Bonnie Was A Big Ol' Bad Ass!

Who knew Bonnie was a big damn hero! I had no idea little, bitty Bonnie was some big ol' bad ass! If you've been watching Jericho you know what I'm talking about. Last night's episode, Oversight, had some of the most gripping moments of television I've seen since, okay well since last week's episode of Lost, The Constant.

Seriously, I have to be honest folks, I've been enjoying Jericho. It's been good, but it wasn't really grabbing me by the throat like aspects of Season 1 had done. I'm not sure why. I don't know if it's because the direction it took isn't quite what I expected. I have to give it the benfit of the doubt. Afterall the creators were forced to tell their story in a crammed 7 episodes, which is brutal.

That said, watching Bonnie Richmond [Shoshannah Stern] come alive at the Richmond ranch to defend her friend Mimi was some of the most exciting television I'd seen in recent days. She may be deaf, but she wasn't dumb or blind with that shotgun as she picked off Ravenwood cronies one by one like shooting clay pigeons at a skeet shoot. It was like watching River Tam [Firefly, Serenity] come to life and unleash unbridled whoopass [yeah I like that word]. Who knew she had it in her that sweet little Bonnie.

It seems ironic that Bonnie, of all the characters on Jericho, along with Mimi were the two to wake me up from my lethargy. I loved it! I loved the fact Bonnie went all Butch Cassidy and Sundance or better a new team of Bonnie and Mimi. It was an amazing finale to the episode. She gave her life and went out a hero up against the likes of that Cheyenne scum.

That was intense stuff!

Oh and one more thing, there gonna be hell to pay, because you see she's got a very protective and loving older brother in Stanley whose mission has been to look after her and now that she's gone... well, he is going to Kick Some Serious Ass! Said another way, there will be blood.

B5 S1 Ep 5-8: The Parliament Of Dreams, Mind War, The War Prayer & And The Sky Full Of Stars

As of this writing I'm happy to report Babylon 5 is beginning to win me over. I have cleared the first eight episodes of Season One: Signs & Portents. Episodes 5-8 have been most promising indeed.

I'm actually at a point where I'm looking forward to each new episode. Here is a great example why.

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Episode 5, The Parliament Of Dreams, really proved to me that maybe J. Michael Straczynski had something here. At first, I felt the writing was mostly serviceable with an ocassional glimpse of something special. Episode 5 proved to me things were really coming together. His dialogue seemed sharper and more real tot he ear. Further, the humor is beginning to shine via the likes of Security Chief Michael Garibaldi [Jeffrey Doyle], Ambassador G'Kar [Andreas Katsulas] and Ambassador Londo Mollari [Peter Jurasik] [this place is crawling with ambassadors not to mention space scum as well]. These actors are thoroughly engaging in their performances. The hysterical Londo, as I mentioned earlier, is proof in the pudding you can never judge a book by its cover. He is a dignitary and a dog. He is the ultimate ladies' man. How could you not have noticed that handsome devil and his alluring peacock head?

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Londo: Clearly, an alien's alien! What a guy!

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I am still having trouble with Michael O'Hare. He is too wooden, too stiff and it's too bad. Still, he does have his moments. So, the improved writing with stellar performances all around is making for an out of this world sci-fi experience. There is still room to grow. Finally, I am starting to get the races and characters down.

I must admit the computer animated design of the Babylon 5 Project or Space Station isn't all that impressive and even a bit dull. I might've sent the builders straight out the airlock.

I leave you with Episode 8, And The Sky Full Of Stars, probably the most ambitious Babylon 5 installment to this point. It is an O'Hare-centric episode and while I am getting accustomed to his style, I can't help but feel he was miscast for the show. I keep thinking actors like Nathan Fillion [Firefly] in the role and how much more I would have enjoyed the character. And man, how about them eyebrows? Them there are the biggest, bushiest eyebrows I've ever seen in need of a trim. Why, they're almost alien. I digress. The thematic material is heavy here and it is astounding how closely it mirrors today's political climate and the illegal immigrant conundrum. Without trying it really did foreshadow a great many socio-political challenges that certainly dog our planet. There are also some terrific character twists here concerning Delenn.

All in all major "signs" of hope.

The Parliament Of Dreams: B-

Mind War: C+ [Walter Koenig [Star Trek] guests as a telepathic agent of Psi-Corp.]

The War Prayer: C+ [Australia's Tristan Rogers [General Hospital 'Scorpio' fame- I'm sorry and ashamed I know that] guests. You'll also spot the actress who played 'Winnie' in The Wonder Years here, but bald. This one is also written by D.C Fontana of Star Trek acclaim.]

And The Sky Full Of Stars: B-

I have to admit I am a bit baffled as to how a show like this can struggle, survive, get the greenlight and go forward while the Fireflys of the world fade away. A strange business to be certain.

B5 S1 Ep 1-4: Midnight On The Firing Line, Soul Hunter, Born To The Purple & Infection

"That! That! Dude looks like a" peacock!

I know, it's hard to take this guy seriously, but never judge a book by its cover as they say.

Rule of thumb: Give anything at least 1 year. Certainly TV executives don't do it, but fortunately they did it for Babylon 5, which lasted 5 Seasons and 7 films [including the non-cannon film The Legend Of The Rangers and the 2007 release The Lost Tales] and by all accounts gets better and better aging like a fine wine or so I've been led to believe.

Folks. I'm checking out Babylon 5 Season 1: Signs & Portents for the first time. My initial reactions to episode 1 [Midnight On The Firing Line]; not necessarily good. Dodgy special effects and a so-so musical score [if you want to call it that] by Christopher Franke combined with crazee hairdoos have all been a bit of a turn off. Of course this was fairly ambitious in 1994 and like anything else, keep in mind, I have been evaluating the first show out of the gate for the series. I look forward to improvements with each passing episode. I do plan on staying with it. Still, that early computer animation closely resembles that of early Star Wars gaming a la Shadows Of The Empire or worse- rough to say the least. I will say that the dude with the black Japanese fan for hair started to grow on me by episode 3. I promise to do my best in learning the character names so that I may refrain from calling him the "dude with crazy hair."

The DVD transfer is a fairly dirty print, but the DVD gives the presentation its best shot sans any remastering. Looking past the technical imperfections and some minor complaints my own eyes are telling me there's potential in here.

The thing that struck me and most impressed me was the scope of its vision and the concept of a "port of call." "Two million Five hundred thousand tons of spinning metal." It's 2258 and the space station that is Babylon 5 is the last hope for peace.

