Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Fold, A Hypnotic Review

This is a review of a new scifi series called "The FOLD".

Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Accokeek Gifts
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities
Conquer Your Niche


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Battlestar Keeps On Keeping On, According To Six

While the audience waits impatiently for the final half-season of Battlestar Galactica, the cast and crew have already moved on... kind of. Tricia Helfer has been talking about her experiences on the show, from how little she knew at the start to the reaction of the cast to the end of the show... even though that end keeps on staying out of reach.

read more | digg story

Admiral Adama Will Direct the Upcoming Galactica TV-Movie

News continues to pour in about the upcoming Battlestar Galactica TV-Movie, which will be filmed after the completion of the fourth and final season of the series. Galactica staff writer Jane Espenson (a longtime writer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer) will write the script, and Admiral Adama himself, Edward James Olmos, will direct

read more | digg story

First Pics Of Battlestar Galactica's Cool Prequel Caprica

It's mostly TV spoilers today, thanks to a ton of scans from TV Guide. But today's spoilers do include some new set pics from the Battlestar Galactica prequel Caprica, which reveal what it would be like to live on Caprica some 50-70 years before the Cylon apocalypse.

read more | digg story

Exclusive: Battlestar Galactica Goes Back to the Beginning

Set 50 years before the first Cylon War in Battlestar Galactica, the two-hour TV-movie/series pilot Caprica (airing this fall) is more soap opera than space opera. [possible spoilers!]

read more | digg story

TCA Press Tour, Day 2: A&E

There hasn't been a lot of "arts" in Arts & Entertainment Television lately, but it's not at all impossible that the network's new series, "The Cleaner," starring Benjamin Bratt ("Law & Order") and Grace Park ("Battlestar Galactica"), could change start to change that.

read more | digg story

Battlestar Galactica Revealed... Perhaps

Wondering how to last the next six months (at least) until Battlestar Galactica returns to our screens? You could do worse that spend some time over at Battlestar Revealed, a site that attempts to piece together various sources to work out the remaining mysteries created by Ron Moore and crew.

read more | digg story

SciFi Channel Orders 'Caprica' Scripts

It's not exactly a series pickup, but things are looking good for the upcoming "Battlestar Galactica" prequel "Caprica." The SciFi Channel has ordered two more scripts on top of the pilot, according to Maureen Ryan of The Chicago Tribune.

read more | digg story

The Final Cylon Solution « Battlestar Revealed

the complete solution to Battlestar Galactica - WARNING MASSIVE SPOILERS

read more | digg story

Digg This --> Stargate Atlantis: Seed Reviewed



Paul McGillion returns to revive his Dr Carson Beckett character after Dr Keller brings him out of stasis. After Dr. Keller fails to report a strange "goo" she came in contact with in her lab, a few mornings later she fails to show up for work. The team overrides the security on her quarters to find her infested with a mysterious web of tendrils. Carson recalls seeing such a thing when he was forced to work in Michael's Lab.

This prompts a quarantine of all the personnel who were on the planet for the rescue when Michael's lab collapsed, including LTCol Carter who is back on Earth. Consequently, they all test positive for the same things affecting Dr. Keller. Dr. Beckett tries to surgically remove the tendrills, but doing so directly affects Dr. Keller's vital systems. So they must find another way to eradicate it.

Mr. Woolsey is not happy about allowing Dr. Beckett to lead the fight to overcome this infestation, since he is not actually a part of the Atlantis Team. But he knows he's the only one capable of beating it. Meanwhile, the infestation spreads outside the isolation room and gets in the power systems. Attempts to extricate it are met with force.

Dr Beckett eventually finds a cure that works positively on the other members, but the real challenge is how to save Dr. Keller. Mr. Woolsey, not being a trained military commander, is hesitant to expend resources and risk the security of the entire expedition to save someone that may be beyond saving. It's only through the unique ability of LTCol John Sheppard to disobey orders, and play by his own rules that allowed the team to save Dr. Keller.

At the end of the episode, Carson goes back to Earth to be debriefed by the IOA. Mr. Woolsey is coming to terms with life in Pegasus Galaxy where playing by the book may get you or someone else killed. He and Sheppard share a moment in which he questions his own ability to deal with such uncertainty. Sheppard, who is recovering from being injured rescuing Dr. Keller, appropriately shakes his hand and says "welcome to the Pegasus Galaxy!"

