Category: Television

Science fiction and fantasy television from a fan’s perspective.

Categories
Science Fiction Television

The Tears of Uther Pendragon, Part 1 & 2 – Review

Merlin

The Tears of Uther Pendragon

A short summary of the episode might go like this. The end of season two saw Morgana taken away by her sister Morgause. The Tears of Uther Pendragon opens a year later. After an exhaustive search for Morgana, Arthur and his knights find her, bedraggled and downtrodden, ready to be rescued. Morgana returns to Camelot, where Merlin worries that she will tell someone about his previous attempt to poison her, but she tells him she understands why he did it. He believes her, but begins to have doubts about her loyalty to Camelot and must take action to discover her real purpose for returning to Camelot.

I use the term review loosely here, because I don’t have a special way of reviewing an episode once I’ve watched it, and I also don’t tend to look beneath the surface for deep meanings, allegory, or metaphors.

What I do look for is enjoyment, excitement, continuity, drama, character development, and, just, STORY. Good story.

High story. The kind that pulls me in, holds me tight, and doesn’t let me go until days later, when I finally quit going over and over it in my head.

Merlin’s The Tears of Uther Pendragon Parts 1 and 2 are just such a pair of episodes. Click the link for Syfy’s summary, but beware of spoilers.

I enjoyed the interaction between Merlin and Arthur, Merlin and Morgana, and Morgause and Cenred. I also like to see Uther suffer a little for his bloodlust and this pair of episodes gave me some of that. I did think Morgana’s creepy evil smiles were a bit overdone, although I liked the first few. After a while though, they seemed to come a little too frequently and even seemed a bit cliché.

Still, I waited all week for the second part of The Tears of Uther Pendragon and I loved it! What did you think?

Buy Merlin Season 1 DVD box set or Merlin Season 2 DVD box set at Amazon

image image

If you’ve missing any episodes of either season, you should catch up before too many episodes of the new season air because the show is more enjoyable when you’re clear on what’s gone before. Otherwise, you might end up confused about what’s happening now. Most episodes are stand-alone with a few exceptions, but like any good series, new material often builds on old!

You can’t catch up on Amazon’s Video on Demand, because Merlin isn’t available there (likely because of licensing issues, Merlin isn’t available on most U.S. based sites where you would normally purchase episodes to watch online or download to your computer or TV to watch).

Categories
Fantasy Television

Merlin Season 2 DVD Shipping from Amazon

I know this because my copy of the Merlin Season 2 DVD just shipped. I’m excited to know Merlin is on its way to my home! I preordered the DVD set a few months ago and I get two day shipping so I expect to have it Tuesday (or Monday if I’m lucky).

Merlin’s season two was excellent.

Although some people have claimed it’s too modern, I disagree. I think the fact that Merlin isn’t stuck too firmly “in period” keeps the show relatable and is one reason my entire family enjoys the show.

There’s a great combination of drama, humor, and angst to keep everyone entertained. Merlin and Arthur both have a way a grow over the course of the series and it’s exciting to watch them wrestle with the issues that will eventually shape and mold the characters of each.

Merlin is my find of the year (since I had no clue what I was missing until early October of this year when I caught the first season on Netflix).

If you haven’t seen an episode yet, you should definitely check out this family friendly, medieval fantasy series. It’s a great TV show from BBC and it’s currently airing season 3 at the moment on Syfy.

The season 2 DVD has 5 discs and contains special features, including:

  • cast and crew introduction to season two
  • cast and crew audio commentaries
  • Behind the Scenes
  • The Making of Merlin
  • a photo gallery
  • wallpapers

The episodes in season 2 of Merlin are:

  1. The Curse of Cornelius Sigan
  2. The Once and Future Queen
  3. The Nightmare Begins
  4. Lancelot and Guinevere
  5. Beauty and the Beast, Part One
  6. Beauty and the Beast, Part Two
  7. The Witchfinder
  8. The Sins of the Father
  9. The Lady of the Lake
  10. Sweet Dreams
  11. The Witch’s Quickening
  12. The Fires of Idirsholas
  13. The Last Dragonlord
Categories
Books Science Fiction Television Tie-in Merchandise

Currently Available Eureka Books

If you’re a fan of Eureka, you might be interested in giving the Eureka books a try. These books are set in the world/universe of the Eureka television program and promise to deliver additional adventure and fun with the characters we’ve grown to love.

