even talk about anything on their date...? Kind of didn't seem like it. Watching them try to dance was funny though.
These two on one dates are so ridiculous. They only have them to intensify stupid drama. And Marshana is playing right into their hands.
Marshana (is that even her name) annoys me so, so much. I'm not racist, I just think she and Matt have ZERO chemistry, and I hate watching them together. I'm so annoyed that she got the rose although I'm not surprised at all, because Holly is kind of boring and Marshana is actually intelligent.
I loathe Ashlee. She is two years older than me and acts like a middle schooler. There is no way she is ready for marriage and I hate listening to her talk.
I'm really surprised right now because it seems like Matt really has all these girls pegged, more than I would ever have guessed. I thought he was more going for who he thought was hot, but I think I was wrong.
Kelly is totally going home this episode. I'm just saying. I think Ashlee will go home too, which is would be great.
WOOO! I WAS RIGHT. No more Kelly and no more Ashlee. And I'm really glad Noelle is still around.
Ashlee is saying the most ridiculous things. "I want someone to see me as more than a songwriter." And then, "I wrote a song for him and everything! That's more powerful than words can say!" This reminds me of a that line from Flight of the Conchords when Murray says "I'm not very good with words, so I've decided to use lyrics" and Jemaine says "Well, they're also words."
I hope Marshana goes home next week because I'm so done with her drama.
I really like this bachelor. Probably because he is British. Everyone keeps talking about how he moves a little fast - he's already kissed like, all of them - but I think it's just because he's from Europe. As much as that's stereotypical, I think it's true. That doesn't mean I agree with that approach, but whatever.
Robin is obnoxious and I don't blame any of the other girls for despising her. Ashlee is brain dead. Shayne makes me laugh. Kelly is slutty. Chelsea is funny. Noelle is adorable and I want her to get more time with Matt because she seems really sweet and nice, and she's from Colorado.
Okay, so here's what I just noticed: this stupid drama with Robin takes away from them showing what one-on-one time Matt and Noelle are having.
Robin is kind of... confusing. "I don't have a lot of good girlfriends so I don't know how to respect you." WHAT? That makes no sense. Use your brain.
If any more of these girls sing to him, I'm going to kill myself.
So did Matt and Amanda even talk about anything on their date...? Kind of didn't seem like it. Watching them try to dance was funny though.
These two on one dates are so ridiculous. They only have them to intensify stupid drama. And Marshana is playing right into their hands.
Marshana (is that even her name) annoys me so, so much. I'm not racist, I just think she and Matt have ZERO chemistry, and I hate watching them together. I'm so annoyed that she got the rose although I'm not surprised at all, because Holly is kind of boring and Marshana is actually intelligent.
I loathe Ashlee. She is two years older than me and acts like a middle schooler. There is no way she is ready for marriage and I hate listening to her talk.
I'm really surprised right now because it seems like Matt really has all these girls pegged, more than I would ever have guessed. I thought he was more going for who he thought was hot, but I think I was wrong.
Kelly is totally going home this episode. I'm just saying. I think Ashlee will go home too, which is would be great.
WOOO! I WAS RIGHT. No more Kelly and no more Ashlee. And I'm really glad Noelle is still around.
Ashlee is saying the most ridiculous things. "I want someone to see me as more than a songwriter." And then, "I wrote a song for him and everything! That's more powerful than words can say!" This reminds me of a that line from Flight of the Conchords when Murray says "I'm not very good with words, so I've decided to use lyrics" and Jemaine says "Well, they're also words."
I hope Marshana goes home next week because I'm so done with her drama.
hey did you know "torchwood" is an angram of "doctor who"?!
Apparently I need a spoiler alert because I talk about episodes that haven't aired in the USA yet, except I thought putting the episode titles would be enough for that. But just to let you know: I talk about the rest of the episodes in series three of Torchwood so if you haven't seen all of them, don't read the parts of this post that talk about episodes you haven't seen yet.
I wasn't planning on talking about the rest of the Torchwood episodes I watched yesterday (I finished out the season - thanks internet) because, I don't know, I didn't feel like it I guess... but I've been thinking about it a lot which means it does deserve a post after all.
