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By The Episode: Infected (TLoU)

Episode two of The Last of Us premiered on January 22nd, and it has us with Ellie, Joel, and Tess the following day after leaving the Boston QZ.

Welcome to a new article type By the Episode! This article is essentially a recap of a show that airs on a weekly basis. This won’t be including shows that can be “binged watched” or full seasons that are currently available on streaming platforms. That will be left to our other article type Midnight Binge.

There won’t be a rating for articles by the episode because I like to rate an entire season rather than an individual episode. However, I give my opinion on if it’s “Worth a Watch,” “Cautiously Optimistic,” “Let’s See Where This is Going,” “I Might Stop Watching,” and finally “Nope, Not Worth the Time.” Instead of being at the end of the article, I will include this opinion at the beginning.

EPISODE GRADE: CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC

SPIOLERS for TLoU episode two, Infected.

BOMB IT ALL

The episode opens up with another flashback, this time in Jakarta, Indonesia, as we see this elderly woman sitting in a cafe before being taken away by two military men. From what was told to us in episode one, we can surmise that Jakarta is where the initial outbreak happened.

The woman Doctor Ratna Pertiwi (Christine Hakim) is taken into a hospital where she’s shown a microscope that has a prepared slide. She quickly announces that it’s a cordyceps fungus on the slide, and the general says that this was found in a human. Obviously, she mentions is completely impossible, as it’s commonly found in insects. The general wastes no time showing Dr. Pertiwi the body of the female factory worker that had been shot in the head. The doctor investigates the body and finds the infection centered around the leg. Cutting open the leg, we see the white fungus growing underneath the skin. What’s a bit more unsettling are the semi-alive writhing tendrils in the woman’s mouth.

The general asks the doctor what they should be doing. As in making vaccines, and figuring out treatment options, but the doctor says that they should be bombing the city. There is nothing available to combat a fungal infection such as this, and she would like to go home and be with her family. Knowing full well that this was the end.

It’s the morning after escaping the Boston QZ and Joel and Tess are fighting about what to do with Ellie. Joel firmly believes that it’s only a matter of time before Ellie turns, but Tess holds onto hope that she could be the real thing. Joel holds fast to his belief, thinking this whole deal is a waste of time and that they should just turn back. But he is begrudgingly convinced by Tess to continue their journey, and they travel through a decimated downtown Boston to get to the State House. According to Tess is a ten-minute walk, but there is a long way, and a short way (or, in Tess’s words, “we’re fucking dead” path). It is very quickly voted that they take the long way, and Tess gives us some exposition about what happened in the twenty years to the city since the infection. Dr. Pertiwi’s advice was followed, and the military bombed many of the major cities in hopes of slowing the infection. In some cases, it helped, but in others, it did not. Boston was one of the cities that was bombed in the early days, which is evident by the massive craters strewn throughout the city.

The longer path has them making their way through a flooded hotel in which we learn Ellie can’t swim (this is also funnily in the game too). The water isn’t high enough to deem that swimming is necessary and they walk the ten floors up so they can use a board to cross over into another building. As they come upon a balcony, we witness our first swarm.

This is where the mechanics of tendrils are explained. If you step or mess with tendrils in one area a mile away, a swarm wakes and descends into the area. They continue into a museum, which seems safe at first after Joel confirms that the tendrils outside have dried out. As they walk in, they see the fungus overgrown and a freshly dead body lying in a corner. Tess and Joel get very tense, whispering that they didn’t “hear” anything when they entered the building. Quietly and carefully, they continue through the museum. As they get upstairs, a part of the roof collapses and that’s where we “hear” them.

Two stage-three infected, or Clickers, screech, and holler as they’re alerted to Tess, Joel, and Ellie entering the room. Ellie accidentally makes a slight noise, and the Clickers pounce. As a gunfight ensues, Ellie tries to hide under some display cases. One Clicker goes for Tess while the other shambles toward Joel. They make it very clear that Clickers are difficult to kill after Joel shoots one several times and Tess cleaves it with an axe.

With the Clickers dead, they continue to the roof and nurse their wounds. Ellie has been bitten for a second time, while Tess has a twisted or broken ankle.

They finally make it to the State House, but there is NO sign of the Fireflies. When they enter the State House, they find dead Fireflies, and it’s evident that someone was infected and turned on the other Fireflies. Tess freaks out, looking for any sign of where they were going to take Ellie. She harshly asks Ellie where they were taking her, but she didn’t have any idea except they were planning on taking her west. Joel tries to convince Tess that this is the end of the road for them and that they should head back to the QZ and let Marlene handle it. However, Tess is angry, frustrated, and upset at this because the QZ isn’t her home, and their luck had to run out at some point. Ellie realizes that Tess is infected, and indeed, she reveals a bite mark on her collarbone.

Tess grabs Ellie’s arm and shows Joel how real and rare Ellie was because, in just a few moments that it took to reach the State House, Tess’s bite looked infected, already changing colors with tendrils growing just beneath the skin. While Ellie’s looked like a bite mark, normal and healing. She pleads with Joel to continue on with Ellie because her immunity is real, staring them right in the face.

The Fireflies that were on the ground are actually infected, biding their time as we get our first glimpse of how tendrils work. The tendrils, which were light green and thin, wrapped around the Fireflies’ hands. Where they spotted the first swarm, the tendrils alert all of them, and they all raised up and charged for the State House. Things become desperate as Tess starts dumping the gasoline onto the floor and she tells Joel to “save as many” as he can. She tells him to take Ellie, and that she was going to try to buy some time. Now the next part is creepy, yet interesting at the same time. As the Runners start streaming into the State House, ignoring Tess, she tries to light a lighter to ignite the gasoline spilled onto the floor. One Runner spots Tess standing against a pillar. He makes his way to her and tendrils are pushing their way out of his mouth. And now the creepy part. The Runner kisses Tess, full on, with tendrils squirming out of his mouth. A reminder, Tess was infected, and she was bitten on her neck near the collarbone area. This close to the brain, it takes minutes to infect an individual. Tess was literally on borrowed time when they reached the State House, and tendrils were one of several ways a person can become infected.

The episode ends with Ellie and Joel running from the State House as it explodes.

CONCLUSION

My cautious optimism is slowly resolving with each episode, because just like the first episode, this one was just as beautiful, thrilling, filled with game Easter egg goodness, and so much sass between Joel and Ellie. A bit of good news though, HBO has picked up The Last of Us for a second season before the drop of episode three.

However, some sad news, the original actress for Tess, Annie Wersching, has passed at the age of 45, after a two-year battle with cancer. Our hearts are with her family and friends in their time of grief.

The Last of Us is streaming weekly on Sundays, at 9pm EST, on HBO Max.

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FLASHBACK FRIDAY: ANASTASIA

Constantly mistaken for a Disney film due to its similarities with films that were released during the Disney Renaissance (Disney movies made and released from 1989 to 1999), Anastasia came out in 1997 in association with Fox Animation Studios and distributed by 20th Century Fox. On this Flashback Friday, we’re taking a look at the classic animation movie Anastasia.

SPOILERS

SYNOPSIS

We’re introduced to a young Grand Duchess Anastasia at a ball in 1916 which is celebrating the Romanov Tricentennial. The Dowager Empress Marie is gifting her grandchild a music box and necklace, that is inscribed with Together in Paris. The eight-year-old is ecstatic at the idea of being in Paris with her grandmother, but those hopes are dashed short when Grigori Rasputin, a sorcerer and former advisor to the Romanov is seeking revenge after being exiled for treason. Rasputin has sold his soul in order to obtain an unholy reliquary that curses the Romanovs and sparks the Russian Revolution. The family has been ripped apart as revolutionaries overwhelm the palace. With the help of a 10-year-old servant boy, Dimitri, Anastasia is able to escape through a secret passage with her grandmother. Anastasia is ambushed by Rasputin, and they are able to escape him as he falls through the frozen river. Anastasia and Marie are able to reach a train, but as Marie climbs abroad with the aid of the other passengers, Anastasia loses her grip on her grandmother’s hand and falls, hitting her head on the platform. This results in amnesia.

Ten years later, the Dowager Empress is desperate to be reunited with her granddaughter and has offered 10 million rubles (today that would be equivalent to 136,850.00 USD) to reward anyone who can find her and have her safely returned. Conman Dimitri and his partner in crime, Vlad, are actively searching for an Anastasia look-alike to bring to Paris and claim the 10 million ruble reward money. Meanwhile, an 18-year-old Anya leaves behind her orphanage, she is accompanied by a stray dog, Pooka, as they journey to St. Petersburg. Inspired by an inscription on her necklace, she believes the thing needed to unlock her memories is in Paris. However, without an exit visa, she has no hope of leaving Russia. An elderly woman points her to the old palace to look for Dimitri. There, Anya finds Dimitri and Vlad, and they are both impressed by how similar she is to the long-lost Grand Duchess Anastasia. With their look-alike secured, Dimitri and Vlad agree to take her to Paris.

Rasputin’s minion, an albino bat named Bartok, is near and watching the events unfold as the long-dormant reliquary suddenly springs to life. It’s revived by Anya’s presence, and it drags Bartok to limbo where he finds his master, the undead Rasputin. Livid that the young Anastasia escaped his curse, Rasputin sends his minions from the reliquary to finish the job. The reliquary’s demons sabotage the train that the three of them boarded, unsuccessful with the train. The demons cause her to sleepwalk off their ship on their way to France. With Dimitri able to save her before she walks off the ship, Rasputin decides to travel out of limbo to kill Anya personally. Meanwhile, as all of that is happening, Dimitri and Vlad teach Anya etiquette and the Romanov family history as Dimitri and Anya begin to fall in love.

The trio finally reaches Paris, but the Dowager Empress is no longer seeing people who claim to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia. Sophie, the Dowager Empress’s cousin, quizzes Anya to confirm her identity. However, with all the questions that Anya answered correctly, the imposters knew as well. Sophie decides to attempt to stump Anya by asking how she escaped the palace during the siege, and Dimitri panics because they haven’t taught her any of that. Dimitri has the abrupt realization that Anya is indeed Anastasia when she recalls how a servant boy opened a wall to help them escape. Sophie convinced, arranges a meeting at the Paris Opera House. At the Opera, Dimitri tries with all his might to get the Dowager Empress to at the very least talk to her. However, she wants nothing to do with the con that Dimitri is peddling. Unfortunately, Anya, who has been left in the dark about Dimitri’s and Vlad’s true intentions, overhears the entire conversation. Furious at him, she leaves, but Dimitri isn’t letting anything go, knowing full well that Anya is the real Grand Duchess, and abducts the Dowager Empress and takes her to Anya’s hotel. The Dowager Empress is finally convinced to meet Anya only after Dimitri reveals the music box that Anastasia dropped during their escape. As the Dowager Empress and Anya speak, Anya slowly regains her memory, especially after seeing her wear the necklace that was a gift to the young Duchess. The Dowager Empress recognizes Anya as Anastasia and the two are finally reunited.

Dimitri is called upon by the Dowager Empress, who attempts to uphold her promise of giving a reward to anyone who finds Anastasia. It takes her a moment, but the Dowager Empress recognizes him as the servant boy who helped them escape. Dimitri refuses the money, which surprises her, and he leaves for Russia. At a celebration held in honor of Anastasia, the Dowager Empress informs Anastasia of Dimitri’s gesture, which leaves her torn between staying or going with him. Walking off somewhere, she is trapped by Rasputin, who attacks her. Dimitri returns to save her but is attacked by an enchanted Pegasus statue. During the struggle, Anastasia is able to get hold of the reliquary and smashes it, avenging her family and destroying Rasputin.

In the end, Anastasia and Dimitri elope and she sends a letter to her grandmother and Sophie, promising that they’ll see each other again.

PRODUCTION

Anastasia is loosely based on a real person, Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who was the daughter of the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II. She and her family were executed in July 1918, and there were many rumors that she and her brother, Alexei Nikolaevich, might have survived the execution. In 1991, a forensic study was done on the bodies found that positively ID the family and servants, but not of Anastasia and Alexei. It wasn’t until 2007 that a DNA test of a secondary gravesite identified the bodies of Anastasia and Alexei.

Directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman researched the actual events through CIA agents that were stationed in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. Screenwriter Eric Tuchman, around this time, wrote a script about the very real events that happened to the Romanov family, but it was scrapped because Bluth and Goldman believed that it was too dark for the film they wanted to create. Bruce Graham (who had been a co-screenwriter with Tuchman) decided to rework the script with Susan Gauthier, which turned Tuchman’s dark, adult script into a more lighthearted romantic comedy geared toward children. When Graham and Gauthier left for other projects, Bob Tzudiker, Noni White, and even Carrie Fisher (uncredited) were brought on board for additional rewrites.