Enough of the synopsis. I liked the story. Earlier in the episode when they tried surgery, we knew that wouldn't work. What would they do for the rest of the hour, right? But unlike real life, ever little crisis on Atlantis turns into a complete meltdown. That's what our heroes do, and do quite well. This episode even adds a bit of dramatic flare with Dr. McKay in quarantine making comments about the "B" Team taking to ball on this one.

This Woolsey character... Can't we kill him off? This is the same person that was hired by Senator Kinsey to bring down the SGC. Somehow, he has hung on to some kind of power, as a consultant, to become part of the IOA, and now he's in charge of the greatest expedition ever undertaken by mankind. All I can say is Bob Picardo must need the work because he's a square peg in a round hole on Atlantis.

Which leads me to the next thing I despise about whole story. How in Gods name does a handful of representatives on Earth think they have ANY authority to decide or control what is going on in another galaxy? They don't freaking' own Atlantis. The whole premise is wrong. Maybe after 11 years Stargate needs some new writers and producers, this story's going nowhere fast.



Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Accokeek Gifts
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities
Conquer Your Niche


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Classic SciFi Reruns For The SciFi Deprived - 14-18 July




The summer season is upon us, and there is not much in the way of new scifi shows to turn to. Even with the return of Stargate Atlantis, there's still a major void of science fiction shows available. Not to fret though, if you're a hard core scifi fan, reruns will usually do the trick.

Here's what we have for the week beginning 14 July 2008 (all times are EST). Listings in parenthesis are not scifi shows, just good substitutes:

Monday
4:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Stargate Atlantis (Scfi)
6:00PM Stargate SG-1 (Scifi)
7:00-11:00PM Star Trek: TNG (Scifi)
8:00PM Quantum Leap (ION)
9:00PM The Dead Zone (ION)
(9:00-10:00PM Family Guy (TBS))
(11:00PM The Bill Engvall Show (TBS))
(11:00-Midnight Family Guy (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim))

Tuesday
1:00AM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
2:00AM Star Trek: DS9 (Spike)
(2:30-3:30AM Family Guy (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim))
3:00AM Seven Days (Spike)
4:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Stargate Atlantis (Scfi)
6:00PM Stargate SG-1 (Scifi)
7:00-10:00PM Star Trek: Enterprise
(8:00-10:00PM Family Guy (TBS))
8:00PM Quantum Leap (ION)
9:00PM The Dead Zone (ION)
(10:00PM Movie Fifty First Dates (USA))
(11:00PM-Midnight Family Guy (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim))

Wednesday
1:00AM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
2:00AM Star Trek: DS9 (Spike)
(2:30-3:30AM Family Guy (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim))
3:00AM Seven Days (Spike)
4:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Stargate Atlantis (Scfi)
6:00PM Stargate SG-1 (Scifi)
(8:00-9:00PM Family Guy (TBS))
8:00PM Quantum Leap (ION)
9:00PM The Dead Zone (ION)
(11:00PM-Midnight Family Guy (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim))

Thursday
(2:30-3:30AM Family Guy (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim))
8:00AM-4:00PM Jake 2.0 (Scifi)
4:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Stargate Atlantis (Scfi)
6:00PM Stargate SG-1 (Scifi)
(8:00PM Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (Fox)
(8:00-9:00PM Family Guy (TBS))
(9:00PM The Bill Engvall Show (TBS))
(11:00PM-Midnight Family Guy (Cartoon Network/Adult Swim))

Friday
8:00AM-4:00PM Special Unit 2 (Scifi)
4:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Star Trek: Voyager (Spike)
5:00PM Stargate Atlantis (Scfi)
6:00-8:00PM Stargate SG-1 (Scifi)
8:00PM Joan Of Arcadia (Scifi)
10:00PM Stargate Atlantis (Scifi)(New)
Midnight Stargate Atlantis (Scifi)(repaeat of 10:00PM showing)



Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Accokeek Gifts
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities
Conquer Your Niche


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Technorati

Technorati Profile

Stargate Atlantis: Search And Rescue Reviewed




A mission to find the pregnant Teyla goes bad when Sheppard's team is trapped under Michael's collapsed compound. When Carter mounts a rescue mission to save them, Michael's Wraith cruiser returns. The team bugs out and eventually meets up with the Daedalus.

