Deep Space Nine--"Image in the Sand"

We have reached the seventh and final season of DS9. I think this is my favorite season as whole. It is not just because Jadzia has joined the choir invisible, although that is a change for the better, but because it is the most intense, engaging season of Trek in general and DS9 specifically. The series went out on a high note.

Just to get it out of the way, yes, I do like Ezri Dax. She is a far more interesting character than Jadzia ever was. Nicole de Boer is also cute as a bug’s ear. Seriously, she has those chubby little cheeks that make her look like a chipmunk. As it is in real life, she winds up sleeping with the two biggest jerks she can find. Is that not just the way?She does not show up until the end of the episode when she shows up at the Sisko’s restaurant in New Orleans. Before that, we catch up on what everyone else is up to.

Kira is now in charge of DS9 and is having trouble with the Romulan military delegation that has taken up residence as part of the new alliance. Just when Kira begin warming up to the female Romulan in charge, she discovers the hospital she pulled strings in order to get established on a Bajoran moon is loaded with more missiles tha could possibly be necessary for defense. Kira promises Bajorr will remove them if the Romulans do not.

Worf is even more irritable than usual. He is not just mourning Jadzia’s death, but is fearful she is not in Sto Va Kor, the Klingon version of heaven. He only admits his belief after O’Brien has gotten him drunk. The only way he can be certain Jadzia makes it ito Sto Va Kor is if he wins a great battle in her name. O’Brien and Bashir plot to get him assigned to Martok’s ship I time for an assault o theDominion, then decide they will go, too, in order to ensure Jadzia arrives in the land of milk an honey. Or blood wine and targ. Whatever Klingon’s enjoy in paradise.

But the bulk of the episode is about Sisko brooding in New Orleans. Dukat was right I the sixth season finale when he claimed destroying the wormhole would knock Sisko out of the war. The Prophets have not spoken to him for months until they give him a vision of a woman’s face buried in the sand. The woman turns out to be his real mother whom he never knew existed. Somehow, she is associated with Bajor and an Orb of the Emissary, which he has to find. He is attacked by a cult member who worships the Pah’Wraiths, so we have established it will not be easy.

Ezri shows up before the Siskos take off for the planet identified in some ancient writings.

For a season premiere, “Image in the Sand” is very subdued. I suppose it is supposed to be a shock on a personal level that the Sisko family dynamic has been shattered, but the revelation of family secrets does not resonate with me. I recall originally watching the episode twelve years ago and being afraid Sisko really was ’special” and “of Baor.” the other two stories were set up for payoffs later, so there is not much to say about them yet.

“Image in the Sand” is good, but I expected more.

Rating: *** (out of 5)

There is a Lion in This Photo

Did you spot it?

PIECE OF SHIT CLOTHING

Thankfully the whole Affliction/Hardy clothing movement has started to subside.  Sure Jon Gosselin just got a sweet tattoo that looks like an Ed Hard exclusive, but I think that is only helping to bury the brand.  Unfortuantely, newer versions will always be there to take the stage.

Piece of Shit Clothing from The Midnight Show

The Elena Kagan Confirmation Hearings

I have not commented on the Elena Kagan confirmation hearings because I am not watching it. Much like Al “Baggy Pants Funnyman” Franken, I have trouble staying awake during such things. Law school was a long time ago. Anything that ight produce flashbacks of those dark days of trial brief and oral arguments is to be avoided like the Ebola virus.

Let us embrace reality. Yes, Kagan is a progressive whose judicial philosophy I, as a strict constructionist, am not going to like. She would replace John Paul Stevens, another judicial progressive I did not like. When she is approved--and she will. Even with Robert Byrd no longer being in the Senate to bloc a filibuster, I do not see oe happenig anyway--she will pretty much be swapping out.

I predict a lot of the same 5-4 decisions along ideological lines with the occasional Kelo or Casey extreme disappointment with Kagan on the Court.

If anyone honestly thinks her anti-military or pro-abortion stance is going to torpedo her confirmation, I would be interested in hearing why. I would also like to know if anyone fears her presence will tilt the Court farther to the left than Stevens managed. Please feel free to explain in the comments. Perhaps you will give me food for thought that may result in a more thorough follow up post.

UPDATE: Scratch that last paragraph. Kagan was asked a question about Twilight. There is nothing you can say to get me to further comment on this farce.

My Gamecocks Win the College World Series

Congratulations to my alma mater, the University of South Carolina, for their win over UCLA.

GO COCKS!!

Castaway Review at Apocalypse Cinema

Get marooned with my thoughts on Tom Hanks' 2000 film, Castaway.

Thirty Days of Doctor Who # 8--A Photo That Makes You Happy

The Fourth Doctor defeats Morbius in a staring contest.

