#all in all a great episode i wil NEVER listen to again

[the-eclectic-wonderer]

That statement giver is showing remarkably more sanity and self-control than I would have in his position. Personally I was already Gwen-levels of shaken up when I read "Bonzo" in the episode description

[danielfeketewrites]

DOCTOR WHO TOP 10 - 1st Doctor

So, I threatened to do this a while ago, and I'm finally ready. This is my first top 10 in a series of Doctor Who top 10s.

Expanded universe wil be included, always. Let's go.

10. A Big Hand for the Doctor

Out of the 11 Doctors, 11 stories anthology, this might be my favourite one? Although a few of the others are great as well.

It's just so... weird. I mean, all of those short stories are likely written by people with little to no knowledge of eu. So Colfer (who I am predisposed to like, because I loved Artemis Fowl as a kid) isn't tied to... I dunno, Quinnis? Operation Proteus? He's probably never even heard of them. So he creates a glimpse of a whole new NewWho-esque era that takes place before Totter's Lane. One that (unlike the one presented in Fugitive of the Judoon) seems actually fun and interesting.

The 1st Doctor had a cybernetic arm for all of his episodes. Why? Because why the fuck not.

9. The Savages

Whenever some weird incel on the internet says "Doctor Who was never about politics!", the correct answer to that is "Shut the fuck up and go watch The Savages." Or it would be, if any of it still existed.

Don't get me wrong - William Hartnell's Doctor Who era was very political. Mostly with "Nazis bad" and "cold war bad", which are both solid takes. But this serial has balls.

It has no monsters, it's just a parable about South Africa. I don't know, I just think it's really cool for this children's sci-fi show in mid-1960s to go "Yeah, fuck apartheid!"

8. The Edge of Destruction

I haven't seen this one for years but from what I remember and what I know about it, I like it a lot. It's just this weird filler, except it's not at all, because it's an integral part of each character's arc. It has a profound weirdness about it which I adore.

It's Doctor Who, as originally intended.

7. Home Truths

I listened to this one recently for the first time and - wow. Just wow. It's just dripping with atmosphere. I love it a lot and need to listen to the rest of that trilogy now.

6. Dalek Invasion of Earth

It's the one where the Daleks... actually become the Daleks. From opressors on a futuristic planet, bound to a single city, to galactic conquerors. Iconic, and for very good reasons.

5. Journey Out of Terror

Simon Guerrier is just fucking excelent at writing the 1st Doctor, Ian, and Barbara. There's no way around it, this short story is properly brilliant and you should read it if you haven't done so yet.

4. The Daleks' Master Plan

I love the madness of the Master Plan. It's a lot bigger than manageable. It's ambitious and epic and I adore it to bits. It has the Monk! Huge empires! Jumping through time! Cold war parallels! A Christmas special! There's nothing like it. Hopefully more of it returns to the archives one day.

3. The Aztecs

The Aztecs is one of the purest Doctor Who experiences ever. It's really funny, but also quite dark. It has action and adventure, yet stops to think about history and culture, as well as the philosophy of time travel. It feels timeless.

2. The Keys of Marinus

The Keys of Marinus is widely disliked and overall not a beloved story. Which is, of course, bullshit.

I love it so goddamn much. It's the first "Classic Who" serial that was genuinely FUN for me to watch. It made me fall in love with Doctor Who again, in the same way I feel in love the 11th Doctor's era. It's amazing and should be recognised as such.

1. The Time Meddler

Alright, this is one the most beloved Hartnell era serials. And... for good reasons.

I love this story. It's clever and fun and inovative and just all around marvelous time. I can't help it, the Doctor x Monk rivalry just gets me. The setting is excellent. And it kinda invents the final bits of Doctor Who that weren't invented by Season 1.

[tellthemeerkatsitsfine]

So, I’d actually heard this one before. This is from a 25-episode thing with stand-up from the late 90s/early 00s, and two of the episodes are specials they recorded at the 2003 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I’d heard those ones before, as part of a different collection of radio episodes, recorded in various years at the Fringe. But I was happy to listen to them again.

This Andy Zaltzman routine is from one of those specials, in August 2003. I’d heard it before, and had really enjoyed that, but some reason hadn’t cut out and saved the clip, so I’m happy I did that now. This is by far the earliest recording I’ve heard of Andy Zaltzman doing stand-up, and one of the few scraps I’ve found from any of his pre-Bugle (meaning pre-2007) days.

So most of what I know about Zaltzman’s pre-2007 comedy comes from stuff I’ve read about it, and this set would have been taken from his 2003 Fring show, which was this one, his “great conspiracy” show. First of all, I’d like to quote from that Chortle review of the show, because I love this opening paragraph:

If brevity is the soul of wit, Andy Zaltzman must be the unfunniest man alive. He never uses one word when 27 will do and his heaps parentheses inside subsidiary clauses like grammatical Russian dolls.

Excellent. If I weren’t already a massive Andy Zaltzman fan, if I’d never before listened to anything he’d ever done, that paragraph alone would convince me that I’d like him. I realize saying things like this makes me sound about 90 years old, but fuck brevity, fuck a world with expectations that have been shaped by the limits of what can be expressed in a Tweet, language is meant to be used.

Andy Zaltzman remained so committed to this principle that about ten years later, in a Bugle episode from around 2013, a listener emailed that podcast to say: “I have been repeatedly told by professors that “brevity is the soul of wit”. I have become concerned that The Bugle might not have a soul. Please discuss.” Andy replied: “Well, in response to that, I’d say, you’re a cunt. Moving on…” And then actually moved on, in defiance of my assumption that he’d say that as a joke but then go back and add to it. Brilliant. I love the way his entire career came together to make that joke funnier, the way just dropping the word “cunt” should be a cheap laugh, but in fact he earned that one with every fancy language-ridden rant that preceded it.

Anyway, that’s not really what this post is about, it’s just that that very strong review makes me very much want to hear Andy’s 2003 show, and in absence of a full recording, I’ll accept this clip. I’ve heard Andy say before that when he first started out in comedy, he did purely surreal stuff, and didn’t have the guts to try to be more political as he didn’t know if audiences would like it. I know he’d started going political by 2003, because that’s when he set up his Political Animal comedy night, which was meant to let other comedians do that sort of thing in front of an audience that was expecting it. It sounds like this clip caught him in the transition, when he was blending the two. He never fully dropped either of them – he's always liked his weird, surreal stories that also make some sort of satirical point. But in this clip, it sounds like he was leaning a little more to the surreal side than he would in later years. Having said that, a lot of it is absolutely classic Zaltzman.

There are more celebrities now than ever before, in the world. There are also more facts in the world than ever before, and that’s just one of them. There are more celebrities now, and if the current rate of the increase in celebrities now continues, then by the year 2052, celebrities will outnumber ordinary people. And if that continues then by 2142, 99% of the world’s population will be celebrities. At which point the market will implode, and all celebrities will be merged into one giant celebrity, known as God. And the process will start again from scratch. Only this time, God will make the differences between men and women even funnier, and comedians will be the most powerful race on Earth. And after a savage and brutal war between the observationalists and the surrealists, into the power vacuum will come the singing comedians, and the world’s only currency will be amusingly altered pop lyrics. So please, be careful.

I liked this bit enough to type it out and post it the first time I heard this clip, but I think I appreciate it more now, as I hear it after listening to a bunch of hours of other Radio Four comedians from the five years that preceded it (1998-2003). From listening to those, I’ve noticed a lot more musical comedians that I hear from a selection of Radio Four these days, and specifically a lot of them doing pop music parodies. Also, he is not kidding about the “differences between men and women” thing. I mean, I knew that, I know that “men are like this and women are like this” is what you say if you want to make fun of how 90s comedy sounded, and I have heard 90s comedy before so I’ve heard straightforward examples of it. But listening to this many hours of that stuff in a row really drives home just how common that specific topic was in comedy at the time. So I have a better idea now of just how accurately Zaltzman was referencing his own industry.

I can also hear very early versions of things that would turn into his classic jokes. He was clearly so close to have developed the one he’d keep telling for years, in which he’d ask the crowd who likes democracy, and then point out that only half the audience could be bothered to respond to that question, so clearly apathy levels are high enough for it to make sense that voter turnout is so low.

You can also hear an early version of one his favourite bits, which is to report on some political thing, usually some type of violent conflict, as though it’s a sporting event. Sandwiched right between a fairly cheap joke about George Bush’s inability to read and a completely nonsensical thing about a magic foal, and a satirical description of TV news networks that was a lot more hyperbolic in 2003 than it is today.

Andy Zaltzman also absolutely loves taking a figure of speech and then exaggerating it to extreme lengths, ie. when he said News International in 2011 “Did not so much scrape the bottom of the barrel of investigative journalism as detonate a land mine in the barrel, then use industrial mining equipment to dig down several hundred metres underneath the barrel just to make sure they hadn’t missed anything”. Here we have an early version of that too:

It was a moment of truth, said George W. Bush, when the war started, a moment of truth. And I thought how great, that in that whole protracted saga, truth was allowed at least a moment, out in the open, before being smashed on the head with a baseball bat, kicked in the nadgers, and thrown down a disused mineshaft, out of everyone’s way.

And then, in classic Zaltzman fashion, he ends on a joke that does not quite work, structuring the whole set in a way to minimize the self-promotional potential. Brilliant. I’m so glad I dug this clip up.

[tabriscadash]

I was asked this on my old blog right as I set about transitioning to this one, so...

The first character I ever fell in love with: for DA:O, dare I say Daveth? What can I say -- I irrationally got incredibly attached to him. otherwise, DEFINITELY Morrigan, and I have crystal clear memories of my first run through Lothering and looking at Morrigan like 😍 the whole time. For DA:2/E, Carver -- unless you count Anders & Justice since I knew of them from Awakening beforehand, in which case probably Justice. For DA:I, it’s a toss-up between Vivienne or Cole -- I technically liked Cole first but SPECIFICALLY in the supporting material (Asunder), and didn’t vibe with him anywhere near as much in the game, AND I got him as a companion after I got Vivienne, so probably Vivienne.

A character that I used to love/like, but now do not: for DA:O, I guess Oghren? I never loved him, but I liked the idea of him because I really liked the dwarves/Orzammar side of DA’s worldbuilding -- but he’s such an unlikeable character that I just.. don’t vibe with him at all. I debate recruiting him every single time now, and I don’t think I ever do his personal quest (in the base game OR Awakening). for DA:2/E, I don’t really have anyone that fits -- but I REALLY wanted to like Merrill and Aveline more than I did, and especially in Aveline’s case, I can’t stand her and genuinely think she’s the unintended, secret Big Bad of the whole game. for DA:I, probably Cole, bc I was really into the idea of a little walking-corpse serial killer animated by a spirit as per the book, but that’s not really the vibe in DA:I, and combined with the somewhat patronising/ableist language and how significantly he is infantilised (including by the fandom) I just got put off him. I do still like him, but not as much.

A ship that I used to love/like, but now do not: for DA:O, I don’t really have one? I guess see my DA:I answer, lol... for DA:2/E, has to be Anders - I don’t think he’s OOC in 2, but I think his writing does so little with him and he feels v. reductive. Where his relationship could be SO interesting and angsty, it instead is written in a really dull and/or cringey way. It would have been nice to see Anders more like the Anders of Awakening near the beginning of the game (rather than random, infrequent and questionably rare snippets), and then see the progression of his relationship with Justice as the game went on -- I want more interesting abominations, PLEASE. for DA:I, listen I cannot express to you HOW EXCITED I was for my planned Lavellan to romance Sera… also I used to be way more tolerant of Cullen x Amell/Surana ships because, like, hey dark ships are fun, right? But since Cullen’s ~wholesome whitewash~ in DA:I, and his fandom clamouring to absolve him of any wrongdoing ever.. it’s boring to me.

My ultimate favourite character™: for DA:O, probably Sten? or Morrigan. They’re both fantastic, and also are significant comfort chars for me. for DA:2/3, honestly, probably my own Hawke -- I feel so hugely proud of her, and can’t imagine I’d enjoy the game anywhere near as much had I not played it as my Hawke. If not her, maybe Sebastian or Carver? for DA:I, I really love Vivienne, as well as Blackwall, and Solas is a great character even if I probably would not say I liked him.