The solid performances from the assembled cast have me paying attention. Getting to know the players and the races will take some getting used to, but then again hearing "Goa'uld" in Stargate was weird the first time and took some getting used to. Leader Michael O'Hare comes across the most wooden to me. It's plain to see why he would later be replaced for Season 2 by Bruce Boxleitner, a much more adept actor with much greater range. Security Chief Michael Garibaldi and Lt. Cmdr. Susan Ivanova were the most natural for me. I was drawn into the show through them as they attempt to maintain order on this galactic version of the United Nations [the politics on board Babylon 5 are almost as nasty with aliens of all kinds attempting to live in harmony - sounds familiar]. Finally, the costume design and make-up is really phenomenal. The special effects may be abysmal, but the prosthetics and costumes are truly striking.

The Season 1 cast includes:

• Michael O'Hare [Commander Jeffrey Sinclair]
• Claudia Christian [Lt Commander Susan Ivanova]
• Jeffrey Doyle [Security Chief Michael Garibaldi]
• Peter Jurasik [Londo Mollari]
• Mira Furlan [Delenn]
• Richard Biggs [Dr. Stephen Franklin]
• Andrea Thompson [Talia Winters]
• Stephen Furst [Vir]
• Bill Mumy [Lennier]
• Caitlin Brown [Na'Toth]
• Andreas Katsulas [G' Kar]

Despite my unenthusiastic introduction, because I wouldn't necessarily say I have reservations, I can easily see the promise of the show and I do realize this was a first go at something seemingly untested outside of Star Trek. Not to be too harsh as I suspect my perceptions may change as I move forward in the series.

Midnight On The Firing Line: C+

Soul Hunter: C

Born To The Purple: C+

Infection: C

Aliens may look funny but they can act!

Update: I have since watched the first four episodes and the production values are certainly not what I'm accustomed to, but the acting continues to drive my interest keeping me in the game despite comments over my shoulder from the peanut gallery to the cry of "those graphics are terrible!" or "sounds like science fiction porn." Nice, real nice. Okay so the music is a little retro in style perhaps, but that's severe. However, all in all, it has reinforced my love for Stargate that much more. But, with lines like "you moon-faced assassin of joy" I remain steadfast in giving it a chance.

It will get better right?

Insiders [SG-1's Clone Wars]

You gotta lotta Baal's comparing this one to Star Wars: The Clone Wars!

You may have heard Star Wars is going computer animated in 2008. They will launch the franchise with a feature film in August followed by an ongoing 30 episodes for the Cartoon Network. So, some pretty exciting news for jedi fans.

For the sci fi fans who like a little more meat on their science fiction bones we fortunately have Star Trek and Stargate. In it's heady Seasons 9 & 10, Stargate SG-1's scriptwriters and effects teams really tackled some fairly complex ideas technically and pulled it off with finesse. The Baal clone conundrum for Insiders was extremely clever.

In Season 9, the creators went to the wall for fanboys with the fruition of multiple Carters. Okay, technically these were not Carter clones. Actually, they were alternate-reality-timeline Carters. In other words, Ripple Effect, saw SG-1 cope with an influx of SG-1 teams through the Stargate from a variety of alternate timelines. They were up to roughly 10 Carters. Of course fangirls had nothing to complain about with multiple Cameron Mitchells, multiple Teal'cs and multiple Daniel Jacksons to ponder running around Cheyenne Mountain.

Yup, them there were some pretty nasty cloning [& alternate reality] problems.

And there was a boatload of conflict in both Ripple Effect and Insiders, SG-1's answer to Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Rescue Dawn

I had posted earlier regarding Werner Herzog's documentary Little Dieter Needs To Fly surrounding the extraordinary survival tale of Dieter Dengler during his WWII childhood and later Vietnam. The film details the life of an exemplary man.

Rescue Dawn is also directed by Herzog. As he mentions in a featurette on the DVD this was the "unfinished business" between he and Dengler that they wanted to see grace film. It is the visualized dramatization of that aforementioned documentary.

It remains faithful to the documentary and the spirit of the man that is Dieter in almost every way. Christian Bale gives yet another standout performance as Dengler. His castmates also deliver. Steve Zahn is flawless as Duane Martin, Bale's best friend and a fellow POW. Not to be overlooked is Jeremy Davies [Lost, Saving Private Ryan] as Gene. Davies is immersed and emaciated in this moving role [Herzog admits in the extras he wished he had portrayed Gene a little better in light of new information that came to him after the film was made]. It is quite easily one of the finest, real war films told in recent memory. Herzog relies on the reality of the Thailand jungle. There is no CGI trickery here.

For fans of Lost, there is yet another connection to our favorite TV drama with the appearance of Francois Chau [of the Dharma initiative] who attempts to coax Dengler into turning on his adopted homeland by signing papers against his country.



Loyalty. True honor. Those are qualities all too rare to find these days. Clearly Dieter Dengler udnerstoof those qualities in spades.

Midway [a.k.a. The Wraith Spanking]

The testosterone-heavy Stargate Atlantis, Midway was an outstanding stand alone and was easily the best of the last four episodes. Midway serves up the perfect blend of character drama, action and humor all in equal doses. Not to mention, it's always a pleasure to see the Wraith take a good old-fashioned ass-whooping.

The episode was laid out beautifully in 3 segments: Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy, the Midway Station and the S.G.C. on Earth [hey Gary Jones!] beginning with that warm, fuzzy feeling of Carter reuniting with Teal'c in Atlantis. He arrives with another great 'doo too.

The story centers on Carter's request to have Teal'c meet with Ronon Dex prior to Ronon's meeting with the I.O.A. so that Ronon might fair well in the interview with Mr. Coolidge back at the S.G.C.. It's brilliant to see the always stoic Teal'c come face to face with the strong, silent Ronon. It makes for some great on camera moments without much dialogue. Ronon is clearly disinterested in receiving any help from Teal'c and the hand-to-hand combat sequence is pure machisimo between the two! Fight proves two things. Ronon is a bad ass and Teal'c has become a wisened, Master Bra'tac-type bad ass! It's a draw and it's just pure darn stubborn, good ol' fashion warrior fun. Crazy kids.

When the time comes to travel to the S.G.C., Teal'c and Ronon meet up with Dr. Lee and the geek squad and must share quarters [and watch some dreadful Earth television in the form of The Three Stooges- damn! their exporting that stuff to space now!] for the required 24 hour quarantine period at the Midway station. Again, some great physical humor between Christopher Judge and Jason Momoa. Unexpectedly, the Midway point is overrun and commandeered by the Wraith.

In the second half, the two actors enjoy playing the proverbial "flys in the ointment" messing up the Wraith plans badly. They stop kicking each other's ass and start kicking Wraith ass! Did I mention Ronon and Teal'c are bad asses? Both head through the wormhole in hot Wraith pursuit who have knocked out all personnel at the S.G.C. with a stun device. Meanwhile, Shepherd and company arrive at the Midway to put a stop to the remaining pasty-faced ilk and kick more ass after Shepherd's boys receive their own ass plastering! Gotta love Shep! The guy is the best! Things heat up at the S.G.C. as many asses are spanked hard thanks to Ronon and Teal'c bringing things well in hand.