First thing I have to say is that this season was a lot better than the first season. Some episodes were kinda eh (like Meat, the most disgusting and retarded episode of any show ever) but for the most part? Quality. Especially in the second half of it. Before this, I'd only watched Torchwood because it was based in the same universe as Doctor Who, and I felt obligated. But now, in my mind Torchwood has been relegated to a show I watch because it is a good show in and of itself. I've even put it in my Favorite TV shows on Facebook. That's how serious it is.
One last thing before we get to the episodes: whenever a Torchwood soundtrack comes out, I need it. I don't really remember the music from the first season, but in these last few episodes the music was gorgeous. I'm completely in love with it.
Day in the Death
Alright, I hated Owen in the first season. He got better this season, and I thought what they did with his character was a fascinating way to go and really could only have been done on a show like Torchwood. I mean, the guy was dead for half of the season. This episode was a really effective way of exploring his trek towards insanity. I was paying attention to the way he was acting about it all, and most of the time you couldn't see him breathing or whatever. Except for at the end when he was with that old guy, and getting upset about not being able to give him CPR because he "doesn't have any breath" as he starts to hyperventilate. But everyone has noticed that and me pointing it out isn't any special revelation. That was the only oversight I noticed. Also, I felt bad for Tosh, but who didn't.
Something Borrowed
Okay, this episode was pretty ridiculous, and seemed more like a comic relief kind of interlude after some pretty intense episodes and leading up to some pretty intense episodes. My favorite part was when Owen and Jack are trying to deal with Gwen at the beginning right after she realized she was "pregnant." Some people would probably argue that it was cliche to play the hormone card in this situation but you know what, I can't blame Gwen at all for how spastic she was acting. Her job is stressful, and she got bitten by an alien and woke up almost 9 months pregnant on the day of her wedding. If that isn't an excuse to yell at her boss then I don't know what is. Anyway, I liked Jack's reaction at the beginning.
What I did NOT like were all the stupid allusions to Jack and Gwen supposedly being in love. I'm sorry, but they do not belong together. They have no chemistry, and they're both with other people. I don't care what anybody says. Jack, you can't have a harem. You already have Ianto. Don't get greedy. And Rhys isn't really that bad. I always feel bad for him. He puts up with a lot, and he really loves Gwen even though she's cheated on him and lied to him and put him through all this crap. Just leave it alone, Torchwood writers.
From Out of the Rain
Jack was in a traveling circus. HAHAHA. Um... that's really all I have to say about this episode. The guy with the hat was creepy. I was glad that little kid didn't die at the end, but the rest of his family did, so that's still pretty depressing.
Adrift
I loved this episode. I thought it was really interesting and also extremely disturbing. But stories like this one fascinate me - people being taken from their world and transported to another one. I'm even writing a story like that right now. The fact that Jonah aged forty years in what was only seven months for his mother is extremely heartbreaking. I actually cried in this episode, which has never happened during Torchwood before... when the mom goes to see Jonah, and he's talking to her, and the look in his eyes on his scarred face was so, so sad... like he was begging for her to see him the way he was and to love him despite what he is now. I thought at first that maybe it would be all right then, but then he started screaming... I thought I was going to have nightmares about that. I didn't, but still. It disturbed me. They said the scream lasts for twenty hours. All I could think about after that was 1) that is horrifying and 2) how does he draw breath? Doesn't he need to? Anyway, good episode. (I'm not even going to comment on the Jack/Ianto scene.)
Fragments
This is my favorite episode of Torchwood. Period. I love back stories about anybody, I love finding out why the characters are the way they are and how they got there, and this was just awesome for me. I was kind of confused as to how they got out of that bombed building relatively unhurt. I mean, you'd think Owen would be all screwed up now, since when he gets hurt he doesn't heal, but he was just fine... whatever, it's sci fi, it doesn't have to make sense. Okay, Jack's story about how he started working for Torchwood was really interesting to me. I had been wondering how long he had been working for them. This means he was definitely working for Torchwood during the Battle of Canary Wharf. For some reason this seems weird to me. Also this means he was working for an organization that was basically corrupt, the one that wanted to "eliminate the threat of the Doctor." Which is the most ridiculous goal ever, but whatever.
I liked all the direct references to the Doctor... usually they kind of dance around it, which is stupid, because most people who watch Torchwood also watch Doctor Who, or at least know about it. I don't really have anything to say about Tosh's and Owen's back stories, other than they both surprised me. Ianto's story was pretty amusing, and for the rest of my opinion there, see previous post about the dinosaurs. The most memorable line for me from this episode: "We don't need a butler."
