The Husbands of River Song - Finally! River Song is back!

It is not a secret that I have not loved the past couple of seasons of Doctor Who. The episodes have been okay for a one time viewing but I'm used to wanting to watch a Doctor Who episode again right away. That hasn't happened in 2 seasons... Until now.

"The Husbands of River Song" is funny, smart, fast-paced, heartwarming and heartbreaking. Peter Capaldi and Alex Kingston are just as compelling together as Matt Smith and Alex were. (Well, maybe Smith takes first place but Capaldi was great.) This episode had that... You know it's hard to put into words, other than saying that it had that Doctor Who feel again. (Video of Alex about returning below.)

The 9th season has not been a total loss. Comparatively to the 8th season, there are a few episodes that I will most likely go back and watch again. Namely the last episodes of the season. Especially, Heaven Sent and Hell Bent - both wonderful performances by Capaldi. "Husbands" I've already watched twice.

[SPOILERS]

The hook in "The Husbands of River Song" was wonderful to see, yet so heartbreaking. Magnificent chemistry between them, romantic, yet sad due to what we all know will come afterward. Also for River fans like myself it's especially sad because now the odds of another River story are slim to none.

Immediately after this episode I watched the end of "Forest of the Dead." I wanted to see if they truly matched up. I had never thought of River knowing, or having any sense that her death was coming. There were a couple of small continuity issues between "The Husbands of River Song" and "Forest of the Dead" but nothing major.

Night of the Doctor: Last Night

In "Forest" River says "You came to my door..." which obviously didn't happen. She also says "This means you knew all along..." Which at first I thought was a continuity issue, for after "Husbands" that would not surprise River. But then I realized it can be forgiven for context. In "Husbands" she thinks the Doctor won't be able to save her, where it's River's choice not to be saved in "Forest." So, for me it works. 

There was the blinding continuity issue with the mini-epsiode Night of the Doctor: Last Night until River says how the Doctor kept canceling their trip to the Towers, "Remember, when there was two of you?" That line was said off-camera and I wonder if it was Moffet's "oops" moment and was done in ADR (the re-recording/correction of audio) specifically for continuity. I'll have to look closer on my next viewing.

Oh, yes. There will be another viewing of this episode. Probably several viewings.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you all a very happy holiday weekend, from all of us at Thoughts from a TV Geek!

Remember to spend time with friends and family BEFORE binge watching your favorite shows. 

Star Trek Beyond Trailer #1

The first trailer for Star Trek Beyond has been released! I haven't been excited about this movie, especially with the new Star Wars on it's way. But this looks good.

Apparently there was a version of the trailer allegedly leaked earlier today. So Paramount decided to go ahead and release the official first trailer.

The movie isn't due out until July 22, 2016 but it couldn't hurt Star Trek Beyond getting publicity with producer and former director J. J. Abrams' release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens this weekend.

Peter Jackson to direct an episode of Doctor Who!

No word as to when the next season of Doctor Who starts filming but it looks like season 10 will have an episode directed by Peter Jackson.
 


 Check out the video Peter Jackson posted to his Facebook page.




Best part:
"I’m the Doctor." 
"Who?"
"Correct."

When is a 23 episode TV season simply too much? Does a shorter season equal better programming?

 
One of the problems with some of the main network shows (ABC, NBC, CBS) is that they run their shows for upwards of 23 episodes a season. That may have been prudent back in the day - you know, the ancient times with only three channels and no remote control - but today it may be to their detriment. At the very least to the detriment of good quality programming .

An example is Once Upon a Time. An average season is about 23 episodes. Most seasons have an amazing beginning, fantastic ending, and filler in the middle. When I watch Once Upon a Time, after about episode four or five I realize it's already dragging, and there's a ton of excess story-lines that quite obviously is to fill up the season. I find myself fast forwarding through a good 70% of almost every episode until about episode eighteen-ish. That's when the main arc of the season picks up steam again and we're on our way to that fantastic season ender. My point being that if Once Upon a Time had ten episode seasons it would be an outstanding show. 

