5 Reasons Firefly/Serenity is Better Than Star Trek

Recently, I rewatched the film Serenity, based on Joss Whedon's late, lamented Firefly series. Not only did I strongly dig it a second time, I began resenting the fact that this show never really became a great franchise...and that now, the focus is on Trek. In that regard, here is another edition of this blog's semi-regular feature (stolen from another, better blog) discussion five reasons why Firefly is better than Trek.

1. A much healthier, more realistic perception of the "final frontier" - Trek came of age in the 1960s, when the possibilities seemed endless, and that there was a dire need for optimism amongst international strife. Firefly/Serenity came of age during a much similar time - only there was a greater cynicism due to events like Watergate, Iran Contra, and many others. Firefly/Serenity reassures us that although we will make it through tough times, it doesn't pretend to be utopian - more frequently, it's practical.
2. The Hero of Canton, the Man They Call Jayne - When you're in a firefight, who do you want at your back: a pointy eared guy spouting obscure statistics...or a practical, soldier-of-fortune who is in it for his own reasons. (Plus, this takes the idea of a science fiction western literally - many of the crew on board the ship consists of archetypes from traditional Westerns). None of the main characters are simple - when the most spiritual man on the ship (in one episode) openly declares that "kneecapping" cannot be found in the Bible...that is a far cry from the spit-polished perfection of Trek.
   
3. It's Not A Black and White World - Trek, at its worst, tends to divide its good guys and bad guys - usually, human = good, alien = bad. (Deep Space 9, which approached a more morally complex Federation, is the franchise entry often reviled in Trek's revisionist history). Firefly/Serenity takes place in the "Alliance", caused (presumably) by a unified American/Chinese state - although there are hints of malevolence (especially in the Serenity movie), nothing is totally what it seems. Much like Blake's 7, our crew traffics in a morally ambiguous universe - unlike B7, they clearly are criminals, often looking out for the little guy. (Hey, isn't that more of a noir quality ? If it works, so be it)
4. Captain Mal Reynolds Can Kick Kirk's Butt - there, I said it out loud. Mal Reynolds probably shares more with Raymond Chandler's heroes than Louis L'Amour - he's a man who understands that the world is rough - but is not too rough himself. While Kirk would wait until his shirt was torn to fight back, Reynolds would more than likely draw and shoot. No "Greedo shot first" business - Reynolds combines a world-weariness with a sharply-drawn moral line. (Plus, I don't see Nathan Fillion whining and moaning when Serenity is rebooted in 2047).
5. There's a lot less to love, but it's more lovable - The original Star Trek series has 79 episodes - add TNG, DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise, and you are well on your way to burnout. Too many hours, clunky episodes...but although Firefly/Serenity isn't perfect, the fact that there are only 13 episodes (plus the movie) makes it that much more valuable. Plus, it is of a more recent vintage, and it resonates more fully with audiences.

But don't take my word for it - both are available for purchase from our new online store. Or simply borrow a friend's copy. Trust me, watch, and you'll love it.

Although not as much as you'll love Doctor Who.

Insert Lame "Hot" Joke Here

Mythbusters - Kari & Peppers
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

I am playing with some open source video software, and wanted to try a feature.

Plus, inspired by Ben Varkentine's blog, I am providing a picture of two of my favorite things. This way, you get to know the real me.

I'm talking, of course, about hot peppers and Mythbusters.

If this doesn't drive up blog traffic, I don't know what will.

Watching the Watchmen

Recently, several set photos from the upcoming Watchmen film were posted, and one key photograph:


Begging the question - is the mysterious figure Rorschach?

Anyway, using the high tech (and free) Irfan View photo software, and adjusting the contrast, we get:

Then, isolating the figure and doing a quick cut-and-paste-and-blow-up, we see:


I think we have a definite sighting.

And favorite scene from the Simpsons Alan Moore episode:

The Official Holiday Podcast

Here's a little "stocking stuffer" podcast for you, the reader, as a way of saying "thanks".

And now, some links of note (mentioned in the Podcast)

Comic Related

Big Takeover

Enjoy!





Click here to get your own player.

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You're A Good Man, Charles Schulz

Literally, I grew up with Peanuts.

