My Review of True Blood's 6x06: "Don't You Feel Me?"

Written by Daniel Kenneth
Directed by Howard Deutch

Sookie (to Ben): “I have these feelings for you I don’t wanna have but I can’t stop myself feeling them.”

I suppose the thing about having two less episodes this season meant that Sookie had to give into Warlow/Ben’s charms a little sooner and while I do think she’s being a little too forgiving towards the bloke who bumped off her folks, she did make some points here worth taking into account.

First of all, Warlow has saved her twice from being killed by Corbett (the second happening after Bill let him loose for a bit) and his declarations of love seem to be genuine enough. Ben/Warlow even offered to tear up that contract that Sookie rightfully took him to task with in this episode but more to the point, she made a comment about being a ‘danger whore’.

While that’s an extreme description for describing her sexual pattern, there’s no denying that Sookie has been attracted to dangerous men (which is why Alcide never stood a chance) and in this episode alone, she transported Ben to faerie land, tied him to a tree with vines and her own light and ended the episode by shagging him. More to the point, she also let Ben feed off her as well.

Now this is definitely Sookie being reckless and in some ways, it seemed like she was giving into Ben’s desire to have her as his queen but in other ways, it was also Sookie taking control of the situation as well. I’m not sure if she really can have a future with Ben – I highly doubt it for some reason but right about now, he’s the only vampire/fairy hybrid out there, unless Sookie decides to become one herself and that’s quite possible I suppose.

Keeping with the vampires this week, things at vampire camp kept shifting every few minutes. Eric and Pam’s supposed battle to the death only resulted in a security guard getting killed instead but while this was a minor victory for Eric, Burrell did manage to strike back in a truly vindictive style.

Having Nora being infected with Hep V was a truly nasty thing for Burrell to do, especially given that he made Eric watch but while Nora’s life certainly looks like it could be coming to an end, I wouldn’t be too shocked if Bilith was able to cure her at the very last minute. The trailer for next week certainly showed that Eric was going to explore that possibility at the very least.

Of course, it wasn’t all bad for Eric this week. Pam’s still alive and Willa certainly stepped up to the mark (thanks to some coaching from Tara) in trying to break both him and Nora out of the camp, so points there. Actually, truth be told, this was probably Willa’s best episode and certainly her most endearing as well. Willa managed to give her father a piece of her mind and I liked that she considered Tara a friend as well. I really do hope she makes it out of the season alive.

However her father was already toast in this episode. Infecting Nora with Hep V and ordering the contamination of the Tru Blood bottles sealed his fate and his confrontation with Bill was gloriously brief but effective. I have to admit I’m both intrigued and fearful of a day walking Bill Compton at the moment. Drinking Warlow’s blood has certainly made him into a force to be reckoned with at the minute.

Last but not least in the vampire related plots – Sarah Newlin is some bitch, isn’t she? Jason’s plan to rescue Jessica by getting accepted by the LAVTF was going smoothly until Sarah outsmarted him and needled him with watching Jessica and James nearly have sex. James might have been onscreen for about three minutes but he already endeared himself by undergoing torture not to screw Jessica and that was even after Jessica gave him permission to as well. I definitely hope we get to see him again.

As for the final plot of the week – I hated the way Terry was killed off. I knew it was coming but it still felt a bit too cruel, especially after Arlene and Holly had gotten Matt the friendly gay vampire to glamour him. In some ways though I guess the character had been written into a corner but in terms of exits, Terry deserved a better one than this.

Also in “Don’t You Feel Me?”

Comic-Con released a trailer showing us some clips for the remaining episodes of the season. I’ll blog about it tomorrow.

Steven: “I think we should go.”
Sarah: “You always were a pussy.”

Steven’s cowardice in this episode was amusing but he’s screwed himself over big time though.

Sam (re Emma): “She’s got me.”
Nicole: “Are you sure that’s enough?”

Ben/Warlow: “You’re special.”
Sookie: “I ain’t that special.”

Nicole spoke sense in this episode and I’m glad Sam handed Emma over to Martha. Alcide on the other hand was a complete asshole in this episode.

Burrell (to Eric, re Willa/Nora): “I want you to feel the same immeasurable loss. I want you to understand what it’s like to lose part of who you are.”

Sarah: “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Jason: “Grabbing you by your purdy little Texas balls.”

Creepy shrink fella has a thing for Pam. Chances are this thing will result in his own death by next week and Andy’s surviving daughter is now called Adeline.

Willa: “For me? Now you’re playing God.”
Burrell: “No, not God. It’s science.”

Jason: “Can you define ‘copulation’?”
Sarah: “It’s fucking Jason. You know what that is.”

Standout music: Damon’s “Don’t You Feel Me?”

James (re Jessica): “I’m a vampire, not a rapist.”

Burrell: “The extinction of your race.”
Bill: “That ain’t ever gonna happen.”