For the villain, Bluth took into consideration very real political activists such as the Bolsheviks and even the Russian Revolutionary and politician Vladimir Lenin. However, they instead went with Grigori Rasputin, who was indeed a mystic man and advisor to the royal family. They choose him because of all the things that were used to kill this man, and how truly terrible he was. Rasputin was already dead before the events of Romanov’s assassination. Bartok was later introduced as the comedic sidekick.

Casting Meg Ryan as Anastasia was Bluth’s first and only choice, but it took some persuasion from them for her to accept this role. John Cusack was brought on board to voice Dimitri, and he later admitted to the cast and crew that he, in fact, couldn’t sing. Liz Calloway became Anastasia’s singing voice, while Jonathan Dokuchitz became Dimitri’s. Christopher Lloyd was hired as Rasputin because of his popularity in the Back to the Future trilogy (Jim Cummings provided the singing voice), and Hank Azaria won the role as Bartok ten minutes into his audition. Kelsey Grammer got the role of Vlad and even sang for the character too.

The score was composed by David Newman (Matilda, Death to Smoochy, The Brave Little Toaster, Serenity, and Ice Age). The song, Journey to the Past, was nominated for an Academy Award and was written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.

Anastasia was released on November 21, 1997, a week after the re-release of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Disney also released Flubber, a double feature of George of the Jungle and Hercules. Disney retaliated even further by not allowing Anastasia to advertise during the program The Wonderful Life of Disney and banned its sponsors from doing the same. Despite this, Anastasia was marketed with promotional sponsors from Burger King, Dole Food Company, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Shell Oil, and even the 1997 Figure Skating Championships.

Anastasia received both critic and audience acclaim, gaining 3 out of 5 stars from most critics, who cited the film as “pure family fun,” and “a charming film despite its historical inaccuracies.” It has generally favorable reviews from Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, and even Russia’s reviews were mostly positive.

By the end of Anastasia’s theatrical run, it grossed 14.1 million domestically. Worldwide it totaled 139.8 million, making it Don Bluth’s highest-grossing film after All Dogs go to Heaven.

After Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, Anastasia became a Disney Princess and became available on Disney+ December 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

Anastasia was an absolute favorite of mine growing up, I rate it a 4.5/5.

Even though it took artistic liberties from true historical events, it gave a tragic event a Hollywood ending. It was marketed more toward children, and while that could have been problematic because of the real events it was drawing the majority of its inspiration, it executed it the best it knew how. It is indeed a movie inspired by true events and based on them, and one must explore the ethics of twisting historical events for a Hollywood story. Is it wrong, is it fine, or should it not be done at all?

Hollywood, in general, is no stranger to twisting events to fit a specific narrative. While it is a favorite, as an adult, these thoughts crop up because of what it is based on. Obviously, all this is my opinion, so don’t misconstrue a beautifully done movie.

Do you love Anastasia?

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By the Episode: The Last of Us

Welcome to a new article type By the Episode! This article is essentially a recap of a show that airs on a weekly basis. This won’t be including shows that can be “binged watched” or full seasons that are currently available on streaming platforms. That will be left to our other article type Midnight Binge.

There won’t be a rating for articles that are by the episode because I personally like to rate an entire season rather than an individual episode. However, I give my opinion on if it’s “Worth a Watch,” “Cautiously Optimistic,” “Let’s See Where This is Going,” “I Might Stop Watching,” and finally “Nope, Not Worth the Time.” Instead of being at the end of the article, I will be including this opinion at the beginning.

EPISODE GRADE: CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC

The popular video game The Last of Us received a t.v makeover on HBO. Let’s get the obvious out of the way. With the few games that get a movie or t.v makeover, only some are done well. They tend to be overall disappointments.

Game to live-action in theory should translate well, however, for whatever reason, most adaptations are a complete miss. This is odd because most story-based games such as The Last of Us are rich in concept art, background story, and background or secondary characters. It would be inexcusable for the creators, producers, directors, writers, and others to not dive into the already complete first part of The Last of Us. Even disrespectful to the fans of the original source material, we are already seeing that happen with the likes of The Witcher.

Let’s recap The Last of Us’s first episode before Sunday’s new episode!

SPOILERS!

WHEN YOU’RE LOST IN THE DARKNESS

As I break down the first episode, I’ll also be breaking down some of the differences between the original source material and the series. Warning, if you haven’t played the game or have watched the first episode which is now streaming on HBO, this will be your SPOILER warning. Do not continue if you haven’t watched or played The Last of Us.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s introduce the chief antagonist of the game and series: fungus. That’s right, a fungus is responsible for the events that take place in the world of The Last of Us. Now the specific type of fungus is called Cordyceps, and apparently, there are over 600 species of cordyceps fungi in the world. According to Planet Earth, a BBC documentary, each type of cordyceps specializes in a species of insect. This fungus, that’s primarily found in Southeast Asia, can also be found in several health supplements.

Cordyceps cannot affect people. However, in the series, cordyceps have evolved to infect humans, which comes to our first difference between the game and the series. Unlike the game, which has us playing as Sarah the night of Joel’s birthday, we instead open with a talk show 1968. That’s discussing the high probability of a worldwide infection or pandemic. They talk about how planes make it easier to transport viruses from one part of the world to another. The amazing John Hannah, who plays Dr. Neuman, says it isn’t a virus that the world needs to be concerned about, but a fungus. There’s literally no way to fight or stop a fungal infection at the level of a pandemic, meaning no vaccine, treatments, or anything could be made to destroy this infection. He even goes into that medicines are a product of fungus. This allows more story to be introduced, because in the game, while the player does get this sort of explanation, it’s in fragments and not as solid, it’s more fluid. What I mean about that is you gather this information by picking up collectibles throughout the game.

Fast forward to 2003, which is a 10-year time difference from the game which originally took place in 2013 when the game was released.

They introduce us to 14-year-old Sarah Miller. She’s celebrating her father’s birthday as she gets ready for school. We’re also introduced to Tommy, Joel’s brother, who has come to pick Joel up for work. Once again, unlike the game where the player is thrown into the deep end of the night, everything hits the fan. We’re instead given a glimpse of Sarah’s life as she goes to school. While the day outwardly seems normal, it’s far from it. That boy who’s twitching during class, he’s infected. Story-wise, we don’t see or know how the fungus infects an individual until a little later, but I’ll break it down here. The first signs of infection are slurred speech, coughing, mood change, and muscle spasms.

After school, Sarah takes the bus to go get Joel’s watch fixed. All day we’ve been given clues that something is off, the constant stream of SWAT, police, firefighters, ambulances, and more come and go on screen, and we can even hear throughout Sarah’s journey from school to the repairman. The viewer doesn't know what is going on. As she’s trying to get the watch fixed, one of the owners barges in from the back of the store and says the store is closed. As the owner ushers Sarah out with the fixed watch, we realize that everything has closed.

Sarah goes home and spends the afternoon with the elderly neighbors making raisin cookies. Something is very seriously wrong with Nana and Mercy. The elderly couple’s dog can sense it, which concerns Sarah, but only for a moment as she goes home to wait for her dad.

Joel, who has come home from working a double, gets his birthday present and they settle in to watch a movie. Their quiet evening is cut short when Tommy calls to get bailed out for bar fighting. Joel, obviously annoyed by this interruption, carries Sarah to bed before heading out to the local jail to bail Tommy out, leaving Sarah alone.

Sarah is awoken by helicopters and explosions that emit greenish light flashing into her bedroom intermittently.

Mercy scares Sarah by jumping onto the window, trying to escape something. Sarah, trying to do the right thing, attempts to take Mercy home only for the dog to run away from Sarah. It seems like the neighbor’s front door was left open and Mercy just took the opportunity to run. Inside the house, there are clear signs of a struggle. Looking for her neighbors (Danny, Connie, and Nana Adler) she finds them in the kitchen bleeding and Nana chewing on Mrs. Adler. Nana realizes that Sarah is standing in the kitchen, horrified at what she was witnessing. Nana goes after Sarah with roots or tendrils coming from her mouth. Joel and Tommy pull up just in time to save Sarah from Nana.

More infected people start shambling toward Joel, Tommy, and Sarah as they all hop into the truck to make their escape out of Texas and hopefully toward the Mexican border. The military, though, is quickly trying to enforce a quarantine as we find out that an unknown virus has started to spread and had started in the city. The next few scenes are almost an exact replication of what happened in the game, including the POV shot from the back of Tommy’s truck.

They did add more to the chaos of those already chaotic moments. Including the addition of the planes coming down, which alters a pivotal moment both within the game and the show.

In the game, Tommy, Joel, and Sarah are hit by another car as they’re trying to escape blocked roads. However, instead of being hit by the car (which still makes an appearance as a near miss), they’re hit by debris from a crashing plane. Sarah still suffers a broken leg/ankle and needs to be carried by Joel. Everything is happening at the same time. Cars are exploding, crashing into one another, and people are being attacked and essentially eaten by strangers, family, neighbors, and loved ones as everyone tries to make their escape. The trio is separated, and Joel and Sarah try to escape infected, which we’ll later come to know as Runners, which is the first stage of infection. The Runner beelines for Joel and Sarah as they run through a diner. A soldier shoots the Runner, and he informs whoever is on the radio that he has two, one of them injured.

Unfortunately, this isn’t good news, and the soldier is given the order to shoot, which he does. Sarah and Joel try to avoid the bullets, rolling into a trench and, before the soldier can fire again, Tommy appears. Joel is clipped, but Sarah isn’t so lucky and dies.

Twenty years later and we are witnessing a very different world. Like at the beginning of the episode, we are following a young boy who’s making his way to the Boston QZ. The military, or FEDRA, takes the boy. The next few scenes set the tone for the reality of the world in The Last of Us.

A female soldier promises the boy his favorite food and unlimited toys when another soldier shows her a device, revealing that the screen is red. The soldier tells the boy that after an injection, he can eat and play before the scene cuts to a funeral pyre and workers tossing bodies into the fire. Another truck pulls up and when they opened it up, it reveals the unfortunate fate of the boy who has been euthanized, and we met Joel again. It’s clear that Joel is a broken man when he emotionlessly tosses the boy into the pyre.

Joel went from doing construction to becoming a smuggler. As public executions unfold, Joel is selling pills to FEDRA soldiers. They discuss the ongoing tension between the Fireflies, a rebel activist group, and FEDRA, who are killing Fireflies on sight.

We meet Tess, the other half of Joel’s smuggling operation, who’s talking to Robert, who sold a battery to someone else. Robert’s scared that Tess is going to tell Joel about their altercation. Their conversation is interrupted by an exploding car bomb and all hell breaks loose as the Fireflies and FEDRA come to a head.

The car battery is important to Joel for a car. He’s trying to get to Wyoming because that’s the last place Tommy was. Tess and Joel vow to track Robert down and figure out who he sold a battery to.

Elsewhere, we are introduced to a teenager being guarded by the Fireflies. Even though she calls herself Veronica, this is Ellie, and the Fireflies are cautious of her. Marlene, the leader of the rebel faction, tells Ellie that she’s got a much more important fate and that they’re going to move her out west.

Tess, Joel, Marlene, and Ellie cross paths after a shootout leaves a dead Robert, and an injured Marlene comes to the realization that she wouldn’t be able to transport Ellie as planned and basically orders Joel and Tess to do it, she obviously promises a battery, guns, and other supplies to the duo once Ellie is safely delivered to the State House. Marlene begs Joel to not mess this up.

To kill some time because they plan to move her in the cover of night. Joel parks himself on the couch and falls asleep. When he wakes up Ellie asks him questions about the code that seems to correlate with song decades. The 60s equal no new loot, the 70s equal that there’s new loot, and with a trick, Ellie figures out that the 80s mean that there’s trouble.

They sneak out and they’re spotted by the same officer that Joel sold pills to earlier that morning. As warned, Joel and Tess are given no special treatment. Leaving the QZ, by the way, means hanging. It is literally a death sentence. Per protocol, the officer tests Joel, Tess, and Ellie, but Ellie freaks and stabs the guy in the leg. Joel is triggered by the guy pointing his gun at them and he rushes him. Nearly beating the man to death before his attention is pulled to Tess, who shows him that Ellie is infected. Ellie insists that the clear bite mark on her forearm is three weeks old, which is impossible because all the signs that break down the beginning stages of infection clearly state that infection can take over a body in a day. There’s no time to figure specifics out because FEDRA will be swarming the place. As the episode ends, the radio turns on and begins playing “Never Let Me Down Again” by Depeche Mode. An 80's song.

CONCLUSION

As mentioned above, I am CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC about HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us. This first episode was *chef's kiss.* Literally, my "problems" with this episode are just me being nit-picky and holds no actual weight to my overall excitement and unabashed giddiness.

Like anyone who is a big fan of the game, I had my reservation, and of course, expectations. Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin, Pedro Pascal, Gabriel Luna, Nico Parker, Anna Torv, Merle Dandridge, and Bella Ramsey were all superb. They exceeded those expectations so much that I’m scared for the next episodes. They embodied their characters with such nuance, grace, and weight that, living in the times that we are now, it’s believable to the point that I got chills watching them.