One of the earliest photos taken of me was my pregnant mother wearing a hideously orange Snoopy t-shirt. Part of my reading as a child were the paperback collections of Peanuts strips. As a child at camp, I was selected to "play" Snoopy in a very amateur (read: singing around the piano) version of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. I think it's safe to say that I not only identified with Charlie Brown, but that it provided a context and commentary on childhood.

Much like a recent edition of American Masters, David Michaelis' biography of Schulz attempts to meld Schulz's work with his life. It has also been criticized by members of Schulz's family for being slightly askew, misrepresenting aspects of Schulz's life. They had given Michaelis approval to write the book, but did not like the conclusions he drew...claiming that Michaelis discussed the life of a man who could not love, but who showed his children affection on a regular basis.

However, this is one of the most revealing, less prurient biographies ever written. Even during the "darker" times of Schulz's life, Michaelis often exercises the better part of valor, making Schulz more human - and ironically, giving his strips greater resonance. We can see how his life poured into his work, and the strips are used sparingly. (Some reviewers have wished that Michaelis put more emphasis on the strips, but I disagree - they're used in a way that really shows not only how Schulz integrated aspects of his own life into his strips...but more importantly, the craft that Schulz used in doing so. This is one of the few books that actually deconstructs comic strips...and reveals why Schulz was such a trailblazer.

In short, this book is much like a PG version of the HBO biopic The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Both deal with artists who tended to "lose themselves" in their work, who used their work as a way of working through inner demons. (Although, admittedly, Sellers claimed to have no sense of self, having it "surgically removed"). Despite growing up with a self-deprecating father, a slightly distant mother, living within a culture that did not promote emotional expression...it is not unlikely that Schulz would turn to art to express his innermost thoughts and feelings It would seem very unlikely that, by doing so, Schulz would create a revolution in graphic literature.

Consider Schulz and Peanuts not just highly recommended, but mandatory reading.



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via FoxyTunes

Get Stuffed This Holiday Weekend!

As many of you know, today is Thanksgiving, where we celebrate being grateful for what we eat by basically binging on high-calorie, artery clogging foods.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...but since I'm going to be away from the keyboard for a few days, here are some video goodies for you to enjoy.

The first is Christopher Titus, sharing with us the family warmth that happens throughout the holiday:



Also, Thanksgiving is noted by watching the cult classic Mystery Science Theater 3000. Hopefully, Rifftrax's coding willing, here is a little piece of MST3K meta-weirdness:




Also, Friday marks the 44th anniversary of the debut episode of Doctor Who. If these two posts don't motivate you to celebrate it, consider this little 40th anniversary montage:



Finally, here's Freddie Mercury to put it all in perspective:



Have a great holiday - see you guys on Sunday.

While I'm Riding Out A Short Case of Writer's Block

...here's a meme I stole from Ben Varkentine's blog.

Lets101 Quizzes - Blog and Myspace Quizzes

Your Positive Motivator for the Week

Motivation
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

Was playing with the "flickr" toys at Big Huge Labs, and came up with this little piece to help you get through this week.

Plus, I'll be making some slight changes to the blog - I think you'll enjoy them.

The DIY Doctor Who DVD Guide

(Updated 06/23/2019) 

Once geek-du-jour, now it is considered one of the greatest franchises in current popular culture. It has left the back streets of PBS late night to the relatively mainstream Sci-Fi Channel. It's also the mainstay of British popular culture, weaving its way into the cultural fabric in a similar way that Star Trek has integrated itself into American pop culture.

I'm talking, of course, about Doctor Who, which is one of the few "franchises" (and I hate that word) which is surviving - and flourishing - well in the early 21st century. But for many, it's difficult to know where to start - after all, the show is equal parts H.G. Wells' The Time Machine and adventure story, meaning that it has a very flexible format. This means any type of story can be told - from space opera to alien invasion, from historical drama to fantasy. (By later introducing the concept of regeneration, the lead role could be recast, often resulting in different personalities driving the storylines). In fact, the only American counterpart I can think of is the 1960's soap opera Dark Shadows...but that's not the focus of this post.

In an attempt to help smooth the transition, this is a quick-and-dirty-but-not-comprehensive guide to Doctor Who DVDs to watch. (earlier, I linked to an infographic that discusses Who in depth, and is worth a quick look) It's not meant to be the final word - certainly, key episodes will be accidentally omitted - but it's a great starting point. (The best entry point for those who are completely new would be, ironically, the 2005 series with Christopher Eccleston. It can be seen on many local PBS stations - including Channel 11 in Chicago - and introduces all of the key concepts of the Doctor Who "mythology" in an easy-to-digest manner). (Plus, fellow blogger Siskoid has assembled this handy guide to the series, and Atomic Anxiety provides a great alternative list for Who).