Eureka tie-in novels are a great way to revisit Eureka during the off-season (like now) while we wait for new episodes to come to Syfy.

The two books below are set during the time between season 3.5 and 4, before the time travel incident that led to season 4’s big “equation” change.

I’ve gathered plenty of information about these Eureka books here. Enjoy!

Substitution Method

Welcome to Eureka.
Population: BRILLIANT

It’s a town of geniuses—and now it’s the smartest series going.

Founded by Albert Einstein and Harry Truman after WWII, Eureka is home to the greatest minds in science and technology. But the creations of these eccentric geniuses threaten to destroy the world as often as they save it. Jack Carter is the everyman sheriff who must use his common sense and unique street smarts to keep a lid on this Pandora’s Box of a town. Especially now, when Eureka’s people, cars, and buildings are being swapped with people, cars and buildings from other places.

Eureka: Substitution Method
By: Cris Ramsay
Published by: Ace
Publication date: August 31, 2010
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780441018857

Brain Box Blues

Even the brightest of Eureka’s residents can’t read someone else’s mind. Then Global Dynamics develops the Brain Box: a device capable of capturing and storing human thoughts. When the Box starts messing with people’s minds Sheriff Jack Carter will have to keep his thoughts to himself if he’s going to save the town from going out of their heads.Even the brightest of Eureka’s residents can’t read someone else’s mind. Then Global Dynamics develops the Brain Box: a device capable of capturing and storing human thoughts. When the Box starts messing with people’s minds Sheriff Jack Carter will have to keep his thoughts to himself if he’s going to save the town from going out of their heads.

Eureka: Brain Box Blues
By: Cris Ramsay
Published by: Ace
Publication date: November 30, 2010
Edition: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780441019830

Categories
Fantasy Television

Buy Merlin Season 1 DVDs – They’re on Sale!

Merlin Season 1 DVD Set Box Cover

On Sale! Merlin Season 1 DVD

See More Info or BUY NOW

I was taking a look at my preorders on Amazon today and noticed that my Merlin: Season 2 DVD order is supposed to be delivered around January 18th. That was a nice little surprise, because we love Merlin.

While I was there, the Merlin season 1 DVD set caught my eye (I already own this one) because it’s on sale for $19.99 and the list price for this set is $49.98. That’s a hefty discount! I can’t say how long this discount will last but for the moment, if you’ve been toying with the idea of purchasing the Merlin DVDs, this might be the perfect time to buy.

In the Merlin Season 1 DVD Box

The box cover and discs are lovely, with a panoramic cast photo spanning the entire back of the unfolded disc holder and character pictures on each of the 5 discs that are part of the season one set.

However, whoever put the set together made one serious mistake. The discs include a disc number and episode numbers, but nowhere on the disks or the box are the episode titles! I don’t know about you, but when I watch episodes, I remember them by title, not number. So, I’ll have to come back to my lists regularly to find a particular episode number I want to watch.

  • Disc One: Episodes 1-3
  • Disc Two: Episodes 4-6
  • Disc Three: Episodes 7-9
  • Disc Four: Episodes 10-13
  • Disc Five: Special Features

DVD Extras – Special Features on the Merlin Season 1 DVDs

Merlin Season One includes some really wonderful and family-friendly episodes and includes these lovely DVD extras.