Being a fan of the game, I know the outcome of the characters. Even though I knew what was going to happen to Sarah, the way they executed it still had me on the edge of my seat because of the additions they added. These added moments just enhanced the story that we already know and love. It gave more to the story and the characters. Once again, even though I know the fates of these characters, I find myself excited for Sundays.

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Spotlight Artist: Kalandra

A Norwegian alternative band, they’ve headlined for artists such as Seigman and Wardruna. Their Wardruna cover of Helvegen has garnered over 4 million views on YouTube.

MEET THE MEMBERS

Jogeir Daae Mæland, Katrine Stenbekk, Oskar Johnsen Rydh (2018) and Florian Döderlein.

MUSIC

Kalandra describes their music as “weaving ethereal melodies into raw and eerie musical landscapes.“

This description accurately encompasses what type of music Kalandra makes. If you’re a fan of musicians such as AURORA, Pomme, Wardruna, and Stromae, Kalandra will be right up your alley.

CONCLUSION

I found Kalandra on accident while looking for music to work to. With their gentle sounds, inspiration from written works (such as Brave New World, inspired by writer Aldous Huxley, and the poem Du må ikke sove by Arnulf Øverland), and beautiful vocals, this band became a rabbit hole. It served as an inspiration for my own writing. It is easy to get lost in the stories and imagery they create with their music, and I fully suggest you do.

They will be touring in Europe starting in February 2023. Go check them out!

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Currently Reading: Eragon, Part Two

Welcome back to part two of our Currently Reading series. We are checking out Christopher Paolini’s Eragon, and it’s April’s Book of the Month. However, I have a sinking suspicion that this will extend into May, but I have no problems with that.

Note from the author: This will have multiple parts, as I am doing this in segments as I read. I’m hoping to do one for every book in the Inheritance series.

If you haven’t read the first part of Currently Reading, please go check that out before continuing. Otherwise, spoilers ahead.

HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS

Previously, we left off with Eragon (our main protagonist) and Garrow (Eragon’s Uncle) speaking with the trader Merlock, who not only informed them that the stone Eragon found in The Spine was hollow, but the likelihood of it being created by magic was high. We also heard the story of King Galbatorix starting his life as a fresh out-of-training Dragon Rider to him, stealing the throne and ruling the Broddring Empire for years from the village’s storyteller, Brom. A story that can get Brom killed.

Eragon returns home that evening and decides to test the stone. He bangs on it with a hammer and produces a sound hollow yet pure, like a bell ringing. As he does this, he realizes that nothing he does damages the stone’s surface. It remains pristine, not even a chip. Nothing dents its sapphire surface, however, the stone seemingly emits a squeak. Brushing the sound off (he thought it was a mouse), he wonders if he was meant to have the stone because of its mysterious and almost magical background. Thinking heavily about this, he decides to go to bed.

The squeaking is back, but this time louder, definitely not a mouse. Groping blindly in the dark, he realizes that the stone is the source of the sound. He attempts to go back to sleep but is awoken a short while later because now the stone to physically moving, rocking back and forth on his shelf. Tired of the misfortune and headaches the stone has brought to him, he gets up with the intention of burying the nuisance of a stone, but before he could do anything, the stone rolls off the shelf and cracks open against the floor. As pieces of stone fall away, Eragon realizes what he’s looking at, that the stone was not in fact a stone, but an egg and now he was staring at something seemingly impossible. A baby dragon.

Not only is this newborn dragon the length of Eragon’s forearm (approximately 20 to 30.5 cm or 7 to 12 in), but it is also the exact same color that the stone was. The dragon starts exploring its surroundings a bit, bumping into furniture and the like. Eragon decides to touch the dragon and receives a shock that stuns him and travels up his arm. Something interesting happens too, not just from the shock he got from touching the dragon, but it felt like something also brushed against his mind. When he recovers from this, a silver shiny oval is now in the palm of his hand. When he touched the dragon for a second time, he doesn’t get shocked and feeds the hungry dragon. After eating, the dragon curls up on Eragon and he has thoughts about becoming a Dragon Rider, but he knows the risk. He could become powerful and even famous, however, he knew that the Empire would track him down to the ends of Alagaësia and even torture and kill his family. He also decides that he’s going to keep the dragon and has to find a way to tell Garrow about it.

The next morning, Eragon wakes early and takes the dragon to the edge of the forest with the intention of re-homing the dragon. Can’t exactly keep a dragon a secret from the people you’re living with now, can you? After making sure the dragon’s secured, fed, and understands that it has to stay put in its new makeshift tent (using a mental connection that he now has…like what?), he returns home to the farm. When he’s able to return to the dragon that evening, he finds that it has stayed in place, and has even managed to hunt for itself (too bad for some birds). Eragon gives the dragon a tour of its new home in the forest, talking the entire time. Like earlier when Eragon told the dragon to remain in the forest, he’s pretty positive that somehow the dragon can understand him. He’s worried about leaving the dragon by itself overnight, only to have that worry mean little when he comes back to see the dragon fine and happy to see him.

In the first week, the dragon nearly doubles in size, and Eragon has to build a new shelter for it. It doesn’t take long for it to even outgrow that. Eragon allows the dragon to roam, knowing that the small wildlife around the tent wouldn’t be enough to sustain it. However, he’s careful to warn the dragon about people who may venture into the forest with the same mental connection as earlier. As the dragon grows and ages, that connection becomes stronger and stronger. Eragon starts to worry that as the dragon becomes larger that the signs of it dwelling in the forest become more and more evident (large claw prints and dung piles being left everywhere, kinda hard to hide). He’s also worried about its growth rate, more specifically when dragons hit certain milestones (like breathing fire) as well as how he’s going to tell Garrow and Roran about the dragon. Eragon ends up in the village and speaks with Brom about dragons and their Riders.

DRAGON TALES

A bit of background on Brom. He moved to Carvahall nearly fifteen years ago and became the local storyteller.

Eragon arrives at Brom’s pretty much unannounced, and unfazed, Brom invites Eragon in. After sitting down, Eragon asks about the significance of the Dragon Riders and their dragons. Brom calls the dragons the “true inhabitants” of Alagaësia, and they were there long before the arrival of the elves. Now Eragon wants to know more about the elves (he’s very curious about the world Brom tells him). Brom is obviously annoyed at Eragon’s constant interruptions, but answers nonetheless, telling Eragon that the elves arrived in Alagaësia in silver boats from their home, Alalëa. Brom tells Eragon that the elves are a powerful race, both magically and physically, and one of the elves that arrived hunted a dragon for sport. Enraged, the dragons began hunting the elves, and a war broke out between the elves and dragons until one day an elf named Eragon found a dragon egg. Our Eragon is named after the founder and the first Dragon Rider. He believed that raising a dragon would foster a friendship and end the war between them. When the dragon became older, his name was Bid’Daum, Eragon and Bid’Daum were able to forge a treaty and effectively end the war. The creation of the Dragon Riders was a way to maintain a peaceful relationship between the two species. However, they were moved to Vroengard and there they grew to be the powerful force that the stories tell about.

Now Eragon is not out of questions. Far from it, in fact. Brom answers various questions about dragons,. Size: they can get pretty massive. Growth: they mature and breathe fire at six months. Age expectancy: they are immortal as long as their Rider doesn’t die, and according to Brom they cannot listen to thoughts (hmm?). After the barrage of questions, Brom starts becoming suspicious. So Eragon skirts around the questions Brom starts asking, such as where did he hear this information (Eragon said he heard it from a trader, but he doesn’t remember his name, convenient). Eragon asks about the Riders next. Apparently, they can live long lives, have muscular bodies and minds, and can develop pointy ears (but not as pointy as a true-born elf, especially if they’re human Riders). Eragon asks about names for dragons, and Brom notes some famous ones, including Saphira. Eragon thanks Brom for his time and leaves in a hurry.

As Eragon is heading home with his cousin, Roran, he finds out that Roran received a job offer from a miller. Eragon is upset to hear that Roran intends to take the job because he wishes to have a stable life before proposing to Katrina, Sloan’s daughter. And obviously, he needs money to do that. While this makes sense to Eragon, he is still not happy about it and thinks that Garrow won’t take it well too.

Eragon confides in the dragon and finds that it’s a good listener. At this time, he decides that the dragon needs a name (can’t keep calling it “the dragon” forever). He lists off the names that Brom gave him, but none of them seems to suit the dragon. Until Eragon realizes that the dragon is a she, and settles on Saphira.

GROWING PAINS

That evening, Roran lets Garrow know his plans on taking the job with the miller. They expect the worse, but Garrow turns that expectation on its head. He lets them know that he’s expected to leave in two weeks. Eragon feels bummed and left out in all of this. He continues to confide in Saphira, and she’s much bigger now, so large in fact, that Eragon can now sit comfortably in a hollow space on her back. In turn, Eragon teaches her new phrases and words, and Saphira teaches him how a dragon typically thinks and behaves. Their relationship continues to grow the more time they spend together.

Eragon finally decides to tell Roran about Saphira the day he’s leaving for his new job. When he reaches his room, though, Roran is packing a stone that was gifted to him by Eragon. However, something stops Roran from packing it up and he puts it back. Eragon now is incredibly unhappy about the change happening in his life and decides against telling Roran about Saphira.

Roran is setting off to the village the next morning. Garrow gives Roran a parting gift, money that he’s been saving for Roran for a day such as this. He also gives Roran and Eragon parting words, basically surmising here: be respectful, honest, but independent as they grow into adults. Words you can live by.

Eragon leaves with Roran to the village, and they meet Dempston, the owner of the mill at Horst’s smithery. Horst pulls Eragon aside to tell him about hooded strangers in Carvahall asking about Eragon’s blue stone. Horst promises Eragon that no one has said anything, but he’s worried that Sloan (you know, the jerk of a butcher that doesn’t like Eragon at all) will say something to the ominous strangers. Horst offers some advice, ditch the stone, but a bit too late since the stone burst into several pieces, becoming a beautiful blue dragon. Of course, Eragon doesn’t tell Horst this but instead says his goodbyes to Roran and heads home. Or so he wants people to think. Eragon ends up doubling back and sneaks over to Sloan’s butcher shop only to see him talking to those strangers he was warned about already. The strangers seem to thank Sloan and head back outside. Eragon attempts to get a better look at these people, only for them to spot him. Frozen by fear, he finds himself powerless as they approach him. Brom saves the day, and the strangers “hiss” at the interruption from Brom and walk away. Brom asks Eragon why he looks sick and Eragon shrugs the question away, but Brom continues to stonewall Eragon. Drilling him about the nonexistent trader that knew so much about the Dragon Riders and dragons, but once again, Eragon avoids the questions. Attempting to make his getaway, Eragon drops his gloves, Brom picks them up for him, but as he hands them to Eragon, Brom grabs his wrist to reveal the silver mark on his palm. Jerking away from Brom, Eragon hurries away while Brom just whistles merrily.

As Eragon hurries home, he mentally connects with Saphira to let her know what’s going on. Unfortunately, she doesn’t take it well at all and I mean not at all. She freaks out massively, and in an attempt to calm her, Eragon climbs onto her back, which seemed like a decent idea at the time. However, Saphira literally launches herself into the air with Eragon clinging to her back. She gains some major altitude and gets so high, in fact, that frost starts accumulating on Eragon. Eragon’s desperate at this point, doing anything to get Saphira’s attention, but she’s hearing none of it. Saphira has effectively shut Eragon out of her mind completely. Instead, Eragon is resigned to holding on for dear life and attempting to not throw up.

Saphira doesn’t stop until nightfall and lands in a small clearing somewhere in the mountains. Eragon’s in rough shape from the unexpected flight. He’s frozen, his muscles are cramped, but that wasn’t the worse of it. The skin from the inside of his thighs had been stripped because of Saphira’s scales. And flying was supposed to be fun. Unfortunately, Saphira is still freaking out because of the “murderers” she calls them and absolutely refuses to take him back. This worries Eragon because Garrow is still at home, and he worries that the strangers might get to Garrow before they can. He has no choice but to go to sleep because Saphira is still adamant about remaining where they are. Saphira, distressed about the events, curls up with Eragon, and allowing the warmth from her to warm Eragon up, she even sweetly covers him with her wing, creating a small blue tent for him.

ERAGON, PART 3

We are now at the tail end of chapter 10 of Eragon. I know, why are we leaving off at a cliffhanger? But that’s seven chapters further than where I left off previously. There’s a lot going on right now.