Chronology: From where the previous episode left off of course.

“Don’t You Feel Me?” certainly delivered on the death front with both Terry and Burrell’s demises stirring up different reactions but I have a feeling there’s going to be more blood spilled before the season is out though. As for Sookie/Warlow, it’s going to be interesting to see how this pans out over the next four episodes.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Read More

Comic-Con 2013: Doctor Who

Ah yes, the most controversial of all panels (from a non American perspective) was this year's Doctor Who panel at Comic-Con but more on that in a bit, eh?

This year's panel was hosted by Craig Ferguson (who did a bloody great job at it) and featuring on the panel were stars Matt Smith (Eleventh Doctor), Jenna-Louise Coleman, David Bradley (Solomon/William Hartnell in An Adventure In Space And Time), executive producers Steven Moffat and Marcus Wilson and writer Mark Gatiss to talk about cosplaying, creating monsters and the odd spoiler there and there too.

Of course the big reveal at the panel were the trailers for both the 50th Anniversary special and the biopic, An Adventure In Space And Time, in which Steven Moffat asked audiences not to upload online. To be fair, while I understand the need for exclusives at events such as Comic-Con, it might have been wiser for the BBC and Moffat to have uploaded the trailers on the former's site and YouTube officially. It certainly would've avoided the online carnage that's still happening at this moment. Anyways, the 50th trailer from most sources has plenty of Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and Eleventh Doctor interactions, a certain line from a previous anniversary story mentioned, shots of Clara, Rose (Billie Piper) being all cryptic and warning of danger, John Hurt's Doctor as well as clips of Zygons and Time War era Daleks as well. The BBC at least released some pictures to confirm the Daleks were back for the 50th but the trailers would've been better though.

And here's a first image of sorts of David Bradley as William Hartnell/First Doctor in the upcoming An Adventure In Space And Time. From what I heard, the trailer to this in particular is absolutely stunning, so here's hoping the BBC get their skates on and release a trailer soon. If only to shut certain people up on Twitter for the time being.

Comic-Con 2013 Panel: http://www.spoilertv.com/2013/07/doctor-who-complete-comic-con-panel.html

Doctor Who returns in November with both the biopic and anniversary specials.

Read More

Doctor Who - Top 50 Companions: Part 4

Well I promised I'd do two of these lists this week and here is the fourth segment of my Top 50 companions of Doctor Who. Let me know what you think guys.

31: Wilfred Mott (Bernard Cribbins)

He might have played Tom Campbell in a certain Peter Cushing movie but to a lot of us, Bernard Cribbins is Wilfred Mott. Not just the man who was the grandfather of Donna Noble but also the last companion of the Tenth Doctor and easily the best thing about The End Of Time. Wilfred Mott, we salute you and your wonderful family. Even Sylvia too.

32: Liz Shaw (Caroline John)

There's a lot of things about Spearhead From Space I am thankful for. The arrival of the Third Doctor, the Autons, both the Brigadier and Benton becoming regulars on the show, the show itself moving into colour but one thing I am most thankful for is the excellent Liz Shaw. I've never believed that intellectual companions don't work on the show because while Liz may have only lasted a season, she was bloody fantastic from start to finish. Much respect to the lovely Miss Shaw, folks.

33: Peri Brown (Nicola Bryant)

Long before the days of Amy Pond, one of the most lusted after companions was probably a certain American botanist but let's be honest here - Peri was more than that. She could stand up for herself with the Sixth Doctor (though she debuted with his predecessor) and outside of Adric, she's probably had one of the most interesting departures from the show. Whether you believe she was killed to store Lord Kiv's mind or became Yrcanos's wife, Peri left during the show's most polarising of times.

34: Nyssa of Traken (Sarah Sutton)

Oh Nyssa - it's always the quiet ones, isn't it? When you have the more vocal of companions with Tegan and pompous at times with Adric, the Fifth Doctor was probably glad to have the more calmer Nyssa on board as well. Also like Liz and Romana, Nyssa was another clever companion who worked quite nicely in the two seasons of the series she was on.

35: Vicki Pallister (Maureen O'Brien)

Vicki - what can I say? In some ways, it felt like she was brought in as a surrogate Susan for the First Doctor but saying that is being rather dismissive of the character to be honest. She was a brilliant companion with the First Doctor, even better when Steven Taylor was added into the mix as well. Another underrated traveller in the TARDIS.

Parts 5 and 6 will be up next week.

Read More

Comic-Con 2013: Game Of Thrones

The second of my Comic-Con related blogs and this one is focusing on current HBO juggernaut, Game Of Thrones ...

