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The Flash – S3E11 – Dead or Alive

Previously on The Flash, “Borrowing Problems From the Future”

Everyone wants to feel like their life mattered. That’s the desire that fuels Iris’ actions this week and what sent H.R. through the breach to another dimension when he knew it was a fatal crime on Earth-19.

When you’re a fugitive of justice, it’s probably not a good idea to self-publish your Earth-1 adventures into the multiverse. It’s how a vibe-powered bounty hunter might catch up to your ass. That’s exactly what happens when Gypsy (Jessica Camacho) arrives via a breach, intent on returning H.R. back to Earth-19 so he can face execution as punishment. Cisco’s decision to challenge Gypsy (Still can’t believe they went with that.) could have just been comedic relief (and it totally was), but when H.R. presses him as to why he’d risk his own life for him, Cisco’s offer sheds some much-needed light on their relationship. Unlike his prior relationships with the two other Wells, this Wells depends on Cisco more than Cisco depends on him. He feels obligated to protect him; plus, death is pretty harsh for his offense.

“Dead or Alive” also cemented Julian’s place in the group. He’s just as smart as Harry, yet way less subtle. Yes, that’s possible. It’s funny watching Julian learn to play nice with this team, and master the finer points of teamwork like, it’s best to instill hope in each other and not, “Hey, you’re totally going to die.”

The episode title also touched on Iris’ actions this week. Going after Central City’s new arms dealer and putting her life in danger stank of the recklessness that comes with knowing when you’re going to die. Except here, everyone is focused on trying to stop that from happening; hanging their hope on the possibility of changing the future. The last thing they want is to find out Iris doesn’t die in May because she gets herself killed in January. Thankfully, The Flash avoided that nonsense by having Iris want to feel like her life mattered. She’s not dead yet, but is she truly alive if she’s not really living till then? Her work is important to her and not just because she likes to write stories. She wants to make a difference and help people just like the rest of Team Flash. The difference is, she’s the only one with an approaching expiration date.

Enlisting Wally in her investigation after she told Barry she’d let it go still doesn’t sit right with me. Iris has made a big deal – several times – of being lied to, and so far this season she’s opted to tell lies and keep secrets from Wally, Joe, and now Barry. It isn’t always addressed, but it was this time when Joe learns Iris almost got shot while on the story. He’s furious, and Iris gets a lecture from Barry, which I guess is about as close to accountability as we’re going to get. Still, she, nor anyone else, doesn’t see fit to just tell Joe what they know about Savitar and Iris’ future.

But Wait; There’s More

Barry is getting faster, but not at a rate that will make a difference in May. You know who is getting faster faster? Wally. And Barry is convinced that means he’ll be the one to save Iris.

For more of ProFan Nina’s S3 The Flash reviews, click here.

Images: The CW

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Supergirl - S2E10 - We Can Be Heroes

Why Do You Get To Decide

There’s a good argument to be made that Superman inspired most of the superheroes on Earth. Kara is definitely inspired by her super cousin and now she has inspired heroes for better or worse.

After Mon-El passes Superhero Kindergarten to Kara’s satisfaction, he is ready to go into the field. It’s right on time as Supergirl’s nemesis, the recently escaped Livewire, appears to be attacking the National City Police Station. Once Supergirl and Mon-El arrive, Kara tells Mon-El to protect the cops while she deals with two goons that have the same abilities as Livewire. While Supergirl is getting #DatWork from the two Livewire knockoffs, Mon-El decides to disobey Supergirl’s order and attempt to help her. Guardian gets there on a badass motorcycle and attempts to protect the cops, but a stray lightning bolt that Mon-El deflects knocks out Guardian and a cop. When Supergirl goes to check on Guardian she takes his helmet off to reveal his identity as James!

If You Don’t Stop I’ll Stop You

This has to be one of my favorite scenes of the season, where Supergirl is allowed to read James the riot act for risking his life. Even though she may have gone a bit too overboard with scolding him, I am with her main point that if he keeps this up, he can be killed easily since he isn’t super-powered. Come to think of it, in a world that has protectors such as Supergirl, Superman, Martian Manhunter, Miss Martian, as well as Mon-El, even though he is in training, who needs a vigilante with a shield? To James’ credit, he stands his ground and tells her he’s going to continue doing what he was meant to do.