The dragon now has a name, Saphira, and she grows at an exponential rate. Here are the most unnerving questions that I have as a reader: Who are these strangers asking questions about the stone, and how much do they really know? And from the hiss, are they human, or something else entirely? Brom also knows so much more than he’s letting on, and his nonchalant attitude toward the silver marking on Eragon’s palm seems troubling. And is Garrow safe, especially because Saphira took off so unexpectedly and Eragon literally had no time to warn him.

So, that’s where we are leaving it, for now, there will be a part three. Hopefully, you guys enjoy this part. What do you think so far about Eragon? Obviously, if you’ve read further than chapter ten, please no spoilers.

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Utter(ly) Random: Getting the Axe

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Many shows are wrapping up as we head into the new year, hello 2023. While a lot of us are looking forward to what new shows are coming out and returning shows, for some shows that excitement has been squashed. Below I'm listing the shows that unfortunately have received the axe and won't be returning to their respective platforms.

Shows with an asterisk (*) are not "getting the cut" unexpectedly, but getting their last season.

CBS

Good Sam

B Positive

How We Roll

The United States of Al

Magnum P.I.

Bull*

All Rise

Clarice

SEAL

Beyond the Edge

THE CW

Legacies

Charmed

The Legends of Tomorrow

Naomi

4400

Dynasty

Roswell, New Mexico

In The Dark

Batwoman

The Republic of Sarah

Supergirl

Nancy Drew*

The Flash*

DC's Stargirl

Legends of the Hidden Temple

Riverdale*

NBC/PEACOCK

Mr. Mayor

The Endgame

Manifest*

Kenan

This Is Us*

Good Girls

Ellen’s Game of Games

A Little Late with Lilly Singh

Ordinary Joe

New Amsterdam*

Saved by the Bell

The Lost Symbol

ABC

black-ish*

Promised Land

Queens

Card Sharks

The Celebrity Dating Game

For Life

The Hustler

Match Game

Pooch Perfect

A Million Little Things*

FOX/FX

The Big Leap

Better Things

Atlanta*

Snowfall*

The Real

Duncanville

Monarch

SHOWTIME

American Rust

Black Monday

Work in Progress

Desus and Mero

NETFLIX

Another Life

Archive 81

The Baby-Sitter’s Club

Bonding

Cooking with Paris

The Crown*

Derry Girls*

Genetefied

Grace and Frankie*

Julie and the Phantoms

Locke and Key*

Ozark*

Peaky Binders*

Pretty Smart

Raising Dion

Space Force

Never Have I Ever*

Stranger Things*

Dead to Me

The Imperfects

Blockbuster

The Midnight Club

Firefly Lane

The Umbrella Academy

On the Verge

Fate: A Winx Saga

Warrior Nun

The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself

Partner Track

Resident Evil

First Kill

Q-Force

The Midnight Gospel

Space Force

1899

HBO/HBO MAX

Better Call Saul*

High Maintenance

His Dark Materials*

Westworld

The Nevers

Back on Record

Los Espookys

Raised by Wolves

Batman: Caped Crusader

FBoy Island

Degrassi: The Next Generation

Legendary

Little Ellen

Made for Love

Time Traveler's Wife

Love Life

Close Enough

Gordita Chronicles

Sweet Life: Los Angeles

Minx

Demimonde

Other Cancelations

Hunters* (Prime Video)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel* (Prime Video)

Servant (Apple TV+)

Snowpiercer* (TNT)

Star Trek: Picard* (Paramount+)

Carnival Row (Prime Video)

While this is certainly not everything that's been canceled from the dozens of streaming services and platforms available, I will most likely update this particular list as we enter 2023 further. It is pretty sad to say goodbye to a show and characters that we've either started to love (or hate) or have loved (or hated) for some time. Hopefully, that is the end of what I've called mass cancelation. Regardless, I hope everyone has a remarkable 2023!

Think I'm missing something, or is something listed in error? Feel free to let me know!

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Under the Radar: Firefly and Serenity, Part 1

Taking place in the year 2517, humans have once again stretched themselves through the blackness of space and have landed upon a variety of planets and moons after using up the Earth-that-was. Following nine people, they grapple with finding themselves in ever-changing jobs, and sometimes lady luck isn’t always on their side. On this Under the Radar, we’re exploring Firefly and Serenity.

Spoilers, obviously!

This will also have multiple parts.

THE BALLAD OF SERENITY

Often categorized as a “science fiction space-western drama,” Firefly follows the crew of the Serenity, who live on the fringes of society as smugglers, thieves, and mercenaries.

After the Earth was used up, we found a new solar system, and hundreds of new Earths were terraformed and colonized. The central planets formed the Alliance and decided all the planets had to join under their rule. There was some disagreement on that point. After the war, many of the Independents who had fought and lost drifted to the edges of the system, far from Alliance control. Out here, people struggle to get by with the most basic technologies. A ship would bring you work. A gun would help you keep it. A captain’s goal was simple: Find a crew. Find a job. Keep flying. Shepherd Book

Firefly didn’t skimp on the backstory of the world that encompasses the show. Including the two main political powers, the Alliance (a fusion of the remaining superpowers, the U.S. and China), or the main governing body that is organized mostly on the core planets, and the Independents (or Browncoats), who found solace in the outer planets. When it succeeded in power, the Alliance forcibly united the other colonies, which broke into civil war.

The Unification War

The Unification War, as it was called, was a civil war between the Union of Allied Planets and the Independent Planets. While not enough is known about who started the war (they implied that the Alliance started it), the Alliance emerged victorious. The remaining Independents found refuge at the fringes of the solar system, where they suffered from a lack of basic needs and even technology. The surviving Independents were hunted down by Unificators. In response, the Dust Devils were created to avenge the losses.

They created two holidays to celebrate the end of the war, Alliance Day and Unification Day.

Because of the brief span of the show, and the direction that the movie took, little is known overall about what the crew of the Serenity was doing during the time of the Unification War. More about that is in “The Serenity’s Crew” section.

Reavers

A campfire and bedtime story to those who live on the core planets, the Reavers are believed to be a scary story to keep children in line. However, the Reavers are very real.

While during the show we find out very little, to almost nothing, about these creatures, they only appear in two episodes (Serenity and Bushwhacked), during the movie we find out the origins of the Reavers.

The Reavers originated on a planet called Miranda, where the Alliance was experimenting with a behavioral altering medication that weeded out behavioral traits such as aggression and anger. The medication worked too well in 99% of Miranda’s population. People just stopped, they stopped working, playing, and soon just stopped breathing.

However, one-tenth of the population had the opposite reaction and their primal instincts were amplified. This resulted in this small faction acting on murderous rage, sadism, savagery, and extreme aggression.

THE SERENITY’S CREW

As mentioned, Firefly (and Serenity) follows an ensemble cast of usually nine members.

First and foremost, the Captain. Former Independent Sergeant in the 57th Overlanders of the Independent Army, or Browncoats, during the Battle of Serenity Valley. Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) is a sarcastic, yet fiercely loyal leader and skilled fighter of the Firefly-class spaceship the Serenity.

Second-in-command and a Corporal during the civil war, Zoe Alleyne Washburne (Gina Torres) is a level-headed fighter even in the most dangerous situations. While unconditionally loyal to Mal, she married Wash, which makes him the only exception for loyalty in her book.

Pilot and Zoe’s husband, the light-hearted (and comedian of the crew), Hoban “Wash” Washburne (Alan Tudyk), joined piloting training just to see the stars, which were unfortunately invisible on his home planet because of heavy pollution. Deeply in love with his wife, he often expresses jealousy toward Mal because of their history together during the war.

The show and movie never spoke about what Wash was doing during the war. However, Alan Tudyk theorized during the commentary of an episode that Wash was a pilot. They do not specify who he piloted for or even if he was freelancing. He even speculated that Wash could’ve been a POW as well.

A Companion, which during the time of Firefly, is a cross between a geisha and courtesan, Inara Serra (Morena Baccarin) rents out one of Serenity’s shuttles for her legitimate business. Her presence allows the rest of the crew onboard the Serenity to go and do things that wouldn’t be allowed for a standard crew. There is a strong romantic component between her and Mal, but both of them attempt to keep it professional.

Inara was for Unification, but little is known about what she was doing at this time.

A mercenary and on the opposite side of things before joining Mal’s crew, Jayne Cobb (Adam Baldwin) follows the money. He only joined the Serenity because Mal offered him a higher cut and his own bunk, which he happily agreed to before shooting his former employers. Not as loyal as the others in Mal’s crew, he is dependable in a fight and asks difficult questions when no one else will.

Jayne didn’t serve in the war. He stated that the money wasn’t enough to justify the risk.

The intuitive ship’s mechanic, Kaywinnet Lee “Kaylee” Frye (Jewel Staite), has no formal mechanical training and just runs on instinct to take care of Serenity. Wholesome and sweet, Kaylee’s love for everyone is infinite and genuine, and she is the heart of Serenity.

It is unknown what Kaylee was doing during the war.

A trauma surgeon in the top 3% of his class, Simon Tam (Sean Maher) boards the Serenity and agrees to take care of the crew medically. He throws away his life in order to protect his sister, who has been abused by an Alliance-led school called The Academy.

Unclear about what the Tam’s were doing during the war, it is clear that they didn’t take part. Both of them were young, and because they grew up wealthy on a planet called Osiris (one of the central planets) they supported the Unification. Whether this was influenced by propaganda or youthful ignorance, is unknown.

Child prodigy and sister to Simon, River Tam (Summer Glau) is smuggled onto the Serenity in a cryostasis pod. Delusional, and sometimes violent, River unwillingly went through invasive surgeries and experiments that left her psychic and gave her the innate ability in combat, including hand-to-hand and weapons. River’s psychotic episodes and delusional fits leave the rest of the crew questioning their safety, especially Jayne, who was harmed during an episode.

A pastor commonly referred to as Shepherd, Shep, or Shepherd Book, Derrial Book (Ron Glass) is a devout Christian and voice of reason for the crew. His background is a wall of the unknown, but it was clear during the show and movie that he has clearance onboard medical ships and can grant the Serenity passage without inspections. Shepherd is also well versed in criminal activity, corruption, military strategies, tactics, and weapons. However, he objects to the use of violence unless given no choice for survival.

While unknown, Shepherd may have past ties to the Alliance. In the graphic novel Serenity: The Shepherd’s Tale, it is shown that he worked for the Independent Planets in a faction that sabotaged primary Alliance operations.

Often referred to as the tenth character, the Serenity is a “mid-bulk transport, standard radion–accelerator core, class code 03-K64 Firefly,” with a “gravity drive.”

PART 2 COMING SOON

I know, weird place to stop. But we got the bulk of the characters and some backstory for us to enter part 2 almost seamlessly. The next part is going to be a doozy because of the mishandling of the show by FOX, the movie, and overall production, influence, and fandom.

Until then, you can’t stop the signal!

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Utter(ly) Random: Disney Expo (D23)

September 2nd saw the Disney Expo, or D23, take place in Anaheim, California. Trailers, announcements, and ceremonies took center stage, as Disney revealed works that would be released in the next few years. Here are a few pieces that took place that caught my attention.

MARVEL MOVIES

Superheros were not left out of the D23 announcements. The footage was revealed for the much anticipated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, scheduled for release on November 11, 2022. The clip showed Queen Ramonda criticizing the U.N. for attempting to steal vibranium following the death of T’Challa, as well as the strength of Dora Milaje. This seems to be setting the stage for the upcoming battles with Namor and the Atlanteans.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is actually the first film released in Phase 5 of the MCU. Revealed footage showed Lang, Van Dyne and Pym being forced into the quantum realm and facing Kang the Conqueror.

Entirely shot in black and white, the Werewolf by Night follows a group of monster hunters seeking beasts that live among them. This movie is scheduled to be released in October.

The Marvels, Thunderbolts, Captain America: New World Order, and Fantastic Four all had footage revealed and further announcements about production.

MARVEL T.V

Ironheart, a television series following a superhero of the same name, has Riri Williams played by Dominique Thorne at the helm. She is also spotted in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, making her iconic Ironheart armor. The series is a sequel to Black Panther.

The Loki trailer was released for season 2, promising that Loki is back to his antics.

Echo, which was the antagonist for Hawkeye, will get her own show, and Daredevil: Born Again has Charlie Cox donning his vigilante costume again. Secret Invasion saw the return of Fury and the “invasion” of the shape-changing aliens known as the Skrull.

LIVE ACTION AND ANIMATION

Pixar announced some upcoming works as well as a surprise sequel.

Elemental, which follows two elements on the opposite side of the spectrum, must navigate their growing relationship as polar opposites.

Elio is centered around an 11-year-old boy of the same name who finds himself as the emissary for Earth after accidentally decoding a message from aliens.

Riley is back! Inside Out 2 follows a teenage Riley navigating new emotions and new challenges.

Disney+ will have some new movies and shows hitting their platform this year and in the next coming years.

Zootopia+ will arrive in November and will be a collection of shorts following the citizens of Zootopia.