Now you could argue that this is more true with fantasy genre shows, especially when you look at some of the most popular fantasy shows on television today - The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who - it does seem to be true that less is more. However, even some of the more critically acclaimed dramas like Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire, along with top streaming shows House of Cards, Transparent and Orange is the New Black have formats of 10-13 episodes a season. It makes for better programming because writers aren't worried about a story arc lasting twice as long as it probably should. This is nothing new. Arguably, one of the best HBO series there's ever been, The Sopranos, had short seasons (except the last one) back when American television had never heard of such a thing.

Needing a short season isn't the case with every show out there. There are shows that can handle 23 episode storytelling. Most of them are procedural style shows or sitcoms that aren't focused on one main story arc.

Vin Diesel playing D&D with Critical Role!!

The video is here! Vin Diesel playing Dungeons & Dragons with some of the Critical Role​ cast!!

I have to say this may be short (30 minutes) but it's really a great session. Whether a Vin Diesel fan, Critical Role fan or just an RPG fan, I highly recommend checking this out.


Matt Mercer, the Game Master, was in peak form for this game, and quite honestly, no offense to Mr. Diesel, but the voice actors blew him out of the water. You could tell Diesel hasn't played in a long time, so not knowing right away what to do is understandable. But when it came to the actual roleplaying, a big part of D&D but also a huge part of the success of Critical Role, Diesel fell flat. In his defense I will say that not all actors can improvise. Some of the greatest actors known today are lost without a script. 

With that in mind, I don't think we should judge him too harshly. He was definitely having fun - especially when he crit! (Crit = rolling a natural 20, before adding modifiers, the highest number you can role.)

The session came about due to Diesel's new movie Witch Hunter coming out. Mercer and the Critical Role cast had always said their dream celebrity guest would be Vin Diesel, knowing he was a D&D player for years. So, for this game Mercer created a Witch Hunter class just for Diesel, since witch hunters are not a character option currently in D&D.

I also want to say kudos to Mercer for making a 30 minute game. Not an easy task. It was a fun half hour. My only negative is that I wish it was longer!


Watch it on Geek & Sundry!

 

It's the Doctor and River Song's 4th wedding anniversary!

I can't believe it's been 4 years since the Doctor Who​ episode The Wedding of River Song aired. Has it really been that long? It's one of my favorite episodes.

I'm a big River fan and loved her story arc. I can't wait for River's return in this years Christmas special.




From the BBC on September 2nd:

Alex Kingston returns to Cardiff to reclaim her role as Professor River Song for the highly anticipated 2015 Doctor Who Christmas special, part of BBC One’s essential seasonal viewing.

Award winning Alex Kingston comments on her reappearance, “To be honest, I did not know whether River would ever return to the show, but here she is, back with the Doctor for the Christmas special. Steven Moffat is on glittering form, giving us an episode filled with humour and surprise guest castings. I met Peter for the first time at Monday’s read through, we had a laugh, and I am now excited and ready to start filming with him and the Doctor Who team. Christmas in September? Why not!”

Doctor Who Prologue to Season 9 Episode 1

New release from BBC - Prologue to Season 9 of Doctor Who.

Click for video:

Actors still needed with CGI - Benedict Cumberbatch creating Smaug

I don't know how this is my first time seeing this, but it's pretty awesome. I remember when CGI was new and everyone spoke about actors being obsolete one day. This shows how an actor is still very much needed. Between movies like The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and tons of video games, the actor is still helping, and arguably needed to create the character.

Mark Hamill: Unforgettable Hero and Villain

Mark Hamill's Joker is so amazing. This meme is old. The Joker dates should go up to 2016. He's going to be the Joker in the new Batman: The Killing Joke (in pre-production according to IMDB.) I made a complete list of his Joker's below.

I also can't wait to see the older, wiser Luke Skywalker. I do hope that Luke becomes like Obi Wan; The mentor and guiding force, if you will, for the new generation.

