How Television Saved My Life

(spoilers for s01e02) There's still cringe-worthy dialogue, though most of it from semi-significant characters (of previously marvelous actors off stellar shows like Six Feet Under ) and some poor character judgement continues to proceed - Alfred the butler being a bit too rough ("No therapist.") towards kid-Batman, but there's a sliver of hope amidst the mess. This week we pay close attention to Cat  and her adventures, as some people ("Oh Fudge") start trying to bring in homeless kids off the street for whatever nefarious purpose, but it's a good start. Finally we get to see Jim post-fake murder deal with the 'repercussions' and try to play dirty, while nice (though mostly his girlfriend). It's actually interesting, even if some of it is very stereotypical stuff. I find myself constantly trying to ignore the string of awkward dialogue, though if you think about it it is very comic-book in some ways, but that's not a terribly posi...

Crying while looking in the mirror gpoy (spoilers for s04e01)  Last series we had Regina aka Evil Queen ( Lana Parrilla )  spiraling towards evil after losing something her heart desired. We had Mr Gold ( Robert Carlyle )  saying he'd do something but he did the opposite and then some unknown earth shattering source of evil appeared. Basically the same thing as always, though let's hope it doesn't take many episodes for people to figure out why certain things are a bad idea (we've had loads of character development to get past that, haven't we?). In the summary of the episode Elsa ( Georgina Haig )  is referred to as a frozen evil, which considering - Frozen - is a very wrong conclusion. It does feel a bit strange to bring in a character that's still so popular so soon after the film, and when I saw spoiler images I thought it was fan-made, turns out I was wrong. You completely understand why Regina is 'freaking out' so-to-speak, riddled with...

When I was supposed to be doing something entirely different I stumbled across this anime today called Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun  (Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun), which is about Chiyo Sakura who has a crush on schoolmate Umetarö Nozaki. You're already going super-yawn 'oh my god Emily how can you enjoy' - no - stop right there! This is not your typical romantic twaddle at all, as the second Chiyo finally admits her feelings, our story starts, for Nozaki being the tall, vacant-eyed oblivious tool (such kind words) misunderstands and thinks she's a fan of his work. It turns out that Nozaki is actually a renowned shöjo manga artist, and somehow believes that Chiyo wants to assist him with his manga ' Let's fall in love' , which she does. Throughout their working together we get to know the other people who help him in his effort, besides seeing Chiyo continuously hope for some romance between them, akin to the things Nozaki draws.  men and cats uwu ...

(spoilers for s08e06) The premise is simple - it's supposedly a simple job as well - a dangerous alien threat and the Doctor wanting to get rid of it before anyone else notices, possibly blowing up things in the process? Sounds like any episode really, though it's really not about this threat whatsoever. I've honestly forgotten about what was attacking to begin with, despite the police man's severed hand (poor chap). Anyway, the threat of an alien has the Doctor undercover at Clara's work (aka school), which turns out to be a hilarious thing of course. At the start of the episode it's clear that Clara's really having issues in general over what's going on, having to keep her other life hidden from Mr Pink (yes, the reference had to happen at some point). This episode is primarily about that very thing, how Danny and the Doctor meet. And that's where the writing just goes - well - a wee bit wobbly to say the least. This series has been ver...

(spoilers for s01e08) Unlike last episode, this episode was very much of the action , progressing the characters and showing more forcefully how Claire is being pulled between two lives. The episode begins with us finally seeing how Frank is processing his wife's disappearance. It's an alteration from the book, but then again her husband was never much of a character. This is where the show has chosen the right path by dwelling a bit more on their relationship. It becomes rather unrealistic if Claire were to utterly forget her husband just because she has got another. She does not know Jamie in the length that she knew Frank, so ones sympathy (if one is unfamiliar with the books) lies with her husband who is desperately seeking her out. you are too pretty for this world Claire goes through a great deal in this episode, emotionally and physically. It's one horrendous ordeal after another, and the episode of course ends with a bang. Oh those cliffhangers would be ...