Iwaju will be released in 2023 and follows an heiress named Tola and a boy names Kole.

Strange Worlds which will be in THEATERS Thanksgiving 2022 follow the Clades who are explorers.

Wish is about the star that so many of the beloved Disney characters wish upon. Set in the Kingdom of Roses, Asha sees darkness settling in the kingdom that only she sees. Making a desperate plea to the stars, an actual star (aptly named Star) falls to help Asha save the kingdom.

The sisters are back! Hocus Pocus 2 will cast a spell on Disney+ on September 30th.

Disenchanted, a surprise sequel to Enchanted, has Amy Adams, James Marsden, and Patrick Dempsey reprising their roles. It will be streaming on Disney+ in November.

Peter Pan & Wendy, Haunted Mansion, Mufasa: The Lion King, Snow White, and The Little Mermaid will be getting live-action boots.

Most releases take place in the 2023–2024 year, and some are released throughout the rest of this year.

It’s too early for me to make any clear assumptions about releases or to criticize anything. I think I’ll wait for more information to be released before I do a breakdown, or if I’m excited about anything.

Are you excited about any Disney/Pixar releases?

[utterrandomnesswithlulu]

Midnight Binge: The Nevers (Mid-Season Final)

Beautifully crafted, witty, magical, and filled with secrets, The Nevers, an HBO show created by Joss Whedon (who stepped down as director/executive producer in November 2020), is an epic tale that follows a growing group of Victorian women and minorities (as well as those living on the fringes of London society) who find themselves in the possession of special powers. On today’s midnight binge, we’re taking a look at the world, people, politics, and the production of The Nevers.

Obviously, spoilers!

THE TOUCHED

After an unprecedented event in London gives women and minorities remarkable abilities, the Touched, as they are called, or at other times, the afflicted. They resort to living at an orphanage because of their turns (or powers) called St. Romaulda’s Orphanage, which becomes a home and sanctuary for the Touched. This sanctuary is sponsored by Lavinia Bidlow, the wealthy benefactor who has ulterior motives behind keeping a close eye on the touched. The sanctuary is run by Amalia True, who not only can see the future but tries to keep her charges safe while harboring her own secrets that she keeps very tight to her chest.

The Touched are typically women, or individuals, who live on the fringes of society. Their turns differ from one person to another. There is healing, premonition, molecular alterations and manipulation, and the ability to see and manipulate electricity. There is uncertainty surrounding how a turn is chosen for a person, i.e. why does one person see electricity over causing something to explode? Is it similar to the way Inhumans from the Marvel Universe (shows like S.H.E.I.L.D and Inhumans), in which the power is created because the world needs it, as in fixing a lack of balance? Or is it genetics or even personality-based? Or somehow wholly random? Because we sort of know-how, the turns were giving out and even a bit of why.

The manifestation of the Touched flips the hierarchy or more specifically the patriarchy, on its head, and unfortunately because of the kinds of people that ended up getting turns, women, immigrants, and other types of people who live at the fringes of society basically those who are seen as less than or inconsequential in society. This splits people into factions and even radicals, including Lavinia, and the ins and outs of London politics, which is being spearheaded by an ex-military and high government official, Lord Gilbert Massen.

THE GALANTHI

The Galanthi are an alien race who flew over London causing the Touched. Their mission was to give humans the means to save a ravaged Earth. Like how London is split into fractions, so were the military organizations that were against or for the Galanthi doing what they were doing, the Planetary Defense Coalition (PDC) who were for, and FreeLife Army who were against. The FreeLife Army attacked the Galanthi and killed 19 after bombing their project stations. The last station was run by a woman named Zephyr who committed suicide which allowed her soul to be placed on the last ship. Amalia, then Mary, was Touched just as she committed suicide which allowed Zephyr to enter her body and they changed their name to Amalia True.

PRODUCTION

HBO’s The Nevers was announced for a series in July 2018. Whedon became the creator, director, executive producer, and showrunner of the series. A bidding war started between a number of stations, including Netflix, before being picked up by HBO. Executive producers and writers included Bernie Caulfield, Jane Espenson, and Doug Petrie and later Laurie Penny, Melissa Iqbal, Madhuri Shekar, Kevin Lau, Daniel S. Kaminsky, and Hennah Sekandary. In November, Whedon stepped down as showrunner, director, and executive director, stating “unprecedented challenges” and exhaustion as his reason for stepping back. However, he was “deeply proud of the work” on The Nevers. Whedon was replaced by Philippa Goslett as the new series showrunner. Gemma Jackson would serve as a production designer and Christine Blundell as a make-up designer.

CAST

Laura Donnelly (Claudia Black), Ann Skelly, Olivia Williams, James Norton, Tom Riley, Pip Torrens, Denis O’Hare, Amy Manson, Rochelle Neil, Zackary Momoh, Eleanor Tomlinson, Nick Frost, Elizabeth Berrington, Viola Prettejohn, Anna Devlin, Kiran Sonia Sawar, Ben Chaplin, Ella Smith, and Vinnie Heaven were billed as the main cast as The Nevers.

FILMING

Filming, production, and principal photography started in 2019. Locations varied in London, such as Trinity Church Square, Southwark Borough, New Wimbledon Theatre, Charterhouse Square, The Mall, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Historic Dockyard Chatham, and more. In January 2020, filming took place at the Joyce Grove country house estate; January also saw production and filming temporarily cease because of COVID-19. Scenes had to be reworked to accommodate new rules and regulations because of COVID restrictions, such as the Maladies execution scene, which utilized CGI effects and green screen methods to make it seem like more people within the given space. It also saw the set be rebuilt entirely on a soundstage because they couldn’t film on location. Production and filming were picked up again around September and wrapped up for its mid-season final.

Originally, season one was meant to have ten episodes. However, that was scarped for a two-part season, allowing for a mid-season final at episode six. As of June 11, 2021, The Nevers has not been picked up for a second season, nor has it been canceled.

CONCLUSIONS

I’ve enjoyed The Nevers so far and it was just getting good with its mid-season final. However, the first few episodes were a bit bumpy, and the foundation is built, but it’s taking some time to stitch everything together cohesively. I have hopes for the later episodes and do wish for a second season. I rate the show thus far a 3.9/5, I always give a bit of leniency when it comes to the first season of any show because nothing is really fleshed out. There are very few first seasons of the series I thoroughly enjoyed with little complaint, but I have high ambitions for this show and desire to see it do better.

What are your thoughts on The Nevers? Do you like it, or do you have some issues with the show?

UPDATE

As of December 16th, 2022, The Nevers has been canceled and subsequently pulled from its streaming platform (HBO Max).

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Spotlight Artist: Ruelle

You might have heard her music on hit television series such as Shadowhunters, Arrow, Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, Dynasties, 13 Reasons Why, Sleepy Hollow, and so many more. Today we’re exploring pop artist, Ruelle on this Spotlight Artist.

MUSIC

Starting her music career in songwriting in Nashville, TN, Maggie Eckford released two albums, For What It’s Worth in 2010 and Show and Tell in 2012. Her early music could be classified as indie pop and alternative.

Her next release was EP Up in Flames in 2014 under the stage name Ruelle. She found her niche in the dark yet emotionally cinematic music that carved her path out and was one of the go-to artists to be featured in TV and movies. Ruelle’s subsequent releases followed this style. Her newest albums, Earth Glow and Exodus, still had an electro-pop feel but are comparably softer lyrically and tonally.

Ruelle has been featured with Fleurie, Zayde Wolfe, Tommee Profitt, UNSECRET, Hidden Citizens, and more.

TV AND MOVIES

Mentioned previously, Ruelle’s approach to her music allowed her songs to be featured on a number of shows and movies.

Her song Until We Go Down was featured in the movie The Loft in 2014, but she didn’t slow down there. In 2015, 11 of her songs were aired on shows like Finding Carter, Teen Wolf, Scream: The TV Series, and The Originals. 2016 song uptick in her songs being used on TV and she even wrote music for Freeform’s The Shadowhunters. In 2019, her song The World We Made was featured in Netflix’s movie The Old Guard.

CONCLUSION

The magic of Ruelle’s songs is that you can place them in heartbreaking, gut-wrenchingly sad moments to dark, emotionally twisted villainy-type moments or even during action-packed sequences. They can set the mood for trailers, promotions, and television title screens.

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Flashback Friday: Stargate (Movie)

Released in October 1994, Stargate centers around linguist and Egyptologist Dr. Daniel Jackson, who joins a military mission to unlock the mysteries of a metal ring unearthed, that ends up being a portal to another planet and galaxy. On today’s Flashback Friday, we’re exploring the world, mythologies, characters, and galaxy of the movie Stargate.

THROUGH THE STARGATE

Directed by Roland Emmerich and co-written and produced by Dean Devlin, the movie became the foundation for the televised spin-offs such as Stargate: SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, Stargate: Universe, Stargate: Origins, and more. While we’re only exploring the movie in this edition of Flashback Friday, it should be noted that the spin-off is still being created today.

In the movie, we are first introduced to Professor Langford (Erik Holland) and a young girl, Catherine Langford (Kelly Vint Castro) who arrives at an archeological dig in 1928 Egypt. Before being escorted to something that was found, Catherine picks up a necklace of an Eye of Ra on a table displaying objects, pottery, and more found during the dig. She goes to her father, Professor Langford, who is looking into an excavated hole where a large metal ring is being pulled into an upright position.

Fast forward and we’re following an elderly woman, which we can quickly identify as an older Catherine Langford (the late Viveca Lindfors) because of her necklace. Catherine is attending a symposium on Ancient Egypt, which is being presided over by Dr. Daniel Jackson (James Spader). During this symposium, Jackson is postulating that the great pyramids of Egypt couldn’t have been built by the Ancient Egyptians. His peers disagree with him, asking if they didn’t build it. Who did? Caught off guard, he says he doesn’t really have any ideas about who built it, which disgruntles his peers even further. As the other professors and doctors leave, they mock Jackson, saying that “men from Atlantis” or “aliens” built the pyramids. Poor Jackson is left nearly by himself in the middle of his own symposium. Outside, Jackson is confronted by Catherine, who offers him a job in Colorado to translate hieroglyphs. Having nothing to lose, he takes Catherine’s offer.

In a suburban area, we are outside a home following two military men looking for Colonel O’Neil (Kurt Russel). They find him inside a child’s room. He seems sad and distant. We even spot him hiding a gun underneath a pillow. At this moment, we can assume and theorize that Colonel O’Neil is mentally in a dark place. The military men inform O’Neil that he’s been “reactivated” for duty. When the men leave, they comment on how rough the Colonel looks and seems. Through this off-handed dialogue, we learn that O’Neil’s child accidentally shot himself.

Jackson is being escorted through a re-purposed nuclear silo and is shown cover stones by Doctor Barbara Shore and Doctor Gary Myers (Rae Allen and Richard Kind). He quickly fixes the translation that Meyers did. The hieroglyphs now read “million years into the sky is Ra, Sun God/sealed and buried for all time/his Stargate.” Jackson asks why the military is so interested in 5’000-year-old tablets, which O’Neil interrupts that his report says 10’000 years old. Catherine isn’t happy about the sudden appearance of O’Neil, who is now taking over operations. Jackson, on the other hand, is astonished that the cover stones are closer to 10’000 years old than his predicted estimate of 5’000. Shore assures Jackson that the number is indeed correct because “sonic and radiocarbon testing” confirm the date.

This, by the way, would have only worked if organic material was found on the cover stones because carbon dating doesn’t work on metal or stone. Now I don’t know anything about “sonic dating,” but unless organic material was present (i.e. wood, flesh, bone, plant life, etc.) they wouldn’t be able to carbon date. But semantics, because you know, this is a movie. Jackson says that 10’000 years ago the Egyptian culture “didn’t exist.” If we’re going off the Old Kingdom era of Ancient Egypt civilizations timeline, which started approximately in 2686 B.C., then Jackson would technically be correct. We don’t get an idea of how far back in Ancient Egypt’s history Jackson was going back but even if Jackson was going far, as, in the Predynastic era, it only comes up to 6’000 years if our ending date is 1994, which is when the movie was released.

Jackson asked if a coffin or a tomb was found underneath the cover stones, but Shore says no, that something much more interesting had been found. Before Shore could elaborate on what had been found, O’Neil interrupts her saying that the information had now become classified. Once again, Catherine is none too pleased about O’Neil stepping on their toes. She mentions to O’Neil that they promised her “complete autonomy” over the project and she’s owed an explanation. He says that plans have changed, and he’s there just in case she succeeds.