Prettiest character: for DA:O, we all know it’s Zevran. for DA:2/E, I think Aveline -- although her aggressively bland colour-scheme lets her down in a major way (although I respect her dedication to all orange all day every day). There’s just something about her arms -- very Abby from TLOU:2. for DA:I, maybe Josephine? Ser Barris is very pretty, too...

My most hated character: for DA:O, I really didn’t like Alistair, Wynne and Oghren, and of my companions - Oghren is probably my least favourite. He’s vulgar and also profoundly uninteresting. for DA:2/E, it has to be Aveline. There’s just something about ineptitude and a complete, wilful refusal to take accountability for your actions that I can’t stand. It would be okay if it was an intentional character flaw, but the game/narrative treats her like she’s lawful good and it really annoys me. for DA:I, maybe Iron Bull? He was a huge disappointment for me. I also really dislike Sera, Cassandra, and Varric. I’m so sick of Varric - I never want to see him again.

My OTP: for DA:O, I really loved Zevran’s romance -- but I am also very amused by the fact that Leliana got to ‘love’ status with Kallian accidentally, AND I got the ‘love’ glitch for Justice (👀) and Velanna. I do sometimes wonder about an AU where Kallian is forced to make a politically expedient marriage with Nathaniel Howe for diplomatic reasons in order to consolidate her position as Arlessa, and it being an entirely platonic arrangement (it’s not like anyone expects an heir from an infertile Grey Warden) -- and maybe Zev and Nate kiss sometimes, who knows? I also LOVE my Darkspawn Chronicles AU where Kallian and Nelaros are a happy, married couple each hiding their skills with weapons from each other like dumb, cute sweethearts. They shelter Zevran when he fails to kill Alistair and a poly couple evolves. for DA:2/E, I love the IDEA of a Seb romance that isn’t so strictly conditional around the structures that abused him -- he should be allowed to love, chastely or otherwise, but free from the Chantry OR his position as prince/heir. I’d LOVE to actually have a romance with him where you can actually challenge the abuse he’s experienced. for DA:I, Malika doesn’t have a canon romance (although I think when I replay, I’m going to romance Josephine!) but I think Blackwall has an amazing romance. Solas’ is also iconic, it must be said. 

My NOTP: for DA:O, I really dislike Alistair in a shipping capacity; he’s immature and says a lot of misogynistic shit and I don’t think he’s the worst for it, but I don’t really vibe with shipping him, having played the game as a female city elf. for DA:2/E, I wouldn’t say I have one, particularly? although I really dislike Aveline’s relationship with her husband simply because it seems incredibly inappropriate, given that they work together and she has power over him -- and because I dislike her, generally, I don’t feel inclined to do something nice for her. for DA:I, I suppose Sera/Lavellan -- although I’m not AGAINST it, it just really isn’t for me, having attempted it. I also don’t really vibe with Dorian x Iron Bull. Something abt the way the game handled BDSM and their relationship banter specifically I don’t really like.

Favourite episode quest: for DA:O, probs Orzammar/the Deep Roads. I really love the dwarven lore! and, of course, Fort Drakon is really funny, even though it’s not canon in my game iirc. for DA:2/E, maybe the murder mystery with the serial killer, where ultimately Leandra dies? I also really enjoyed all the companion quests. for DA:I, The Descent (just, all of it, lmao) and everything to do with the Avvar. Crestwood also BANGED.

Saddest death: for DA:O, it’s frankly a fucking INJUSTICE that Shianni gets murdered if you make her Bann of the Alienage -- the idea of that happening whilst Kallian is in Amaranthine and unable to protect her :( genuinely very upsetting. I go back and forth on who is made Bann, tbf, so idk how canonical it is: I think maybe Cyrion would get it, but I’m also endeared to Soris holding the position, with Shianni as Hahren. for DA:2/E, Bethany. I wish both twins had had the chance to reach Kirkwall :(. Let Leandra die instead. for DA:I, maybe not the saddest death, but the most memorable for me was that one sleeping dragon in the Hissing Wastes.. leave her alone. Stay out of a womans’ business.

Favourite season game: DA:O!

Least favourite season game: DA:I.

Character that everyone else in the fandom loves, but I hate: for DA:O, Alistair. I cannot deal with his complacency and hypocrisy. for DA:2, I really disliked Merrill but I honestly cannot remember why. DEFINITELY Varric -- I hated how the game forces you to be his best friend, and if you’re low approval, you have to endure these pointless pissy little comments with this little anti-dwarf centrist pissant. After the expedition, I literally have no reason to put up with him, and I NEVER take him out. I hate that he plays the same role in DA:I, too. for DA:I, the Iron Bull was hugely disappointing, and I also really don’t vibe with Cassandra. She just seems very wishy-washy and complacent and hypocritical, and many of her comments about other cultures seem snide for literally no reason other than bigotry. 

My ‘you’re a piece of trash, but you’re still a fave’ fave: for DA:O, lbr probably Sten. Mans is gonna launch a HORRIFYING invasion in the next game iirc and frankly, I’m ok with it. Just wanna see that big bastard again ❤🥵. for DA:2/E, I LOVE Gamlen, ok? for DA:I, I am not sure if I have one.

My ‘beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves better than this’ fave: for DA:O, if any of you so much as LOOK at Velanna wrong, it’s hands. That includes Bioware. I also feel incredibly protective of and sad for Morrigan. for DA:2/E, probably Sebastian -- I feel so sad for him, and so frustrated by the limitations with the game. for DA:I, I’m honestly not sure.. maybe Josephine? I don’t really feel this way about Sera, but I do think she deserves better from the game and its writing, and also from fandom: there are valid criticisms of her, but the hate she gets is not proportional to any valid issues with her -- and gee, I wonder why that is.

My ‘this ship is wrong, nasty, and makes me want to cleanse my soul, but i still love it’ ship: for DA:O, I did use to find Cullen x Surana/Amell intriguing as a dark ship -- I actually hc that Neria Surana is actually Nelaros’ sister, and have dabbled with it as a dark ship. I also am interested in Loghain/Alistair - which each pretends the other is someone else. Alistair is wooby, hate ships are, in general, fun -- so long as we acknowledge that they are, indeed, unhealthy ships. for DA:2/E, I kind of feel like Sebastian romances are, invariably, kind of dark... and, similarly, Anders romances -- especially with certain red Hawkes, The way it ends is, invariably, bordering on fucked up. ALSO Hawkecest is weird and wonderful: GET WITH IT. 

My ‘they’re kind of cute, and I lowkey ship them, but I’m not too invested’ ship: for DA:O, I joked about Velanna x Leliana once and I’ve not been able to stop thinking about it ever since… Velanna x Sigrun is also something that can be so personal. Ariane x Finn is adorable and are paid DUST by Bioware AND fandom. I actually am really into Anora x Nathaniel & NO I will NOT explain myself; it’s a crackship but it’s MY crackship. for DA:2/E, Isabela x Fenris is super cute, but I don’t pay enough attention to them to really have super committed thoughts & feelings on them. for DA:I, Blackwall x Josephine is cute as a background ship; I also think Maryden x Cole is sweet.

[blue-charlotte]

This is a great response by Will Wheaton about how we're allowed to enjoy things even if the actor/writer/creator etc., turns out to be trash.

Q: I have more of an opinion question for you. When fans of things hear about misconduct happening on sets/behind-the-scenes are they allowed to still enjoy the thing? Or should it be boycotted completely? Example: I’ve been a major fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer since I was a teenager and it was currently airing. I really nerded out on it and when I lost my Dad at age 16 “The Body” episode had me in such cathartic tears. Now we know about Joss Whedon. I haven’t rewatched a single episode since his behavior came to light. As a fan, do I respectfully have to just box that away? Is it disrespectful of the actors that went through it to knowingly keep watching?

"Answer: I have been precisely where you are, right now. In fact, we were just talking about this a few days ago, as it relates to a guy who wrote a ton of music that was PROFOUND to me when I was a teenager. He wrote about being lonely and feeling unloved, and all the things I was feeling as a teenager.

He grew up to be a reprehensible bigot, and for years I couldn't listen to one of the most important bands in my life anymore.

But this week, someone pointed out that he was one member of a group that all worked together to make that thing that was so important to me. And the person he was when he wrote those lyrics is not the person he is today. And the person I was when I heard those lyrics doesn't deserve to be shoved into a box and put away, because that guy is a shit.

This is a long way of saying that Joss sure turned out to be garbage. Because of who my friends are, I know stuff that isn't in the public, and it's pretty horrible. He's just not a good person, and apparently never was a good person.

BUT! Buffy is more than him. It's all the actors and crew who made it. It's all the writers who aren't Joss. Joss is part of it, sure, and some of the episodes he wrote are terrific.

At least one of the episodes he wrote was deeply meaningful to you at a moment in your life when you'd experienced a loss I can only imagine. The person you are now, and the 16 year-old you were who just lost their dad, are more important than the piece of shit Joss Whedon revealed himself to be.

His bad behavior is on him. He has to live with it, and the consequences of it.

16-year-old you, who just lost their dad, shouldn't have to think about what a shit Joss Whedon is for even a second. That kid, and you, deserve to have that place to revisit when you need to go there.

I can't speak for the other actors, even the ones I know. But I will tell you, as an abuse survivor myself who never wanted to be in front of the camera when he was a kid: it's really okay for you to enjoy the work. The work is good and meaningful, and if nobody is going to watch it because of what one piece of shit did two decades ago, what was it all for?

I'm not the pope of chilitown, so take this for what it's worth: I believe that when some piece of art is deeply meaningful to a person, for whatever reason, that art doesn't belong to the person who created it, if it ever did. It belongs to the person who found something meaningful in the art.

If it feels right to you to put it away and never look at it again, that's totally valid. But if it brings you comfort, or joy, or healing, or just warm familiarity to bring it out and spend some time with it, that's totally valid, too.

I've written a lot of words. I hope some of them make sense and are helpful to you."

https://www.upworthy.com/wil-wheaton-shares-how-to-separate-art-from-problematic-artist

[imetyouonljpodcast]

I MET YOU ON LJ: A Fandom & Nonsense Podcast

Episode #002: Origin Stories

It’s a ten-year retrospective! Follow Maggie and V’s introductions to fandom, from their childhoods through 2008 or so, and you’ll see why it’s a miracle that they’re friends at all. After falling hard for River Phoenix, Maggie does a deep-dive on guitarist John Frusciante and the Red Hot Chili Peppers; V takes us on a rollercoaster journey with the members of bubblegum boy band Dream Street.

This Episode Covers…

harry potter • american girl • smallville • river phoenix • stand by me (1986) • dream street • chris trousdale • greg raposo • jesse mccartney • frankie j. galasso • matt ballinger • red hot chili peppers • john frusciante • flea • anthony kiedis • fandom •  fanfiction • rpf • josh klinghoffer • bob forrest • the bicycle thief • warpaint • katie cassidy • real-person fiction • bandslash • boy bands • bubblegum pop • alt rock • the 1990s • the 2000s • blood sugar sex magik • emily kokal

LISTEN ON… Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, LibSyn, Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or your favorite RSS podcatcher!

Show Notes & Resources behind the cut.

River Phoenix and Wil Wheaton in Stand By Me (1986) 

John Frusciante and Anthony Kiedis (in the hat) in 1991 

John Frusciante looking like very much like Jesus, photographed by Nabil Elderkin in 2009

John Frusciante performs “The Will To Death” at the All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival in 2005. 

If you liked this, I highly recommend listening to the full performance. It’s a great primer for his back catalogue before electronic music fully took over.

Dream Street - “It Happens Every Time”

This is the TV cut of the “It Happens Every Time” video. For the full director’s cut, click here.

Dream Street’s Valentine’s Day mega-feature in Popstar! Magazine, Feb/March 2002

V has four copies of this magazine: one to put the A4s in her locker at school, one to put the pull-out posters up in her bedroom, one to read, and one that’s still in mint condition.

Our very own V with Greg Raposo in 2008

V: “This was after one of the approximately seven quadrillion shows I went to between 2008-2009. Greg said “we’ve taken too many smiling photos, let’s make serious faces for this one,” and this is how it turned out. The matching shirts were an accident. This was one of my favorite shows of all time even though the audience was tiny and it was in a bar that really didn’t have a good area for an audience – it was so energetic and so much fun anyway!”

