New Beginnings

So it’s been a while, sorry for the hiatus. I’ve been a little busy but I am back and ready to resume blogging!

So I have started watching some new shows, Some of my current favorites include Once Upon A Time, The Flash, Supergirl and Jane the Virgin. I really like some of the characters in said shows. I’ll just do a quick recap of them all.

In Once Upon a Time, my favorite character is Regina Mills or The Evil Queen. She’s sexy, badass, conflicted and a very real and deep character. I love Lana Parilla’s portrayal of Regina’s original grief, anger and hate which she carried throughout her life and which ultimately she was able to see the light and climb out of the hole she had created for herself. She was able to find Love again (although it seems like the show hates her and keeps trying to ruin her life) But after the most recent episode, it seems like things may be looking up for her (hopefully they won’t just tear it down again)

In The Flash, one of the main things that I love is how they use scientific theories to explain different phenomena which doesn’t appear scientific at first. I love the team and they really work well together. One of my favorite characters happens to be Cisco because he’s really cool. Right now I’m also liking Tom Felton’s character Julian (also can’t get over the fact that it’s Draco Malfoy) and I am hoping something happens between him and Kaitlyn Snow. Maybe they can start a cool relationship.

In Supergirl, I like the feminist themes that come up often. Right now the main character that I am following is Alex and I was very moved by her coming out story and her subsequent rejection and then getting back together with Maggie. It was very well handled and I was annoyed at Maggie for rejecting Alex for such a stupid reason and it bothered me. But Alex handled it really well and I think that made Maggie come to her senses so yay!

Finally, Jane the Virgin. It was an odd show at first but I am officially in love with Michael. I think he’s awesome and I love his relationship with Jane and his relationship with Rojelio. Also, the actor that plays the role of Michael, Brett Dier, is absolutely awesome. He’s had a cool sketch at Whose Line is it Anyway and in his personal life he seems like a nerd and an all around awesome person who I would love to meet in person if I were ever to be so lucky.

Nostalgia

I’ve been missing Merlin recently (the most awesome show in the world to which no other show can compare) So I decided to watch the show that the writers of Merlin modeled it on. That show is none other than….Smallville.

I have only watched one full episode but I’ve been spending a lot of time watching random clips. Especially the ones where Clark struggles to not reveal his secret. I just want the cathartic feeling that I felt in Merlin and a redemption for the frustration that I felt that Merlin didn’t reveal his secret to Arthur. I haven’t found anything remotely fulfilling yet (mostly cause Merlin is sooooo much better than Smallville and you can’t even compare the two) so I’ve defaulted to watching sexy romantic scenes with Clark

I mean, it does help that Clark Kent looks like this….

and scenes where Clark is affected by Red Kryptonite (he loses his inhibitions then and is not afraid of revealing his powers to people-which is slightly fulfilling to fill the void left by Merlin)

I also make comparisons between the 2 shows. There’s the obvious similarity that both characters have secrets that they hide from everyone in their lives which is a big hindrance and burden. In addition, the premise of both shows is to show the superhero before he became a superhero.

The not obvious stuff: Both Clark and Merlin are “classic heroes” as in, they play fair, and try not to kill the bad guy unless they really have no choice. I was frustrated with Merlin when he refused, season after season to kill Morgana and Clark seems to be the same way. Merlin did become a bit darker in the last season, and he was more willing to take drastic measures to level his enemies (which had an interesting philosophical context) I am not sure If Clark went through a similar process of losing his innocence the same way Merlin did (i haven’t watched enough clips to come to a definitive conclusion about it) but I will be interested in exploring that.

Also, Merlin and Clark both had these alter egos. Clark had Kal, his other self that he would turn into when he was affected by Red Kryptonite. He would be reckless and uninhibited then (and very enjoyable to watch). Merlin had his Dragoon alter ego where he would change his appearance to this old man in order to do his more stealthy magic.

I am…Dragoon! The Great!

When Merlin was in his Dragoon disguise he would not be afraid of speaking his mind anymore and would tell people the truth of what he thought about them, which was a lot of fun. I would live for the days when I would see Merlin be dragoon. It’s interesting if you think about it because in essence, Merlin is very passive aggressive in the entire series (which is something that many of us can relate to) And in a way, Dragoon is a plot device used by him to release all of his pent up anger and frustration. It is very entertaining, to say the least. The difference between Dragoon and Clark on Red Kryptonite is that Clark’s behavior is semi-uncontrollable and Dragoon’s is an alter ego that he puts on A. to disguise himself and B. to get out his frustrations.