My emotions are everywhere, but   luckily the 4th of October isn't an age to. They've finally gotten to that stage where everything is actually good. There's character development, emotional arches, characters you want to see, and possible destruction. Ah, this is exactly what I hoped for when the show began, and finally nearing the - what I suspect - devastating end we finally get what we wanted. Of course now I almost don't want the 4th of October to appear since this was very chilling. We've got Korra who seems to be alone in some way or the other, and it's been three years since season three where she was more or less broken. Now I fear what might have happened while she was unable to help, and it looks like something certainly took place. All the angst apparently, all the angst.

Admit it, that shit is hawt (spoilers for s01e06) It's a first - we've got the legendary would-be couple (if they remembered their past-lives of course) owning up to their secret identities, or well, one of them has figured it out already, that is. This is new to me, because everyone's used to the pair dancing around each other for an age without either actually knowing who the other is, and I sort of expected it in this reboot. After all the nineties version was the slowest burn ever and they reminded me of Beatrice and Benedick (Much ado about Nothing) with their tiny spats and his arrogant comments. He was the older man and she was the hapless youth, but now they're equals, though he means she fights better (she does though). This is a much better foundation for the both of them, yet I'm curious on what kind of obstacles they'll be throwing their part really.  I don't know how this'll turn out, though I am really curious. The show...

(spoilers for s01e01) Batman before he became Batman. No, that's not really what Gotham  is going to be about, and somehow that's a good thing. We have James Gordon ( Ben McKenzie ) -  a rookie Detective who's been partnered up with the cynical and dodgy Harvey Bullock ( Donal Logue ) . It does sound like a typical cop-show, though it certainly doesn't feel like your stereotypical 'everything's going to be alright in the end'. The episode begins with the  story of course - Bruce Wayne's ( David Mazouz )  parents getting shot and killed by an unknown perpetrator.  It's a classic scene that we all recognize - dark alley - pearls - gun shots - which is a good start, but also a bad one. Of all moments one should 'save', it's this one, as it's a very classic scene, a scene everyone knows all-too well. The scene has been done a lot of times, and perhaps they intend to get it over with, because they've got other stories to ...

(Spoilers) Do you ever talk to yourself? Oh you do? Haven't we all? But are we really ever alone when we do? 'Listen'   penned by Steven Moffat made us wonder about these exact things. I of course, talk a great deal to myself (common knowledge to my nearest and dearest), it's a way to clear my head if there's too much cluttering the space, and so it seems, does the Doctor. ' Listen' besides tackling this rather alarming subject, experiences an awkward date between Clara and Danny Pink (the lady killer at her work aka maths teacher). Here's where Moffat being the creator of Coupling comes in handy. He knows how to write people who just don't know how to communicate, and manages to talk themselves into several corners, certainly when they try to be funny (Clara that is, who has a nervous habit I can relate to). There's something rather different about this episode, but truth be told - every episode of this series has been incredibly differ...

(Spoilers for s01e07) Claire and Jamie get married, all because of ' Black Jack Randall' who would otherwise have the liberty to question her. And the episode begins at the end of the ceremony, an unexpected start, but a good one really. The build up of the episode is a rather interesting one, than the straight-forward narrative in the book, as they insert humour with little flashbacks to Jamie's three requests (besides Claire's own day).  Of course they often return to the scene of two people getting to know each other, forced to consummate the proceedings, which aren't wholly perfected of course. The scenes are much more realistic than much else that's on display these days, and that's saying something.  We've all been rooting for the pairing despite the various obstacles - and I suspect most have since Jamie threatened to throw her over his shoulder and carry her. I might add that he was drenched in blood and sweat at the time. Af...