Some perfect dialogue for Dex and Teal'c throughout and appropriately limited. [I may be paraphrasing this example] Ronon: "You say that alot." Teal'c: "Say what?" Ronon: [immitating Teal'c] "Indeeed." Teal'c: "I hadn't noticed." As a whole, amazing performances all around with some great lines penned for all parties involved. It was a rollicking good time.

Oh, and Kavanaugh inadvertently blows the Midway station to kingdom come. This battle for Midway doesn't quite wind up like the one from 1942.

In the end, there's a respectful mentor/student-like nod by Dex to Teal'c following the interview. I think they like each other. Seeing Ronon flick Shepherd's nose in the final moments was classic.

A terrific installment with loads of great action and back and forth banter between a great cast. It was an unexpectedly strong outing. I was sick as a dog watching this one and it kind of picked up my spirits. Who needs a spoonful of sugar? We've got Atlantis.

Midway: A-

Forsaken [or how I learned to stop worrying and love SG-1]

Friends. I have a confession.

I became a Stargate SG-1 fan in Season 6. "Bloody hell!" I know, I know. You're in shock. "Sacriledge!" you say, but at least I became a fan. I saw the original film in theatres and liked it okay, but I liked what the creators of this series were doing much more. The film never sold me enough to check out the series way back at the beginning. Not to mention I didn't have Showtime.

I thought it would be fun to look back at the moment I was turned on to SG-1. Bless y'all out there if you've been a fan since the get go. I'm impressed. There aren't many shows I've watched since the moment they arrived on the scene. For example, I bought Lost Season 1 on DVD Box Set and became an official addict. As you learned just recently, the same applies to Jericho.

It was a typical night of the day's current events. As a habit I constantly check the news to see how far things have gone down the shitter. It's generally depressing to see the state of the world but somehow I always concern myself with it. During commercial I stumbled upon Sci Fi Channel and what would be Stargate SG-1 Forsaken. I'd have to say, in fact, Forsaken may have turned me into an even bigger science fiction fan than I already was. I know it's strange. Certainly there are no space battles and the only ship that's in the episode is the one crashed and disabled on the planet's surface [but I've always loved spaceshipwrecks]. It would seem unlikely, Forsaken, would be enough to draw me in, but it did. In fact, after watching the series straight through from start to finish I would consider Forsaken a solid entry in the Stargate SG-1 pantheon, but certainly not in my Top 10. I think it made me appreciate serialized science fiction more than I had up to that point.

Anyway, there were three key things for me that nailed it!

The story by none other than Damian Kindler and direction by Andy Mikita [he of the Heroes two parter]. It offered a nice twist on the good guys versus bad guys plot. SG-1 gates to a planet where three human-looking aliens are fending off two creepy looking aliens from their ship. Of course, nothing is as it seems. The two creepy-looking dudes are actually the good guys trying to get their ship back from the three escaped prisoners. Simple, but interesting enough to watch the drama unfold.

Amanda Tapping [Samantha Carter] [I was in love].



Richard Dean Anderson [Jack O'Neill] [yup! I was in love again].



Oh and of course the action of this wee, little firefight got me intrigued enough to check out everything I had missed so far.



The show was a great example of classic science fiction. It sure as heck grabbed me. I even became a fan sans Daniel Jackson. Season 6 afterall was the season Michael Shanks had departed, so it was never him who did it for me [although I became a fan of his work in the final three seasons especially; Jackson had evolved and I liked the slightly edgy, jaded character he became]. So without a single soul mentioning the program to me I somehow stumbled upon it on Sci-Fi Channel and the rest is history.

So, what was your first SG-1 moment?

Forsaken: B

Jericho Season 1

"Nuts! You can go to Hell!" Yup! I completely get it now! I just finished the dynamite season finale of Jericho and not a moment too soon. Season 2 begins Tuesday [10:00 pm]! FIND IT! WATCH IT! LIVE IT! Join the Jericho train and together we can rule the galaxy! Okay, maybe a bit too dramatic, but all I can say is "Holy mackerel Andy!" Season 1 of Jericho is just pure, damn explosive perfection!



Jericho's been one helluva ride since the arrival of those God-forsaken mushroom clouds. The action, the intrigue, the paranoia, the mistrust, the deceptions. This is an exciting television experience to be sure.

I can't say enough good things about Jericho to get you to check it out. It's an intense, involving story in the same vein as Lost from concept to casting. The pacing is relentless and filled with the emotion of powerful performances. You won't be disappointed. We are gripped by the journey these characters are on in the new world that is Jericho, Kansas. The problems, the mysteries and the sheer need to survive plague interpersonal relations here in much the same way we find people scrambling on Lost. Still, they are different. The ties are much closer as there is a bond between the folks of Jericho. These people knew one another before the blasts or do they? The pressures of a new order are shaping decisions and behavior and its fascinating to see who rises and falls amidst the ensuing chaos. Smalltown communities are rarely on display in television and its fascinating to see this kind of intimacy played out.

A scene from Winter's End and the dramatic struggles within Jericho.



The cast is a deliciously assembled ensemble:

• Skeet Ulrich [Jake Green]
• Lennie James [Robert Hawkins]
• Kenneth Mitchell [Eric Green]
• Gerald McRaney [Johnston Green]
• Ashley Scott [Emily Sullivan]
• Brad Beyer [Stanley Richmond]
• Alicia Coppola [Mimi Clark]
• Sprague Grayden [Heather Lisinski]
• Michael Gaston [Gray Anderson]
• Shoshannah Stern [Bonnie Richmond]
• Erik Knudsen [Dale Turner]

Here's a run down of Jericho Season 1 and how the episodes shakedown. I essentially rate on my own visceral reaction combined with the pacing of action and drama that propels the story forward and whether or not I felt it successfully delivered. All in all, there really isn't a bad apple in the bunch here.

Pilot: The First Seventeen Hours [A] The title about says it all as we are introduced to the cast of characters of Jericho, Kansas. Following the bombs the town does what it can to come to grips with a reality they know little about.

Fallout [A] The town runs for cover from the potentially fatal fallout following the nuclear attack.

Four Horsemen [A] The town begins to understand the scope of the event and seek to search for more answers through search parties.

Walls Of Jericho [A] A stranger comes to town dying from radiation poisoning.

Federal Response [C+] Mayhem from power spikes has the town reeling and a recorded message from Homeland Security keeps the town on edge in terms of the realities of their fate.