No, really.

Deep Space Nine--"Tears of the Prophets"

Now, the moment we have all been waiting for…

The six season finale begins with Sisko being appointed by Starfleet to lead an invasion of Cardassia in order to destroy the Dominion shipyards and Jem’Hadar breeding factories. The plan runs into two complications. One, the Romulans are not keen on the idea because of the massive casualties expected for such a campaign ad two, the prophets warn Sisko he is not to go.

The first problem is wrapped up so easily, I assume the episode was running short, so they just threw it in to demonstrate the strained alliance the allies are working under. The second is ’resolved’ when Ross demands Sisko either serve as Emissary or captain. He fatefully chooses captain and commits to leading forces to attack the Cardassian Chimtaka system.

Meanwhile, Dukat returns to Cardassia as a religious nut who believes he can win the war for the Dominion by attacking the prophets themselves. In his effort, he becomes possessed by a Pah’Wraith. His plan is to destroy the Orb of the Prophets on DS9.

Prior to leaving for the invasion of Chimtaka, Worf and Dax decide they want to start a family. Declaring such a thing before a battle is the cinematic equivalent of showing your girlfriend’s picture to your army buddy before going into battle. You are definitely going to die in the next reel.

Just to make sure that happens, Dax is placed I command of DS9 instead of kira, who is taking part in the invasion even though she is not Starfleet and DS9 is technically Bajoran. You see, they all want Dax tobite the big one.

She happens to be offering a prayer to the Prophets at the Orb when Dukat attacks. She is mortally wounded. Dukat manages to make the wormhole disappear y destroying the orb ad angering the prophets.

The Orb’s destruction occurs in the middle of the Chimtaka invasion. Sisko is incapacitated because he has been cut off from the Prophets. Kira takes over and successfully destroys the system’s new defenses, but the real damage has been done.

The symbiotnt survives, but Jadzia dies. Bajor is in a panic over losing contact with the prophets. Sisko blames himself for both incidents. He failed Dax as a Starfleet officer. He failed Bajor as the Emissary. He decides he needs time to sort thigs out, so he leaves his command post and heads home to New Orleans. The cliffhanger harkens back to the fifth season version where he left his baseball as a message to Dukat that even though he had lot DS9, he would be back. This time, he took it with him.

It is an exciting episode that lays the groundwork for the alliance going on the offensive in the seventh and final season. It also sets up the final confrontation with Sisko and Dukat. Dukat had considered his vendetta with Sisko personal since he blamed him for his daughter’s death, but now he has offended Sisko both in his role as a Starfleet officer by murdering Dax and as the Emissary by destroying the wormhole. The gautlet has been thrown.

But let us not forget the best part--Jadzia is kaput. Good luck on Becker until you get fired for being a terrible actress, Ms. Ferrell. Rating: *** (out of 5)

Miranda Kerr

Miranda Kerr

NEW OLD SPICE COMMERCIAL WITH ISAIAH MUSTAFA

Old Spice is back at it with another commercial with Isaiah Mustafa involving one live take in a constantly switching scene.  This one isn't nearly as good as the original, but still worth a watch.  I still think that the remix of the original is the best of all of them, but then again I just like remixes.




My personal favorite:


via

Anna Chapman: Spy for Russia?

Maybe so.

Give me an hour--better make that two--with her and I will find out. We have certainly come a long way from the Cold War Era vixens like Natasha Fatale:

Anna Chapman: Spy for Russia?

Maybe so.

Give me an hour--better make that two--with her and I will find out. We have certainly come a long way from the Cold War Era vixens like Natasha Fatale:

Formspring Question # 28--Nature v. Nurture Edition

You've written a lot about LOST dealing with faith and reason, but not much about its nature v. nurture argument. what do you think about that?

I have not talked about it because after the first season, the show did not, either. It was only during the first season the Lostaways were really roughing it like plane crash survivors would. In the second season, they had the hatch and a mysterious food drop. By the third, they had discovered the barracks with all its amenities. Eventually, environmental concerns became less important to the plot.

If I am reading your question right, you want to know whether I think the Lostaways were corrupted by society and fond redemption as noble savages or became corrupted y their island experiences.

The writers seemed to believe the former. Jacob claimed to have brought them from unhappy lives in the civilized world for a purpose on the island. We are supposed to think their behavior there, which involved lots of cold blooded murder, served as redemption for some characters 9Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Locke, and Juliet among others.) while condemning others for the same type behavior. (Michael and Ana-Lucia.) If there was any logic to it, I missed it. Lost was written by atheists to have a spiritual ending, so my expectations were low as to how thought out the resolution would be.