Greg Raposo/RAPOSO - “Nothing” (Ready To Go, 2008)

V: “The photoshoot for this era of Greg’s band (called RAPOSO, and then STEREOPATH, and then Greg Raposo Band, and then RAPOSO again) was done by one of my best friends out in New York in 2008, while the band and us groupie squad were at a show for the Fresher’s Week at the university of one of our other best friends/gals in the groupie squad. The four of us really poured our entire hearts, souls, and every ounce of energy into Greg and his band for those two years! I designed the group’s 2008-2009 logo and MySpace page, for which this photoshoot served as the header. This song was never considered one of the band’s leads or singles, but it’s among my very favorites.”

[papermoonloveslucy]

Desi’s TOPS Picks!

July 9, 1955

For the July 9, 1955 issue of TV Guide, Desi Arnaz was tasked with picking TOPS - Television’s Own Promising Starlets!  Arnaz picked six young women he believed would be popular and successful on television in the years to come. This was a rare time that Lucille Ball was not part of the article, except for her name being dropped as Desi’s original TOPS pick.  There is not even a photo of Lucy!  

The cover features Clara Ann Fowler (1927-2013), known by her stage name Patti Page, a singer of pop and country music and occasional actress. She was the top-charting female vocalist and best-selling female artist of the 1950s, selling over 100 million records during a six-decade long career. Page's signature song, "Tennessee Waltz", was one of the biggest-selling singles of the 20th century. Page had three additional #1 hit singles between 1950 and 1953, "All My Love (Bolero)", "I Went to Your Wedding", and "(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window".  In 1955, Page was seen in “The Patti Page Show,” her own 15-minute television show and was a frequent musical guest on variety programs. 

Here’s a closer look at Desi’s TOPS, along with notes about their career since 1955: 

MARJIE MILLAR was born on August 10, 1930 in Tacoma, Washington, as Marjorie Joy Miller. In 1935, she won a Shirley Temple look-alike contest at Tacoma's Roxy Theater over 200 other local contestants. Mogul Hal Wallis took an immediate interest in her. In March 1952 she was named "Miss Hollywood Star of 1952."  She was crowned one of Hollywood's new deb stars by Hollywood hair stylists in 1953. She was known for Money from Home (1953) and About Mrs. Leslie (1954). In July 1955 she had just finished two seasons on ABC TV’s Emmy-nominated series “Where’s Raymond?” starring Ray Bolger. After Desi’s recognition, she did the film When Gangland Strikes (1956). She was married to Charles Candoo, John Dennis McCallum, John Florea, and James Sidney Rollins Jr. She died on April 16, 1966 in Coronado, California.

Desilu Connection: On “Where’s Raymond” she acted opposite “I Love Lucy” character actors Elvia Allman, Bobby Jellison, Shirley Mitchell, Verna Felton, Jay Novello, Joi Lansing, and Wil Wright, as well as creative staff Argyle Nelson, Claudio Guzman, and Dann Cahn. The series filmed at General Service Studios, just like “I Love Lucy”. 

FRANCES RAFFERTY was born on June 16, 1922 in Sioux City, Iowa. During the Depression her family moved to Los Angeles in search of work. Frances was signed by MGM at the age of 19 and began with a dancing bit in Presenting Lily Mars (1943) starring Judy Garland. She was a war-era cover girl for Yank, the Army weekly. Unable to secure starring parts, Frances remained a B-level co-star. She died in 2004 at age 81. 

Desilu Connection: Lucille Ball was instrumental in casting Rafferty in Desilu’s hit sitcom “December Bride” (1954-59), where she played Ruth Henshaw in 156 episodes, including one that starred Desi Arnaz as himself!  At MGM, she was in the films Thousands Cheer (1943) and Abbott and Costello in Hollywood (1945) with Lucille Ball. 

VERA MILES (nee Ralston) was born in Boise City, Oklahoma on August 23, 1929. Miles won the title of "Miss Kansas" in 1948, leading soon to small roles in Hollywood films and television. series. The same week this TV Guide hit the stands, she appeared in the film Wichita, starring Joel McRae as Wyatt Earp. Coincidentally, Miles went to high school in Wichita, Kansas. Her main claim to fame was as one of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘blondes’ appearing in Psycho (1960) as Lila Crane, Marion’s sister. Miles also did the 1983 sequel playing the same role. 

Desilu Connection: In 1958, Miles did “Mr. Tutt”, an episode of Desilu’s Colgate Theatre, produced by Desi Arnaz. In 1966, Miles appeared on an episode of “The Bob Hope Show” with Lucille Ball. 

JEANNE BAIRD was born on March 28, 1927 in Du Bois, Pennsylvania. She got her start in TV’s “The Living Christ” as Martha in 1951. 

Desilu Connection: In 1955 she did an episode of “I Married Joan” (NBC’s answer to “I Love Lucy”) which filmed at General Services Studios, same as “Lucy”.  

PEGGY KING was born in 1930 and known as "Pretty Perky Peggy King" when she appeared on “The George Gobel Show” (1954-57) and guest-starred on many other TV shows. In 1952, MGM signed her to a contract, which led to a cameo in Vincente Minnelli's The Bad and the Beautiful and a series of commercial jingles for Hunt's tomato sauce. These last brought her to the attention of Mitch Miller, who signed her to a long-term contract, under which she made two best-selling albums. She sang the Oscar-nominated song "Count Your Blessings" on the 1955 Academy Awards telecast, and both Billboard and Down Beat magazine named her Best New Singer of 1955–56. She was nominated for an Emmy in 1955, the same year this TV Guide was published. The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia inducted King into their Hall of Fame in 2010, which led to her resuming her singing career in 2013.

Desilu Connection: There is no known direct connection between King and  Lucy and Desi, although both were associated with MGM and Vincente Minnelli. It is likely that Desi is just listening to the Hollywood critics, who praised King highly and predicted she would rival the greats.  While she had a moderate success, she never achieved the legendary status of Garland, Shore, Whiting, or Stafford. 

VIRGINIA GIBSON was born on April 9, 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri, as Virginia Gorski. In the fall of 1943, she was a dancer in Roll Up Your Sleeves on Broadway. Gibson was signed by Warner Brothers in 1950 and made her film debut in Tea for Two (1950). On television, Gibson was a regular on “Captain Billy's Showboat” (1948). She also starred in “So This Is Hollywood” (1955) and was a regular performer on “The Johnny Carson Show (1955–56). In 1956 she returned to Broadway to play Ethel Merman's daughter in the musical Happy Hunting, earning a Tony nomination for her work. She died in 2013 at age 88. 

Desilu Connection: Gibson is perhaps best known for playing Liza, one of the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in MGM’s 1955 musical.  Lucy and Desi were also at MGM during this time, and even mentioned Seven Brides on an episode of “I Love Lucy.”

If the idea of Desi Arnaz and young female talent rings a bell, it should!  Ricky Ricardo was often faced with a green-eyed Lucy when surrounded by beautiful Hollywood starlets. It happened in “Don Juan and the Starlets” (ILL S4;E17), which coincidentally (or not) was aired around the same time as this article was being written for TV Guide! 

Lucy again got jealous of Ricky fraternizing with up-and-coming young talent in “Desert Island” (ILL S6;E8) just a year later. 

Editor’s Notes: Considering the well-known circumstances of the Arnaz divorce, and Desi’s reputation as a womanizer, it might be easy to conclude that producer Desi had some sort of personal interest in promoting these attractive young ladies in TV Guide. However, I’m not so sure that is a reasonable assumption to make. First, articles of this sort were rarely written by the ‘author’ (Desi) but by press agents, with approval of the person with the byline. The extent of Desi’s control of the list or the text that accompanies them is up for debate. In fact, some of these talented women are only tangentially related to Arnaz publicly, and some - not at all. 

When all is said and done, the only one on the list that has approached icon status is Vera Miles, due mainly to her participation in Hitchcock’s Psycho. While Frances Rafferty was on a weekly TV series (”December Bride”) the show has not fared well in syndication and is largely forgotten by today’s viewers. However, Rafferty is the most likely to have been ‘Desi’s pick’ due to her working on the Desilu lot and appearing with him in an episode of the show. At the time, Peggy King was certainly the odds-on favorite for stardom, so her inclusion was a no-brainer.  Virginia Gibson took a left turn back to Broadway and earned a Tony nod, so that interrupted her trajectory toward Hollywood fame. Sadly Millar and Baird’s careers fizzled and are only remembered today by die-hard fans. 

[scifigeneration]

Sci-Fi Audio comedy  improv podcast “Voyage To The Stars” returns for second season

by Daryle Lockhart

In the distant future, a wormhole appears. Humanity sends a spaceship through the anomaly to investigate, but its crew is never heard from again. After years of no contact or activity from the wormhole at all, three humans and an AI get stuck in it. They then start to find their way back to Earth. 

This sounds like a science fiction drama the likes of which you’d binge-watch for an entire weekend. I was surprised to find that I was hooked on this story...in audio form. 

“Voyage To The Stars” is an improv comedy with a fantastic cast, including Colton Dunn, Felicia Day,  Steve Berg, and Janet Varney. The cast of characters travel from planet to planet, leaving a wake of chaos and destruction.

And that’s the first season. This week, the story continues.

At first listen, you’ll notice something different. This isn’t just a cold reading of a sci-fi script. These people are actually enjoying recording this. And the reason is sort of obvious. There kinda isn’t a script. The show is largely improvised,  based on a story guide that the show’s creator, Ryan Copple, sets up. I spoke with Felicia Day, who plays Elsa Lankford, Chief science officer aboard the ASHA space station. We all know Felicia, whether you’ve seen “the Guild” or one of the many other shows she’s been on. But they’ve all been TV shows or web series.  How did she end up on this improv podcast show?

“Ryan (Copple) has been a great friend for a long time, we worked together at Geek and Sundry, and he even ran the company for a while. I trusted and enjoy working with Ryan. He presented the idea, and it sounded great. I was on board.”

She’s onboard - the ASHA space station, which sounds like an awesome job, but it’s really just a place for tourists to come and see while they’re in space. So as their lead science officer she’s been looking to do some actual research. 

Felicia's character, Elsa, is a know-it-all who “attended university at the age of 4 and started so many Ph.D.’s that she never actually got around to finishing any of them”, but as season 1 progresses, we learn and underneath it all, she’s not the most secure character in the cast. Perhaps it’s the strange relationship she has with her super wealthy family. It is, after all, hard to relate to others when “your family buys you an entire kingdom because you wanted a ‘princess-themed’ birthday party.” This awkward past comes out in her interactions from time to time in...inapproriate places.��But Felicia shares that Elsa also has a lot of mystery that gets revealed as season one goes on, and that was fun to play with. I always tech jargon or technobabble, so Felicia’s improv-ed techspeak makes Elsa one of my favorites.

The show is a comedy, but pays homage to various fandoms of sci-fi and fantasy.  (and a strange running bit about 90′s boy bands. I know. Somehow in the year 2268, late 20th Century pop music is still relevant. But it’s there.)

This is an enjoyable show in the tradition of the original Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy radio play with the refreshing energy of each episode being created as it goes along. 

Season two launches this week wherever you get podcasts, and there will be 26 episodes. 

 Voyage to the Stars is produced by Madison Wells Media, with series writer and producer Ryan Copple (Wil Wheaton’s Table Top), and audio producer Steven Ray Morris (My Favorite Murder).

[peterstanslizzie]

Re-watching Lizzie Mcguire: Episode 1.7 (Here Comes Aaron Carter)

Aaron Carter Hype

- During lunch break, Lizzie storms into the school cafeteria and eagerly informs Gordo and Miranda that tween pop star, Aaron Carter is coming to their town to shoot a Christmas-themed music video. Our favorite ‘know-it-all‘ Gordo doesn’t know who Aaron Carter is. Really, Gordo? You know x,y and z about everything else but you aren’t aware of one of the biggest teen heartthrobs to emerge in the late 90s and early 2000s? Oh wait, it’s because he’s a 13-year old straight boy. No shade though.

- I also want to know why Aaron and his team decided to film their video in that specific town? Where does Lizzie and co. live anyways? I’m thinking it’s some small town in California.

- Lizzie is curious to know where exactly the filming location will be and this opens up the opportunity for Gordo to utilize his knowledge of film and set locations to help her figure it out. Besides meeting him, Lizzie wants to also interview Aaron for the school web-zine and Miranda wants to sing for him in person. Gordo is thinking of using this opportunity to make a behind-the-scenes video of the video shoot.