9:02 [B] EMP [electromagnetic pulse] weapons are launched and plunge the town into darkness literally as if being in the dark about their circumstances wasn't enough.

Long Live The Mayor [B] Gray Anderson, a rival to the town mayor, returns from an earlier search for survivors and is horrified by what he has seen.

Rogue River [A] With the mayor out of commission from illness, his two sons, Jake and Eric Green, must travel to a dangerous area to obtain the medicine needed to save their father Johnston Green's life. This is the first appearance of Ravenwood led by actor D.B. Sweeney

Crossroads [A] Jericho's residents secure the borders in an effort to prevent the arrival of Ravenwood.

Red Flag [B+] Aid relief arrives falling from the skies but from who?

Vox Populi [B] A murder. An election. Gray Anderson becomes the new mayor. They must determine who is behind the death as the town of Jericho continues to hold it together.

The Day Before [B-] The past of Jake and Robert Hawkins is revealed in this episode dedicated to the hours before the nuclear attack.

Black Jack [B] Jake, Johnston, Dale and Heather head to a trading post outside of town for resources.

Heart Of Winter [B] Jake, Stanley and Mimi are pursued by a vehicle and unknown occupants. Forced off the road, their truck crashes and Jake is pinned underneath the overturned truck in the dead of winter. Stanley stays by his side to comfort him as Mimi journeys for help into the unknown.

Semper Fidelis [B] The US Marines arrive to help the townspeople or are they marines? The tank is convincing, but Jake and Johnston are on to something. Hawkins meanwhile deals with his family and the arrival of an old comrade in Sarah.

Winter's End [B] This one is a right tearjerker. Have the Kleenix ready. April struggles to stay alive and Kenchy does his best to save her.

One Man's Terrorist [B-] Roger, Emily's fiance, goes bananas when the town's mayor decides the town's refugees must leave due to lack of resources. Roger holds Gray Anderson hostage and Jake mediates to prevent the situation from escalating.

A.K.A [A] Jake holds Robert Hawkins at gunpoint to determine if he is a terrorist or not. Much of Hawkins' backstory is revealed here and it is a mesmerizing episode.

Casus Belli [B+] Eric never returns from rival town New Bern. Jake and Hawkins head out to find him and Heather. The two uncover a plot of weapons manufacturing that may result in Jericho as the target.

One If By Land [A] Johnston learns his sons are being held captive in New Bern. Hawkins schemes a plan to rescue Eric and Jake. One of the most intense action sequences of the season.

Coalition Of The Willing [A-] Johnston, Jake, Eric, Hawkins all head to the outskirts of town and form a temporary partnership with Emily's father to take out New Bern's men and mortars that are shelling Jericho. A war is brewing between the two towns.

Why We Fight [A] Everyone in Jericho walks the streets of Jericho armed. It's like the Wild West. New Bern is coming and the town of Jericho must make a stand to protect itself. This is as good as season finale's get.

Ordinary America quickly collapsing into the Wild West?



I think what makes Jericho so damn gripping is the way in which it portrays the country's devolution following the attacks from episode 1. It literally is a regression backward for the town of Jericho and others around them and how the regular folks deal with it all. There are loads of competing factions and it manages to inject topical global issues straight into the story to keep it compelling. It's a bit like the wild, wild west when all is said and done. Any and all attempts to maintain civilization seem thwarted at every turn by the evil of men in desperate times. It's a sincere and powerfully written story with an amazing cast!

Fans of this show, including me, certainly have their fingers crossed to see it renewed for Season 3. I suspect we'll know more in oh... 7 weeks. Support Season 2 and if you don't... well you're nuts!

Dr. Elizabeth Weir

The recent reshuffling news on Stargate Atlantis alerts fans to the latest casualty. After two solid announcements concerning the casting of 'regulars' Robert Picardo and Jewel Staite it was reported that the lovely Torri Higginson who played Dr. Elizabeth Weir will not return for Season 5 of the show. The news comes amidst a swirl of strained relations after Higginson was not properly picked up as a 'regular' for Season 4. Higginson had signed a 6 year deal when she was cast in 2004 and made her first appearance on Stargate SG-1.

Here is Jessica Steen playing Dr. Elizabeth Weir in the character's first appearance on SG-1 for Lost City Part 1 at the end of Season 7.



Jessica Steen (Earth 2) was lovely, but fortunately the creators had the good sense to recast the role and give the part to Higginson who infused the complex part with a touch more finesse. Higginson was perfect for the part. Would the real Dr. Elizabeth Weir please step forward?



This was Higginson's first appearance at the start of Season 8 in New Order Part 1. I was a bit tentative initially about her part, but the actress expertly handled command. Stargate Atlantis showed a great deal of promise with Higginson at the helm.

Higginson had these comments (taken from Gateworld): "The very last day of filming Season 3 as I finished filming the last scene on the last day, I was called up to the office and was told that my character was going to become recurring if I chose to be, so, I thought that was not a very dignified way to deal with it, and I was a bit surprised. So my reaction was -- I was a little bit surprised. I was a little bit upset by how it was dealt with" (extracted from DTRN's Sci Fi Guys Internet radio program). To quote Weir in the first clip above, "well there's gonna be a lot of changes and not everyone's gonna be happy about them." Steen discovered this after just two episodes. Unfortunately, Higginson, too, sees the character part come to a close.

Coupled with the loss of Amanda Tapping from the show as a regular, Tapping will make appearances, the latest blow results in losing Higginson completely. There was indeed a sexy, commanding coolness about her and I will miss her presence on Stargate Atlantis. Her role was noticeably absent in Season 4, and from the sounds of it, the relationship between her and the creators ends on a sour note. It doesn't appear she'll be back.

Still, does Jonas Quinn ring a bell? Michael Shanks came back from the wilderness following his own grievances. It's certainly unlikely for Higginson, but never say never in science fiction.

Update: Higginson made an appearance on Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie's Dark Matter (2015-present). Given Mallozzi and Mullie's connection to Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe it would seem time does indeed heal all wounds.

Dr. Jennifer Keller

All that delicious news concerning Stargate Atlantis continues to filter in. Jewel Staite was hired to play Dr. Jennifer Keller at the end of Season 3 and became a 'recurring' character in Season 4. It has just been announced she has now been promoted to 'regular' cast member for Season 5. This is another piece of exciting news to contemplate alongside Robert Picardo's upgrade. She joins Robert Picardo, Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, David Hewlett and Jason Momoa to round out a six member ensemble for the next phase in the evolution of Stargate Atlantis.