Personally speaking, I do not buy into the noble savage concept. Man has a sinful nature that must be resisted. So it is the nurture part that is more important in how one behaves. Civilization is a hot meal and a good night’s sleep away from total barbarism.

The corrupt, sinful nature is a constant among everyone. It is the nurturing that is different. Nurturing is how other people treat you ad how you react to that treatment which determines exactly how much of your corrupt nature gets to run on a long leash.

I will even drop my usual cynicism and say experiencing bad treatment does not necessarily produce bad people. Yes, there is a good chance if one was abused as a child, one will grow up to be an abuser, too, in order to gain “revenge” for pain suffering, but the abused child experience also be a lesson on what not do. I am not a psychologist, so someone else with better knowledge should feel free to chime in with better insight. I am speaking from the personal experience of watching alcoholic family members destroy themselves resulting in a nearly complete disinterest in alcohol on my part.

The uncertainty of how one’s treatment will affect one’s attitude must be why there is still an eternal debate over the issue. I will not be able to resolve it in a blog post within the context of a television show or otherwise.

Formspring Question # 28--Nature v. Nurture Edition

You've written a lot about LOST dealing with faith and reason, but not much about its nature v. nurture argument. what do you think about that?

I have not talked about it because after the first season, the show did not, either. It was only during the first season the Lostaways were really roughing it like plane crash survivors would. In the second season, they had the hatch and a mysterious food drop. By the third, they had discovered the barracks with all its amenities. Eventually, environmental concerns became less important to the plot.

If I am reading your question right, you want to know whether I think the Lostaways were corrupted by society and fond redemption as noble savages or became corrupted y their island experiences.

The writers seemed to believe the former. Jacob claimed to have brought them from unhappy lives in the civilized world for a purpose on the island. We are supposed to think their behavior there, which involved lots of cold blooded murder, served as redemption for some characters 9Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Locke, and Juliet among others.) while condemning others for the same type behavior. (Michael and Ana-Lucia.) If there was any logic to it, I missed it. Lost was written by atheists to have a spiritual ending, so my expectations were low as to how thought out the resolution would be.

Personally speaking, I do not buy into the noble savage concept. Man has a sinful nature that must be resisted. So it is the nurture part that is more important in how one behaves. Civilization is a hot meal and a good night’s sleep away from total barbarism.

The corrupt, sinful nature is a constant among everyone. It is the nurturing that is different. Nurturing is how other people treat you ad how you react to that treatment which determines exactly how much of your corrupt nature gets to run on a long leash.

I will even drop my usual cynicism and say experiencing bad treatment does not necessarily produce bad people. Yes, there is a good chance if one was abused as a child, one will grow up to be an abuser, too, in order to gain “revenge” for pain suffering, but the abused child experience also be a lesson on what not do. I am not a psychologist, so someone else with better knowledge should feel free to chime in with better insight. I am speaking from the personal experience of watching alcoholic family members destroy themselves resulting in a nearly complete disinterest in alcohol on my part.

The uncertainty of how one’s treatment will affect one’s attitude must be why there is still an eternal debate over the issue. I will not be able to resolve it in a blog post within the context of a television show or otherwise.

Formspring Question # 27--Boy Wizard Edition

Do you like Harry Potter?

I have never read any of the novels or seen any of the movies with no sense of urgency to take an interest now. My disinterest has nothing to do with my religious beliefs, either. i do not believe Harry Potter is a backdoor to Satanism or anything.

I am certain there will be a half dozen sales pitches in the comments before sundown.

Formspring Question # 27--Boy Wizard Edition

Do you like Harry Potter?

I have never read any of the novels or seen any of the movies with no sense of urgency to take an interest now. My disinterest has nothing to do with my religious beliefs, either. i do not believe Harry Potter is a backdoor to Satanism or anything.

I am certain there will be a half dozen sales pitches in the comments before sundown.

Thirty Days of Doctor Who # 7--Favorite Villain(s)

It is all about the Daleks. I am a sucker for Nazi allegory. It comes from me being such a World War II buff.

They have certainly been overused, particularly in the Russell T. Davies years, but they still possess the sense of menace that keeps them as formidable adversaries after all these years.

I am not too fond of the new rainbow army of Daleks that have emerged in under Steven Mofat--and I even liked the cult-like, mutant Daleks created by the emperor for “Bad Wolf/The Parting of the ways”--but I am holding out hope thecae is not permanent. Go back to the beat up, brown and black scheme or the retro gray color for the future!

Thirty Days of Doctor Who # 7--Favorite Villain(s)

It is all about the Daleks. I am a sucker for Nazi allegory. It comes from me being such a World War II buff.