But in terms of "classic" Who, here are some key discs/sets to consider - at the very least, consider using Netflix to "try before you buy" (and if you order from this page, I get a small percentage to offset domain and other blog-related costs):

William Hartnell, the First Doctor - the Doctor as a crotchety, misanthropic old man. The series was initially meant to be for children only, so many of these stories reflect that.

• In The Beginning - a three-disc boxed set that contains Hartnell's first three stories, including the first Dalek story
• The Aztecs - a prescient tale about cultural acceptance and interfering in history
• Dalek Invasion of Earth - a "sequel" to the first Dalek story and a gritty tale of invasion
• The Time Meddler - the first attempt to meld historical and science fiction....and a harbinger of things to come
• The War Machines - although not perfect, it's a good "contemporary" story that signposts the later UNIT era; more details can be found in this review

Patrick Troughton, the Second Doctor - the Doctor as "cosmic hobo", and often under-appreciated by Who fans (including myself). Like Hartnell, many of his stories are "missing" from the BBC Vaults, (see "The Missing Years" documentary in the Lost In Time collection. However, most Troughton stories on DVD are worth watching, including

• Power of The Daleks - an animated reconstruction from a "lost" episode using the original soundtrack. 
• Tomb of the Cybermen - a formerly "lost" story that lives up to its reputation
• The Ice Warriors - a surprisingly effective "base under siege" story
• The Web of Fear - recently rediscovered; available only via iTunes
• The Invasion - a blueprint for times to come (with two missing episodes animated in Flash).  
• The War Games - Troughton's swan song, and the most "epic" DW story (in my not so humble opinion) 

Jon Pertwee, the Third Doctor - the Doctor as James Bond. Initially starting in exile on Earth, the series began moving towards a "golden age". However, many stories are equally cheesy, so discretion is advised.

• Spearhead from Space - the best post-regeneration/alien invasion story (and available in Blu-Ray July 2013
• The Silurians - an excellent morality tale, and also included in the Beneath the Surface boxed set
• Inferno- a great mix of technothriller, parallel universes (a first for DW), and green ape men.
• Terror of the Autons - the introduction of the Master, the first full-on UNIT story, and a personal favorite
• Day of the Daleks - Now in "special edition" form, it's included only because it was my first ever Who story. A sentimental favorite.
• The Three Doctors - the first multi-Doctor story
• Carnival of Monsters - Robert Holmes' first "great" script
• The Green Death - an eco-friendly tale that, remarkably, improves with age (having rewatched it after this initial post, I have to say...my opinion of this episode has improved) 
• Invasion of the Dinosaurs - Don't let the title or special effects fool you - this is one of the sharpest, most socially-minded stories of the classic era.
  
  
  

Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor - the Doctor as moody, bohemian eccentric, and much like William Shatner and Star Trek, the actor most identified with the role. His first three years are considered classic; his final four not so much.

• Genesis of the Daleks - a classic about morality and ethics - and possibly the best Dalek story ever
• Pyramids of Mars - A heady brew of Hammer-style horror and science fiction
• The Deadly Assassin- Part political thriller, part science fiction adventure, a major game-changer in Who
• Robots of Death - Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None with robots
• Talons of Weng-Chiang - Robert Holmes' finest hour, and the closest we'll get to the Doctor meeting Sherlock Holmes. It's also my personal favorite Who story.
• Image of the Fendahl - With its overtones of both Quatermass & the Pit and H.P. Lovecraft, this is one of the creepiest Who stories ever made.
• City of Death - maybe the best Doctor Who - classic or modern - ever made (more specific comments can be found here) Plus, a cameo from John Cleese
• Shada - although the story might not be the best, the 3-DVD set is worth owning for the great 1993 documentary More Than 30 Years In the TARDIS
• Logopolis - a multi-layered swan song for Baker's Doctor; part of the New Beginnings boxed set

Peter Davison, the Fifth Doctor - the Doctor as vulnerable, nice guy who made mistakes. Here's where the writing gets somewhat spottier, but there are some choice nuggets.