Thinking about Jewel Staite always reminds me of the character she absolutely owned on the unfortunately ephemeral series Firefly, Kaylee Frye, the ship Serenity's mechanic. Most people have come to discover the verse of Firefly or become one of the fabulous mass that supports it dubbed "Browncoats." Staite was terrific in that amazing ensemble and on that absolutely terrific show. It was one of those shows that never had a chance to get off the ground like Stargate did. It's too bad, because Jericho was salvaged by its rabid fanbase to tell another tale. I just can't understand why Firefly never got picked up by Sci Fi Channel. To this day it perplexes me and saddens me. I know, I know the fans did lift it up and resurrect enough interest that Joss Whedon got behind the camera for a big screen adaptation and wrap up of it in a film called Serenity and that was outstanding! I still wish the series got picked up.

I guess that's it really, science fiction television has turned out to be a much more exciting avenue for me than science fiction film. Let's face it, sci fi in theatres just never gets a chance to develop. The last Star Wars trilogy was loaded with wooden characters and stilted dialogue. Sci fi on television experiments, pushes the boundaries, expectations and character development week after week and that is precisely why science fiction on TV beats out film any day of the week. That's why Stargate [the movie] was good, but both series are stellar.

Anyway, I soooo wish Firefly was still around. Give me 10 seasons of that show anyday. That was the one that got away for me. It ranked in my Top 5.

This is the delightful Jewel Staite [pre-Stargate Atlantis] as Kaylee opposite the always brilliant, eternally underrated Nathan Fillion [Slither] on that special little show called Firefly.

Richard Woolsey

If you don't know who Richard Woolsey is you've probably never watched Stargate SG-1 or Stargate Atlantis. Richard Woolsey works for a furtive operation dubbed the NID. He is officially the International Oversight Committee Representative. He was introduced in Season 7 of SG-1 and now has a recurring role on Atlantis. This fascinating character study is also notably played by actor Robert Picardo.
*

If you don't know Robert Picardo you probably never watched Star Trek Voyager where he established a very convincing doctor, albeit virtual & holographic, for seven seasons. The medical training clearly built upon from his time as a doctor on China Beach.

As previously announced Amanda Tapping is moving over to the new Sci Fi Channel series Sanctuary and will no longer be a regular on Stargate Atlantis. A replacement was needed for her. It was just announced that Picardo's Woolsey character would be heading up the command of the Atlantis expedition for the upcoming Season 5 of the show.

I'm not sure what the buzz on the street is regarding his position at the top of this gating beast, but I have to tip my cap to the creators of Stargate Atlantis for making such a strong and decisive statement for the show. Picardo is the consummate actor. He's a joy to watch play any role. Until now he's been one of my favorite 'recurring' characters in the Stargate universe and with this announcement he will happily become one of my favorite 'regular' cast members next to Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett and Jason Momoa. He'll also add a very different spice to the chemistry of a show that has already proven itself willing to change and take chances. He will have a unique impact on its diverse cast and the program's ever-changing chemistry and dynamic. It'll be a thrill to see where this goes.

Here is a scene from Robert Picardo's first appearance [Heroes] on Stargate SG-1 illustrating Picardo's immense talent opposite Don Davis. Two powerhouse performances.

By the way, I purchased a box of Stargate Season 7 trading cards and by some sheer miracle was the recipient of a personally autographed very limited card [see above]. You don't get much luckier than that in the world of card collecting. I was pretty excited and my other half [aka The One To Be Pitied as she likes to be called] had to watch me jump around in jubilation. You would have thought the Patriots won the superbowl [ouch that hurt!].

For more information on Robert Picardo and his career from China Beach to The Wonder Years click here for his official website.

Sanctuary: The Series

It wasn't too long ago I reviewed the web-based version of Sanctuary [click here for a video sample]. I had predicted it was just a matter of time before someone snatched it up for television. It turns out it was greenlit sooner than I expected. Sci-Fi Channel has ordered a 13 episode run.

Not unlike the webisodes the show is expected to rely heavily on the virtual-based sets found in these original shorts albeit with a much heftier budget thankfully.

It was the first high definition web series for science fiction.

Again, Amanda Tapping [Stargate SG-1] will be returning to play the part of Dr. Helen Magnus. SG-1 writing-producing-directing alumni Damian Kindler [creator of Sanctuary] and Martin Wood will also return along with much of the same cast from the web.

The sci fi drama will see Magnus' quest to protect Earth's unfortunate creature-like oddities continue. A new two-hour premiere is forthcoming with filming to begin in March.

UPDATE: This will impact Amanda Tapping's character of Samantha Carter for Stargate Atlantis as she will return in a supporting/ guest only role for Season 5.

Little Dieter Needs To Fly

Every once in a while a picture comes along that brings us back down to Earth and reality- a little non-fiction if you will.

I was prompted to dig a little deeper upon learning Christian Bale's latest project, Rescue Dawn, was based on a true story. Furthermore, Director Werner Herzog had not only directed Rescue Dawn but had earlier directed a documentary upon which the film was based, Little Dieter Needs To Fly.

Herzog is more than an ingenius filmmaker, but one who understands and captures those intimate moments of humanity. He has directed a number of fine films least of which is the fairly well known Grizzly Man. You may have heard of that one.

Few have heard of the film Little Dieter Needs To Fly, the basis for Rescue Dawn, but this is a haunting, moving film so extraordinary it's hard to believe it's real. It's also hard to believe the man, Dieter Dengler, remains the kind of quality human being he portrays for us here on film to the people around him every day.

Even more striking this man, once a prisoner of war, walks so comfortably in this life freely leaving his home open to all. Can you imagine a world where you can leave your doors unlocked? It once existed, but is slowly becoming a thing of the past, however for Dieter he has experienced the chains of imprisonment and today happily soaks up freedoms we take for granted. He is indeed a special person.

This 74 minute feature revisits the dream of German-born Dieter Dengler and his desire to become a United States pilot from the very early years of his life. His impoverished life seemed like one unimaginable challenge after another and yet he persevered. As a young boy during World War II, his family boiled wall paper and glue for sustenance. His grandfather was the only man in his hometown who stood firmly against Adolph Hitler. Life was harsh on his family and for Dieter it would only get harder. Little did he know what awaited him as a prisoner of war during Vietnam.

Dengler never wavered in his mission to become an American citizen. He came to America at 18. Vietnam came along and the story continues as Dengler became a prisoner of war under the control of the Viet Cong after being shot down over Laos. Remarkably, following starvation and torture, he escaped. He refused to sign a paper against the country that gave him his wings. The story might not touch your life, but it should your heart if you have one. He is a simple man who figures himself not a hero, but a survivor. He recounts his day to to day experience weaving a tale of courage. Herzog masterfully chronicles Dieter's life and God bless Dieter Dengler for being the quality human being he is and sharing his story. He's an inspiration.