  • Audio commentary
  • Making-of featurettes: “Behind the Magic”
  • Video diaries
  • Photo gallery
  • Wallpaper

Episodes on the Merlin Season 1 DVDs

  1. The Dragon’s Call
  2. Valiant
  3. The Mark of Nimueh
  4. The Poisoned Chalice
  5. Lancelot
  6. A Remedy to Cure All Ills
  7. The Gates of Avalon
  8. The Beginning of the End
  9. Excalibur
  10. The Moment of Truth
  11. The Labyrinth of Gedref
  12. To Kill the King
  13. Le Morte D’Arthur

Any time I find a series I really enjoy, I try to pick up the DVDs to add to my collection. Merlin is fun and the DVDs are well worth their spot on my shelves.

And in case you have no idea what I’m talking about here, here’s some information about Merlin.

The mythical city of Camelot, in a time before history began. A fantastical realm of legendary beasts and mysterious peoples. A dangerous world in which magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant, Uther Pendragon. When Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, arrives in the kingdom, he quickly makes enemies, including the heir to Uther’s crown, the headstrong Prince Arthur. But guided by Uther’s wise physician, Gaius, Merlin is soon using his talents not just to survive but also to unlock Camelot’s mystical secrets. As he does so he discovers that his destiny and that of Arthur, the kingdom’s young leader-in-waiting, are inextricably linked.

Merlin season three premieres on Syfy on January 7, 2011 at 10/9 central.

Categories
Science Fiction Television

Tesla returns on tonight’s Sanctuary!

Okay, he’s one of my favorite recurring characters. Who am I talking about? Nikola Tesla, that’s who.

Nikola Tesla is just villainous enough to seriously intrigue me, and yet he still has enough redeeming qualities to keep me rooting for him. These types of characters always, always, keep me interested. (For example, I still adore Todd the Wraith, even though he’s one of the big baddies from the sorely missed Stargate Atlantis.)

In fact, now that I think about it, the actor portraying Nikola Tesla had a small role in a few episodes of Stargate Atlantis. Although somewhat forgettable in that show, he’s really proven himself with the role of Tesla. I should probably do a little research and find out what his name is… :-) If you know, why don’t you leave a comment for me so I don’t have to go looking? I’d sure appreciate it!

I’m just about to start watching tonight’s episode, but I thought I’d make this quick post first, but now it seems as if I’ve run out of time. See ya!

Categories
Science Fiction Television

What’s Coming to Sanctuary this Fall?

Sanctuary returns in a few months, so I thought I would catch up with the only two episodes of season two I hadn’t yet seen. Kali Part 1 and Kali Part 2 were a pair of episodes well worth watching back to back. I wish I had waited just a little longer though because the cliffhanger means I have to wait until the show returns before I find out what happens!

Syfy's Header for Sanctuary - Does it mean Ashley is returning? I have several questions about the new season.

Are we going to see Ashley again? That’s the main question on my mind after seeing this image on the Syfy’s Sanctuary website. Otherwise, what’s the purpose of this promo for the new Fall 2010 season having Ashley Magnus on it, but to tease and taunt us fans?

Will we see more of Ravi? I really enjoyed him and the flirty moments between him and Kate. They could have something much more interesting than Kate has had so far with any of the other guys on the show. I’m still waiting for Henry to find a girl I like, but if Ashley came back… that’s the girl I’d want for Will. Don’t know why I like them as a couple, but I certainly think each has something to teach the other. Of course, I have not heard a word about that happening, so it’s probably just wishful thinking on my part.

Back to Kali. Paul McGillion looked horrible in the episode. His makeup was not good, nor was his character. ;-) I liked his character though because his kind always make good villains. The makeup however, I never liked. I did like the way he moved his head. I thought those jerky little movements made him seem quite unhuman-like.

I liked the way the episodes went, and I thought it was interesting to watch Magnus squirm. Terrance was completely correct in that she would not have stood for any other Sanctuary leader to do as she did. I also think she might be realizing finally what she’s set in motion by not maintaining some kind of ultimate authority over the other Sanctuaries. One or two power hungry people and you end up with a mutiny on your hands!