Did you know when filming the new Star Wars movie Mark Hamill was the same age as Alec Guinness was in the original? [pic below]

Time flies. I'm still that 10 year old kid sitting in the theater watching Star Wars! 


 

Mark Hamill and Alec Guinness at the same age

MARK HAMILL'S THE JOKER

Batman the Killing Joke 2016

Batgirl: A Matter of Family (Video Game) 2015 

Batman Arkham Knight 2015

DC Universe Online: The Last Laugh (Video Game) 2012

Robot Chicken 2009, 2011

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown (Video Game) 2011

Batman: Arkham City (Video Game) 2011

DC Universe Online (Video Game)  2011

Batman: Arkham Asylum (Video Game) 2009

Batman: New Times (Video short)  2005

The Complete Robin Storyboard Sequence (Video short) 2005

Justice League 2002-2006

Birds of Prey (TV Series) 2002

Static Shock (TV Series) 2002

Batman: Vengeance (video game) 2001
 
Batman Beyond Return of the Joker 2000

The New Batman Adventures (TV Series) 1997-1999

The Batman Superman Movie: World's Finest (TV Movie) 1997

The Adventures of Batman & Robin (Video Game) 1994

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm 1993

Batman the Animated series 1992-1994





Picture credits: facebook.com/Bruce.Batman.Wayne and veooz.com
 

New Xena show may happen - Lucy Lawless spoke too soon.

Update 12/14/15: NBC has not only confirmed that the show is in development after months of rumors, but a writer-producer has been hired: Javier Grillo-Marxuach, who has worked on Syfy’s Helix, NBC’s Medium and ABC’s Lost. - EW.com

After Lucy Lawless (Xena) stated that there was no reboot of her show Xena: Warrior Princess in the works, an executive from NBC says they actually would love to remake it and are looking for a writer.

NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the network is looking for a way to reboot the beloved series in which she starred as the warrior princess. 

My first thoughts were good news, bad news.

Good news: Xena! Yay! And they would love for Lawless to be involved.

Bad news: Not just a reboot but a completely different show. Note the wording below. (highlighted)

"Yes, we're in the early stages of developing a new take on Xena and we're looking for a writer. We want to do it," Greenblatt told THR on Wednesday night at NBCUniversal's Television Critics Association summer press tour party at Spago.

We live in the day and age of remakes and reboots. For all us old timers we simply have to live with that fact. However, when is it going to far? I'll admit there have been a couple of reboots I liked. For example, The Amazing Spider-man was a good movie, my only complaint was that, for me it was too soon after the 2002 Spider-man to consider a remake.  

Xena ended in 2001 so it might not be too soon, but to completely change the original concept of the show (based on my speculation from what's been stated) negates the fact that it's Xena. You might as well call it Julie.

"I don't think it's just a continuation, but we haven't gotten that far. I think it's a great character and we should try to figure out how to revive it somehow," Greenblatt said, confirming that "there is a deal with Sam and Rob Tapert to produce and it's with NBC International."

It should also be mentioned that in all these talks of a reboot, no where is Gabrielle ever mentioned. The show was more than just about a woman seeking redemption for past mis-deeds. It was how two women helped each other find their path.

One more thing, if they change Gabrielle to Gabriel I will have to hurt someone. Just sayin'.

Watch Critical Role - a live D&D game with voice actor players

I discovered another RPG show that I'm now thoroughly enjoying. It's called Critical Role and it's on the Geek & Sundry YouTube channel. The game is Dungeons & Dragons. Matt Mercer is the Game Master and the players are all voice actors. One of the actors, Laura Baily is also playing TITANSGRAVE, which I wrote about last month and is also on Geek & Sundry.

The game is played live every Thursday night on Geek & Sundry's Twitch channel, but you can also watch at a later date. I've watched the first two sessions and I'm really enjoying it so far. I was hesitant at first because the game sessions run about three hours, but I got into it and the time flew by.

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I'm not a fan of this kind of three camera set-up when watching RPG games. To quote me, 

"I find it hard to watch the online games where everyone is in a different webcam square from their home, or the ones where there is only one or two cameras. It's hard to feel a part of the game for me in those circumstances." 