Exit Wounds
Okay, so I knew that Tosh and Owen were going to die. I still cried. When Owen started raging around that nuclear place, and Tosh tells him to stop, and he asks why, and she says "because you're breaking my heart." That's when I started crying. It was sad. BUT, did you guys (mainly my dad and sister, who probably won't read this for another week or two because the finale hasn't aired in the US yet) notice when they were talking, and Tosh said something about covering for Owen when he first started working, and she pretended to be a medic? And she had to deal with a space pig?
There she is... with the space pig, and someone we haven't seen in kind of a while! I loved that. Tosh met the Doctor. I want the rest of the Torchwood people to meet him.
As for the rest of the episode... I thought the guy who played Grey was a terrible, terrible actor, and I just wanted to punch him in the face whenever I saw him. I did like seeing Captain John Hart again. I think he is a great character. Hopefully he'll be around some more. I'm curious as to whether it's relevant that he and Jack have the same initials.
Also, can we talk about Jack being buried alive for 2,000 years and how completely effed up that is? I'm sorry, but that makes me sick to my stomach. I don't like that at all. And he didn't deserve it - he was a kid when Grey got lost, he didn't do it on purpose... I don't know. That storyline was sort of weird. But this is now the third show I watch that had some character get buried alive, two of said characters not being able to die. Sark/Adam in Heroes, Jack, and those two people on Lost that no one cared about and only got buried alive because of the creep factor (well, that's my opinion anyway).
So the rumors are now that Martha and Mickey are going to be joining Torchwood next year. And guess what, it's probably true. It makes sense. The doctor and computer specialist positions are now open, and that's what Martha and Mickey do (respectively). I've also heard that Jack won't be around as much, although I hope that isn't true, because what's Torchwood without him. I mean... really.
I wasn't planning on talking about the rest of the Torchwood episodes I watched yesterday (I finished out the season - thanks internet) because, I don't know, I didn't feel like it I guess... but I've been thinking about it a lot which means it does deserve a post after all.
First thing I have to say is that this season was a lot better than the first season. Some episodes were kinda eh (like Meat, the most disgusting and retarded episode of any show ever) but for the most part? Quality. Especially in the second half of it. Before this, I'd only watched Torchwood because it was based in the same universe as Doctor Who, and I felt obligated. But now, in my mind Torchwood has been relegated to a show I watch because it is a good show in and of itself. I've even put it in my Favorite TV shows on Facebook. That's how serious it is.
One last thing before we get to the episodes: whenever a Torchwood soundtrack comes out, I need it. I don't really remember the music from the first season, but in these last few episodes the music was gorgeous. I'm completely in love with it.
Day in the Death
Alright, I hated Owen in the first season. He got better this season, and I thought what they did with his character was a fascinating way to go and really could only have been done on a show like Torchwood. I mean, the guy was dead for half of the season. This episode was a really effective way of exploring his trek towards insanity. I was paying attention to the way he was acting about it all, and most of the time you couldn't see him breathing or whatever. Except for at the end when he was with that old guy, and getting upset about not being able to give him CPR because he "doesn't have any breath" as he starts to hyperventilate. But everyone has noticed that and me pointing it out isn't any special revelation. That was the only oversight I noticed. Also, I felt bad for Tosh, but who didn't.
Something Borrowed
Okay, this episode was pretty ridiculous, and seemed more like a comic relief kind of interlude after some pretty intense episodes and leading up to some pretty intense episodes. My favorite part was when Owen and Jack are trying to deal with Gwen at the beginning right after she realized she was "pregnant." Some people would probably argue that it was cliche to play the hormone card in this situation but you know what, I can't blame Gwen at all for how spastic she was acting. Her job is stressful, and she got bitten by an alien and woke up almost 9 months pregnant on the day of her wedding. If that isn't an excuse to yell at her boss then I don't know what is. Anyway, I liked Jack's reaction at the beginning.
What I did NOT like were all the stupid allusions to Jack and Gwen supposedly being in love. I'm sorry, but they do not belong together. They have no chemistry, and they're both with other people. I don't care what anybody says. Jack, you can't have a harem. You already have Ianto. Don't get greedy. And Rhys isn't really that bad. I always feel bad for him. He puts up with a lot, and he really loves Gwen even though she's cheated on him and lied to him and put him through all this crap. Just leave it alone, Torchwood writers.