They have certainly been overused, particularly in the Russell T. Davies years, but they still possess the sense of menace that keeps them as formidable adversaries after all these years.

I am not too fond of the new rainbow army of Daleks that have emerged in under Steven Mofat--and I even liked the cult-like, mutant Daleks created by the emperor for “Bad Wolf/The Parting of the ways”--but I am holding out hope thecae is not permanent. Go back to the beat up, brown and black scheme or the retro gray color for the future!

Deep Space Nine--"The Sound of Her Voice"

If you have not yet been beaten over the head yet with the foreshadowing one of the crew is going to die in the season finale, this episode should more than compensate.

The bone weary crew of the Defiant, who have been on convoy duty for days, receive a distress signal from a Lisa Cusak, a Starfleet captain who is the lone survivor of a deep space mission. Her ship hit some sort of energy whatsis and was destroyed. She got to an escape pod, but is now stranded alone on a hostile planet. Since the Defiant is the only ship close enough to make the six day journey, they have to take the mission to rescue her.

Along the way, he command staff takes turns taking to her in order to keep her conscious. Conveniently, she is taking injections to prevent the atmosphere from poisoning her, but they keep her awake constantly. She discusses Sisko’s complicated relation with Kasidy, Bashir’s workaholism, ad o’Breien’s pushin away of friends because he ears they might die during the war with the Dominion.

Her advice: Relationships are everything. Drop whatever you aredoing and tell everyone you love and tel them so, because tomorrow may be too late.

Oh, yeah--Dax is sooo dead tomorrow.

The trick is they discover Cusak’s communications were caught in a time warp due to the energy thingamajig that destroyed her sip. She has actually been dead for years, but the communications were being transmitted as though in real time. They give her a funeral with full honorsand Sisko gives aspeechabout how they may be standing there again with one of them missing one day soon.

He means you, Dax.

The B-story involves Quark taking advantage of Odo’s lovebird status with Kira to complete a smuggling job, but both Odo and Kira are up to him and stop it. Nothing but filler made more annoying by the irritating romance between the two. I will never get accustomed to that.

Not bad for a bottle episode, but not as poignant as intended. I will have liked for Cusak’s conversations with the crew to have been more psychoanalytic as opposed to bracing us for the loss of Dax. It is entertaining, but I feel like it could have been far more.

Rating: *** (out of 5)

Deep Space Nine--"The Sound of Her Voice"

If you have not yet been beaten over the head yet with the foreshadowing one of the crew is going to die in the season finale, this episode should more than compensate.

The bone weary crew of the Defiant, who have been on convoy duty for days, receive a distress signal from a Lisa Cusak, a Starfleet captain who is the lone survivor of a deep space mission. Her ship hit some sort of energy whatsis and was destroyed. She got to an escape pod, but is now stranded alone on a hostile planet. Since the Defiant is the only ship close enough to make the six day journey, they have to take the mission to rescue her.

Along the way, he command staff takes turns taking to her in order to keep her conscious. Conveniently, she is taking injections to prevent the atmosphere from poisoning her, but they keep her awake constantly. She discusses Sisko’s complicated relation with Kasidy, Bashir’s workaholism, ad o’Breien’s pushin away of friends because he ears they might die during the war with the Dominion.

Her advice: Relationships are everything. Drop whatever you aredoing and tell everyone you love and tel them so, because tomorrow may be too late.

Oh, yeah--Dax is sooo dead tomorrow.

The trick is they discover Cusak’s communications were caught in a time warp due to the energy thingamajig that destroyed her sip. She has actually been dead for years, but the communications were being transmitted as though in real time. They give her a funeral with full honorsand Sisko gives aspeechabout how they may be standing there again with one of them missing one day soon.

He means you, Dax.

The B-story involves Quark taking advantage of Odo’s lovebird status with Kira to complete a smuggling job, but both Odo and Kira are up to him and stop it. Nothing but filler made more annoying by the irritating romance between the two. I will never get accustomed to that.

Not bad for a bottle episode, but not as poignant as intended. I will have liked for Cusak’s conversations with the crew to have been more psychoanalytic as opposed to bracing us for the loss of Dax. It is entertaining, but I feel like it could have been far more.

Rating: *** (out of 5)

Brooklyn Decker

Brooklyn Decker

SOCCER LEADS TO SOCIALISM - BILLY BOB NECK

As a general rule racism isn't funny.  When it is though, it's hilarious.  Redneck retards making youtube videos will never cease to provide entertainment for those of us who have the slightest bit of intelligence.  This guy is exceptionally smart and is willing to expose the slippery slope between soccer and socialism. Thank you Billy Bob Neck.