However, with Critical Role it was very easy to get into the game. Maybe it's the roleplay of the actors, or the story, I'm not sure. All I can tell you is that I'm enjoying this game and highly recommend it.

If you're into RPG games and/or love Dungeons & Dragons, check it out!

After 37 years on General Hospital Tony Geary gets a whole 10 minutes in his final episode.

Are you kidding me? This man was part of the duo that saved General Hospital from extinction back in 1978. Luke and Laura's 1981 wedding is still the most watched television of all time! He's received eight Emmy's! Yet the writers couldn't give him the send off that he's earned?

I started watching General Hospital back in the Luke and Laura hey day of the late 70's, and yes I had a front row seat on the living room floor right in front of the television for their wedding. I watched all the way through to the late 90's. After that I watched a couple of times when Genie Francis (Laura) came back and Luke and Laura reunited. So naturally I started watching last month when I learned that Tony Geary (Luke) would be leaving the soap for good. I fully expected to be crying like a baby during his final episode. Instead I was left with a slack jaw thinking how could that be it.

Over the past couple of months the soap brought back a lot of past cast members to do final scenes with Geary, including Genie Frances, Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) and Emma Samms (Holly). But the storyline was rushed and very contrived. A fact that Geary talked about in a current interview.

From tvinsider:

"I loved that they brought back Emma Samms [Holly], Genie Francis [Laura], Jonathan Jackson [Lucky] and Nathan Parsons [Ethan] so I could work with them one last time, but I did not like the conceit that brought us all together," he said. "It was ill-conceived, cheesy and showed a lack of imagination. We saw Luke shoot Frank in the back over 20 years ago. And by the way, that character was old then. He would have been in his hundreds by now."

It truly was the stupidest plot-line since young Robin met an alien back in the 80's. Geary's final episode dedicated maybe a total of ten minutes of screen-time to their most popular, longest lasting actor. Ten minutes.

I know that in order to stay alive soaps need to compete with the faster pace of the current younger market, but as an editor I can say that the way they chop General Hospital up is horrendous. There's not a single show on television that edits as badly as they do. But that's still no excuse for not giving the character of Luke Spencer the send-off he truly deserved.

As for the writing, well after Geary made these comments below we found out that head writer Ron Carlivati has been fired. Coincidence?

Geary also talked about how he wouldn't miss newer writers and producers coming into the fold and trying to tell him how to portray his role--something he grew to detest over the years. 

"Acting is an interpretative art and that's really forgotten on our show, where the actors are expected to be slavishly devoted to the stage directions in the script. I get scripts where I'm literally told where to take a deep breath and what line to cry on and when to turn my body. Sometimes the writer's stage directions are longer than the scenes themselves," he said. "...There's a mistrust of actors on out show, as if we're going to misunderstand the material. To be told to weep on a certain line is absurd. I don't know when the hell I'm going to weep, if I weep at all, until I'm actually playing the scene. You don't plan that s--t out!" 

"In all modesty, Jane Elliot [Tracy] and I have 90 years of professional acting experience between us and for us to be handed a scene where we are told how to read every line is insulting," he continued. "Now, she and I will just laugh it off and get on with the damn scene, but I feel bad for the younger ones because it can thwart any creative moments they might have. Any real moments. We should be spontaneous and thinking on our feet, not acting by rote."

However when TV Insider asked him about a different way to send Luke off Geary noted:

"I would have hated to miss my final scenes with Jonathan Jackson. I don’t mind telling you that, for our last episodes together, Jonathan and I sat in my dressing room for two nights in a row, well into the night, and we deconstructed the scenes we’d been given, and it was an incredibly creative, collaborative experience. Without changing the writer’s intention, we tried to bring to the fore what the audience knows about Luke and Lucky’s relationship, because it just wasn’t on the page. I feel our work it resulted in some of the best moments Jonathan and I have shared on screen. And that’s saying a lot, because we’ve had many. The boy is extraordinary and a true artist. He lives like an artist. He can’t get enough of this world. He is so curious and alive. A real Renaissance man and I so admire him. For that selfish reason, I am glad we ended the way we did."