Meanwhile, Michael sends Wraith to the planet to kill any survivors. The Daedalus and Michael's ship exchange fire, but since Teyla is on board, they cannot risk destroying the Wraith ship. The Daedalus's sensors find Sheppard and Ronin's life signs, and beam them out. Sheppard, though, is injured but refuses to stay down with Teyla missing.

They launch a "302" attack along with a cloaked jumper. When the Wraith open their bay doors and launch their darts, the cloaked jumper sneaks in to search for Teyla. They find her, but also find the ship is almost repaired and will be able to jump away within a few minutes.

While Sheppard and Ronin plant C4 on the main engine and destroy it, McKay helps Teyla as she gives birth. Sheppard and Ronin are quite surprised when they return to retrieve the rest of the team and find a baby. But they don't have the time for pleasantries, and must get off the ship. They discover the jumper has been taken. That's when Kanann (the baby's father), finds them. He agree's to help, the team escapes in Wraith ship. Once they are able to let the Daedalus know they have Teyla (and baby) safely off the Wraith ship, the Daedalus destroys it.

When everyone is safely back on Atlantis, Carter makes her way to Earth for a short project. Once on Earth she is met by Mr. Woolsey, who informs her she has been relieved of command and replaced by him. (The credits run...).

It's a good story, and they added some very good special effects. Sheppard's heroic efforts to save Teyla, in spite of his injuries, paid off. The delivery and birth scenes were... well, this is PG television, so not too real. No fuss, no mess. She gave birth standing up, no screaming, no cord cutting, no after birth, nothing. That's OK because I don't think McKay could have stayed conscience for that.

It was good to see Conner Trinneer, reviving his role as Michael. It's uncertain whether his Wraith character was killed off. Since they never found the cloaked jumper, and we don't see Michael again after he discovers his ship has been boarded and sabotaged. It's not like he didn't know where Teyla was stowed, he put her there. I don't think we've seen the last of Conner Trinneer as Michael.

The last scene is probably the worst in Stargate history, watching Carter lose her command to a civilian no less. While I realize Amanda Tapping is moving to another project, they could have found a better 'cover" for her to leave Atlantis. I have nothing against Robert Picardo, but I truly despise his role as Mr. Woolsey.

Eleven years ago Amanda Tapping etched her rather huge niche into the fabric of Stargate. Her character has single-handedly saved Earth, the galaxy, her team, and countless alien worlds many times over. Why they chose to have her exit with such a negative overtone is just another sign of just how far off the beaten path the shows producers have gone. They are going the same route as Star Trek. Let's hope the rest of the season gets better.


Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Accokeek Gifts
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities
Conquer Your Niche


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Friday, July 4, 2008

Holday TV Lineup

Remember when on every holiday you could count on finding something good on television? It's slim pickin's this 4th of July for sure. Maybe it's a hint to get out from in front of the TV, turn off the computer and do something outside. Whether you have cable, DirecTV, DISH, or just a big dish sitting out back, one would think with all those channels to choose from, the selection would be better. And for the cost I should be faced with the choice of which channel to watch, and which others to record.

The Scifi Channel is showing "Twilight Zone". Consequently, their signature "Scifi Friday" is shot. Not that it's worth tuning in anymore, but that's whole different topic.

The Fox Movie Channel is showing "Independence Day", repeatedly. They started showing it yesterday, repeatedly. Not that I don't like the movie, in fact, I was one of those people that went to see it at the theater in 1996. But watching it once in a sitting is enough.

Spike is showing more of their T&A stuff. TNT has a Law & Order marathon. AMC is showing "Jaws" and it's sequels. BTW, I also saw "Jaws" in theater back in 1975. It's probably the reason why I like the beach but not the ocean. Needless to say I've never watched it a second time, nor any of it's sequels. The rest of today's selection goes down hill from there.

On the good side, we have "King Of The Hill" on FX, I watched it this morning. This afternoon it's "JAG" and "NCIS" on USA. There's also "That 70's Show" on ABC Family, but I really have to be in the mood for that.


Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Accokeek Gifts
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities
Conquer Your Niche


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

GateWorld - Don S. Davis: 1942-2008

Gateworld reports today that Don S. Davis, who protrayed Maj. Gen. George Hammond for seven years on Stargate SG-1 has died of a massive heart attack.

read more | digg story