Brainstorming Session

Let’s go get the tea on this video shoot location

- Our trio are coming up with possible locations for the filming to take place. They do a good job brainstorming places that are big enough for production but the problem is, they have a least a list of 40 locations to narrow down from.

- Matt enters Lizzie’s room and observes what they have been doing and he seems to know where exactly the filming location is because Lanny, his silent but not mute best friend told him. This is the first ever mention of Lanny in the series. I actually like Lanny; He is just as playful and adventurous as Matt but I think he has more charm to him than Matt. I think it’s because he doesn’t talk, like at all lol. But this might be an unpopular opinion.

- I don’t know why they trust in him and Lanny knowing where this place exactly is but regardless, they decide to ask Matt to reveal the location and he will only do that if he is able to come along with them. They agree and he tells them that it will be held at a warehouse and as siblings usually do, Lizzie double crosses Matt and tells him he can’t go but Matt does a comeback and threatens to rat them out to their mom. Lizzie gives in and Matt is able to tag along. 

- So what if their mom knows? It’s not like she would be against the idea since Lizzie is planning to interview Aaron for the school web-zine. It’s kinda like a class assignment but only cooler.

Plot Twist

It’s such a random coincidence that Sam got backstage passes from his client

- Sam Mcguire comes home late from work and reveals to Jo that his client gave him 2 backstage passes to Aaron Carter’s Winter Wonderland-themed music video shoot. Jo, elated by this, tells him that they should surprise Lizzie and her pals with those passes but in fact, we know that they are planning to lie to her parents and go to the video shoot and leave a note saying they are out working on a school project. Again, Lizzie should have been honest and told her parents the truth from the get go.

Operation Sneak-In

- Lizzie, her friends and Matt arrive at the compound of Ren-Mar warehouses and they devise a plan to walk right up to the entrance and walk past security like they own the place.

Doesn’t this scene remind you of the Beatles album cover where they were walking along a pedestrian crossing on Abbey Road?

- They do a good job at first but when a security officer lays his eyes on them, they panicked and bumped into one another. He requests for them to show their passes but Lizzie says that she a member of the press and she’s allowed to be there. That’s great and all but when your press badge is a measely piece of paper that looks cheap, it’s just not gonna cut it. And as expected, they are denied entry.

- Sam and Jo Mcguire reads Lizzie’s note about being away for a school project and Jo suggests to her husband to head over first to the video shoot while she waits for them to come back home so that she can bring them over. Yikes! This doesn’t look so good for Lizzie and her friends.

- Matt tells the group he devised a Plan B and takes out an elf costume from a sack he’s been carrying around. Apparently, he kept elf costumes since last Christmas when he and his family took pictures for their family Christmas card. He suggests they dress up like elves so that they can blend in with the Christmas-themed set and performers.

Matt isn’t going to dress himself up as an elf. Nope, he is going in as Aaron Carter. At first, I thought he was joking but he was actually serious and tricked a producer to think that he is a stand-in for Aaron. Good job Matt but the producer needs to get his eyes checked asap.

- Lizzie, Gordo and Miranda weren’t so lucky and were denied entry once again. Lizzie isn’t quick to lose hope and she comes up with another plan to get them in. She spots a car pulling up to the security check and leads her friends to hide by the side of the car, away from the security officer’s view. I’m guessing they haven’t installed security cameras in the area yet because they successfully manage to sneak their way in.

- Turns out, the person driving that car was her father, Sam! He spots Lizzie for a second but she quickly ducks away before he could realize that it was actually her. This adds on to the list of things Lizzie needs to worry about today.

Looks like things are getting more complicated than before

Getting In Was Hard, But Staying In Is Harder

- Just when Gordo is about to film a short video intro of Lizzie and Miranda for his documentary, the same security officer spots them and we then get a funny but childish chase sequence. They find themselves at the waiting area for the video shoot that is also used for crafts service and Lizzie’s dad is also at the same area.

- Meanwhile at the Mcguire home, Jo listens to a voice message left by the security officer at Ren-Mar warehouses who tells her that Lizzie is causing some trouble over there. Jo immediately goes into ‘mom mode’ and starts charging her way to find her daughter and probably ground her for all of eternity.

- Lizzie, who is hiding under a red sack on a sleigh spots ‘Aaron’ when it was actually Matt. I don’t get how she manages to confuse the two; Matt is way shorter than the real Aaron and she should know that. They stumble onto the stage where rehearsals are taking place and they are spotted by the director of the shoot and the same security officer who has been giving them a tough time.

- We then get the same, stereotypical troupe of the overweight security guy chasing a bunch of kids and the kids are too fast for him. I probably enjoyed this chase-scene when I was younger but now as an adult, I am just not amused.

- But I did enjoy the scene where the security officer tells Jo that he doesn’t know where Lizzie is and she freaks out on him. That was gold! But she was detained afterwards and held in a detention room. Sam joins her pretty soon afterward because he tried to eat one of the donuts from the crafts service table.

Aaron Carter!

- Lizzie, Gordo and Miranda are hiding inside a room, which turns out to be Aaron Carter’s dressing room. Convenient much? Is the security around here that incompetent? Suddenly, Aaron’s manager enters the room and demands to know what are these kids doing here.

- Lizzie tries to butter her up and explains to her that meeting Aaron would be the best thing ever and it would mean a lot to them if at least one of them gets to meet him. The manager agrees and Lizzie actually sacrifices her chance to meet him by giving it to Miranda.

Lizzie, you really did not have to give up your chance like that.

- WHAT!? Lizzie really did not have to do that. She did most of the work to get them there and she was the one who first heard about Aaron coming to town. And she gives it up just to let Miranda sing to him and get his autograph? That’s being too much of a good friend. Miranda should have insisted Lizzie went instead. I’m beginning to understand why Miranda is not such a liked character overall by the fandom.

- Luckily, everything ends up being A-okay because we have another convenient plot point where Lizzie left her tape recorder at Aaron’s dressing room and goes back to find it. She knocks on the door and standing in front of her with Lizzie’s tape recorder in his hand is Aaron in the flesh.

Rant Time!

Ohh puh-leaze!

- He gives her tape recorder back and he wishes her Merry Christmas and they share a KISS under a Mistletoe!!!??? I love Lizzie Mcguire and all but that moment was completely and utterly ridiculous! I’ve never heard of a fan meeting their idol-crush and then 5 seconds later, he gives that fan a kiss on the LIPS (NOT CHEEKS), LIPS without asking their permission. It’s so mind-boggling and unrealistic, even for a tween show on Disney.

- It’s very clear that Hilary Duff and Aaron Carter were dating at that time and the producers just had to slip in a kiss scene between the two of them in this episode to take advantage of their cute relationship. 

I Want Candy!

- The video director and Matt find Lizzie and her friends and all thanks to Matt, they also get to be a part of Aaron Carter’s music video.

Cue the music video

Overall Thoughts

- I think this was a fan favorite episode of Lizzie Mcguire due to how they managed to bring in Aaron Carter to guest star and perform his ‘I Want Candy’ song. It’s a really cute and fun episode to watch. But obviously, this episode lacks real substance. The kiss scene between Lizzie and Aaron was cute but totally unnecessary (read my Rant section). It also felt weird seeing Lizzie having no problem or showing no remorse when easily lying to her parents and disobeying authoritative figures and such. It was a little out of character, don’t you think?

- Despite all of my complaints about this episode, I will give it a pass because this is considered to be a ‘special’ episode in a way and certain things should be brushed aside for entertainment value. Plus, it was nice to see a young and adorable Aaron Carter thrive in a time before going through so much difficulties in his life from drug abuse to his various personal health issues.

[calliecat93]

ST: The Next Generation S4 Watchthrough Episodes 2-5

Family: I fully expected the episode after the whole Borg thing would just be another typical episode that maybe brought it up, but otherwise be business as usual. Thank God that they didn’t go that route. This was the follow-up needed, a calmer, more introspective episode. No aliens. No politics or social issues. No heavy action. Just a cool-down, character-driven episode to let the audience breathe and allow character development. Picard of course is the big plot, going back to France (is this a joke because Patrick Stewart is British?) to reconnect with his family and deal with the trauma of the Borg assimilation. Robert is kind of an ass… but he does care about Picard and does ultimately help him open up about the trauma. Seriously, Patrick Stewart’s acting in that scene? 100% perfect. I like his sister-in-law and nephew as well and I liked finally seeing Earth outside a Starfleet base/an area not technologically advanced. We also met Worf’s adopted parents! While they’re a little much, they clearly love Worf, did their best to adjust in properly raising a Klingon child, and I’m just glad to see some actual competent/caring parents in something. Crusher and Wesley’s plot isn’t much… but not gonna lie, if my mom hadn’t been in the room I’d have likely cried. Wesley watching the hologram of his deceased dad… while Wil Wheaton’s acting was a little underwhelming… yeah God that hit far too close. My dad died three years ago and I still get choked up about it sometimes. And when Crusher was going through Jack’s belongings and picking up his uniform? Just… damn. I’m so glad to see an episode that just… lets the characters develop and grow without having to add a whole bunch of melodrama or an over-complicated plot or anything like that. It’s about family, and it was freakin’ perfect. 5/5.

Brothers: Well… I should have seen this coming eventually. Lore is back folks. Oh but it’s not just him. After three seasons, we finally meet the infamous Dr. Soong. Guess this is why Data wasn’t in the last episode, his family issues needed one all their own. So first… Brent Spiner deserves every freakin’ acting Emmy ever because he played all three of these characters. Yep, all three at the same time in the same episode. And he plays all three with great distinction and character and… the man is freakin’ good. The whole episode was just… damn. The first half where Data essentially hijacks everything.. yeah if Data ever went evil, everyone would be screwed. That was legit horrifying… though why they left Data alone on the bridge when something was clearly wrong with him I’ll never know. As for Dr. Soong himself… I’m not sure how to feel about him. Oh as a character he’s great. Brent Spiner really put a lot into him. I’m just not sure whether to call him out or feel bad for him… but maybe that’s part of the point. And Lore? Well… while he’s certainly evil… I actually felt bad for him? I can’t blame him for being angry and resentful because… yeah him being deactivated/disassembled while Data got to live out a life and shown clear favoritism is very understandable. He truly feels like the angry older brother whole Data is the younger, more inquisitive brother not quite sure what to think. Soong does seem to regret decommissioning Lore, especially now that he’s dying (which Lore’s actual emotional reaction… it was possibly an act but IDT it was, again excellent work by Brent Spiner), and it does feel like he summoned the two (even if Lore was unintentional since he didn’t know he’d been reassembled) to make some form of amends, but IDK if it’s legit regret or some form of ego. It really feels open to interpretation or perhaps a mix of both. Despite that, Soong being killed by Lore who escapes with the emotion chip not designed for him implanted to wreak havoc again in the future… yeah him accepting that it���s over and his and Data’s goodbye with Data calling him ‘father’… again, just perfect. This whole episode was perfect, Event the subplot with the two kids was done well and served as a good parallel to the Data and Lore situation. Those two were able to forgive… but I don’t think it will be that simple for Data. I’m still hoping that Data gets happy things later (WHEN DOES HE GET HIS KITTY?! I WANT HIM TO GET HIS KITY!), but still a fantastic episode. 5/5.