For 2 weeks, Jackson agonizes over the hieroglyphs in the center of the cover stones. At first, he believes that they could be a form or hieratic or cuneiform, but actually, they’re constellations. FYI, this took two years for Catherine’s team to translate the other hieroglyphs. When he presents his findings to General West (Leon Rippy) and Catherin, he hypothesizes that the symbols are some kind of address, with six destination symbols and a seventh being the point of origin. Catherine vaguely says “he did it,” but Dr. Myers says that the hypothesized 7th symbol is “nowhere on the device.” Obviously, we’re asking what device at this point. There is a brief pause when General West glances at Colonel O’Neil, who seems to give him a “go ahead” gesture. I find it a bit odd that a General seems to be seeking permission from the Colonel before Jackson is shown the Stargate.

Jackson is quickly shown to a control room, where he can identify the 7th symbol. They enter the address and the Stargate springs to life. A probe isn’t through which lands in the Kalium Galaxy, while this Galaxy is fictional (to show the distance between the earth and this planet) the constellation it’s based on is real (Caelum Constellation). This real Galaxy is approximately billions of light years away, or according to Catherine, “on the other side of the known universe.”

After receiving pictures of the Stargate from the other side, they realize that the mission probably won’t be able to be completed because the symbols are different compared to their own Stargate. Jackson says he’ll be able to translate the symbols once they’re through the gate. Having confidence in Jackson’s abilities, they proceed through the gate. Which, honestly, looks like a thin pane of shimmering blue and white water, both beautiful and eerie at the same time. Before leaving, Catherine gives Jackson her Eye of Ra necklace, saying it has brought her luck, and they’re off through the Stargate.

They are transported to a pyramid with no hieroglyphs, and the planet has three moons. O’Neil tells him he wants to leave within the hour, but Jackson reveals that he can’t because he doesn’t have the address for them to go back to. Jackson assumed that there would be a cartouche or cover stones, like the one they found on Earth. The soldiers are pissed, but O’Neil seems to have an alternative mission. He can be seen prepping a bomb and detonator.

As the base camp is set, Jackson finds an animal that drags him to a mining site. O’Neil tells Jackson to translate, but he doesn’t understand them, only commenting that the language sounds familiar. But something happens before Jackson can say a word. They all bow down to him before being ushered into the town. We find out that they think Jackson is a God, specifically Ra.

A sandstorm kicks up and they’re stranded in the town while the others are at the base camp. That night, a party is held in their honor. When Jackson tries to talk to them again, he is escorted away and a woman, Sha’uri, is introduced to him. Sha’uri communicates to Jackson that she’s seen the symbol that they’re looking for to dial Earth. Unfortunately, the point of origin symbol is too worn away to make out. O’Neil decides that they need to head back to base camp now that the sandstorm has let up. However, the base camp has been overtaken by people wearing metal jackals and hawk heads after a large pyramid spacecraft landed.

O’Neil tries to arm the bomb only to find that it’s missing. The group eventually surrenders and is captured by the jackals and hawks’ masked people. They are presented to someone who claims that they’ve come to destroy him. They bring out the bomb, to Jackson’s disbelief. After revealing the people under the metal masks, O’Neil takes the opportunity to fight his way out, in the process, Jackson is injured, possibly even killed and Colonel O’Neil is recaptured and thrown into a cell with the surviving members of his team.

Meanwhile, in the town it is attacked by spaceships, Kasuf (Erick Avari) tells Skaara (Alexis Cruz) that they were attacked because they let the strangers in and displeased the Gods.

Jackson comes out of a sarcophagus, being healed. We find out that this person wearing a large pharaoh-like mask is pretending to be the God Ra (Jaye Davidson), and tells Jackson that he modified O’Neil’s bomb tenfold and intends to send it back to Earth. This is punishment for overthrowing him centuries ago and sealing the gate to keep him from coming back. Saying that there is only one Ra.

Meanwhile, Sha’uri tells Skaara and other villager boys the story that is written on the cave walls where the gate address was found. She tells them where they came from and why they can no longer live as slaves.

Ra is holding an execution of O’Neil’s men and demands the presence of the villagers. Ra has one of his men hand Jackson a staff weapon and orders him to execute O’Neil and the others. Seemingly obeying orders, Jackson walks down but is distracted by Skaara, who is reflecting sunlight off a lighter that O’Neil gave him. Seeing this, he continues on and opens the staff weapon and looks up to see Skaara reveal a gun hidden underneath his robes. Quickly, Jackson fires back at Ra and the boys fire the guns into the air as a distraction. They run into the crowd and are given robes to hide.

Jackson, O’Neil, the men, and some of the villagers escaped to the caves and O’Neil isn’t happy that the boys have guns or that Lieutenant Kawalsky (John Diehl) is suggesting that they fight. Jackson reveals that O’Neill had a bomb. Slowly, O’Neil tells them what his actual mission was, which was to blow up the Stargate at any given sign of danger. O’Neil also reveals that this was a solo mission, more specifically a suicide mission. He was going to send everyone back through the Stargate with Jackson. Jackson mentioned that it isn’t this planet’s Stargate that poses a threat, but the one back on Earth. O’Neil agrees, but they can’t do anything about that because they’re stuck.

Later, one of the boys, Nabeh (Gianin Loffler) comments that “husband don’t do this kind of work.” Turns out that Kasuf presented Sha’uri to Jackson and now that they were married according to their customs. Sha’uri didn’t want to mention this to Jackson because she feared that he didn’t want her. But Jackson does have feelings for her as well, so it works out in the end.

Jackson sees Skaara the next morning drawing “the day of their victory” on the cave wall. Jackson realizes that the pyramid Skaara is drawing is the point of origin for the planet. They can officially go home now that they have the address completed.

Using the caravan of the minerals being delivered as cover. They are able to infiltrate Ra’s ship. Kawalsky and some of the boys are caught outside after being locked out of the pyramid. As they attempt to hold their position against ships, inside O’Neil, Jackson, and Sha’uri push forward. Ra orders his men to send the bomb just as O’Neil finds it. O’Neil begins to assemble the bomb and vows to stay behind to make sure it goes off. Within seven minutes, Ra’s men show up and kill Sha’uri. Remembering being brought back by the sarcophagi, he tells O’Neil to wait for him. As Jackson is transported by the rings to the main ship, he tries to save Sha’uri. O’Neil fights one-on-one with Ra’s man as the bomb continues to countdown. Outside, as Kawalsky tries to fight off the ships, one of the village boys, Nabeh, is killed. They’re slowly being picked off one by one. Knowing that they're running out of options, they decide to surrender. Sha’uri is revived but Jackson is caught by Ra and nearly killed by a device on Ra’s hand, but with good timing on O’Neil’s part, Jackson and Sha’uri are saved and O’Neill sent Ra a present–Anubis’ (Carlos Lauchu) head. With less than two minutes left on the bomb, O’Neil tries to turn it off, only to realize that the bomb has been rigged and now is unable to be turned off.

Things begin to be turning around for the men outside as the rest of the town shows up in their defense, outnumbering the Horace guards. Inside, Ra knows he’s beaten and begins to retreat. Jackson and O’Neil panic as they can’t disarm the bomb but they both come up with a plan and send the bomb via the rings onto Ra’s ship and blow it up. O’Neill and his men go back through the Stargate. However, we find out that Jackson is remaining behind with his wife, Sha’uri, and the villagers.

CONCLUSION

Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin’s Stargate are unencumbered by CGI, have complicated characters, and are rich in their story. I loved this movie growing up, and it’s still a favorite. I rate it 4.0/5. Television shows, animated series, and web series expand on the foundation that the movie built. Its backstories actually are nicely fleshed out and left enough wiggle room for the expansion of the subsequent shows and other spinoffs that came later.

Have you watched this movie? Do you like it? Why or why not?

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Midnight Binge: Stranger Things 4 Pt. 1

WARNING: Wondering why you can’t find Stranger Things S1-3? Simply put, I haven’t done them yet (as of July 15th). I’m starting off with S4 because this season is the freshest in everyone’s minds. No worries though! I will do S1-3 soon. With that being said, YOU ARE ENTERING A SPOILER ZONE! If you haven’t watched Stranger Things in its entirety, STOP READING NOW! I will discuss previous seasons for context, theories, BTS tidbits, and more.

Trigger Warning: This season is much darker and more mature than in previous seasons. Due to HOW the villain goes after his victims, there is a TRIGGER WARNING. In this article, there might be brief discussions of drug use/abuse, eating disorders, physical/mental abuse, and more.

Continue into the Upside Down at your own risk.

WELCOME (BACK) TO HAWKINS

Stranger Things 4 picks up 6–8 months after the events at the Starcourt Mall. However, the group has been separated, Joyce, Jonathan, Jane/El/Eleven, and Will have moved to California, where Eleven struggles with not only the loss of Hopper but also the loss of her abilities and is now the punching bag for bullies in her new school. Joyce has a new job as a telemarketer and tries to figure out the meaning behind a porcelain Russian doll she received; Jonathan has a new friend called Argyle as he tries to figure out how to tell Nancy that he isn’t getting into the same college as she, and Will seems to struggle with something internal, a love interest perhaps?

In Hawkins other issues have arisen, Mike and Dustin are a part of a D&D group called the Hellfire Club (Lucas has also joined this group, but struggles with making time between his two extracurricular activities) that is looked after by Eddie Munson, while Lucas, who is tired of being bullied, has joined the basketball team (mostly as a benchwarmer) and is trying to reconnect with Max (they broke up) as she grapples with her life being overturned and losing her brother, Billy. She frequently seeks guidance from the school counselor, Ms. Kelly. We are also introduced to a cheerleader, Chrissy Cunningham, who is haunted by disturbing visions of a ticking grandfather clock, reaches her breaking point, and seeks help from Eddie by attempting to buy drugs from him. Unfortunately, it’s too late for her as she is possessed by some kind of humanoid, tentacle creature and is killed by it in front of Eddie.

Remember that porcelain Russian doll Joyce received? She reached out to Murray (who still lives in Hawkins) to figure out the significance of the doll. With great care, Joyce breaks open the doll and finds a note within it. This reveals that Hopper is indeed still alive and imprisoned in Russia.

Before I cover the next segment, there is an opening scene for the first episode. This is a flashback to 1979 with Dr. Martin Brenner and shows him and his team of scientists experimenting on a group of children with supernatural abilities. For reasons not shown, something happens that leads to all the children minus Eleven being killed in a horrific manner.

With Hopper confirmed alive, Joyce and Murray head to Alaska to negotiate his release. Mike has traveled to California to visit Eleven, and witnesses that everything that she told him in her letters was a lie. Eleven, who has had enough of Angela’s (her main bully) brutality, retaliates by hitting her in the face with a rollerskate.

After Chrissy’s gruesome death, Max tells Dustin that she saw Eddie run away from his trailer the night she died. Dustin is firm in his belief that something Upside Down is related to Chrissy’s death, and doesn’t want to believe the police that Eddie is responsible. With Robin and Steve, they find Eddie and explain everything to him, and Dustin names the creature Vecna.

Nancy, who is a reporter for her high school newspaper, investigates Chrissy’s death with a fellow reporter, Fred Benson. Eddie’s uncle, Wayne Munson, tells Nancy about similar murders that happened to a family in the 1950s. He tells her he believes the killer is Victor Creel, who has been institutionalized since his family’s death. During this time, Fred is taken by Vecna’s curse.

Dr. Sam Owens makes an appearance as Lt. Col. Jack Sullivan visits to find out where Eleven (who he believes is responsible for the deaths in Hawkins) is.

Eleven has been arrested for assault, but Owens intervenes and explains what is happening in Hawkins, and gives her a choice. Return with him where she can get the opportunity to have her powers return (a project that he’s been working on) or continue to live in California with her family. Eleven agrees to go with him and Mike, Will, and Jonathan find themselves under the protection of agents that follow Owens.

Nancy and Robin find out more about what happened to the Creel family. Victor Creel, who had been indicted for the murder of his wife and daughter, blamed a demon for his family’s death. They believe this demon to be Vecna.

Jason Carver, the team captain, and boyfriend of Chrissy, goes on a manhunt with the basketball team to find Chrissy’s murderer, Eddie. He pulls Lucas into this, but he ends up abandoning the basketball team to warn his friends.

Max, Steve, Robin, Dustin, and Nancy break into the high school to access the school counselor records as Max recalls seeing Chrissy leave Ms. Kelly’s office. They steal Chrissy and Fred’s records and begin connecting the dots that, like Max, they all suffer from PTSD. Max hears Vecna and the grandfather clock ticking.

Joyce and Murray have been traveling to Alaska to deliver the ransom payment to Antonov’s contact, Yuri. However, they’re betrayed by Yuri, who has intentions of turning in Antonov, Hopper, Joyce, and Murray to the Russians for more money.

Will, Mike, and Jonathon, who have been planning their escape to reunite with Eleven, find themselves under attack by Lt. Col. Sullivan’s men. With the help of Argyle, they are able to escape with an injured Agent Harmon(who unfortunately dies later from his wounds).