Gotham SPOILERS Plus 2 New Previews: Rise of the Villains & The Cave

Gotham season 2 premieres   September 21st on FOX. 










SPOILERS! Scroll down to the videos if you don't want to be spoiled.

• According to Robin Lord Taylor there's tension between Oswald and Gordon this season. Oswald knows he still needs a friend in the force but can't forget how Gordon was going to leave him to die.

• The Goldbergs star Natalie Alyn Lind was cast to play orphan Silver St. Cloud. In the comics adult Silver becomes a love interest to a grownup Bruce Wayne.

• Michael Chiklis is joining the cast to play Captain Nathaniel Barnes. He's an original character who will be a mentor of sorts for Gordon.

• More villains. Producer John Stephens confirmed Mr. Freeze, Mad Hatter and Clayface will appear in season 2. Also, from the preview it looks like we're going to see the Joker.

Rise of the Villains!






Down to the Batcave!





Sources: ibtimes.com, HNGN, Christian Today

Doctor Who Season 9 Trailer Looks Amazing! [Minor SPOILERS]

I watched the new Doctor Who season 9 trailer (below) and wow, this looks very different than season 8. What I'm seeing so far I like. 

I'll be honest, season 8 was disappointing to me. The episodes were fine, but nothing stood out, and the real test of how much I liked the episodes is how many times I watch them. I only watched season 8 once. There are several episodes in every other season of Doctor Who that I've watched more than three times. Some are approaching ten times. Yet, I can't even remember half of what happened in all the season eight episodes and haven't felt like going back and watching again. Season 9 looks like it has the potential to have some re-watching episodes in my future once again.

At the San Diego Comic Con, Jenna Coleman said that the overall tone of the show this season is darker with really thought provoking episodes, which you can see from the trailer. She also talked about what is coming up for Clara after losing Danny.

"Yeah, I think since she's lost Danny, she's kind of cut ties a little bit to Earth, her perspective has changed. And all she wants to do is travel and have fun and meet some aliens and enjoy everything time and space has to offer."

She also said that Clara now has an "adrenaline-seeking high" which leads to "some danger along the way."

"But it's definitely the glory days of Clara and The Doctor."

Another great reveal, especially for Game of Thrones fans, it looks like Maisie Williams will be guest starring this season. After that little snip-it in the trailer, I'm very curious as to who her character is.










Source for Jenna Coleman interview: franchiseherald.com

Watch Wil Wheaton's new RPG game TITANSGRAVE

Hey all you RPG / Dungeons & Dragons fans or anyone interested in what it's like to play those kinds of games, I've been watching Wil Wheaton's new RPG game TITANSGRAVE and it's pretty cool.

 


As some of you may know I love watching Acquisitions Incorporated D&D game every year with game master Chris Perkins who works at Dungeons & Dragons. So watching an RPG game is nothing new to me. I also love Wil Wheaton's show TableTop on Geek & Sundry. This year Wheaton decided to take the extra crowd funding money (they needed $500,000 for season 3 of TableTop and got a little over a million) and do a brand new RPG game entirely written by Wheaton and his son. 

Acquisitions Incorporated

Watching an RPG game may seem strange to some, and I felt the same way until I sat down and watched one. Granted, it depends on the players and the quality of the filming of it. I find it hard to watch the online games where everyone is in a different webcam square from their home, or the ones where there is only one or two cameras. It's hard to feel a part of the game for me in those circumstances. Both TITANSGRAVE and Acquisitions Incorporated have good production values. 

If you enjoy playing RPG's you may find that you like sitting back and watching. If you've never played any RPG games (table top not video) but like storytelling, give it a try! It might inspire you to start up or join a game yourself.