From Out of the Rain
Jack was in a traveling circus. HAHAHA. Um... that's really all I have to say about this episode. The guy with the hat was creepy. I was glad that little kid didn't die at the end, but the rest of his family did, so that's still pretty depressing.
Adrift
I loved this episode. I thought it was really interesting and also extremely disturbing. But stories like this one fascinate me - people being taken from their world and transported to another one. I'm even writing a story like that right now. The fact that Jonah aged forty years in what was only seven months for his mother is extremely heartbreaking. I actually cried in this episode, which has never happened during Torchwood before... when the mom goes to see Jonah, and he's talking to her, and the look in his eyes on his scarred face was so, so sad... like he was begging for her to see him the way he was and to love him despite what he is now. I thought at first that maybe it would be all right then, but then he started screaming... I thought I was going to have nightmares about that. I didn't, but still. It disturbed me. They said the scream lasts for twenty hours. All I could think about after that was 1) that is horrifying and 2) how does he draw breath? Doesn't he need to? Anyway, good episode. (I'm not even going to comment on the Jack/Ianto scene.)
Fragments
This is my favorite episode of Torchwood. Period. I love back stories about anybody, I love finding out why the characters are the way they are and how they got there, and this was just awesome for me. I was kind of confused as to how they got out of that bombed building relatively unhurt. I mean, you'd think Owen would be all screwed up now, since when he gets hurt he doesn't heal, but he was just fine... whatever, it's sci fi, it doesn't have to make sense. Okay, Jack's story about how he started working for Torchwood was really interesting to me. I had been wondering how long he had been working for them. This means he was definitely working for Torchwood during the Battle of Canary Wharf. For some reason this seems weird to me. Also this means he was working for an organization that was basically corrupt, the one that wanted to "eliminate the threat of the Doctor." Which is the most ridiculous goal ever, but whatever.
I liked all the direct references to the Doctor... usually they kind of dance around it, which is stupid, because most people who watch Torchwood also watch Doctor Who, or at least know about it. I don't really have anything to say about Tosh's and Owen's back stories, other than they both surprised me. Ianto's story was pretty amusing, and for the rest of my opinion there, see previous post about the dinosaurs. The most memorable line for me from this episode: "We don't need a butler."
Exit Wounds
Okay, so I knew that Tosh and Owen were going to die. I still cried. When Owen started raging around that nuclear place, and Tosh tells him to stop, and he asks why, and she says "because you're breaking my heart." That's when I started crying. It was sad. BUT, did you guys (mainly my dad and sister, who probably won't read this for another week or two because the finale hasn't aired in the US yet) notice when they were talking, and Tosh said something about covering for Owen when he first started working, and she pretended to be a medic? And she had to deal with a space pig?
There she is... with the space pig, and someone we haven't seen in kind of a while! I loved that. Tosh met the Doctor. I want the rest of the Torchwood people to meet him.
As for the rest of the episode... I thought the guy who played Grey was a terrible, terrible actor, and I just wanted to punch him in the face whenever I saw him. I did like seeing Captain John Hart again. I think he is a great character. Hopefully he'll be around some more. I'm curious as to whether it's relevant that he and Jack have the same initials.
Also, can we talk about Jack being buried alive for 2,000 years and how completely effed up that is? I'm sorry, but that makes me sick to my stomach. I don't like that at all. And he didn't deserve it - he was a kid when Grey got lost, he didn't do it on purpose... I don't know. That storyline was sort of weird. But this is now the third show I watch that had some character get buried alive, two of said characters not being able to die. Sark/Adam in Heroes, Jack, and those two people on Lost that no one cared about and only got buried alive because of the creep factor (well, that's my opinion anyway).
So the rumors are now that Martha and Mickey are going to be joining Torchwood next year. And guess what, it's probably true. It makes sense. The doctor and computer specialist positions are now open, and that's what Martha and Mickey do (respectively). I've also heard that Jack won't be around as much, although I hope that isn't true, because what's Torchwood without him. I mean... really.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Torchwood 2x12: "Fragments"
"Dinosaurs? Had 'em for breakfast. Had to. Only source of pre-killed food protein after the asteroid crashed. ...Long story."