Finally, the last similarity that I see in both shows is that both major antagonists start out on the good side and gradually become evil. Morgana and Lex start out on the good side but you see the evil influences in them quite early on and the choices they make in light of the events that happen to them seals their fate on the evil path.

I am curious to watch Smallville. I have small hopes that it will actually relieve my Merlin nostalgia but at least I’ll get to see some sexy scenes 😉

The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Molly Hooper

I’ve been thinking about BBC’s Sherlock. I like analyzing shows, breaking them up bit by bit and obsessing over them.

As such, I was thinking of Molly Hooper. The pathologist, who has a an unrequited crush on Sherlock which he is aware of and, unfortunately, one that he uses to his advantage. She is such a lovable character and I think I have isolated one of the main factors that makes her that way.

You complimented my hair? Sure I’ll help you!

What makes Molly so lovable is that she’s real. From reading her blog: http://www.mollyhooper.co.uk/blog/25march and watching the show we know that she has a crush on Sherlock. Sherlock is aware of this and flirts with her in order to use her. She realizes that he’s doing this and that he’s not interested in her yet she still helps him out even though she knows that he’s just toying with her.

I know that sounds really awful and flawed, but to be honest, don’t we all do that? I know that I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of doing everything and anything for the guy I liked in the hopes that he would notice me and “some day come around to liking me.” Of course it never worked but that didn’t stop me from doing it again and again. (This flawed reasoning probably stems from some Freudian childhood thing where you are conditioned to please people in order to get them to like you, which doesn’t work generally in romantic relationships but that’s a whole different topic.) The fact that Molly does this though, makes her very identifiable and real in the Sherlock world and because I will see myself in her. In my fantasy I will root hard for her to get the guy (Sherlock) because of my identification with her and my “buying in” to this whole “trying to get the guy, trying to get the guy, not being able to get the guy’ frustration that I experience in my own life.

I want this to happen sooooo badly!!

Because of my own frustrations, I want it to happen badly on the show so that I can somewhat fulfill my own disappointments and fantasies that it CAN work in real life. I’m there for the cathartic experience, basically. I really hope they end up together (although it’s hard to imagine what that would be like)

Lastly, and a bit of a segway, but still another factor that makes Molly so real: she dated Jim Moriarty. (before they knew who he was, obviously) What’s even funnier is that on her blog (link above) you can see how they met. He basically stalked her blog and then they had coffee together and then they were dating. I would strongly encourage anyone reading this to go check out the blog because it is absolutely hilarious! But what’s adorable about her is how she easily fell prey to the “creepy stalker syndrome” you know, the creepy guy who flatters you and then before you know it, you’re dating/semi dating/whatever. She totally fell for “Jim from IT” hook, line and sinker.

You know, they’re actually pretty cute together.

Again, it’s sad, but so real. I love how she dated Moriarty (I think it’s hilarious; sweet, kind Molly with the psychopath) How many of us have fallen for the creepy guy we met on the internet? Looking back at it (when you date on the internet, there is always a record to look back at.) you wonder “How could I have fallen for this?” but you did, cause someone flattered you and asked you out for coffee.

Oh Molly. WE LOVE YOU! KEEP BEING REAL!

Encounter on the Train

you

your utz potato chips.

sitting and slowly eating

while your headphones block out noise to the outside

blocking yourself off from me.

I watch as you sit.

not looking at me at all

I’m not used to that kind of behavior

your feet, your elbow. in my face

you send a message as clear as a bell

“I don’t give a shit about you”

I wonder what goes on in your mind.

As your physical being encroaches my personal space

Did you have a bad day? Is this your general attitude?

We sit silently.

Nothing is said.

To the outsider this must appear apathetic.

Is that what you feel? Apathy?

Do you have a hatred of me?

Did I take from you? do I resemble something malicious to you?

Me, with the pretty face, frizzy hair and bright red nail polish.

as you carefully fold your utz bag and insert it in your schweppes ginger ale can

(I love Ginger Ale!)

placing it squarely on the floor, marking your territory, your dominion

maintaining control of what you can. or what you think you can.

lashing out against the forces of nature that work against you.

as you unsuccessfully fight off the consequences of insomnia

I watch. wonder if I should speak up

what will I say

should I call you out on your rudeness?

should I offer to wake you at your stop?

I ponder this. weighing the benefits and risks.

would you get mad if I talked to you?