I've watched the first two chapters of TITANSGRAVE and really like it. It's a cool world and they've made some interesting characters. It's also funny. When the main thing the characters are worried about is saving the beer you know there's lots of chuckling going on. For those of you who love battles don't worry, these characters had a great fight saving the beer in chapter one and wound up going up against some scary creatures in chapter two. I can imagine what else is in store for them as they travel the world of Valkana.

TITANSGRAVE

There are a total of six chapters, all of which are out right now. 
EDIT 8/18/15: There are actually 10 chapters and it was also announced that there will be a season two.

Watch them all below!

Thinking of Watching Wayward Pines? Start With Episode 5. Also Season 2 May Completely Change

Starting with episode five may seem strange to some of you, but honestly you'll pick up on the back story fast enough. If you're like me and try and start from the beginning you probably won't last past episode two.

I only gave the show a try because I've always liked Matt Dillon. Unfortunately, I found it more boring than intriguing and suspenseful. 

Then last week I was searching Hulu for something to watch. They had episode five up and it looked like the big reveal was coming. So, I gave it one more try. Episode five should have been episode two. It's that reveal that is actually the whole point of the show and it's at that point that Wayward Pines becomes a bit interesting.

Now that I'm giving it a shot I find out that if renewed for a second season it may have a completely different look. What most people don't know is Wayward Pines was done in 2013, only to sit and wait for two years to air. All the actors contracts expired long ago. Either they get them all to sign back up or make a whole new set of characters for the second season. Rumor has it that Fox is leaning towards the latter.

Now I'm Worried About the Sandman Movie...

Sandman #42

Okay people, listen up. This really worries me. I was on board for a Sandman movie when it was first announced. But since reading recent comments from producer/actor Josh Gordon-Levitt I'll admit I'm scared. How can you do justice to Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics in a 2 1/2 hour movie BETTER than a 10 episode arc on say HBO? Saying that makes no sense. If this guy f-'s up Sandman I will be very upset.

In a Reddit AMA producer/actor Josh Gordon-Levitt tries to explain why a Sandman movie is better than a TV show. 

"I think a big screen adaptation is a better idea and here's why. If you did the episodic version, I think it could very well end up as a not-as-good-version of what is already brilliant in the comics.

But by reworking the material into a big movie, Gaiman's brilliant characters and ideas get to take shape in a way they never have before. Also, I think Sandman deserves to look absolutely mind-blowingly awesome, just on a visual level, and as cinematic as some tv shows are becoming these days, they still can't compete with big movies visually, just because they can't afford to."

My problem with this logic is - has this guy watched Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead? One based on novels the other on comics? Seriously. Both of those series show how to give the epic scope that an adaptation of Sandman needs. Unless you plan on turning each graphic novel into a movie, there's no way this is going to work. 

It looks like this is all set to move forward. I just hope he proves me wrong because it would be a shame to ruin what is such an amazing story from Neil Gaiman.

Game of Thrones S5 Finale: Tweets that say it all

I was going to do a review of last nights Game of Thrones but found myself enjoying others responses to the episode. So I put together some of my favorites. 

These are some tweets that I feel say it all about the season 5 finale of Game of Thrones.





[SPOILERS If you haven't watched it yet and you don't want to be spoiled don't read any further]


The winner (IMO) is at the bottom!

You know it is an episode of #GameofThrones when two people jumping from the top of a wall is the most hopeful scene

— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) June 15, 2015

This is #GameofThrones..If you're looking for justice and happy endings you've come to the wrong place #got

— Ayesh ජයවර්ධන (@AyeshBroCricket) June 15, 2015

Ok THATS IT just wait till Sam gets back &finds out what you did #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/ekaUanY8wR

— The Ceremonies (@theCEREMONIES) June 15, 2015

I'm glad Tolkien wrote me, not Martin... #LOTR #GameofThrones

— ImAragorn (@ImAragorn) June 15, 2015

Every single episode... #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/TWLCeKHB4e

— Catherine. (@impossiblecat21) June 15, 2015

After this season of #GameofThrones I'm starting to think I might get killed watching

— Alex (@TheRealHajjar) June 15, 2015

Well #GameofThrones it's been swell. See you again in 8 months. Should be enough time work with my therapist to get over this last season.