Attending this year again was showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, writer George RR Martin and actors Richard Madden (Robb), Michelle Fairley (Catelyn), Emilia Clarke (Daenerys), Peter Dinklage (Tyrion), John Bradley (Samwell), Kit Harrington (Jon) and Rose Leslie (Ygritte) and once again, the crowd definitely loved them in abundance. In terms of spoilers, it doesn't seem like we got too much compared to last year. Discussion mainly seemed to stem on the events of the Red Wedding, with Madden himself admitting he "cried a lot" during the making of the episode.

Other stuff that was mentioned on the panel included George RR Martin himself mentioning the possibility of continuing the series beyond the last two books he has in store for us. By that he meant exploring the series far distant past rather than a prequel though. In terms of visual content, we managed to get a deleted scene between Pycelle and Tywin as well as an in memoriam of many of the deaths we've seen on the show over the last three seasons.

Last but not least - it was leaked this week that Doctor Who and Sherlock actor Mark Gatiss will be appearing in the upcoming fourth season of the show. However it seems that while Mark's role in the fourth year hasn't been leaked, the actor has revealed that he has already filmed his role for the new season. Let the speculating on what the role begin.

Comic- Con 2013 Panel: http://www.spoilertv.com/2013/07/game-of-thrones-season-4-comic-con-2013.html

Game Of Thrones fourth season is currently being filmed and will air on HBO and SkyAtlantic in March 2014.

Read More

Comic-Con 2013: Sherlock

First of a few Comic-Con related blogs you can expect from me over the next few days and the first one to go is Sherlock ....

The panel in San Diego was headed by writers/creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss (who was confirmed this week to appearing in the fourth season of Game Of Thrones) and Sue Vertue. At least ten interesting things were leaked about the upcoming third series.

1: A fourth series will definitely happen but of course, it'll depend on when Benedict and Martin are available for filming.

2: Benedict has been described as the "goofy" one with Martin as the "dry, sardonic" one. I would've thought it was the reverse.

3: Mark Gatiss is still surprised that we haven't figured out that cliffhanger. I think I might have done.

4: Sherlock and Watson's reunion is definitely going to appeal to the slash fans in a big way. It's been described as "beautiful" and will "make your hands stand on end".

5: Benedict's spoilers for the cliffhanger have included two toy monkeys, teabag and cabbage. He might not be entirely serious though.

6: For those who ship Sherlock and Molly, well, they won't be kissing anytime soon.

7: Moriarty is definitely dead. And Watson is married.

8: The ending for Series 3 is going to outdo the second series ender to the point where you'll wonder how the show can continue.

9: Mark Gatiss still wants a Roger Moore cameo in either Sherlock or Doctor Who. Then again, so does Roger Moore himself.

10: Don't expect a Sherlock movie anytime soon.

They're not the most revealing of spoilers but they're definitely something to whet the old appetite. The filming for the final story in the third series, written by Steven Moffat and directed by Nick Hurran will begin later this month and before we know it, it won't be long before Series 3 kicks in and we're watching. I'm betting it might air during December with the finale airing around the Christmas period.

EDIT: All the titles for Series 3 have been revealed. They are The Empty Hearse, The Sign Of Three and His Last Vow.

Comic Con Write Up: http://www.digitalspy.ie/tv/s129/sherlock/news/a499716/sherlock-at-comic-con-10-things-we-learned.html

Sherlock's third series will air in late 2013 possibly.

Read More

My Review of Dexter's 8x03: "What's Eating Dexter Morgan?"

Written by Lauren Gussis
Directed by Ernest Dickerson

Dexter (to Galuzzo): “I consume everything I love.”

However on the plus side – at least Dexter isn’t serving brains in garlic or fingers in a stew. We haven’t had a memorable minor kill for Dexter so far this season and Ron Galuzzo thankfully broke that trend with his kitchen being a kill room. Even Dexter was grossed out by the thing and that was something to see alright.

Of course Galuzzo’s main purpose in this episode was just to be another one of Vogel’s psychotic former patients who wasn’t the Brain Surgeon. Also, if this episode was anything to go by, Vogel herself might not be the brain surgeon either but I still don’t trust her and the fact that Dexter has involved her more won’t end well either.

I’m not surprised that Vogel managed to get some insight into Dexter’s relationship with Deb but once again, why aren’t some alarm bells going off for him? Once again, she seemed to encourage his darker side and was it me or did she seem not to like the bond that he actually had with Deb as well?

However she was there when Dexter needed to get Deb out of the station and made sure that she was the one to help Deb as well by telling Dexter he couldn’t do it. Even Dexter agreed with Vogel that he was unable to help Deb anymore in spire of his attempts of reaching out to her this week.

I thought Dexter had managed to make a breakthrough with Deb when he purposefully showed her the man whose life she saved a few seasons ago had turned out. It was a nice gesture and seemed to reach Deb until both her client and Elway soured things by pointing out the habits of living in denial.