***

Note: Surprisingly, the trials in Dieter's life have not hardened his heart to show love for strangers even those who once bound his legs and hands and tried to smother his spirit.

This sequence speaks to the character of a good man, one to proudly call a fellow American. I highly recommend taking time out to see Little Dieter Needs To Fly and to follow up with Rescue Dawn.

Litte Dieter Needs To Fly: A

Nemesis

So, what was your favorite Stargate SG-1 Season finale? A recent poll indicated those pesky Replicators to be a fan favorite as the ultimate enemy of SG-1.

And thus the Replicators' legacy began...


One of my choices would have to be Nemesis. This could easily be the template for what a brilliant season finale should offer. Nemesis is a brilliant closer to Season 3. Again, it is a credit to the work of writer/ director Robert Cooper and Martin Wood with their fine cast and strong effects team.

It is Jack-packed full of exciting material, builds big time on mythology and single-handedly takes SG-1 into new unknowns. This is the episode that officially introduced the enemy of the Asgard [and now Earth], the Replicators, to the Gate universe. Pure sci-fi at its best as the Replicator introduction brought forth a most worthy adversary that has reverberated throughout Stargate well into Stargate Atlantis today.

In truth, the nasty bugs were first referenced informally by Thor back in Season 3, Episode 3 [Fair Game], but are unveiled here in all their metallic splendor.

A weakened Thor has summoned the assistance of Jack O'Neill [Richard Dean Anderson] to battle the Replicators aboard his ship which is quickly being usurped of control and its precious Asgard technology into the collective Replicator intelligence. SG-1 is in full-on team and battle mode here waging all-out war with these mechanical munchers as they literally overrun Thor's ship. O'Neill receives the help of Teal'c and Carter as they attempt to keep the Replicators at bay, not die, abandon the Asgard ship just prior to Earth entry, save Thor, and stop the Replicators from landing on the planet and overruning Earth. Whew! All in a day's work folks! It's a nailbiter.



Nemesis is genre television perfection, but it's also just great storytelling. They definitely set a new standard and really took Stargate SG-1 into untapped sci-fi realms and elevated expectations.

There have been some solid season finales but this ranks as one of the top 5 for this show. It simply kicks ass!

Oh, and that cliffhanger...


You'll have to checkout Season 4 opener Small Victories to catch the rousing sequel. I will admit, the Replicators storyline is one of my personal favorites in science-fiction and maybe someday I'll take the time to draw up a fan collective of the the entire thread. Now if I could only find some sort of time dilation device to make that happen.

Nemesis: A

The Return Of Starbuck

...and now the conclusion to Galactica 1980.

The title is rich. The Return Of Starbuck is laughable for many reasons not least of which is that it misleads you to think he's returning to the Galactica. Not so.

So the question is, does it refer to a return of the glory days of Battlestar Galactica? Does Dirk Benedict [Starbuck] redirect the course of Galactica 1980?

The fact that this is the last installment in the series speaks volumes, but the answer in short is NOT A CHANCE!

I have read on ocassion this one episode alone single-handedly rights the ship and validates the purchase of Galactica 1980. I'm hear to say it does not, so save your money.

The story begins with young, miracle child Dr. Z narrating as he speaks with Commander Adama about his dream of a warrior named Starbuck. This is the backstory of Starbuck's disappearance. Following a firefight with the cylons [alongside partner Boomer], his viper is hit and he and a cylon raider crash land on an unknown, but habitable planet. The story begins well. Credit goes to Herbert Jefferson and Dirk Benedict for raising the bar of this episode's results above the rest. It's better initially, but goes south quickly for the second half. The first half is kind of like Galactica's version of Castaway.

Here's a decent scene from the first portion of the show.


Eventually, Starbuck, clearly not a rocket scientist, somehow activates one of the centurians and its companionship serves up a second half that is like a perversion of Enemy Mine [1985]. The two work together for mutual survival. Actually, it's more for Starbuck's survival since the cylon is nothing more than a walking tin can. Where is Starbuck getting food from on this desolate planet? The cylon [dubbed 'Cy' by Starbuck] departs the encampment and brings back a "wo-man" for Starbuck albeit out of thin air. Where the hell did she come from? She's also preganant! Huh? Starbuck is dubbed the father and makes the baby a cradle! WTF! You see, it goes wrong quickly. Logic flies out the window at the half-way point and it becomes just another piece of hot, steaming Galactica 1980 crap. Oh, by the way, McCord and Van Dyke apparently got their walking papers because they're nowhere to be found!

Here's a scene from this complete debacle of a second half that degraded into utter kookiness.


In the end, more cylons land and it's a shootout, but Cy stands by Starbuck's side because they are "friends." Thank God this was the last episode. Have mercy. I couldn't take another morality play of this caliber again. Starbuck assembles a spaceship out of the scrap heap of parts. Hmmm, maybe he is a rocket scientist. Starbuck launches his "wo-man" into space with their newborn baby and he remains behind to die a lonely death. That baby turns out to be stupid Dr. Z. Thankfully Larson addressed this question because it had been really gnawing at me since the beginning to find out more. Dr. Z was such a well-defined character and such a likeable addition to the cast! NOT! Stupid! Die!

More importantly, what the hell happened to Apollo? Remember him, Adama's son. Yeah, the guy who made Battlestar Galactica special. That was the series and the man that helped propel the powers that be into spawning a modern day reimagining. Fortunately, Richard Hatch saw the writing on the wall, or the lack of writing perhaps, and stayed far away from this Galactica meltdown. It's like the space version of Titanic.

Had the episode killed off Dr. Z and Cy, left the woman out, gone with a sharper script and concentrated solely on a deserted Starbuck being hunted by the cylons you may have had an entry that belonged within the classic Battlestar Galactica cannon. The bottom line, Larson lost his way or was rushed or whatever. More importantly the original cast had charm and chemistry, which explains why Dirk Benedict elevates the material here briefly. Galactica 1980 missed all of that. Benedict, as good as he is, just can't save this poorly conceived, poorly written, poorly executed show.

Worse yet for me personally, I'll never get this time back.

The Return Of Starbuck: F
Galactica 1980: F

Galactica 1980

TV has come a long way indeed. This is embarassing stuff!

The 10 episode Galactica 1980 essentially ATTEMPTS to bring some sense of closure to the original Battlestar Galactica. Boy oh boy, does it fail miserably.

The cast includes the returning grey-bearded Lorne Greene, Herbert Jefferson Jr. [Boomer], Kent McCord [Troy aka Boxey], Barry Van Dyke [Dylan] and a stupid creation called Dr.Z [played by the kid, Oliver, on The Brady Bunch for the first three riveting episodes].