All in all, I’m getting excited about the return of the series. Can hardly wait. :) What about you?

Categories
Movies Science Fiction Television

Is The Last Airbender a Trilogy?

Apparently so. The Last Airbender, the live-action movie based on the Avatar: The Last Airbender animated TV series, is supposed to be part of a trilogy.

The first movie is in theaters now, while the next two installments are to be filmed one at a time. According to the article, "Last Airbender Trilogy Not Being Filmed Back-to-back, May Take Over 6 Years to Complete," on slashfilm.com from July last year, M. Night Shyamalan was still working on the script for the second film. This seems to support the idea that The Last Airbender is the first of a trilogy.

Finally, if you see the plot summary taken from the official movie website for The Last Airbender quoted further down this page, you’ll see that "‘The Last Airbender’ is the opening chapter in Aang’s struggle to survive."

So, yes, The Last Airbender is a trilogy.

The Last Airbender Image Some people made the assumption that The Last Airbender would be a trilogy based on the fact that the series was made up of three "books," Water, Earth and Fire.

More recently, critics have knocked the film heavily, giving it bad marks for any number of issues.

TV series viewers have done the same, but I always discount those kinds of reviews, simply because I know I don’t enjoy a movie as much if I go into it with expectations set by a book or television series I’ve loved.

The Last Airbender Movie Poster [Coming Soon] The Last Airbender Movie Poster [July 2]

I have family very interested in seeing this film. As someone who has watched bits and pieces of the television series, but not enough of it to have expectations about the style or content of the movie, I would also like to see this one. The Last Airbender looks quite appealing!

The Last Airbender Plot Summary

Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara, a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka, to restore balance to their war-torn world.

Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film "The Last Airbender" is the opening cahpter in Aang’s struggle to survive.

The Last Airbender Theatrical Trailer

 

The Last Airbender Cast

Aang – Noah Ringer

Prince Zuko – Dev Patel

Katara – Nicola Peltz

Sokka – Jackson Rathbone

Uncle Iroh – Shaun Toub

Commander Zhao- Aasif Mandvi

Fire Lord Ozai – Cliff Curtis

Categories
Science Fiction Television

Syfy Pilot Alphas to be Directed by Jack Bender, Lost‘s Director/Executive Producer

(Press Release Below; My Comments Below That)

SYFY PILOT ALPHAS TO BE DIRECTED BY LOST DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JACK BENDER

First Project For Acclaimed Director After Wrapping LOST Series Finale

New York, New York – May 24, 2010 – Syfy has inked award winning director/executive producer Jack Bender as director/executive producer for the action-adventure 90-minute pilot, Alphas (working title) from writers Zak Penn (X-Men: The Last Stand, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk) and Michael Karnow, it was announced today by Mark Stern, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, which is the studio for the project.  Bender just wrapped six seasons as an executive producer and director on the critically acclaimed series LOST, and directed Sunday’s much anticipated series finale. Alphas is executive produced by Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun for BermanBraun Television and is slated to commence production in Toronto this summer.

Alphas follows a team of ordinary citizens who possess extraordinary and unusual mental skills.  Using physical feats and uniquely advanced mental abilities, this unlikely team takes the law into their own hands and uncovers what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able or willing to solve.  These gifted individuals must balance their quirky personalities and disparate backgrounds with their not always visible powers as they work to solve crimes, stop the ticking time bomb and catch the enemy.

“We are very excited that Jack has chosen to be part of ‘Alphas,’” said Stern. “His vision and expertise are perfectly suited to this project, and will truly elevate it.”

Bender is a film director, actor, television producer and screenwriter who was most recently a producer and lead director on the hit Emmy Award-winning series LOST. He has also directed popular shows such as The Sopranos, Carnivale, Alias and Boston Public. He is also an accomplished painter, sculptor and mixed media artist.  Bender is represented by the United Talent Agency and Bob Myman at Myman, Abell, Fineman, Greenspan and Light.