• Castrovalva - A pretty good regeneration story and part of the New Beginnings set
• The Visitation- It's a mix of science fiction and history (typical DW fare), but done with a little bit of a kick
• Earthshock - an excellent reboot/revamp of an old enemy
• Kinda/Snakedance - both of these stories, written by Christopher Bailey, have strong metaphorical themes and are a bit challenging to watch, but definitely worth the time.
• The Five Doctors - Created for the show's 20th anniversary, this double-disc set (with both the televised and 'special editions" are as close to continuity porn as Doctor Who ever got. 
  

Colin Baker, the Sixth Doctor - the Doctor as a belligerent-yet-lovable blowhard. Due to BBC politics at the time, as well as spotty writing, Colin Baker had way too short a season, but fortunately, Big Finish has some audio productions that utilize the character well.

• Vengeance on Varos - A sharply written satire, and the best-written Colin Baker story (and that is said with very mixed feelings)
• Attack of the Cybermen- Although a little continuity-heavy, the first 45 minutes are really strong. A very underrated story.
• The Two Doctors - a swan song for both Robert Holmes (as screenwriter) and Patrick Troughton (who passed soon after the making of this story) 
• Trial of a Time Lord - A little too politically (at least, in BBC terms) allegorical, but worth a revisit.

Sylvester McCoy, the Seventh Doctor - the Doctor as a dark-hearted, manipulative clown. Just as the stories were beginning to get better, the show was canceled. Don't let that stop you. 

• Remembrance of the Daleks - a great anniversary story, bringing back the mystery of the Doctor...and has just been released in a special edition
• Battlefield - Nicholas Courtney's final outing as Brigadier Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, and will be highlighted in a future Comic Related column.
• Survival - the "final" classic Doctor Who story, which helps the series go out with a bang (albeit a slightly melancholy bang)

Paul McGann, the Eighth Doctor - the Doctor as Byronic hero. Although my initial opinion left much to be desired, I was surprised that the recent DVD has encouraged me to reconsider my position slightly, especially since the special edition DVD has really great special features. I also suggest checking out Big Finish, who has done superb audios featuring the 8th Doctor.

Christopher Eccleston, the Ninth Doctor - the Doctor as PTSD survivor. His only season is available on DVD and is a great jumping-on point for new fans...and a nice, gentle reminder for older fans.

David Tennant - the Tenth Doctor - the Davy-Jones-on-espresso Doctor: All of Tennant's episodes, including the "gap year" specials, are available on DVD

Matt Smith - the Eleventh Doctor: All of Matt Smith's seasons and specials are available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Peter Capaldi - the Twelfth Doctor: All three of Capaldi's seasons are available on DVD.

Jodie Whittaker - the current Doctor whose first season is available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Want to purchase any of these fine products? Click one of the links below, or use the search widget below to find your preferred item. You can also find various classic and new series stories available via streaming services like Amazon Prime, Britbox, and Pluto TV.  Various seasons are available on Blu-Ray.

Thanks for visiting, dear readers, and always remember - a "sonic screwdriver" is not Seven-Up and orange juice.

A Possible Preview of My Next Blog Entry

Watching this, I feel like a 13 year old again....it's the Doctor Who Children in Need sketch. Watch it before it gets pulled.

Trust me, you'll dig it.



And now, to work on that newbie's guide....

Your Inspirational Post of the Day

You know, it's been tough going - between Mom's health problems, getting blown off by a potential interviewer (who scheduled a phone interview and never called...but who had the time to tell me they "went with somebody else), and other stuff...it's easy for me to wallow in self-pity.

However, I always tune into one of my favorite movie scenes, which provides me with the inspiration, the courage...and the strength to move forward. To overcome any obstacle. To climb ev'ry mountain.

Just a word of warning - this clip is probably NSFW for a lone piece of profanity. However, I hope that this scene can bring about change in your life...and I find it more inspirational than your average episode of Oprah.

Thanks for reading.

5 Reasons Why the WGA Strike is a Good Thing

wga-laworderci-100
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

Much like Roger has stated, I am supporting the WGA Strike, even in light of strong opposition with family members who love Ellen DeGeneres.

Yes, good taste is not always genetic. Buy in that regard, here are my five reasons why you should (if you haven't already) support the WGA strike.