Okay... so Jack was there? Did he miss the fact that the "asteroid" was a spaceship?
Maybe Jack found out if Adric was right.
P.S. This episode was awesome.
Okay... so Jack was there? Did he miss the fact that the "asteroid" was a spaceship?
Maybe Jack found out if Adric was right.
P.S. This episode was awesome.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Doctor Who 4x01: "Partners In Crime"
Major, major spoiler alert.
As soon as I found this online, I called my family at home and told them they could watch it on the computer. They were all like, "we'll watch it when it comes on TV." I don't understand this because if I had a TV, I would watch it online AND on TV, but whatever... I wanted them to be excited too, but I can deal with it.
Same new theme song from Voyage of the Damned... it sounds cool but I'm not sure how I feel about it.
I think it's really funny how the Doctor is pretending to have Donna's job and getting the same exact information as her.
I am kind of curious what the Doctor really does when he's by himself. I mean, obviously he doesn't just sit around. And I wonder how long he's been by himself at this point, how long since Martha left. Not that it really matters, because obviously... he can time travel. But how long for him, is what I'm wondering. And what's it like for him having adventures by himself?
HAHA... "You be health, I'll be safety." Oh my. I liked the Doctor's reaction to that one.
"I've met cat people. You're nothing like them." HAR HAR, GOOD ONE DOCTOR.
The Doctor has a new gadget... what is that thing? Probably homemade, like his timey wimey detector. Goes ding when there's stuff.
Oh my gosh, the Adipose are the most adorable aliens ever. They're waving at her!
Well. That was the most depressing thing I've ever seen in my entire life*. The Doctor looking up and no one being there. Wow. I'm going to go cry now.
HAHA! I love when they found each other. That was awesome.
Wow, that sonic screwdriver has some range on it.
I like this sonic screwdriver battle they're having.
Where is Torchwood on this little baby alien invasion thing? They seem to have dropped the ball big time on this one.
Donna's moving into the TARDIS... literally.
Oh my gosh. The Doctor is having a DTR with Donna. He is SUCH A GUY.
AHHHH!!!!! ROSE! ROSE ROSE ROSE ROSE!!! But she's just an image.... I knew it was her before she turned around, I recognized her outfit from all the set pictures I saw. I LOVED that they played the Doomsday music as soon as she turned around... I thought that was perfect.
I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS SEASON, YOU HAVE NO IDEA. I love Donna, and I can't wait for Rose to be back... man. This is going to rock.
*No, it wasn't. That would be Doomsday. Nothing even comes close to that.
As soon as I found this online, I called my family at home and told them they could watch it on the computer. They were all like, "we'll watch it when it comes on TV." I don't understand this because if I had a TV, I would watch it online AND on TV, but whatever... I wanted them to be excited too, but I can deal with it.
Same new theme song from Voyage of the Damned... it sounds cool but I'm not sure how I feel about it.
I think it's really funny how the Doctor is pretending to have Donna's job and getting the same exact information as her.
I am kind of curious what the Doctor really does when he's by himself. I mean, obviously he doesn't just sit around. And I wonder how long he's been by himself at this point, how long since Martha left. Not that it really matters, because obviously... he can time travel. But how long for him, is what I'm wondering. And what's it like for him having adventures by himself?
HAHA... "You be health, I'll be safety." Oh my. I liked the Doctor's reaction to that one.
"I've met cat people. You're nothing like them." HAR HAR, GOOD ONE DOCTOR.
The Doctor has a new gadget... what is that thing? Probably homemade, like his timey wimey detector. Goes ding when there's stuff.
Oh my gosh, the Adipose are the most adorable aliens ever. They're waving at her!
Well. That was the most depressing thing I've ever seen in my entire life*. The Doctor looking up and no one being there. Wow. I'm going to go cry now.
HAHA! I love when they found each other. That was awesome.
Wow, that sonic screwdriver has some range on it.
I like this sonic screwdriver battle they're having.
Where is Torchwood on this little baby alien invasion thing? They seem to have dropped the ball big time on this one.
Donna's moving into the TARDIS... literally.
Oh my gosh. The Doctor is having a DTR with Donna. He is SUCH A GUY.
AHHHH!!!!! ROSE! ROSE ROSE ROSE ROSE!!! But she's just an image.... I knew it was her before she turned around, I recognized her outfit from all the set pictures I saw. I LOVED that they played the Doomsday music as soon as she turned around... I thought that was perfect.