Nancy and Robin get into the institution where Creel resides by posing as psychology students and are able to get a five-minute interview. Creel recounts the murders. Virginia and Alice Creel are killed in the same way as Chrissy and Fred, but Victor has been institutionalized since 1959. They wonder why there was an almost thirty-year gap between kills.

Max, who is running out of time, writes letters to all her loved ones, including Billy. She visits Billy’s grave to read the letter to him and is possessed by Vecna. Max finds herself on some kind of altar inside his mind. Meanwhile, Lucas, Dustin, and Steve learn that music can help break the spell from Nancy and Robin. Max’s favorite song is Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush. They can find the cassette tape and play her the song, allowing Max to return to them.

Owens and Eleven arrive at an abandoned ICBM silo in Nevada, where she finds out that Brenner is not only alive but is one of the minds behind The NINA Project. The isolation tank (NINA) is specialized to allow Eleven to explore repressed memories. When trying to escape, she finds that she still has her powers, and this convinces her to continue forward with the experiment.

Agent Harmon, who has died, gave Mike, Will, Jonathan, and Argyle a clue to find Eleven. A pen containing the number that connects them to the NINA Project. They enlist Suzie, Dustin’s girlfriend, to help them find the NINA Project.

Eleven, through NINA, can relive memories and finds that she has befriended a “Friendly Orderly” who warns her about Brenner and his lies. Eleven is ostracized and bullied by the other subjects, which leads her to believe she was responsible for the incident in the rainbow room.

Hopper finds out that the Russians have a Demogorgon and tells the others that they have no chance of surviving against it. He comes up with a plan to steal liquor and a lighter from a guard after expressing that the Demogorgon’s only weakness is fire. Joyce, Yuri, and Murray (who have disguised themselves to break into the prison) are given a tour of the prison and a special look at the Demogorgon killing pit.

Jason, who has been on a relentless mission to find Eddie, begins turning minds against what he believes is a Satanic Cult or also known as the Hellfire Club. Steve, Dustin, Robin,andNancy, who have found Eddie (after escaping from Jason’s group) realize that Dustin’s compass is acting oddly. Dustin, having seen this happen before, tells the rest that there is a gate nearby to the Upside Down. Dubbed Watergate, they trace it back to Lover’s Lake, where Steve investigates, only to be yanked through it by bat-like creatures later called Demobats. Nancy, Robin, and Eddie follow him through the Watergate on a rescue mission.

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Currently Reading: Eragon, Pt. 1

Fifteen-year-old Eragon was an ordinary boy, a mere farmer boy living in Carvahall. But this is where the greatest story begins.

Note from the author: This will have multiple parts, as I am doing this in segments as I read.

Spoilers for this point on!

Atra esterní ono thelduin. Mor’ranr lifa unin hjarta onr. Un atra du evarínya ono varda.

Translation: May good fortune rule over you. Peace live in your heart. And the stars watch over you.

Elven Greeting in the Ancient Language

CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI, WORDSMITH

The world of Eragon came in the form of teenage daydreams of Christopher Paolini. Paolini’s love of reading and magic led him to construct the stories of the wondrous yet frighteningly powerful Dragon Riders and the majestic world of Alagaësia. Writing Eragon actually started out as a hobby when he was fifteen, a challenge to himself and he actually didn’t have aspirations to see this work published.

After writing the first draft, he took another year to revise it before giving it to his parents. As a family, they took another year to proofread, edit, design a cover, create a manuscript, and prepare materials for promotions and advertisements. During this time, they decided to self-publicize Eragon and spent time promoting the book in libraries, schools, and bookstores.

Eventually, a publisher from Alfred A. Knopf Books For Young Readers had the book brought to their attention. It was later published by them, and it became a New York Best Seller soon after publication.

Christopher Paolini became recognized by Guinness World Records in 2011, for being the youngest author to have a bestselling series.

Not only did Paolini create the world of Alagaësia, but he also created new languages (elvish, ancient language, dwarfish, Urgal), the map, the original cover of Eragon, and the stories of the Dragon Riders. Including the book’s protagonist, Eragon.

ONCE UPON A TIME…

Eragon starts out with a prologue following a monstrous being called a Shade who is surrounded by other beings called Urgals.

A Shade is a magic user that was once a human, elf, Urgal, or dwarf that has been possessed by a spirit or spirits. They adopt traits of superior strength and proficiency in magic. Regardless of how they were created or what being they once were, Shades are incredibly pale with maroon eyes and red hair. The Shade we meet at the beginning of the story is called Durza, and remember him, he makes a comeback.

Urgals are humanoid beings that are tall with grayish skin and piggish eyes. They are considered expendable by Durza and are utilized as “shock soldiers.” Regarded as evil by most, they are not inherently so and can even use magic. Urgals are mostly uneducated and have their own language, called Urgralgra. The Urgals during the first book were only brought together thanks to a binding spell cast by Durza. Once the binding spell was broken, the Urgals turned on each other because it was not their way to band together, as seen during the early events of Eragon.

Durza and the Urgals are tracking three elves through the forest, two males and a female. While the male elves are easily killed, the female elf isn’t easily brought down by the Urgals or the Shade. Desperate, she pulls out a blue stone that she had been protecting in a pouch and casts a spell on it to send it far away. Furious at the events that unfolded before him, Durza captures the female elf, kills several Urgals, and burns the forest.

ERAGON, HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

We are introduced to Eragon, a farmer boy of approximately fifteen, who is hunting when an explosion tears through the quiet of the forest. The stone, which the elf had earlier, appears in a scorched circle. It’s blue and polished. Because of the explosion, all the animals that he had been trying to hunt have been scattered. Weighing his options, he picks up the stone with the intention of selling it for meat to last during the upcoming winter.

Eragon is hunting in The Spine, a mountain range that borders his home-village Carvahall, and runs down the west coast of Alagaësia. Eragon is one of the few people who willingly hunt within The Spine and it’s because of the danger it represents from stories long told. The King, Galbatorix, lost much of his army in The Spineto the Urgals. Since then, the forests and mountains of The Spine have been considered bad luck.

Eragon returns home and heads for the butchers to trade the stone for meats with Sloan. However, upon learning that the stone was found within the Spine, Sloan turns Eragon away. Refusing to sell to him, you learn that Sloan has never liked Eragon, but would typically sell to him. Horst, the blacksmith, gets in the middle of it and asks Sloan to sell to him; buying the much-needed food and protecting Eragon from Sloan’s wrath. Sloan’s wife died in The Spine, and he doesn’t allow his daughter to go near it. Eragon learns that Katrina (Sloan’s daughter) was the one who sought Horst out. Horst asks Eragon to give a message of love from Katrina to Roran, Eragon’s cousin. Promising to repay Horst for his kindness by working at his smithery, Eragon heads home.

Eragon lives on the outskirts of Carvahall with his uncle, Garrow, and cousin, Roran. Carvahall is a tiny village with about 300 citizens. Carvahall remains mostly untouched by the Broddring Empire because of its remote and nearly isolated location. The only traffic that is usually seen through the remote village is the trappers and traders that journey out to trade and sell their wares.

After the fight with Sloan, Eragon decides to wait for the traders to sell the stone to a jeweler. Note that the traders and trappers are late this season and when they do arrive, they seem warier and less prosperous than in previous years. Eragon and Garrow seek Merlock, a specific trader that specializes in trinkets and jewelry. However, after speaking privately with Merlock, the trader refuses to trade for the stone and informs them that the stone is actually hollow and possibly formed with magic. Merlock also tells them why they’re late this season. Ominous luck has shadowed the caravan. They couldn’t avoid a plethora of misfortunes, like sickness, and attacks, and attempted to avoid Urgals who have been attacking entire villages, including their fields, and forcing them to relocate. Troubled by this news, Eragon’s Uncle sets out to find more information, allowing Eragon to do what he wants.

EMPIRE VS. VARDEN

During Eragon’s free time, he finds himself in the tavern where several traders are telling far-fetched stories about the Empire. The Empire was formed and followed King Galbatorix after his rise to power nearly a century ago. Carvahall has no love for the Empire, and it’s almost a deep-seated hate for them.

The Varden, which is on the opposite side of the book’s political spectrum, are rebels fighting against the oppressive and harsh nature of the King and his Empire. Formed nearly at the same time as the King’s rise, little is known about them and what they’re after.

THE DRAGON RIDERS’ RISE AND FALL

Eragon leaves the chaos and malcontents in the tavern behind, eats dinner at Horst, and joins performers later that evening to spectate. Among the entertainers is a local storyteller, Brom. He is reciting the first stories of the Dragon Riders. This story is important for many reasons, and these reasons we’ll get into a bit later.

The Dragon Riders were formed to govern, guard and protect the lands of Alagaësia, and for a thousand years succeeded in this endeavor. Dragon Riders were considered immortal, and while they could protect against outside threats, they could not compete against their own. Galbatorix, at the age of ten, was tested as tradition and custom dictated, and it was found that he was powerful. Growing in power under years of tutelage, he surpassed many in skill and was soon welcomed into the ranks of the Riders. Others warned against this quick rise to power, but according to Brom, the Riders had grown arrogant in their years.

After being welcomed as a Rider, Galbatorix and several others of his fellow Riders, took a careless trip to test their newfound abilities. They found themselves in Urgal territory, and as they slept Galbatorix’s dragon, his friends, and their dragons were slayed. In his grief, Galbatorix sought death and threw himself into whatever battle strayed his way. Haunted and hunted by a deranged Rider, those that happen to wander into his path, ran from him. Soon after, Galbatorix had a singular and driving thought. The Riders might grant him another dragon. Driven by this, he spent months traversing through the Spine to get back. Finally reaching the Riders, a council was convened and Galbatorix demanded another dragon. True colors revealed. The Riders denied him a dragon, and in his fevered and twisted mind, Galbatorix blamed the Riders for his dragon’s death. Galbatorix was eventually able to exact an act of twisted revenge with another Rider named Morzan. Morzan was able to steal a hatchling, which grew into a black dragon named Shruikan. After teaching Morzan, Galbatorix revealed himself, with Morzan at his side, to the world. They fought any and all Riders that came to challenge them. With each win, Morzan and Galbatorix grew stronger, and soon 12 other Riders joined their ranks. Including Morzan, they became known as the Thirteen Forsworn. The Dragon Riders fell from grace, and Galbatorix became the ruler of Alagaësia.

According to Garrow, the story that Brom recites could actually cost him his life if the Empire ever caught wind of him telling it.

Now, this is only the first three chapters of the book. There is a lot going on and we haven’t even gotten to, in my opinion, some of the best bits. Stay tuned for part two!

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Under the Radar: SurrealEstate

Following a real estate agency Roman Agency, this real estate not only lists houses but also cleanses them of negative entities, spirits, and monsters.

SyFy aired this series in 2021 and unfortunately canceled it after one season. Or so it was thought, SurrealEstate was resurrected in May 2022, and it was un-canceled and green-lit for a second season, which will air sometime in 2023.

SPOILERS, obviously.

THINGS THAT GO BUMP

Luke Roman (Tim Rozon) is the boss of a particular real estate business, The Roman Agency. Not only do these agents sell houses, but they also deal with the beyond. The Roman Agency specializes in selling and helping those unable to sell their houses without a much-needed cleanse.

The Agency is small but close-knit and scrappy. It consists of Luke, boss man extraordinaire, Father Phil Orley (Adam Korson) a lapsed priest, August “Auggie” Ripley (Maurice Dean Wint) the tech king, Zoey L’Enfant (Savannah Basley) the office manager, and new-comer Susan Ireland (Sarah Levy). Susan originally came from another estate agency, and unfortunately, is a fish out of the water with this new group of agents. She is kept in the dark about the Agency’s specialties, but does know it by reputation.

Luke and Susan take on their first job together at the Lenore household, who are at their wits’ end with objects randomly flying around their house. Believing that the house is haunted by a poltergeist, they send in Auggie and Phil, who reveal that all their tests come up negative. As things escalate at the Lenore house, Luke has taken a special interest in another holding, the Donovan household.

The Donovan house is special and immensely haunted. Off-the-charts metaphysical disturbances plague the house, and its current occupant, Meghan (Tennille Read).

As The Roman Agency fights demons, ghosts, and possessed houses, the Donovan house makes reoccurring appearances because of the sentimental attachment it has to Luke. Years previously, Luke’s mother went into the house and never left. Luke has seen her ghost several times lingering in the house, and she is not a nice person. But Luke’s father (also a ghost) says that she was a sweet and kind person, but didn’t seem like she could handle Luke’s gift of seeing the other side. Leaving him and his father behind years before.

The season comes to a head at the Donovan house, which has been gaining strength steadily thanks to the misguided attempts by the Roman Agency. The portal in the house, which they thought allowed ghosts and spirits in, actually allowed them to cross over. Because they closed the portal in episode one, all of these ghosts and spirits haunted the house in agony, unable to leave. The house was able to make a personified incarnation of itself thanks to the lost souls stuck within its walls. Auggie, Zooey, Susan, and Phil all encounter lost loved ones, a wife, a mentor, a father, and an ill-fated sweetheart. Luke also sees his mother, or rather his sister.