Introducing Apocalypse Cinema

I had been debating for a while how to incorporate movie reviews into the Eye. I could not figure out how to make the individual reviews fit comfortably in with the rest of the content here while still being easily accessible. I wanted an easy way to list every movie review so you could conveniently click right on the review you wanted to read. Alas, the only way I could do that was to put them on a separate blog devoted solely to movie reviews. So that is what I did.

Apocalypse Cinema is the place where I am going to periodically review any movie I see that merit some comment, for better or for worse. I say periodically because I was planning to write reviews here whenever the mood struck, not on any set schedule. So Apocalypse Cinema might be updated once a day for a long time or once a month for an even longer time.

I will probably link to new reviews here if they become that infrequent just as a convenience. Science fiction film may get the cross posting treatment, but exclusive content will rule the day now that I have transferred all the existing movie reviews from the Eye to there.

As a bonus, I have never before seen reviews for all four Rambo movies up now so you can judge how the movie reviews are going to go. They are virtually identical to my television reviews here, but it is still a work in progress. Changes will come as necessary.

The eye is still my login focus, so nothing is going to change here in frequency or content. I am just could not fid away to squeeze in my Roger Ebert routine into what is already here.

Introducing Apocalypse Cinema

I had been debating for a while how to incorporate movie reviews into the Eye. I could not figure out how to make the individual reviews fit comfortably in with the rest of the content here while still being easily accessible. I wanted an easy way to list every movie review so you could conveniently click right on the review you wanted to read. Alas, the only way I could do that was to put them on a separate blog devoted solely to movie reviews. So that is what I did.

Apocalypse Cinema is the place where I am going to periodically review any movie I see that merit some comment, for better or for worse. I say periodically because I was planning to write reviews here whenever the mood struck, not on any set schedule. So Apocalypse Cinema might be updated once a day for a long time or once a month for an even longer time.

I will probably link to new reviews here if they become that infrequent just as a convenience. Science fiction film may get the cross posting treatment, but exclusive content will rule the day now that I have transferred all the existing movie reviews from the Eye to there.

As a bonus, I have never before seen reviews for all four Rambo movies up now so you can judge how the movie reviews are going to go. They are virtually identical to my television reviews here, but it is still a work in progress. Changes will come as necessary.

The eye is still my login focus, so nothing is going to change here in frequency or content. I am just could not fid away to squeeze in my Roger Ebert routine into what is already here.

LADY GAGA SERENADES FERNANDO TORRES

This just in...Lady Gaga seeks to become the newest WAG.  Don't do it #9! Oh, and are those chopped M4's turned into a bra? Awesome.
via

SEXIEST GAME OF SOCCER EVER PLAYED

A lot of people have been talking about how boring soccer is.  Well, not any more.

WHAT HELICOPTERS DO IN ACTION MOVIES

This makes me wonder why Arnold Schwarzenegger was so instant that everyone "Get to da choppa!"
via

LIGHTNING STRIKES THREE TALLEST BUILDINGS IN CHICAGO

If you are into nature and shit, you'll like this video. Chicago has been getting lit up by thunderstorms recently, and thankfully someone was there to capture the shot of it. The Trump Tower, Hancock Building , and artist formerly known as the Sears Towers were all simultaneous struck by lightning last week.


Lightning strikes three of the tallest buildings in Chicago at the same time! from Craig Shimala on Vimeo.

POEM OF THE YEAR

This may be the sweetest poem I have ever read. I can't wait until I get married so I can read this to my lucky bride.
via

DANIEL TOSH ENDS BROS ICING BROS

Bros Icing Bros was a lot of fun for a few weeks.  It's time for it to die though.  Tosh has a great strategy to ensure no one ever hands you an Ice again.

RACIST FIRE ANTS

Why do they have to pick on the black ant?
via

SOUP - BY THINK TANK

Full disclosure, this video is weird as hell.  There is nothing insanely out of the ordinary about it or anything, just as a whole it's very strange. I suppose that's why it was the winner of "The Most Bizarre Award" at the Indie Incubator Film Festival.  I love soup though, and it made me want to immediately to go out and get some.

Soup - watch more funny videos

TOO LAZY TO CAPTION PICTURE DUMP 2

VUVUZELAS STRIKE AGAIN

SASSY GAY FRIEND

The world would be a much different place if everyone had a sassy gay friend.