1. It's about creative and funding power and control - I'm sure you all realize that the companies that own the major studios...also own the major media in the U.S. (No wonder the writers are getting bad press in the US, but not elsewhere) All the writers are asking...if they do a job, they get paid. And benefits. And other things we take for granted.
2. It means less bad television - If not having more episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent (now with more Alicia Witt!) means also not having more episodes of According to Jim, it's worth it.
3. You can catch up on reading - whether it's from the library (I'm reading thesethreebooks), blogs (including a new TV Party at Comic Related), public domain classics or free PDF books, it's a great chance to develop a strong enough literary background to know every single reference in the latest League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
4. Doctor Who is not affected by the strike - they're in England, so I'm sure Russell T. Davies is calling Joss Whedon and saying, "Neener, neener, neener" or something. Plus, it means more Captain Jack...and you can never have too much Captain Jack.
5. It's almost like Jack Kirby - yeah, comic fans, remember when Kirby (and others) fought for control of his art work? It's kind of the same thing, only with the Internet, it's now about getting paid fairly rather than at the whim of a producer

Coming up on the blog: Torchwood reviews! The official "Blog This, Pal!" Doctor Who DVD Guide for the Unitiated! And, of course, blatant abuse of exclamation points!

P.S. If anyone can help explain why my Amazon.com text links add spaces, please feel free to e-mail me.

November's Record You Should Own

To celebrate the second anniversary of this feature (and the eight month-ish anniversary of the podcast), there's even a mini bonus-rant about the record industry.

NOTE: There are some noticeable skips in the podcast - blame it on my shoddy editing on Audacity. If you cannot use the player below, click here to download.

Links of Interest:

Radiohead - In Rainbows (download for appropriate amount: one British pound equals about two American dollars and change)

Tim Fite - Over the Counter Culture (free, and trust me, you must hear this album)

Lefty Brown, who always gets shout-outs

Golfwidow, who gets a shout-out for her own podcast

Here are various articles of interest surrounding this whole shebang

And, just for you, an extra special surprise

Click here to get your own player.

This KITH Sketch Is *So* Me

Working on a ton of stuff this week - I think this Kids in the Hall sketch describes me accurately:

Sundays in the Village: Fall Out & Shattered Visage

For Bully, whose weekly summaries of P.G. Wodehouse inspired this feature

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(Revised 01/05/2023)

For sixteen episodes, we have seen a man - only identified as Number 6 - fight valiantly against the mysterious powers-that-be in an isolated Village. Now, after winning a psychological battle with his most determined counterpart, we now wonder...what was behind everything that happened? What's it all about?

Fall Out starts differently - a three minute recap of "Once Upon A Time" followed by a plain title card - but very quickly, goes nowhere. Admittedly conceived in a rush, it throws away any attempt at a straightforward narrative to move towards a more allegorical ending, and although its open-endedness allows for some debate, it doesn't quite seem to fit. In short, it's like a high school term paper cribbed from Wikipedia articles.

There are some excellent touches, and some really intelligent twists that, given further development, might have ended The Prisoner on an even stronger note. Although many have cited the use of the Beatles' "All You Need Is Love", the episode's use of key lines make it almost ironic - McGoohan daring us to fight even the prevailing social movement at the time. McKern's Number 2 also has some key lines, including the very telling "New allegiances...such is the price of fame...and failure." In short, the episode seems to suggest that Number 2, in his own way, was like Number 6, except he "resisted for so short a time" and failed to relinquish his number. (Plus, there's a very clever in-joke at the end of Fall Out)

The rest of the episode, however, falls extremely short. Number 6's "trial" seems more like an attempt to inject a sense of surrealism, the insertion of the song "Dry Bones" a heavy handed effort to insert religious imagery...and the final 20 minutes seem to come from out of nowhere. The last-minute nature of the writing and directing of the episode shows, and it's a frustrating view not because it doesn't directly answer questions...but because there's little internal logic to it. (To be honest, the hint of the cyclical nature of Number 6's struggle is a well-deserved stroke of genius, reminding the viewer that the struggle for freedom never truly ends). Although the episode initially sets up a typical James Bond-ian moment to meet "Number One", the viewer senses that this is all an extreme, well-planned, staged psychodrama...

....which is the assumption that 1988's graphic novel, The Prisoner: Shattered Visage (non-affiliate link) takes in its narrative. Although many fan sites like the Unmutual seem to disregard it (and I suggest checking out the Unmutual page, as well as the Anorak Zone Guide to the Prisoner, as two excellent Prisoner sites), the novel acts as more of a bookend than a full-blooded sequel. (In fact, both Steve Englehart and Jack Kirby had attempted to adapt the series in comic book form, with admittedly mixed results) However, it provides not only a great analysis, but even creates some further questions.