#Sherlock

I started watching Sherlock. My obsessive needs are now satisfied and I can rest happy with the ring of a new obsession in my ear. I am up to season 3 episode 1. Two more episodes till I am up to date. I will cherish them and take my time watching them.

When I started watching I immediately thought “Oh my god, Sherlock is just another version of Doctor Who.” Indeed, they share many traits (hardly surprising being that Steven Moffat writes both those shows). Sherlock, like the Doctor, is rude, annoying, obnoxious, full of himself, and lacks social skills. He also likes to show off the fact that he is clever (just like the Doctor). In addition, many of his friends, John, in particular, are often subject to humiliation and danger because they are his friends and are targeted by Moriarty

I was dying during this scene. Poor John!

 Also, in the first season, Sherlock is very verbally abusive to John and manipulates him into doing menial tasks that he refuses to do himself. He seems to have an entitlement complex at the same time is completely oblivious. To Everything. Which is odd, since notices tiny details, but can’t seems to read subtle emotion.

There is character development, though. Although I don’t know whether I can call it that. His relationship with John gets more complex and he seems to have somewhat mastered the art of it. ie in “The Hounds of Baskerville” when he tries to flatter John and tells him that he is his one and only friend after he had been mean to him the night before. It seems that as he cares more and more, and tries to win John’s favor, he also does more hurtful things. In that same episode, he runs an experiment on John, drugging him up and making him believe that there was a wild dog chasing him. In the following episode he throws himself off a roof and convinces John that he is dead and doesn’t let him know that he is alive FOR 2 YEARS!!

Yes, yes, I have read other blogs explaining that it was necessary for John to sincerely believe that he was dead so that the whole Moriarty crime network could be disbanded, but, I’m not really buying it. And then in the next episode, he tries to trick John to forgive him by making him fear for his life with a fake bomb scare!! AND IT WORKS! what the hell????

I can’t. I just can’t. This isn’t normal. And what’s even sadder is that I’m kind of falling for it while being totally against it. I don’t know why. It’s like I love him and hate him at the same time. I can’t seem to make up my mind. Perhaps because he’s hot and I can’t seem to resist the allure of the flesh. It’s so ridiculous and funny at the same time. The fake bomb scare was mean but it was also cute, I guess in a way, perhaps because Sherlock is putting so much effort in trying to win John back even though what he is doing is awful. I have to resolve my emotions about this show. Until next time.

Star Wars Reminiscing

It’s weird.

Lately I’ve been thinking more and more about Star Wars. (The original series, of course) I used to be obsessed with it back in the day but slowly my obsession diminished, as my obsessions usually do. I’m not sure what sparked my renewed interest in the series. Perhaps it’s the super awesome Angry Birds Star Wars game that I have played recently. Perhaps it’s the thought of the new Star Wars movie that’s soon to come out. I don’t know what it is but I guess I have made 2 “discoveries” for myself and wanted to share them.

I guess the first thing I realized is just how tragic the Star Wars story is. Looking at the story as a whole (including the prequels) most people would agree that the major story of star wars is the story of Darth Vader. The concept of “Destiny” is something that I have found in most if not all sci-fi stories and Star Wars is no exception. I think a large part of the plots and character development of many successful stories is how a character reacts and deals with his or her “Destiny”.

Anakin/Vader’s destiny (unbeknownst to him) was to bring balance to the force. In the end he did-by killing Emperor Palpatine but he lived a sad and unfulfilling life and his one good deed of killing the emperor ultimately redeemed him to the good side of the force. It seemed that at the moment in Revenge of the Sith when he decided to join the Dark Side, he essentially sold his soul to the devil himself. His entire tenure as the Emporor’s Apprentice from then on is one of obligation and servitude. This isn’t inherently obvious especially since Vader seems to be a sadistic being who enjoys choking people for fun and to instill fear but you definitely see his softer side when it comes to Luke. You also see a bit of his sadness and dissatisfaction with the emperor sprinkled around like such as when he tries to lure Luke to the Dark Side by telling him that he can “Destroy the Emperor” and that they can “Rule the galaxy as father and son.” In the end Vader gives up his own life to save Luke’s and to finally kill the emperor. As he is dying, his last wish is for Luke to remove the mask so that he can look upon his son with his own eyes. When Luke does we see the pitiful figure that was behind the mask of Vader. I guess there is something very touching about it. In that moment we see all the lost potential. In that moment Vader would have given anything to have been able to live and be with his son. Ultimately, his spirit will still live on, but he still probably thinks “What could have been” if he had not turned to the dark side of the force.