There's trailer periods and I feel like most of this year has been a whopper. I always have loads I'm looking forward to, but trailers versus actual film is a curious journey. I wanted to rant a bit about things I'm looking forward to though, hopefully stirring up some interest in my wake (or disinterest). Here's some things that are making me particularly giddy. The Skeleton Twins  Kirsten Wiig  and  Bill Hader  have  worked many years together on SNL , though that's not really what I'm going to talk about, but those two are hysterical though. Anyway their  dramatic  turn is something I'm honestly looking forward to, because only great actors can master comedy in my opinion, so drama shouldn't be difficult for the pair. Comedy is harder than anything else, so I predict 10/10 appreciation of the film. Also  Luke Wilson  (I just really like that man, really really do). Horns Daniel Radcliffe  has already stepped out o...

Technically I do not sit up every Wednesday watching sad movies and weeping openly into my robe like some mental spinster. No, that's just a side-effect to being me I'm afraid (hormones, helter skelter), but today I decided to entertain myself with two summer block busters (no sources just assumptions based on 'tumblr observations') for good measure. One animated film ' dragon is my bff' and another ' teen tear jerker written by John Green '. Two very different films, though technically neither of them are truly aimed at me, being the old recluse that I am, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy coming out of my cavern to see what the youths enjoy. It amuses me that both are inspired  by books, like a lot of film are these days. First let's ponder over  How to train your Dragon 2 , which followed the astonishingly popular first dragon animated film from Dreamworks (who sorely needed that at the time). An unexpected winner when it came o...

I've been a fan of Scarlett Johansson for ages. Unsurprisingly, the woman is brilliant really, and I've been long convinced she could helm an action-film proven easily by her character Natasha Romanov (aka Black Widow in the Marvel-verse). However, despite a film directed and written by Luc Besson the man who gave us The Fifth Element, The Big Blue and Léon - he hasn't been what he once gleamed of so vibrantly in the nineties. Lucy  is about a female (named Lucy obviously) who becomes embroidered into transporting drugs into another country, and the bag of drugs inserted into her stomach, which then bursts causing her to start utilizing her brain - more than the 10% we use (according to the film). It's problematic that most people know that 10% of the brain isn't the only thing human beings use, and the fact is that we use 100% of the brain, except at different times. When Lucy begins to use her percentages, she of course does a whole absurd amount of thin...

(spoilers for s01e06) Last episode of Outlander (episode five) ended on a bang, not literally, though enough to make ones lip wobbly and nervous in every aspect. Claire managed to capture the empathy of some red-coats, which was a 50/50 scenario of 'is this really a good thing?' - 'she can go home? yay' and of course the second it seems like everything's going her way, smoozing and boozing with these fancy-folk - the villain who looks like her not yet born-husband shows up. Things obviously spiral out of control because Claire can't shut her gob (reminding me fiercely more of a Gryffindor if I were to house her) and it's rather gut wrenching in a way to watch (pun so intended). Finally, when we come past the whole bit where she drinks a bit of truth-water - Dougal's brilliant plan suddenly gets revealed 'you'll have to marry someone'. We all know who it is before it's even said out loud, and the second Claire is sat being g...

(Spoilers for s01e05) From last weeks Outlander  we knew Claire was going on the road with the others to assist them if needed when they collected rent. Their relationship which she and we as the viewer had hoped had crossed several bridges, hit a certain relapse, as she views their doings with a critical eye. She however gains a friend in their attorney played by Bill Paterson  who is less rough in his manners, unlike the others who exclude her by talking Gaelic. It's rather good how they use the language barrier  to make the audience keenly aware of how much of an outsider she feels in their company. There are many scenes in this episode that pulls forward how excluded she is - from serious discussions to more rough talk during meals. Yet it becomes clear throughout the episode how much respect they feel for her, despite their lack of manners, and how she grudgingly keeps reminding herself of her having to leave. It's clear that Claire is struggling with fore...