He gets his chance when Winn finds out where Livewire is; Guardian races there only to be ambushed by the Livewire clones. Since Mon-El overheard Winn and James’ conversation about the location of Livewire, he arrived to help, only to be caught by the mad scientist. (Yeah, that’s what they’re calling him.) Luckily for them, Supergirl arrives to save them both from becoming Livewire clones. Supergirl does allow Livewire to escape to prevent her from killing the mad scientist. The day is won and J’onn gives Winn and Guardian the seal of approval that they make an effective team. Supergirl won’t actively try to stop them, but still won’t support them as vigilantes.

Let Her Drown In Her Own Sins

Remember M’Gann? Well, she is still locked away at the DEO in containment cell 19. She’s taking her imprisonment solely because she’s a white martian like a champ when she appears to be attacked by an assailant attacking her mind. If you didn’t know, M’Gann is no slouch and she shatters her cell by letting out a powerful scream before she faints. J’onn takes her to the med bay where Alex tells him that to try and save her he should use the martian bond where they meld minds. J’onn is not down with this plan at all and is willing to let her die because her people killed his kind. What kind of hero would J’onn be if he let her die? This isn’t how M’Gann dies because he does the mind meld. Once he saves M’Gann she lets him know that she was battling white martians attacking her mind to locate her and they know where she is and they are coming.

I like the flaws they are able to show with J’onn and his prejudice for white martians and taking that out on M’Gann – even though it has been hard to watch the last couple of times they interacted. It’s a good thing he is able to trust her now because when those White Martians arrive, J’onn will need all the help he can get.

I am in 100% in agreement with Supergirl and her stance on non-powered superheroes. It would have been nice to see Kara voice her feelings when she was on Earth-1 helping The Flash fight aliens with a couple of guys with bow and arrows and one dude with a freaking handgun.  Especially when one of the bow and arrow guys ( the one with the abs) told her to sit this battle out because of his feelings.

I hope we never see those goons who kidnapped Livewire or that Mad Scientist again. The makeup for those two Livewire clones was horrible. When they were on screen with their powers it completely took me out of the episode because of how bad they looked.

Alex and Maggie were fun together as they have been most of the season. Does Kara know that Maggie knows she’s Supergirl?

Look, if you’re this far into the series you’re going to have to accept some of the cringeworthy dialogue Kara is fed. Does up, up and away ring a bell? However, the writers have to do better than Kara asking Mon-El do you like me. She’s a grown woman, not a fifth grader. Mon-El wasn’t much better in that scene talking about her eyes are like blue comets. I am pleased that Kara didn’t immediately fall for him and still wants to keep it as professional as possible with the two of them being partners. Speaking of people that Kara didn’t fall for, with their history, I’m super interested to see how the Guardian conflict plays out between Kara and James. For more Supergirl S2 reviews, click here.

Photos: The CW

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Vikings - S4E20 - The Reckoning

What an ending! So many beloved characters lost this season, and this episode is responsible for three. As the Vikings accomplished their destiny to avenge Ragnar and gain English soil, the episode progressed from muddy battlefields and deep shadows in Wessex to streams of light and a glowing sunset, evoking the joint wills of the gods and God. Then, “The Reckoning.” The players began to fall, from the most predictable to least, and in order of show seniority. Helga’s fatal mistake in claiming Tanaruz turns upon her when the frightened girl stabs her and kills herself. Ecbert commits suicide by way of self-execution after granting land to the Ragnarssons. And Sigurd and Ivar’s lifelong resentments explode into violence at the celebratory feast, with Ivar cutting his famous brother down for all to see. There is much to say.

Long Live the King

Ecbert shivers as Aethelwulf’s army clashes with the Vikings, mud flying. Every named warrior acquits themselves impressively but once Aethelwulf finally hits the ground, time slows and he sees the tide turning, an influx of fresh warriors led by Ivar. He orders his men to save themselves, rushing back to Wessex to hustle everyone to safety, but Ecbert and Bishop Edmund are unmovable. Instead, Ecbert asks for his trust, granting Aethelwulf the crown in a simple ceremony. That this is satisfying says volumes about the depth of Moe Dunford’s acting, in that we have watched him grow from a two-dimensional snarling prince, to his nearing arch-villainy as he murdered the settlers at a hastily-built burning cross; from there he discovered love and heroism with Kwenthrith, took his bastard foster son on a pilgrimage, learned to accept Judith’s independence, and proved himself as a general. With the stone Celtic cross behind him last episode and his father’s acceptance won at last, Aethelwulf has solidified as the strong-minded, multifaceted king England needs.

Ecbert kisses them all goodbye, telling Judith as she thanks him (what?!), “Love is everything.” To Alfred, he wishes humility and final words of wisdom. To Aethelred… well, him, too. With arms wrapped collegially, he and the bishop cheer them away, even tossing the mitre. Once they’re gone, however, the cheering turns to sobbing. Light shines over the gate. God’s will be done.