Suddenly Human: So in this episode, we have a human boy who was raised by an alien culture known as the Talarians. Due to being raised among them, he acts and views himself as a Talarian moreso than he does a human. Well… that’s certainly an interesting episode topic. It’s kind of like with Worf, a Klingon, having been raised by humans, albeit they did try to keep his Klingon heritage intact as much as they could. I think that this may be the first tme we’ve had a human being raised in an alien culture? Spock may have kinda counted, but he was half-Vulcan, half-human, and still had both parents so that’s still a different situation compared to someone born and raised human until his parents died and was taken into the very group that caused their deaths. I guess the title character in Charlie X back during TOS may have also counted, which I do get similar vibes from especially the whole ‘captain super awkwardly stepping up as a father figure against his will’ part… albeit I feel more sympathetic towards Jono than Charlie who went thoroughly power-mad, plus Charlie very clearly didn’t want to go back to the aliens. Jono just wants to go home. Honestly… IDK how to feel about the situation. I get wanting to have Jono connect to his human roots and being concerned about him being among the Talarians who have a… rather ruthless, very patriarchal lifestyle. However, the man who took him in does genuinely love him and it does seem like he’s been accepted into their world and he’s content with that. It’s where I get the crew’s concerns and while a little too excessive Crusher’s concern about Stockholm Syndrome does make sense somewhat… but I’m also like ‘this is his choice, if that is what he wishes then grant it to him.” . Trying to make him get in touch with his roots as though they know what’ best for him when they absolutely don’t, no matter how well-intentioned… yeah don’t agree with that. Even if he has remaining family on Earth, then as sad as it is, he gets to make that choice for his life no matter what the consequences may be. IDK is they intended to bring up the moral complexity of these kinds of situations because there are solid arguments that you can make for all sides here, but I do think it’s there and is very much a relevant topic in today’s world. I’m very much on the ‘make the choice for yourself and allow one to make that choice’ opinion. Allow them to learn about their heritage and the truth about how they ended up where they did, and let them decide what they’d like for themselves/how they’d like to lead their lives. Ultimately that’s what Jono did. He understands what happened and he finally expresses missing his parents and the trauma he endured due to it… but he also chose to remain with his adopted father and those who raised him, but maybe now more open in getting in touch with his Earth/human heritage. IDK if it was the right or wrong choice, but it was his choice. 4/5.

Remember Me: 🎶Though I have to say goodbye. Remember me, don't let it make you cry.🎶 Sorry, the Disney/Pixar nerd in me required me to do that XD Okay in all seriousness... guys they did it! They made an episode centering on a female character (Dr. Crusher) aND IT WAS ACTUALLY GOOD! So we have huge chunks of the crew disappearing and everyone’s memories of them wiped… except for Dr. Crusher. So… I won’t go into the plot twist here. Like with The Survivors it is really something I’d rather not spoil. But damn, I already liked Dr. Crusher… but this made me love her. The poor woman keeps questioning her sanity because of all the disappearances/memory gaps. To everyone else, nothing is out of place. To her? Everything is breaking down. I do like that the crew does listen to her and take her fears seriously. No one questions her going insane, Troi even telling her that if she thinks that something is wrong, then she’s acting as she should. Even when it’s only Crusher and Picard, despite clearly getting tired of it… Picard still listens to her and trusts her word. With how in both this and TNG they sometimes have dropped in common sense, it’s just so nice to see them treat this situation seriously and carefully and not act like Crusher is just a hysterical woman. Which she is not. While she understandably is freaked out and upset, she acts competently and intelligently especially when it’s only her left. Again, without spoiling anything, the way she gets out of it shows just how freakin’ awesome she is. Just an overall really good episode and Thank God that Dr. Crusher finally got the focus that she deserved. Sorry Pulaski, but them ditching you was worth it for this~! 4.5/5.

Wow we are off to an excellent start! Brothers may be my favorite episode in the whole show thus far. Much more to go, so hopefully the quality remains consistent. We shall see~!

[daleisgreat]

Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season Seven

-Finally, after three years of watching mostly one episode a week, I have finished my re-watch of all seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation (season seven trailer)! I am thrilled to present my final entry here chronicling my adventures with the crew of the Enterprise! For the final season I was able to slightly bump up my viewing habits and mostly stuck to watching two episodes a week, and thus I was able to make faster progress on this final season! Somehow, my horrendously outdated Samsung Galaxy S7 phone has managed to barely limp along this entire journey with me, and the gloriously awful pics featured throughout this article are courtesy of that wonderful device. -Season six wrapped with an enticing cliffhanger to “Descent” where Lore managed to work some sinister sorcery to recruit a squadron of Borg and hack into the code banks of Data (Brent Spiner) in order to recruit him to join his cause. Season seven had a great kickoff to resolve this new threat, and had a satisfying conclusion at putting an end to Lore once and for all. I would rank “Descent” on the higher end of TNG two-part arcs, as the Lore/Borg/Data combination proved to be an intriguing antagonist to see how they would be dealt with.

Picard is ready for combat on the left, while falling ill on the Enterprise leads to crew members tripping with some wild illusions on the right! -I was a little bummed to see a complete lack of appearances from Whoopi Goldberg in her role as Guinan in the final season. I am presuming it must have been scheduling conflicts as she has always been in high demand, especially around this time just a couple years after her Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress in Ghost. Whoopi would return as Guinan in two of the four Star Trek movies based on TNG cast.

-A pair of recurring characters that did return for their final episodes this season are Michelle Forbes as Ensign Lt. Ro Lauren and Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher. Ro is fresh off tactical training for an important undercover mission that conclusively decides her fate with Starfleet as she would never appear in another Star Trek series or film again after this. According to my research I was surprised to learn it took a last minute agreement with Forbes within a week before filming to get her to reprise her role as she was starting to distance herself from the brand after initial plans to make her a mainstay on Deep Space Nine fizzled. Wesley Crusher’s final appearance had a better payoff in “Journey’s End” where during a vision quest he finally is deemed ready by a previous guest character, The Traveler (Eric Menyuk), to join him on a mystical journey to see Wesley fulfill his supernatural potential. I had no idea they were going to payoff these vague promises The Traveler alluded to in Wesley way back in season two, so big props to the cast and crew making that happen! -Other past recurring characters returned, but only to see them casted in middling-to-disappointing episodes. This is the case for Reginald Barclay (Dwight Schultz) in the head-scratching “Genesis” episode that has the Enterprise staff fall victim to a virus that de-evolves them into various primates. The love-or-hate mother of Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis), Lwaxana (Majel Barrett), has a major sendoff in her final episode where we learn all about her tragic backstory.

-Speaking of mediocre episodes, season seven has a bit more than previous seasons. A two-parter sees Riker and Picard go undercover to form a fake mutiny to sniff out a Vulcan double agent, and while it is not terrible by any means, the whole arc seems bloated and the second episode feels unnecessary. “Phantasms” is as bizarre as the dreams Data (Brent Spiner) has in the episode, but Data later has a redeeming character episode in “Inheritance” where he meets his mother…..then later hits another stumble in “Thine Own Self” where his radioactive experiments causes a planet’s population to become seriously ill. I will give season seven the benefit of the doubt for the noticeable bump up in lackluster episodes because several of the bonus interviews own up to this and attribute it to the cast and crew being spread thin with the final season of TNG, the second season of Deep Space Nine and being in pre-production of the first season of Voyager and the upcoming movie with the TNG crew, Generations. -The holodeck’s sendoff in TNG, “Emergence” is a decent affair that sees the crew go aboard the Orient Express to solve the mystery of how the holodeck becomes self-aware. The episode had a few promising moments, but could have been better. While I enjoyed the quality of holodeck episodes overall in TNG, from what I understand the holodeck episodes greatly suffer going forward and falls victim to holodeck malfunctions and sexual fantasy tropes.

Worf once again has a strong set of character-focused episodes this season. You have not lived until witnessing Worf adopt a cat for an episode, and experience a birthday party time-loop. -Worf (Michael Dorn) has one of the strongest slate of character episodes this season. Seeing Worf being a curmudgeon at his birthday party was pulled off to perfection! “Homeward” is a feel-good family episode where Worf resolves his rocky relationship with his foster brother, Nikolai (Paul Sorvino). The best Worf-centered episode is saved for last where he trains Alexander (James Sloyan) in the arts of becoming a Klingon warrior with the help of a mysterious Klingon friend.

-A couple other episodes that made strong impressions on me this season are “The Pegasus” and “Lower Decks.” In the former, Terry O’ Quinn of Lost fame, appears here as a higher-up from Starfleet to track down the lost USS Pegasus, but Picard (Patrick Stewart) eventually discovers a grand cover-up that has an enticing way of finding the truth of what Quinn’s character is hiding. “Lower Decks” is entirely focused on the background Ensigns and ancillary characters like Nurse Ogawa (Patti Yasutake). The last couple years saw the streaming service, Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) launch a Star Trek: Lower Decks animated series with the very same premise, and if you are a fan of the cartoon, you owe it to yourself to track down this episode as its source material. “Interface” and “Bloodlines” are both strong episodes dealing with long forgotten family members. The former has Geordi (LeVar Burton) risking his life with prototype tech to save his mother (Madge Sinclair), and the latter deals with Picard’s surprise of finding out he had a son (Ken Olandt) from a decades-prior relationship.

-Now to the moment of truth, it is time to cover the final two-part episode, “All Good Things…” The series finale naturally focuses on Jean-Luc as he finds himself constantly time-warping between three different time periods to solve a new challenge bestowed onto him by none other than Q (John de Lancie). I loved how they brought it back full-circle with one of the time periods emanating from the same setting as the original pilot episode of TNG where Q puts the then-newly assembled Enterprise crew on trial. The cast and crew hold nothing back for the final episode with an enthralling narrative as Picard pieces together Q’s final challenge, and has an emotional final scene where after seven seasons, Picard finally joins his crew for a round of poker. -Here is the paragraph with my obligatory kudos to the countless hours spent remastering TNG in HD for the BluRay set. I am not a video-phile and cannot immaculately explain with the proper tech verbiage on how they did it. All I can say is the staff painstakingly made it look like they shot it today, and it does not have any of the old fuzzy standard definition effects that would happen when forcing an SD resolution onto an HD set. Just watch this indicative video that overlays the remastered HD transfer over the SD version to see for yourself. I will also give yearly props to the podcast, Star Trek: The Next Conversation which chronicles every individual episode of TNG and has served as the best supplementary listening material to get the most out of every episode for me. The podcast took a hiatus during the pandemic, and only recently picked up again and are only a couple episodes into season seven as of this writing, so I will pat myself on the back at catching up to them when I was nearly a season and a half behind them when I started from the beginning of TNG.

-You guys know I love covering the bonus features, and season seven of the BluRay is absolutely jacked with them with previous bonus interviews and specials, and all new HD extras. According to my notes, it all added up for just over five hours of bonus materials, and that is not including a handful of commentary tracks on selected episodes. Going over each and every piece of bonus content will kill me, so instead I will highlight the handful that I got the most out of: -----Captain’s Tribute (16 min) – Stewart gives loving testimonials to the cast and crew. A lesson he learned from a dialog with Michael Dorn and LeVar Burton was a key takeaway here. -----In Conversation: Lensing ST: TNG (42 min) - This one is a new HD extra aimed at special effects enthusiasts where a roundtable discussion with camera operators and directors of photography reunite to talk shop of the many highs and lows of on the set production. While a fair amount of trade vernacular went right over my head, they provided ample context and their enthusiasm for their craft is irresistible!

I know it is asking a lot to dive into the many hours of bonus interviews, but nearly most of it is incredibly insightful and well worth your time! -----Starfleet Moments & Memories (30 min) – Awesome feature showcasing the camaraderie and humor between takes that indicates a true sense of friendship among the cast and crew. -----Closed Set: Tour of Real Enterprise (11 min) – The Okundas give a private, narrated, tour of the Enterprise filled with fun facts like how the set for sickbay gained a reputation among cast and crew as “nap-bay.” Every person should have their own nap-bay! -----Journeys End: The Saga of TNG (45 min) – Original 1994 TV special hosted by Jonathan Frakes celebrating the end of an era. ----Sky’s the Limit: Eclipse of TNG (89 min) – Three part special with part one primarily focused on the cast and crew having a lot of projects on their plate the final year and lovingly throwing shade at Picket Fences for stealing their Emmy award! Part two interviews various directors of episodes about their process, and Seth McFarlane shares a special moment he had with a fan on how the show saved their life. The third part interviews a lot of the cast on how they felt the show wrapped, with a couple highlights being Sirtis not being fond of the Worf/Deanna courtship, and Patrick Stewart remarking when asked about future projects that he would consider them, but thought they would ultimately be unnecessary. This was obviously recorded several years before Stewart would return as Picard in the current Paramount+ series, Picard.

-Suffice it to say, the extra features do not disappoint! As I foreshadowed above, there is an apparent dip in quality this season overall compared to the high bar set from seasons three through six, but I will cut the cast and crew some slack since they were seriously overworked during the 1993-94 season. There are still many excellent episodes though as I dissected above, and a terrific series finale that puts the best damn bow they possibly could on the TV series. Thank you so much for joining me on this ride over the past three years and bearing with me on my never-ending entries covering the series. If you missed out on previous entries, click here to see all my previous season recaps of The Next Generation, or click here to continue my journey with TNG crew with my reviews of all the Star Trek motion pictures.