Thomas Drake (who is a slight nod to the show's Danger Man roots, but also a link to Sir Francis...and possibly this little-known historical figure) has helped the McKern Number 2 write a book entitled The Village Idiot. In addition, Thomas' slightly estranged wife Alice (yes, it's an obvious nod) decided to go on a world sailing expedition, but finds herself stranded on an unusual island...with a very familiar face...

Although Dean Motter's writing is superb - drawing disparate elements in a story that often feels like episodes 18 - 22 of the original series, Mark Askwith's art is...well, at times I found it unreadable, and needlessly abstract. Although it is an honest attempt to convey the shadowy, abstract world of the espionage field, it doesn't quite work at times, often looking garish and jarring. The story, though, better integrates some of the religious imagery that McGoohan was attempting (such as speaking of "Archangels" and "Gods"), reintroduces us to some old friends, and also reinforces the McKern-Number-2-as-failed-Number-6 archetype in one key sequence.

But the most clever part of Shattered Visage is how it integrates the sloppiness of Fall Out into its story, but makes it a key character moment for Number 6. By suggesting that Fall Out was staged so that Number 6 would, in effect, defy his own belief structure and take on a number, Motter suggests that no one really is fallible...and allows Number 6 to truly become a prisoner. In fact, his psychological disintegration - and the fact that Number 6 actually lost the war - makes Shattered Visage a good read for those who want to see a semi-satisfactory conclusion.

Towards the end, Number 6 makes a statement that, well, seems chilling in its implications - when asked who Number One is, he simply asks, "Does the presence of Number Two...require the existence of Number One?"
Just think about it...

But I'll end this entry with a close-to-the-end exchange, which answers nothing - and everything - at the same time:

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"But what about your information...your secrets?"
"Safe"
"How can you be so certain?"
"None of us would be here if they weren't"

---

When I took on this effort several months ago, I never realized how tough it would be - most of the series is pitched at a high level, and requires a great attention to detail. The almost manic, paranoid tone can be a bit grating - if you are desiring to watch the series, my suggestion is watching it one or two episodes at a time, preferably over a series of weeks. Since it is available for free via Shout Factory TV and Tubi (with ads, but a good ad blocker can help), accessing the series is much easier than ever. 

However, even though the attempts to revive The Prisoner seem to be faltering (and the current WGA strike may have further impact on its development), I believe that updating the series is not only important - but necessary. Some of the episodes (such as The General) are beginning to show their age, but more importantly - there is a need for a lone cry of rebellion, of asserting indivdiual freedom, and of challenging the forces that attempt to claim our spirits, especially in the wake of 9/11. Never more in our "everything-is-out-in-the-open" times do we need a voice telling us to reclaim our lives, and that the fight for privacy and personal integrity is more than just a good idea - it's what makes us human, and is independent of time frame.

(Edit - AMC did revive the series for six episodes in 2009. Well, not so much "revived" as "reimagined" them. It wasn't very good. Big Finish also created a three-volume audio "reimagining" which I have not heard as of 2023) 

Just to compare: in 1967, the United States was involved in an unpopular war. The geopolitical situation was unstable, and threatened to collapse at any moment. Environmental concerns were becoming more prevalent, and will soon lead to drastic change in policy if unchecked. Popular culture consists primarily of franchises, outlets into fantasy, and shows which reflected national unease at world events.

In 2007, the United States is involved in an unpopular war. The geopolitical situation is unstable, and threatens to collapse at any moment. Environmental concerns are becoming more prevalent, and will soon lead to drastic change in policy if unchecked. Popular culture provides franchises, outlets into fantasy, and shows which reflect national unease at world events.

Edit - In 2023, we're living through a time of absolute political and sociological chaos. Many of us have chosen to abandon reason and individuality for the sake of conspiracy theories and political tribalism. We shrug as the last vestigates of our privacy erode, willing to exchange our personal data for the sake of some algorithm feeding us "content" designed to drive compliance and consumerism rather than independent thought. In short, contemporary culture is Patrick McGoohan's worst nightmare and The Prisoner is more relevant than ever.

Six of one, half a dozen or the other.