About BermanBraun

BermanBraun is an independent media company whose three divisions — television, feature film and digital media — create and exploit entertainment content and advertising solutions throughout the world. The Santa Monica, Calif.-based company, founded by principals Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun in January 2007, has separate strategic global alliances with NBC and Microsoft to create and distribute creative content across all platforms. In February 2009, BermanBraun launched WONDERWALL — the primary celebrity destination on the MSN Network, ranking ahead of TMZ.com and People.com in traffic, with number one user engagement in the celebrity news space.  In April 2010, partners BermanBraun, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. (HFM U.S.) and MSN launched GLO, a lifestyle destination site.  BermanBraun is currently producing THE CAPE for NBC’s 2010/2011 television season.  They are also producing DECODED for the History Channel for Fall 2010.   BermanBraun also produces SWORDS for The Discovery Channel and IS SHE REALLY GOING OUT WITH HIM? on MTV.

About Universal Cable Studios

Universal Cable Productions creates quality content across multiple media platforms for USA, Syfy and other networks. A leader in innovative and critically acclaimed programming, UCP is the studio behind USA’s Royal Pains, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Psych, In Plain Sight, Covert Affairs and Facing Kate, along with Syfy’s Eureka, Warehouse 13 and Caprica. The studio also produced both long-running series Monk and Battlestar Galactica. UCP is a division of NBC Universal.

About Syfy

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)

The short summary in this press release isn’t quite enough to pique my interest in this show, and I don’t find myself excited in any way by the premise. Would you watch?

Categories
Science Fiction Television

No Ordinary Family Coming this Fall to ABC

no-ordinary-family On Tuesdays this fall, I’ll be ready at 7 PM Central for the new show from ABC, No Ordinary Family. From the trailer I just watched to the summary of the show on the ABC website, I am intrigued and excited by the premise. The actors look like a great bunch also. This is a show I’ll definitely have to try out this fall. Will you be watching?

No Ordinary Family trailer:

No Ordinary Family summary:

The Powells are about to go from ordinary to extraordinary.

After 16 years of marriage, Jim and Stephanie’s relationship lacks the spark it once had, and their family life now consists of balancing work and their two children, leaving little time for family bonding.

During a family vacation set up by Jim in an attempt to reconnect, their plane crashes into the Amazon River. But this is where the fun starts for the Powells, as they soon discover that something’s not quite right. Each of them now possesses unique and distinct superpowers.

But saving and savoring their family life will be equally important, as they try to find purpose for their new powers and embark on a journey to find out what defines and unifies them.

The Powells are a totally relatable family who happen to be a little bit amazing.

No Ordinary Family stars:

  • Michael Chiklis as Jim Powell
  • Julie Benz as Stephanie Powell
  • Jimmy Bennett as JJ Powell
  • Kay Panabaker as Daphne Powell
  • Romany Malco as George St. Cloud
  • Autumn Reeser as Katie Andrews
  • Christina Chang as Det. Yvonne Cho
  • Tate Donovan as Mitch McCutcheon

No Ordinary Family writers and producers:

The pilot was written and executive-produced by Jon Feldman. The series is executive-produced by Feldman, Greg Berlanti, Morgan Wandell and David Semel, who also directed the pilot. Joe Hartwick, Jr. serves as producer. No Ordinary Family is from ABC Studios.

Categories
Science Fiction Television

Sanctuary’s Next Tuesday (with and without commentary) is online at Syfy Rewind

Right now, there are several of the Sanctuary season two episodes available to watch online at Syfy Rewind.

As of this post, you can catch last week’s Sanctuary episode Next Tuesday, along with an enhanced version of the episode which includes commentary. The show is a good one, in my opinion, and well worth watching more than once. There’s one particular touching moment that I appreciated, and it’s nice to see a series truly mourn a missing character.

The commentary-laden episode is worth the commercial interruptions. Besides, that’s the only way you’ll get to see it for now. Season two DVDs will come later, I’m sure. :)

Sci-fi fantasies