Past TV/Web Series Blogs 2013-14 TV Season Recap 2014-15 TV Season Recap 2015-16 TV Season Recap 2016-17 TV Season Recap 2017-18 TV Season Recap 2018-19 TV Season Recap 2019-20 TV Season Recap Adventures of Briscoe County Jr: The Complete Series Baseball: A Ken Burns series Angry Videogame Nerd Home Video Collections Cobra Kai – Seasons 1-2 Mortal Kombat: Legacy - Season 1 | Season 2 OJ: Made in America: 30 for 30 RedvsBlue - Seasons 1-13 Roseanne – Seasons 1-9 Seinfeld - Final Season Star Trek: Next Generation – Seasons 1-7 Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle Superheroes: Pioneers of Television The Vietnam War: A Ken Burns series X-Men – The Animated Series: Volumes 4-5

[rebeccaheyman]

reading + listening 9.21.20

The Bookshop of Second Chances (Jackie Fraser), eBook ARC (pub date May 2021). Four-star NetGalley review:

At first, THE BOOKSHOP OF SECOND CHANCES just seems like a charming tale of a down-on-her-luck, 44-year-old woman finding a new life in a small Scottish town. But in a neat trick of smart plotting deft characterization, Fraser turns the narrative into so much more.

Thea is a refreshingly direct, introspective, infinitely relatable woman who's been dealt two very different hands at once: she's been laid off from her job right around the time she discovered her husband of 20 years has been having an affair, but she's also inherited a house -- complete with rare book collection -- and a not-insignificant sum of money from a dear but distant great uncle. With little keeping her anchored to her old life, Thea travels to Baldochrie to see about the house. Once there, she finds life in a small town on the Scottish coast suits her rather well, and then of course, there's Edward.

Edward has, like too many of us I suspect, based much of his life on the hurts of his youth. He's a modern-day Heathcliff who's moved past the romantic fixations of yesteryear long enough to become a curmudgeonly adult with a rather dysfunctional sex life. He's at war with his brother, the literal lord of the manor in Baldrochie, and spends his days holed up in his rare books shop. Until Thea walks in, and something like friendship begins.

I savored the slow unfolding of these two characters, who I grew to care about immensely. Fraser's is a nuanced portrait of a woman in middle age, facing the necessity of beginning again. To say Thea is an "everywoman" discounts her uniqueness, wit, and rather special charm, but she's not *not* everywoman, either. She feels like someone I know, or someone who could, in another life, be me. So it's a particular kind of triumph to see her grow and change and find joy.

Comps to EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER are warranted only in the loosest sense; the storytelling and writing here are far superior. Readers who enjoyed WOULD LIKE TO MEET will appreciate Thea and Edward's later-in-life romance, and fans of Graeme Simsion will find a lot to appreciate in Fraser's three-dimensional characterizations and excellent dialogue.

Tall, Duke, and Dangerous (Hazards of Dukes #2), (Megan Frampton), eBook ARC (pub date October 2020). If you’ve been reading these reviews weekly, you’ll know that I listened to the first-in-series, Never Kiss a Duke, last week. The sophomore installation was... not good. Two-star NetGalley Review:

If you, like me, felt that the first installment in the Hazards of Dukes series was a knockoff version of Kleypas's DEVIL IN WINTER, you're going to feel more of that "recycled trope" vibe in the second book-in-series, TALL, DUKE, AND DANGEROUS. While Ana Maria and Nash, our main couple, were introduced in book 1, the characterizations here seemed to come out of nowhere; our heroine is a literal Cinderella -- a girl of noble birth, forced to act as a maid by her now-blessedly-dead stepmother, and newly restored to her proper place in society -- while our hero was the victim of parental abuse at the hands of his father, which has left him isolated from his emotions and hopelessly taciturn. Ana Maria is fluent in Grunting Duke, so she can decipher Nash's true feelings even when he can't. And lucky for both of them, he wants her to be a Regency-era MPDG, and she's totally fine with it: "I want you to help me find the good parts of being who I am, of using who I am to do better for everyone. Joyfully." In other words, "I'd like you to make me the best version of myself, because that should definitely be your responsibility, o ye of the lesser sex." 

I've given Megan Frampton a very fair shake -- in fact, I've read three of her books in the past seven days. Each has felt like a faint echo of better HRs I've read before. While the writing is serviceable enough, the storytelling is weak. Here particularly, the ending comes fast; there's no denouement, not even the Epilogue one expects in this genre. I'd wager my last crown that book three sees Thaddeus and Olivia making an unlikely pairing. All in all, I have to let go of my hopes for Frampton's work, which seems derivative and predictable at best, and dangerously familiar at worst.

Lady Be Bad (The Duke’s Daughters #1), (Megan Frampton), aBook (narr. Jilly Bond). Please let us never try to parse why I leaned in so hard to Megan Frampton this week. After NEVER KISS A DUKE last week, I just... wanted to see what she was about, I guess? Which makes no sense, because if we’re talking about HR authors I read for the first time last week, I should have latched on to Julie Anne Long, whose LADY DERRING TAKES A LOVER I actually really enjoyed. Like I said -- we shouldn’t overthink this. 

Here’s the deal with LADY BE BAD: If Sarah MacLean’s NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE (2012) and Tessa Dare’s SAY YES TO THE MARQUESS (2014) had a scandalous affair, this book would be the chaise longue they fooled around on in the drawing room. That’s it. That’s the review.

The Mighty Oak (Jeff Bens), aBook (narr. Adam Barr). You might be wondering what business I had reading a literary character study about a violent, drug-addicted hockey player, so I will tell you: Blackstone Audio, publisher/producer of innumerable aBook titles I have listened to and loved, started a GoFundMe to help those employees who have lost everything in the fires raging across the western US. I don’t personally know anyone at Blackstone, but I can hear the echo of Mary Jane Wells saying “Blackstone Audio presents...” on every intro track to The Ravenels series. This company is responsible, in part, for many hours of joy in my life, and now their employees are suffering, and if we’re not committed to small acts of kindness to help those who have totally, inadvertently helped us, what the hell are we doing with ourselves? Cutting this tangent short to say that Jeff Bens saw my tweet about the GoFundMe and very kindly emailed to say thanks for donating, so I said hey let me know when your forthcoming Blackstone title releases and he said actually it’s today and I think you know what happened next. Before I get to my review, I’m going to repost the link to the Blackstone Audio GoFundMe, and I truly hope you will donate even a single dollar. The book community is vast and beautiful, and for all its flaws, I want to believe we take care of each other. SECOND ACTION ITEM is to peruse the catalogue and buy or borrow a Blackstone Audio title. Might I suggest...

THE MIGHTY OAK is about Tim “Oak” O’Connor, a hockey player lauded for his violence and intensity on the ice. Tim’s body is breaking down under the stress of his lifestyle, which involves a lot of OxyContin, and it’s pretty clear his mind is likewise struggling under the weight of drug abuse and, probably, CTE. The thought that kept resonating with me while I listened to Adam Barr’s excellent narration was this: Tim O’Connor is a drowning man who doesn’t realize he’s wet. The portraiture in THE MIGHTY OAK is powerful, visceral, and heartbreaking, even as Tim’s journey resolves in something like victory. CW for drug abuse, physical violence, and -- no other way to say this -- an eyeball dangling from its socket. 

Ready Player One (Ernest Cline), aBook (narr. Wil Wheaton). I’m generally a sucker for books about puzzles -- even puzzles based on 80s pop culture and video games. RPO is what would happen if The Westing Game and Ender’s Game made crossover appearances on an episode of The Twilight Zone. The world-building is top-notch, if belabored at times; in a version of our world that has departed so completely from the reality we know, the temptation to narrate quotidian minutiae was too strong for Cline to resist. It’s not uninteresting, for example, to hear every painstaking detail about how Wade sets up the gaming system in his apartment, but it’s not exactly page-turning either. The story’s peaks more than compensate for its valleys, and you can’t beat Wheaton’s narration. 

[starship-imzadi]

S3 E5 The Bonding

Oh, there's the flat bed stretcher again

For the first time I feel like Troi actually has a job other than sitting on the bridge feeling things. It only took two seasons. Okay that's not entirely fair, but this is the first time it's really been shown that she's here to support the entire ship, not just the bridge crew.

Is Worf's blood red?....

Riker and Wesley exchange a really intense glance there...again, I really like Wesley and Riker's relationship. I joke about Riker being a space dad but he really does have a warm, paternal quality about him. His authority is through rank but his interpersonal interaction remains informal. Riker's kindness and sensitivity toward Wesley always reflects well on his character. Most strikingly, the informality and kindness manifest as candor. Despite Wes being younger Riker doesn't talk down to him or attempt to shield him from hard truths, instead he makes himself available as a safe place to ask questions. ("Pen Pals" is a great example if this)

For fun:

It looks like Riker is drinking grapefruit juice.

Another great example of Star Trek asking the right questions instead of pretending it has all the answers (this is such a good and important scene)

Frakes has beautiful eyes

It's the connect four room...or pieces of it.

How does Troi know what that word means? "He has different sensibilities" is probably the nicest way anyone could have said that.

"he's holding all his feelings inside" the way Worf looked at Troi I imagined he was thinking "yeah, me too. What's wrong with that"

(Worf you big idiot. Why didn't you listen to Troi??) Worf really doesn't understand how to be delicate.

Aww, look at Picard grasp Troi's arm is support. This episode actually has a couple of nice moments with just them.

Haha! Riker looks over at the guy standing at tactical next to him and the guy just give him some side eye like he's too cool or to scared to directly return his gaze.

Beverley's little tool there looks like it's made out of Legos.

It's really nice since Beverley is back to have these really intentional moments of mother/son interaction.

Riker just put his leg up on the console...I haven't been watching as closely for those. I'd love to see a full collection off Riker sitting down over the back of a chair, sitting in weird places like on consoles, and putting his leg up on things.

There's at least one comprehensive collection of the Picard Maneuver (and I love it)

Okay, back to the episode

I love the confuses look from Riker as Troi walks around him, and she's clearly very distracted because she doesn't even look at him

This kid is a pretty good actor

I like that cat 🐈 it's so calm (Maybe Riker would like that cat)

This kids going to need therapy for a long, long time.

It's interesting, and understandable, that of all the things that "make us human" mortality is one that Star Trek accepts regardless of its belief in progress. So, what makes us human and what can we "correct"? (Data is a great example of an extended pursuit of this question). Early on someone has a speech about having cured the common cold (probably Crush). Does vulnerability to small ailments like that not make "the human condition". What about the quote Jonathan attributes to Roddenberry “In the 24th century, there will be no hunger, and there will be no greed, and all the children will know how to read.” I'm all for progress, and I accept mortality is a huge part of what shapes humanity and the human experience. The question I would put forth, which I think would be a good lense through which to view Star Trek would be: what qualities, good or bad, are so intrinsically human we cannot do without and remain who we are? (Should we pride ourselves on being human and wish to remain such?)

Now, I like this scene, I like Wil Wheaton's performance, and the chance to see Wesley be honest with Picard (it's a good addition to the development of their relationship). But, not a whole lot of time has passed and this poor kid had been through the ringer. Adide from knowing that Troi is empathic, it doesn't make a lot of sense that this kid has had any chance to start progressing through any stages of grief.

For a Klingon ceremony, that was pretty mellow.

-

Deleted scene

This feels again like a lot of stuff with Troi and the Betazed: the writers kind of develop them episode by episode. Because this was cut and it's only developed for this episode, it never comes up again. It's difficult to see this on the cutting room floor because Troi isn't often given deep development, and the character really deserves more development. Not to mention this would have added a little more depth to the episodes discussion on grief.