Be seeing you.

In the Spirit of One of My Childhood Heroes....

aka "Lech Walesa", I would like to publicly support the WGA Writers strike, and encourage you to read their blog and twitter updates.

And what would life be like without writers? Watch - and learn....



EDIT: Here's an interesting Flickr set...and fans4writers.com

Click here if you would like to put up a distinctive banner for your favorite show. (I'm planning to add one to the sidebar - want to make sure I credit the right person).

P.S. If you want to support the strike, you are more than welcome to link to this article. Please feel free to e-mail me at blogthispal (at) gmail (dot) com for the exact address.

Open Letter to William Shatner

Dear Mr. Shatner,

Like many young men my age, I grew up watching Star Trek. However, unlike those same young men, I also watched you critically - oh, sure, I can forgive T.J. Hooker, but some of your choices - especially your tendency to snidely dismiss your fan base while simultaneously relying on them to further your career - leave me feeling slightly cynical. So when I read about how you were "stunned" by being left out of the upcoming new Star Trek movie, my only reaction was to confront you with the same words you used in an infamous Saturday Night Live sketch.

Get a life, will you, pal?

You have at least two Emmys...the IMDB shows that you have an extensive acting and directing career....and yet you're whining about not getting a role you played 30 years and several pounds ago? It's called "business", Bill - and unlike you, Mr. Nimoy seems to have come to some peace about Trek. All of the main actors seem to, except for possibly Walter Koenig. Of course, if I were hired because I resembled one of the Monkees, I might have a chip on my shoulder myself.

I realize my statements will be anathema - after all, you're "the Shat." You're the idol of millions, the guy that many young men wanted to be...at least, the guy who had the women that socially awkward guys wanted to be with. (In terms of fans, I do not include Lene and Jungle Kitty of Look at His Butt - both of them demonstrate a great sense of humor about their "worship" of you). However, you are taking yourself way too seriously...even when you are the center of the joke - and encourage it - you still manage to demean others. I mean, making fried chicken jokes in the presence of an African American woman - at your own roast - is slightly debatable on the good taste and good sense scale.

Besides, I'm actually kind of glad you didn't get the role - part of the problem with Trek is that it began relying way too much on its own history. Several people have stated that it's "not Trek without Shatner" - my response is, "of course not, it will be better. No scenery hogging." It's interesting how Trek fans have a shifting view of history - they watched all the old shows, but nothing was quite like "the original series" and "when Roddenberry left, the show lost its vision." Of course, they'll take your slightly demeaning insults on How William Shatner Changed the World, or the little in-jokes on Boston Legal. (Which I cannot watch anymore - oh, it's not you, Mr. Shatner, it's James Spader. He's becoming annoyingly creepy. That and David E. Kelley's homily-of-the-week style of scriptwriting).

The sad thing is...there are times when I see you as Denny Crane, a once powerful man now facing his immanent mortality, losing his mental faculties....it's those scenes when he's drinking his Scotch, or looking ruefully out the window...I see a glimpse of a man who fears that his past is slipping away from him. A man afraid that his best years are behind him, and that it hurts him. It's at that point that we all see the true William Shatner. I sometimes wonder...if that's the only way you can let out your angst, or if you're really that good of an actor. Personally, I believe it's more the former...but that's for you to decide.

If it's any consolation, it was just announced that Bruce Greenwood is playing Christopher Pike. Not only is he also an excellent actor with an extensive resume as well...he's also Canadian. That should provide some consolation while you wait out the WGA strike.

But please - let it go. Move on. You don't see Peter Graves whining about Mission: Impossible, now, do you? Or Adrian Zmed proposing a T.J. Hooker reunion movie?

Your pal,
Gordon

Taking A Sick Day Today...

...so no real blog post. However, please enjoy the recent appearance of October's Record You Should Own's featured artist at NY's Cavestomp festival.

(Note - all videos should be played loud. Loud enough to make your eardrums bleed)

Monday Mom Update

First, I would like to thank everyone for their well-wishes about my mom. The good news is that, yesterday, she came home from the hospital - a little shagged out (after all, they had her lying in bed with tubes in her, and didn't have her get up and move around), but OK nonetheless. The bad news is that, at some point, she's going to require a liver transplant. She was diagnosed with non-alcoholic cirrhosis several years ago (aggravated due to her diabetes and weight, which is not uncommon), and having varicose veins in her esophagus which began bleeding last Sunday night also didn't help. (To be fair, she stopped and said that she needed to go to the hospital calmly - in our family, it's not uncommon to soldier on needlessly. Why, if my arm got cut off, I would say, "No need to go to the emergency room - just get me some duct tape and a staple gun, and I'll be good as new."