Guests include none other than the late Robert Reed [Mr. Brady- "goodnight Mr. and Mrs. Brady" fame], William Daniels [the voice of KITT in Knight Rider], Wolfman Jack [WTF!] and appearances by the little girl from the newer episodes of Little House On The Prairie [Missy Francis].

This is a space opera disaster of epic proportions that takes place mostly on low-budgeted Earth. The premise for the whole thing becomes preposterous as all of these crazy ideas sort of get tossed together. It's like someone said "What would happen if he we made space motorbikes for the colonial warriors?". It's bloody CHiPs Galactica!

Glen A Larson has clearly lost his mind.


Episode Guide:
Galactica Discovers Earth [D]: The premiere is like one big bad 'Bad'lestar nightmare. The score of old has been supplanted by a kind of hodgepodge that sounds like intergalactic CHiPs noodling. Pure cheese. Where's Jon and Ponch when you need them? McCord and Van Dyke are sent on a mission to Earth from the Galactica. Commander Adama assesses the planet is not technologically advanced enough to defend itself against a cylon invasion if the Galactica is followed there. The boys are sent to find Reed, a nuclear physicist where they pick up the token female, reporter Jamie Hamilton, for the series. McCord and Van Dyke play the whole 'fish out of water' routine as aliens on Earth on and off throughout the series and the writing fails them miserably. Terrible! At times, it's like Galactica's answer to Starky and Hutch. The whole thing is preposterous.

Galactica Discovers Earth Part II [F] The Earthbound antics continue and McCord drives a police car wishing he was still in Adam-12. He may has well have been. He plays essentially the same one-note character. Adama determines he must send McCord, Van Dyke and token female back in time to help prepare Earth. There are some NEW swirly effects and some swooshing tail effects for the vipers but NO writing talent to be found in this black hole of a series. Most of the effects shots and cylons are found in the opening credits, images clearly lifted straight from the original series. McCord and Van Dyke travel back to 1944 Nazi Germany. The exposition feels like a forced history lesson. There's no fun in this. It's a completely bizarre and boring political statement. There are so many continuity holes and farfetched scenarios it makes The A-Team seem realistic. Galactica 1980 feels less like Battlestar Galactica, less an homage to 70s television and more like a collision of show ideas. Weird stuff.

Galactica Discovers Earth Part III [F] The enthralling conclusion to the show's 3 parter. NOT! Terrible crap this stuff. Who on Earth or Caprica for that matter would have ever imagined the Galactica would find Earth, travel back in time to 1944, tangle with the Nazis, liberate the Jews from concentration camps!? Science-fiction!? No doubt, but the absolute worst and incomprehensible kind. It's a certified disaster. It's not fun to watch. My wife and I laughed most of the time making fun of it like we were the characters in Mystery Science Theatre. There's loads of stock WWII footage because the creators had no budget! Back to the future and McCord and Van Dyke are taken by the military.

The Earthly "you gotta be freakin' kiddin' me" adventures continue....


The Super Scouts [F] Four episodes into the series and finally we see cylons and not the ones in the opening credits. These cylons don't say a damn thing! The cylons attack one of the fleet's ships. A fire in space. Perfect, cut to the action footage edited out of the original series' episode Fire In Space. Fake smoke is blown onto the video image. WTF! There isn't actually smoke in the new sequences. No one is coughing or sweating. It's hysterical. McCord and Van Dyke escape to Earth again [no special effects needed except for those flying motorbikes] this time with 12 super children. To blend, all dress as cubscouts and scout masters. The delinquent space kids come down with an illness thanks to a nearby chemical plant near the lake they have camped upon. Cue the ecological message episode! Once again the colonial warriors take time from their survival mission to teach us how to care for the environment. This is a solid entry in the series! NOT! Terrible again!

I found Jon and Ponch and that cheesy CHiPs and Galactica hybrid musical noodling! This is the epitome of Galactica meets CHiPs meets Starsky & Hutch fashion. I kid you not!


The Super Scouts Part II [F] The storyline was so good it needed 2 parts. WTF! This makes Earth 2 feel like quality science fiction. Really. The episode is filled with pursuit by the military, illness and kids jumping into and over trees like Six Million Dollar Babies or, ....ummm Super Scouts. Disgusted!

Spaceball [F] McCord and Van Dyke are adrift in space after being manipulated by one of their own who is essentially the Baltar of the series. Lucky for them they get to sit this one out. Jamie takes the 12 kids to a special needs campground to playout another terrible script. This is, by all accounts, the Bad News Bears riff. The formula is applied as they need to win a baseball game for the failing kids' camp. Yes folks, only the very best in science fiction for our Galactica fans.

The Night The Cylons Landed [F] This might be more aptly titled The Night 2 Cylons Landed. Yeah, a real invasion. Actually there were like 4-5 cylons but a few died in the landing. The on-board computers even warned them that survival was unlikely, but what the hell land anyway. This is the first glimpse at the idea of Cylon evolving [clearly not too smart]; one humanoid, one centurion. They even talk in this episode. The cylons crash in New York in the hopes of transmitting a signal to their brothers in space. Meanwhile, McCord and Van Dyke are aboard a hijacked plane enroute to intercepting the cylons. What really grates the nerves is Greene's character. Commander Adama is so out of character from the original series. He's like a wuss always leaning on the advice of this ill-conceived brain child prodigy Dr.Z. Any sense of leadership he had in the classic series is out the window. He's pathetic! For God's sake grow a pair of balls, you're fucking Commander Adama! What the hell was Glen A. Larson thinking with this entire series? He should be ashamed of himself writing such tripe. Not a shining moment.

The Night The Cylons Landed Part II [F] And now "the exciting conclusion"...well, that's what they would have you believe despite the fact excitement is exactly what they forgot to put into this thing. McCord and Van Dyke attempt to locate the cylons, but not before dancing on stage to the "Goodship Lollipop" in white tuxedos and saving a boy and dog from a raging blaze. WTF!? Meanwhile the cylons are passed off as costumed partygoers on Halloween. This is nothing more than a goofy, lame-ass piece of garbage. Just stupid.

Space Croppers [F] Believe me. I was praying I could root for just one episode. The Imperious Leader makes an appearance, but I think it's nothing more than borrowed footage from the original series complete with British accent. WTF again? The cylons attack the Galactica's food supply. McCord and Van Dyke are sent to Earth in the hopes of escaping this terrible show....I mean to try and establish a food source. This time the theme is prejudice and raciscm. They help some down-on-their-luck migrant Mexican farmers. The family even gets help spreading the seed from the Super Scouts. It just keeps getting better. The farm is saved. Everyone is one big happy family with food for all and the kids have found their new home away from the special needs baseball camp. Incredulous!

The Return Of Starbuck [?] The final episode.