[little-owly]

please imagine dark being desperate to pee but having a passionate argument with someone (probably wilford) so he puts it off, then just as the argument reaches its climax (kinky) dark just,, loses it and pees all over the floor, soaking his suit and all (and getting horribly humiliated by wilford and probably subsequently turned on) -ima be 🥂 anon

PLEASE YES GIVE ME MORE HUMILIATION WITH THE EGOS I CRAVE IT SO FUCKING B A D L YThe meeting room is filled with the egos as they continue to argue over the newest project to take over Mark's channel -- Ma//rkip//lier TV. Some saw it as an amazing and fool proof plan to help tarnish Mark's reputation and gain control. Others saw it as yet another waste of time and resources. Take a wild guess at which side Dark was on. It didn't change the fact he's had to relieve himself for nearing an hour and a half now. Not daring to leave the meeting room, the last time he did -- he had returned to an all out physical fight between Wilford and Ed Ed//gar. One that required many many many long visits to Dr. Ipl//ier to heal them both. Dark had been subtle about his pressing and desperate need. Keeping his thighs close together. Sneaking a hand in between his legs to hold himself when needed (or when Goo//glepl//ier and The Ho//st weren't looking). Dark could practically /feel/ his bladder bulging against his suit. The need growing even more as he endured the arguing. The idiots not backing down from their arguments. "Enough!" Wilford yells, hitting his fist against the oak table. Angry and frustrated -- why wouldn't Dark and half of the others see how amazing the project was? How easy it'd be, how useful it would be! "Don't be an idiot, Wil." Dark groans from the other end of the table. Why did he have to be stuck with a murderous dumbass for a leader? Why couldn't Wilford just /end the damn meeting or call a break?/"Excuse me? You got something to say, Dark?""You. Heard. Me." Dark growls. Blue and red glitching around his body. Oh. So he wants to play like /that/. Throwing another tantrum like a child because he can't get his way. Or maybe jealous he could never organize what he did. Typical Dark. "Actually, no, I didn't. Your VHS static background bullshit is louder than ever. Learn to control it and /maybe/ I can understand you for fuckin' once." Wilford retorts. A smirk on his face as he watches Dark slowly come undone. Something he knew Dark hated to do, especially in front of their fellow egos. The same egos that looked up to them. What can he say? It was fun. "Maybe you should learn to tell the difference between a good idea and a horrid idea." Dark replies, anger rising in him quickly, as it always did. "Drop the subject and move onto whatever is next on the agenda for today. "No.""Wil. Move on with whatever else is in the agenda for today--""And I said no." He smiles, "actually, lets /stay/ on this topic! Now, who signed up for what show?"No one dared to speak. Bim looking over at Dr. Ipl//ier. The Ho//st resting his head in his hands. Even Goo//glepl//ier whirled on stand by as the tension grew. And Dark still shuffled in his seat. Ever so discreetly."Nobody wants to talk about your moronic idea because we all know it's going to fail. We all know it's going to fail like the other plans you had." Dark growls again, "call a break so we can regroup and figure out a new plan by me--""Shut the fuck up, Dark." Wilford spits out, "you think you're really this great? You think you're the best out of all of us? You're not -- you're just as stuck and lost here as the rest of us--""Wil. Chose your next words carefully." "Oh, is that a warning? Did little old me strike a nerve in you? Or are you just trying to keep up the tough evil front? I know what you're really like,"Wilford steps away from the front of the meeting room. All eyes on him as he approaches Dark. Pulling him from the table -- Dark using each bit of willpower he has to not hopelessly wet himself. No, not here. And especially not in front of Wilford. "I know your fears. Your secrets. Your weaknesses. You may think you're the manipulative cunning bastard here but I'm not as dumb as I look." Wilford smiles. "Get away from me." Dark growls out again. Trying to scoot back into the table. All the egos staring him down. Waiting a response. "No. Not until you admit my idea is a good one. Not until you greenlight it and let me fuckin' work." "Never." He groans. "Never in my life would I go along with such a moronic idea. You're a murder. You're an idiot. You're some nobody who spews lies and you know it," he huffs, his bladder screaming at him to go, "hardworking? Smart? Amazing? What, are you describing everything you can't be?"Wilford lifted his hand without warning and slapped Dark. No longer caring for words. Dark's entire head moving with the slap. The echo of it surrounding the room. Some egos gasping, others looking away, some even looking at Wilford in horror."You...you fucking lunatic! You imbecile!" Dark outright screams, standing from his seat. Fists clenched and ready to pounce, "do you have any idea what I am?! I am created from the darkest arts and most ancient rituals your mere mortal brain can never under-fucking-stand! I am the evil of manipulation and greed smashed together! I am an enteral fucking flame and you, you freak, do not EVER lay your hands on me--"Dark closes his eyes tightly as it happens. The floodgates opening as he struggled to keep balance. It moved so fast, emotions getting in the way of his concentration. Anger and pain distracting him from his bladder's pleas for relief. The warm urine rushed down his legs. Soaking his grey suit a dark, nearly black, color. Obvious to the others what was happening. The hissing combined with the pitter pattering of the urine -- forming a sizable puddle under his and Wilford's feet -- made Dark nearly cry. His worst fear coming true: coming undone and becoming vulnerable. He sobs as the stream dies down. Wet warmth hugging his crotch and legs. Socks, pants, and underwear completely soaked. Some egos look away in respect. Others sit open mouth and surprised. Oh, but not Wilford. Definitely not Wilford."Did...did you just piss yourself? Oh...ha...ha ha ha ha!" Wilford doubles over laughing. Crying with laughter and pointing like a schoolboy. Cheeks and face glowing red as he laughed harder, "oh! Oh my god, he's crying!"The egos who had looked away looked back to see. Indeed, Dark sniffled and teared up. No. No way this was happening. No way this was real--"What's a matter? What happened to being edgy and evil?" Wilford laughed, moving Dark so he faced the others. Soaked pants and teary expression exposed to them. "What happened to being an eternal flame, Darkidoo? Did you piss that out--""Let m-me go." He sniffled."Nah." Wilford replied, holding Dark's arms back in a tight grip. "See what happens when you fuck with good old Warfstache? Does anyone else want to be a pathetic asshole and wet their pants like a child?"No one dared to speak."It's ironic you had a widdle accident, Darkidoo. I was just thinking about how much of a /child/ you are. How you throw tantrums and cry when you don't get your way." No. Dark shuffled as Wilford pulled his hair more. All of it mixing together -- the shame. The humiliation. The degrading remarks. Even the warmth from his own urine began to excite him. Becoming shamefully hard in his suit. "Oh. You're a pervert too, aren't you? Ew, fucking gross -- have you no shame, Dark? Getting your dick hard not only in front of everyone but in your own piss soaked pants?" Wilford scoffed, "you call me a freak yet you're worse than I ever could be.""Wil--""Shut up!" He screams. "Shut the fuck up for once and listen to me! I'll let you go and jerk off in peace or clean up. But only when you give me the okay on my project. If not, you can stay standing while I talk to the others about their roles in the shows. All while you show them your hard dick in your wet pants."Dark nods, grabbing the clipboard from Wilford's hands and signing off on the project. Sobs and whimpers rattling out of him as he was humiliated. Mercilessly. "Good! Glad you see things my way, piss baby!" Wilford laughed, "run along and don't cause another puddle. Come back here when you're done and clean up your mess, got it?"In the tiniest voice he could muster, Dark nodded, "...okay.""Good boy. Now, Bim? You said you wanted to do the gameshow? How about..."Dark didn't stick around to hear anymore. Running out of the room and into the open hallway. Panting and sobbing as he awkwardly walked towards his private office. Wondering how the egos see him now. Wondering how Wilford could be so cruel. Wondering if it's possible to even get over the humiliation he endured. And all for a stupid fucking TV channel.***"So! Piss baby, think of what you want to contribute to the channel? I think you'd fit right in with Doc's show. Maybe you can be the main focus for his episode on adult incontinence and bladder issues!" Wilford laughed in the hallway to Dark's closed door. "Go away," Dark panted. Now in new pants (actually -- sweatpants and cheap underwear, thanks to Dr. Ipl//ier running out to help him gather new clothes) around his thighs and jerking off in his office chair. "Nah. You looked so pathetic in your wet pants and puddle. Like some scared kid -- even Go//ogle and Ed agreed with me."Oh. That brought him closer to his orgasm. Jerking himself faster as he thought about the meeting room discussing him after he left. The laughter they shared. The degrading names. The obnoxious comments.A heat filled his body as he approached it. So close -- so close."Oh well, I'll leave you alone to cry or something. Enjoy dry cleaning your suit. And enjoy being known as the office piss baby for a while now. Bye bye!" Wilford called out. Just as Dark came. White cum shooting out to land in his hand and down his cock. Throbbing in time with his beating heart. And there he say after cleaning up. Ashamed. Humiliated, and more aroused than he had ever been before. A blush creeping on his face as he returned to work, ignoring the feelings.Hopefully, they'll pass in time.

[theremightbecupcakespodcast]

Social Distancing Self-Care: Links

Being chronically ill, I am used to being at home for days and even weeks on end. But I know most of my listeners are not. The only change for me right now is that my doctors’ appointments and physical therapy appointments are being canceled, which does also mean not writing at Starbucks or Barnes and Noble. My anxiety, of course, is heightened by everything that is going on, but the actual social distancing aspect is normal life for me. I know most of you are feeling cabin fever (which is a great movie, by the way, and about a virus–more about using horror to safely experience real-life fears in the next episode), coming right up. My love goes out to you guys. As I wrote on the Facebook page, in the Facebook group, and in the Goodreads group:

I have such empathy and love for all of you. Being forced to stay home and act like the world might make you sick…I know how scary and uncomfortable it is. Please take a moment and sit in empathy, as you struggle with your new reality of social distancing. This is how I have been living for the last six years. Not as strictly. But still the same. Some weeks I only go out of the house for my therapy appointment and a coffee afterwards. Know that when I say this, I am remembering my first days and weeks home from work, and the first days and weeks after each new diagnosis, and how very difficult they were. I am so sorry; I don’t want anyone else to feel this way. I promise the cabin fever goes away. Take very good care of yourself and each other, see this as an opportunity. That’s the lesson it has taken me years to learn.

So I am working on the above-mentioned episode, and other future episodes, and also working on intense self-care. This self-care includes distracting myself with creativity and fascinating media I have been meaning to consume. I thought I’d share some of that media with you, in order to inspire and encourage you. Share some of your own in the comments, or wherever you post your own thoughts. Feel free to promote those links in the comments as well for my listeners.

Letterboxd: Carol Kane’s movies

A horror movie I’ve never heard of! And it looks terrifying. The Mafu Cage (1978), directed by Karen Arthur. It stars Carol Kane and Lee Grant (The Omen), and I can’t wait to watch it. It looks like true 1970’s horror grittiness mixed with the likes of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and The Bad Seed: psychological horror movies where it really comes down to the interpersonal relationship between two people who may not be sane. And a la Clive Barker’s Lord of Illusions, horror of horrors, there’s a simian involved. Those Illusions scenes, short as they are, nearly do me in.

A terrifying love story.

Two strange sisters live in a crumbling mansion, where they keep a pet ape, which belonged to their late father, locked in a cage. While one of the sisters seems to be keeping her head on straight, as it were, the other appears to be sinking further and further into barbarism and insanity.

For lighter fare, and a good laugh, here’s a horror spoof I found: Pandemonium (1982):

Tom Smothers (of the Smothers Brothers) stars as the brave mountie, who along with his trusty horse and bitter deputy Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman!) must track down a killer who is stalking coeds at a nearby cheerleader camp.

Also stars Carol Kane, Edie McClurg (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Carrie), Judge Reinhold (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), Phil Hartman (Kiki’s Delivery’s Service, How I Got Into College), Eileen Brennan (Clue), Donald O’Connor (Singing in the Rain), and Tab Hunter (Damn Yankees, Grease 2). I am definitely going to seek this out, and will report back. I’m not normally a fan of horror comedy, but this looks so cute and funny. And Carol Kane! Letterboxd, Amazon (not currently available, but you can add it to your watchlist to let Amazon know you want to watch it). Just knowing this exists makes me feel better.

A spoof of camp horror movies with Canadian mounties thrown in. Yes.

Then there’s Trees Lounge: Steve Buscemi, Carol Kane, Chloe Sevigny, Samuel L. Jackson, Debi Mazar, Io Tillet Wright. Directed by Steve Buscemi. What the what. How did this get past me?!

Tommy has lost his job, his love and his life. He lives in a small apartment above the Trees Lounge, a bar which he frequents along with a few other regulars without lives. He gets a job driving an ice cream truck and ends up getting involved with the seventeen-year-old niece of his ex-girlfriend. This gets him into serious trouble with her father.