Fortunately, one of the good things about Mom's illness is that it got me out of a temp job from hell. The person I was working for...well, to put it in perspective, she asked me on my first day if I would "give her an attitude, like the last person to work for me." Luckily, I have some experience dealing with bad bosses in the past, so I was able to let some of her more extravagant quirks go and get things done. However...well, let's just say that I was suspecting this might be occurring, but rather than label her, I decided - on Monday - to leave the assignment early and deal with Mom's illness. I'll have plenty of bosses and supervisors in my future; I'll only have one mother. My priorities on this were - and are - crystal clear.

Anyway, I spent my free time taking care of some of Mom's business (both in terms of her accounting clients, and taking care of her laundry, scooping her cats' litter boxes, etc), catching up on listening to podcasts (and as a side note - my good friend Andy, on the latest Podcrapular, proclaimed that secondhand smoke never harmed anyone - I think that the Surgeon General of the United States might disagree. However, we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one), reading blogs (if you liked Roger's pre-election post, you might want to check out the documentary Hacking Democracy (which is very disturbing in its implications, and good support for having Greg as dictator), and watching my father's old Sherlock Holmes DVDs (although I grew up with Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce on Sunday afternoon tv, I now concede - Jeremy Brett is "da Holmes").

To finish - since we now have a writer's strike in Hollywood (meaning that shows like Heroes might end early), I suggest that we bloggers take up the slack. Let's encourage our friends and loved ones to give up on television, and start reading blogs...especially comics and pop culture blogs. Besides, within the next few weeks, you'll not only get a new podcast - and posts - from me, but there'll be another edition of TV Party on Comic Related.

Thanks, and please - continue to keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sundays in the Village: Once Upon a Time

"I'm not an inmate....You can say what you like, you brought me back here. I told you last time, you were using the wrong approach. I do it my way, or you find somebody else."

(Revised 01/05/2023)

"Once Upon A Time" was one of the first episodes of The Prisoner to be produced - it was supposed to close the first 13-episode season. And, in my opinion, should have been the finale closer, beating David Chase to the punch by 40 years.

It's hard to write about this episode objectively, or to discuss the plot - not because of spoilers, but because this episode is well-directed, well-written, and well-acted. We see the return of Leo McKern's Number 2, perhaps still smarting from his last failed attempt to break Number 6. After checking out Number 6 in his "natural habitat" (asking repeatedly, "Why do you care?"), and watching a montage of early clips, Number 2 invokes "Degree Absolute" - basically, a psychological cage match. Two men go in, find the missing link, put it together...than bang! (Of course, Number 2 did not account for the amount of transference and countertransference that would happen...but that would be a spoiler, now, wouldn't it?)

But what's revelatory about this episode is how stripped down it is...and how effective it is in revealing much about the characters of Number 6 and McKern's Number 2. We learn that Number 2 considers himself flawed (as he himself stated, "I was a good man once) and reluctant to go back to his old Village ways. But we learn much more about Number 6 - his issues with his father (perhaps presaging his rebelliousness?), his unwillingness to kill (perhaps fulfilling this theory?), but most importantly, another rationale for his resignation ("Peace of mind....Too many people know too much...").

But ultimately, why do I feel this should have been the last episode? Ultimately, it took the themes of The Prisoner and distilled them into a battle between two men: the man who would not conform vs. the man who did and regretted it. In many ways, Number 2 and Number 6 are flip sides of the same coin. Plus, the way the episode ends leaves it open for multiple interpretations, and would have set up an interesting context to view the previous episodes. Although it still would have come up as insufficient in answering questions (Who is Number 1? Who runs the Village? Who is Number 6, and why did he resign?), it would have ended the series on an excellent note - it's an episode that's as perfect as a three minute pop single.

This episode should have been the finale.

Instead, we got Fall Out.

But more on that - and the graphic novel sequel - next week.

Be seeing you.

Happy Birthday, Steve Ditko

ditko
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

Here's to 80 more years of independent thinking, standing in your own truth, and great comic art.

Happy birthday, Mr. Ditko!