— James McDougall (@ActorJamesMcD) June 15, 2015

I should've stopped watching this show when Ned Stark was beheaded. #GameofThrones

— KRUSTY (@kdvinluan) June 15, 2015

Decades from now, studies will show that watchers of #GameofThrones end up living shorter lives due to the effects of acute stress.

— Scott Santens (@2noame) June 15, 2015

This guy is now my favorite character in GOT. I'm so sure he can't die 😊😊😊 #GameofThrones pic.twitter.com/JMHt95dFLi

— J9nes (@Jhonex_IV) June 15, 2015

This happened a lot last night. 
 

I AM NOT GOING TO WATCH #GameofThrones AGAIN! *waits impatiently for the next season*

— Mother's Mercy (@IGotSherlocked) June 15, 2015

Which makes the winner...

The #GameOfThrones Cycle. pic.twitter.com/XW0bannO3F

— Break (@break) June 15, 2015

Game of Thrones: The Stannis Uproar!

Wow, lots of mixed reviews about season five of Game of Thrones so far. Fans and critics a like have been calling this season "boring", "not living up to the first three seasons", "...like a regular tv show" (Facebook) but the outrage at the events in last nights episode, "The Dance of Dragons" is palpable. Forbes calling it "The worst [decision] they’ve made in the entire show’s run."

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD

I'm going to begin with stating that Stannis has never been a favorite of mine. I've never liked him. However, if asked before last night if I thought he could kill his daughter I would have said no way. But that doesn't mean that I'm incapable of believing the events in "The Dane of Dragons." He travels with a powerful witch and has used magic before doing whatever it took, including sacrificing people, to win. People are talking about how it's an "infuriating way to ruin Stannis as a character..." (Forbes) I never saw him as some good guy who deserved to be king. I think Stannis is an example of how power and the need to win at all cost can take over drowning out all compassion and reason.

According to the showrunners in "Inside the Episode" it was George R.R. Martin himself who told them how Shireen will die. Exactly how she dies in the books is yet to be seen. (I haven't read any of the books. I came to Game of Thrones through the show.)

Showrunner Dan Weiss told EW what he believes about the fans reactions and the question, "How could you do that?" He points out how Stannis and Melisandre have been sacrificing people all along.

"It’s like a two-tiered system," he said. "If a superhero knocks over a building and there are 5,000 people in the building that we can presume are now dead, does it matter? Because they’re not people we know. But if one dog we like gets run over by a car, it’s the worst thing we’ve ever seen.

"I totally understand where that visceral reaction comes from. I have that same reaction. There’s also something shitty about that. So instead of saying, ‘How could you do this to somebody you know and care about?’ maybe when it’s happening to somebody we don’t know so well, maybe then it should hit us all a bit harder."

On the subject of the show getting boring, maybe it's my generation, who grew up on slower paced shows and movies, but I have never found Game of Thrones boring. There are episodes that are slower paced, but really this show is about the drama. Sometimes drama takes time. I find the same complaints in The Walking Dead fandom. One of the reasons I watch The Walking Dead is for the "boring" human drama scenes. Game of Thrones plays out in a similar fashion.

You can watch "Game of Thrones Season 5: Inside the Episode #9" here:

CSI Canceled but CSI:Cyber Gets a Second Chance

CBS is cancelling CSI after 15 seasons. There will be a TV movie in September to end the series, which will bring the return of original CSI stars William Petersen and Marg Helgenberge. However, Ted Danson is not out of a job. He'll be moving over to the new spin-off CSI Cyber.

Danson will be replacing Peter MacNicol who played FBI Assistant Director Stavros Sifter and supervisor of Special Agent Avery Ryan (Patricia Arquette.) D.B. Russell (Danson) and Special Agent Avery Ryan, already have a history together as CSI: Cyber was introduced in an episode of CSI last season.