I know I probably over think Darth Vader. It’s probably because he’s my favorite Star Wars character. I always believed and still believe that even under that mask, even when he is being sadistic, even when his tough, scary exterior is all that is visible to most people. I still see conflict written all over him. I frequently imagine what expression he is making beneath the mask and what often comes to mind are strong feelings. I may be crazy and I may be imagining things. What do you think?

(I’ll talk about Han Solo next time lol)

So Much for the Happy Ending

So there’s that new book in the Richard and Kahlan saga: The Third Kingdom. Maybe not so new anymore. I’ve waited this long to say my piece to give you all time to read it, so you won’t be bothered by the spoilers ahead. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. I’m not kidding, major spoiler ahead so don’t read if you can’t handle it.

 

Ben!!!!!! Noooooooo!!!!! How could you, Terry Goodkind??

Ok, that’s mostly out of my system now. But I can’t possibly the only one whose heart broke when Ben died. Can I?

Here’s the thing. By the time I started reading these books, there were 11 of them. (I don’t actually count Debt of Bones. It was pretty pointless, and I think in contradicts some facts from the real books.) The story started with Wizard’s First Rule, and ended with Confessor. At least, that’s what I assumed from looking at the list of titles at the beginning of every book in the series as I was reading them for the first time. And as happy endings go, Confessor worked. Jagang dead, Order defeated, Kahlan’s memory returned, Richard and Kahlan reunited. Everything worked out perfectly. (Except that we’re all still wondering what’s going to happen with Richard and Kahlan’s evil confessor son.) Then to cap it all off, we have the wedding of Cara and Ben. Cara, the Mord-Sith who overcame the madness and found true love, the first Mord-Sith ever to get married. A symbolic moment, showing us the hope of the future where everyone will have freedom and a chance to live happily. It was a beautiful way to end the series.

Except it wasn’t the end. That list of titles at the beginning of each book ended with Confessor, so it made sense for me to assume that was it. I didn’t start reading the books as soon as they came out. By the time I came to the party, I figured it had been over for a few years and I would just catch up and be done. But because I was so late to the party, it only ended up being about a week after I finished Confessor the first time that The Omen Machine came out. Was I ecstatic? Absolutely. Naturally, I immediately bought the book and got right back into the story. And the same thing happened when I walked into a bookstore and saw The Third Kingdom.

Let me pause here and ask if you’ve ever read the Lost Years of Merlin series by T.A. Barron. There were 5, all rather short, and I read them many years ago–I think in junior high. If you remember those 5 books, you know the ending was bittersweet. Good wins, but the heroes end up separating, going to live in different worlds. I’ve always been a romantic sucker, so that depressed me. But then a few years later I walked into a library and happened to discover another book by T.A. Barron, and I happened to see that this book was a continuation of this same series. There were 3 more books after the first 5! They take place a couple of generations later but fill in a lot of the events that occurred after the end of the first part of the series. And somehow the bittersweet ending became ok, because it wasn’t an ending. The people who had to go their separate ways and expected never to see each other again actually did find each other. The romantic sucker in me loved reading about Merlin and Hallia’s wedding.

And now back to the point. If you’re going to randomly continue a series that you let people think was over, this is the way to do it. Take everything that wasn’t cool about the ending and make it better. What you absolutely should NOT do is take that beautiful wedding at the end of Confessor, and ruin it. How long did Cara and Ben have in the end? I don’t remember exactly how the timing worked out in these two newest books, but what was it, a few weeks? And then he’s just dead?! Cara, my heart bleeds for you.

First it was Raina. I still cry every time I read about her death. Then it was Warren, so soon after he married his love, Verna. And now Ben. Who’s next, Friedrich? Clearly, unless you’re Richard and Kahlan, falling in love in these books, and especially getting married, leads only to doom. I think I’m no longer rooting for Nicci to find someone who can love her back. He’d just end up dying a few days after the wedding.

Uncool, Goodkind. Uncool.

Faulting Beliefs

I’ve been rereading Stone of Tears (2nd book in the Sword of Truth series), and this paragraph jumped out at me today:

“[Richard] knew people held tightly to their doctrines and were closed-minded about it. Sister Verna believed what she did and he wasn’t going to change it. He had never faulted people for the beliefs they held; he was not about to start now.” (page 390)

Well, I guess that’s true. He doesn’t start now. He starts around the 6th book, Faith of the Fallen. And before you try to tell me that’s different, because the beliefs he’s faulting here are evil and dangerous to the world, read Naked Empire again. He definitely faults the Bandakar for their beliefs, and they’re a peaceful people who wish harm to no one!