I remember watching Sailor Moon when I was a kid, and I remember how badass it was to me at the time, which is still technically is. There are of course quibbles to be made, but there's something this new reboot has that the I found lacking in the original. I suppose the fact that it's more faithful is one thing and that it doesn't fill the time with lackluster episodes, which I remember the original had a great whooper of. We see our heroes get together and things are getting more and more complicated.  It's my childhood, ok, I couldn't hate it even if I tried.  Here's some screencaps from the fifth episode because I feel giddy. 

Ever since I was a child I had an intense love for the legend of Robin Hood and his merry men, whatever shape or form, whether silly  or trying not to be . There's something undeniably charming with the concept of such a hero clad in green, adept at using arrows and with a great heart, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. It's fun to see Doctor Who  tackle such a character, especially a series which was deemed rather dark, serious and less comic than its forerunners. This however is a very different episode from the two previous of series eight, and it's a delight to see. Mark Gatiss  (co-creator of Sherlock)   wields the pen and finally we see a more secure partner-ship between Clara and the Doctor, besides seeing the Doctor squabbling a great deal with our green-clad hero. There's much to love in this episode, and we're dabbling deeper into this series mystery, which looms behind the Doctor and Clara whatever it might be, but it's clear we are ...

The likelihood that the season opener for Arrow is going to be quiet and amusing is unlikely, as it's called The Calm. I'm expecting hell breaking loose more or less. There have been enough teasers that you know it's going to open with a big bang and with most likely some heart ache.  Basically I'm terrified.

(SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY) We've had a build-up, but are we going to have an actual pay-off? The show is known for selling, let's hope it comes close to a rewarding finale. The benefactor's actual identity, dramatic as it was fell rather short with its reveal, and I fear how this will play out really. We've seen Scott McCall suffer a great deal, but truly lose? Okay, so his first love popped off, and that was pretty agonizing in itself, though I hardly expect someone to truly die this series despite the constant threats. If one ignores the 'baddies' who are clearly trying to off each other. I hope at least it gets 'interesting'. Only next weeks finale will truly tell. The episode this week was interesting, though there were bits that are pointless in a way. The various scenes only give loose-threads and make you wonder you'll get to properly know why. Perhaps they're trying to use the catalogue of characters and try to point out 'they...

(SPOILERS AHEAD OF COURSE) I remember when it became announced Peter Capaldi (The thick of it, FortySomething) was going to be The Doctor , and I wasn't at all surprised. Not that I was 'bored' by the choice, but I felt he was the right man to take over as the enigmatic alien with his magical box. I am glad to know I wasn't wrong either, for there is something quite beautiful with his portrayal. He has a certain classic-Doctor feel about him, something I felt for example David Tennant lacked. Capaldi's Doctor is very alien, and his moral-code is certainly questioned from the series opener 'Deep Breath'. We are left in doubt about whether or not he made someone plunge to their death, and then he asks Clara in 'Into the Dalek' if he is a good man. There was never any doubt about Matt Smith's childish, energetic portrayal, though perhaps that was because he concealed it well. In a previous episode Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) was warned abo...

Outlander is already out there with four episodes, though I as usual stepped into the show just recently, so I could watch episodes back-to-back. We follow Claire Randall ( Caitriona Balfe )  in 1945 who on her 'second honeymoon' with her husband Frank ( Tobias Menzies )  suddenly finds herself back in 1743 by some inexplicable reason, perhaps due to some magic rock, but that's unknown at the moment. A lot happens of course, and she obviously meets someone dashing Jamie Fraser ( Sam Heughan ) who becomes a 'friend'. I can sense you're rolling your eyes, but surprisingly this isn't entirely your typical cliched over-the-top romantic costume drama with a strong female character in the helm. Okay, maybe a bit, but there's not many of those, especially not catered to women. Outlander is a book series that began in the nineties by Diana Galbaldon , and one I actually came across when I was around twelve. Yes, I'm familiar with the work, and I ...