Deb confessing to Quinn that she killed LaGuerta though has to come back to haunt her. Quinn might have bought Vogel’s “survivor’s guilt” spiel for a bit but even he’s going to eventually realise that Deb wasn’t lying about killing her former superior though. Much as I generally dislike Quinn, this was a good episode, namely for his concern about Deb but other plots however detracted a little from things.

It’s three episodes in and I still couldn’t care less about Quinn and Jamie as a couple and her lack of sympathy towards Deb kind of seems out of character for Jamie a bit. It also doesn’t help that Angel seems more interested in Quinn becoming a sergeant than Quinn actually does himself. I think Angel needs to focus his energies on something other than his sister and Quinn at the moment.

Also in “What’s Eating Dexter Morgan?”

The opening sequence with Harrison eating too many lollipops was good but we’ve had better fake out moments than that though and Vogel got more brain pieces delivered to her in his and her boxes.

Masuka: “Ah, suicide. Makes our lives so much easier.”
Miranda: “You should put that on a T-shirt.”

Masuka seems to be developing a similar rapport with Miranda that he used to have with Deb. I like Miranda, even though she’s ridiculously underused.

Vogel (re Deb): “Is alcohol an issue for her?”
Dexter: “I’m an issue for her. She’s acting this way because of me.”

Deb (to her client): “Don’t look at me. I think the truth is overrated.”

I’m pretty sure this is the second episode in a row that Elway has had a hangover cure for Deb. I did find his teasing about Briggs and Quinn amusing enough too.

Dexter: “I would never kill Debra. She’s my sister, I love her.”
Vogel: “What do you love about her?”

Deb (re her client): “Is she fucking kidding? That’s obviously her husband.”
Elway: “She just didn’t wanna see it. People get used to living in denial. It’s just easier you know.”

I really didn’t like Deb getting an injection from Dexter and for a moment, it did look like Quinn might have seen him do it as well. Vogel’s reaction was interesting as well.

Deb: “I don’t want some coffee. I want to confess.”
Quinn: “You want to confess to what?”
Deb: “I killed LaGuerta.”

Dexter: “Vogel was right. I am perfect at one thing.”

Chronology: From where the previous episode left off.

“What’s Eating Dexter Morgan?” – definitely a solid episode, though not an appetising one if we’re going by the contents of Galuzzo’s fridge, that’s for sure. That being said though, I do hope we get the identity of the Brain Surgeon and pretty soon.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Read More

Doctor Who - Top 50 Companions: Part 3

Sorry for the delay with this blog but last week was a bit hectic, so to make it up to people, there will be two blogs (the second one on Friday or Saturday) to make up for the lack of posting. Anyways, onto the third part of my Top 50 companions of Doctor Who ...

36: Susan Foreman (Carole Ann Ford)

There have been many important people who have travelled with the Docvtor and surely the most important of them all has been his own granddaughter. I know there are some who kind of don't believe that Susan is actually related to the Doctor but I definitely do. Like with Ian and Barbara, Susan was the first companion we've had on the show and while we've had stronger companions, her impact on the series has never been forgotten. Plus her exit in The Dalek Invasion Of Earth is still one of the best companion exits the show has done in it's 50 year history.

37: Molly O'Sullivan (Ruth Bradley)

Or the woman known as 'Dark Eyes' as well. It's amazing that it's taken Doctor Who so long to actually have an Irish companion in any medium and casting Ruth Bradley in the role of WW1 nurse, Molly O'Sullivan is making me wish she'd appear on the actual show itself. As a companion for the Eighth Doctor, Molly is certainly one of his best yet and exactly what he needed following the departure of Lucie. And thankfully for us with recording on Dark Eyes 2 starting up, we should hopefully be having more adventures with this wonderful Irish lady very soon.

38: Polly Wright (Anneke Wills)

She might have started off with the First Doctor but like with her fellow companion (and probable love interest) Ben, Polly certainly felt more associated with the Second Doctor and while I wish she had lasted a bit longer, she was a great companion to watch. Definitely one of the show's most underrated of companions I'd say.

39: Bernice Summerfield (Lisa Bowerman)

Remember the days where the Doctor had an archaeologist travelling with him who wasn't River Song? Well, it did happen and has been happening on and off since 1992 as Bernice Summerfield has made quite an impression on both his Seventh and Eighth incarnation. More to the point, Bernice herself has even bagged her own ongoing spin-off, which has been going pretty fine for over a decade now. 

40: Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford)

And the award for the most polarising companion (who isn't Adric) would probably go to this lovely redheaded lady. Melanie might have literally taken the screamer aspect of being a companion too far at times but for a series and a half, she was a decent companion to both the Sixth and Seventh Doctor. Plus, if you ever get the chance to listen to her on audio (particularly The Juggernauts), you'll realise that a) the writers did Bonnie Langford a massive disservice and b) Langford can actually act and pretty damn well too.

Part 4 will be up either Friday or Saturday.

Read More