The Reckoning

While Ecbert and Edmund drain the wine cellars, the Great Army crests the hill, charging through the gates, but there’s no need: Wessex is empty. Confused, they venture into the buildings. Athelstan’s former manuscript room is the first to go as Floki puts the wall of scrolls to the torch. But they don’t find Ecbert, so he drunkenly stumbles out into the crowd until he catches Bjorn’s eye, then smiles, patting him. A face he knows. Upon finding Edmund, Floki pauses as the bishop forgives them, but Hvitserk strikes him down.

They cage Ecbert as he did Ragnar, debating his fate as he swings. Ivar wants to blood eagle him, but, with complete Ragnar mannerisms and punctuation, Bjorn lectures that they’re now in enemy territory and must use him wisely. Ecbert indicates he can mostly understand and, touting his authority as “king of kings,” he offers them East Anglia (east of Wessex) in exchange for choosing the manner of his death. Eventually Ivar warms up to the deal and Bjorn approves, a twist on history where Ivar left Egbert I as a puppet king—in this case he’s a willing one. Not without one signature Ecbert betrayal, however: he’s no longer a king. Will this prove a problem for the Vikings, for Aethelwulf, or both? Both he and Ragnar leave the last man to see them alive without all of the pertinent information.

A harried scribe draws up the contract without such comments, Ecbert reassuring him magnanimously. Bjorn then leads Ecbert to the Roman baths and nods goodbye. There in the warm water where he conversed with Ragnar, Athelstan, and Lagertha, surrounded by the heathen curiosities he loved so much, Ecbert opens his veins and dies. Although his time had come, he will be missed. Linus Roache elevated Ecbert to a formidable foil for all who shared the screen with him.

Helga

As the Vikings rush into the gate, Helga brings Tanaruz in as well, hustling the terrified girl through the palace halls as they burn. Overwhelmed by fear and Helga’s fretting, Tanaruz grabs Helga’s knife and stabs her in the neck, then kills herself. Floki, drawn to the hallway by Helga’s singing moments before, finds her dying.

“You’re not like anybody else. Be yourself, Floki. This world is too small for you.”

At sunset, he carries her body to the great tree and gently arranges her grave, laying jewelry and combs around her as he speaks of the pure god Baldr‘s death. Baldr’s mother had made all the objects in the realm swear not to hurt him, but thought mistletoe was too young to swear, and by this, he was killed with a mistletoe arrow of Loki’s design, accidentally wielded by his brother. An appropriate comparison, between Helga’s defining lack of cunning and the young Tanaruz, who was not of their realm, and Floki now feels responsible.

Bjorn watches from afar, then finds Floki in darkness to offer condolences. Floki says he, too, is dead. A part of him died with Angrboda, another with Ragnar, and the last with Helga. Now he’s a rudderless ship, willing to go where the gods take him. He stands, stares at Bjorn’s third eye wonderingly, and blesses it in his way, then walks into the light, his darkness swallowed.

I am of two minds about this. Emotionally, Maude Hirst and Gustaf Skarsgard use every bit of feeling we’ve invested into them. Visually, it is a beautiful call to archaeological finds of Viking women burials in the area, essentially archaeology fanfiction. Thematically, it is a way that tragedy buried can revisit us, and the words themselves were loaded with the religious depth and tenderness unique to Helga and Floki. Holy and heartbreaking.

On the other hand, this end felt telegraphed. Helga is a Viking woman of a certain age, but without warrior skills or royal blood, there was no readily apparent end point for her. Helga was strong enough to climb the mountain in winter to bury Angrboda in silence, so it is disappointing to have this return to break her. For a woman so dedicated to the gods’ will to die as a result of irrational desires resulting from an off-screen illness feels cheap. Critical changes to any major character should be on screen, period. Logically, she would not have even been with the army in Wessex; she would have been with the camp as repeatedly demonstrated by past raids. Two strikes there.

On a more dangerous note for a show so bolstered by its female audience, it is further problematic that her death not only pushes Floki into his destiny as a solo explorer, but seals Bjorn’s ascendance to the lead of the Ragnarssons as an adult by removing his final two childhood mentors in one fell swoop. A trope, to use the death of a woman to make men into men. None of this detracts from the work of the actors, which was perfection, but from a plot standpoint, maddening.