One of my Letterboxd friends called this “Cheers without the happy”. I cannot wait to see this./> Letterboxd, Amazon

These are the movies written by my friend Eric Garcia–I met Eric at Yale Summer School 1989, between our junior and senior years of high school–he was taking Drama, I was taking Psychology, and Gender and Political Science; we initially bonded over our similar sense of humors and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (oh oh whoa whoa whoa whoa): Letterboxd:

Matchstick Men (2003): Nicholas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Jenny O’Hara:

A phobic con artist and his protege are on the verge of pulling off a lucrative swindle when the con artist’s teenage daughter arrives unexpectedly.

(the novel: Matchstick Men: A Novel About Grifters with Issues)

Repo Men (2010): Jude Law, Forest Whitaker:

In the future, medical technology has advanced to the point where people can buy artificial organs to extend their lives. But if they default on payments, an organization known as the Union sends agents to repossess the organs.

(the novel)

Strange But True (2019): Greg Kinnear, Blythe Danner:

A woman surprises the family of her deceased boyfriend by telling them she’s pregnant with his child.

Yes, “Matchstick Men”, if you are my age, that should induce a half-remembered earmworm…

…inspired by the Camper Van Beethoven song, since we’re entertaining ourselves here. And guess what, o happy of happies? Ozzy Ozbourne covered it, with Type O Negative. Have fun!

As always, to follow what I am watching, here’s my Letterboxd diary. Feel free to follow me on there, and I will follow you back.

As for books…I just finished Ronan Farrow’s Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators. I will never give NBC any of my time nor money again. Also, excuse some brief vulgarity and anger, which is rare for me: fuck Matt Lauer, fuck Lester Holt for being an enabler and minimizer for Matt Lauer, fuck the legal team and highest management at NBC and MSNBC, and fuck Harvey Weinstein and everyone that helped, enabled and ignored him. I say all this as an aghast survivor and an aghast human. About Matt Lauer: that softpedal they gave us, with Savannah Guthrie crying that morning of his firing, reading a statement about “harassment” and “inappropriate work environment”, it was farthest from the truth. Matt Lauer is a violent rapist, and know that going into reading this book. It’s explicit, and much more that you will ever expect. Also, Weinstein is much, much worse than you even knew.

In better news, I posted about this book and how it helped me, and Rose McGowan posted a comment of solidarity on my Instagram post. I cried, and I cry every time I think about it, tears of happiness and healing.

So, while we’re at it: Letterboxd: Rose McGowan’s movies

Rose McGowan: Instagram

Rose McGowan Arts: Instagram: her photography and videography art

Her book Brave is next on my list. According to Letterboxd, there’s an accompanying documentary in the works, about which I am very excited.

If you are into true crime, and i know many of you are, here’s the list of recent 5-stars I finished, including those by my talented friend Caitlin Rother:

Lost Girls * Caitlin Rother

I’ll Take Care of You * Caitlin Rother

My Daddy Is a Hero: How Chris Watts Went From Family Man to Family Killer * Lena Derhally (deep dive into this case by a therapist–the whole second half of the book is a thoughtful, intellectual examination of what might be wrong with Chris Watts)

Scarred: The True Story of How I escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life * Sarah Edmondson with Kristine Gasbarre (narrated by Sarah, and the audiobook was directed by Kate Winslet)

The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper * Hallie Rubenhold (more history than true crime, incredibly moving and marvelous detective work)

My long-suffering library hold for Madeline Miller‘s Circe finally came through, and I am beyond excited. I loved her gorgeous Song of Achilles so very much. It was so luscious in its imagery and relationship, and its retelling of myth.

I am also reading, on my Kindle, His Garden, Conversations with a Serial Killer, by Anne K. Howard, about William Devin Howell. I’m listening to The Wild Heart of Stevie Nicks written and narrated by Rob Sheffield, the author of the thought-full and moving journal of essays Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song At a Time. It’s only two hours long but it’s taking me forever because I keep having to pause it to listen to her music.

I’m also knitting a blanket for Wil Wheaton. It all came about from an Instagram conversation about coziness and Muppets last year. There’s been a reboot of this blanket; I won’t bore you with the details and carnage…suffice it to say I won’t be using chenille yarn ever again. I’ll follow up here and on Instagram with new photos. The concept is a warm Muppet hug, and the base pattern is the Elm Avenue Throw Blanket by Lauren Scungio. (Feel free to follow me at Ravelry, my user name is CarlaYarn.)

View this post on Instagram

Rebooting @itswilwheaton’s Muppet hug blanket. Why? It’s a long story involving many struggles, ending with the strong resolution that I will never knit with chenille again. Stitches kept gapping and stretching; it was a crime scene. Anyway! Revamped, and the end result is going to be much more joyous and colorful, and durable. I chose colors of @knitpicks Brava that corresponded to 19079’s old-school Muppets, including overlooked intrepid reported Prairie Dawn. The Muppets are Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, Cookie, Prairie, Kermit and Herry. The original yarn retained from the original plan is the fuzzy one—the Caron Latte Cakes—it adds the furry aspect as a carry-along. The pattern is the same: the Elm Avenue Throw Blanket by #laurenscungio and #loopsandthreads. I’ve making it on larger needles than called-for for extra squish. Wil, I hope this brings you and @annewheaton much coziness and comfort. Now that I have worked out the frustration (and my health is cooperating), this blanket should be “Movin’ Right Along”. If anyone wants to follow along or check it out. I made the project public on Ravelry at https://ravel.me/CarlaYarn/eatb. #knitpicks #knitpicksbrava #caronyarn #caronlattecakes #muppets #knitting #wip #ravelry #sesamestreet #prairiedawn #bertandernie #cookiemonster #bigbird #herrymonster #knittersofinstagram #knittersofravelry #knitstagram #knitting_is_love #knitlove

A post shared by Carla Hufstedler (@carlahaunted) on Mar 18, 2020 at 9:14am PDT

I shall return with, of course, the aforementioned podcast episode, and more links, more suggestions, and more photos, especially photos of the knitting. I hope this long collection has helped–I spent all afternoon aggregating it. As always, any of the books mentioned can be collected for free with a trial membership from Audible, which helps me out, through this link: http://audibletrial.com/mightbecupcakes. As well, using any of the links in this or any post on the site helps me out. Our family budget is on lockdown. You know I still do not receive disability, and now my husband cannot go out to work. So your clicks and purchases really help, thank you so much. I will also be uploading more scripts to the show’s Patreon, and updating the Patreon levels. Please consider joining, and thank you. If you are not a fan of Patreon, you can also leave me a tip at Flattr. Episode 59 is on its way. I love you, and I hope you find something in this post fun.

To leave this on the most possible fun note, puppies must be involved, right? Well, my parents have three dogs (to my two), and the youngest, still a puppy, is Olivia Benson, and she is a very rare full hermaphrodite. She is cute as as a button as well as fascinating (her vet is going to publish a paper on her). We (meaning me, prompted by my parents via text message as they send over pictures as well) have been chronicling her journey on Instagram at @oliviathespecialpug. Give her a follow. She’s cute and sassy and ridiculously smart. Her older brothers Spencer Reid the pug and Preston the long-haired dachshund show up occasionally as well, and they’re all just stinkin’ adorable. I’ll leave you with her most recent shots. This first one was from Sunday, I was watching 48 Meters Down: Unchanged (I know, I know, here’s my review), and she was falling asleep with her arm on my shoulder, like a human, then there were birdies! She pointed at the tv then looked at me with great confusion then pointed again. The next one was from her spaying + neutering–yes, she had to have both, in a compound, complicated surgery, and she is stoned out of her gourd. I laugh every time I look at these. To me, she looks like a furry toad. I hope they make you laugh, too.

View this post on Instagram

I heard birdies in @carlahaunted’s horror movie and pointed. #pugstagram #puglife #puglifechoseme #hermaphrodite #olivia #oliviabenson #detoliviabenson #svu #lawandordersvu #oliviathepug #oliviabensonthepug #oliviathehermaphroditepug #puppiesofinstagram #pugsofinstagram #pugpuppies #pugpuppiesofinstagram #pugs #pugchronicles #flatnosesociety

A post shared by

Olivia Benson Pettigrew (@oliviathespecialpug) on Mar 15, 2020 at 7:54am PDT

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Teething pug = sleepy pug. #pugstagram #puglife #puglifechoseme #hermaphrodite #olivia #oliviabenson #detoliviabenson #svu #lawandordersvu #oliviathepug #oliviabensonthepug #oliviathehermaphroditepug #puppiesofinstagram #pugsofinstagram #pugpuppies #pugpuppiesofinstagram #pugs #pugchronicles #flatnosesociety

A post shared by

Olivia Benson Pettigrew (@oliviathespecialpug) on Mar 15, 2020 at 7:40am PDT

View this post on Instagram

I am recovering from my complicated neutering/spaying surgery nicely, but my first experience with pain meds has me very confused and doing a really good Baby Yoda impression. @carlahaunted was dogsitting me, and I kept standing up stiff legged suddenly, like I had forgotten something (Carla said it was like I had remembered I had locked my keys in my car) and then standing up on my back legs like a meerkat. I finally slept with a good, juicy pain meds + pug flatnose snore. I figured out how to untie my stuffed cone of shame. I am one clever puppy, even on pain medication. My big brothers are worried about me, but being very gentle and very well behaved. I can’t wait to play with them again. #Pugstagram #puglife #puglifechoseme #hermaphrodite #olivia #oliviabenson #detoliviabenson #svu #lawandordersvu #oliviathepug #oliviabensonthepug #oliviathehermaphroditepug #puppiesofinstagram #pugsofinstagram #pugpuppies #pugpuppiesofinstagram #pugs #pugchronicles #flatnosesociety

#babyyoda #babyyodapug #coneofshame

A post shared by

Olivia Benson Pettigrew (@oliviathespecialpug) on Jan 23, 2020 at 10:27pm PST

The post Social Distancing Self-Care: Links appeared first on There Might Be Cupcakes Podcast.

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[wilwheaton]

I dunno, it's 2:30am here and maybe this is a bad idea but I can't sleep so hell I'll send a message. Hi Wil Wheaton, what's a depressed guy to do when he needs to apply to jobs but is scared that he can't handle the rejections that will happen, or the inevitable chipping away of his self esteem, that is only made worse by being trans and not passing very well. (I know you can't help with that last part, but again, it's 2:30am, and my brain is not working very well.)

I can’t help you with that last part, but I want you to know that I see you and I love you for who you are. My friend, Robyn, is the co-founder of mytranshealth, and maybe that’s a good starting point to connect with a support network? I’m so sorry if it’s massively inappropriate for me to suggest that. 

But the first part? Maybe I can help a little bit? Being rejected sucks, and it hurts. In my life and work (I’ve tried and not always succeeded to separate the two) I’ve worked very hard to remind myself that it’s never personal when I don’t get a job. It sure feels like it, though, and getting up to try again after I’ve been rejected is always hard.

In The Nerdist Way, Hardwick tells us that our brains try to protect us, and they try to stop us from taking chances because if we don’t take the chance, we can’t be disappointed or hurt. Our brains are trying to do us a kindness, but they actually aren’t helping, so we have to make the deliberate choice to tell our brains to back off and take care of other stuff.

That is so much easier said than done, but the only way we can get used to it is by practicing it.

Also, 2:30 in the morning is one of those parts of the day when everything feels much worse or much better than it actually is. I’ve reblogged a thing here a few times that reminds us to go for a walk, to get into a change of clothes, to eat a good meal, to do things that we maybe aren’t doing, because doing those things breaks the cycle of depression. You can’t do that at 2:30 in the morning, really, but if you feel like you’re not going to go to sleep anyway, maybe take a nice hot shower? Make a cup of tea and sit down with a book you like, or an episode of a show that you like? I’ve been listening to audiobooks on Spotify when I need my brain to fuck off and let me sleep. I’ve heard the first chapter of The Metamorphosis for like five days in a row, and that guy’s voice is great at soothing me to sleep. The recordings come from LibreVox, so maybe you can find something there?

I feel like I’m not being as helpful as I’d like to be. I want to reveal a great secret that makes it all so much easier, but the truth is that everything worth doing is hard, and You from the Future will be so grateful to You From Now because You From Now faced the fear and accepted the challenge of risking the rejection so you could find employment for Future You.

I really hope some of this helps. Maybe someone else on Tumblr has better words of comfort or wisdom to share? I’d love it if you’d check in with me, and let me know how you’re doing, whenever you’re ready.