I'm not exactly sure why I gave the first episode a 'D', perhaps I was blinded by my own fanboy excitement in seeing Lorne Green and the Galactica again. Maybe seeing a few roaming daggits gave me hope. In hindsight, I was generous. The best thing about Galactica 1980 is the box and sleeve the DVD contents are shipped in. It's pretty and clearly the special effects budget was spent on that box. The show looks amazing on that box, so don't expect to see it in the show.

So does The Return Of Starbuck, as some fans have touted as a throwback to the charms of the original, make it worthwhile to purchase this 10 episode 20 dollar mini-DVD Set of drivel? Can Dirk Benedict single-handedly save this disaster and return some sense of self-respect to all that was right with Battlestar Galactica?

Stay tuned for our exciting conclusion...

Back To The Office

Yuck....Back to the grind...



I think someone over at The Office likes Star Trek.

Beyond Loch Ness

You know I was really itching to call the title of this blog entry, Don S. Davis, What The Hell Were You Thinking? Maybe I should have. Maybe they should have called Beyond Loch Ness the same.

Looks Like Game Over for this poor fellow.


Yup! Definitely Game Over....


I know Sci-Fi Channel has to be paying these actors good money because the "spare no expense" approach is not being applied to the special effects. Granted, they weren't terrible. The key to CGI is slowing down those monster movements!!! Damn! They move way too fast. It makes creatures look rediculous. Van Helsing and Hulk both had bad CGI and when it's applied poorly it's hard to suspend our disbelief. Thats' why they both sucked!

Paul McGillion [Stargate Atlantis] has a role, a very brief one. He gets the luxury of being eaten alive by the beast in the first 5 minutes. It sets up the revenge tale as his son looks on. Don S. Davis [Stargate SG-1] is in law enforcement and attempting to navigate through some very bad dialogue [he even says "What the hell?" at one point- times are tough since SG-1 closed the gate]. People basically die and keep dying on Lake Superior, Vancouver. The kid who played Teal'c's son, Rya'c, makes an appearance too, yeah, a real brief appearance. He winds up kibble and bits for old Nessie.

For a beast that has alluded cameras and videographers for centuries....it sure seems like it's looking for attention. Those baby Nessies aren't helpful either. Everyone seems to congregate at the lake and ... wah lah dinner is served! So the "Beyond" part of Beyond Loch Ness is that Plessie has been busy in the old loch of love. Don doesn't even get to collect his check in the end. The whole thing is all wet!

Look, you know things aren't good when the wife pleads with you to turn back to the football game. She called the film "one nudie scene away from Friday the 13th." That's priceless. I'm not sure, but this may have been worse than Showdown At Area 51.

Folks! Remember, the budget is injected into Stargate Atlantis and that show rocks!!!

Deadman Switch

Every once in a while you have to stop to appreciate and admire the singular greatness of one episode of your favorite television. Stargate SG-1 certainly had its fair share of brilliant moments as well as a solid handful of duds to boot.

I was reading Jo Storm's Approaching The Possible when she reviewed Deadman Switch from Season 3 of Stargate SG-1 as being one of her favorite "humor"-based episodes of the "genre". I couldn't agree more. Storm is certainly unafraid of critiquing the show or showering it with praise where it applies. I found myself in disagreement over a number of episodes she disliked and others she loved. Storm loved Urgo. I did not. Not a big fan of the Dom Deluise schtick as much as I LOVE his son Peter Deluise' contributions to the success of SG-1. Hathor was one I enjoyed a great deal. Storm hated it. Perhaps it's a male hormone thing, but I really dig chicks with red wigs and lipstick.

Again, with Deadman Switch we agree. Despite its apparent lacking of hot chicks, it's a fantastic science-fiction episode. It's also the quintessential hostage-taking episode within the SG-1 series. It has all of the best elements of sci-fi, but most of all it's the dialogue in this puppy. The whole thing has chemistry. I think alot of that is owed to the laser-sharp writing/directing team of Robert Cooper and Martin Wood who helm this gem.

Sam Jones [a la Flash Gordon "flash a-ahhhhhh savior of the universe" fame] guest stars and he's simply brilliant as an aged bounty hunter for hire. Showing his battle scars benefits the character as a kind of war-hardened, gun-for-hire type just looking for the next big job to survive. His next big hit is capturing SG-1 for the Goa'uld.

Richard Dean Anderson [the comedian] and Michael Shanks [the straight man] are pitch perfect and really highlight the team chemistry and humor throughout the proceedings.

It ranks as one of the best for me in Season 3 next to Pretense and Nemesis [the season finale that introduced the Replicator legacy, not surprisingly also by Cooper and Wood]. Deadman Switch is rewatchable time and again.

Deadman Switch: A -

Ah, The Office

So, the New Year is going absolutely terrific so far, of course it's only been less than a whole day. Granted I suppose I should count my blessings. Somewhere out there someone has already started the year off badly. Needless to say, I like to take my time easing into the new year before everything goes to pot!

At the moment, I am sadly paralyzed after having a few days off and now I await my inevitable fate with the arrival of the daily grind. Vacations have a funny way of doing that. It's not like a weekend where every Monday comes and it's expected and dealt with accordingly. Vacations cause a kind of 'deer in the headlights' feel. I can't explain it. I like work alright, but I like time off a whole lot more. My wife can vouch for me on that, she's always trying to get me to do work. : )

Speaking of pot or in this case 'shite', it seems fitting that the other half and I have been watching The Office, the English version. I howl at the American version. The English version is actually, well, very English. At first, I was having a hard time adjusting to the accents and quick mumbling combined with the offbeat English sense of humor, but it grew on me fast.

I was really surprised to find there were only 2 Seasons. Get this, each season is comprised of 6 bloody episodes. That's it folks, then call it a day. Can you imagine if American programming allowed for 6 episode seasons. What is up with that? It makes Jericho's greenlit partial, second season look normal by British standards. Shoot, I'll be back on sci-fi before you know it, which reminds me. If I ever get off topicit's perfectly legitimate. This blog is Musings Of A Sci-Fi Fanatic, not Sci-Fi Musings Of A Sci-Fi Fanatic. I think I'm covered. Besides, despite being heavily Sci-Fi driven here, man or woman cannot live by science fiction alone, unless of course I was single.

Anyway, there are loads of funny bits in the English version of The Office and it's well worth checking out as it has its own loveable and eccentric cast of characters. It's easy to see where the US version was clearly influenced by set design. America's Office has the hysterical Steve Carell, a dynamic office manager in his own right, while comedian Ricky Gervais is equally brilliant. Two shows carved from the same stone that are both uniquely splendid.

As for me, I head back to the office grind too and I can tell you this, it won't be half as much fun or half as funny.