I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS SEASON, YOU HAVE NO IDEA. I love Donna, and I can't wait for Rose to be back... man. This is going to rock.
*No, it wasn't. That would be Doomsday. Nothing even comes close to that.
Battlestar Galactica 4x03: "He That Believeth In Me"
Well, I love this show, and it was awesome to see it again, and I was sad when the episode was over because I didn't want it to be over.
I am slightly upset that Starbuck is holding a gun to the President's head at the end of it. Other than that, I thought this episode was cool.
Obviously we, being from Earth, know that what Kara saw really was Earth. And she saw Saturn and some other stuff that are all recognizable to us. So I think that we can say that we know she's right. The question is, how did she get there, how did she get back, why was she gone two months, and how did her ship get all new and shiny? What does everyone think? I don't really have any theories. Something I just read... remember when Kara risked everything back in whatever season it was for Roslin's visions about the Arrow? What happens now, when the tables are turned? Come on, Madame President, have a little faith. Kara's always come through for you before.
I feel bad for Starbuck. She's my homeslice.
I think Baltar's new situation is hilarious, albeit kind of sad. He's going to end up believing all the weird things they're saying about him being some kind of prophet. I do think he was kind of on the way to redemption, but now he's going to have an entirely new set of problems. I'm very relieved he shaved and cut his hair though.
I really liked the way they filmed Tigh's vision of shooting the Admiral.
I didn't see the preview so I don't know what's going to happen but apparently Xena is back.
I am slightly upset that Starbuck is holding a gun to the President's head at the end of it. Other than that, I thought this episode was cool.
Obviously we, being from Earth, know that what Kara saw really was Earth. And she saw Saturn and some other stuff that are all recognizable to us. So I think that we can say that we know she's right. The question is, how did she get there, how did she get back, why was she gone two months, and how did her ship get all new and shiny? What does everyone think? I don't really have any theories. Something I just read... remember when Kara risked everything back in whatever season it was for Roslin's visions about the Arrow? What happens now, when the tables are turned? Come on, Madame President, have a little faith. Kara's always come through for you before.
I feel bad for Starbuck. She's my homeslice.
I think Baltar's new situation is hilarious, albeit kind of sad. He's going to end up believing all the weird things they're saying about him being some kind of prophet. I do think he was kind of on the way to redemption, but now he's going to have an entirely new set of problems. I'm very relieved he shaved and cut his hair though.
I really liked the way they filmed Tigh's vision of shooting the Admiral.
I didn't see the preview so I don't know what's going to happen but apparently Xena is back.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
conglomerate post
Here is a nifty article discussing the possibilities in the upcoming BSG spinoff Caprica, which if you didn't know, is a prequel about the creation of the cylons.
No one cares, but Flash Gordon got canceled. The only reason I mention it is because one time, my dad mentioned it to me. He told me it wasn't good, so I didn't watch it.
Here is io9's complete guide to science fiction season. A nice list of stuff that's coming out in the next few months - movies, books, TV shows, everything.
I do not know how I missed hearing about this until just now.
This isn't really science fiction but DID YOU GUYS KNOW ABOUT THIS?!
BSG and Doctor Who start this weekend!!!! And I'm not going to get to watch either of them until Sunday at the earliest. Wonderful. (FYI - Doctor Who starts in the UK this weekend. Which means.... get on youtube as fast as you can on Sunday to watch it before it gets taken down due to copyright infringement.)
Finally... I couldn't just post the link to this, because I have never seen anything more adorable:
No one cares, but Flash Gordon got canceled. The only reason I mention it is because one time, my dad mentioned it to me. He told me it wasn't good, so I didn't watch it.
Here is io9's complete guide to science fiction season. A nice list of stuff that's coming out in the next few months - movies, books, TV shows, everything.
I do not know how I missed hearing about this until just now.
This isn't really science fiction but DID YOU GUYS KNOW ABOUT THIS?!
BSG and Doctor Who start this weekend!!!! And I'm not going to get to watch either of them until Sunday at the earliest. Wonderful. (FYI - Doctor Who starts in the UK this weekend. Which means.... get on youtube as fast as you can on Sunday to watch it before it gets taken down due to copyright infringement.)
Finally... I couldn't just post the link to this, because I have never seen anything more adorable:
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