The Ragnarssons Divide

Celebrating their win, the Ragnarssons feast on the elevated stage where Ecbert was crowned. Bjorn charges them all with sending over settlers, but his own destiny lies in the Mediterranean. Harald cites “other business,” aka overthrowing Lagertha, but Halfdan, apparently deciding Bjorn isn’t cursed after all, signs on with that venture. Ivar just wants to tear up the countryside, but, with the entire army watching, Sigurd’s usual retorts are too much. Ivar cuts deep by accusing Sigurd of being feminine (see our previous discussion about Viking sexuality), but when Sigurd lashes out one last time, Ivar hurtles his ax across the table into his brother’s chest. Sigurd stumbles towards him, dying just short, the snake in his eye staring into nothing.

From a dramatic angle, it isn’t surprising that one Ragnarsson would die, especially the only one to witness all of Aslaug and Ivar’s sins and to have met Harbard. Aslaug’s abandonment left Sigurd without a definite parent or mentor, which, in a Hirst script, means he’s cannon fodder. Although he conceived of the Great Army, Sigurd was an emotional drifter, taking a shine to Lagertha, Margrethe, really anyone that showed him attention, ergo he is of little significance. Of greater significance, fratricide hardens and darkens Ivar’s soul, pushing him into his final form while he is still quite young.

However, from a historical point of view… AUGH! Sigurd Snake in the Eye is the one to stay and settle in England. He marries Aelle’s daughter, who has already appeared on screen, and is a major figure for many decades, father of legendary Danish king Harthacnut I, grandfather of Halfdan, and great grandfather of the real Harald Finehair. Maybe their current presence makes him redundant, but otherwise this choice is boggling. And for such a massive diversion, it should have been given more than a couple seconds and another abrupt season ending time jump to…

The Coda

A bishop (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) performs funeral rites and gives comfort to the grieving widow, offering a little more, if she’d like. She does like. They have noisy, vigorous sex as a sword gleams, engraved “ANANYZAPATA,” a religious spell against poison. He is Heahmund, warrior priest.

Wrap Up

At the end of its first extended season, Vikings should be congratulated in pulling off the maturation and expansion of its cast and crew. A year ago, I questioned its ability to allow the characters to grow old and die, but Travis Fimmel and Linus Roache pulled it off with aplomb. Moe Dunford grew from a bratty prince to a fully-deserving king. Katheryn Winnick made easy work of the transition from background ex to queen of Kattegat while never letting Lagertha’s warrior edge dull. The Ragnarssons settled into their roles and hierarchy. Kattegat armored itself while Wessex burned down. Hundreds of extras set sail on real boats, and the costumers turned out their best work yet. Visually, Vikings continues to dazzle and its uber-realistic combat expanded to “Battle of the Bastards”-scale with style and brutality.

But those side stories… This is where fans question the most. Not unlike the recent season of Game of Thrones, this season has periodically shown its bones of known historical events, people, and archaeological finds, with Hirst filling in details that don’t always work. The highlights are certainly high, but the emotions and drama propelling us from point to point have at times felt contrived, even infuriating, when they don’t add up. Astrid, for example: what did her story accomplish? Tanaruz. Margrethe. Yidu. Little Siggy. All female, all stories that deserved more plot justification. One hopes that as Season 5 films, course corrections have been made, because, without Ragnar’s magnetism to hold it together, Vikings needs to tighten up on the frivolities and make a conscious effort to keep its dramatic plots relevant. It would also be perfectly fine if Hirst allowed the season to end on a meditative note, allowing us to absorb the trauma just experienced, rather than a jarring jump to the future.

For more of ProFan Sarah’s S4 Vikings reviews, click here.

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Project Fandom at WonderCon 2015

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Project Fandom at WonderCon 2015

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Project Fandom at WonderCon 2015

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Project Fandom at WonderCon 2015

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Project Fandom at WonderCon 2015

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Project Fandom at WonderCon 2015

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Project Fandom at WonderCon 2015

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These are perfection. 

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Project Fandom at Walker Stalker Con 2015: San Francisco 

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Project Fandom at Walker Stalker Con 2015: San Francisco

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Project Fandom at Walker Stalker Con 2015: San Francisco. 

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Wizard World Portland Comic-Con 2015

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Wizard World Portland Comic-Con 2015

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It's been an amazing season, but tonight Game of Thrones S4 comes to an end.

Join us on Twitter at 6pm PT/9pm ET as we live-tweet the season finale, 'The Children' Use #PFGoT to join the convo for a chance at being awarded Tweet of the Week. We'll read feedback on tomorrow night's GoT podcast.