Luke was a twin, and the woman he believed to be his mother, is actually his sister who lost her life when Luke’s umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. Because she died during Luke’s birth, his abilities came from being born in the shadow of death. His twin wants to switch places with him, and the only way for that to be achieved is that he dies. As she strangles Luke, in the basement, the crew is able to open the portal and all the trapped souls are sucked into it, including Luke’s sister.

The Donovan house is purged of its ghosts, and the crew stumbles outside, grateful to be alive. However, Luke distances himself from everyone. Why? He’s lost his ability to hear and see the spirits that had attached themselves to him since he was a child.

RESURRECTED FROM THE GRAVE

The paranormal drama was canceled originally. Ratings and viewership seemed to have been the main reason for its cancellation. George R. Olson, the creator of SurrealEstate, tweeted in October 2021 the unfortunate news that SyFy wouldn’t be moving forward with a season 2, but to not give up hope and they were looking for a new home for the paranormal procedure.

Hulu began streaming season 1 of SurrealEstate starting October 6 and it was revealed on May 2022 that SyFy had decided against officially canceling SurrealEstate when it talked about new and returning series in an article.

CONCLUSION

I rate SurrealEstate 3.9/5, I’ve loved Tim Rozon since his days on Wynonna Earp as the immortal gunslinger Doc Holliday, which was also unfortunately canceled after its fourth season by SyFy. No worries, Melanie Scrofano (Wynonna) guest starred in episode three and played a fanatic homeowner trying to sell her cottage (such a fun episode).

SurrealEstate is character-driven, and with a heavy-hitting cast, the characters are believable and loveable. Even with the extra bits thrown in (Roman’s ability to see ghosts, and Ireland’s telekinesis and pyrokinesis) and the haunted houses, the heart is still there and beating strong. It was sad that at first it looked like we would be leaving on such a cliffhanger, with Luke losing his powers and knowing his mother was alive somewhere.

SurrealEstate is ALIVE and will be airing on SyFy sometime in late 2023. As of October 12th, you can catch up on season one on Hulu.

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Poet, writer, editor, and critic, Edgar Allan Poe, was known for his poetry and short stories. His works mostly delved into the macabre. Poe’s writing influenced American literature as he helped shape detective fiction, romanticism, and gothic writing.

EARLY LIFE

Born to actors, Edgar Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. Poe had an older brother, William Henry Leonard Poe, and a younger sister, Rosalie Poe. Unfortunately, his father, David Poe Jr., abandoned his family in 1810, and his mother, Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe, died from consumption, known today as tuberculosis, a year later.

The Allan family, who resided in Richmond, Virginia, were prosperous merchants who took in Edgar Poe and gave him the name Edgar Allan Poe, even though they never formally adopted him.

The Allans sailed to the U.K. in 1815, where Poe attended school in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland (his foster father, John Allan, was born there). In 1816, Poe returned to the Allans who were living in London. He continued his studies at a boarding school until 1817, when he entered the Manor House School at Stoke Newington.

The Poes and Allans wouldn’t return to Richmond until 1820. In ’24, Poe served as a lieutenant in the youth honor guard when the Marquis de Lafayette visited. Allan inherited several acres of land when William Gelt died (Poe’s foster Uncle and business benefactor).

It is well known that Poe suffered an addiction to gambling, and his debts began when he registered at the University of Virginia in February 1826. He lost touch with the Allans and Poe blamed his troubles on John Allan not supplying enough funds to expense his studies. Poe dropped out of college in 1827, discovering that his fiance, Sarah Elmira Royster, was engaged to Alexander Shelton. He traveled to Boston. He worked odd jobs as a clerk and newspaper writer, and before using Edgar Allan Poe to write, he wrote under the pseudonym Henri Le Rennet (1827).

Poe enlisted in the United States Army in May 1827 under the name Edgar A. Perry. He joined because he couldn't support himself with the odd jobs that he could get.

Claiming he was 22 (he was actually 18) he was stationed at Fort Independence in Boston Harbor for five dollars a month. This is the same year that his first book was published, a collection of poetry called Tamerlane and Other Poems under the byline, by a Bostonian. This publication received nearly zero attention and Poe’s regiment was posted to Fort Moultrie in South Carolina. Around this time Poe sought to end his five-year enlistment early by three years and explained to his commanding officer, Lieutenant Howard, his lies. Howard would only agree to end his enlistment early if he’d reconciled with his father. Poe’s pleas would fall on deaf ears until the passing of his foster mother, Frances Allan, on February 27, 1829. Poe wouldn’t be discharged until April 1829.

He moved back to Baltimore to live with his widowed aunt Maria Clemm and her daughter Virginia Eliza Clemm, Poe’s brother Henry, and grandmother, Elizabeth Cairnes Poe.

After receiving words of encouragement from influential critic John Neal, Poe published his second book, Tamerlane and Minor Poems, in 1829.

It wasn’t until John Allan married his second wife, Louisa Patterson, that Poe was formally disowned by the Allans. Poe was court-marital purposefully from West Point (his current employment) and pleaded not guilty for a dismissal knowing that the courts would find him guilty.

He published his third book titled Poems, which was financed by his fellow cadets and was printed by Elam Bliss of New York. Poe returned to Baltimore in 1831, and his brother Henry passed shortly after his return in August.

CAREER

Poe wouldn’t start his writing career in earnest until his brother’s death in 1831. However, it was hard to be a writer because of international copyright laws and publishers often produced unauthorized copies of British works. The industry suffered terribly during the Panic of 1837, a financial crisis that caused unemployment and profits, prices, and wages to drop and westward expansion to stall.

Writers were often refused payment or paid much later than promised, and Poe suffered repeated humiliation just to receive any compensation. He found work by writing short stories with a Philadelphia publication (Politian). He was awarded in 1833 by Baltimore Saturday Visiter for his short story MS. Found in a Bottle. Thanks to this, it put him in touch with John P. Kennedy, who introduced him to Thomas W. White, editor of Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond. Poe became assistant editor but was later fired for being drunk on the job. He maintained that job for approximately 10 years. He returned to Baltimore and married his cousin, Virginia, in 1836. Many biographers and historians disagree on the nature of Virginia and Poe’s relationship, Virginia, was 12/13 years old and Poe was 26 years old when they married.

Poe supported himself (and his wife) by editing Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine and Graham’s Magazine in Philadelphia. In 1838 Poe’s novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket was published (this was published before his position at the Gentleman’s Magazine). He published many articles, stories, and reviews, which helped his reputation as a critic and editor. He published Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque in 1839, and these works were published in two volumes.

In 1840, Poe announced that he was working on his own literary magazine called The Stylus (originally called The Penn). He left Burton’s around this time and attempted to secure a place at the Whig Party within the administration. The Whig Party was a political party in the U.S. next to the Democratic Party, which believed in protective tariffs, national banking, and federal aid for internal improvements. He had hopes to be appointed to the U.S. Custom House in Philadelphia. Poe failed to show up for meetings, citing he was ill (Frederick Thomas, Poe’s friend, believed that he was sick) and unfortunately missed out.

His wife, Virginia, began showing signs of tuberculosis in 1842. She only partially recovered and Poe began drinking more heavily and left his position at Graham’s and found work briefly at the Evening Mirror and Broadway Journal in New York City. Poe alienated himself from other writers after accusing Henry Wadsworth Longfellow of plagiarism.

On January 29, 1845, Poe would publish his most popular work, The Raven. It made him a household name, and even though he garnered attention for this short story, Poe would only get $9 (according to inflation, this would be approximately $300+) for its publication.

The Broadway Journal would shutter its doors in 1846 and Poe (out of a job) would move to a cottage in Fordham, New York with his wife. Virginia would die on January 30, 1847, at the age of 25.

Poe became increasingly unstable after his wife’s death and attempted to court Sarah Helen Whitman (poet), which amounted to nothing thanks to his drinking and Whitman's mother's constant intervention. He would resume a childhood relationship with Sarah Elmira Royster and become engaged with her for a short period.

“LORD HELP MY POOR SOUL”

On October 3rd, 1849, Poe was found semi-conscious in Baltimore. He wasn’t wearing his own clothing and mumbling about an unknown character called “Reynolds.” Poe was transported to Washington Medical College in dire condition and unfortunately succumbed to his ailment on October 7th, 1849.

Newspapers who reported his death said that he died of “congestion of the brain” or “cerebral inflammation.” Which were common causes of death caused by excessive drinking, or alcoholism. While his cause of death remains a mystery even today, thanks to Poe’s medical records and death certificate were lost. Speculations on his death include delirium tremens (DTs), heart disease, epilepsy, syphilis, meningeal inflammation, cholera, carbon monoxide poisoning, and even rabies. One theory published in 1872 believed that Poe died from cooping, which is caused by forced voting of a specific candidate. This can lead to violence, including murder.

Rufus Wilmot Griswold, a literary rival, published a fake obituary under the pseudonym Ludwig and said that Poe was a lunatic, drug-addled, drunk, who will not be mourned because his death shouldn’t be a surprise. Most of the obituary contained falsehoods, lies, and distortions because Griswold was attempting to destroy Poe’s reputation after his death. Thankfully, this was denounced by friends of Poe, including John Neal.

LEGACY

Poe is credited with *initiating the modern detective story, developing the Gothic horror story, and being a significant early forerunner of the science fiction form (*Britannica). His works are still widely read today and authors, writers, and directors still take inspiration from his long list of material. Adaptations of his works have graced the silver screen since the 1960s, starting with House of Usher (starring Vincent Price). Poe’s insights into the human mind and his duality when writing have inspired artists around the world.

Tourist flock to Boston to visit a statue and plaque of his approximate place of birth. A museum in Richmond, Virginia, has the largest collection of memorabilia, and there is even a plaque dedicated to his mother at St. John’s Episcopal Church (Richmond, Virginia). Edgar Allan Poe had two graves as well. He was originally buried in an unmarked grave until almost 15 years later, when he was moved to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Before all this, Poe’s cousin ordered a gravestone, but it was destroyed in a train accident and never re-ordered (nothing would mark Poe’s grave until 1875-ish).

A new House of Usher mini-series is slated for a possible 2023 release on Netflix and is a part of Mike Flanagan’s universe (Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Hill House, Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Club). The Fall of the House of Usher was published by Edgar Allan Poe in 1839 in Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine.

CONCLUSION

Edgar Allan Poe is a must-read. My personal favorite is The Tale-Tell Heart.

Is his work scary? Not particularly (says someone who regularly reads Stephen King, Anne Rice, Dean Koontz, and Neil Gaiman), but his imagination and acumen into the darkness and duality of the human mind and heart are what’s interesting to me. His clear loss as well, which is documented in his works such as Annabel Lee, Ligeia, and Dream-Land. These works are known as Dark Romanticism, a form of gothic writing that Poe was well versed in.

The Raven is his most well-known story and probably the most quoted (Quoth the Raven “Nevermore”), and it is considered a poem. The Raven is about the never-ending torment in mourning and grief (specifically the narrator losing Lenore), and through this exchange, he is able to work through his bereavement and gain wisdom. Poe wrote The Raven when his wife was incredibly ill and struggling with TB and he was working as a relatively unknown writer.

Do you like Edgar Allan Poe?

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Under the Radar

Under the Radar is pretty straightforward. This specific title will be dealing with movies, music, and television series that didn’t get the recognition they deserved, became cult classics, or were just sadly underrated when released.

Movies such as Hocus Pocus (1), Constantine, Rise of the Guardians, and more are just a few that have slipped under the radar when released and have become cult classics over the years.

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Currently Reading

I started this segment at the height of the pandemic because many of us were resigned to finding alternative outlets in entertainment.

In a time where screens were reserved for television or not yet existed, books took up valuable and misplaced time. I devoured books like no tomorrow when I was in school, for they offered the greatest escape, and time froze as I witnessed people fall in love, battle unspeakable monsters and fall prey to the greatest tragedies. During this incredible time, I have found myself once again drawn to the stories told through paper and ink.

Similar to Midnight Binge, where I devour television, Currently Reading will follow a similar format. There will be Flashback Fridays (where we re-visit some literary classics), Spotlight Artist (highlighting some of mine and even your favorite authors and why they are worth checking out), and even a Book of the Month (books I’m currently reading).

With the rise of ebooks, checking out your favorites has never been easier. Public libraries have even started allowing people to borrow ebooks, with of course a trusty library card. Ebooks are even a cheaper route to go than buying physical copies. Kindle has options such as Prime Reading and Kindle Reading, which allow people to borrow books with a monthly or yearly fee. Don’t have a Kindle, no problem! Kindle has an app that can be freely downloaded on smart devices.

Currently Reading: Eragon by Christopher Paolini