GET HAMMERED WITH SCREWDRIVERS

Alanis Morissette would be so proud right now.
via

SEXY CAKE TOPPER

I've been to a lot of weddings, but have yet to see this cake topper.  I did hear a tale from The Steve Dahl Show though about two people who slipped away into a coat room mid-reception to re-enact a scene much like this.
via

IPHONE 4 DELETED SCENES

iPhone commercial's deleted scenes. It almost makes me want to go back to Apple from HTC...not quite though.

iPhone 4 Video - The Deleted Scenes from Adam Scott

WU TANG CLAN AIN'T NOTHIN' TO FUCK WIT

HEARING YOUR OWN VOICE

We all like to think we sound much cooler than we do. Unfortunately at some point you hear it on a voicemail or whatnot, and you realize that you most likely sound pretty dumb compared to the voice you hear in your head.  Of course this is just applies to you, not me. I sound like Casey Kasem in real life as well as my head.

SCOTUS: Second Amendment Applies to States

In a 5-4decision falling upon ideological lines, the Supreme Court ruled the second Amendment is incorporated into the Fourteenth Amendment as part of the Due process Clause.

I will not be shifting through the entire 214 page decision--I suffer too many Constitutional law flashbacks as it is-- but it looks like Alito has established a history of the SOTUS’ application of the Bill of rights on states through Fourteenth Amendment. The gist of his argument in this case is the protection of an individual’s right to own a gun cannot be infringed upon by a state.

It sounds simple and obvious, but I doubt it will pan out that way. Expect states hostile to the Second Amendment to mangle the spirit of this decision into any gun control law with which they can come up.

Translation: more litigation over new gun control legislation, some of which will ed up back at the SCOTUS.

Still, I will cast aside my inner cynic, whom I frequently let run on a long leash, and claim an increasingly rare victory for strict constructionists.

SCOTUS: Second Amendment Applies to States

In a 5-4decision falling upon ideological lines, the Supreme Court ruled the second Amendment is incorporated into the Fourteenth Amendment as part of the Due process Clause.

I will not be shifting through the entire 214 page decision--I suffer too many Constitutional law flashbacks as it is-- but it looks like Alito has established a history of the SOTUS’ application of the Bill of rights on states through Fourteenth Amendment. The gist of his argument in this case is the protection of an individual’s right to own a gun cannot be infringed upon by a state.

It sounds simple and obvious, but I doubt it will pan out that way. Expect states hostile to the Second Amendment to mangle the spirit of this decision into any gun control law with which they can come up.

Translation: more litigation over new gun control legislation, some of which will ed up back at the SCOTUS.

Still, I will cast aside my inner cynic, whom I frequently let run on a long leash, and claim an increasingly rare victory for strict constructionists.

Robert Byrd (1917-2010)

De mortuis nil nisi bonum.

Robert Byrd (1917-2010)

De mortuis nil nisi bonum.

Thirty Days of Doctor Who # 6--Least Favorite Companion

I cannot stand Tegan Jovanka. Hate, hate, hate her. The character was a fine example of how Doctor Who was either really good in the ’80’s or truly awful. There was no Laodicean Wholiganism to be had. Tegan was, of course, the lowest of the low.

She was loud, shrill, bossy, and worse yet, the lonest serving companion in terms of consecutive time in the TARDIS--three and one moth.

Yes, I have it calculated down to the month.

Tegan was an Australian flight attendant who never wanted to be a companion. She started traveling in the TARDIS because her aut had been killed by the Master. Shespent her entire three year, one month stint complaining because she wanted to go home and resume her job. Had I been the Fifth Doctor, I would have happily thrown her out the TARDIS. Preferably at a high rate of speed somewhere over Skaro.

The Fifth Doctor did leave her behind once, although accidentally. She became even more of a shrill harpy after she was rescued.

The writers did try to not only end her journey with a redeeming note, but also to use her as a maturing force for the more lighthearted Fifth Doctor. She finally left shortly after another companion, Adric, sacrificed himself to stop a Cybermen plot. Tean decided the Fifth Doctor was a monster himself for letting it happen while showing little emotion. Her departure and rationale for leaving did have an impact. Before regenerating, the Fifth Doctor’s last word was, "Adric!”

I give very little credit to Tean for her eventual impact, but I still despise her in general.

Thirty Days of Doctor Who # 6--Least Favorite Companion

I cannot stand Tegan Jovanka. Hate, hate, hate her. The character was a fine example of how Doctor Who was either really good in the ’80’s or truly awful. There was no Laodicean Wholiganism to be had. Tegan was, of course, the lowest of the low.

She was loud, shrill, bossy, and worse yet, the lonest serving companion in terms of consecutive time in the TARDIS--three and one moth.

Yes, I have it calculated down to the month.

Tegan was an Australian flight attendant who never wanted to be a companion. She started traveling in the TARDIS because her aut had been killed by the Master. Shespent her entire three year, one month stint complaining because she wanted to go home and resume her job. Had I been the Fifth Doctor, I would have happily thrown her out the TARDIS. Preferably at a high rate of speed somewhere over Skaro.