Just another way the Richard of the first few books is a completely different person from the Richard of book 6 and on. I like the Richard of the first few books much better.

There’s also the whole thing about not eating meat, but that’s a subject for another post.

Keeping it Age-Appropriate

My little sister has watched every episode of Legend of the Seeker, but she refuses to read the Sword of Truth books. But at this point that’s probably a good thing, because I’ve spoiled them for her completely. Because every time the TV show comes up in conversation (which happens more often than you might expect when I’m around), I feel the need to tell her everything the show got wrong. Like that moment in the second season when Richard leaves Kahlan to go to the Palace of the Prophets. I watched the show before I read the books, so the first time I saw this scene I thought it was sweet. But then I read the second book, and this scene is sooooo much more amazing in the book. It’s not just a smiley, “gee, I’ll really miss you, Kahlan, but I guess it’s important for me to do this so I don’t die” moment. It’s a major trial in Richard and Kahlan’s relationship, when she plays with his mind and makes him doubt her love, because he’d rather die than wear a collar and she can’t let that happen. Seriously, once you’ve read it you will always cringe when you watch this episode. So of course, I couldn’t stop myself from explaining in detail how it goes in the book and how the show falls so flat in comparison.

So a few weeks ago, my sister asked me if it’s ok to like Denna. Because in her last episode, it seems like maybe she could be redeemed, except she never gets the chance. Is it ok to like Denna? That’s a major yes, and I had to explain why. Sure, in the first book Denna is an evil Mord-Sith who tortures Richard non-stop. But even then you can see another side of her, enough that Richard comes to love her even as he knows he will have nightmares of her the rest of his life. But it doesn’t even come close to ending there. So I was telling my sister about every time Denna shows up in the whole series. Starting with the second book, when she tells Kahlan what she needs to know to save Richard’s life, leading to that amazing scene when Richard finally puts on the collar and leaves with Sister Verna. Then the end of the second book, when she brings Richard and Kahlan together in a place between worlds.

Then I got to her next appearance, at the end of the fourth book, and I had to pause. Ok, maybe it’s just because I’m basically incapable of summarizing, but I really cannot explain what Denna does at the end of the fourth book without first giving a synopsis of the entire plot. So my sister listened patiently as I explained about the plague and the ex-girlfriend and the half brother, and Cara’s promise, and the double wedding. Then I got to after the wedding, and what happens in Kahlan’s room. And I remembered that I was talking to my little sister. How do I explain what happens next? “So, the first time, Kahlan just closes her eyes and thinks of England…” And then when the path to the Temple of the Winds still doesn’t appear… Oops, maybe I should have thought this through before I decided to give my sister book 4 in a nutshell. “So anyway, Denna shows up and convinces Richard he’s an idiot, isn’t that awesome?”

Then she asked me if it’s ok to like Nicci. Probably a safer subject. Well, except that I had to explain everything that I don’t like about Nicci, which is basically everything I don’t like about Richard. But that’s a subject for another day.

Twist Endings

I’ve been seeing a lot of twist endings recently and its getting weird. I quite recently watched “The Prestige” expecting a twist ending, and boy were there many twist endings in that movie! (It’s a good movie BTW, for anyone who would be interested in watching)
Quite soon after I watched that movie (the next day in fact) I watched and obviously low-budget fill titled “Sordid Things” starring Alex Kingston. The only reason I watched it was because I am on an Alex Kingston binge and am just watching anything and everything she’s been in. It is quite fun actually! Anyway-that movie was pretty good too and it also had a twist ending that I did not expect this time! It also had me asking a question of morals re what th protagonist in that film does and if I am OK with it. It was definitely unexpected and seemed out of character for her. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone  it if you are interested I can tell you the basic plot and you can let me know if you think what she did was right or wrong.
Finally-the last twist ending that I got was from this book I was reading today called “The Final Note” written by some guy called Milne. It was a nice but tragic love sorry and you expect the ending to be the guy moving on from his wife’s death but really…. Its just weird because I don’t think I’ve seen a twist ending in a book in a really long time. I can’t remember  when an author fooled me in that way. I’ve definitely seen it a lot more in movies than in books so this twist ending was weird. Not that I mind. I love unconventional endings. Especially ambiguous ones. Sometimes.