I've already spoken about how I was disappointed in CSY Cyber. I love Patricia Arquette and I actually like Ted Danson in CSI, so my hope is that the addition of him plus the other changes (tweaks) that are expected will help improve the show.

Shows Canceled - ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW - Backstrom & Forever not given a chance

Backstrom

I have to say there are a few cancellations that I'm disappointed about. One is Forever. I was liking that show. Constantine, I saw the writing on the wall and haven't caught up on episodes yet. I may not bother catching up now. Backstrom I was also enjoying and am disappointed that it won't be given a chance.







The following shows have been canceled:

Forever

NBC

• A to Z
• About a Boy
• Allegiance
• Bad Judge
• Constantine
• Marry Me
• One Big Happy
• Parenthood
• Parks and Recreation
• State of Affairs

 

ABC

• Cristela
• Forever
• Manhattan Love Story
• Resurrection
• Revenge
• Selfie
• The Taste

 

CBS

• Battle Creek
• The McCarthys
• The Mentalist
• The Millers
• Reckless
• Stalker
• Two and a Half Men
• Unforgettable

 

Fox

• American Idol
(After 2016 season)
• Backstrom
• The Following
• Gang Related
• Glee
• Gracepoint
• Kitchen Nightmares
• The Mindy Project
• Mulaney
• Red Band Society
• Utopia
• Weird Loners

 

The CW

 

• The Messengers
• Hart of Dixie 

THE X-FILES debuts with a special two-night event January 24th!

Direct from Fox.com:

The next mind-bending chapter of THE X-FILES debuts with a special two-night event beginning Sunday, Jan. 24 (10:00-11:00 PM ET/7:00-8:00 PM PT), following the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, and continuing with its time period premiere on Monday, Jan. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The thrilling, six-episode event series, helmed by creator/executive producer Chris Carter and starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as FBI Agents FOX MULDER and DANA SCULLY, marks the momentous return of the Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history.

Assassin's Creed Movie Starts Filming in September

I really hope this movie is good. I've been playing Assassin's Creed for awhile, starting with Liberation, and have really enjoyed the few games I've played. The odds of games turned into movies turning out good are slim.

However I did enjoy the short film that was made Assassins Creed: Lineage (watch below) which takes place between games 1 and 2 and shows the
exploits of Ezio's father.

The feature film is set to begin filming in September with a release date of December 2016. It stars Michael Fassbender in the lead role with Justin Kurzel directing.

It's here! Star Wars: The Force Awakens Official Teaser #2

I can't wait for December!

Fear the Walking Dead update and SPOILERS

The Walking Dead spinoff has a name - Fear the Walking Dead. AMC ordered 2 seasons - 6 episodes for the first season, not known for the second.

Who's looking forward to this? I'm excited to see what happened in other parts of the country. Fear the Walking Dead will take place in Los Angeles and will follow a family in the early days of the apocalypse. The spin-off will have nothing to do with the comic books.



Filming continues in April and season one will air this summer.


SPOILER

The new series will begin before the epidemic takes hold. We'll meet the family in their normal lives, rather than post apocalyptic as in The Walking Dead, and only we (the audience) will know that the end is coming very soon.

From bleedingcool.com:
Teachers Madison and Travis, and their older teenage children, Alicia and Ian, Travis’ ex Liza and their teenage son Christopher, in a family about to break apart. Drugs, illness, self-harm, set in Los Angeles, this is not so much a nuclear family as a dirty bomb. Rick’s family were torn apart, this family are there from the beginning.

IT'S OFFICIAL! The walking dead companion show on AMC is called FEAR THE WALKING DEAD! Expect more news very soon! #FearTheWalkingDead
— Robert Kirkman (@RobertKirkman) March 27, 2015

Norman Reedus Interview, March 27, 2015

Sound quality is not great. (Okay, it sucks.) But you can hear it if you turn it up.

(Large file, may take a moment to load.)

Downton Abbey's Final Season Read Through Photos!

That's right it's official - Season 6 will be the last for Downton Abbey. Here's official photos for the read through of episode 601.

Source: pbs.org