The Fifth Doctor did leave her behind once, although accidentally. She became even more of a shrill harpy after she was rescued.

The writers did try to not only end her journey with a redeeming note, but also to use her as a maturing force for the more lighthearted Fifth Doctor. She finally left shortly after another companion, Adric, sacrificed himself to stop a Cybermen plot. Tean decided the Fifth Doctor was a monster himself for letting it happen while showing little emotion. Her departure and rationale for leaving did have an impact. Before regenerating, the Fifth Doctor’s last word was, "Adric!”

I give very little credit to Tean for her eventual impact, but I still despise her in general.

Deep Space Nine--"Time's Orphan"

“Time’s Orphan” is potentially a triple whammy: it is a bottle show, an O’Brien Must Suffer episode, and it deals with children. Remember our theory that trek never does children well. Even with those three strikes, it is not a bad episode. Forgettable, but not bad.

The O’Briens visit a planet for a mini-vacation when Molly gets caught in one of those pesky time portals that always seem to be around at inconvenient times. She is sent far ito the past and quickly rescued but not quickly enough. She is returned as a feral 18 year old with no memory of her past beyond a slight recognition of her parents.

They try to rehabilitate her with little success. Molly is homesick. They decide to indulge her by letting her spend time in a holdout recreation. When she has to leave fr the next group of customers to use the holdout, she goes berserk in quark’s bar attackin customers. She is arrested by Odo. Once caged, she exhibits capture anxiety, a real phenomenon some animals suffer when held captive--they literally die from the shock of losing their freedom.

Starfleet decides it is best to institutionalize Molly. Here is more of that wonderful trek idealism at work. A socialized government intervenes within the family unit in order to take a child away. It is a pattern, too. Starfleet wanted to tae Lal from Data because they determined he could not raise her properly. Do the myriads of progressive trek fans see anything wrong with this or is it generally accepted in the worldview the state has the best of intentions at all times and therefore ought not be questioned?

The O’Briens defy Starfleet and send molly back through the portal so she can live in her ’real’ home. She is conveniently sent back at roughly the same time he was as a toddler. She sends her oneself through the ortal and then disappear, never having existed. All is back to normal.

There is a short B-story involving Worf and Dax babysitting Yoshi. Taking care of him has them thinking about the future. I do not recall how soon it was popular knowledge Terry Ferrell was leaving the show, so I am not certain how much the writers were trying to tug viewers’ heartstrings. I guess it was already fairly well known, since “Change of Heart” a few episodes back was supposed to be a fake out in which we were to think Dax might actually die. I suppose the tightening of the screws as we know something is going to happen to her soon is an emotional experience forall three Dax fans out there, but I am not among the trio. I will give it an “A” for effort, though.

The same with the episode as a whole. I do not really care about Molly, so I am not emotionally invested in her fate. Dax’s, either. But I cannot complain about the episode as a whole. There is nothing wrong with it other than my disinterest in the main characters. I do note that DS9 relies heavily on variations of time travel whenever it needs to do a science fiction plot, so in that sense, “Time’s orphan” is not very original. Still, it is a bottle show and the powers that be did what they could with it.

Rating: *** (out of 5)

Deep Space Nine--"Time's Orphan"

“Time’s Orphan” is potentially a triple whammy: it is a bottle show, an O’Brien Must Suffer episode, and it deals with children. Remember our theory that trek never does children well. Even with those three strikes, it is not a bad episode. Forgettable, but not bad.

The O’Briens visit a planet for a mini-vacation when Molly gets caught in one of those pesky time portals that always seem to be around at inconvenient times. She is sent far ito the past and quickly rescued but not quickly enough. She is returned as a feral 18 year old with no memory of her past beyond a slight recognition of her parents.

They try to rehabilitate her with little success. Molly is homesick. They decide to indulge her by letting her spend time in a holdout recreation. When she has to leave fr the next group of customers to use the holdout, she goes berserk in quark’s bar attackin customers. She is arrested by Odo. Once caged, she exhibits capture anxiety, a real phenomenon some animals suffer when held captive--they literally die from the shock of losing their freedom.

Starfleet decides it is best to institutionalize Molly. Here is more of that wonderful trek idealism at work. A socialized government intervenes within the family unit in order to take a child away. It is a pattern, too. Starfleet wanted to tae Lal from Data because they determined he could not raise her properly. Do the myriads of progressive trek fans see anything wrong with this or is it generally accepted in the worldview the state has the best of intentions at all times and therefore ought not be questioned?

The O’Briens defy Starfleet and send molly back through the portal so she can live in her ’real’ home. She is conveniently sent back at roughly the same time he was as a toddler. She sends her oneself through the ortal and then disappear, never having existed. All is back to normal.

There is a short B-story involving Worf and Dax babysitting Yoshi. Taking care of him has them thinking about the future. I do not recall how soon it was popular knowledge Terry Ferrell was leaving the show, so I am not certain how much the writers were trying to tug viewers’ heartstrings. I guess it was already fairly well known, since “Change of Heart” a few episodes back was supposed to be a fake out in which we were to think Dax might actually die. I suppose the tightening of the screws as we know something is going to happen to her soon is an emotional experience forall three Dax fans out there, but I am not among the trio. I will give it an “A” for effort, though.

The same with the episode as a whole. I do not really care about Molly, so I am not emotionally invested in her fate. Dax’s, either. But I cannot complain about the episode as a whole. There is nothing wrong with it other than my disinterest in the main characters. I do note that DS9 relies heavily on variations of time travel whenever it needs to do a science fiction plot, so in that sense, “Time’s orphan” is not very original. Still, it is a bottle show and the powers that be did what they could with it.

Rating: *** (out of 5)

Erin Heatherton

Erin Heatherton

Blogroll Spotlight L

It is time for the weekly round up of favorite posts from my blogroll. As usual, these are not ranked, but in alphabetical order by blog title.

American Digest--Brewer to Obama: "Do Your Job."

Big Feed--SuperWacky Muslim Fun Time: Breastfeeding.

Camp of the Saints--What the Future Holds: More Babies Enjoying Painful Deaths.

Classic Liberal--Lucy Pinder and the Road to Serfdom.

Current--Het, Gyess what--Elections Have Consequences!

Daley Gator--Progressive Racists.

Gorge's Grouse--Gift Giving.

It Don't Make Sense--Spit and Polish, But Mostly Spit.

Jaded Bones--southern Bones.

Jumping in Pools--Incumbent Democrat Senators in Trouble.

Left Coast Rebel--Karl Rove Finds Your Lack of Faith Disturbing.

MAinfo--Will We Have The Discipline To Reverse Unconstitutional Legislation After November?

Mind Numbed Robot--Robo-Link LoveFest.

No Sheeples Here!--Obama to G20--Do You Mind? I'm Trying to Tee Off!

Proof Positive--Press Caught Bashing Palin.

Sippican Cottage--Bria Wilson's Cab Session.

Purists, forgive me:Theo Spark--Red Bull Gives You Wings.

Troglopundit--In Single Guys' News today.

Washinton Rebel--Who Will Be Held Accountable?

Blogroll Spotlight L

It is time for the weekly round up of favorite posts from my blogroll. As usual, these are not ranked, but in alphabetical order by blog title.

American Digest--Brewer to Obama: "Do Your Job."

Big Feed--SuperWacky Muslim Fun Time: Breastfeeding.

Camp of the Saints--What the Future Holds: More Babies Enjoying Painful Deaths.

Classic Liberal--Lucy Pinder and the Road to Serfdom.

Current--Het, Gyess what--Elections Have Consequences!

Daley Gator--Progressive Racists.

Gorge's Grouse--Gift Giving.

It Don't Make Sense--Spit and Polish, But Mostly Spit.

Jaded Bones--southern Bones.

Jumping in Pools--Incumbent Democrat Senators in Trouble.

Left Coast Rebel--Karl Rove Finds Your Lack of Faith Disturbing.

MAinfo--Will We Have The Discipline To Reverse Unconstitutional Legislation After November?

Mind Numbed Robot--Robo-Link LoveFest.

No Sheeples Here!--Obama to G20--Do You Mind? I'm Trying to Tee Off!

Proof Positive--Press Caught Bashing Palin.

Sippican Cottage--Bria Wilson's Cab Session.

Purists, forgive me:Theo Spark--Red Bull Gives You Wings.

Troglopundit--In Single Guys' News today.

Washinton Rebel--Who Will Be Held Accountable?

Thirty Days of Doctor Who # 5--Favorite Companion

My favorite companion is Sarah Jane Smith. Highly original choice, no? Sarah Jane is everyone’s favorite companion. At least I am honest.

Sarah Jane has had the longest history with the Doctor, serving as the companion for the Third and Fourth while joining in adventures with all the first five (technically speaking, at any rate, in The Five Doctors) and the Tenth. She will hook up with the Eleventh in an upcoming episode of The Sarah Jane Adventures.. So she has experienced about all the Whoverse has to offer.

While I imagine Wholigans do not want to admit it, Sarah Jane is clearly a Lois Lane homage--an investigative journalist who cannot help but get involved in the story herself. My youthful comics obsession never really extended to the Superman mythos, but I appreciate any respectable references in other media.

Did we not all have a crush on Elisabeth Sladen at one time or another? She still looks nice today.